Oct 03: Swapnali became the youngest ever swimmer to cross the 30-kilometre stretch
Mumbai’s child prodigy Swapnali Yadav has done for India’s pride, setting a World record, by completing the 30-km Messinikos Gulf in Greece. At eight years and seven months, Swapnali became the youngest swimmer to cross the stretch thus far.
The "Little Mermaid", as she is popularly known was India's only representative in the 19th World Swimming Marathon, organised by the Greece Swimming Association under the aegis of the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA).
At such a tender age, Swapnali achieved this rare feat by finishing the stretch in 11 hours and 10 minutes, almost 50-minute less than the given target of 12 hours to complete the marathon by the organisers.
Now Swapnali has become the part of an elite group of 16 swimmers from across the world, including 23-year-old Czech English Channel swimmer Cech David and Olympian Ilija.
"Though I have done the Uran-Gateway of India and Dharamtar-Gateway trips (in Mumbai), the experience in Greece was unforgettable. There was a lot to learn and I received so much support from all around. I was also delighted to complete the race in 11 hours 10 minutes, because the organisers set me a 12-hour deadline," a joyful Swapnali told reporters on Monday.
"I went into the water with a lot of confidence. That comes from my passion for swimming. Moreover, I was swimming with former Olympians and English Channel swimmers, which was very encouraging, and it enhanced my confidence.", added new swimming champion.
A total of 14 swimmers including Swapnali completed the marathon while 24-year-old Leandro Rios of Argentina and 43-year-old Adel Ibrahim of Egypt dropped out in the midway.
Swapnali said. “I knew I had to finish the race. I trained very hard for it. I am proud that I was among the 14 who completed.”
Addressing a news conference after her return, a beaming Swapnali said, ‘‘Though I have done the Uran-Gateway and Dharamtar-Gateway trips, the experience in Greece was unforgettable. There was a lot to learn and I received so much support from all around.”
A standard IV student of the Raigad Military School at Oshiwara, Swapnali has been under rigorous training for the last four years at the Prabodhankar Thackeray Swimming Pool, Vile Parle and Ozone, Goregaon under ace coach Raju Palkar.
Though she has earned many medals and set records at the various levels. Her significant achievements include the 12 km Mora Jetty, Uran to Gateway of India stretch on April 23, 2006 in a record time of 5 hours, at just 7 years, 4 months and she crossed the 35 km Dharamtar to Gateway of India stretch in just 10 hours and 10 minutes on November 10, 2006.
Swapnali’s instant plan and dream is to cross the English Channel in the near future.
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Comments:
Gopal yadav
January 24, 2008 at 12:00 AMapeksha viral shah
October 29, 2007 at 12:00 AMhi swapnali...congrats
we all r very proud of u...this achievement is really outstanding... i wouil like to know whether u could swim from age one..amazing immpossible to believe..neyways best of luck for future....luv u..lots of blessings to u..
very good, come on little mermaid.