Thousands race across the Yangtze River, igniting passion in the riverside city! The 50th Wuhan July 16th Yangtze River Crossing Festival concludes successfully.

Having spanned half a century, the Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing Festival stands as a nationwide celebration of swimming and fitness—and is the oldest and only mass-participation open-water swimming event of its kind in China. It was established to commemorate Chairman Mao Zedong’s final historic crossing of the Yangtze River in 1966. At the event site, crowds surged along both banks of the two rivers, while over a thousand swimmers showcased their impressive skills, cutting through the waves with determination and grace, delivering an awe-inspiring spectacle that truly embodied the spirit of this iconic aquatic tradition.

The men's and women's sprint titles were swept by post-2000 athletes from Hubei.

This year's Yangtze River Crossing Festival consists of two main events: the Individual Yangtze River Challenge and the Mass Team Yangtze River Swim. The classic route will be followed once again. Participants will start their swim from Wuchang Hanyangmen Wharf in the Individual Challenge, covering a distance of approximately 1,800 meters before finishing at Hanyang Nan'an Zui Riverside Park. Meanwhile, the Mass Team event will see participants swimming about 6,000 meters, beginning at Sanyang Square on Hankou Riverside Beach.

At exactly 8:00 a.m. on July 16, the individual Yangtze River Crossing Challenge kicked off, with male participants firing the starting gun. Ten minutes later, the female competitors joined the race by entering the water. This year’s Yangtze River Crossing event boasts an impressive lineup of athletes: after rigorous qualifying rounds, 67 competitors were officially confirmed to take part. Among them are not only domestic athletes from regions like Shaanxi, Hubei, and Beijing, but also international participants hailing from countries such as the UK, Italy, and Russia.

"The first athlete in the men’s category to reach the starting point has arrived—championship is ours!" As the announcer declared at the start of the sprint race, the men’s winner was officially crowned: Zhang Ziyang from the Hubei Provincial Team, who claimed victory with a time of 11 minutes and 21.06 seconds. Wang Baojun of the Hubei team took home the silver medal, while Luo Yuchun secured the bronze for the same team. Born in 2001, Zhang Ziyang made history back in 2019 at just 18 years old, clinching the men’s title in the Yangtze River Crossing Festival’s sprint race—and he’s since repeated his triumph in 2022 and again this year, in 2024.

Zhang Ziyang’s performance this time shattered the meet record, and he also became the first-ever "four-time champion" at Wuhan River Crossing Festival. After the race, Zhang Ziyang shared: "Today, I felt great throughout the entire swim, and I was thrilled to see my time as soon as I emerged from the water. This result is a huge validation for me. By continually pushing myself in the river-crossing event, I’ve finally managed to set a personal milestone—something that truly makes me happy!" When asked about his next goals, he emphasized focusing on this year’s National Games, expressing his hope to help Hubei achieve even greater success in the competition.

The women’s category champion also hails from the Hubei Provincial Team—2006-born Xia Zixuan claimed victory with a time of 12 minutes and 53.15 seconds. Xia Zixuan previously earned a gold medal in the women’s 200m butterfly at the 2023 National Youth Swimming Championships, and at the 48th Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing Festival in 2023, she finished third in the Women’s Individual Yangtze River Challenge Race. Chen Jie and Li Xinxuan, both from the Hubei team, secured second and third place, respectively, in the women’s event.

27 teams showcased impressive momentum, as 14-year-old students completed their first-ever crossing.

Following the conclusion of the individual Yangtze River Crossing Challenge, a mass formation swim across the Yangtze took place right afterward. The swimmers—hailing from Wuhan as well as regions including Guangdong, Shanxi, Xinxiang, Yancheng, and Xiaogan—totalled 2,058 "swimmers" who formed 27 impressive teams. At 8:35 a.m., the "Yangtze River Crossing Formation," leading the charge with a powerful and unified shout, was the first to dive into the river, swimming resolutely toward the finish line. As the vanguard of this year’s Yangtze River Festival, the inaugural team—the "Yangtze River Crossing Formation"—came from Naval Engineering University. Dressed in distinctive swimwear and proudly waving red flags, they embodied the spirit of military discipline and valor, symbolizing both courage and responsibility while also reflecting the enduring ethos of Wuhan city.

Immediately afterward, the corporate team, the Youth Ferry Team, the Naval Engineering University team, teams from various districts, and teams from outside the city entered the water in sequence. Among them, the Yancheng team has become a regular fixture at the Yangtze River Crossing Festival, having attended five times since 2016. This year, they arrived with a special message: "Yancheng Team—Fighting Through the Riverwaters of Jiangcheng, Paying Tribute to Great Leaders by Crossing the Yangtze," adding an extra layer of heartfelt emotion. Yancheng team members told reporters that swimming in the Yangtze feels incredibly refreshing, and they sincerely hope every participating team achieves its goal. Meanwhile, within the Guangdong team, Zhang Shaocong—a veteran who’s served as squad leader for the fourth time—led his group in singing a Cantonese version of "Sea of Hope," their powerful voices blending seamlessly with the resounding slogan: "Calmly Strolling Across the Yangtze, Guangdong Team Never Gives Up."

As the mighty Yangtze River surges forward with towering waves, rescue and medical vessels circle the river, vigilantly ensuring the safety of every swimmer. The breathtaking spectacle of thousands paddling in unison—27 teams racing side by side across the water—highlights Wuhan’s vibrant energy as a thriving riverside city. Amidst the roaring cheers and encouragement from both banks, all members of the 27 teams successfully reached the shore. Their faces beamed with pride and determination, as they stepped together onto land, their shared triumph igniting the entire crowd with the exhilarating spirit of conquering the Yangtze.

At the starting point of the crossing formation, a young participant caught the attention of reporters. His name is Yin Xiwu, and he’s part of the Youth Crossing Team. At just 14 years old, he’s currently in his third year of junior high school—and the youngest member of the team. Established in 2019, the Youth Crossing Team marked the first youth-focused mass formation at the Yangtze River Crossing Festival. This year, its members range in age from 14 to 35, with an average age of 26. Speaking to the reporter, Yin Xiwu shared: "This is my first time participating in the Yangtze River Crossing Festival. I’m thrilled, but also a bit nervous. Finishing the race smoothly feels amazing! Next year, I definitely want to join again and keep chasing the waves of the Yangtze River!"

Multiple measures taken to ensure a smooth event, as the Yangtze River Festival Carnival continues to captivate audiences.

Behind the charm and energy displayed by thousands of "swimmers" at the Yangtze River Crossing Festival lies the tireless dedication of the event staff. This year, the festival organizers deployed a total of 111 vessels of various types to ensure the smooth operation of the race, along with dedicated medical boats on the water, ambulances stationed on land, and lifeguard channels equipped with specialized medical supplies. Additionally, ample security personnel were assigned across the three venues in Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang to maintain safety and order throughout the event. To further enhance safety, the Wuhan Urban Operations Center leveraged an advanced "drone + AI model" system for real-time monitoring—supported by high-altitude video surveillance—to promptly detect potential risks such as racers falling behind, life-saving equipment being lost, or floating debris posing hazards, providing critical data to keep the event secure and well-managed.

The Wuhan July 16 Yangtze River Crossing Festival Carnival, themed "Join the Fun, Savor the Shrimp," has wrapped up successfully, but the excitement continues! On the evening of July 16, residents and visitors flocked to three vibrant venues—Wuchang Hanyangmen Garden, Hankou Sanyang Square, and Hanyang Dayu Mythological Park—where they could enjoy a variety of immersive experiences. The event featured bustling food markets, creative cultural product stalls, cozy bamboo chair lounges, and lively stage performances, offering attendees an unforgettable shopping and entertainment journey. Meanwhile, during the Wuhan July 16 Yangtze River Crossing Festival Carnival, the city also rolled out special sports consumption vouchers. Residents can easily claim and redeem these vouchers by using the "Han Sports" online mini-program or by visiting designated merchants at the carnival venue.

The Yangtze River flows right through the city, instilling in Wuhan residents a natural affinity for water—so much so that playing in the river during summer has long become an indispensable part of their daily lives. And every year, the annual Yangtze River Crossing Festival is no longer just a straightforward sporting event; it has evolved into a massive, city-wide aquatic celebration that truly embodies the spirit of Wuhan people: "daring to lead and striving for excellence."

From professional athletes to everyday citizens, agile figures leap into the Yangtze River, sending splashes of water rippling across the surface. The river breeze gently lifts each vibrant face, while waves seem to embroider medals onto their swimsuits. This river will continue to witness the growth of generation after generation of Wuhan residents, and this festival will keep bringing joy and cherished memories to yet another wave of Wuhan’s people.

Photojournalists: Li Hui, Liu Bo, Xiao Hao, Liu Ziliang, Song Zhentao

Correspondents: Zhang Li, Tian Hui

(Source: Jimu News)

Recommended:

Water quality fails to meet standards, leading World Aquatics to postpone the first day of the open-water events at the Singapore World Championships.