A middle-age man attracted curious onlookers by walking in a pair of iron shoes that weighed 240 kg each in an effort to gain employment on a busy street in the Shenzhen special economic zone's downtown on Monday.

Pi Manfang, 32, is from southwestern China's Guizhou province and said he wants work at a martial arts school after showing his special skill.

Pi practiced martial arts as a kid and said he wants to be a coach.

Pi worked at a construction site in Shenzhen and spent more than 1,000 yuan ($146) on his special iron shoes, which are more than 30 cm high.

(China Daily January 12, 2009)