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 media from 25 countries to gather in Sofia on 24 May

For the past two decades, Bulgarian media outlets based abroad have gathered at an annual event organised by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA). This year marks the 20th edition of the event, known as the World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, which will..

published on 5/23/25 5:19 PM
Ministers of Tourism of Bulgaria Miroslav Borshosh (R) and Tonci Glavina meet in in Zagreb.

The Bulgarian tourism sector is all set for the adoption of the euro, Minister Borshosh says

Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh held a working meeting with his Croatian counterpart, Tonci Glavina, in Zagreb this week , the Ministry of Tourism announced today.  The conversation focused on the potential advantages of adopting the euro for..

published on 5/23/25 4:38 PM
Bulgarian President Ruman Radev

President refers rejected euro referendum request to Constitutional Court

President Rumen Radev today referred a rejected proposal for a national referendum on adopting the euro to the Constitutional Court. He is seeking a binding interpretation of the Constitution, as well as the annulment of National Assembly Chairwoman..

published on 5/23/25 4:27 PM