After becoming the youngest-ever swimmer to successfully participate in a world open marathon swim meet a month ago, eight-year-old Mumbai girl Swapnali Yadav says she now wants to conquer the English Channel.
The fourth standard student became the youngest-ever to complete the 19th Open World Swimming Marathon (30-km), organised by the Greece Swimming Association under the aegis of world body FINA, in Kalamata, Greece, on September 1.
Swapnali, who was one of 14 swimmers from 16 starters to complete the course in 11 hours and 10 minues, told a media conference on Monday that her experience in Greece was memorable.
"Though I have done the Uran-Gateway (12 kms) and Dharamtar-Gateway (35 kms) trips, the experience in Greece was unforgettable. I also was delighted to complete the race in 11 hours, 10 minutes, because the ogranisers set me a 12-hour deadline," she said.
"I went into the water with a lot of confidence. That comes from my passion for swimming. Moreover, I was swimming with former Olympians and English Channel swimmers, which was encouraging and enhanced my confidence.
"I knew I had to finish the race. I trained very hard for the occasion. I am proud that I was among the 14 who completed the race, especially after being the youngest-ever," she said.
"There is a lot more to achieve. But, in the near future, I hope to swim the English Channel," said the student of Raigad Military School in Andheri, north-west Mumbai.
