WUHAN, July 16 (Xinhua) -- A man from Sweden and a Chinese student took the spoils at the 44th Wuhan International Yangtze River Crossing Festival here on Monday.

The men's division of the individual 1,800m race was won by Kristian Kron in a time of 12:17, beating Chinese swimmer Zhang Ziyang and Kristof Rasovszky of Hungary by 3 seconds and 23 seconds respectively.

"I am so excited to be back," said Kron, who had also triumphed in the 2017 race. "I stuck to my plan all the way. Although the weather was hot and the current was strong, this race was so much fun."

Meanwhile, China's Niu Xiaoxiao claimed the women's crown in 15:15, leading compatriot Liu Xinyu by 20 seconds. Hungarian swimmer Anna Olasz took the final spot on podium with a time of 16:03.

Kron and Niu will both receive a cash prize of 20,000 U.S. dollars, with the second- and third-placed swimmers set to pocket 8,000 dollars and 5,000 dollars respectively.

In addition to the individual event, a team race of 6,000m attracted more than 4,300 participants in 47 teams, with all participants who finished the course to be granted a souvenir medal.

The annual event began in 1966, and commemorates Chairman Mao Zedong's swim across the Yangtze River that year. It is renowned as one of the toughest tests for both professional and amateur swimmers, with this year's event attracting participants from 12 different countries and regions.