The swimming scene is buzzing with excitement following the extraordinary achievement of Yu Zidi, a 12-year-old prodigy from China, who has stunned experts by qualifying for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore. Yu will be competing against swimmers nearly three times her age, showcasing her remarkable talent.
Her exceptional performances at the Chinese National Championships, particularly in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 200m butterfly, have put the global swimming community on high alert. Yu recorded an astonishing time of 2:10.63 in the 200m individual medley, the fastest ever recorded by any swimmer aged 12—male or female—making headlines for her unparalleled speed.
Her remarkable feat is even more impressive given the competitive landscape of China’s national team. At the same championship, she also clocked 2:06.83 in the 200m butterfly, outperforming Australian swimmer Elizabeth Dekkers’ time at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and potentially winning gold against Great Britain’s Laura Stephens at last year’s World Championships in Doha.
Facing Yu at the upcoming World Championships will be Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, who holds the 400m individual medley world record. While Yu’s time of 4:35.53 is slower than McIntosh’s 4:23.65, McIntosh’s previous performance at the same age was 10 seconds slower than Yu’s current achievements. Despite being younger, Yu’s progress validates her presence at the elite level.
Yu’s qualification adheres to World Aquatics regulations, which typically require athletes to be at least 14 years old to compete in world championships. However, if they meet qualifying times in an approved setting, as Yu has, they are allowed to take part. This rule has paved the way for her participation, exciting fans and experts alike as they anticipate her debut on the world stage.
The swimming community eagerly awaits to see how this young sensation will fare against seasoned competitors, and her story is one that promises to inspire many across the globe.