Bangladesh's Mishu shines at IRONMAN Maryland

Bangladeshi triathlete Mishu Biswas set a new national benchmark in full-distance IRONMAN racing after producing a historic performance at IRONMAN Maryland in the United States, completing the race in 9 hours, 47 minutes and 46 seconds.

Competing on 19 September against more than 1,500 athletes, including around 50 professionals from across the world, Mishu was the lone representative from Bangladesh in the event. He finished 12th in his age group and 101st overall.

The time also became the fastest full-distance IRONMAN performance by a Bangladeshi athlete. The previous national mark had been set only hours earlier by Mohammad Samsuzzaman Arafat, who completed IRONMAN Italy in 10:04:35. About six hours later, Mishu crossed the finish line in Maryland in 9:47:46, lowering the benchmark by 16 minutes and 49 seconds.

Speaking after the race, Mishu described the challenging conditions athletes faced throughout the day.

"Athletes faced challenging conditions in the Choptank River, where choppy water and the current made the opening swim particularly demanding. On the 180-kilometre bike course, competitors were exposed to the wind across the largely flat and open terrain,” he said.

“The bike leg was also interrupted following a serious accident that required an emergency response and helicopter operations. A large number of cyclists, including me, were temporarily stopped on the course. The affected time was later adjusted by race officials.

“And the run brought another challenge, with warm and humid conditions testing athletes over the marathon distance,” he added.

An IRONMAN is regarded as one of the toughest one-day endurance events in the world, featuring a 3.8-kilometre swim, a 180-kilometre bike ride and a 42.2-kilometre marathon completed consecutively.

For Bangladesh, where long-distance triathlon is still developing, Mishu’s achievement marks another significant milestone and further strengthens the country's growing presence in endurance sports on the international stage.