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Jimu News reporter Wang Jiawen

Photographers Huang Shifeng and Wang Yongsheng

At 7:16 am on August 8, the men's competitors participating in the Wuhan 7.16 Yangtze River Crossing Festival Individual Crossing the Yangtze River Challenge launched into the water at the Hanyangmen Wharf in Wuchang District, Wuhan City, and bravely headed towards the other side.

Zhang Ziyang (center) goes on stage to receive the award

Hubei swimming star Zhang Ziyang was the first to go ashore and won the first place in the men's individual Yangtze River Crossing Challenge with a time of 12 minutes 4 seconds 19. It is understood that Zhang Ziyang, born in 2001, is already an international athlete. At the 2021 Shaanxi National Games, Zhang Ziyang also served as the flag bearer of the Hubei Sports Delegation and won three gold medals in the 10km marathon swimming competition, the men's 800m freestyle and the men's 4×200m freestyle relay. On October 7, 2023, Zhang Ziyang won the men's 10km marathon swimming championship at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. In 2019 and 2022, Zhang Ziyang won the men's individual crossing championship at the Wuhan 7·16·Crossing the River Festival. In this year's competition, he stood out again with his outstanding ability and won the Crossing the River Festival championship for the third time.

"Today is the best result I've ever achieved in the many times I've participated in the Wuhan River Crossing Festival. I feel like I'm in very good shape," said Zhang Ziyang. "If there is no conflict with other competitions, I will continue to participate in the Wuhan River Crossing Festival every year." He also said that the Wuhan River Crossing Festival showcased the enthusiasm of the people of Wuhan, and he hoped that more high-level and even foreign athletes would participate, making the Wuhan River Crossing Festival's name card even more famous.

Wang Baojun, an 18-year-old Hanyang boy who graduated from Wuhan Erqiao Middle School, won the runner-up in the men's group. "The water flow affected me a little today, but I will continue to work hard and win the championship next year," said Wang Baojun.

Yang Peiqi who just finished the competition

Yang Peiqi, a young player born after 2005, is a member of the Wuhan swimming team and also graduated from Wuhan Erqiao Middle School. She won the women's 4×200m freestyle relay championship at the National Swimming Championships at the end of 2023, and won the women's 4×200m freestyle gold medal with the Chinese team at the Doha Swimming World Championships in February this year. In 2021, at the age of 14, she won the women's championship of the Crossing the River Festival in one fell swoop. At the same time, she was also the women's champion of the 2022 Crossing the River. Before crossing the river this year, Yang Peiqi said in a low-key manner: "This year is more difficult. I focus on participating and being able to land successfully." However, she successfully won the women's championship of the Crossing the River Festival for the third time with excellent performance in the on-site competition. Yang Peiqi said that she was very happy and satisfied to win the championship again in the Crossing the River Festival. Next, she will step up training to prepare for the National Games.

It is understood that this year's individual Yangtze River Crossing Challenge will have a competition route from Wuchang Hanyang Gate Wharf to Hanyang River Beach Nan'anzui Park, with a swimming distance of about 1,800 meters. It will be divided into men's and women's groups, and will be held in two rounds. The age limit for contestants is 14-45 years old. The prize money for the men's and women's groups is: RMB 50,000 for the first place, RMB 20,000 for the second place, RMB 10,000 for the third place, and RMB 6,000 for the fourth to eighth places. Contestants who finish the race within 20 minutes of the closing time will receive a completion reward of RMB 2,000.

Ashley Hogg of the United Kingdom

The athletes participating in this race are the top 40 male athletes and the top 30 female athletes in the test competition. A total of 63 athletes have finally been confirmed to participate, from Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Chongqing and other provinces and cities in my country. Ashley Hogg, a British swimmer who has participated in the Wuhan River Crossing Festival for three consecutive years, also participated in this year's competition again. Ashley Hogg said that swimming in the Yangtze River is a unique experience. He likes it very much and will continue to participate in the River Crossing Festival. After the competition that day, he will continue to visit Wuhan and feel the beauty of the city.

(Source: Jimu News)

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