sevendayweekender – Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has become the youngest athlete in history to win a medal at the World Aquatics Championships. The 12-year-old schoolgirl achieved the milestone after competing in the heats of the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay in Singapore. Although she did not swim in the final, her participation in the heats secured her a bronze medal alongside her teammates.
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China finished third in the final race, with the United States taking silver and Australia winning gold. Despite not appearing in the medal round, Yu’s contribution in the earlier stage was critical to the team’s qualification. Her medal-winning performance places her among an elite group of young athletes who have made their mark in major international competitions.
Yu’s achievement makes her the youngest medallist at a World Aquatics Championships and the youngest to reach the podium in any major global swimming event since 1936. That year, Danish swimmer Inge Sorensen claimed bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the Berlin Olympics, just shy of her 12th birthday.
Speaking after the medal confirmation, Yu expressed how meaningful the moment was for her. “It feels quite emotional, it’s a nice feeling,” she said. Her poised response reflects the composure and maturity she has shown throughout the competition.
Near Misses in Individual Events Show Yu’s Rising Talent
In addition to her relay success. Yu Zidi came close to claiming individual medals in two other events during the championships. In Thursday’s women’s 200m butterfly final, she delivered a strong performance but narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place.
Earlier in the week, she competed in the individual medley final. Where she again placed fourth—just 0.06 seconds behind the bronze medallist. These close finishes underscore Yu’s potential and competitiveness at the highest level, even against older and more experienced swimmers.
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Born in October, Yu is still months away from turning 13. Her ability to compete and excel on the world stage at such a young age has drawn admiration from both teammates and international observers. Her performance not only highlights China’s ongoing success in developing swimming talent but also signals the emergence of a new star in the sport.
Looking ahead, Yu’s near-podium finishes suggest that further success may not be far away. With continued training and international exposure. She could become a consistent force in global swimming competitions in the years to come. Her record-setting medal and standout swims in Singapore mark the beginning of what could be a remarkable career. As the swimming world takes notice, Yu Zidi has already proven that age is no barrier to excellence.
