Autistic ultra-marathon swimmer Tuna Tunca crossed the North Channel, the third leg of the Ocean's Seven (Ocean's 7), considered among the world's toughest open water swimming stages, in approximately 16 hours.

According to a statement from Tunca's communications office, the athlete started swimming from the coast of Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. He had previously successfully completed the first two legs of the Ocean's Seven, the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar.

On the approximately 40-kilometer course, Tunca, swimming in 14-degree Celsius water, continued his struggle despite strong tides, cold weather, and a dense presence of jellyfish.

The athlete, supported by his coach Mert Onaran, his team, and his mother Gül Nur Tunca, battled strong currents for approximately three hours in the final section of the course. Tunca, who also overcame this challenging stage, reached the coast of Portpatrick, Scotland, after approximately 16 hours, completing the crossing.

Tunca, supported by AXA Turkey, will attempt the fourth leg of the Ocean's Seven in September at the Catalina Channel in the USA.

To date, only Bengisu Avcı from Turkey had completed the Ocean's Seven.