Guwahati, February 5: Assam's seven-year-old swimming sensation Kiuchenghan Phukon has created history by becoming the world's youngest swimmer to successfully complete the challenging 13-kilometre open-sea swim from Elephanta Island to the Gateway of India in Mumbai, marking a remarkable achievement for Indian sports.
Kiuchenghan completed the demanding swim across the Arabian Sea on February 4 in an impressive 3 hours and 29 minutes, overcoming strong currents and the challenges of open-water conditions. With this accomplishment, she also became the first female swimmer from Northeast India to complete the iconic route, adding another milestone to the region's growing sporting achievements.
The feat has been officially recognised by the Open Water Amateur Aquatics Federation (OWAAF), making Kiuchenghan's achievement a significant landmark in international open-water swimming.
Congratulating the young athlete, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma praised her determination and perseverance, stating that she had brought immense pride to Assam by achieving global recognition at such a young age. He also commended her coach, Babul Gurung, for his dedication and guidance in nurturing the promising swimmer, wishing him continued success in training future champions.
Assam's Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Nandita Gorlosa also lauded Kiuchenghan's historic accomplishment, describing it as a shining example of the immense sporting talent emerging from the state. She said the achievement reflects Assam's growing investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development.
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Kiuchenghan has been training at the Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati under the supervision of coach Babul Gurung. Months of rigorous physical conditioning and specialised open-water training prepared her for the physically demanding sea swim.
Sports officials and enthusiasts across the country hailed the achievement as a watershed moment for Assam and the Northeast, saying it highlights the region's increasing presence in national and international sporting arenas. They expressed hope that Kiuchenghan's extraordinary feat would inspire thousands of young athletes to pursue excellence in swimming and other sports, proving that age is no barrier to achieving greatness through determination, discipline, and hard work.
