istanbul, Turkey - Stephanie Halasz completed a historic swim Sunday, traversing the Bosphorus Strait from Asia to Europe. The open-water swimmer finished the roughly 3.5-mile (5.6 kilometer) challenge, joining approximately 2,500 other participants in the annual event.
The Bosphorus Strait, a narrow, heavily trafficked waterway separating the two continents, presents unique challenges for swimmers – strong currents, unpredictable water temperatures, and the presence of large shipping vessels. Halasz, spurred by encouragement from her children, completed the swim after months of dedicated training. Her accomplishment highlights the growing popularity of open-water swimming and the personal resilience required to overcome significant physical and mental obstacles. Applications for the 2026 Bosphorus Swim will open in January.
Halasz prepared extensively for the swim, knowing the conditions would be demanding.”I probably consumed 5,000 calories” the night of the race, celebrating with a Turkish feast after completing the challenge.
A pivotal moment came the day before the swim when her 14-year-old son offered words of encouragement.”Mum,you have trained so much for this. You’re ready,” he told her, bolstering her confidence. She also expressed hope that her 16-year-old daughter witnessed the achievement as an example of what women can accomplish.
Following the swim, Halasz reunited with family and friends who had traveled to Istanbul to support her. She described feeling relief and joy at seeing their smiles after the triumphant completion of the race. She noted she drank nearly two liters of water and shed a few tears.
While halasz doesn’t anticipate repeating the swim – believing nothing could compare to this experience – she encourages others interested in an unforgettable challenge to consider participating in the 2026 event.
