Shaolin Monk ‘Runs on Water’ For 125 Metres, Breaks Own Record

A monk named Shi Liliang from China’s Quanzhou Shaolin Temple really has no competition other than himself. He ‘ran’ a length of 125 metres on water, breaking his own previous records of 118 metres and then 120 metres.

We say ‘ran’ on water but while he did run, it wasn’t, strictly speaking, on the water. According to the Daily Mail, he used 200 connecting squares of plywood floating on the surface of the reservoir in Quanzhou, stretching from one bank to another and covering a total distance of 125 metres. Daily Mail reports that this is his third record-setting feat, having first run 118 metres and then broken it with a 120 metre dash. Now, he’s bettered it by five metres.

In the video below, Shi Liliang doesn’t make it past the halfway mark on his first two tries, falling into what must have been very cold water. Cheered by a large crowd, Shi Liliang finally manages to complete the distance on his third attempt, taking quick, short steps to balance on the treacherously slippery planks.

In the video, Shi Liliang says he will use the funds raised as tuition money for underprivileged students. He is also likely to attempt to break his own record yet again in the future.