Imranur Rahman is one of the most remarkable sprinters in Bangladesh’s modern sporting history. Born in Sheffield, England, to Bangladeshi parents, he grew up thousands of miles away from the country he would eventually represent on the international stage. His journey from playing football as a young man in England to becoming Bangladesh’s fastest man is a story of ambition, discipline, identity and perseverance.
Specialising in the 60-metre and 100-metre sprints, Imranur has established himself as a national record holder and an Asian champion. In 2023, he created history by winning gold in the men’s 60 metres at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. His winning time of 6.59 seconds was also a Bangladeshi national record. World Athletics lists him as a one-time Asian Indoor champion and three-time national champion.
His achievements became even more significant when he represented Bangladesh at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, competing in the men’s 100 metres. He ran 10.73 seconds in the preliminary round.
But the story of Imranur Rahman is about much more than medals and records. It is also about a young man who had to balance athletics with education and a full-time job, while training largely in England, before becoming one of the most recognisable names in Bangladeshi athletics.
Quick Facts About Imranur Rahman
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Imranur Rahman |
| Date of Birth | July 5, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Sheffield, England |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Events | 60m, 100m |
| Height | 1.70 m |
| Club/Team | Bangladesh Army / Bangladesh athletics |
| Coach | Steve Fudge |
| 100m Personal Best | 10.11 seconds |
| 60m Personal Best | 6.59 seconds |
| Major Achievement | 2023 Asian Indoor 60m Gold |
| Olympics | Paris 2024 |
| Education | University of Birmingham; Sheffield Hallam University |
| Parents’ Origin | Sylhet, Bangladesh |
World Athletics currently lists 10.11 seconds as Imranur’s 100m national record and 6.59 seconds as his 60m national record.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Imranur Rahman?
- Early Life and Childhood
- Growing Up in Sheffield
- From Football to Athletics
- His Education
- Discovering His Potential as a Sprinter
- Choosing Bangladesh
- Beginning His Bangladesh Career
- Becoming Bangladesh’s Fastest Man
- The Historic 2023 Asian Indoor Championship
- Setting the 60m National Record
- Breaking the 100m National Record
- The Challenge of Balancing Work and Athletics
- Imranur Rahman at the Paris 2024 Olympics
- His Life Outside Athletics
- Family and Personal Life
- Imranur Rahman’s Training and Discipline
- Records and Major Achievements
- Timeline of His Career
- Why Imranur Rahman’s Story Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Who Is Imranur Rahman?
Imranur Rahman is a Bangladeshi sprinter who competes primarily in the 60m and 100m events. Although he was born and raised in England, his family has Bangladeshi roots in Sylhet.
He became internationally recognised after winning the men’s 60m gold medal at the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana. His victory was historic because it gave Bangladesh its first gold medal at an Asian Athletics Championships-level competition. The official Asian Athletics results record his winning time as 6.59 seconds.
His success in the 100m has been equally important. He ran 10.11 seconds in 2023, establishing a new Bangladeshi national record that World Athletics continues to list among his personal bests.
In 2024, he took another major step by representing Bangladesh at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Early Life and Childhood
Imranur Rahman was born on July 5, 1993, in Sheffield, England. His parents are Bangladeshi, with the family’s roots in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.
Growing up in Sheffield exposed him to British sporting culture from an early age. Like many children, he enjoyed playing different sports rather than immediately focusing on one particular discipline.
Football was one of his early sporting interests. At that stage, however, he did not necessarily imagine that athletics would eventually become his profession and his route to international recognition.
His childhood was relatively ordinary. He attended school in Sheffield and spent time playing sports with friends and family. Later, his sporting journey would take an unexpected turn.
Growing Up in Sheffield
Sheffield became an important part of Imranur’s identity. Although he was born in England, his Bangladeshi heritage remained an important part of his life.
His family background gave him a connection to Bangladesh, while his upbringing in England gave him access to a developed sporting environment.
According to his profile in the Asian Games athlete database, his hometown in Bangladesh is Jalalpur in Dakhin Surma, Sylhet. The same profile records Bengali, English and Urdu among the languages he speaks.
For many years, however, there was no obvious sign that this connection would eventually lead him to represent Bangladesh at the Olympic Games.
From Football to Athletics
One of the most interesting parts of Imranur Rahman’s story is that he did not begin as a dedicated sprinter.
He played football during his childhood and university years. According to an interview, he stopped playing football as athletics commitments became more demanding.
His serious transition into athletics came when he was around 18 or 19 years old.
A coach in Sheffield encouraged him to become involved in athletics. What initially might have seemed like a new sporting experiment eventually became his main ambition.
The decision changed his life.
Instead of pursuing football, Imranur gradually focused on sprinting. He began competing in the 60m, 100m and occasionally 200m events and started building a record in British athletics competitions.
World Athletics records show that he competed for Great Britain until November 29, 2021, after which he became eligible to represent Bangladesh in national representative competitions.
His Education
Imranur did not abandon education while developing his sporting career.
He studied at the University of Birmingham, where he was involved in sports and exercise studies. The Asian Games athlete profile lists his education in coaching, physical education and sport studies at the University of Birmingham.
He later completed a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance at Sheffield Hallam University.
His educational background is particularly interesting because his professional life has not been limited to athletics.
He has had to combine sport with employment, something that makes his journey different from that of athletes who can devote themselves entirely to training.
Discovering His Potential as a Sprinter
As Imranur gained experience, sprinting became increasingly important in his life.
He competed in British competitions and gradually improved his times. World Athletics records several performances from his British period before he switched his international allegiance to Bangladesh.
The transition was not simply about changing a national flag beside his name. It represented a decision to connect his sporting career with his family heritage.
That decision would ultimately change the history of Bangladeshi athletics.
Choosing Bangladesh
Imranur began communicating with the Bangladesh Athletics Federation before formally becoming eligible to represent Bangladesh.
The process took time, partly because of the complications surrounding international representation and the COVID-19 pandemic. He already had a Bangladeshi passport and had developed a desire to compete for the country of his parents.
World Athletics records confirm that he was cleared to represent Bangladesh from November 30, 2021.
For Imranur, the decision was deeply personal.
He had grown up in England, but he wanted to use his ability to contribute something to Bangladesh.
That decision gave Bangladesh a sprinter with experience in a much stronger athletics environment and, perhaps more importantly, gave Imranur a new sporting purpose.
Beginning His Bangladesh Career
Once he became eligible to represent Bangladesh, Imranur quickly made an impression.
He began competing in national championships and international competitions under the Bangladeshi flag.
His speed immediately stood out.
Bangladesh does not have the same depth of sprinting infrastructure as many countries with long-established athletics programmes. Yet Imranur’s performances showed that a Bangladeshi athlete could compete at a much higher level.
He won consecutive national titles in the 100m and soon became known as Bangladesh’s fastest man.
His performances also attracted attention outside Bangladesh.
Becoming Bangladesh’s Fastest Man
The 100m is often regarded as one of the simplest and most prestigious events in athletics: the athlete who crosses the finish line first over 100 metres earns the title of the fastest man.
Imranur established himself as Bangladesh’s leading sprinter in the event.
In 2023, he ran 10.11 seconds, setting the Bangladeshi national record. World Athletics lists 10.11 seconds, achieved on September 3, 2023, as his 100m personal best and national record.
His success in the 100m was particularly significant because he was not simply winning domestic races—he was continually improving Bangladesh’s benchmark.
He also held the national record in the 60m, making him one of the country’s most accomplished short-distance sprinters.
The Historic 2023 Asian Indoor Championship
The biggest breakthrough of Imranur’s career came in February 2023.
He travelled to Astana, Kazakhstan, for the 10th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
There, he competed in the men’s 60m sprint.
The competition included athletes from across Asia, and Imranur progressed through the rounds before reaching the final.
In the final on February 11, 2023, he produced the performance that changed his place in Bangladeshi sporting history.
He crossed the finish line in 6.59 seconds and won the gold medal. The official Asian Athletics results confirm Imranur as the winner ahead of Hong Kong’s Kam Ching Shak and Japan’s Ryota Suzuki.
It was not merely a personal victory.
It was a historic achievement for Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh government’s Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate described the achievement as Bangladesh’s first gold medal at an Asian championship-level athletics competition.
The victory immediately turned Imranur into a national sporting hero.
Setting the 60m National Record
Imranur’s winning performance in Astana was also a national record.
His 6.59-second run remains listed by World Athletics as Bangladesh’s national record for the men’s 60m.
The 60m event is particularly demanding because the race is so short. There is little opportunity to recover from a slow start or a technical mistake.
For a sprinter, acceleration and reaction are crucial.
Imranur’s success therefore demonstrated not only his top-end speed but also his ability to perform under pressure.
Breaking the 100m National Record
Later in 2023, Imranur produced another major performance.
On September 3, 2023, he ran the 100m in 10.11 seconds, setting another Bangladeshi national record.
Earlier in the same year, he had also produced a 10.25-second performance at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, where the official results recorded it as a personal best at the time.
His progression throughout 2023 demonstrated the scale of his improvement.
The 2023 season became the defining year of his career:
- Asian Indoor 60m champion
- 60m national record holder
- 100m national record holder
- Established himself as Bangladesh’s leading male sprinter
The Challenge of Balancing Work and Athletics
One of the less visible aspects of Imranur’s career is the challenge of supporting himself while competing at an international level.
Unlike athletes in countries where elite sprinters can receive extensive financial and institutional support, Imranur has had to combine athletics with employment.
Reports have described him as working in Sheffield while maintaining a serious training schedule. He has spoken about working six to eight hours a day and taking leave when he needs to compete in tournaments.
This means his daily routine has involved much more than running.
He has had to balance:
- A regular job
- Training
- Gym sessions
- International travel
- Recovery
- Family responsibilities
- Competition preparation
His story is therefore particularly relevant to young athletes who dream of pursuing sport while also continuing their education or professional development.
Imranur Rahman at the Paris 2024 Olympics
The next major milestone came in 2024, when Imranur represented Bangladesh at the Paris Olympic Games.
He competed in the men’s 100m.
For Bangladesh, his participation was significant because he became the country’s first overseas-based sprinter to compete at the Olympics, according to contemporary reporting.
The Olympic 100m competition began with a preliminary round.
On August 3, 2024, Imranur ran 10.73 seconds in his preliminary heat. World Athletics officially records him finishing sixth in the heat.
He did not progress to the next round, but the Olympic appearance itself represented a major achievement.
The Olympic Games are the highest-profile sporting event in the world, and competing there placed Imranur among a select group of Bangladeshi athletes who have represented the country on that stage.
His participation also brought international attention to Bangladeshi sprinting.
His Life Outside Athletics
Although sprinting occupies an important place in his life, Imranur has interests and responsibilities outside the track.
His academic background in sports and accounting reflects a life that combines athletics with professional development.
He has also spoken about his admiration for other athletes.
In a 2023 interview, he named Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan among his favourite Bangladeshi athletes. Internationally, American sprinter Justin Gatlin has been cited as one of his sporting heroes.
He has also maintained an interest in football, the sport he enjoyed before athletics became his primary focus.
Family and Personal Life
Imranur comes from a Bangladeshi family based in England.
His parents are Alaur Rahman and Shummi Akhtar, and the family’s roots are in Sylhet.
He married Hafsa Mazhar, whom he met while studying at the University of Birmingham. According to an interview, they met around 2015–16 through a university event and later married in 2018 after completing their studies.
His wife was born in England and has Pakistani family roots.
The couple have a daughter named Ava Noor, according to the athlete profile published for the Asian Games.
Despite his international sporting profile, Imranur’s family life has remained relatively private compared with many high-profile global athletes.
Imranur Rahman’s Training and Discipline
Sprint performance depends on much more than natural speed.A 100m sprinter must develop explosive acceleration, strength, coordination, running technique and the ability to maintain speed over the latter part of the race.Imranur’s coach is listed as Steve Fudge, who has been associated with his development in Sheffield.His training has had to fit around his professional responsibilities, which makes his achievements particularly noteworthy.The discipline required to work a regular job and then train at an elite level is enormous.For Imranur, athletics has therefore demanded not only physical ability but also consistency and time management.
Imranur Rahman’s Records and Major Achievements
60 Metres
6.59 seconds — National Record
Imranur achieved this time on February 11, 2023, while winning gold at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana.
100 Metres
10.11 seconds — National Record
He achieved the mark on September 3, 2023. World Athletics lists it as his personal best and Bangladesh national record.
Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
Gold — Men’s 60m, 2023
This was his biggest international breakthrough and a historic achievement for Bangladesh.
Paris Olympic Games
Men’s 100m — 10.73 seconds
He competed for Bangladesh in the preliminary round at Paris 2024.
National Championships
Imranur has won multiple national 100m titles. World Athletics currently lists him as a three-time national champion.
Imranur Rahman Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| 1993 | Born in Sheffield, England |
| Childhood | Played football and participated in different sports |
| Around 2012–13 | Began taking athletics seriously |
| 2017 | Competed in British indoor athletics |
| 2021 | Cleared to represent Bangladesh internationally |
| 2022 | Began making a major impact in Bangladeshi athletics |
| 2023 | Won national 100m titles |
| February 2023 | Won Asian Indoor 60m gold in Kazakhstan |
| February 2023 | Set 60m national record of 6.59 seconds |
| September 2023 | Set 100m national record of 10.11 seconds |
| 2024 | Represented Bangladesh at Paris Olympics |
| August 2024 | Ran 10.73 seconds in Olympic 100m preliminary round |
| 2025 | Won the 100m at the National Summer Athletics competition in 10.64 seconds |
| 2026 | Continues to be listed by World Athletics as Bangladesh’s national-record holder in the 60m and 100m |
In August 2025, Imranur again won the men’s 100m at the National Summer Athletics competition, clocking 10.64 seconds.
Why Imranur Rahman’s Story Matters
Imranur Rahman’s story matters because it challenges the idea that an athlete must be born into a traditional sporting system to represent a country at the highest level.He was born in England.He grew up in Sheffield.He studied at British universities.He worked a regular job.And yet, he chose to represent Bangladesh.That decision eventually led him to an Asian championship title, national records and the Olympic Games.His journey also demonstrates the importance of persistence.He did not become an elite sprinter overnight. He started athletics seriously as a young adult after spending years playing football. He continued to study, worked alongside his sporting career and gradually improved his performances.For young people interested in sport, his story offers an important lesson: talent matters, but talent alone is rarely enough. Discipline, patience, education, coaching and the willingness to keep improving are equally important.
The Significance of His Asian Gold Medal
Before Imranur’s 2023 victory, Bangladesh had struggled to make a major impact at the Asian level in athletics.His gold medal changed that narrative.The victory demonstrated that Bangladeshi athletics could produce an athlete capable of winning at a major continental championship.The achievement was celebrated by the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Olympic Association and Bangladesh Athletics Federation, and he received a reception after returning home.The victory also attracted congratulations from prominent sporting and government figures, including World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.For Bangladesh’s athletics community, his success became a source of renewed optimism.
Imranur Rahman and the Future of Bangladesh Athletics
Every successful athlete has the potential to influence the generation that follows.Imranur’s achievements have given Bangladeshi sprinters a new benchmark.His national record of 10.11 seconds provides a clear target for the next generation. His 6.59-second 60m record similarly demonstrates how far a Bangladeshi sprinter can progress with the right preparation.But perhaps his greatest contribution is symbolic.He has shown that Bangladesh can be represented by athletes from the country’s diaspora and that sporting identity can extend beyond where someone was born.His career also highlights the need for stronger training systems, coaching, facilities and financial support for athletics in Bangladesh.If more young athletes receive opportunities to train seriously from an early age, the country may eventually produce more sprinters capable of competing at Asian and global level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Imranur Rahman
Who is Imranur Rahman?
Imranur Rahman is a Bangladeshi sprinter who specialises in the 60m and 100m events. He was born in Sheffield, England, to Bangladeshi parents and represents Bangladesh in international athletics.
When was Imranur Rahman born?
He was born on July 5, 1993, in Sheffield, England.
Where was Imranur Rahman born?
Imranur Rahman was born in Sheffield, England.
What is Imranur Rahman’s 100m record?
His 100m personal best and Bangladeshi national record is 10.11 seconds, achieved on September 3, 2023.
What is Imranur Rahman’s 60m record?
His 60m national record is 6.59 seconds, achieved at the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
Did Imranur Rahman win an Asian championship?
Yes. He won the men’s 60m gold medal at the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Did Imranur Rahman compete in the Olympics?
Yes. He represented Bangladesh in the men’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
What was Imranur Rahman’s Olympic time?
He ran 10.73 seconds in the preliminary round of the men’s 100m at Paris 2024.
Where did Imranur Rahman grow up?
He grew up in Sheffield, England, where he also began developing his sporting career.
Did Imranur Rahman play football?
Yes. Football was one of the sports he enjoyed growing up, and he continued playing around his university years before eventually focusing seriously on athletics.
When did Imranur Rahman start athletics seriously?
He began taking athletics seriously at around 18 or 19 years old, after encouragement from a coach in Sheffield.
Where did Imranur Rahman study?
He studied at the University of Birmingham and later completed a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance at Sheffield Hallam University.
Who is Imranur Rahman’s coach?
His coach is Steve Fudge, according to World Athletics and athlete-profile information.
Is Imranur Rahman a full-time athlete?
His career has involved balancing athletics with employment. Reports have described him working in Sheffield while continuing his elite athletics training.
Awards and Major Achievements
- 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships — Gold, 60m
- Bangladesh national record — 60m, 6.59 seconds
- Bangladesh national record — 100m, 10.11 seconds
- Three-time national champion
- Paris 2024 Olympic Games participant
- Bangladesh’s leading 100m sprinter
- National Summer Athletics 100m champion, 2025
World Athletics currently lists him as an Asian Indoor champion and three-time national champion.
Conclusion
Imranur Rahman’s journey from the streets and sporting fields of Sheffield to the Olympic track in Paris is one of the most inspiring stories in Bangladeshi athletics.He was not born in Bangladesh, but he chose to run for Bangladesh.He began his sporting life with football, discovered athletics as a young adult, continued his education, worked alongside his training and gradually transformed himself into an elite sprinter.Then came the breakthrough.In 2023, he won Asian Indoor Athletics gold in the 60m and set a national record of 6.59 seconds. Later that year, he ran 10.11 seconds in the 100m to establish another national record.A year later, he stepped onto the Olympic stage in Paris wearing Bangladesh’s colours.
His Olympic result may not have been a medal, but the significance of his participation goes far beyond a finishing position.Imranur Rahman represents a generation of Bangladeshi athletes who are proving that the country’s sporting ambitions can reach beyond traditional boundaries.His story is ultimately a reminder that the road to sporting success is rarely straight. Sometimes it begins with football, continues through university, passes through a full-time job and eventually leads to the biggest sporting arena in the world.For Bangladesh, Imranur Rahman is more than just a fast runner.
He is the man who showed how far a Bangladeshi sprinter can run.
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