Prabhat Raju Koli Wins Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award
Courtesy of Sally Minty-Gravett, M.B.E., Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, India.
Over the last 5 years, Prabhat Raju Koli has swum across channels and completed marathon swims in his native India, England, South Africa, Denmark, Japan, Scotland, Spain, California, Hawaii, and New York.
As a result, he was awarded the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in the Water Adventure Class of 2018.
The youngest person to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming reported from New Delhi, “It still feels like a dream. To be awarded the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award by the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan [the official home of the President of India in New Delhi, India. Interacting with our sports minister Shri Kiren Rijiju sir, and to top it all meeting our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, it has indeed been a dream come true.
When I first set out to swim, all I wanted to do was keep swimming and never bothered about the results or the acknowledgement, but it feels good to get so much recognition. The look of pride in my parents eyes is the most heartwarming.
There is nothing like firsts. And there will surely be nothing that matches the feeling of my first award. This one will live on with me for a lifetime. I want to thank everyone who has supported me in my journey so far. I look forward to continuing on my journey and reaching greater heights. It feels like my journey has just begun.”
The award is given to recognize achievements in adventures conducted on land, water, air and over a lifetime. The National Selection Committee that consists of expert members from various fields of adventure votes under the auspices of the Youth Affairs Secretary.
The awards are given to encourage young people to develop the spirit of endurance, risk-taking, cooperative teamwork, and the quick and effective reflexes in challenging situations, and to provide incentives to get exposed to adventurous activities.
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