Greek Paralympic champion Charalambos Taiganidis has made history, breaking the world record for continuous open sea swimming after covering an astonishing distance of 149 kilometers in the Mediterranean Sea. The monumental swim, which began in Paphos, Cyprus, was hailed by his support crew as “a global message of endurance and humanity.”
Taiganidis, Greece’s most decorated Paralympic swimmer with 10 Paralympic medals, embarked on the gruelling challenge to raise awareness and funds for children’s charities. His attempt aimed to surpass the previous record of 142.3 km.
The five-time Paralympian started his journey from Paphos port and endured several days and nights in the open water. The final leg of the swim proved to be a ferocious battle:
Harsh Conditions: Worsening weather brought strong headwinds, with wind intensity rising to 5-6 Beaufort, making the sea dangerously rough.
Safety First: Taiganidis was ultimately pulled aboard the escort boat 4.5 km short of his intended finish at Ayia Napa marina due to exhaustion and deteriorating conditions.
Record Confirmed: Crucially, the support team and official judges confirmed via GPS trackers that he had already smashed the distance record by the time he was brought in.
“We are immensely proud of Charalambos, who proved once again that limits exist only to be overcome,” his crew stated. “This feat is not just a record; it is a victory of the soul, solidarity, and a beacon of inspiration for everyone.”
Taiganidis was promptly taken to Larnaca General Hospital for treatment and precautionary examinations following the extraordinary effort. His successful swim now stands as the new benchmark for continuous open sea endurance.
