Yu Zidi Breaks Asian Games Record in 200m Individual Medley
At just 13 years old, Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has made headlines by breaking her second Asian Games record in as many days, setting a new Asian record of 2:06.10 in the women's 200m individual medley. Her remarkable achievements at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games highlight her status as a rising star in competitive swimming.
China’s 13-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi has made waves at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, smashing her second Asian Games record in as many days. With a stunning time of 2:06.10 in the women’s 200m individual medley, Zidi not only claimed gold but also set a new Asian record, further solidifying her reputation as one of the sport’s most promising young athletes.
Zidi first captured attention last year when she became the youngest-ever medallist at the World Swimming Championships at the age of 12. Her recent victory at the Asian Games adds to her growing list of accolades, establishing her as a dominant force in the swimming world. Born on October 16, 2012, in Baoding, China, Zidi was discovered by a swimming coach at the age of six while enjoying a day at a water park with her father.
In her latest performance, Zidi reclaimed the Asian record in the 200m individual medley from her compatriot Yu Yiting, who had previously set a time of 2:06.82 in June. Yiting finished second in this event with a time of 2:07.99, while Japan’s Narita Mio took third place, clocking in at 2:10.40. Zidi’s achievement not only reflects her talent but also places her among the fastest swimmers in history, being just 0.40 seconds off the world record of 2:05.70 held by Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, whom Zidi admires.
Zidi’s gold medal in the 200m individual medley follows her victory in the 200m butterfly just a day earlier, where she set a new Games record of 2:05.08, surpassing the previous mark of 2:05.57 set by Yufei Zhang. Zhang, a multi-time Olympic and World champion, was named Most Valuable Player at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games after winning six gold medals, including her first at Aichi-Nagoya in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.
Reflecting on her achievements, Zidi expressed her excitement, stating, "I’m happier with the second gold medal than the first." She acknowledged the competitive spirit of her teammate Yiting, saying, "She’s a strong opponent who motivates me to improve and work harder."
Zidi's Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Despite her impressive performances, Zidi remains humble about her skills, noting that her 200m freestyle swim was "only so-so." She aims to improve her technique, particularly in lowering her head earlier, reaching further forward, and enhancing her leg movements. Looking ahead, Zidi is poised to compete for a third individual gold in the 400m individual medley.
Interestingly, Zidi is not listed for the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay scheduled for Thursday. Her rise to prominence began when she won bronze as part of China’s 4x200m freestyle relay team at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore in August 2025. World Aquatics typically requires swimmers to be at least 14 years old, but Zidi was allowed to compete after meeting the association’s “A” standard times at the Chinese National Swimming Championships.
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Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong’s first Olympic medallist in swimming, commented on Zidi’s potential, noting a trend of young swimmers excelling in the sport. Haughey remarked, "I think the general consensus is we have more and more great young swimmers swimming well. Hopefully, swimming well at a young age can translate to success as they get older."
As Zidi continues to impress on the international stage, the swimming community is eager to see how her career unfolds, especially with the potential for her to compete at the LA Olympics. Haughey believes Zidi is capable of handling the pressure of major competitions, stating, "If she wants to do it, she definitely can."
