12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has qualified for the world swimming championships in Singapore later this month, achieving stunning times in the 200- and 400-metre individual medleys and 200 butterfly that would have been close to Olympic medals last year. Her performance, including a world record for a 12-year-old in the 200 IM, has drawn international attention and comparisons to top swimmers like Summer McIntosh, despite concerns about burnout in young athletes.
Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi takes stunning times to the world championships - and she’s only 12
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has qualified for the world swimming championships in Singapore later this month, achieving stunning times in the 200- and 400-metre individual medleys and 200 butterfly that would have been close to Olympic medals last year. Her performance, including a world record for a 12-year-old in the 200 IM, has drawn international attention and comparisons to top swimmers like Summer McIntosh, despite concerns about burnout in young athletes.
Trending- 1 Age 6: Yu Zidi began swimming
- 2 May (2025): Chinese championships, Yu Zidi set personal bests and records
- 3 Later this month (July 2025): Yu Zidi to race at world swimming championships in Singapore
- 4 2015: Alzain Tareq swam in worlds at age 10
- 5 1992: Kyoko Iwasaki won Olympic gold at 14
- 6 2012: Katie Ledecky won first Olympic gold
- Yu Zidi will compete at world championships
- Potential for Yu Zidi to win medals
- Increased international attention on Yu Zidi
- Raises questions about young swimmers' development and potential burnout
- World Aquatics has stricter age rules now
What: 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has achieved exceptional swimming times, qualifying for the world swimming championships and setting records for her age group.
When: Later this month (July 2025) for world championships; Chinese championships in May (2025); Paris Olympics last year (2024); 2024 worlds.
Where: Singapore (world championships); China (Chinese championships, Hebei Taihua Jinye Swimming Club in Hengshui City); Paris (Olympics); Los Angeles (future Olympics).
Why: Yu Zidi's natural talent, dedication to training, and enjoyment of swimming from a young age have led to her rapid ascent in the sport.
How: By consistently clocking personal bests in 200- and 400-metre individual medleys and 200 butterfly, achieving times comparable to Olympic medalists and setting a world record for a 12-year-old.