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EGYEgyptSport:SwimmingAbdel Latif Abou Heif was an Egyptian marathon swimmer whose name appears in English-language records in several forms, including Abdellatief Abouheif. Born in 1929, he became a leading professional open-water competitor and was widely known as the Crocodile of the Nile. His Channel history belongs to the era when international races and independent attempts brought swimmers from many countries to Dover.
Dover Museum describes his first success in 1951 as a swim from Cap Gris Nez to Fan Bay. The surviving summaries disagree over the July calendar date, although the historical CS&PF database records the elapsed time as 15:43:00. His next crossing, on 2 August 1953, had an unusual beginning: he swam the first leg of an Egyptian relay, then stayed in the water and completed the Channel himself. The museum records this as an independent one-way success in 13:45, and IMSHOF credits it as an England-to-France speed record.
In 1955 he won the Butlins race from France to England in 11:44. His later professional career included World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation championships in 1964, 1965 and 1968. Recognition followed across generations: IMSHOF lists him as a 1964 Honor Swimmer and records his induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1998.
1955 Butlins Channel race winner · three historical solos
Also recorded as Abdellatief Abouheif, Abd el Latif Abou Heif, Abdel Latif Abdu Heif, Crocodile of the Nile.
Crossing details, recordings & verificationSolo swim
Saturday, 28 July 1951 (recorded swim date)
France → England
Historical date discrepancy: Dover Museum lists 28 July 1951; another compilation lists 29 July. Elapsed time: 15:43:00.
Elapsed time · 15h 43m 0s
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Sources disagree · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Solo swim
Sunday, 2 August 1953 (recorded swim date)
England → France
Independent solo: he continued swimming after his opening relay leg. CS&PF’s historical comment instead calls it a Butlins race; the event classification conflicts.
Elapsed time · 13h 45m
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Sources disagree · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Solo swim
Monday, 15 August 1955 (recorded swim date)
France → England
Elapsed time · 11h 44m 0s
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Ratification reported by source · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
1951
France to England in 15:43:00; 28 and 29 July appear in the inspected accounts.
Sunday, 2 August 1953
Continued beyond his first relay leg and completed England to France in 13:45.
Monday, 15 August 1955
France-to-England winning performance recorded at 11:44:00.
1964
Listed as an Honor Swimmer.
1998
Induction year supplied by IMSHOF’s biography.
Achievements update from recorded results. A tick means the supporting results are verified.
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First recorded finish
1 more finish needed
0 of 1 recorded
Selected swimming performances appear in the English Channel record above.
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