Texas鈥� Bizimana, NCAA champ runs on no food, water for Ramadan
AUSTIN, Texas (BVM) 鈥� Texas Longhorns track and field runner 鈥� who won the 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Championship in the 800-meter dash 鈥� is training for the outdoor title, while also going most of the day without food or water because he鈥檚 fasting for Ramadan.听
Ramadan, which began on March 23, is a 30-day period in which Muslims don鈥檛 eat food or drink water from dawn until sunset (roughly 14 hours a day in the U.S.). Fasting every day is mandatory for people of Islam (with few exceptions such as health, age, etc.).听
鈥淩amadan is a spiritual journey within one鈥檚 self,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淭rack comes second. When Ramadan comes during a time when I have important races 鈥� then that鈥檚 between me and God.鈥�
The junior is a long-distance runner so he鈥檚 arguably in the hardest sport one can participate in without energy and hydration. Fasting can be a difficult decision for an athlete, but more so for Bizimana, who has an NCAA title to chase after again.听
Many can recall when Bizimana rewrote the Texas record books as he ran to first place at the 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships in the 800m (1:46.02). He became the second-ever Longhorn to win the 800m NCAA title and he set the new Texas program record in the event. That time also put him on the leaderboard for the .听
After a wild 800 meters, 's Yusuf Bizimana () shares his thoughts after winning a 2023 indoor title 馃弳
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField)
So far, for the 2023 outdoor season, Bizimana has the for the men鈥檚 800m 鈥� which he accomplished on a day he was fasting.听
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a stigma sometimes from people who don’t understand Ramadan,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淪ome think it鈥檚 a burden, especially for an athlete because they wonder how it is going to affect your training. Like guys, I鈥檓 good.鈥澛�
So, what does it feel like to run a meet without food or water? For Bizimana, it鈥檚 all about mind over matter.听
鈥淢y freshman year I was fasting and running the 1500-meter and I was experiencing a pain I never felt before,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淢y heart was pounding and racing and I was like 鈥榯his is a bit weird but I still have to race.鈥� I didn鈥檛 think about anything except crossing the finish line. I actually won the race. I couldn’t believe it. Five minutes before the race, I was like, 鈥業 don’t think I can do this.鈥� Five minutes after the race I was like, 鈥業 can’t believe I just won.鈥欌��
Bizimana noted that the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships 鈥� which will take place in early June in Austin, Texas 鈥� is a meet he needs to be a part of for a reason that鈥檚 bigger than himself. His own family hasn鈥檛 seen him run in person yet because they live in the UK.听
鈥淢y family will be there in June when the NCAA finals are happening,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淓verything I鈥檓 doing right now is for that moment. That moment when my family is there at the finish line and I鈥檓 coming down the home straight into first place.鈥澛�
But, Bizimana will need a qualifying time in order to make that dream a reality. It鈥檚 a huge reason why he鈥檚 still pushing himself even while fasting.听
鈥淭he University of Texas loves their athletes and they’ll do anything for them and I noticed that especially during Ramadan,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淯T has worked to accommodate my needs.鈥澛�
For the month of Ramadan, Bizimana has worked with the nutritionist on different meal plans. When he wakes up at 5:30 a.m., he eats chicken and pasta, energy bars, Gatorade and one liter of water.听
When it comes to training, his track coach works with him during different hours.听
鈥淪ome sessions I鈥檒l request to train at 8 p.m. after I鈥檝e eaten and hydrated,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 because if I haven’t had any fluids, I might catch a cramp, pass out or just get nauseous and dizzy. My other coach from my freshman/sophomore year was there with me at 4 a.m. at times.鈥澛�
Bizimana noted there鈥檚 mutual respect between himself and the coaches. He appreciates that the Texas track program respects what he鈥檚 doing for his religion. At the same time, he recognizes there鈥檚 a level of work they need from him as a scholarship athlete.听
Overall, Bizimana has been sharing his journey on social media platforms including and . He hopes that people are motivated by him since he’s chasing his dreams of becoming an Olympian even with hurdles in his way.听聽
鈥淓verybody has their own journey and path they are taking in life,鈥� Bizimana said. 鈥淚f you can just show your purpose, work hard, try to achieve those goals 鈥� just keep on working on getting better because you may be inspiring people you don鈥檛 know.鈥澛�
