Saiful Triumphs Again Across Bangladesh Channel

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – From the western beach of Shahpori Island in Teknaf to Saint Martin’s Island, swimmers braved a 16.1-kilometre stretch of the Bay of Bengal in the 19th Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Channel Swim 2026. Today, Saturday, former Dhaka University swimming team member Saiful Islam Rasel claimed the championship once again, completing the course in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

The event commenced at 9:30 a.m. from Shahpori Island’s western coast, featuring 35 swimmers, including two women, competing against strong tidal currents. By the end, 20 swimmers successfully reached Saint Martin’s northern shore, while 15 were forced to withdraw due to challenging sea conditions.

Saiful, who has previously crossed the channel six times, including a double crossing, surpassed his 2023 record of 3 hours 50 minutes, reaffirming his dominance in long-distance open-water swimming. “I aimed to finish first again this year,” he told reporters before the start.

Two female swimmers, Ferdousi Akter, a student from a private Dhaka university, and Sohagi Akter, the first woman to successfully cross the channel in previous years, also completed the challenging course, highlighting increasing female participation in competitive swimming. Sohagi remarked, “Despite strong currents, completing the 16-kilometre channel was exhilarating. Events like this raise awareness about water safety and encourage more women to join competitive swimming.”

Final Results of Top Swimmers:

Organised by Shoroj Adventure under the patronage of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the swim follows international rules and safety protocols. Each swimmer was accompanied by a dedicated rescue boat and several guiding vessels, while security and support were provided by the Bangladesh Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the Tourist Police. The event was inaugurated by Cox’s Bazar District Sports Officer, Alauddin.

Since its inception on 14 January 2006, the Bangladesh Channel Swim has become a prestigious annual open-water event, combining athletic endurance, safety awareness, and promotion of Bangladesh’s marine sports. This year’s successful crossings further cement the event’s reputation as a benchmark for long-distance swimming in South Asia.