Bangladesh swimmers Samiul Islam Rafi and Juthi Akter set new records in the men’s and women’s 100m backstroke events on the opening day of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

Rafi improved his international best time of 58.95 seconds, set at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, and his national record of 58.27 seconds, achieved during the 32nd National Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Competition 2023.

The 20-year-old Olympian clocked an impressive 54.37 seconds at the ongoing meet, surpassing both previous benchmarks. However, he ended second in Heat 1 but finished 46th out of 54 swimmers in the overall rankings.

In the women’s 100m backstroke, Juthi made a new timing of 1:11.25 min, beating her previous timing of 1:11.83 min, which was made in the recently concluded 34th National Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Competition 2024. 

Meanwhile, both Rafi and Juthi will next take part in the men’s and women’s 50m backstroke events on 12 December.