Elvis Ali Hazarika becomes first Assamese to swim from Elephanta Island Jetty to Getway of India in Mumbai.

Digital Desk, NE Post: Ace swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika became the first swimmer from Assam to successfully swim from Elephanta Island Jetty to Gateway of India in Mumbai.

"With a lot of hardwork, I have finally become the first Assamese to successfully swim from Elephanta Island Jetty to the Gateway Of India Arabian Sea (Solo Swim)," Elvis wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

"It was a very difficult task as i swam along with pretty big sized fish and a lot of jelly fish went against the current in certain parts. It was extremely tiring, the swim overall," he said.

"I thank the cooperation of the Maharashtra Swimming Association, Maharashtra Govt, Mumbai Police and the Navy. Without them, this swim wouldn’t have been possible. This is a dream come true for me, and also the people of Assam," he added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated Elvis for his achievement. "With each new effort, swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika sets new milestones of endurance and hardwork. Congratulations on the successful solo swim from Elephanta Island Jetty to the Gateway Of India in Mumbai," Sonowal posted on X (Twitter).

"May you keep on breaking records and bring glory to the nation. My best wishes for your future endeavours," he added. This is not the first time that Elvis has created a record.

Earlier this year, Elvis became the first swimmer from Northeast India to accomplish the remarkable feat of crossing the English Channel two ways. Last year, Elvis became the first swimmer from Northeast India to cross the North Channel.

In 2021, he became the first Assamese to swim 38 km from Dharamtra Jetty to the Gateway of India in the Arabian Sea. Before that, he had crossed the Catalina channel which is considered dangerous due to the presence of many aquatic animals, including sharks. Elvis was also the first Assamese to swim 29 km of the 33-km English channel. Elvis Ali Hazarika has clinched as many as 68 national and 6 international gold medals.

At the age of 9, Elvis represented the India in the Asia Pacific Swimming Championship in the year 1991. He also represented India in South Asian Federation Games in 1995 and 1999 and the World Police Games in 2009.

He has also represented the country in the All-India-Pacific National Aquatic Games, Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior Aquatic National Championship and National Games.