Mariam Saleh Binladen, a Saudi endurance swimmer and dentist has achieved a new women's world record time for crossing the Red Sea.
Mariam swam from the Saudi island of Tiran to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt in about four hours. The swim had to be spread out across two days due to heavy gusts and rough seas.
Mariam said
During the final moments of the swim, I felt elated, a sense of jubilation, and blessed to have achieved my goal with my body intact. I had concerns before embarking on the swim, namely the weather conditions and sharks. As the last moments approached, I thanked Allah that the team had made it safe and sound through what were quite hazardous conditions.
The swimmer now has five world records to her name.
