Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS, June 23, 1997

South China Morning Post, 6/23/97

ADA YUEN

A Xinjiang high-wire walker yesterday set a record when he crossed the Qutang Gorge of the Yangtze River. Adili, a seventh-generation high-wire walker from western Xinjiang, took 13 minutes and 48 seconds to cross the gorge, more than 30 minutes faster than the previous record. He also became the first Chinese person to cross the Yangtze River on a tightrope.

The 24-year-old Xinjiang performer completed the feat on a 636-metre wire, 411 metres above the bottom of the gorge, using the same route and rope as former record-holder, Canadian Jay Cochrane.

Cochrane, 51, was the first tightrope walker to cross the gorge in October 1995, taking 53 minutes and without a safety net.

Unlike the Canadian, Adili did not perform any stunts and was able to cross more quickly.

Reports said the Xinjiang tightrope walker had to use the old, rusty rope which Cochrane left behind because he could not find a sponsor.

Adili, who is performing high-wire walking at the China National Minorities Games in Kunming, Yunnan, said he could cross the gorge blindfolded.