Neda el Món stories (1): Tuna Tunc, first autistic person in history to cross Gibraltar

This year 2025, has been special in Gibraltar. And it's been special because we had a special swimmer, Tuna Tunca, 22 years’ old, from Turkey, and autistic. Actually, Tuna was the first autistic swimmer in history to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. He did it, along with his companions, in 5 hours 32 minutes.

Caring for Tuna has been a challenge for Neda el Món and, at the same time, for ACNEG. It's not about his swimming skills, which he has, and plenty of it! An autistic person, and therefore an autistic swimmer, requires special attention in their management. Their ability to follow instructions is different. We had to constantly remind him of the need to swim together, to swim in a specific configuration, and always keeping an eye on his companions. We rehearsed this over and over again in Tarifa in the days leading up to the crossing. But rehearsing is only part of the process for Tuna. ACNEG was flexible and allowed his coach and trusted friend, Mert Onaran, to be in the support boat during the crossing, constantly reminding him of the instructions to follow during the challenge. The fact that his mother, Gül Nur, was able to be in the companion boat, relatively close to him, also made Tuna feel more supported during the challenge.

It was also a challenge for his fellow travelers… the swimmers! In this case, Rohan Cruise, Ariadna Moreno, and Víctor Gregori, who, far from seeing it as a difficulty, saw it as an extra motivation, getting involved in helping their teammate Tuna as much as possible, guiding him at all times during training and throughout the crossing.

“When I swim in the open sea, I'm 100% happy,” Tuna said with a smile. For him, like many open sea addicts, swimming in the open sea is complete freedom. Swimming in the open sea is Tuna's true motivation. And for Neda el Món, for ACNEG, and for our swim addicts who accompanied Tuna, it was an extra motivation and what made this crossing a special and unforgettable moment for all of us.

Tesekkürler Tuna!

¡Gracias ACNEG!

¡Thank you Rohan, Ariadna and Víctor!