Prabhat Koli: Mumbai lad Prabhat Koli, 23, youngest to complete Oceans Seven | Navi Mumbai News – Times of India

NAVI MUMBAI: The country’s most prolific open water-long distance swimmer, Prabhat Koli (23), has emerged as the youngest athlete in the world to accomplish the rare feat of completing the Oceans Seven challenge. He swam across Cook Strait in New Zealand on Wednesday, clocking 8 hours & 41 minutes to cross 28km amid bad weather.
Oceans Seven is touted as a decisive open-water-swimming challenge. Only a handful of swimmers have completed all seven swims. Koli’s exploits as the youngest to complete the challenge has been recognised by the World Open Water Swimming Association and the Marathon Swimmers Federation.

Years of training under different circumstances paid off: Koli
Mumbaikar Prabhat Koli (23) has emerged as the youngest athlete in the world to accomplish the rare feat of accomplishing the Oceans Seven challenge, reports BB Nayak.
Oceans Seven includes English Channel (between England and France), North Channel (between Ireland and Scotland), Straits of Gibraltar (between Spain and Morocco), Catalina Channel (between Santa Catalina Island and California), Molokai Channel (between Molokai and Oahu, Hawaii), Tsugaru Strait (between Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan) and Cook Strait (between North and South Islands of New Zealand).

Koli, a recipient of Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (the country’s highest adventure award), said, “It was the best moment in my swimming career spanning over 15 years to embrace the ultimate challenge of Oceans Seven, which has been a dream for many professional swimmers across the globe. I can feel the magnitude of happiness by completing the task. My years of training under different circumstances have paid off finally.”
His father, Raju, said the challenge needs years of planning and effort to achieve the final milestone. “It was worth trying the final assault after gruelling preparation lasting several months. We are relieved now. I feel proud to witness a rousing reception that was arranged by the high commissioner of india to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan.”
Koli said the last lap of the swim was tougher due to changing weather with gusty winds and leaping waves.