On Friday morning, Tsanko Tsankov successfully completed a nonstop swim of 120.6 kilometers in the Danube River. Mr. Nikolay Iliev, the manager of the Burgas-born athlete, has informed Palms Sport that this achievement is expected to be recognized as a world record, surpassing the previous record held by a Romanian swimmer by nearly 12 hours.

Supported by Foundation “Sport in Bulgaria”, Tsanko began his swim in the village of Yasen, Vidin Municipality, and finished in Kozloduy, next to the historic ship “Radetzky.” His official time was 18 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds, starting at 12:10 PM on Thursday, September 19, and finishing at 6:11 AM the next day.

“I succeeded despite extreme difficulties,” Tsanko shared with Palms Sport. “I want to thank my family and my newborn son, Boris, whose photo I kept glancing at for inspiration. I’m grateful to all Bulgarians for their support, especially after the recent events. Thanks also to my sponsors, who stayed by my side and continued to believe in me.”

The challenging weather conditions made the feat even more extraordinary. “Despite the severe climate, Tsanko managed to set a world record,” noted Iliev. The swimmer endured a significant physiological crisis around 8:00 PM on Thursday, compounded by a storm that intensified as the evening progressed. During this period, Tsanko spent nearly 50 minutes mostly underwater, demonstrating incredible resilience.

Following the swim, Tsanko and his team waited in their boat near the “Radetzky” museum ship, which had yet to open for the day. At 7:40 AM, the doors were unlocked, and Tsanko and his team finally stepped onto the Kozloduy shore, marking the end of an unforgettable journey.

The event was organized with the support of Foundation “Sport in Bulgaria” and Palms Sport.

Source: Palms Sport