In a stunning display of youthful prowess, 13-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi claimed victory in the women's 200m individual medley at China's 15th National Games this week, setting a new Asian record that has electrified the sporting world.
The Hebei prodigy, who celebrated her October birthday just weeks ago, outpaced seasoned competitors in Shenzhen with a time of 2:07.41 – nearly two seconds faster than her previous personal best set during July's World Championships in Singapore. Her triumph eclipsed the longstanding record of 2:08.39 set by Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen at the 2012 London Olympics.
Yu's path to glory began earlier this year when she secured a World Championship berth by placing second at May's National Championships. At Tuesday's final, she staged a dramatic comeback against 2021 gold medalist Yu Yiting, overtaking her rival during the breaststroke leg before powering through the freestyle finish.
This record-breaking performance positions Yu as one of Asia's most promising young athletes as attention turns to upcoming international competitions. Sports analysts suggest her technical precision and race strategy belie her age, marking a new era in competitive swimming.
