12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi sets fastest time in 200m medley
Yu Zidi emerges as a rising swimming star after historic 200m medley performance at age 12.
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| China's Yu Zidi competes in the women's 200-meter freestyle semifinal at the 2025 National Swimming Championships in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on May 19, 2025. (c) AFP/Getty Images |
By Widya Putri and Randy Ahmad
A 12-year-old Chinese swimmer, Yu Zidi, has taken the swimming world by storm after delivering a historic performance in the women's 200-meter individual medley at China's national championships. Clocking an extraordinary time of 2 minutes and 10.63 seconds, Yu shattered expectations and set the fastest time ever recorded in that event by someone her age.
The electrifying performance took place during a high-stakes week of competition in Shenzhen, where China’s top swimmers are vying for selection to represent the nation at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this July and August. Yu’s time not only met the qualifying standard but stood out internationally, prompting widespread acclaim and drawing global attention to the young swimmer’s potential.
The Chinese Swimming Association, while impressed, has yet to finalize its roster for the championships, choosing to wait until the national event concludes on Saturday before making official announcements. But insiders suggest that Yu Zidi is all but assured a place in the lineup, given both her blistering pace and the buzz she has generated.
Global recognition for young Chinese swimmer
Yu Zidi's incredible feat did not go unnoticed by the global swimming community. World Aquatics, the international governing body for aquatic sports, tweeted in admiration: “12-year-old sensation alert!”, celebrating her remarkable achievement on the international stage.
Finishing just behind Yu Yiting, a Paris Olympian, Yu Zidi claimed second place in the fiercely contested race. Despite her youth, she demonstrated maturity and composure beyond her years, staying focused under pressure and delivering a composed performance against much older and more experienced swimmers.
Had Yu been eligible to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, her Sunday swim would have been fast enough to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the 200m medley event—a clear sign that she is not only a national talent but one of global caliber.
Rising star from Hebei
Born in October 2011, Yu Zidi trains in Hebei, a province in northern China, and has been making waves in national swimming circles for over a year. Chinese state media have hailed her as a "new star" after she began turning heads with her times and technique in junior competitions.
In an interview earlier this year, Yu expressed gratitude for the attention she’s received and acknowledged the challenges of rising through the ranks so young. “In 2024 I participated in some competitions, achieved some results, and many swimming fans recognised me,” she told Chinese media.
She added, “After experiencing major competitions, I understood even better the importance of doing well in every training session to achieve good results and have a strong heart.”
Yu also offered a glimpse of her mental strength and resilience. “The most difficult time is probably when you are closest to your goal. You must keep going.”
Performance sparks comparisons and Olympic speculation
Swimming analysts across Asia and beyond are already comparing Yu Zidi to some of the sport’s greats, noting that her technique and pacing are remarkably advanced for her age. Some speculate that with careful nurturing and support, she could become one of the leading figures in Chinese swimming—perhaps even challenging international stars at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Her time of 2:10.63 in the 200m individual medley puts her in elite company. For context, many professional swimmers take years to reach that level of performance, and few achieve it before their late teens. That a 12-year-old has already reached this benchmark suggests she may be on a trajectory rarely seen in global swimming.
Experts also note that her performance demonstrates not just raw talent but evidence of advanced training and focus. It’s a testament to China’s growing youth development programs and the discipline required to succeed in elite sport from a young age.
Chinese swimming continues to produce prodigies
Yu Zidi’s emergence continues a long tradition of Chinese swimmers excelling at young ages. Past stars such as Ye Shiwen, who won Olympic gold in London at just 16, and Wang Shun, a current mainstay of China's national team, both gained international attention in their early teens.
But Yu’s story is especially compelling due to her age and the context in which she achieved her success—during a national qualifying meet for a world championship. It’s one thing to break records in youth events; it’s another to compete directly with Olympic-level athletes and finish second.
The Chinese Swimming Association has not yet commented on whether Yu will be fast-tracked for international competition, but observers believe it is only a matter of time before she makes her global debut.
Future challenges and high expectations
While Yu’s breakout performance is cause for celebration, experts caution that careful management is essential. Many young athletes face challenges balancing training, competition, education, and mental health. The pressure of international expectation can be immense, especially for prodigies who are still in school.
Swimming coaches and sports psychologists alike urge patience and strategic planning to ensure long-term success. “We’ve seen time and again that talent must be supported by a stable system and a supportive environment,” said one coach familiar with China's youth training systems.
Yu's coaches in Hebei have yet to make public comments, but local media reports suggest her training regimen is closely monitored, with a strong emphasis on discipline, recovery, and school-life balance.
A name to remember
As China prepares to unveil its full roster for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, all eyes will be on whether 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi makes the cut. Given her performance, few doubt that she will.
More than just a promising talent, Yu Zidi may well represent the future of Chinese swimming—a young athlete who blends technical excellence, physical endurance, and remarkable poise at an age when most are still years away from competitive maturity.
Whether or not she medals in Singapore, one thing is clear: the swimming world will be watching her every stroke.
As one commentator put it, “She’s not just a fast swimmer—she’s a glimpse into what the future of the sport might look like.”
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