New Delhi: Seven-year-old Ishank Singh from Ranchi has etched his name in open-water swimming history by successfully crossing the 29-km Palk Strait, one of South Asia’s most challenging sea routes.
The young swimmer completed the demanding stretch from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu in about 9 hours and 50 minutes on April 30. His feat earned him recognition as the “Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Swimmer” from the Universal Records Forum, according to reports.
Known for its unpredictable tides, strong currents, and constantly shifting sea conditions, the Palk Strait is widely regarded as a tough test even for seasoned endurance swimmers, many of whom train for years before attempting the crossing. Ishank’s accomplishment at such a young age has therefore drawn widespread attention within the sporting community.
The Jharkhand-based swimmer underwent intensive training for the challenge, practising four to five hours daily at Ranchi’s Dhurwa Dam under the guidance of coaches Aman Kumar Jaiswal and Bajrang Kumar. His family attributed the achievement to sustained discipline and focused endurance preparation.
A Class 3 student of Jawahar Vidya Mandir (DAV Shyamali), Ishank has also been commended by his school, which termed the feat a moment of pride for both the institution and the country. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren congratulated the young swimmer on his achievement.
The previous record was held by Tamil Nadu swimmer Jay Jaswanth, who had completed the Palk Strait crossing at the age of 10 in 2019. Ishank has now surpassed that benchmark, highlighting India’s growing presence in endurance and open-water swimming.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren congratulated Ishank.
In a post on X, he said: “At just 7 years of age, young Ishank from Jharkhand created a historic moment by crossing the 29-km-long Palk Strait between Sri Lanka and India. Ishank’s achievement stands as a remarkable example of discipline and unwavering dedication to a goal. He has brought pride not only to Jharkhand but to the entire nation. Heartfelt congratulations to Ishank, his family, and his trainers for this historic accomplishment, along with best wishes for a bright future. Johar.”
