Gwalior para swimmer conquers 22-km Cook Strait in record time

BHOPAL: Once barred from swimming in Bhopal's Upper Lake, Satendra Singh turned rejection into resolve — and on Thursday, the Madhya Pradesh para-swimmer capped his extraordinary journey by conquering one of the world's toughest sea routes, New Zealand's Cook Strait.Padma Shri awardee Satendra Singh completed the 22-km Cook Strait swim in 9 hours and 42 minutes, creating history as the first para-swimmer from Asia to achieve the feat. His achievement has brought national and international acclaim to the state.Chief minister Mohan Yadav congratulated Singh, calling the feat historic. In a post on X, the CM said, "Padma Shri and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awardee, Madhya Pradesh's international para swimmer Shri @SatendraSLohiya, has created history by successfully crossing New Zealand's Cook Strait, one of the toughest sea channels in the world."

He added, "With this remarkable achievement, he becomes the first para swimmer from Asia to conquer the Cook Strait.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him on this extraordinary feat. This proud moment for the nation and for Madhya Pradesh reflects his indomitable spirit and unwavering determination, which will continue to inspire generations to come."Speaking to TOI on the phone, Satendra thanked those who stood by him through his journey.

"I am grateful to everyone who supported me. Vinod Agarwal of Balaji, Philips Rush in New Zealand and CM Mohan Yadav encouraged me at every stage of my life," he said.A Gwalior resident with 70% disability who cannot use his legs, Satendra said his passion for long-distance swimming was ignited in 2016 when he was denied permission to swim in Bhopal's Upper Lake. What began as disappointment soon became determination, pushing him towards international waters and record-breaking achievements.Already a Limca Book of Records holder, Satendra has earlier conquered the English Channel (2018), the Catalina Channel in the US (2019) and the North Channel (2022). He is also the first para-athlete from Asia to successfully complete both the English and Catalina Channel swims.Recalling his early setbacks, Satendra said he was even denied permission to swim the English Channel in 2017, but returned a year later to successfully complete it.

"I never gave up," he said with a smile. A govt employee posted in Indore, Satendra received the Vikram Award in 2014. "I want to convey one message," he said. "Anyone can achieve wonders if they put their heart into it."Satendra reached New Zealand on Jan 18, and he was supposed to attempt it in January, but the weather did not allow him. "I didn't want to go empty-handed. I am happy that I managed to achieve it today," said Satendra.