At 13, Vidhi Bhor swims 81-km river in under 12 hours

A 13-year-old girl has pulled off a feat that has stunned the swimming world. Vidhi Nandkumar Bhor, who hails from Avsari Khurd-Bhorwadi in Ambegaon taluka, swam 81 kilometres of a river flowing through Murshidabad in West Bengal, completing the distance in just 11 hours 59 minutes.

The event, considered a tough one, was held on Sunday, the 6th, in Murshidabad. Vidhi swam the entire stretch from Ahiran Ghat to Gora Bazar, finishing second in the girls' group.

No woman swimmer had completed this distance within the stipulated time in the past three years. Vidhi broke that record, proving that age is just a number, and became the youngest swimmer to cover this distance within the time limit.

Vidhi is originally from Avsari Khurd but currently studies in class eight at Fr. Agnel High School in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Alongside her studies, she continues to train hard in swimming.

Vidhi has demonstrated her ability before. She completed a 20-km swim in just 4 hours 3 minutes, followed by a 42-km distance in 7 hours 32 minutes. She also won a gold medal in a 6-km national event held in Kochi.

Vidhi currently trains rigorously for 3 to 4 hours daily at a swimming centre in Palava, Dombivli, under coaches Rupali Repale and Aniruddha Mahadik. Her dream is to eventually swim across the English Channel and fly the Indian tricolour at the international level.

Speaking on the achievement, it was said, "At just 13, Vidhi Bhor has brought glory to Maharashtra by successfully completing an 81-km river swim. Her determination, hard work and confidence are an inspiration for the entire state, and she will surely make the country proud on the global stage in the future."

Former Zilla Parishad deputy chairman Arun Gire also praised Vidhi.

Vidhi Bhor herself spoke about her experience, saying, "This 81-km journey was very challenging for me, both physically and mentally, but I could cover this distance only because of continuous practice, my parents' support and my coach's proper guidance. My next and final goal is to cross the English Channel while representing India at the international level."