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Slovenian completes Amazon swim Slovenian completes Amazon swim
(3 days later)
A Slovenian man has battled piranhas, crocodiles and exhaustion to become the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon river. A Slovenian man has battled piranhas, alligators and exhaustion to become the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon river.
Martin Strel, 52, completed the 5,265-km (3,272-mile) marathon in 66 days when he neared Belem, 2,440km north of Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday.Martin Strel, 52, completed the 5,265-km (3,272-mile) marathon in 66 days when he neared Belem, 2,440km north of Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday.
Mr Strel, known as "fish man", was suffering dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea and sunstroke as he neared the end.Mr Strel, known as "fish man", was suffering dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea and sunstroke as he neared the end.
He has previously completed the Yangtze, Mississippi and Danube.He has previously completed the Yangtze, Mississippi and Danube.
Route, distances and original schedule of the Amazon swim Route, distances and original schedule of the Amazon swim
Doctor's ordersDoctor's orders
Mr Strel formally completed his epic achievement four days ahead of schedule, averaging 52 miles a day.Mr Strel formally completed his epic achievement four days ahead of schedule, averaging 52 miles a day.
The BBC's Gary Duffy in Brazil says this was Mr Strel's most formidable challenge to date.The BBC's Gary Duffy in Brazil says this was Mr Strel's most formidable challenge to date.
The Amazon is the world's largest river, and the second longest.The Amazon is the world's largest river, and the second longest.
It is home to piranhas, crocodiles, bull sharks and anaconda snakes, while other dangers included whirlpools, tidal waves and armed bandits. It is home to piranhas, alligators, bull sharks and anaconda snakes, while other dangers included whirlpools, tidal waves and armed bandits.
Mr Strel ignored doctor's orders to complete his task.Mr Strel ignored doctor's orders to complete his task.
KEY CITIES EN ROUTE Iquitos: Largest city in Peruvian rainforestManaus: Brazilian former rubber town with grand theatreMacapa: The Brazilian city lies exactly on the EquatorKEY CITIES EN ROUTE Iquitos: Largest city in Peruvian rainforestManaus: Brazilian former rubber town with grand theatreMacapa: The Brazilian city lies exactly on the Equator
Martin's son, Borut, confirmed the swim had finished: "He's hit point zero."Martin's son, Borut, confirmed the swim had finished: "He's hit point zero."
"There will be a ceremony on Sunday in Belem, but he finished today," he told Associated Press news agency."There will be a ceremony on Sunday in Belem, but he finished today," he told Associated Press news agency.
Martin Strel set three previous long-swim records, starting with the 3,004km Danube in 2000, then the 3,797km Mississippi in 2001 and the 4,003km Yangtze in 2004.Martin Strel set three previous long-swim records, starting with the 3,004km Danube in 2000, then the 3,797km Mississippi in 2001 and the 4,003km Yangtze in 2004.
Guinness World Records said it would take a few weeks to confirm the record.Guinness World Records said it would take a few weeks to confirm the record.
On Thursday, during a break in his attempt, Mr Strel said the ocean tides were so strong they were sometimes pushing him backwards.On Thursday, during a break in his attempt, Mr Strel said the ocean tides were so strong they were sometimes pushing him backwards.
He added: "I think the animals have just accepted me. I've been swimming with them for such a long time that they must think I'm one of them now."He added: "I think the animals have just accepted me. I've been swimming with them for such a long time that they must think I'm one of them now."
Mr Strel said he was at times in so much pain, "I could not get out of the water on my own".Mr Strel said he was at times in so much pain, "I could not get out of the water on my own".
He said: "Once, they had to take me to the hospital to check my heart. But everything turned out OK."He said: "Once, they had to take me to the hospital to check my heart. But everything turned out OK."
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