Mexican Swimmer Breaks Manhattan Swim Record in 5h34m

New York, USA — Mexican swimmer David Olvera set a new world and Guinness record yesterday by completing the fastest circumnavigation of Manhattan Island in New York. The athlete covered the 48.5-kilometer route in five hours, 34 minutes, and 58 seconds, overcoming low temperatures and strong water currents.

Breaking the Previous Record

The previous record was held by Scottish-Australian swimmer Andrew Donaldson, who completed the same route on September 19, 2024, in five hours, 41 minutes, and 48 seconds. Olvera surpassed this mark by nearly six minutes.

The native of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, shared images on his social media accounts of the moment he finished the swim around the New York island. In a post, he expressed gratitude to his family and sponsors for their support in achieving this milestone.

"No words—I did it! Thank you to my sponsors for making this dream possible and for believing in me, and to everyone who had faith," he wrote.

A Test of Physical and Mental Strength

Olvera described the challenge as "a physical, mental, and spiritual test, but also an opportunity to inspire the world." In a video posted before the swim, he announced plans to document the feat in an unprecedented way. "We’re going to tell this story like never before—a documentary full of strength, dedication, and passion," he said.

With over 15 years of experience in high-performance swimming, Olvera detailed on Instagram that achieving this goal required five months of intense preparation, including physical and mental training, overcoming obstacles, and pushing his limits.

Extreme Training for an Extreme Feat

To prepare for the challenge, Olvera underwent rigorous training sessions, including:

• Swimming for 14 consecutive hours in a pool
• Battling currents for 10 hours in the waters of the Huasteca Potosina region
• Completing nighttime swims lasting up to nine hours

Next Challenge: Isla Mujeres to Cozumel

Olvera revealed his next ambition: an 83-kilometer swim from Isla Mujeres to Cozumel. This endeavor would further cement his legacy in open-water swimming, both in Mexico and internationally.

The swimmer’s achievements continue to inspire, showcasing the dedication and resilience required to push the boundaries of human endurance in aquatic sports.