Bula splashes to new mark

August 19: Long-distance swimmer Bula Choudhury, who has the distinction of successfully crossing the English Channel twice added another ...

August 19: Long-distance swimmer Bula Choudhury, who has the distinction of successfully crossing the English Channel twice added another feather to her cap by successfully conquering the Strait of Gibraltar on Friday.

The 30-year old swimmer created a new record by clocking 3.45.12 hours in crossing the the 30-km distance between Tarifa and Morocco, her family sources said here. The earlier record was held by India’s Kavita Thakur who clocked 4h.00m.41 secs.

“I’m thrilled to have achieved this feat, more so because the weather was unfriendly and the water extremely cold,” she told her brother Milan on phone from Morocco.

Story continues below this ad

"The weather was very bad when I started swimming butfortunately it improved at the midway stage. The water was very chilly but my past experience in Channel swimming helped me a lot," Bula said.

She said "It is a great experience swimming there. I’MGlad that I could set a new women’s record."

Bula was expected to return to the city on August 23 anda felicitation function has been planned for her at the airport.

"We all feel very proud for Bula. We are eagerly awaitingher arrival. We knew she could do it, and she did not disappoint us," her brother Milan Choudhury said.