Swimming: 13-year-old Chinese schoolgirl sets Asian Games record, wins gold
At just 13 years of age, China's Yu Zidi has become the Asian Games champion. The swimmer, participating in the women's 200m butterfly final, broke the Games record, finishing in 2:05.08, more than three seconds ahead of second-placed Chang Mohan.
The teenager, who turns 14 next month, shaved nearly half a second off the previous Asian Games mark set by compatriot Zhang Yufei three years ago. Yet, for someone who had just won her first major individual title, Yu's assessment of the performance was hilarious.
"It was only so-so," she said after receiving her gold medal.
Asian Games 2026: Live Updates Yu Zidi. (Reuters Photo)
Yu's Asian Games triumph comes less than two years before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she could find herself competing on the biggest stage in swimming.
She is already knocking on the door of the sport's elite. Her 2:05.08 in the 200m butterfly leaves her less than four seconds behind Canada's Summer McIntosh's world record of 2:01.65. For a swimmer who has only just turned 13, the gap offers a glimpse of how much room there could still be for improvement.
Yu has already made history on the world stage. At the 2025 World Championships, she became the youngest medallist in swimming history after winning a bronze as part of China's relay team at the age of 12.
Her Asian Games gold, however, is different. This was her first major individual title, and she delivered it with a Games record.CHINA'S TEENAGE SWIMMING SENSATION
Yu's rise also comes at a time when Chinese swimming is strengthening its position as a major force in the pool. China won six of the seven swimming gold medals on the first night of competition at the Asian Games, with Yu providing one of the standout performances.
But the teenager is not satisfied with simply being part of that success.
"I hope I can swim even faster," Yu said. "I improved my time by 0.9 seconds here, and I believe I will perform better next time."
Her ambition is already clear. Yu said she wants to reach the Olympic podium and, eventually, stand on its top step.
"I train hard day after day. Success never arrives overnight," she said.13-year-old Yu Zidi wins 200m butterfly gold at #AichiNagoya2026 in 2:05.08 — a new meet record.She's the youngest swimming champion in #AsianGames history.On her next goal:"To step onto the highest podium of the Olympics."Aiming for #LA2028 #TeamChina pic.twitter.com/eOfjIbK3vx— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) September 21, 2026
For now, Yu is still a schoolgirl who will not turn 14 until October. But after an Asian Games gold and a new Games record, the swimming world has another reason to remember her name.- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 11:55 IST
