84-Year-Old Freedom Fighter Lifts Weights, Powers Generations of Athletes
Mujibur Rahman, an 84-year-old freedom fighter, shows amazing strength daily. He lifts iron weights and inspires young athletes in Tongi, Gazipur. His small training center holds big dreams for many.
Thieves recently broke into his simple tin-roofed room. They stole equipment like weightlifting locks and a camera. But they could not take Mujibur Rahman’s strong spirit. He continues to train and help others.
Mujibur Rahman has loved weightlifting for 62 years. He also helps many people in his community. He founded the Bhaibandhu Club in 1988. Later, he opened the Ershadnagar Weightlifting and Physical Fitness Club in 2005. About four years ago, he started the Bir Muktijoddha Mujibur Rahman Weightlifting Training Center.
The training center is on government land. It does not pay rent. Local leaders helped build the center. The district administration provided its tin roof and walls. Now, the walls are weak, making it easy for thieves to enter.
The space inside is small and gets wet when it rains. This stops training. Even so, 21 students train there regularly. Five boys and sixteen girls practice every morning and evening.
Shayela Akter, a national gold medalist, said the center feels like home. The club has achieved great success. It won the National Club Junior Championship 11 times. It also finished second in national senior events.
More than 25 of Mujibur Rahman’s students have found jobs. They work in the Bangladesh Army, Ansar, and prison service. Khorshed Alam, a former student, said Mujibur Rahman changed many young lives.
Mujibur Rahman himself has a long sports history. He won bronze in weightlifting in 1966. At 83, he won gold in Qatar and silver in Las Vegas last year. He will compete in this year’s World Masters Championships in Greece.
He uses his Freedom Fighter and Ansar allowances to run his home and gym. He coaches the Ansar women’s weightlifting team. He does not charge students fees. He often pays for their transport and meals himself.
His community service is wide. He helps poor children go to school. He gives wheelchairs to disabled children. He also pays for an orphaned girl’s education. In 1988, he helped flood victims with water and food.
Mujibur Rahman played a key role in women’s weightlifting in Bangladesh. In 1998, he encouraged four young women to join the sport. They were the first women in Bangladesh to get formal training. This led to Bangladesh’s women’s team winning many international medals.
Mujibur Rahman was born in Pirojpur in 1942. He joined the Liberation War in 1971. He saved 52 fellow fighters during a mission. He swam through strong currents to bring their boat back to safety.
He has one main wish today. He wants the government to build a modern, permanent gym. This gym would be for the many poor children of Ershadnagar. He wishes to be with weightlifting for the rest of his life.
