Baraka completed the swim in 15 hours and 55 minutes, a testament to his years of dedicated preparation, which included participating in long-distance races under a variety of challenging weather conditions.
His journey was not without obstacles; he had to navigate cold waters ranging from 12 to 14 degrees Celsius (53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit), strong currents, and the darkness of the early morning hours. He began his swim at 3:14 am (UK time) and reached his destination at 8:04 pm (French time).
Born in 1987 in Tetouan, Baraka shared that he waited for improved weather conditions before starting his swim. He emphasized that the cold water, jellyfish, and marine currents posed significant challenges. "The essential thing is that I crossed the finish line," Baraka stated with joy in a declaration to MAP. He expressed pride that Morocco is now on the shortlist of nationalities to have conquered the English Channel.
Baraka's impressive swimming career includes being the first Moroccan to complete the International Marathon, which involves seven marathons in seven days across seven continents. His other notable accomplishments include crossing the Bosphorus, the Strait of Gibraltar, the stretch between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia (9 km or 5.5 mi in 3 hours and 46 minutes), and the distance from Egypt to Saudi Arabia (28.11 km / 17.46 mi).