The 46th Yangtze River Crossing Festival kicked off in central China's Wuhan, Hubei Province on Friday, with the participation of 52 enthusiasts to swim across the longest river in China.

 

Chen Xinkun from the provincial swimming team, the winner of Wuhan's water marathon last year, won the men's race in 12 minutes and 32 seconds, while Yang Peiqi, a 14-year-old from the Wuhan swimming team, clocked in 13 minutes and four seconds for the women's title.

 

"This is my second time to participate in the contest," said Chen. "It's very challenging today. Swimming in the Yangtze River is very different from swimming in the pool. The river flows very fast. So I'm very surprised and excited (to win the event)."

 

Due to concerns over the COVID-19 epidemic and flooding which resulted in the cancellation of the event last year, the number of competitors, which used to surpass 1,000, was strictly controlled this year. All participants underwent physical checks, nucleic acid tests and test events before the competition.

 

"I've taken part in the festival for many years," said Chen Tao, an amateur swimmer. "Last year, we were all very sad because it was cancelled. Yet, both the water level and flowing speed are suitable for such a competition this year," she said.

 

Accordingly, hundreds of amateurs also celebrated the festival by swimming in a medley relay in three designated pools beside the Yangtze River.

 

The annual event is set to be held on July 16, the day when the late Chairman Mao Zedong made his famous swimming across the river in 1966.