Guwahati: Swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika has etched his name in history as the first Assamese to successfully cross the English Channel in relay mode, completing the challenging swim in 13 hours.
The achievement marks the 14th sea-crossing of Hazarika’s career and adds to his growing list of record-breaking feats.
Sharing his experience after the swim, which began at 1:30 am, Hazarika said, “It was exhausting — both the swim and the effort behind it. But with sheer dedication and belief, we made it. Joi Aai Axom.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Hazarika on his feat, calling it a “momentous triumph” and a “matter of immense pride” for both Assam and the nation.
“Completing the gruelling challenge in 13 hours, this marks his 14th ocean swim,” the Chief Minister’s Office posted on X.
Hazarika has an impressive track record. In 2023, he became the first swimmer from Northeast India to cross the English Channel both ways in relay mode — a 78 km journey between England’s Hampshire and Calais in France, completed in 31 hours.
Earlier, in September 2022, Hazarika and West Bengal’s Rimo Saha made history as the first Indian and Asian relay team to conquer Europe’s treacherous North Channel.
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The feat also made them the first from their respective states to achieve it.
In 2019, Hazarika became the first Assamese to cross the Catalina Channel in the United States.
More recently, in December 2023, he completed a solo swim from Mumbai’s Elephant Island Jetty to the Gateway of India, braving rough seas and marine life hazards.
With each new crossing, Hazarika continues to raise the bar in Indian open-water swimming and inspire a generation of athletes across the Northeast.
