Tunisian open water swimmer Nejib Belhedi completed a 155 km solo marathon swim between the Italian island of Pantelleria and the coast of Hammamet Sud.

“I have achieved today a new world feat that is the result of hard work and perseverance,” the retired lieutenant colonel of the national army told TAP.

“This performance that will be added to the history of extreme swimming is also the result of a collective work of a group of volunteers who believed in me and supported me throughout this challenge to achieve this new Tunisian feat, “he added.

Belhédi who will celebrate his 70th birthday in a month had already taken up several challenges during his journey as a marathoner which began in 1991 by crossing the distance of 20 km between Kerkennah and Sfax.

The Tunisian was named one of the World’s 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2019 by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

He was also voted upon as the 2020 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year

Source: Tap News Agency