“Tiger Woods of Bengal” makes it to Rio Olympics

DHAKA (SW): Golfer Siddikur Rahman has become Bangladesh’s first athlete to qualify for an Olympics after finishing 56th in the final eligibility rankings for the Rio Games.

Bangladesh has been given four wild card spots for next month’s Games so far, with swimmers Mahfizur Rahman Sagor and Sonia Akter Tumpa, archer Shyamoly Roy and shooter Abdullahel Baki set to represent their country in Rio.

The International Golf Federation published the final Olympic rankings on its website, with Rahman’s position enough to qualify for Rio when golf makes it return to the Games for the first time since 1904. According to the Indian Express, Siddikur Rahman has already booked a ticket for Rio.

Bangladesh is the most populous country never to have won an Olympic medal and all previous entrants have had to rely on wildcards provided by the International Olympic Committee and other international sports bodies.

India Today has added that several of the world's top golfers, including Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, are staying away from Rio but the two-times Asian Tour winner Siddikur has made clear his excitement at the prospect of competing for a medal.

In a country otherwise obsessed with cricket, Siddikur has become a major star in Bangladesh and been dubbed the "Tiger Woods of Bengal". Siddikur is now expected to carry Bangladesh's flag in the opening ceremony in Rio on August 5 as the head of a small contingent, which will include four compatriots who have been granted wildcards.

It is the first time in 112 years that golf has been staged at the Olympics.

ENDS