Mumbai schoolgirl swims into Limca Book of Records

Mumbai: Eighteen months after swimming across the 30-km Messinikos Gulf in Greece at the tender age of eight, a schoolgirl from the city, Swapnali Yadav has earned an entry into the "Limca Book of Records" for that feat.

Swapnali's entry in the 2008-09 edition of the book has been accepted and she has received a certificate to this effect from its publishers, her father told reporters on Tuesday.

On September 1, 2007, Swapnali, now studying in standard V in Andheri, became the youngest-ever in open marathon swimming history to achieve the feat. Later the world swimming body, FINA decided not to allow swimmers below the age of 17 to attempt the Messinikos Gulf Swim.

"We sent the documents to the publishers after the decision of FINA, taken last year, ensured that she will be the youngest ever swimmer to do the feat in 11 hours, ten minutes. We received the certificate earlier this month and the book is set to hit the stands soon", Swapnali's father said.

With the Swimming Federation of India also following suit in disallowing children below 14 to take part in long distance swimming, Swapnali has turned her attention to competitive events in pools.

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She trains daily in the morning and evening at Andheri and Goregaon and her pet events are 200m breast stroke and butterfly, Swapnali's father said.