Assam's Elvis Ali Hazarika Scripts History With 350 Km Open-Sea Relay Swim

GUWAHATI: Assamese endurance swimmerElvis Ali Hazarika has created history by becoming the first person from Assam to successfully complete a 350-kilometre open-water relay swim, an extreme endurance challenge completed over four days (80 hours) in the open sea.

The historic swim began on the morning of February 6 and concluded on the afternoon of February 9, marking one of the longest and most demanding open-sea relay swims attempted by an Indian swimmer.

Speaking after completing the swim, Hazarika described the experience as “unforgettable but extremely tough,” citing fear, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and difficult sea conditions.

“Swimming continuously in the middle of the sea for four days with only a boat nearby was very challenging. I could hardly sleep or eat properly, and the jellyfish stings were constant. When the tides changed, the currents became extremely strong, making it very difficult to continue,” he said.

Open-sea endurance swimming of this scale is rare in India due to the physical, mental, and logistical challenges involved. There are reports based on experts claiming that such long-distance swims require exceptional stamina, navigation skills, and psychological resilience.

Despite the hardships, Hazarika said he felt proud and grateful to have completed what he described as the biggest achievement of his life, adding that he hopes his feat will inspire more adventure swimmers in India.

Earlier Historic Feat Across Goa Coast

This latest achievement follows Hazarika’s earlier landmark swim in November 2025, when he became the first person from Assam to complete a gruelling 64-kilometre two-way open-water swim from Mandovi Bridge to Zuari Bridge and back in Goa.

During that marathon journey, the 46-year-old endurance athlete battled powerful currents, swam through schools of large fish, endured numerous jellyfish stings, and even encountered dolphins along the route.

A Rare Milestone for Indian Adventure Sports

Adventure open-water swimming of this magnitude is still in its early stages in India. Hazarika’s accomplishments place him among the country’s most accomplished endurance swimmers and mark a significant milestone for Assam in global endurance sports.

Meanwhile, Hazarika expressed gratitude to his supporters and urged people to share the news of his achievement, saying continued public support is crucial for promoting adventure sports in India.

Also Read: Elvis Ali Hazarika Becomes First Assamese to Conquer 64-km Mandovi–Zuari Two-Way Swim in Goa