HARBIN, China, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cai Yan, a 32-year-old swimming coach working at a swimming club in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, swam 26.5 kilometers in 9 hours and 38 minutes across the Qiongzhou Strait last May.

It is hard to imagine this skinny man has such great perseverance. However, Cai Yan doesn't even feel it was physically exhausting when he recalls that experience.

From the age of six, Cai Yan became attached to swimming. In the beginning, without the guidance of a professional coach, Cai Yan relied on imitation and learned he could swim a few laps in the pool.

"In the third grade of primary school, I swam at least three times a week, one kilometer each time," Cai said.

After graduating from college, Cai Yan got a job in a foreign company. "After junior high school, I didn't have systematic swimming training. But I still feel that swimming is my favorite," the coach said.

He resigned from the foreign company in 2014 and became a swimming coach after careful consideration.

Everything is like returning to the place where the dream started. The place where Cai Yan teaches in the same swimming pool where he swam for the first time.

In 2017, Cai Yan's swimming teacher successfully crossed the Qiongzhou Strait and she inspired Cai Yan's new pursuit.

"Why don't I try it." Cai Yan decided to challenge the Qiongzhou Strait.

At the beginning of 2018, Cai Yan carried out training on core strength and endurance in a targeted manner. From 2,000 to 5,000 meters per day, Cai Yan prepared for several months.

"Before crossing, I am not sure that I will succeed, but I want to try it," Cai said.

At 5:39 on May 25, 2018, Cai Yan launched from Haikou. Experiencing cramps of the legs and joint pain, Cai Yan persevered on all the way.

On the navigation boat, Cai Yan's teachers and friends kept encouraging him. Slowly, he was getting closer and closer to the shore.

After 9 hours and 38 minutes of hard work, Cai Yan successfully crossed the Qiongzhou Strait.

"The crossing of the sea is like crossing a life, sometimes it is calm, sometimes it is rough." Cai Yan said that swimming has taught him to face life with perseverance.

"If there is an opportunity, I hope that my students can also try it and challenge themselves to accumulate wealth for life," Cai Yan said.