News Karnataka -Udupi
Udupi, Dec 1: It is a moment of pride for the coastal region. Ace swimmer, and Udupi resident, Gopal Kharvi on Sunday set a new Guinness World Record by swimming a distance of 3 km with his hands and legs bound.
Kharvi started his swim from St Mary’s Island at 7.37 am with his hands and legs bound in iron cuffs. He reached Malpe beach mainland at 10.20 am, covering a distance of 3.07 km and thus setting a new record.
Kharvi’s record was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records adjudicator Praveen Patel from London.
Following his achievement, MP Jayaprakash Hegde congratulated Kharvi and suggested that the government should take steps to help Kharvi. “Kharvi has taken loans amounting to Rs 8 lakh from various people. The Shiroor Math and several other people have helped him to raise a sum of Rs 12 lakh which he used to set this record. I urge the government and the people to help him repay the loan amount,” he said.
Former MLA Raghupati Bhat said there are lots of nationalized banks based in Udupi and Kharvi should be provided with a job in one of them. “This is an athletic achievement and he deserves to be considered for job,” he added.
Laxmivaratirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Math called Kharvi an inspiration to all, especially youngsters and that everyone should learn from him. “The effort and the hard work we put in never goes waste, and Kharvi is an example,” he said.
Siddharaju from Bangalore, who holds a record for de-husking coconuts with his teeth, was also present and congratulated Kharvi on his achievement.
Guinness World Record adjudicator Praveen Patel, while declaring the record, said that there were many rules which needed to be followed. For instance, the hands and legs of the swimmer had to be cuffed in iron chains, with nothing to support except goggles, the distance swum had to be accurately measured using GPS and so on. “All these rules and requirements were accurately followed by Gopal Kharvi and its my great pleasure to declare him a winner,” he said.
Kharvi told the media that he had tried to set the record in January 2012 but had failed as he could not arrange for a GPS system and due to other technical issues.
“But I have achieved it this time and I feel very proud and happy about it. Lots of people helped me achieve this feat. Being from a poor family it is not easy to set a world record – I had to spend Rs 12 lakh on it, and I hope the government will help me make a living in the days to come,” he said.
Asked about his experience in setting the record, he said, “When I reached about 2 kilometres, there was heavy wind and the waves were strong. It was very difficult to go on, but I thought to myself that this was a golden opportunity that I may never get again. I gave it my all and pushed myself, and I am happy that I was able to reach my goal.”
District in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and MLA Pramod Madhwaraj who were present assured all government assistance to Kharvi.
Udupi SP Dr Boralingaiah, ASP Santosh, Yashpal Suvarna and others were present.