India ke Satendra Singh Lohiya New Zealand me Cook Strait ko successfully cross karne wale first Asian para-swimmer ban gaye hain. MP ke Bhind district ke rahne wale 38 saal ke Lohiya ko 2024 mein Padma Shri se sammanit kiya gaya tha. Lohiya ne Friday ko social media par post kiya, “Historic Achievement — Cook Strait New Zealand Victory. Duniya ke sabse challenging sea routes mein se ek, Cook Strait, New Zealand ko apni team ke saath successfully cross karne ke baad aaj main bahot emotional aur bahot jada proud feel kar raha hun… Asia mein first time kisi differently-abled swimmer ne Cook Strait ko cross kiya hai.”
Officials ke according, para swimmer January ke 3rd week mein New Zealand pahonche aur attempt ki taiyaari ke liye Strait ke bahot hi thande paani mein training shuru kar di.
Officials ne bataya ki Lohiya ne 23.6 km tak tair kar 9 ghante 22 minute mein yeh achievement haasil ki.
Madhya Pradesh ke Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ne kaha, “Padma Shri aur Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award se sammanit, Madhya Pradesh ke international para swimmer Satendra Singh Lohiya ne duniya ke sabse tough sea channels mein se ek, Cook Strait ko successfully cross karke history create kar di hai.”
“Is shandaar achievement ke saath, woh Asia ke first para swimmer ban gaye hain jinhone Cook Strait ko conquer kiya hai. Main unhe is extraordinary feat ke liye dil se badhai deta hun.”
Unhone aage kaha, “Yeh desh aur Madhya Pradesh ke liye garv ka pal hai, jo unki indomitable spirit aur unwavering determination ko dikhata hai. Unki yeh feat upcoming generations ko inspire karti rahegi.”
Satendra Singh Lohiya ke dono pair bachpan mein hi theek ilaaj na milne ki wajah se, diarrhea ke kaaran, disabled ho gaye the.
Unhone 2017 mein Open Water Sea Swimming ka safar shuru kiya. 2018 mein unhone Indian para-swimming team ke saath milkar English Channel ko 12 ghante 26 minute mein cross kiya, jisme unhone 34 km ki doori tay ki.
2022 ke National Paralympic Swimming Championships, Guwahati mein, Satendra Singh Lohiya ne 100m backstroke mein gold medal jeeta.
Unhone 11 National Paralympics Swimming Championships mein participate kiya hai, jahan unhone total 23 medals jeete hain — jinmein 4 gold, 12 silver aur 7 bronze medals shamil hain.
Unhone 3 International Paralympic Swimming Championships mein bhi participate kiya hai, jahan unhone 1 gold medal, 2 silver medals aur 1 bronze medal jeeta hai.
Was this a solo crossing, or a relay?