Turkish swimmer Bengisu Avci triumphantly completes the Ocean's Seven swimming challenge, a historical first for the nation.
Turkish Swimmer Bengisu Avcı Conquers the Tsugaru Channel, Completing the Ocean's Seven
Bengisu Avcı, a renowned Turkish ultra-marathon swimmer, made history on August 4, 2025, by becoming the first athlete from Turkey to complete the Ocean's Seven, the world's toughest open-water swimming challenge. Avcı triumphed over Japan's treacherous Tsugaru Channel, a feat that took her 14 hours to accomplish.
Avcı's journey began in 2018 with the crossing of the English Channel, marking the start of her seven-year quest to conquer the seven most challenging open-water swims in the world. The Tsugaru Channel, notorious for its violent currents and shifting tides, was her final and most daunting challenge.
On August 3, at 10:30 p.m., Avcı plunged into the waters off Kodomari in northern Japan. She battled fierce currents for nearly 15 hours, bravely facing the strait's unpredictable pull, relentless waves, and strong winds. Despite being swept 14 kilometers off course, Avcı persevered and managed to correct her path, reaching the shore just minutes before the strict time cutoff and the onset of nightfall.
Avcı's strategy was to keep the current on her left before reaching the middle of the channel after eight and a half hours of swimming. As she drew on her final reserves, her stroke rate dramatically increased, propelling her forward against the odds.
Throughout her journey, Avcı was supported by her sports psychologist Seren Akıcı and physiotherapist Aslı Vural during the final stretch. The captain had warned that unless Avcı returned to the route quickly, she would face a cut-off, as Tsugaru rules prohibit swimming after sunset due to safety risks.
Avcı's achievement is not only a sporting milestone but also a platform to raise awareness about climate change and ocean sustainability. In Turkey, she is nicknamed "Okyanus Kızı" ("Daughter of Ocean"), reflecting her prominence in open water swimming. With this historic accomplishment, Avcı has not only cemented her place in Turkish swimming history but also shone a light on the urgent environmental challenges we face today.
Sources: [1] BBC News, "Turkish swimmer Bengisu Avcı completes Ocean's Seven challenge," August 5, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Bengisu Avcı becomes first Turkish swimmer to complete Ocean's Seven," August 5, 2025. [3] Swimming World Magazine, "Bengisu Avcı completes Ocean's Seven," August 5, 2025. [4] The New York Times, "Bengisu Avcı conquers Tsugaru Channel, completing Ocean's Seven," August 5, 2025. [5] Reuters, "Turkish swimmer Bengisu Avcı uses Ocean's Seven victory to raise awareness on climate change," August 5, 2025.
Sports psychologist Seren Akıcı and physiotherapist Aslı Vural supported Bengisu Avcı during her final stretch as she strived to conquer the Tsugaru Channel, the most challenging open-water swim in the Ocean's Seven series. Bengisu Avcı's victory in the Tsugaru Channel not only cemented her place in Turkish swimming history, but also brought her international acclaim in the world of sports.
