Kazakh Pensioner Swims the Bonifacio Strait Between Corsica and Sardinia

cover Photo: from KTK video

A Kazakh pensioner has achieved what many young athletes struggle to do—swim across the Strait of Bonifacio, between Corsica (France) and Sardinia (Italy), Orda.kz reports, citing KTK.

Almaty resident Askar Ospanov was set to swim 15 kilometers, but strong currents stretched his route to more than 16 kilometers. The veteran swimmer trained for nearly seven years and has regularly competed in international events.

Ospanov took up swimming at 55 after health problems from decades in civil service and injuries from volleyball led to two knee surgeries. His sons became his first coaches, while his wife — an avid Nordic walker — supported his recovery.
I feel better than I did ten years ago. After two arthroscopic knee surgeries, I could barely walk. I weighed 95 kg, but now I am much lighter. My cervical hernia has disappeared, and my osteochondrosis no longer bothers me. The most important thing is a healthy body and mind. I will continue swimming and see what other heights I can conquer,he said. 

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov

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