Our National Ultra Marathon swimmer Bengisu Avcı was the first Turkish athlete to complete Ocean’s 7 route by successfully passing the Tsugaru Canal, one of the most challenging open water trails in the world. With this important transition in Japan, Bengisu Avcı made his name in gold letters in the history of Turkish swimming. Bengisu, who entered the ocean from the Kodomari region of Japan at 22.30 on Sunday night, August 3, reached the shores of Hokkaido at the end of a superhuman struggle that lasted about 15 hours. With this superior struggle, Bengisu Avcı completed the last stage in the Ocean’s 7 trail.
Ocean’s 7 is an ultra -marathon swimming series of seven iconic channels, each in different parts of the world, each of which has different natural challenges. This course is considered one of the most prestigious achievements of the swimming world. The last stage of Bengisu Avcı, the Tsugaru channel, stands out as a stage that forces swimmers with its strong currents reaching 12 kilometers. Bengisu Avcı, who completed his last stage with perseverance, was an inspiration by giving great excitement to everyone who watched the last minutes of the transition.
Bengisu Avcı performed this historical journey not only as a sporty goal, but also to draw attention to climate change. “Why would the future be a risk?” He swim with his motto and reminded him of his responsibility for both nature and future generations.
He struggled for hours
Bengisu Avcı, instead of swimming directly towards Hokkaido, he first took the current to the left and aimed to reach the middle of the channel with hours of effort. In this section, almost like a climber clinging to the waves, the national swimmer, around 07.00 in the morning, ie 8 hours and 30 minutes later reached in the middle of the channel. Here, the other side of the stage showed itself. Bengisu Avcı began a new struggle with waves and wind to overcome the dragging effect of Tsugaru’s powerful currents. Ultra Marathon swim Bengisu Avcı, after struggling with this strong discharge until 10:00, headed to Hokkaido and began to swim. However, only 3 kilometers before the end of the strong stream and suddenly went away from the shore 14 kilometers away.
Relentless struggle against time
Meanwhile, the captain did not sit on the route again in a short time, Bengisu Avcı’yı “Cut-off” because of the time limit to the boat said. Because; Due to the rules at the Tsugaru Canal, athletes are not allowed to swim due to dangers after sunset. Bengisu Avcı, who made a superhuman effort, began to swim the first part of the 14 kilometers of arrival at a great speed. The other two swimmers entering the water with him, but remaining left behind, were taken back to their boats by the captains.
Each ear is fast than before
Bengisu Avcı continued to swim at an incredible speed. The sunset of the sun; In other words, Bengisu Avcı accelerated his fathoms from good to good minutes before the time was filled. Sports psychologist in the boat team. Seren Akıcı and Physiotherapist Aslı Vural continuously support Bengisu in order to increase his tempo and motivation. 30 minutes before the end, Bengisu Avcı was only 2 kilometers away from the land. 15 minutes before the end, the distance went down to 1.2 kilometers. Bengisu stepped into Hokkaido at the end of the 15 -hour marathon and lifted the Turkish flag among his hands and made his name as the first Turkish to finish Ocean’s 7.
Ocean’s 7 started seven years ago
On August 3, 2018, Bengisu Avcı, who passed the Channel Sea and took the first step of his struggle, passed the Catalina, Gibraltar, Cook Strait, Molokai and North Canal, respectively. The swimmer, who left all of them one by one, finished Tsugaru, the most challenging channel in the world, and succeeded in the history of Turkish swimming.