Assam’s swimming sensation, Elvis Ali Hazarika, has etched his name in history by becoming the first individual from the North East to cross the English Channel both ways.
Hazarika accomplished this incredible feat by completing the gruelling 78 km distance to and fro in a relay swim from Hampshire, England, to Calais, France, and back on Wednesday. The remarkable journey took him 31 hours of sheer determination and unwavering perseverance.
“I have been waiting for this day for a long time. After putting in a lot of effort and pushing myself to work harder every day, I have successfully become the first Assamese (North East) to cross the English Channel two ways,” Hazarika joyfully expressed in a tweet.
For Hazarika, this is a dream come true and a moment of immense pride for not only all Indians but also the people of Assam. The challenging swim was accompanied by various obstacles, including Jellyfish, Dolphins, Seals, Saltwater, heavy currents, and choppy weather. Despite these challenges, Hazarika emerged victorious, dedicating his triumph to his motherland, saying, “Joi Aai Axom (Hail! Assam, my motherland).”
Congratulatory messages poured in for the young swimmer, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressing his heartiest congratulations. He described Hazarika’s achievement as a momentous triumph and a source of immense pride for Assam.
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Elvis Ali Hazarika’s journey of swimming achievements is awe-inspiring. Last year, in September, Hazarika and his partner Rimo Saha from West Bengal made history by becoming the first Indian and Asian relay team to conquer the North Channel in Europe. The duo also became the first swimmers from their respective states to successfully cross the North Channel, a challenging strait between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
In 2019, Hazarika had already established himself as the first swimmer from Assam to conquer the Catalina Channel in the US, setting the stage for his impressive list of accomplishments.
Elvis Ali Hazarika’s achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and exemplify the spirit of determination and dedication to reach new heights in the world of swimming.
