For most people, a childhood dream fades with age. For Arifur Rahman Belal, however, a lost dream eventually led to a much bigger one.
As a schoolboy, he dreamed of becoming a cricketer. During the late 1990s, cricket was rapidly growing in Bangladesh, and like many young boys, he wanted to make his mark on the sport. In 1996, he came to Dhaka to pursue that ambition and spent his days practicing cricket. His family supported him as much as they could, but financial realities soon caught up with them. After only a few months in the capital, he was forced to return home. The dream of becoming a professional cricketer slowly faded as life took him in a different direction.
He completed his studies and eventually joined Janata Bank. Cricket remained part of his life through the bank’s team, allowing him to stay connected to the game he loved. Then personal tragedy struck. The death of his mother deeply affected him and triggered a decline in his health. He gained weight, developed diabetes, and lost much of his energy. Exercise disappeared from his routine, and like many office workers, he found himself caught between work, stress, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Picture: Arifur Rahman Belal.
Everything changed in November 2011 when a friend suggested he get outside and refresh himself. The advice seemed simple, but it proved life-changing. He bought a pair of running shoes for around Tk 700 and began spending time around local running groups. At first, he simply followed experienced runners. Within days, he completed a 10-kilometre run. Soon after, he attempted a half-marathon and finished the 21-kilometre distance in two hours and one minute.
The result surprised him and gave him something he had been missing for years—confidence. “I felt confident. I felt that I could do it,” he recalled. That confidence pushed him deeper into endurance sports.
He joined regular training groups at Ramna and learned from more experienced runners. Running quickly became more than exercise. It became a way to rebuild both his body and his mindset.
As his training progressed, he began hearing about Ironman competitions. The challenge sounded almost impossible: a 3.86 km swim, a 180-kilometre bike ride, and a 42.2 km marathon completed in a single event. His first reaction was simple. “These things are not possible,” he thought.
He continued training, travelled to races, and pushed his limits further. He completed his first full marathon in Shamshernagar and, only a week later, tackled a demanding 50-kilometre race along Marine Drive.
Recovery was not something he paid much attention to in those days. His legs hurt, his body complained, and common sense probably advised rest. He ignored all three. “I had a belief that I wouldn’t give up,” he said.
Around 2019, he began training alongside athletes who introduced him to triathlon and open-water swimming. Through them, he learned about the Bangla Channel crossing and other endurance challenges.
At first, he doubted whether Bangladeshis could compete successfully in such demanding events. Watching fellow athletes succeed changed his perspective. “If we practice, we can do everything,” he said.
Inspired by those around him, he completed the Bangla Channel crossing more than once and gradually developed the skills needed for larger international competitions.
Picture: Arifur Rahman Belal.
When the COVID-19 pandemic halted races around the world, many athletes struggled to stay motivated. He chose a different path. Instead of waiting for events to return, he decided to complete a full Ironman distance on Bangladeshi soil. With support from fellow athletes, he successfully covered the entire distance, proving to himself that he was ready for the real thing.
Soon afterward, he registered for an Ironman race in Malaysia. The journey required a major financial commitment. Registration fees, travel expenses, and equipment costs added up quickly. For a long time, he trained on a basic road bike. When he hesitated to invest in better equipment, his wife encouraged him to pursue the dream fully. Her support became one of the key reasons he reached the starting line.
Race day in Malaysia brought fresh challenges. Heavy rain flooded sections of the course, and a simple mistake earned him a time penalty after he discarded a water bottle outside a designated zone. Frustrated but determined, he continued. He completed the cycling segment in just over six hours. After hours of effort, he crossed the finish line in approximately 11 hours and 23 minutes.
Picture: Arifur Rahman Belal.
The achievement represented far more than a result. A man who had once struggled with poor health, diabetes, and inactivity had become an Ironman finisher.
The years that followed brought even more adventures. Today, he has completed seven full Ironman races, multiple Bangla Channel crossings, trail marathons, ultra-distance events, and international swimming competitions, including Oceanman Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Yet he speaks less about medals and more about consistency. “I don’t feel good if I don’t do it,” he admitted.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue competing whenever opportunities arise. Sponsorship remains a challenge, but his motivation remains unchanged. His story is proof that setbacks do not define a person. Missing his cricketing dream, he conquered oceans and Ironman races instead, proving that a failed dream can lead to something greater.
