At 2:00 PM local time on May 9th in Spain, the roaring waves of the Strait of Gibraltar witnessed the courageous and daring urban spirit of the Dongguan people. Chen Suwei, a 57-year-old elite swimmer from Dongguan, completed the crossing of one of the world's most challenging open-water routes in 3 hours and 51 minutes, becoming one of the few challengers in the world to accomplish this feat.

In the morning, Chen embarked on his crossing from Tarifa, Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, is notorious for its unpredictable currents, sudden temperature drops, and heavy maritime traffic. Its so-called "cold front zone" has thwarted many attempts. According to official statistics, fewer than 1,000 people have crossed the Strait since it was first conquered by humans in 1928.

During the crossing, Chen encountered strong winds, towering waves, and complex currents, but thanks to his extensive experience and unwavering will to accurately adjust his stroke and route, he defused the crisis again and again. Finally, he reached the coast of Tangier, Morocco, nearly two hours ahead of schedule.

This accomplishment adds another brilliant milestone to Chen's already impressive résumé, including crossing the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Molokai Channel, North Channel, and Cook Strait— all regarded among the world's most difficult open-water routes. Through practical actions, he also vividly interprets the profound connotation of Chinese sportsmanship to the world, fully demonstrating the heritage of Dongguan as the "City of Swimming."

As a major highlight of Dongguan's celebration of the upcoming 15th National Games, this challenge was themed "Celebrating the 15th National Games: Dongguan 'Swims' Forward." The official mascots "Xiyangyang" and "Lerongrong" were invited to be a cheering squad, showcasing Dongguan's sportsmanship and vibrant urban culture to the world. Dongguan extends a warm invitation to international friends to join the 15th National Games in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Personal Profile

Chen Suwei, born in Lingwu Village, Gaobu Town, in 1968, entered Beijing Sport University's amateur sports school at 11. In 1984, at the age of 16, he was selected for the Chinese National Swimming Team, and won the Asian Swimming Championships twice and two silver medals in the Asian Games. Since 2014, he has claimed gold medals in the Yellow River Crossing Challenge, the Yangtze River Challenge, and the Liugong Island Challenge.

Crossing Experience

June 15th, 2016: Crossed the Qiongzhou Strait in 6 hours and 9 minutes, setting a record at the time for the fastest south-to-north crossing.

August 3rd, 2018: Crossed the English Channel in 11 hours and 8 minutes, becoming the third Chinese swimmer to accomplish this feat. He is the oldest and also the fastest Chinese finisher among all challengers.

October 18th, 2018: Crossed the Catalina Channel in 11 hours and 35 minutes.

July 14th, 2019: Completed the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in 7 hours and 3 minutes, earning the title of Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and becoming the first Chinese athlete to achieve this triple feat.

October 23rd, 2022: Crossed the Molokai Channel in 14 hours and 2 minutes.

August 24th, 2023: Crossed the North Channel in 11 hours and 35 minutes.

February 21st, 2024: Crossed the Cook Strait in 9 hours and 47 minutes.

May 9th, 2025: Crossed the Strait of Gibraltar.

Source: Lingnan On the Cloud

全球不足千人达成！东莞57岁泳将陈苏伟横渡直布罗陀海峡

西班牙当地时间5月9日14时，直布罗陀海峡的惊涛骇浪见证了东莞人勇立潮头、敢闯敢拼的城市精神。现年57岁的东莞游泳名将陈苏伟，以3小时51分的成绩，横渡被认为“全球最难泳道”之一的直布罗陀海峡，成为全球少数完成这一壮举的挑战者之一。

当日早上，陈苏伟从西班牙塔里法海岸出发，开启横渡之旅。直布罗陀海峡连接地中海与大西洋，以变幻莫测的洋流、骤降的水温和繁忙的航运著称，尤其“冷锋区”曾让众多挑战者铩羽而归。据官方统计，自1928年首次被人类征服以来，全球成功横渡者不足千人。

在横渡过程中，陈苏伟遭遇了强风、巨浪和复杂海流的严峻考验，但他凭借丰富的经验和顽强的意志，精准调整泳姿和路线，一次又一次地化解了危机，最终以比预定时间快了约2小时的成绩，在摩洛哥丹吉尔海岸成功登陆。

这是陈苏伟成功横渡英吉利海峡、卡特琳娜海峡、莫洛凯海峡、北海峡、库克海峡等多条“全球最难泳道”后，在丰富的横渡履历再添璀璨一笔。他也用实际行动，向世界生动诠释了中华体育精神的深刻内涵，充分彰显了东莞“游泳之乡”的深厚底蕴。

作为东莞“喜迎十五运”系列赛事活动的重头戏，本次挑战以“喜迎十五运，东莞‘泳’前行”为主题，特别邀请十五运吉祥物“喜洋洋”“乐融融”作为助威团，向世界传递东莞的体育精神和城市活力，欢迎世界各国友人相约粤港澳，参与第十五届全运会。

【个人简介】

陈苏伟，1968年出生于高埗凌屋村，11岁时进入北京体育大学业余体校；1984年，16岁的陈苏伟直接入选国家游泳队，两次夺得亚洲游泳锦标赛冠军、两摘亚运会银牌，2014年起，曾先后获得全国黄河挑战赛冠军、横渡长江挑战赛冠军、刘公岛挑战赛冠军等。

【横渡经历】

2016年6月15日，用时6小时09分横渡琼州海峡，是当时世界上从南到北横渡琼州海峡项目中最快纪录者；

2018年8月3日，用时11小时08分的成绩横渡英吉利海峡，成为完成此壮举的中国第三人，挑战中年龄最大者，也是用时最短的中国挑战者；

2018年10月18日，用时11小时35分成功横渡卡特琳娜海峡；

2019年7月14日，用时7小时03分成功挑战环曼哈顿岛游，荣摘“世界三大皇冠”，成为中国第一个完成三连冠挑战的游泳极限挑战者；

2022年10月23日，用时14小时02分成功挑战莫洛凯海峡；

2023年8月24日，用时11小时35分成功横渡英国北海峡；

2024年2月21日，用时9小时47分成功横渡新西兰库克海峡；

2025年5月9日，成功横渡西班牙直布罗陀海峡。

文丨通讯员 东莞日报特派西班牙记者陈沛鸿
视频素材丨东莞电视台
视频翻译丨古司祺
视频加工丨黎杰文
文本翻译丨盛嘉
审校丨杨钧雅