Last Update: March 06, 2023, 09:46 IST
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, felicitates Prabhat Koli after completing the Ocean’s Seven Challenge (Twitter)
The World Open Waters Swimming Association and the Federation of Marathon Swimmers acknowledged the youngster’s achievement as he became the youngest ever to complete the challenge which requires extreme stamina.
23-year-old Indian swimmer Prabhat Koli achieved the rare feat of completing the highly testing Ocean Intake challenge, thus becoming the youngest person ever to do so.
The long distance swimmer completed the challenge by swimming a distance of 28 kilometers in 8 hours and 41 minutes across the Cook Strait in New Zealand amid challenging weather conditions.
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The World Open Waters Swimming Association and the Federation of Marathon Swimmers acknowledged the youngster’s achievement as he became the youngest ever to complete the challenge which requires extreme stamina.
The Ocean’s Seven, a highly contested open-water-swimming challenge, includes the English Channel between England and France, the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland, the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco, the Catalina Channel between Santa Catalina Island and Are included. California, the Molokai Channel between Molokai and Oahu in Hawaii, the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido in Japan, and finally the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
“It was the best moment of my swimming career of over 15 years to take on the ultimate challenge of the Ocean’s Seven, which has been a dream for many professional swimmers around the world,” said an excited Collie.
“I can feel the magnitude of happiness” by completing the task, the 23-year-old said.
“My years of training in different situations has finally paid off”, said the Mumbai boy.
He also expressed that the final leg of the challenge in Cook Strait, New Zealand, was a bit testing due to weather changes and gusts of wind.
Raju Koli, Prabhat’s father was very proud of his ward’s achievement as he said, “It was worthwhile to attempt the final assault after several months of grueling preparation.”
“We are relieved now,” said the ace swimmer’s father.
Raju said, “I feel proud to see the wonderful reception hosted by Neeta Bhushan, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand.”
Koli is a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, the country’s highest honor in the field of adventure.
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