Mihir Sen (1930–1997) was a trailblazing Indian swimmer who made history as the first Indian to swim across the English Channel, a feat he achieved in 1958. His achievement was a significant milestone in Indian sports history, and he became an inspiration for many aspiring athletes in India and beyond.
Born: October 16, 1930, in Begpur, a small village in the Hooghly district of Bengal (now in West Bengal).
Education: He completed his schooling at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata and later went on to study at the University of Kolkata.
Initial Interest in Swimming: Sen’s love for swimming began in his youth. He faced numerous challenges growing up in colonial India but was determined to excel in sports. Despite his modest background and the lack of professional coaching, he developed a passion for long-distance swimming.
Mihir Sen’s most notable achievement was when he became the first Indian to swim across the English Channel. The swim was a highly challenging and daring endeavor due to the Channel’s cold waters, strong currents, and unpredictable weather.
Date of Achievement: September 27, 1958, Mihir Sen crossed the English Channel.
Distance: The swim covered a distance of 34 km (21 miles) from Dover, England to Cap Gris Nez, France.
Duration: It took Sen a total of 14 hours and 45 minutes to complete the swim. Despite the cold, strong currents, and rough waters, he endured and succeeded, thus achieving what many considered nearly impossible at the time.
Mihir Sen’s journey to crossing the English Channel was not an easy one. His training was rigorous and began years before the actual swim:
Physical and Mental Toughness: Sen trained in the waters of the Hooghly River near Kolkata and later at different swimming pools in various countries. He also underwent intense physical and mental conditioning to cope with the extreme challenges posed by the English Channel.
Challenges Faced: At the time, there was little support or professional infrastructure for long-distance swimmers in India. Sen faced skepticism from both Indian and international circles, but his determination kept him focused.
While the English Channel swim was his most famous accomplishment, Mihir Sen achieved several other remarkable feats in his swimming career, including:
In 1966, he became the first person to swim across the Palk Strait (between India and Sri Lanka), a swim of about 30 km in extremely rough conditions.
In 1959, he swam across the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain and Morocco, becoming the first Asian swimmer to accomplish this.
In 1960, Mihir Sen became the first swimmer from India to cross Lake Ontario in Canada. This further solidified his reputation as a long-distance swimmer of international caliber.
Sen also held several records for long-distance swimming in various parts of the world.
Padma Shri (1966): India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his contribution to sports.
Padma Bhushan (1970): India’s third-highest civilian award, recognizing his excellence in the field of swimming.
National Awards and Recognitions: In addition to these, he was also recognized by several sports bodies and organizations, both in India and internationally.
Author and Advocate: After his swimming career, Mihir Sen became an author and wrote a book titled “The Longest Swim”, where he shared his experiences and the challenges he faced during his record-breaking swims.
Challenges in Later Life: Later in his life, Sen faced severe health problems. In 1974, he suffered from an accident that led to permanent damage to his legs, leaving him unable to walk. Despite these setbacks, he continued to be active in advocating for sports and fitness in India.
Legacy: Mihir Sen’s achievements remain a testament to his determination, courage, and skill. He broke down barriers for Indian swimmers and proved that with perseverance, one could overcome even the toughest challenges. His success made the world sit up and take notice of India’s potential in international sports.
Inspiration: Mihir Sen remains an enduring inspiration to athletes not just in India but globally. He showed that the limits of human endurance could be stretched beyond imagination, and he demonstrated that Indians could compete on the global stage in sports that were considered out of their reach.
Mihir Sen passed away on June 11, 1997, in Kolkata. He left behind a legacy that continues to inspire swimmers and sports enthusiasts to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
Mihir Sen’s story is one of grit, determination, and triumph over adversity. His crossing of the English Channel in 1958 and his subsequent swims across the Palk Strait, Strait of Gibraltar, and other challenging distances helped to put India on the map in the world of long-distance swimming. He was a true pioneer and remains a national hero in India.
