Ankita Konwar becomes first Assamese woman to complete English Channel Relay Swim
Synopsis
Ankita Konwar only learnt to swim three years ago — on Saturday, she crossed the English Channel as part of an international relay team, becoming the first Assamese woman and first from North East India to do so. The crossing coincides with the 100th anniversary of Gertrude Ederle's historic solo swim, adding a layer of symbolism to an already extraordinary personal journey.
Key Takeaways
Ankita Konwar completed the English Channel Relay Swim as part of a six-member international relay team .
She is the first Assamese woman and the first woman from North East India to complete the crossing.
The feat coincides with the 100th anniversary of Gertrude Ederle 's historic solo channel crossing.
Konwar learnt to swim only three years ago and overcame an injury earlier in 2026 during her preparation.
She credited husband Milind Soman and coach Arjun Kawle as key pillars of support.
Konwar has set herself a future goal of a solo English Channel crossing.
Fitness enthusiast Ankita Konwar has etched her name in history by completing the English Channel Relay Swim, becoming the first Assamese woman and the first woman from North East India to accomplish the iconic crossing. She completed the feat as part of a six-member international relay team, battling freezing waters, powerful tides, and unpredictable currents before successfully reaching the French coast.
A Promise Kept
Konwar shared the milestone on Instagram on Saturday, revealing that the swim was the fulfilment of a personal vow made on her birthday the previous year. During a hike to the English Channel swim start, she had promised herself she would one day swim in it. 'Swam the English Channel in a relay yesterday!!! I kept a promise to myself,' she wrote in her post.
The achievement carries added significance: the crossing coincides with the 100th anniversary of Gertrude Ederle's historic solo channel crossing — Ederle was the first woman in the world to complete the feat. Konwar noted the parallel with evident pride.
From Learning to Swim to Crossing the Channel
What makes Konwar's achievement particularly remarkable is the timeline. She only learnt to swim three years ago, and the English Channel crossing marks a dramatic acceleration in her aquatic journey. 'I'm so proud of the girl in me, who decided to learn how to swim 3 years ago. She and I have come a long way since then,' she wrote.
Her path to the channel was not without setbacks. Earlier this year, she sustained an injury from a fall, which threatened to derail her preparation. She credited her coach Arjun Kawle for keeping her on track through the recovery. 'Thank you to my coach @arjunkawle for always believing in me, even when I was injured from a fall this year. For showing up on the days that I sometimes didn't want to,' she said in her post.
Milind Soman's Role in the Journey
Konwar reserved special gratitude for her husband, fitness icon Milind Soman, describing him as 'the biggest support a partner can ask for.' The couple are widely recognised for their shared commitment to endurance sports, long-distance running, and fitness advocacy. Soman's encouragement, she said, was a constant throughout her preparation and the swim itself.
What This Means for North East India
The crossing is a landmark moment for Assam and the broader North East India region in open-water swimming. Konwar has also set herself a future target — a solo English Channel crossing — signalling that this relay is only the beginning. Notably, the English Channel Relay Swim is considered one of the most demanding open-water challenges in the world, requiring teams to navigate one of the world's busiest shipping lanes under often brutal weather conditions.
Konwar's achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of swimmers from the North East, a region historically underrepresented in endurance aquatic sports at the international level.
Point of View
Financial backing, or visibility that Konwar, through her public profile, was able to access? Her stated goal of a solo crossing next puts the spotlight squarely on whether institutional support will follow the headlines.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the English Channel Relay Swim?
The English Channel Relay Swim is one of the world's most demanding open-water swimming challenges, in which a team of swimmers take turns crossing the channel between England and France, navigating heavy shipping traffic, cold waters, and strong currents. It is governed by strict rules and is considered a major milestone in marathon swimming.
Why is Ankita Konwar's crossing historically significant?
Ankita Konwar became the first Assamese woman and the first woman from North East India to complete the English Channel Relay Swim. Her crossing also coincides with the 100th anniversary of Gertrude Ederle's solo channel crossing, the first by any woman.
How long has Ankita Konwar been swimming?
Konwar learnt to swim approximately three years before the crossing. Her rapid progression from beginner to English Channel relay swimmer is considered a remarkable feat in the open-water swimming community.
What role did Milind Soman play in Ankita Konwar's achievement?
Milind Soman, Konwar's husband and fitness personality, provided constant personal support throughout her training and the swim. Konwar described him as 'the biggest support a partner can ask for' in her Instagram post following the crossing.
What are Ankita Konwar's next goals after the relay?
Konwar has indicated she intends to complete a solo English Channel crossing in the future, a significantly more demanding undertaking than a relay. She made the promise to herself at the time of the relay crossing.
