"Final stop of the 'Seven Great Straits of the World'!" Dongguan's renowned swimmer, Chen Suwei, will take on the challenge of swimming across it in May!

This morning, the press conference titled "Welcoming the 15th National Games: Dongguan Swims Ahead—Chen Suwei's Historic Crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar" was held at the Dongguan Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports.The press conference announced that Chen Suwei, a renowned swimmer from Dongguan, will attempt to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar between May 5 and 14, timing his challenge carefully.

Photo source: Zhang Yilin, photojournalist with Dongguan Daily

"The World Seven Straits Crossing Challenge" echoes the "World Seven Summits Climbing Challenge," earning its reputation as one of the most demanding extreme sports on the planet., including the U.S.'s Catalina Channel, Hawaii's Molokai Channel, Japan's Tsugaru Strait, the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland, New Zealand's Cook Strait, the English Channel separating Britain and France, and now, the Strait of Gibraltar that Chen Suwei is about to tackle.

The Strait of Gibraltar connects Europe and Africa, with its narrowest point measuring just 18 kilometers. It’s renowned for its unpredictable currents and relatively cool water temperatures—averaging 16°C in May. Chen Suwei’s team will depart on April 29 for Madrid, Spain, before heading to Málaga to prepare for the crossing. The actual window for attempting the Strait of Gibraltar crossing is set between May 5 and May 14, with the final date determined based on real-time weather conditions.

Chen Suwei stated that if this expedition is successful, it will not only fill the domestic gap in this particular field but also surpass personal achievements, showcasing the Chinese sports spirit to the world.He stated: "This challenge also serves as a gift ahead of the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be held right on our doorstep."

As a pioneering hub of reform and opening-up, Dongguan has consistently positioned sports as the dynamic engine driving the city’s development. The city boasts over 26,000 sports facilities, with per capita sports space reaching 3.21 square meters—placing it among the top cities nationwide.

From the CBA to the Asian Games, the Badminton Sudirman Cup, and international basketball and men’s World Cup tournaments, to the growing popularity of dragon boat races and marathon events—Dongguan has seamlessly woven the spirit of sports into the city’s very fabric. As a result, the city has nurtured a remarkable array of elite athletes and earned recognition as a renowned national basketball hub. This has given rise to the iconic "Dongguan Basketball Spirit"—characterized by courage to lead, unity in adversity, relentless determination, and an unwavering drive to reach new heights—as well as the "Dongguan Dragon Boat Spirit," embodying teamwork, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Together, these spirits have helped shape Dongguan’s distinctive "City Spirit"—one that embraces inclusivity, fosters integrity, and champions practicality in all endeavors.

Recently, Dongguan Xintongsheng Women's Basketball Team defied the odds to claim the championship—a testament to the consistent spirit they’ve embodied all along. We believe Chen Suwei’s upcoming crossing challenge will once again showcase Dongguan’s sportsmanship and the city’s unique character to the global community in the realm of extreme sports.

△ Dongguan Xintongsheng Women's Basketball Team Claims Championship Against All Odds

This year's 15th National Games will be held across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.The 15th National Games basketball (men's adult 5-on-5) and weightlifting events will be hosted by Dongguan, with the competitions scheduled for November 2025.The basketball matches will be held at the Dongguan Basketball Center (which previously hosted the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup) and the city’s Sports Center Basketball Arena, while the weightlifting events will take place in Shilong Town, known as the "Home of Weightlifting."

△ Dongguan Weightlifting Museum

Dongguan has upgraded its venue facilities, established a competition committee, and launched green initiatives like "Plant a Tree for the National Games."

△ Dongguan Basketball Center  Photography: Yuan Rubin

Chen Suwei's challenge to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar is one of Dongguan's key events as it prepares to host the 15th National Games. Marking the beginning of this initiative, Dongguan is now building a vibrant sports ecosystem centered around "monthly sporting events, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the Games."

MayThe event will feature the World Women's Snooker Championship and the Dongguan Dragon Boat Month series of activities;JuneHolding the China Mountain Bike League (Huangjiang Station);JulyLaunching the Citizens' Sports Games and Fashion Sports Festival;AugustStreet basketball brand showdown takes center stage;SeptemberHolding the national finals of "CrossFire";OctoberHosting the FIBA OPEN 3x3 Challenger Tournament;NovemberHosting the weightlifting and basketball main events of the 15th National Games;DecemberHolding the Dongguan Marathon.