China’s Yu Zidi is only 12 years old, but she is already one of the fastest swimmers on Earth.
She is now set to race at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, and her times are so good that many believe she could win medals — even against adults.
Too Young? Not for Yu Zidi
World Aquatics usually requires swimmers to be at least 14 years old, but Yu is allowed to race because her times are world-class.
She will compete in:
- 200m Individual Medley
- 400m Individual Medley
- 200m Butterfly
She maybe picked up for China’s relay team.
Record-Breaking Times
Yu Zidi made history at China’s National Championships in May:
- 200m Medley – 2:10.63
➤ Fastest time ever by a 12-year-old
➤ Won a silver medal
- 200m Butterfly – 2:06.83
➤ Would have finished 4th at the Tokyo Olympics.
➤ Was the 5th-fastest time in the world this year
➤ Fast-enough to win the gold at the 2024 World Championships
A Young Star with a Cool Start
Yu began swimming at age 6.
She said in an interview:
“It was hot in summer. My dad take me to the water-park. I loved the water. One day, a coach asked if I wanted to swim faster.”
Since then, she has been training hard and rising fast.
Following in Famous Footsteps
Yu Zidi is not the first young swimmer to shine:
🌟 Summer McIntosh (Canada)
- Olympic debut at 14
- Won gold in 200m Butterfly and 400m Medley at age 15
- Now 18 years old, she ranks among the world’s fastest swimmers.
🌟 Katie Ledecky (USA)
- Olympic debut at 15
- Has 14 Olympic medals, including 9 gold
- Most decorated female swimmer in U.S. history
Looking Ahead: LA Olympics 2028
Yu will be 15 years old at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Many experts think she could win Olympic medals if she keeps improving.
Staying Focused and Strong
Yu says she prefers longer races over fast sprints.
She told reporters:
“My age is an advantage. I want to grow stronger in the future.”
She knows she must train hard and avoid burnout, but for now, she is calm, confident, and full of talent.
Source: cnn.com
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