Thirty-seven years since the last Bangladeshi swimmer took on the mighty English Channel, history has repeated itself — and in inspiring fashion. On Tuesday morning, national swimmer and Olympian Mahfizur Rahman Sagar and his compatriot Nazmul Haque Himel became the fourth and fifth Bangladeshis ever to complete the gruelling crossing — a feat many dream of, but few dare attempt.
In a six-member international relay team comprising swimmers from Bangladesh, India and Mexico, Sagar led the effort,jumping into the frigid waters first. Over 12 painstaking hours — navigating unpredictable currents and night-time visibility — the team successfully conquered one of the world’s most revered open-water routes.For Bangladesh, this isn’t merely a sporting milestone; it’s a symbolic resurgence. Since the legendary Brijen Das first crossed the Channel in 1958 — followed later by Abdul Malek and Mosharraf Khan — the story of Bangladeshi endurance in open waters has been on pause. Sagar and Himel’s crossing reopens that chapter with pride, reminding us of the spirit that once marked our sporting ambitions.
Yet the journey wasn’t smooth. Due to unstable weather, their initial slot had to be delayed several times. And the campaign almost stalled before it began — owing to insufficient financial support.
Despite reaching out to numerous individuals and institutions, Sagar and Himel found little backing. Bangladesh Biman stepped in at the eleventh hour, offering crucial assistance.
That the country’s swimming federation and sponsors failed to rally behind two of its own — including a national Olympian — is an uncomfortable truth.
There is no question that the English Channel remains one of the most challenging swims on the planet. Cold, tidal, and unforgiving, it requires intense preparation, physical conditioning, and psychological resolve. That Sagar and Himel accomplished this despite logistical constraints speaks volumes of their grit.
Official recognition from the Channel authorities may come by November — but the validation these two athletes deserve should not wait till then. Their names ought to be etched in the country’s sporting memory now — with celebration, yes, but also introspection.
Bangladesh doesn’t lack talent. It lacks a system that nurtures it beyond local pools and short-lived acclaim. If this achievement sparks a genuine rethink, then Sagar and Himel have done far more than cross a Channel — they may just have bridged a gap in our sporting conscience.
