By Kennedy Nalyanya
Get ready to hear a name that's about to make massive waves in the swimming world: Yu Zidi. At just 12 years old, this Chinese prodigy isn't just fast, she's already breaking records and is set to challenge the global elite at the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore!
Despite the World Aquatics minimum age requirement of 14, Yu Zidi's incredible times have earned her a special exemption, proving she's in a league of her own. She'll be diving into the 200m and 400m individual medleys, and the 200m butterfly, with a strong possibility of joining China's formidable relay teams.
This championship marks a pivotal moment in Yu's remarkably short career as she goes head-to-head with the sport's biggest stars. And believe us, her competitors have already taken notice of her staggering performances back home.
Just this past May, at the Chinese national championships, Yu demonstrated her undeniable talent:
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200m Individual Medley: She clocked an astonishing 2:10.63, earning her a silver medal and, more impressively, setting the fastest time ever recorded by a 12-year-old in this event, male or female!
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200m Butterfly: Arguably her strongest stroke, Yu powered through in 2:06.83. This isn't just a personal best; it's a time that would have placed her fourth in last year's Olympics and is the fifth-fastest time in the world this year! To put that into perspective, that same time would have secured her a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships!
What makes Yu's rise even more astonishing is her age and how she got started. According to the Associated Press (AP), she only began swimming when she was six years old! "The summer was too hot, and my dad took me to the water park," Yu shared with China's official Xinhua News Agency. "I enjoyed the coolness of the water and spent a lot of time in different small pools for kids. One day, a coach approached me and asked if I wanted to swim faster."
Yu Zidi's journey highlights a fascinating aspect of competitive swimming, especially for women, where athletes can reach world-class levels at incredibly young ages. Just look at Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh, another example of youthful brilliance dominating the pool.
Keep an eye on Yu Zidi in Singapore. This 12-year-old phenomenon is not just participating; she's ready to make history!
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