Jayant Jaiprakash Duble of Nagpur, Maharashtra becomes second fastest swimmer to swim across Palk strait

Yesterday, Jayant swam between Talaimannar, Sri Lanka to Arichalmunai(Dhanushkodi), India covering a total distance of 29 km with the timing of 9 hours 20minutes.

In 2018, M. Tulasi Chaitanya from Vijayawada (age 29 years) took 8 hours 25 minutes andbecame fastest swimmer to swam across Palk Strait. In 2020, Adam Moss alongside EdieHu, from Hong Kong swam Palk Strait with the timing of 10 hours 18 minutes and becomethe second fastest swimmer of Palk Strait.

As per World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) and time taken by Jayant, he broke the previous record & now became the secondfastest swimmer of Palk Strait. Already, Jayant has participated successfully in various Adventure sea swimmingexpedition in India. He had successfully completed World’s Longest 81 km Swimming Competition in River Bhagirathi with the timing of 12hours 29 minutes and stood 7th amongstthe participants.

Also he has successfully completed 36km All India Veer Sawarkar SeaSwimming Competition organised by Gujarat Government.

Recently, Jayant has establishednew record in Open Water Swimming at Goa by being the first swimmer to swim on the newroute and cover a distance of 24km and 27 km. He is also an India Book of Record Holder. 

The Palk Strait expedition was organised by JD Sports Youth Foundation and NationalInstitute of Swimming and under observation of Swimming Federation of India. Technicalsupport and time recording was done by Gulf of Mannar Promotion Association, TamilNadu, India.The Moto of this expedition was to spread the message of friendship between Indiaand Sri Lanka, Fit India Movement and Drowning Prevention awareness.

From Talaimannar, in North western coast of Mannar Island in Sri Lanka, Jayantplunged in Palk Strait at midnight 2:25 am on 26th March and finished the expedition at11:25 am on the same day at Arichalmunai (Dhanushkodi), India and took total time of 9 hrs20 min. to complete the expedition.Before the expedition began, Defence Advisor Captain Vikas Sood and Section officerShambhu Kumar Suman and Sri Lankan Navy Officers gave Jayant best wishes for theexpedition.

At 2:25 am, the expedition was flagged off by Assistant Defence Advisor, Lt. Col.Puneet Sushil of Indian Embassy at Colombo and Admiral of Sri Lankan Navy.Honorable Union Minister Shri. Nitin ji Gadkari helped alot in obtaining clearancesfrom Sri Lankan Government and NOC from concerned Union ministries and also gave bestwishes to Jayant. Local personnel officers and media helped alot for making this expedition successful. 

On 25th March2021 Jayant along with his Coach and father Dr. Jaiprakash Dubleand mother Mrs. Archana Duble and Observer Mr. Mariya Roger appointed by SwimmingFederation of India, lifeguards, crew members, kayaker in two boats went from Rameswaramto Talaimannar and reached in evening and stayed there at the alloted point by Sri Lankannavy till the expedition started.

It was high tide time and the strait was dark at 2:25 am on 26th March when theexpedition began. Setting his target in the beam of torch light, Jayant plunged into the sea.During the expedition, there was high tide and strong wind force and the Pilot boat showeddirection to Jayant on his route.

The weather was humid and cloudy. Palk Strait is famous for sharks, poisonous snake,jelly fishes and other marine creatures which usually creates a fear in mind of swimmer butJayant was well prepared and trained by his coach Dr. Jaiprakash Duble to face off suchsituation.

 In the Clean and clear water, Jayant, during expedition, saw the snakes and fishes. InSri Lankan waters, Sri lankan navy boats followed Jayant till International Marine BorderLine (IMBL) was reached then Jayant entered Indian waters in the daylight.

The actual pointto point distance was 29 km but due to sandbergs in his route, Jayant had to swim more than36 km.After reaching the finishing point Arichalmunai (Dhanushkodi), Jayant was welcomedwith a Garland and was felicitated by Custom and Immigration Department officials andoffice bearer of Gulf of Mannar Promotion Association, and Jayant’s family membersMr. Madhukar Adhao, Malti Adhao, Ashish Adhao, Ashwini Adhao, Anushree Adhao andAryan Adhao. 

Jayant, in his statement said that, he was consistently working hard for this swimExpedition. Palk Strait Swimming Expedition was his first International event and waschallenging for him to swim in deep dark strait in midnight but with continuous motivationand strength given by his father and coach Dr. Jaiprakash Duble and his mother Mrs.ArchanaDuble. He was successfully able to complete this expedition.

He is thankful for all his wellwishers for support and best wishes.Jayant is NCC Naval Cadet and a 1st year BPE student of Jyotiba College of PhysicalEducation, Nagpur as well as member of Dolphin Swimming Club.