Sampanna Ramesh sets record as fastest Indian to swim across Palk Strait

Sampanna Ramesh Shelar, a Bachelor of Physical Education student, has set a new record by becoming the fastest Indian in the under-21 category to swim across the Palk Strait, from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanuskodi in Tamil Nadu. He completed the 29 km distance in just 5 hours and 30 minutes, beating the previous record of 8 hours and 26 minutes. Shelar started his swim at 6:00 am on Thursday and reached Dhanushkodi at 11:26 am. He is coached by Mr. Jitendra Khasnis and plans to complete solo swims across the English and Catalina Channels to achieve the Oceans Seven Challenge.

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With this achievement, Mr. Shelar plans to swim solo across the English and Catalina channels soon, popularly known as the Oceans Seven Challenge, to eventually complete swimming across the Seven Oceans.

About the Palk Strait

• The Palk Strait is a strait that lies between the southern coast of India and the northern coast of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) wide at its widest point and has an average depth of about 30 meters (98 feet).
• The Palk Strait is named after Robert Palk, a governor of Madras (now Chennai) in colonial India. The strait is an important shipping route for cargo ships and fishing boats, as it connects the Bay of Bengal to the Palk Bay, which is located between India and Sri Lanka.
• The Palk Strait is also known for its marine biodiversity, including a variety of fish, crustaceans, and other marine animals. The area is home to several marine national parks, including the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park in India and the Pigeon Island National Park in Sri Lanka. However, the strait is also facing environmental challenges, such as overfishing and pollution, which are impacting its delicate ecosystem.