Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi has delivered another remarkable performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, coming within just 0.40 seconds of the women’s 200m individual medley world record at only 13 years old.
Yu powered through the 200m individual medley in 2:06.10, setting both an Asian record and a world junior record. The performance made her the second-fastest woman in history over the distance.
Her time was only 0.40 seconds slower than Canadian star Summer McIntosh’s world record of 2:05.70, set in 2025. Remarkably, Yu’s 2:06.10 was also faster than McIntosh’s 2:06.56 performance that won Olympic gold at Paris 2024.
The medley victory gave Yu her second gold medal in the opening two days of the Asian Games. She had already won the women’s 200m butterfly in 2:05.08, setting a Games record.
Yu’s rapid rise in international swimming has attracted worldwide attention. She was first noticed by a swimming coach at the age of six after visiting a water park with her father. In 2025, at only 12 years old, she became the youngest-ever World Championships medallist in swimming, earning bronze as part of China’s women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team. She also finished fourth in three individual events.
Despite her extraordinary performances, Yu continues to focus on improving her technique and believes there is still room for progress. At just 13, her performances at Aichi-Nagoya have established her as one of the most exciting young talents in international swimming.
