Bula Choudhury – India's record breaking swimmer

In 2004, the Indian long-distance swimmer Bula Choudhury became the first woman to complete the challenge of crossing straits of the world’s Seven Seas.

Choudhury is a former Indian national swimming champion in the pool, who was inspired to switch to the ocean by a traditional Bengali folk tale.

Her challenge took her to five continents. She says that one of her hardest swims was in the cold waters of the English Channel.

In 2020 she spoke to Maya Mitter about her career.

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(Photo: Bula Choudhury. Credit: Bula Choudhury personal collection)