From family rides to the world stage: BRACU’s Tafseer becomes Powerman
Tafseer Jinan Mahmud (Fresher, BBA) turned his family habit into a global accomplishment as he and his parents took on POWERMAN Malaysia 2026, proudly representing Bangladesh. Billed as the world’s biggest duathlon, they held the flag of Bangladesh high in a race that sold out four times faster than its 2025 edition and was expected to welcome up to 5,000 participants from around the world to Putrajaya, Malaysia, from 18 to 20 September.
The journey began in 2019 in Sylhet, where Tafseer and his father started riding with the Sylhet Cycling Community. His mother soon took up running, and the family gradually traded mountain bikes for marathons. “What started as a simple family activity slowly became a part of our identity,” he says.
But sadly, the ride was not easy. Due to surgery, the race tested more than just his ability. Tafseer called the race “a fight against myself”, a fight made harder when his Garmin malfunctioned mid-race. But all was worth it when, in the final kilometre, he pulled out the Bangladesh flag from his jersey pocket. Spectators from across the world began cheering, “Bangladesh! Bangladesh! “Seconds later came the announcement: “Now finishing from Bangladesh, Tafseer Jinan Mahmud!” In his very first duathlon, he had earned the title of “Powerman”.
Just two weeks later, he did it again. At the Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon, Tafseer battled floods, a 103°F fever, and pouring rain to finish the half marathon, once again crossing the line with the flag in hand. “Every difficult step was worth it,” he says. Their journeys tell us that the habits we build can inspire people more than we know and that some finish lines mean even more when we cross them together.
Photo Credit: Collected
His message to fellow students is simple: do not be afraid to start again. “A comeback does not have to begin with something extraordinary,” he says. “Sometimes it begins with waking up early, putting on your shoes, and taking the first step.”
