Madhya Pradesh

• 22 Sep 2022

Satendra Singh Lohia Becomes Asia's First Para Swimmer To Cross North Channel

Why In News?

• On September 20, 2022, Para Swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia from Madhya Pradesh has become the first Para Swimmer from Asia to cross the North Channel in Ireland. Satendra Singh walked 36 km. He crossed the North Channel in 14 hours and 39 minutes to set a world record.

Key Points

• International Divyang Para Swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia had earlier set a world record by crossing the English and Catalina channels and became the first International Divyang Para Swimmer in Asia to do so. Now he has also become the first Asian differently-abled swimmer to cross the North Chaunal.
• Satendra started swimming in the North Channel sea at 6:31 a.m. North Ireland time and 11:00 a.m. Indian time. It is a 36 km north channel between Donagadi in the Nordland and Port Patriot, Scotland. Distance swimming. The specialty of this channel is that it is the coldest channel among all the channels in the world. Its temperature is 12 degree C. Lasts approx.
• It is worth mentioning that international para swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia on June 24, 2018, covered 49 km in 12 hours and 24 minutes. Had crossed the long English Channel. For this, his name is recorded in the Asian Limca Book of Records. On August 18, 2019, in the US, he covered 42 km in 11 hours and 34 minutes. Had crossed the long Catalina Channel.
• Satendra Singh has won 24 medals for the country by participating in 7 National Para Swimming Championships. The Madhya Pradesh government had awarded him the Vikram award, the highest sporting honour, in 2014. After this, on December 3, 2019, the Vice President also received the National Award for Best Disabled Player. Satendra Singh Lohia has also been honored by PM Narendra Modi.