Chinese Swimmer Zhang Jian Ready to Cross English Channel

Zhang Jian to Swim Across English Channel

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Chinese swimmer Zhang Jian said Saturday in Dover that he is ready to become the first Chinese to cross the English Channel.

"I am fully prepared physically and mentally," the 37-year-old said. "If the weather remains fine on Sunday, I am confident of reaching the other side of the channel."

Zhang will start his journey at 6:30 Sunday morning guided by pilot Taylor Dencun, secretary general of the English Channel Swimming Association, which was founded in 1927 to govern swimming across the channel.

Zhang, a teacher of the Beijing Sports University, made history last August by crossing the 109-kilometer Bohai Channel in 50 hours 20 minutes, which connects China's Liaoning and Shandong provinces.

Duncan said: "I have acted as pilot for a lot of swimmers in the English Channel, but it's the first time for a Chinese. It's of great significance,"