This Man Has Swum Across the Yangtze River for 11 YEARS to Cut His Office Commute
By Carl Samson
To save precious commute time to his office, a man in central China has been swimming across the Yangtze River every day for 11 years.
Zhu Biwu, 53, would normally take an hour to get to work if he chooses to board the train from his home in the Hanyang district of Wuhan, Hubei province.
However, swimming a distance of 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) across the Yangtze River saves him a good 30 minutes — time others working in high-pressure environments would likely trade for when possible.
In a new video from China News, Zhu, who works as a food market manager in the Wuchang district, is seen changing into his trunks as he prepares to swim around 7 a.m.
He keeps his belongings — including his work clothes and shoes — in an inflatable dry bag, which additionally functions as an improvised lifebuoy.
After preparing himself and his stuff, Zhu finally jumps into the freshwater from his starting point at the Yingwuzhou Yangtze River Bridge.
He claims that the alternative route has not only helped him save time, but made him healthier since he started taking it in 2008.
Zhu was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1999. Weighing over 100 kilograms (220 pounds), he sought of a way to get fit.
By 2004, he started swimming near the shore of the river, and has since trained himself to make the two-kilometer journey. He has never been late to work, according to Pear Video.
“My weight and blood sugar levels are back to normal and have remained stable after all these years,” Zhu said, according to the Daily Mail.
Interestingly, vessels passing through the river now recognize him, allowing him to pass at immediate sight.
“Only do a breaststroke — so you can see what’s going on around you clearly,” he said, adding that anyone who attempts to do the same must undergo professional training.
“Such a hardcore man.”
“He clearly saves time, money and health!”
“Well maybe this is why he looks so young.”
“While there’s no worry about traffic jams, there’s the danger of drowning.”
“This is just the hardest way to get to work! I personally do not encourage this.”
Zhu is not the only person to cross the Yangtze River going to work. While not swimming, Liu Fucao, an insurance company employee, saves an hour of commute to a mere six minutes by paddling 1,000 meters (0.62 miles).
Featured Images via China News
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