Panvel– Twelve-year-old Tanay has made history in open-water swimming, setting a new record for the fastest swim from the Gateway of India to Atal Setu. Covering the challenging 17 km stretch in just 2 hours and 26 minutes, he now holds the title of the fastest swimmer on this route.
Tanay’s remarkable feat is the result of years of dedication and rigorous training under renowned swimmers Rupali Repale and Aniruddha Mahadik at the Rupali Repale Swimming Academy, Olympic Sports Centre, Palava. Since the age of six, he has shown unwavering commitment, traveling daily from Panvel to Palava to refine his skills.
On the morning of March 2, 2025, Tanay plunged into the Arabian Sea at 8:46 AM from the Gateway of India and reached Atal Setu by 11:12 AM, battling strong winds, high waves, and unpredictable conditions with resilience and skill.
A 6th-grade student at New Horizon Public School, Panvel, Tanay is no stranger to competitive swimming. In 2024, he won a bronze medal at the prestigious Oceanman competition in Krabi, Thailand and secured silver medals in multiple state-level events, including the Sunk Rock to Gateway swim, Periyar Kochi (Kerala), Vijaydurg, and Rankala (Kolhapur).
Open-water swimming is a test of endurance and mental fortitude, and Tanay’s determination has propelled him to the top. His coach, Rupali Repale, a mentor to many young swimmers, has played a key role in shaping his success.
With this record-breaking achievement, Tanay has become an inspiration for aspiring swimmers, proving that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.
