Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, March 2, 2023
Prabhat Koli, an Indian Open Water Swimmer with a string of international achievements has made athletes around the globe and people of Indian origin in particular, proud.
On March 1, 2023, he became the youngest person in the world to swim across the Cook Strait as the world watched the feat with bated breath.
It was a moment of immense satisfaction for his parents – father Raju and mother Shilpa.
He took on the mammoth challenge and succeeded in an impressive eight hours and 41 minutes.
Prabhat is now officially the youngest swimmer in the world to complete the Ocean 7 Challenge, recognised by World Open Water Swimming Association and the Marathon Swimmers Federation.
Speaking to Indian Newslink, he said, “Cook Strait is off the list and I am elated. I was very lucky to get this swim done and successfully achieve the feat. At first, it was looking difficult because of the bad weather. But we got a small window and the risk was taken.”
A worthwhile risk
And the risk was worth the effort as Prabhat achieved his target.
“In the beginning, the weather was wonderful. But after three-four hours in the Strait, the wind speed was 30 knots and the waves were tossing me around. But as I finished, I was smiling as I posed with my country’s Flag,” he said.
Prabhat thanked his crew and acknowledged the combined efforts of Omar, Arjun Menon, Siddharth Vasani, Raju Koli (his father), Philip Rush, Donald, Corey, Bret, Sally Minty Gravett and others.
He was showered with messages of support and encouragement on various online platforms by fellow Indians, swimmers and young fans.
Prabhat started swimming when he was eight years old and his coach recognised the talent in him. His father sold their home to support and encouraged him to follow his dreams.
Today, he is one of the best marathon swimmers in India.
Honours and Awards
Among the honours and citations that he has received include the Tenzing Norgay National Achievement Award and the Shiv Chhatrapati Award (Government of Maharashtra).
He has entered the Guinness Book of Records and the Limca Book of National Records for his achievements in swimming.
Prabhat has more than 17 International successful swims to his credit.
In 2016, Prabhat participated in the 81 kilometres India National Open Water Swimming Competition in West Bengal. He has swum 66 kilometres around the Isle of Jersey; 34 kilometres across the English Channel; Eight kilometres in Cape Town, South Africa, Langban Swim; 7.4 kilometres from Robben Island to Blouberg, South Africa; eight kilometres from Llandudno to Campus Bay, South Africa; 32.3 kilometres across the Catalina Channel in California; 42 kilometres across the Molokai Channel in Hawaii.
He participated in the 45.9 kilometres, 20 Bridges Swim in New York; swam 15.2 kilometres across the Bodenseequerung [de], from Lindau Germany to Rorschach Switzerland; 19.5 kilometres across the Tsugaru Strait in Japan; 35 kilometres across the North Channel; and 14.4 kilometres (8.9 mi) across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco.
It was a proud day for Indians and New Zealanders to witness this young man take the leap and show what the human spirit can achieve.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
