- 10:20
29 kilometers covered in ten hours, non-stop: Maher Tabchy challenged the waters of the Gulf to achieve an extraordinary feat. The Lebanese swimmer crossed the islands of Dubai using only the strength of his arms, driven by a human cause and steel determination.
Lebanese swimmer Maher Tabchy made a big splash! The champion from Batroun accomplished the feat of swimming across the islands of the Emirate of Dubai, covering an impressive distance of 29 kilometers in nearly 10 hours… without the slightest break! A titanic performance, the result of two years of mental and physical preparation, crowned by five months of intensive training.
Tabchy, at the Heart of a Human Mission
But beyond the sporting feat, it is above all the act of solidarity that gives full meaning to this adventure. Accompanied by French swimmer Éric Robertson, Maher Tabchy embarked on this exceptional crossing to raise awareness to two causes dear to him: autism and inflammatory joint diseases in children. The two swimmers faced the waves and currents of the Gulf with composure and determination, in a titanic effort.
Another Line on the Unsinkable’s Record
At the finish line, the Lebanese swimmer did not hide his emotion:
“I imagined this project two years ago. I thank God for being able to realize it, for the benefit of children suffering from autism or joint pain. I thank all those who believed in me and supported me,” he confided.
Under the guidance of the famous Russian coach Natalia Pankina, a world specialist in open water swimming, Tabchy forged a mind of steel. He doesn’t plan to stop there...
A Regular of Long Distances
Aged 39 (born in 1985), Maher Tabchy is not new to feats. Last July, he had already conquered the 16 kilometers of Lake Geneva in Lausanne in 4h40. Another line added to the record of an open water swimming enthusiast, always supported in his challenges by his relatives and family.
A swimmer who clearly doesn’t know what a break is.
Next Challenge: Capri-Naples by Swimming
Already in the starting blocks, Tabchy is preparing a new crossing: connecting Capri to Naples, that is, 28 kilometers in Italian waters, scheduled for June 13. Preparation is already underway. The goal? To do better, and above all, to give meaning to every stroke.
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