Zhang, 39, set the record on Oct. 25 in his hometown of Mayang Miao autonomous county, covering 40.74 kilometers on a river course. The achievement draws attention because it caps a 17‑year pursuit of riding a motorcycle on water.

The record is for the longest distance traveled over open water on a modified motorcycle, according to CGTN. The bike was fitted with flotation devices and waterproofing, while rescue boats and medical teams stood by for safety.

Zhang first tried the stunt at age 22 and failed in four attempts, the longest run reaching only 20 metres. After 17 years of setbacks, he finally succeeded, showing how persistence can overcome early technical limits.

For the latest attempt, Zhang’s team spent five months improving the motorcycle’s buoyancy, waterproof seals and power system, and they carried out repeated water tests to fix stability problems. Guinness World Records officials verified the result using GPS tracking, timing data and audiovisual evidence, and adjudicator Xiong Wen confirmed the record on site.

Zhang’s 17‑year quest shows how steady engineering and stubborn determination can turn a dream into a world record. The ride proves that repeated testing and teamwork can overcome even the toughest technical limits.