Indian para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohiya makes history in Cook Strait

Indian para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohiya has made history by becoming the first Asian para-swimmer to successfully cross the Cook Strait in New Zealand.

The 38-year-old swimmer, who hails from the Bhind district in Madhya Pradesh, was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

"Historic Achievement, Cook Strait New Zealand Victory. One of the world's most challenging sea routes, Cook Strait, New Zealand, after successfully crossing it with my team, today 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, Lohiya arrived in New Zealand in the third week of January and trained in the extremely cold waters of the strait to prepare for the attempt. He swam 23.6 kilometres in nine hours and 22 minutes to complete the crossing.

Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, congratulated the swimmer on the achievement.

"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 said. "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, Outlook India has reported.

"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, as quoted by Outlook India.

Both of Lohiya’s legs were disabled in infancy due to a lack of proper treatment for diarrhoea. He began his open-water sea swimming journey in 2017 and, in 2018, crossed the English Channel with an Indian para-swimming team in 12 hours and 26 minutes, covering a distance of 34 kilometres.

At the National Paralympic Swimming Championships in Guwahati, he won a gold medal in the 100-metre backstroke. Lohiya has participated in 11 National Paralympic swimming championships, winning 23 medals, including four gold, 12 silver, and seven bronze.

He has also competed in three international Paralympic swimming championships, securing one gold medal, two silver medals, and one bronze medal, as reported by Outlook India.