At an age when most people prefer to relax at home, read and watch television, 66-year-old Gangadhar G. Kadekar from Karnataka decided to create a record by swimming not like everyone else but by wearing handcuffs and leg shackles.

He created a record yesterday as he swam 3.5 kilometres from Padukere in five hours and 35 minutes.

What is truly amazing is that Kadekar, who is a former transport department employee, took to swimming only when he was 50 years old. No wonder there were several of his supporters and friends who turned to support him as he showcased sheer grit as he battled waves in the rough sea.

Kadekar entered the sea at Padukare at 7.50 a.m. and he completed his feat at 1.25 pm. The adjudicator of the Golden Book of World Record, Manish Vishnoi, from Indore, Madhya Pradesh was present to record the session.

Having completed his feat, Kadekar spoke to the media and told them that he swam like a dolphin as both his hands and legs had been shackled. "I had to struggle a lot for swimming as the sea was rougher than expected, but my self-confidence came to my rescue. I created this record to make children draw inspiration as I have been training many children in swimming. I have to prove to children that swimming is fun and challenging.”

This is not the first time that Kadekar has made waves by creating a record. Earlier he made it to the India Book of Records by swimming 1.4 km in 73.7 minutes after chaining his legs in the Padmasana pose at sea at Padukare last year on January 24.

This time, Kadekar relied on the breaststroke to reach the flag on the east side of the shore.

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