Satendra Singh Lohiya Scripts Cook Strait History! Becomes First Asian Para-Swimmer To...

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 17:26 IST

Lohiya covered the 23.6km distance in nine hours and 22 minutes to accomplish the feat and become the first Asian para-swimmer to cross the Cook Strait in New Zealand.

Indian swimmer Satendra Singh Lohiya scripted history by becoming the first Asian para-swimmer to cross the Cook Strait in New Zealand.

Lohiya covered the 23.6km distance in nine hours and 22 minutes to accomplish the feat, after having reached New Zealand in the third week of January and beginning training in the extremely cold waters of the Strait to prepare for the attempt. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav lauded the 38-year-old from Bhind district swimmer’s achievement.

“Padma Shri and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awardee, Madhya Pradesh’s international para swimmer Shri @SatendraSLohiya, has created history by successfully crossing New Zealand’s Cook Strait, one of the toughest sea channels in the world," the MP CM said.

“Historic Achievement – Cook Strait New Zealand Victory," Lohiya’s post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, began.

“One of the world’s most challenging sea routes, Cook Strait, New Zealand, after successfully crossing it with my team, today I feel deeply emotional and immensely proud," he said.

“When I departed for this expedition on January 14, 2026, the Honorable Chief Minister Shri DrMohanYadav51n ji called me to Delhi and gave me congratulations, best wishes, and blessings."

“His affection, trust, and encouragement became an boundless source of inspiration for me. The Chief Minister ji himself has been an athlete, so he deeply understands the spirit, struggle, and dedication of an athlete. Here in New Zealand, after a month of rigorous training, when we crossed the Cook Strait, his blessings and words were the greatest strength for my morale."

“This achievement is special also because, for the first time in Asia, a differently-abled swimmer has crossed the Cook Strait. This is not just my personal success, but the pride of the entire Madhya Pradesh, the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, and all Indians," the post read.

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Chief Minister ji for boosting my morale, appreciating the achievement, and inspiring me to continue bringing glory to the country and the state."

“I pledge that with your blessings, I will continue to honor Madhya Pradesh and India on the international stage. Once again, my heartfelt thanks Jai Bharat. Jai Madhya Pradesh," he concluded.

Lohiya’s legs were disabled in infancy due to inadequate treatment for diarrhea.

He began his journey in open water sea swimming in 2017. In 2018, he crossed the English Channel with an Indian para-swimming team, covering a distance of 34 km in 12 hours and 26 minutes.

At the 2022 National Paralympic Swimming Championships in Guwahati, he won a gold medal in the 100m backstroke. He has participated in 11 National Paralympic Swimming Championships, securing a total of 23 medals, including four gold, 12 silver, and seven bronze medals.

He has also competed in three International Paralympic Swimming Championships, where he earned one gold medal, two silver medals, and one bronze medal.

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