Kazakh Para-Swimmer Triumphs Over 20 km Lake Balkhash Challenge

Twenty-seven-year-old para-swimmer Aknazar Mutalipov from Kazakhstan’s Karaganda has accomplished an extraordinary feat by completing a 20-kilometer swim across Lake Balkhash in just 13 hours.

Despite having lost one arm and one leg in a tragic accident, Mutalipov remains steadfast in his mission to demonstrate that “impossible is nothing”, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

“My goal was to prove to myself and the world that a person missing an arm and a leg can overcome great distances. I also hope to set a new world record,” Mutalipov wrote on his Instagram page.

Following this remarkable achievement, he is actively seeking sponsorship to officially document his swim in the Guinness World Records.

Mutalipov’s passion for swimming was ignited after a 2018 workplace accident in the railway sector that resulted in the loss of his limb. Rather than giving up, he honed his skills, initially swimming in Lake Balkhash before pursuing professional training with a coach.

In March last year, Mutalipov clinched the gold medal in the men’s 400m individual event at a tournament in Taraz. He also swam 2.5 kilometers across Lake Burabay in just one hour under his coach’s supervision. His impressive performances earned him the title of Kazakhstan’s national champion and, in 2025, the designation of Candidate Master of Sports.

His recent 20-kilometer swim on July 8, 2025, stands as a powerful testament to his resilience, determination, and inspiring spirit.