Mumbai’s Prabhat Koli wins India’s FIRST medal at 6th World Ice Swimming Championship in Italy

In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian swimming, 25-year-old Prabhat Koli has bagged a bronze medal at the 6th World Ice Swimming Championship 2025, held in Molveno, Italy. This marks India’s first-ever medal at the prestigious event, with Koli clinching third place in the 250-metre freestyle event in the 25-29 age group.

Competing in freezing waters with temperatures ranging from 1.1°C to 1.9°C, Koli’s performance stood out among nearly 700 swimmers from 44 countries. The event, organised by the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA), took place from January 13 to 19, and saw athletes battling the cold in various disciplines, spanning distances from 50 to 1,000 metres.

In preparation for this challenge, Koli trained in the waters of Nainital, where he encountered temperatures ranging from 8°C to 9°C.

Koli’s achievement is the latest milestone in his career. At just 23, he made history as the youngest swimmer to complete the Ocean Seven challenge. Starting his career at the age of eight, Koli has since won multiple international medals, including his first at 10 years old, in an open-water swimming tournament. With 20 international tournaments under his belt, Koli has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of swimming.