Glider navigates a 13-hour journey across Balkhash lake via swimming
Aknaazar Mutalipov's Remarkable Swim Across Lake Balkhash
In a testament to human resilience and determination, Aknaazar Mutalipov, a native of the Karaganda region in Kazakhstan, made history by swimming across Lake Balkhash in 2025. This feat, accomplished with only one arm and one leg, showcased his remarkable physical strength and indomitable spirit.
Background
Born in 1980, Aknaazar Mutalipov worked on the railway until 2018, when he suffered a severe injury that led to the amputation of his limbs. In the face of adversity, Aknaazar found solace in swimming, using it as a means of rehabilitation.
The Swim Across Lake Balkhash
On a summer day in 2025, Aknaazar embarked on his historic swim across Lake Balkhash, covering a distance of 20 kilometers non-stop in 13 hours. The swim, completed without any stops, was a demonstration of his determination and willpower, as well as a testament to his physical endurance.
The Impact
Beyond the athletic achievement, Aknaazar’s swim helped raise awareness about the environmental state of Lake Balkhash, highlighting issues such as pollution and water management, and inspiring interest in water sports across Kazakhstan.
Future Plans
Following his historic swim, Aknaazar has set his sights on competing in internationally recognized marathon swimming races such as the English Channel crossing, the Strait of Gibraltar swim, and the Rottnest Channel Swim in Australia. He also plans to apply for official registration of his Lake Balkhash swim in the Guinness Book of Records.
In addition, Aknaazar is preparing for international parathlete starts and is exploring opportunities to coach young swimmers and encourage the development of open water swimming programs in Kazakhstan. He hopes to use his platform to support water conservation and pollution prevention initiatives, especially those focused on Central Asian water bodies.
As Aknaazar continues to push the boundaries of endurance swimming, his story serves as an inspiration to all who face challenges and strive for greatness.
- Aknaazar Mutalipov, despite his limited physical abilities due to a past injury, has found solace in science, specifically health-and-wellness and mental-health, using swimming as a means of rehabilitation and personal-growth.
- In light of his remarkable feat, Aknaazar's swim across Lake Balkhash has sparked an interest in sports-analysis, particularly open water swimming, opening up opportunities in education-and-self-development for young swimmers in Kazakhstan.
- Aknaazar's determination and willpower exhibited during his swim also signify his dedication towards other areas of life, showing that one can strive for greatness despite adversity.
- In order to further contribute to society, Aknaazar plans to use his platform achieved through sports for supporting environmental initiatives, specifically focusing on the conservation and pollution prevention of Central Asian water bodies.
