Samiul Islam Rafi, a promising swimmer, has once again clinched the title of best male swimmer at the National Swimming Championships for the third consecutive time. The 21-year-old athlete broke six individual records and secured a remarkable tally of 11 gold and one silver medal. Since his debut at the 2021 Bangladesh Games, Rafi, hailing from Rajbari, has been on a winning streak, accumulating over 30 gold medals.
In an interview with Anisur Rahman from The Daily Star, Rafi discussed his journey, progress, and future aspirations. Here are the key excerpts from the conversation:
The Daily Star (DS): Breaking records at the national swimming championships seems routine for you. What new experiences did you encounter this time?
Samiul Islam Rafi (SIR): This time, I attempted new events and achieved success, even setting new records in some. Surpassing my own expectations, I broke six individual records, pushing myself beyond previous limits.
DS: How do you assess your standing in South Asia in terms of your performance timings?
SIR: My focus lies on the 50m events. The timing I achieved in the 50m backstroke event this time aligns with South Asian standards and is nearing the Asian level. With consistent efforts, I believe I can achieve significant milestones at the South Asian Games.
DS: Have you noticed improvements in your performance after training in Thailand extensively?
SIR: Certainly. Training in Thailand has honed my skills and techniques significantly. While I have made notable progress, I acknowledge areas where further enhancements are possible.
DS: How do you feel about competing with hand timing instead of electronic timing?
SIR: Personally, I have reservations about hand timing as it introduces uncertainty. Despite this, I acknowledge my progress even with hand timing. The reduction in my timing from 26.90 seconds to 25.90 seconds signifies substantial improvement. I advocate for electronic timing to enhance opportunities for swimmers to secure scholarships abroad.
DS: Reflecting on your swimming career, which began through the talent hunt programme, how satisfied are you with your achievements thus far?
SIR: Prior to the talent hunt programme, I was an ordinary individual. Today, I take immense satisfaction in my swimming career, surpassing personal limitations and contributing to Bangladesh’s advancement.
DS: What stands out as your most significant accomplishment to date, and what are your future aspirations?
SIR: Winning a gold medal at the Malaysian Open earlier this year stands as a major achievement for me. The timing I achieved there qualified me for the World Swimming Championships. My aim is to consistently produce such performances to qualify for international events based on merit, fostering greater recognition for Bangladesh in the swimming arena.
DS: Where do you believe Bangladesh swimming encounters stagnation?
SIR: While Bangladesh faces several constraints, I attribute our stagnation to the absence of long-term training programmes. Even short training periods under coaches like Saeed Magdy have yielded substantial improvements, as evidenced by setting 20 new national records in a single championship. With sustained long-term training, I am confident that we can surpass India within the next eighteen months.
DS: What are your expectations from the Bangladesh Swimming Federation?
SIR: I harbor no specific expectations from the federation as they have already supported me by facilitating an overseas scholarship. It is now my responsibility to meet their expectations. The Bangladesh Navy has also been incredibly supportive. My primary focus is to deliver exceptional performances for them and for the nation.