Bengisu Avcı, an ultra-marathon swimmer from İzmir, Türkiye, has etched her name in sporting history by becoming the first Turkish athlete to complete the Ocean’s Seven — one of the most grueling challenges in open water swimming. The achievement, which spanned over seven years, tested her physical endurance and mental strength through icy waters, strong currents, jellyfish stings, and unpredictable ocean conditions.
With this triumph, Avcı not only brought pride to her country but also joined an elite group of just 38 swimmers worldwide who have conquered the seven most dangerous ocean channels on Earth.
A Journey That Began with the English Channel
Bengisu’s journey started on August 3, 2018, when she crossed the English Channel in 11 hours and 29 minutes, becoming the fastest Turkish woman to swim the Channel. That swim marked her first successful Ocean’s Seven crossing and lit the flame of ambition to tackle the rest.
Her next target was the Catalina Channel between Los Angeles and Santa Catalina Island. Originally planned for 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay. She finally swam the Catalina Channel on September 5, 2022, finishing the cold and shark-prone stretch in 11 hours and 59 minutes — and became the first Turkish woman to cross it.
Gibraltar Crossing Without Preparation
In a stunning turn of events, Bengisu completed her Gibraltar Strait crossing in record time — 3 hours and 24 minutes — in April 2023 without any formal preparation. She was invited on short notice by an Italian swimming coach looking for a fast swimmer to join a solo relay team. Despite the lack of training, she set a national record and completed her third Ocean’s Seven crossing.
Hypothermia in the Cook Strait — A Race Against Cold
On February 13, 2024, Bengisu took on the Cook Strait in New Zealand, one of the coldest and most turbulent swims in the world. Battling through frigid waters, unpredictable tides, and strong winds, she swam for hours before the symptoms of hypothermia began to set in.
Her Italian husband and fellow swimmer, Egor Tropeano, jumped into the ocean to support her for the final two hours. Together, they reached the end after 10 hours and 40 minutes, making Bengisu the first Turkish swimmer to complete the Cook Strait.
A Sting That Almost Ended It All — The Molokai Channel
In May 2024, Avcı attempted the Molokai Channel in Hawaii — a 45-kilometer challenge known for its marine wildlife and dangerous currents. In the final stages of the swim, she was stung three times by giant jellyfish, including the infamous Man O’ War and Box jellyfish, which forced her to abort the attempt.
The incident drew comparisons to the movie Nyad, and Turkish media dubbed her “Bizim Nyad” (Our Nyad). Though disappointed, the experience didn’t deter her — it strengthened her resolve.
Storms and Hypothermia in the North Channel
In September 2024, Bengisu attempted the North Channel, infamous for bone-chilling waters, jellyfish infestations, and sudden storms. While swimming between Northern Ireland and Scotland, she faced temperatures around 12°C, a brewing storm, and even ice-like rain. After 10 hours in the water, she was again forced to abort due to hypothermia, just two hours from completion.
However, this failure only motivated her further. She returned to Türkiye and trained in Çanakkale, famous for its powerful currents. She also traveled to Dover, England, for a 40-day cold water training camp, gaining 12 kilograms to improve her cold resistance.
A Triumphant Return to Molokai
Despite hurricanes threatening the Hawaiian region, Bengisu found a weather window and returned alone to attempt the Molokai Channel again. On October 19, 2024, she completed the 45 km crossing in 12 hours and 10 minutes, becoming the first Turkish swimmer to conquer the channel and the fastest European woman, narrowly missing the world record by just three minutes.
The Final Battle — Tsugaru Strait
With six channels under her belt, Bengisu had one final challenge left — Japan’s Tsugaru Strait. Arriving in Tokyo in late July 2025, she was delayed by a tsunami alert triggered by a major earthquake in Russia. After three days, she finally got the all-clear.
On August 3, 2025, exactly seven years after her English Channel swim, she began her final Ocean’s Seven leg at Kodomari. Due to climate change and seismic activity, currents had become violently unpredictable, reaching speeds of 12 km/h, and the traditional 19 km route had ballooned to over 30–35 km.
Still, Bengisu swam with unmatched determination. After 10 hours, she had reached the midpoint — but just 3 km from the finish, she was swept 14 kilometers offshore by a sudden current.
Others Quit — She Kept Going
While two male swimmers in her group were pulled from the water by support boats, Bengisu insisted on continuing. Over the next 90 minutes, she clawed her way through strong currents and crashing waves to finally reach Hokkaido, where she triumphantly raised the Turkish flag after 15 hours and covering 57.5 kilometers.
Seven Years, Seven Crossings, One Legacy
With the Tsugaru Strait completed, Bengisu Avcı officially became the first Turkish swimmer to complete Ocean’s Seven, joining only 37 others worldwide.
Her entire journey took 74 hours and 36 minutes of swimming across seven seas:
English Channel (2018)
Catalina Channel (2022)
Gibraltar Strait (2023)
Cook Strait (2024)
Molokai Channel (2024)
North Channel (2025)
Tsugaru Strait (2025)
Each crossing was a battle — not just against nature but against herself. Bengisu’s journey was not just a sporting feat; it was a story of resilience, preparation, strategy, and courage. From battling hypothermia and jellyfish to training in freezing waters for months, her success is a testament to human spirit and endurance.
A Hero of Turkish Sports
Bengisu Avcı’s Ocean’s Seven journey will go down as one of Türkiye’s greatest sporting achievements. In a world where endurance athletes are often underappreciated, her story has inspired a new generation of Turkish swimmers and shown that with determination and courage, even the wildest oceans can be crossed.
