New Delhi, February 13 India's Satendra Singh Lohiya has become the first Asian para-swimmer to cross the Cook Strait in New Zealand.
The 38-year-old Lohiya, who hails from the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2024.
"Historic Achievement – Cook Strait New Zealand Victory. One of the world's most challenging sea routes, the Cook Strait in New Zealand, I successfully crossed it with my team today, and I feel deeply emotional and immensely proud... for the first time in Asia, a differently-abled swimmer has crossed the Cook Strait," Lohiya posted on social media on Friday.
According to officials, the para-swimmer reached New Zealand in the third week of January and began training in the extremely cold waters of the Strait to prepare for the attempt.
Lohiya swam for 23.6km in nine hours and 22 minutes to accomplish this feat, officials said.
"Padma Shri and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award winner, Shri @SatendraSLohiya, an international para-swimmer from Madhya Pradesh, has created history by successfully crossing New Zealand's Cook Strait, one of the toughest sea channels in the world," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
"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," he added.
Both of Lohiya's legs were disabled in infancy due to a lack of proper treatment for diarrhea.
He started his journey of open water sea swimming in 2017. In 2018, he crossed the English Channel along with an Indian para-swimming team, covering a distance of 34km in 12 hours and 26 minutes.
In the 2022 National Paralympic swimming championships at Guwahati, he won a gold medal in the 100m backstroke. He has participated in 11 National Paralympic swimming championships, winning 23 medals, including four gold, 12 silver, and seven bronze.
He has also participated in three International Paralympic swimming championships, winning one gold, two silver, and one bronze medals.