Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Tsanko Tsankov swims 108 kilometers in the Danube River

| updated on 9/7/24 4:41 PM
Photo: Facebook / Tsanko Tsankov

Tsanko Tsankov became the first swimmer to cover a distance of over 100 kilometers in the Danube River.

"Tsanko Tsankov did it! 108 kilometers and 250 meters in the Danube River – 18 hours, 12 minutes and 32 seconds! Non-stop swimming! Hero!",  announced his coach Nikolay Iliev.

The swimmer started his marathon endeavour at 3.17 am on September 6 from the outskirts of Vidin and finished at 9.31 pm at the Radetsky ship in Kozloduy. The swim followed the rules of the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) and was administered by that organization, Iliev Sport Agency announced before the start.

Today, Tsanko Tsankov and his coach, Nikolay Iliev, will be awarded for their historic achievement by the mayor of Vidin Municipality, Tsvetan Tsenkov. The ceremony will take place in front of the Vidin Art Gallery.

Tsanko Tsankov is the first Bulgarian to swim the distance from Europe to Africa (through the Strait of Gibraltar) and a world champion in ice swimming, reminded BGNES. 

At a ceremony held on the open stage in front of the Vidin Art Gallery, Vidin Deputy Mayor Borislava Borisova presented honorary certificates and plaques to Tsanko Tsankov and his coach Nikolay Iliev "for their tireless efforts, bravery and courage in achieving this historic success". She wished them to always carry courage in their hearts, to inspire the children of Vidin and to continue to glorify Bulgaria around the world.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian students earn 4 medals at the International Physics Olympiad in Paris

Bulgarian students won four bronze medals and one honorable mention at the 2025 International Physics Olympiad  held in Paris, the Ministry of Education and Science announced. More than 400 students from 85 countries participated in the..

published on 7/25/25 3:19 PM

The association “Doyran 2025” is launching a procedure for a referendum on the eurozone

The civic association “Doyran 2025” has initiated a procedure for a referendum with questions about Bulgaria’s membership in the European Union and the eurozone, announced the association’s chairperson Rumyana Chenalova at a press conference held at..

published on 7/25/25 2:59 PM

Medical University Sofia ranks No 1144 in 2025–2026 Best Global Universities Rankings

Medical University Sofia has been ranked as the best university in Bulgaria according to the 2025–2026 Best Global Universities ranking by U.S. News & World Report. With a global score of 38.1, Medical University Sofia is ranked No 1144. The..

published on 7/25/25 1:14 PM