Awhona's dream that does not let her sleep
The nineteen-year-old Awhona Rahman bagged the title of the first gold medalist female bodybuilder of the country after Bangladesh Bodybuilder Federation held the first-ever bodybuilding competition for women last year.
Before the sun shines in the boisterous lanes of Old Dhaka, Awhona wakes up to the alarm.
She puts on her sportswear, still yawning after pulling an all-nighter to study.
She walks through the neighbourhood, dodging the stares of the next-door aunties, and the disapproval in their eyes.
Once she hits the gym and starts running on the treadmill, all her dizziness fades away.
The nineteen-year-old Awhona Rahman bagged the title of the first gold medalist female bodybuilder of the country after Bangladesh Bodybuilder Federation held the first-ever bodybuilding competition for women last year.
In 2018, right after her SSC examinations, Awhona started accompanying her elder brother Rayhan to a local gym.
Rayhan gave her the idea to spend some time at the gym and knock up some basics instead of draining the vacation sitting idle at home.
"I took his advice and started going to the gym because it would at least keep me fit," she said.
Being an amateur, Awhona could lift moderate weights and perform an average range of reps. A few weeks later, Rayhan noticed that his sister had the potential to become a bodybuilder.
But for Awhona, working out was nothing more than just a hobby.
When the Bangladesh Bodybuilding Federation came up with the announcement of its first competition for female bodybuilders, Rayhan signed up his sister's name without asking for their parents' approval.
He fired the enthusiasm in Awhona, as she started training for the competition with great panache. She was practising the 12 required stances very carefully, her parents totally unaware of her plans.
When the contest began in December 2019, Awhona was simultaneously appearing for the HSC mock examinations. When the results came out, Awhona found out she had topped the class.
Awhona leveraged her academic success and told her parents about the competition. To her surprise, they did not oppose, rather showed incredible support for her aspirations.
During her training, Awhona made friends with a girl in the gym. She was ambitious, hard-working, and truly wanted to crack the contest. But just a few days ahead of the competition, she suddenly disappeared. Later, it was revealed that her family did not support her dreams.
The competition was held during 27-29th December at the National Sports Council auditorium. The contestants were judged on their well-toned bodies, measurements, biceps and some predetermined postures. Awhona left everyone behind and earned the title of the first-ever female bodybuilder of Bangladesh.
Awhona believes that she is lucky and her family has always had her back.
Even though the success has made her famous, there is a group trying to slate her for breaking out of societal boundaries.
"I was always a good student. Yet, I never wanted to be a doctor or an engineer. Rather, I wanted to walk outside the track. I believe no matter how many criticisms you face for living your dream, never let that get in your way. Life is yours", she said.
Asked about her dreams the champion bodybuilder Awhona smiled and said, "To take my country to international platforms, scoffing at the disparity celebrated by our society."
Awhona said the biggest sacrifice is to give up on her favourite food. She cannot have her favourite desserts and rice cuisines anymore.
To keep her body fit, she strictly measures the number of calories in the food she takes.
From next month, Awhona will appear for the Higher Secondary School examination.
Last year brought about the most significant time of her life. She is all set for her upcoming exam as well.
On the path of life, hard work has never failed her. She is resolute in her dream, dream that does not let her sleep.
