Bangladesh’s Marjia Akter Ekra wins bronze at Islamic Solidarity Games
Weightlifter’s bronze marks Bangladesh’s first medal at 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, hosted by Saudi Arabia with athletes from 57 OIC nations
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh’s weightlifter Marjia Akter Ekra has secured the nation’s first medal at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, clinching bronze in the women’s 53kg weightlifting category at the Boulevard SEF Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ekra lifted a total of 163kg — 72kg in snatch and 91kg in clean and jerk — outperforming competitors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Brunei. Turkiye’s Cansel Ozkan claimed gold with 188kg, while Indonesia’s Basilia Bamerop took silver with 174kg.
The 6th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games, organized under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), began on Friday and will run until November 21, bringing together athletes from 57 member states across 21 disciplines.
First held in 2005 in Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Solidarity Games aim to strengthen cooperation among Muslim-majority nations through sportsmanship and cultural exchange. The multi-sport event has since grown in scale and prestige, featuring top athletes from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Previous hosts include Iran, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan, each edition highlighting unity through shared values and athletic excellence.
Bangladesh, which has participated in every edition since 2005, has seen gradual progress in regional sports events. Ekra’s bronze adds to the country’s growing record in international weightlifting, following past achievements by athletes like Mabia Akter, who won gold at the 2016 South Asian Games. Mabia is also representing Bangladesh in the women’s 69kg category at this year’s competition, scheduled for Monday.
In total, Bangladesh has sent 35 athletes — 19 men and 16 women — to compete in disciplines including athletics, swimming, shooting, taekwondo, and archery. Sports officials hope the performance at Riyadh will bolster confidence ahead of next year’s South Asian Games and further investment in weightlifting training programs across the country.
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