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Bangladesh's Channel Swimmer Hero

Bangladesh's Channel Swimmer Hero

How Brojen Das broke the world record for swimming from France to England in 1961.

Sporting Witness · BBC World Service

June 4, 20168m 53s

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Show Notes

In 1961, Brojen Das, a swimmer from the Ganges Delta, broke the world record for the crossing from France to England at the sixth attempt. The achievement earned him an audience with the Queen and made him a hero in what is now Bangladesh. Farhana Haider introduces Brojen Das's own account and speaks to his daughter, Sanghita Pal.

PHOTO: Brogen Das, still covered in grease after his record breaking swim 1961 (credit: Sanghita Pal)