Brojen Das

Brojen Das ( _bn. ব্রজেন দাস "Brojen Dash") (9 December, 1927 – 1998) was the first Asian to swim across the English Channel, and the first person to cross it four times. [http://www.garwood.tv/csa/KingsoftheChannel.html Kings of Channel] , from Channel Swimming Association Website.]

Early life

Born in the Kuchiamora village of Bikrampur, Munshiganj District in Bangladesh, Brojen Das had his primary education in his native village. He passed matriculation in 1946 from the KL Jubilee High School, Dhaka and Intermediate and Bachelor of Arts from Vidyasagar College, Kolkata.

Crossing of the English Channel

right|thumb|Brojen meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeththe Queen Mother, after his channel crossing, 1961

Achievements

Local

* Champion in 100 meter Freestyle swimming Competition in West Bengal in 1952.
*Champion in East Pakistan in 100, 200, 400, 1500 meter Freestyle swimming in 1953-1956.
*Champion in Pakistan in 100 & 400 meter Freestyle Swimming in 1955.
*Member of the Pakistan swimming team in 1956 World Olympic Games.

International

* Italy, July 1958, Winner (placed 3rd) in the Capri Island to Naples 33 kilometer long distance Swimming Competition.
* England, August 1958, secured first position among the male competitors in the Billy Butlin’s Channel Crossing Swimming Competition, 39 competitors from 23 nations participated in the competition.
* England, August 1959, successfully completed the Channel Crossing Swimming Competition to from France to England.
* England, September 1959. successfully completed the Channel Swim from England to France.
* England, August 1960, successfully completed the Channel Swim from France to England.
* England, September 1961, crossed the Channel once again from France to England.
* England, September 1961, created world record for the fastest swim across the English Channel from France to England.

Awards

* 1956: Awarded Dhaka University
* 1959: Pride of Performance award from the Pakistan government
* 1965: Induction into the "International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame"
* 1986: Letona Trophy, i.e. "King of Channel" from the Channel Swimming Association of the United Kingdom [http://soloswims.com/CSA-kings.htm Kings of the Channel, Letona Trophy] , Channel Swimming Association.]
* 1976: National Sports Award, Bangladesh
* 1999: Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award), Bangladesh (posthumous)
* Atish Dipankar Medal
* Gold Medal, Kazi Mahabubullah Trust and Jahanara Jana Kalyan trust

References

External links

* [http://www.brojendas.com/ Website on Brojen Das, maintained by his family]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/D_0330.htm Article on Brojen Das] , Banglapedia