ASSAMESE SWIMMER BECOMES THE FIRST FROM NORTHEAST TO CROSS THE NORTH CHANNEL
Guwahati, September 23:
Veteran Assamese swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika becomes first from North East to cross the North Channel. He has achieved the feat of becoming the first from Northeast India and the oldest Indian to swim across the North Channel, a strait between north-eastern Northern Ireland and south-western Scotland. North Channel is strait between north-eastern Northern Ireland and south-western Scotland. the distance of the route recognised as a North Channel swim is 34.5 km (21.4 miles). It is known for fickle weather, rough seas, tough currents and an abundance of jellyfish.
Union Minister Sarbanada Sonowal Said, "Congrats Elvis! 200 Km in 53 Hrs. Yet another feat by ace swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika to cover the Indo Arabian Gateway Mumbai Circle swim with his relay team, becoming the first from the North East to do so. Keep it up, champ."
Last year, Elvis became the first Assamese to swim 38 km from Dharamtar Jetty to the Gateway of India in the Arabian Sea. Before that, he had crossed the Catalina channel which is considered dangerous due to the presence of many aquatic animals, including sharks. Elvis was also the first Assamese to swim 29 km of the 33-km English Channel. Taking to swimming at the age of just two-and-a-half years, Elvis had crossed the 800-metre Dighalipukhuri here when he was four years old. At five, he swam the length of Joysagar Lake in Sivasagar, also considered to be the largest man-made lake in India.