7-year-old Indian swimmer completes dangerous Palk Strait crossing; sets new world record | WATCH

Ranchi: A seven-year-old from Ranchi has done something most adults would hesitate to attempt. In a story that blends grit with quiet determination, young swimmer Ishank Singh has taken on one of the toughest sea routes in the region and come out with a world record to his name.

Ishank, who hails from Dhurwa in Ranchi, has achieved a rare milestone by swimming across the sea route between Sri Lanka and India. Covering a distance of nearly 29 kilometres, he swam from Talaimannar to Dhanushkodi through the challenging Palk Strait.

He completed the demanding swim in just 9 hours and 50 minutes, making him the youngest swimmer in the world to cross this route and setting a new world record.

Months of preparation behind the feat

The achievement, completed on April 30, 2026, did not happen overnight. It came after months of steady effort, discipline and focused training. In recognition of his accomplishment, Ishank was awarded the Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Swimmer world record certificate by the Universal Records Forum.

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To prepare for this challenge, he trained for four to five hours every day at Dhurwa Dam in Ranchi. He also worked closely under the guidance of his coaches Aman Kumar Jaiswal and Bajrang Kumar. His success has brought recognition not only to Jharkhand but to the country as a whole.

A proud moment for school and city

Ishank is a Class 3 student at DAV Shyamali, and his school has been quick to celebrate his achievement. The principal described his feat as a matter of pride for the institution, the city of Ranchi and the entire country.

The principal noted that setting a world record at such a young age, especially in difficult sea conditions, reflects exceptional courage, discipline and determination.

The school also highlighted that Ishank’s journey shows what can be achieved with dedication and proper guidance. The principal wished him a bright future and added that accomplishing such a challenging task at this age is truly rare.

According to the school, his success is expected to inspire other students, making it a proud and memorable moment for everyone connected with the institution.