NAGPUR’S Jayant Jaiprakash Duble became the second fastest swimmer to cross the Palk Strait — connecting India and Sri Lanka on Friday. Duble took plunge into sea waters at Talaimannar, Sri Lanka and ended at Arichalmunai (Dhanushkodi), India covering a total distance of 29 kms with a timing of 9 hours and 20 minutes. The Palk Strait expedition was organised by JD Sports Youth Foundation and National Institute of Swimming and under observation of Swimming Federation of India. Technical support and time recording was done by Gulf of Mannar Promotion Association, Tamil Nadu, India. The Moto of this expedition was to spread the message of friendship between India and Sri Lanka, Fit India Movement and Drowning Prevention Awareness.

 

 

 

From Talaimannar, in North western coast of Mannar Island in Sri Lanka, Duble started at 2:25 am on March 26 and finished the expedition at 11:45 am at Arichalmunai. In 2018, M Tulasi Chaitanya from Vijayawada (age 29 years) took 8 hours 25 minutes and became fastest swimmer to swim across Palk Strait. In 2020, Adam Moss, alongside Edie Hu, from Hong Kong swam Palk Strait in 10 hours 18 minutes and become the second fastest swimmer to cross Palk Strait. As per World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) and time taken by Duble, he broke the previous record and is now second fastest swimmer to cross the famous Palk Strait. Before the expedition began, Defence Advisor Captain Vikas Sood and Section Officer Shambhu Kumar Suman and Sri Lankan Navy Officers gave Jayant best wishes for the expedition. 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.

 

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari helped a lot in obtaining clearances from Sri Lankan Government and NOCs from concerned Union Ministries and also wished Duble luck. Duble, along with his coach and father Dr Jaiprakash, mother Archana, Observer Mariya Roger, appointed by Swimming Federation of India; lifeguards, crew members, kayaker in two boats went from Rameswaram to Talaimannar on Thursday evening. They all stayed at the allotted point by Sri Lankan Navy till the expedition started. It was high tide and the strait was dark at 2:25 am when the expedition began. Setting his target in the beam of torch light, Duble made the dive. The weather was humid and cloudy. Palk Strait is famous for sharks, poisonous snake, jelly fishes and other marine creatures which usually creates fear in minds of swimmers but Duble was well prepared and trained to face off such situations.

 

Sri Lankan Navy boats followed Duble till International Marine Border Line (IMBL) when he entered Indian waters in the day light. The actual point to point distance was 29 kms but due to sandbars in his route, he had to swim more than 36 kms. After reaching Arichalmunai, Duble was welcomed with a garland and was felicitated by Custom and Immigration Department officials and office-bearer of Gulf of Mannar Promotion Association. Duble’s parents and other family members including Madhukar Adhao, Malti Adhao, Ashish Adhao, Ashwini Adhao, Anushree Adhao and Aryan Adhao were also honoured. Duble, in his statement said that, he was consistently working hard for this expedition. He thanked all his well wishers for support and best wishes. Duble is NCC Naval Cadet and a first year BPE student of Jyotiba College of Physical Education, Nagpur as well as a member of Dolphin Swimming Club.