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  • SOUTH KOREA: South Koreans race in icy waters for the title of "Ice Man" to brave the finger-biting cold

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SOUTH KOREA: South Koreans race in icy waters for the title of "Ice Man" to brave the finger-biting cold

South Koreans participate in a swimming race in icy waters to win the title of being an 'Ice man.' Freezing temperatures in South Korea didn't stop dozens from participating in a swimming contest held in a frozen river on Sunday (January 14). About 70 contestants wearing swimming suits took part in the "Ice Man Contest", which was held at the Heockchun River flowing across Yangpyong, north of Seoul. To win the Ice Man title, a contestant would have to complete a 15-metre swimming track. Yet enduring the temperature was no easy swim. "Body temperature will lose its heat in the water 25 times faster (than that in the air). Therefore people will actually feel like they are in -15 degrees Celsius weather", said Yoon Sang-pil, general manager of Coral Scuba Dive School. The school has organised this event for the last 10 years. Participants were very excited to exhibit their endurance against the river's freezing temperatures. Several even took this chance to reaffirm their resolutions for the New Year. "We found out that there is a good opportunity and wishing for a better year, we, brothers, participated in this event", said 28-year old participant Ryu Yang-ki. Park Bo-kyeong was the only one female participant, but she was also the only one who was not afraid of jumping into the freezing river. "It was so much fun. I liked it. I want to do it again", said 22-year old Park. Age was hardly an obstacle for those hoping to win the Ice Man title. "I'm 52. It's so cool, but the water was really freezing", said 52-year old participants Won Sung-kyu. More than 60 people were able to complete the swimming track, making them all Ice Men. The winners were further trained to brave the cold by rolling, crawling and doing push-ups on the snow before jumping into the river. The coldest temperatures in South Korea this winter have dropped to almost -22 degrees Celsius.

ITN Source | January 19, 2007Watch more videos from ITN Source

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