Tsanko Tsankov Conquers the Danube with 24-Hour Continuous Swim

An epochal success: Tsanko Tsankov conquers the Danube with a historic swim

ORYAHOVO – Bulgarian swimmer Tsanko Tsankov has etched his name in history, achieving an extraordinary feat of a 24-hour individual uninterrupted swim in the Danube River. The triumphant finish took place in Oryahovo, where the athlete was welcomed by an excited and applauding crowd, eager to greet the hero emerging from the waters of the mighty river. The achievement, which was officially registered as 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 8 seconds, was completed without a wetsuit or any other aids, highlighting the harsh conditions and the athlete"s incredible will.

The official evaluation of the success was given by referee Velislav Tsekov, who is the chairman of the referee commission at the Bulgarian Swimming Sports Federation. He confirmed that the achievement is successful and fully valid, making it a remarkable precedent.

The battle with the waters and his own body

The swim, which spanned dozens of kilometers along the Danube"s current, was not without dramatic moments. Tsankov"s manager, Nikolay Iliev, revealed to the media that there were several critical moments during the night. They were caused not only by physical exhaustion but also by natural challenges such as the narrowing of the river. The more alarming part of Iliev"s account was that Tsankov spent almost the entire time in the water, battling hypothermia.

"He has not yet recovered from the swim in Northern Ireland, and yesterday, shortly after Vidin, the first signs of hypothermia began. He swam with hypothermia for almost 19 hours," said Iliev, describing the immense ordeal the swimmer went through. These words reveal the scale of the effort and the unwavering determination of Tsankov, who continued despite his body being subjected to extreme stress.

The power of spirit and the victory over fatigue

Despite all the challenges, Tsankov commented on the event with a clear sense of satisfaction. He shared that he was happy with what he had achieved. According to him, psychological resilience was key to his success.

"I had severe crises of over-fatigue; in those difficult moments, I imagine I am in my hometown and walking with my family," the swimmer revealed, showing how mental strength can overcome physical limits.

This success is another proof of Tsankov"s exceptional abilities. In February, he won a gold medal at the World Cup in winter swimming in icy waters, which took place in Gdynia, Poland. The Bulgarian placed first in the most difficult discipline – the 1000-meter freestyle, with an impressive time of 12:42:50 minutes.

Tsankov"s historic swim on the Danube is not just a sporting achievement; it is a triumph of the human spirit, will, and the fight against the forces of nature. This record establishes him as one of Bulgaria_q_s most enduring and brave athletes.