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{{short description|Indian naval officer and yachtsman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Commander]]
| name = Abhilash Tomy
| honorific_suffix = [[Kirti Chakra|KC]], [[Nausena Medal|NM]]
| image = Abhilash Tomy receiving Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2012.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1979|02|05}}<ref name="SP2-bday">{{cite web|title=One Hundred Days of Solitude|author=Abhilash Tomy|date=9 February 2013|url=http://sagarparikrama2.blogspot.com/2013/02/one-hundred-days-of-solitude.html|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="pi">{{cite web|url=https://www.travelure.in/abhilash-tomy-the-life-of-another-pi/|author=Ajay Sood|title=Abhilash Tomy – The Life of Another Pi|date=30 January 2015|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Chethipuzha]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]], [[Kerala]], India<ref name="IndTod">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/who-is-what-is/story/who-is-naval-commander-abhilash-tomy-1347440-2018-09-24|author=India Today Web Desk|title=Who is Indian Navy Commander Abhilash Tomy?|access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref>
| allegiance = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{navy|India}}
| serviceyears = 1996 – 2020<ref name="HT">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tarini-crew-wait-for-rescue-of-commander-who-trained-them/story-fpVMGI13LbyMPyDXPJefSO.html|title=Tarini crew wait for rescue of Commander who trained them|first=Rahul|last=Singh|date=23 September 2018|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="gallantry">{{cite web|title=Abhilash Tomy|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/abhilash-tomy|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref>
| rank = [[File:09-Indian_Navy-CDR.svg|20px]] [[Commander]]
| awards = {{plainlist|[[File:Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Kirti Chakra]] <br> [[File:Nao Sena Medal ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Nausena Medal]] <br>[[File:MacGregor Medal Ribbon.jpg|32px]] [[MacGregor Medal]]<ref name="USI">{{cite web|url=http://usiofindia.org/Events/MacGregor/|title=MacGregor Medal|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> <br>[[Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award]]}}
[[Doctor of Philosophy]] h.c.
}}

[[Commander]] ([[Doctor (title)|Dr.]]) '''Abhilash Tomy''', [[Kirti Chakra|KC]], [[Nausena Medal|NM]]<ref>{{cite web|title=411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187777|website=pib.nic.in}}</ref> is a retired Indian naval officer and yachtsman. In 2013, he became the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world under sail,<ref name="IndTod"/> and he also competed in the [[2018 Golden Globe Race]].<ref name="SagParikrama">{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-sea-and-i/1095367/0|author=Smita Nair|title=The Sea and I|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> On 10 January 2021, he retired from the Navy by applying for premature retirement from service as he wanted to focus on participating in the Golden Globe Race in 2022.<ref name="Times of India">{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/celebrity-sailor-commander-abhilash-tomy-retires-from-indian-navy/articleshow/80211128.cms|title=Celebrity sailor Commander Abhilash Tomy retires from Indian Navy|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Abhilash Tomy is one of the two sons born to [[Lieutenant commander]] V. C. Tomy, a former Naval Officer, and Valsamma.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/abhilash-tomys-father-says-rescued-naval-officer-will-return-to-adventure-sports-1887785.html|title = Abhilash Tomy's Father Confident Rescued Naval Officer Will Return to Adventure Sports|date = 24 September 2018}}</ref> Abhilash Tomy was born in Chethipuzha Hospital, Changanacherry in [[Kerala]]. Abhilash has a brother Aneesh Tomy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/abhilash-tomy-golden-globe-race-a-sailor-and-his-boat-5379829/|title=A sailor and his boat: Abhilash Tomy's love affair with the sea that brought him to race|date=2 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/nation/2018/06/30/cdr-tomy-tryst-sea-exploits.html|title = This Indian sailor's tryst with tides began when he was in class 2}}</ref> Upon completing his schooling, he joined the [[Naval Academy]] in [[Goa]], from where he was commissioned into the navy in the year 2000.<ref name="midday">{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/family-relieved-as-injured-navy-officer-rescued-after-international-efforts/19833180|title= Family relieved as injured Navy officer rescued after international efforts|author=Vinod Kumar Menon|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> He completed his flying training in 2002, qualifying as a maritime reconnaissance pilot on the [[Dornier 228]].<ref name="IndTod" /><ref name="HT" />

== Sailing career ==
Prior to his solo circumnavigation of the globe (which was called ''Sagar Parikrama 2''), Tomy had represented India in several international events including the 2011 [[South Atlantic Race|Cape Town to Rio Race]], the 2014 Spanish Copa del Rey race and two successive Korea Cups.<ref name="IndTod"/><ref name="ggr">{{cite web|url=https://goldengloberace.com/skipper/abhilash-tom/|title=GGR Skippers 2018: Abhilash Tomy|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>

In 2006, based on a proposal by Vice Admiral [[Manohar Prahlad Awati|MP Awati]],<ref name="arunp">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KNTtus0GQxnxWxHvIEkjK3DNNfjs9Dfr/view|title=Will Sagar Parikrama herald an Indian Maritime Revival?|author=Adm. Arun Prakash|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> the navy authorised the construction of the [[INSV Mhadei (A76)|INSV ''Mhadei'']], a sailboat, which was then sailed solo around the world by Cdr [[Dilip Donde]] in 2009-10, making four stops - [[Fremantle]], [[Lyttelton, New Zealand|Lyttelton]], [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Port Stanley]] and [[Cape Town]]. This voyage was called the ''Sagar Parikrama'', and Tomy was chosen as its shore support crew, helping Donde stock up supplies at the four ports.<ref name="SagParikrama" />

Based on this experience, and his sailing expertise, he was chosen to helm ''Sagar Parikrama 2'', a non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe, under sail.<ref name="SagParikrama" /> To prepare him for this role, in 2011, he and Cdr [[Dilip Donde]] participated in the [[South Atlantic Race|Cape Town to Rio Race]]. On the return leg, Tomy sailed doubled handed from Rio to Cape Town and single handed from Cape Town to Goa. He also sailed to Malaysia and Thailand, with a team of three people.<ref name="pi" />

On 1 November 2012, Tomy and the ''Mhadei'' departed from the [[Gateway of India]] at [[Mumbai]]. After completing a voyage of 23,100 nautical miles, he returned to Mumbai on 31 March 2013, having sailed around the [[Cape of Good Hope]], [[Cape Horn]] and [[Cape Leeuwin]].<ref name="pi" /><ref name="pioneer">{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/sunday-edition/grand-welcome-for-star-sailor-tomy-in-mumbai.html|title=Grand welcome for star sailor Tomy in Mumbai|author=TN Raghunatha|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> He became the first Indian, second Asian, and 79th person to accomplish this feat.<ref name="IndTod"/> A ceremonial reception was given by the President of India [[Shri Pranab Mukherjee]] at the Gateway of India on 6 April 2013.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

Tomy was a special invitee and the only Asian entrant in the 2018 edition of the solo non-stop round-the-world [[Golden Globe Race]]. After 82 days, while in 3rd position, Tomy's boat was damaged in a storm, and he suffered a severe injury to his spine. He was rescued after a multinational rescue effort.

He retired prematurely from the Indian Navy on 11 January 2021 to prepare for the 2022 Golden Globe Race.[https://www.deccanherald.com/national/celebrity-sailor-commander-abhilash-tomy-retires-from-indian-navy-937717.html]

==Personal life==
Abhilash Tomy is married to Urmimala Nag of [[West Bengal]]. The couple has two sons - Vedaant and Abhraneil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationwide.in/news/i-want-to-concentrate-on-my-sailing-career-commander-abhilash-tomy-on-post-retirement-plans|title = I want to concentrate on my sailing career: Commander Abhilash Tomy on post retirement plans}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
{{better source needed|date=June 2020}}


{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:Nao Sena Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_star.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|width=106}}
|-
|[[File:MacGregor_Medal_Ribbon.jpg|105x105px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Kirti Chakra]]
|[[Nausena Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Vijay Star]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Parakram Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
|
[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Vijay Medal]]
|-
|
[[MacGregor Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}
* Kirti Chakra – 2013 (Second officer in the navy to be awarded KC)
* Nau Sena Medal 2019
* YAI Offshore Sailor of the Year 2009, 2013, 2018
* Amrita TV Award for Outstanding Human Endurance and Courage – 2013
* [[Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=National Sports Awards Presented|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=99021|publisher=Press Information Bureau, India|access-date=18 September 2020|date=31 August 2013}}</ref>
* Only Indian in the International Association of Cape Horners
* Mac Gregor Medal for military reconnaissance – 2013
* CNS Commendation 2009
* National Maritime Foundation Award
* Doctor of Philosophy, h.c. from Jharkhand Rai University

Achievements
* First Indian and 2nd Asian to sail solo, non stop, around the earth
* Shore support for Sagar Parikrama I (Navy’s first solo circumnavigation expedition)
* Yacht Services Manager of Volvo Ocean Race 2008 stopover at Kochi
* Podium finishes in Korea Cup 2014 and 2015
* Bronze medal in YAI Nationals 2015
* Author of "151 Solitary Days at Sea, Sailing Non-stop, Around the World" & "Kadal Ottakku Kshanichappol"
* Formerly council member of the Yachting Association of India

==External links==
* Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlAjbKyCFLY
* Sailing Across the Globe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiNYNpZI6Ok

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomy, Abhilash}}
[[Category:Single-handed circumnavigating sailors]]
[[Category:Indian Navy officers]]
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kirti Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the MacGregor Medal]]
[[Category:Indian naval aviators]]
[[Category:Kirti Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Nau Sena Medal]]

Abhilash Tomy - Revision history

Bot at 06:14, 23 September 2022