Learned of this gentleman from our local embassy doctor. He lives somewhere here in Kyrgyzstan (not in Bishkek, as Wikipedia says), and the doctor has promised she’ll introduce me to him the next time he’s in the city.
The exciting part of this is that Mr Anarbayev apparently crossed lake Issyk Kul some years ago in 1982. His route took him 35 kilometers in 11 hours, with a tailwind, in 16C water. I intend on interviewing him so I can get some details, in English, on his accomplishment.
In 1968, he represented the USSR at the Mexico City Olympics, but didn’t make the finals in the 400 free. In 1970, he improved on his performance with a silver in the European Championships. In 1991, he and some other Kyrgyz swimmers attempted to repeat Lynn Cox’s historic swim from the USSR to Alaska. The water was 6C, and the group were not allowed to swim. In 2001, he took part in a Bering Strait swim.
He is also the organizer of an annual open water festival at lake Issyk Kul. The tournament consists of a few short events, 50 and 100-free, and a 100 medley. Also there is a 500 meter mass start swim. That should occur in August; if I get to attend, I’ll blog about it!
I look forward to hearing some stories!