Archive · 1 Oct 2026
13-Year-Old Chennai Para-Swimmer Completes Two-Way Palk Strait Crossing
Ishaan S is a 13-year-old swimmer from Chennai.
He completed a very long swim across the Palk Strait and back.
The journey covered 64 kilometres and took 18 hours and 50 minutes.
He started in Dhanushkodi, India, travelled to Thalaimannar, Sri Lanka, and returned.
Ishaan has been diagnosed with intellectual disability, autism and ADHD.
He competes in the S14 para-swimming category.
The World Book of Records, London, gave him a certificate for his achievement.
He has also won eight gold and two silver medals in para-swimming competitions.
His mother said the family is applying for recognition from Guinness World Records.
Ishaan S completed a 64-km two-way crossing of the Palk Strait in 18 hours and 50 minutes.
The 13-year-old began at Dhanushkodi on September 29 and reached the finish on September 30.
He became the first and youngest S14 national para-swimmer reported to complete the crossing.
The World Book of Records, London, awarded Ishaan a record certificate for the feat.
Ishaan has won eight gold and two silver medals in national and Tamil Nadu para-swimming competitions.
- Who
- Ishaan S, a 13-year-old para-swimmer from Chennai, completed the crossing with support from his mother, coaches and event observers.
- What
- He completed a 64-km two-way crossing of the Palk Strait in 18 hours and 50 minutes.
- When
- He began at 5 p.m. on September 29 and completed the swim at 11:50 a.m. on September 30.
- Where
- The route ran from Dhanushkodi in India to Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka and back.
- Why
- The articles describe it as Ishaan’s Palk Strait swimming challenge; they do not state a more specific purpose.
- Swimmer
- Ishaan S, aged 13
- Distance
- 64 km
- Duration
- 18 hours and 50 minutes
- Route
- Dhanushkodi–Thalaimannar–Dhanushkodi
- Category
- S14 national para-swimming
- Recognition
- World Book of Records, London, record certificate
- Competitive record
- Eight gold and two silver medals over the past two years