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13-year-old Yu Zidi sets Asian swimming record at 2026 Asian Games
Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 13, won her second gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games on September 21, claiming the women's 200-meter individual medley with an Asian record time of 2:06.10. The achievement followed her Games record victory in the 200-meter butterfly on September 20, marking a dominant debut at the Asian Games.
Quick Facts
- Yu Zidi won women's 200m individual medley with Asian record
- Yu Zidi won women's 200m butterfly with Games record
- Yu Zidi defeated American Regan Smith in 200m butterfly earlier in 2026
- Yu Zidi became youngest swimming world championships medalist at age 12
- Yu Zidi nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards
Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 13, claimed her second gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning the women's 200-meter individual medley with an Asian record time of 2 minutes, 6.10 seconds on Monday, September 21. Her performance came one day after she won gold in the 200-meter butterfly with a Games record of 2:05.08 on September 20, marking a striking debut at the Asian Games.
Yu's time in the individual medley fell 0.40 seconds short of the world record of 2:05.70 held by Canada's Summer McIntosh. Yu's 200-meter individual medley victory produced the first Asian swimming record of the 2026 Games. In the same event, China's Yu Yiting, the defending champion, took silver in 2:07.99, while Japan's Narita Mio secured bronze in 2:10.40. Yu described the record as "an unexpected surprise" and credited technical guidance from her coach.
Yu is a rising figure in international swimming. At age 12, she became the youngest swimming world championships medalist in history when she helped China win bronze in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay at last year's championships in Singapore. She has also been nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards. The teenager is scheduled to compete in the 400-meter individual medley at the ongoing Games. According to sources, she previously defeated American swimmer Regan Smith in the 200 butterfly earlier this year.
Yu's performances contributed to China's strong showing in swimming at the Games. On the opening day of competition (September 20), China claimed six gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. On day two (September 21), China won five swimming golds and set a second Asian record in the men's 4x200 freestyle relay (7:00.17). Other notable Chinese swimmers competing include Pan Zhanle, the Olympic 100-meter freestyle champion, and Xu Jiayu, who successfully defended his backstroke titles.
The 2026 Asian Games, officially opened on Saturday in Aichi-Nagoya with Tokyo serving as the venue for aquatic events, run through October 4. Yu's performances have drawn praise from fellow competitors, including Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey, who remarked on Yu's exceptional speed at such a young age.
Why This Matters
Yu Zidi's two gold medals and Asian record at the 2026 Asian Games (held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, through October 4) represent a measurable advancement in competitive swimming performance by a 13-year-old athlete. Her 200m individual medley time of 2:06.10 ranks her among elite international swimmers; the previous Asian record was reset, and her 200m butterfly Games record (2:05.08) demonstrates consistent excellence across multiple events. This performance affects international competitive rankings, provides data on youth athlete development in elite swimming, and influences medal counts and sponsorship/awards visibility for her federation. China's swimming team gained additional gold medals on both competition days, contributing to overall Games performance metrics.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2025
WireYu Zidi, age 12, wins bronze in 4x200m freestyle relay at Singapore World Championships, becoming youngest world championships medalist in history
Sep 20, 2026
WireYu Zidi wins women's 200m butterfly with Games record time of 2:05.08; China claims six golds, one silver, two bronze on opening swimming day
Oct 4, 2026
Wire2026 Asian Games conclude
Jan 1, 2028
WireLos Angeles Olympics (projected competition)
Related Signals
Sources
- Yu Zidi Pan Zhanle Asian Games 8d27ef60837ec7b0cb05bbaa234afff1apWireSep 20, 2026
- Urgent: China's Yu takes 1st swimming gold of Aichi-Nagoya Asian GamesxinhuaMediaSep 20, 2026
- China's prodigy Yu clinches first major title from Asian GamesxinhuaMediaSep 20, 2026
- 【競泳】中国驚異の１３歳アジア新記録Ｖ 世界記録にあと０・４０秒 ２つめの金メダル獲得…アジア大会２００メートル個人メドレーYahoo!ニュースMediaSep 21, 2026
- China's Yu Zidi sets Asian record to claim second gold at Asian GamesxinhuaMediaSep 21, 2026
- Urgent: Yu Zidi claims second gold at Aichi-Nagoya Asian GamesxinhuaMediaSep 21, 2026
- Asian Games | Swimming roundup: China takes five golds, sets two Asian recordsxinhuaMediaSep 21, 2026
- Asian Games | Day 2: Yu, 13, sets swimming Asian record, Thai shuttler suspended for dopingxinhuaMediaSep 21, 2026
- Asian Games | Day 2: Yu, 13, sets swimming Asian record, Thai shuttler suspended for dopingxinhuaMediaSep 21, 2026