Chinese Swimming Amateur Vows to Conquer English Channel

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 10, 2002

Chinese Swimming Amateur Vows to Conquer English Channel

Chinese challenger Zhao Yingfu, who failed to achieve a return swim across the English Channel on August 2, has vowed to try again in no more than one year to fulfil his dream.

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Chinese challenger Zhao Yingfu, who failed to achieve a return swim across the English Channel on August 2, has vowed to try again in no more than one year to fulfil his dream.

Zhao, 35, who has returned to China, told Xinhua that he felt very frustrated but will not give up further efforts.

Illustrating his abortive first try, Zhao said," The main reason was the lack of experience. I took some warm drinks in the sea for more energy, which led to a big contrast between my body temperature and the temperature of the waters. Before long, I had a stomach ache and felt to be vomiting. Although I continued swimming for several hours, I had to give up at last."

Zhao, who was born in Guangxi Province of China and works in Shenzhen, is a swim lover and succeeded in crossing the Qiongzhou Straits between China's Hainan Island and Guangxi Province in 2000and 2001 respectively.

On August 2, Zhao tried to conquer the English Channel but unfortunately came across strong winds and huge waves. He had to get on the boat following him after staying in the cold waters for11 hours.

"I felt very much disappointed when I stepped on the seashore. But this blow will not force me to abandon my aim and will not have any impact on my future life." Zhao said.

Before this challenge, Zhao had managed to swim for 20 hours ina swimming pool without any rest. He said,"I am confident in my power and I am sure that I am able to conquer the English Channel.This failure was a bit accidental and I was really lack of experience in such a challenge."

On his future plan, the valiant Chinese man said that so far, he must do some recovery works and accumulate more experience by trying some short-range crosses.

"No more than one year, I am certainly to go to the English Channel again," he noted.

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