SA Games: Mahfuza wins 3rd gold for Bangladesh

Swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Shila overwhelmed with emotion after she won the second gold medal for Bangladesh in the 12th South Asian Games in Guwahati on February 7, 2016, Sunday. Photo: STAR/ Anisur Rahman

Mahfuza took 34.88 seconds on her way to win the gold medal in the event, breaking the previous record of 34.97 seconds timing made by Sri Lankan swimmer Raheen Mayuni in 2006 SA Games in Colombo.

This is the third gold medal for Bangladesh so far in the SA Games this year.

Earlier yesterday, Mahfuza won the second gold medal in the games for Bangladesh in 100m Breast Stroke (women) event in swimming after Mabia Akter Shimanta had won the first in weightlifting 63kg (women) in the morning.

The young weightlifter Simanta became the first female from Bangladesh to win a gold medal in the games and burst into tears when she received her medal.

Bangladesh now has 25 medals in the bag, with 17 bronze, five silver and three gold medals so far.

The South Asian Games 2016 is a major multi-sport event taking place from February 5 to February 16 in Guwahati and Shillong, India. A total of 2,672 athletes are scheduled to compete in 228 events in over 23 sports.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the tournament in Guwahati on February 5.