Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav extended his heartfelt congratulations to international para swimmer and Padma Shri Satyendra Singh Lohiya and his team for successfully completing the 36-km English Channel challenge from Dover in the United Kingdom (UK) to France for the third time.
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav said In a post on ‘X’, that the Indian para swimmers had enhanced the pride of Madhya Pradesh and the country by completing the challenging swim in 21 hours and 20 minutes while carrying the Tricolour. He said their achievement would inspire the youth across the country.
Dr. Satyendra Singh Lohiya from Gata village in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district arrived in London with his team on September 20. He began his expedition to cross the English Channel from Dover (England) at 8:58 AM on September 24. This arduous swim concluded upon his arrival in France at 6:18 AM on September 25, after a duration of 21 hours and 20 minutes. Despite the cold water, strong sea currents, and the grueling nature of the long-distance swim, Satendra achieved this feat with indomitable courage and determination. With this accomplishment, Lohia has become the first Indian swimmer to cross the English Channel three times.
First English Channel Crossing in 2018: Satyendra Lohiya first crossed the English Channel on June 24, 2018. He completed the approximately 36-kilometer maritime challenge from Dover to France in about 12 hours and 26 minutes. Subsequently, he represented India in several challenging open-water swimming expeditions. In 2019, he crossed the Catalina Channel in California as part of the Indian team. In 2022, he completed the North Channel challenge, and in July 2023, he participated in a two-way relay expedition across the English Channel.
