Gold medallist Russian-Bangladeshi gymnast Margarita Mamun’s father dies

Rio Olympics gold medallist rhythmic gymnast Margarita Mamun’s father has died of cancer at his home in Moscow, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has confirmed to bdnews24.com.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 August 2016, 06:34 PM
Updated : 26 August 2016, 07:19 PM

Abdullah Al Mamun Shipar from Durgapur Upazila in northern Rajshahi district was 52.

The state minister said he had been suffering from cancer for the last few months. He was discharged from hospital some six days back.

“He died at his home Friday afternoon (Russian time),” he said. Mamun suffered a heart attack two weeks ago during treatment.

The Olympic victory of Margarita, who was born in Moscow, has also been celebrated in Bangladesh, which she had once represented as a junior.

The state minister who met the family last year on his official visit to Moscow recalled that Mamun had promised him to take her daughter to Bangladesh after the Olympics.

“But he lost the cancer battle,” Shahriar said.

Mamun would be buried in Moscow and his namaz-e-janana would be held at the largest mosque in Moscow.

“Bangladesh embassy representatives would be there in the rituals.”

Shahriar said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had also congratulated Margarita and invited her family to visit Bangladesh.

The 20-year-old Russian goes by the nickname 'The Bengal Tiger'.

After her victory in Rio Games, she said: “I'm really happy knowing that I have a lot of fans in Bangladesh who have been supporting me.”