Friday, April 29 2005 19:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: India's swimming ace Bula Chowdhury today (Apr 29, 2005) became the world's first woman to conquer five continents by crossing from Three Anchor Bay to Robben Islands near Cape Town in South Africa today.

Bula, who had last year become the first woman to cross what is metaphorically called the seven seas, added another feather to her cap by conquering the around 30 km distance in the cold Atlantic waters in three hours 26 minutes.

The timing was a record in itself, as Bula emerged as the first Asian woman to have swum the stretch in such a short time, according to information received in Kolkata.

Bula, who had earlier crossed channels in four continents, hit the waters at 10:00 AM South African time and finished her mission at 1:26 PM to do her country proud.

Bula's days of strenuous practice in the shark-infested Atlantic waters since reaching South Africa a few days ago paid off as she had a relatively easy swim across the stretch known to be arduous.

Robben Islands is steeped in history as legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years in a prison there for his uncompromising fight against the then apartheid regime.

Sahara India Pariwar, which has the swimmer on its rolls, sponsored her bid.