Congratulations to Mrs. Bengisu Avci!

She has proudly become the first Turkish swimmer to achieve the Oceans Seven!!!

Swim date: 4th August 2025

Age: 29

Nationality: Turkey

Country of Residence: Turkey

Swim Duration: 14hous 29minutes

Swim Start Time: 04:29

Swim Finish Time: 18:58

Swim Distance: approximately 51km

Swimming Style: Free style

Water Temperature: 23.0℃ – 28.5℃

Air Temperature: 24.9℃ – 35.4℃

Relative Humidity: 56％ – 87％

Wave Height: 0m – 1.0m

Wind Speed: 0m – 2.3m

Stroke Rate Per 60 seconds: 60 – 76

Visibility: 10.8nm

Swimmer’s comment

We arrived in Kodomari just after swimming the North Channel which was in Northern Ireland to Scotland,  with my crew Aslı Vural (physio) and Seren Akıncı, Takako Kamishima and Ryohei (photographer) Along with the swimmer Paul Leonard , his coach Nills and Maya. We found Japan really warm, both its weather and the people. We landed in Tokyo first and then rented a car for all of us.

From the day of our arrival in Nakadomari town, everyone was welcoming. There were Tsunami alarms that day due to the big earthquake in Russia. So we were not able to swim on the first day, but we used it to explore the town. We went to the Tappi lookout, the strong currents of the channel were visible even from the mountains and Hokkaido itself looked so far behind the fog. We stayed in different places. Our place was Kodomari-Kan. Maya arranged us breakfast and dinner at the restaurant next to the marina. Everything was so delicious, ı really love sashimi myself and every meal was coming with a big plate with various food, rice, miso soup, noodles, seaweed, a lot of sashimi and dessert. I can tell I was so happy with the food! I can’t forget the song they are playing in the town every morning and evening.
We were watching news on TV and there was an official checking the sea level every couple of hours. We were a bit worried that we would not get to swim. But fortunately, they announced there was no danger for our town anymore.
We had the briefing, I found it really helpful and everything was clear, we got to meet everyone. I wish they do the same on every channel. The officials gave info about the swim and we got our swim start at the sunrise of 4th August.
It was a beautiful morning and the water was really warm. We were expecting colder water. I was trying to keep my pace around 3.5k/hrs for 2 hrs at the beginning. I am a fast swimmer and I didn’t want to burn out at the start. Just around 2-3hrs, my crew told me to pace up, I was like: here we go! The strong currents started from the 2nd hour and never changed even a bit till the end. Even though I was pushing hard – because we were thinking the strong current will not last that long, it wasn’t enough. I did my best to pass it. I did quick feeds, and was kicking even when I stop for a feed but we were only able to go 2.5km/hr. Then I asked how much I have been swimming, they replied ” 11hrs” I was almost losing it. Hokkaido looked so far. Seren said “we are on the same spot for 50 mins, just push harder or we may not make it” My efforts was only enough to keep me at the same spot, and we were possibly dragging with the current. “Please tell the captain to not take me out! I can do it” I said.

Then I started pushing again, we changed my position to the boat a couple of times too and we finally passed it. At that moment we saw I was going 5.2k per hour, I was so exhausted but it worked. We reached the Hokkaido bay and all my crew, including our observer, was yelling “Go Bengi!”

I finished just before sunset. We made it. I became the first Turkish person to complete Oceans Seven.

All the people from the Nakadomari town, fishermen, kind people at the restaurant and my friend Paul’s team came to celebrate with me. I saw ” Tebrikler – Oceans seven ” and Turkish flags on their hands. I never finished a channel with this much joy before.

Many thanks to all Nakadomari town, Tsugaru Swimming Officials, Ms. Yuka, our boat Captains and Mr. Ishii San . 

We will not forget Nakadomari and I hope to come with more swimmers in the future.

Observer’s comment

During the preliminary meeting, Mrs. Avci was all smiles, offering sweets from her home country and appearing completely at ease.

At the time of departure, there was a strong sense of unity between Mrs. Avci and her support team, which made me feel confident that their team would surely succeed in completing the swim.

During the crossing, the waves occasionally became rough, and there were moments when I worried whether she would be able to finish. However, I was deeply moved by Mrs. Avci’s powerful swimming strokes and unwavering determination. Even after completing her 14-hour and 29-minute challenge, she still looked remarkably energetic, which was truly impressive.

As this was my first time serving as an observer, I was a little concerned about seasickness during such a long time aboard the escort boat. Fortunately, the seasickness tablets worked well, and I was able to carry out my duties without any problems.

The moment Mrs. Avci completed the crossing was incredibly moving — it felt almost as if I had achieved it myself. I am truly honoured to have been part of the crew and to have supported such a wonderful achievement.

Congratulations, Mrs Avci, on becoming the first Turkish person to achieve the Oceans Seven!

Observer: Toshinori Miyakoshi