OUR RACE PUT ME ON TOP OF WORLD Emon ends feud with his dad

RACE Across The World winner Emon Choudhury has healed a rift with his dad thanks to the show.

The pair had been estranged for a decade following a bitter falling-out.

When Emon refused to have an arranged marriage, it caused a row that was so bad he left the family.

But taking part in Race Across The World inspired him to rebuild the relationship.

He said: “Experiencing family life on the show made me think about my own life. I’m spending more time with family now. That’s what this trip has made me realise.

“I’d lost connection with my father for 10 years. I’ve started to make my time up with my dad. I’m spending as much time as I can with him.”

Emon competed on Race Across The World with nephew Jamiul – from whom he had also been estranged.

Travelling through Latin America together helped them regain the bond they enjoyed as youngsters.

Emon said: “I thought, ‘This is going to be an amazing race, we’re going to see some amazing places, amazing countries.’ But I just did not expect the connection that we had. This trip has been remarkable in so many ways.”

Jamiul is thrilled the show has put an end to the family’s long-running feud.

He said: “It’s helped reconnect ourselves. We’re very lucky to have been a part of it. I knew if we went on this journey together, it would bring our families together. That was the aim and I’m happy that it’s happened.”

After reconnecting with his dad, Emon decided to give £5,000 of the £20,000 prize money to his family’s orphanage in Bangladesh.

He now wants to become a dad himself. Emon said: “I’ve finished the adventurous side of my life and I’m ready to settle down and start my own family and do normal things.”

Emon and Jamiul won last weekend’s final by just 20 seconds.

Viewers saw them travel from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina without using a smartphone or catching a flight. They relive their experience in tonight’s reunion show, which is at 8pm on BBC Two.