S'pore navy doctor completes Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming in world record time

He achieves in 23 days one of world’s hardest endurance feats

- Judith Tan Correspondent

Navy doctor Chua Jia Long, 34, who took the plunge in September into three iconic waterways to raise funds for St Luke's Hospital, has done so in record time.

Dr Chua conquered the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, known as one of the world's toughest endurance feats, in just 23 days, beating the fastest recorded time of 27 days set by Mr Joel Matos Ortiz from Puerto Rico in 2021.

The Triple Crown comprises the 32.2km Catalina Channel between Catalina island and the California mainland, the 48.5km 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan Island and the 33.7km English Channel.

Dr Chua's Catalina swim began on Sept 4, followed by the 20 Bridges swim on Sept 10. The start date of his English Channel leg was delayed due to weather conditions, but he eventually did the final swim on Sept 27.

He said he felt "relief and joy" after the English Channel leg, but he became physically ill with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

"I did not get a chance to really celebrate this with my loved ones. Right now, I'm still trying to process the experience while recovering from the English Channel swim," the medical officer in the Republic of Singapore Navy told The Straits Times.

He was accompanied by his wife, Ms Samantha Chia, who was in a vessel as part of the safety crew.