Bula Chowdhury crosses
Catalina Channel

Ace swimmer Bula Chowdhury became the first Asian woman to cross the Catalina Channel in the United States and moved a step closer towards realising her dream of conquering the Seven Seas.

The 35-year old swimmer performed the feat on Wednesday evening, according to family sources.

Choudhury, who had crossed the Toroneus Gulf in Greece about a month back, braved inclement weather to clock 10 hours 23 minutes in the 34-km swim from Catalina Island to the shores of Manhattan Beach.

The Kolkata girl was on course towards bettering the all-time record but high waves and strong current in the Channel, which had a water temperature of around 17 degrees celcius, thwarted her.

Taranath Shenoy, the deaf and mute swimming sensation, is the only Indian male to swim across the Channel.

Chowdhury was accompanied by her husband and coach Sanjib Chakraborty.