Krishna Prakash, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, claims he swam against the tide from the Gateway of India in south Bombay to the famed Elephanta Caves in the Arabian Sea at a high tide, covering a distance of roughly 16km in over five and a half hours.
On Sunday, the IPS officer, assigned in Mumbai as Inspector General of Police in the VIP protection department, accomplished the duty as an adventurous sea swimming excursion.
Taking to Twitter, he stated: "Today (Sunday) I completed the daunting task of swimming from Gateway of India to Elephanta caves and became the first person in the world to do so. Contrary to the popular swimming route of Elephanta caves to Gateway of India whereas swimmers ride the waves of the the high tides towards gateway I decided to do it from the reverse side against the waves. I could swim a distance of 16.20 kms in 5 hrs 26 minutes."
The video has garnered over one million views since it was uploaded on March 26. It has also received close to 10,000 likes and several retweets.
According to Prakash, the adventure was dedicated to the "Drowning Prevention Awareness" campaign.
"Trust my adventure swimming will inspire young Indians to try their best to bag Olympic medal in 10k open water swimming," he said.
This garnered a horde of responses, some of which were in awe, while others were of inspiration and congratulation.
"Wow Sir, this is incredible! Back to back two challenging sports events. Inspiring 😊 Jai Hind," one Twitter user remarked.
"Congratulations sir. This is indeed a great example and I wish all in our police are as fit as you are and serves inspiration for next gen. Kudos," another stated.
"Congratulations sir you are always an inspiration for youth around the world. We have grown up listening to your stories of heroism, adventures, and your administration," a social media user stated.
The IPS officer has previously competed in the gruelling Ironman and Ultraman triathlons.
When reached on Monday, a source from the Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association stated there was no record of Prakash's accomplishment with the Mumbai-based organisation.