April 7, 2025
DHAKA – Promising swimmer Samiul Islam Rafi produced his career-best timing in Arena Thailand Age Group Swimming Championships 2025 to win a silver medal in 50m backstroke in Thailand today.
Rafi, a national record holder, clocked 27.17 seconds to grab the silver medal. His previous best timing was 27.20 seconds, which he set during Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
Before going into the final of the 50m backstroke event, Rafi finished second in the heat with a timing of 27.38 seconds but the lad from Rajbari improved his timing in the final.
On Saturday, Rafi also bagged a bronze in 100m backstroke with a timing of 58.90 seconds, eclipsing his previous best of 58.95 seconds which he made during World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2024. Rafi took 59.14 seconds to finish third in the heat of that event.
“I’m happy with how much I’ve improved my timing as it happened in the championships where swimmers from nearly 35 countries took part,” Rafi told The Daily Star over the phone.
Rafi has been training in Thailand since January 2024, under a FINA scholarship.
“You can say it has been a preparatory tournament for me because I am fully focused on Malaysian Open Championships which will start from April 23. I want to win a gold medal in Malaysia,” said Rafi, informing that he would participate in 10 events in the Malaysia Open.
About the improvement in his timing, the 19-year-old swimmer said, “I see it as a positive thing ahead of the next SAFF Games. Many swimmers get stuck but I am gradually improving my timing and it will definitely motivate me to work harder, thus further improve my timing.”