Imranur Rahman retained the country’s fastest man title, while Shirin Akter regained the fastest woman title as the three-day-long National Athletics Championships began at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.

The UK-based Bangladeshi Navy sprinter took 10.58 seconds (electronic timing) to claim his sixth title in the 100-metre sprint event.

The 32-year-old improved by 0.06 seconds from his time at last year’s Summer Athletics Championship. However, his timing was still 0.20 seconds slower than his career best of 10.29 seconds, which was set in 2022.

Navy’s Mohammad Ismail, a five-time winner of the event, finished second by clocking 10.86 seconds.

After winning the title, Imran expressed optimism for the forthcoming Asian Games to be held in Japan in September.

‘I am not thinking so much that I could not record (break) my best timing. At the national meet, finishing is more important than timing … Hope, I will do well in the Asian Games. Actually, consistent training is needed to make it,’ said Imran.

Shirin, also a Navy sprinter, clocked 12:10 seconds (ET) to reclaim the fastest women’s title for the 17th time.

This time, Shirin clocked 00:15 seconds more than her career-best timing of 11:95 seconds – the national record timing that she has been holding since September 2022.

In the previous edition, Shirin clocked 12.21 seconds and was dethroned by Sumaiya Dewan, who finished fourth this time with 12:41 seconds.

Bangladesh Army’s Sharifa Khatun clocked 12.25 seconds (ET) to finish second, and Rakha Akter secured bronze with a time of 12.34 seconds.

‘Thanks to all who supported me for this success; I disappointed you last time. I lost my temper when I finished second in the previous edition,’ said Shirin.

Two new national records were set in the shot put event by Army and Navy.

Navy’s Golam Sorwar set a new national record in the men’s shot put by eclipsing 15.94 metres to break his previous record of 15.50 metres set in 2025.

Army’s Jannat Begum set the record by surpassing 14.24 metres in the women’s shot put, breaking her own record of 13.91 metres set in August 2025.

Army dominated the medal table on the first day by bagging 16 medals – seven gold, four silver and four bronze – followed by the Bangladesh Navy with 15 medals – four gold, five silver and six bronze.