Swimmer Hassan Baraka becomes first Moroccan to cross the English Channel

On Saturday, July 13, swimmer Hassan Baraka crossed the English Channel, a 55-kilometer journey from England to France, becoming the first Moroccan to achieve this feat. Baraka swam from Dover in the UK to Cap Blanc-Nez (Pas-de-Calais, France) in 15 hours and 55 minutes, culminating years of preparation that included participation in long-distance races across diverse weather conditions.

Baraka contended with cold waters (ranging from 12 to 14 degrees Celsius), strong currents, and the challenge of darkness, having begun his swim at 3:14 AM (British time) and finishing at 8:04 PM (French time).

«The main thing is that I've crossed the finish line», he said in a statement to MAP, expressing his pride that Morocco is now on the shortlist of nationalities to have conquered the English Channel.

In addition to the English Channel, Baraka has also conquered the Bosphorus and Gibraltar straits, and completed impressive open water swims in Papua New Guinea/Indonesia (9 km in 3 hours and 46 minutes) and Egypt/Saudi Arabia (28.11 km).