Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Thirteen-Year-Old Yu Zidi Sets Records at Asian Games
Yu Zidi is a 13-year-old swimmer from China.
At the 2026 Asian Games, she won gold in the 200m butterfly and set a new Games record.
Her winning time was 2:05.08, faster than the previous record set by Zhang Yufei.
She then won another gold in the 200m individual medley.
Her time of 2:06.10 also set an Asian record.
Yu was only 0.40 seconds slower than the reported world record in that event.
She started swimming when she was six after a coach noticed her at a water park.
Some experts are excited about her future, while others are concerned about the pressures facing such a young athlete.
Yu is expected to be watched closely before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
China’s 13-year-old Yu Zidi won the women’s 200m butterfly in 2:05.08, setting an Asian Games record.
Yu later won the 200m individual medley in 2:06.10, breaking the Asian record and earning her second gold.
Her medley time was 0.40 seconds behind Summer McIntosh’s reported world record of 2:05.70.
Yu became the youngest swimming World Championships medallist after winning relay bronze at age 12.
Her rapid rise has generated excitement and child-protection concerns ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi won two gold medals; other notable swimmers included Summer McIntosh, Siobhan Haughey and Pan Zhanle.
- What
- Yu won the women’s 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley, setting Asian Games and Asian records respectively.
- When
- The 200m butterfly final took place Sunday, September 20, 2026; Yu won the 200m individual medley on Monday, September 21.
- Where
- The events were held at the Olympic pool or Tokyo Aquatic Centre in Japan during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
- Why
- Yu’s performances delivered major victories for China, established new records and increased attention on her prospects at future international competitions.
Child-Protection Concerns
Confidence in Yu’s Readiness
Competing at a young age
Child-Protection Concerns
Child-protection experts have raised concerns about the pressures and demands placed on Yu because of her rapid international success at 13.
Confidence in Yu’s Readiness
Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey said Yu appears capable of handling pressure at major meets and should be able to pursue the Olympics if she wants to.
Long-term development
Child-Protection Concerns
The attention surrounding Yu’s records and comparisons with leading adult swimmers raises questions about how sustained competition could affect her development.
Confidence in Yu’s Readiness
Supporters point to Yu’s results, continued improvement and hard work, while Haughey said success at a young age can potentially translate into strength as swimmers grow older.
- Age
- 13; Yu was born October 16, 2012, and turns 14 in October 2026.
- 200m butterfly
- Gold in 2:05.08, an Asian Games record.
- 200m individual medley
- Gold in 2:06.10, an Asian record and Yu’s second Games gold.
- Previous butterfly record
- Zhang Yufei’s 2:05.57, set at the Hangzhou Games.
- World Championships milestone
- Yu won relay bronze at age 12, becoming the youngest swimming World Championships medallist according to the reports.
- Early career
- She began swimming at six after reportedly being noticed by a coach at a water park.
- Other Chinese swimming gold
- Pan Zhanle won the men’s 100m freestyle in 47.61 seconds.
- Future events
- Yu is scheduled to compete in the 200m and 400m individual medleys in Japan and is being watched ahead of the 2027 World Championships and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources
Who is Yu Zidi? Meet China’s 13-year-old swimming prodigy who won gold at Asian Games 2026
Asian Games 2026: Meet Yu Zidi - China's 13-year-old gold medallist swimmer
Who Is Yu Zidi? 13-Year-Old Creates Asian Games History With Swimming Gold
History At 13! Yu Zidi Smashes Asian Games Record To Claim Gold
