13-Year-Old Yu Zidi Breaks Asian Games Record With Stunning Swim

At just 13 years old, China’s Yu Zidi has already made a major mark on the international swimming stage. The teenager made her Asian Games debut in spectacular fashion, winning gold in the women’s 200m butterfly while setting a new Games record.

Yu dominated the race from the beginning and finished in 2:05.08. Her time broke the previous Asian Games record of 2:05.57, set by fellow Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Yu therefore improved the previous mark by almost half a second, producing one of the standout performances of the competition.

Comfortable Victory Over Fellow Chinese Swimmer

Yu was in control throughout the final and eventually finished 3.36 seconds ahead of compatriot Chang Mohan.

Chang claimed the silver medal, while Japan’s Misa Okuzono took bronze.

The scale of Yu’s victory, combined with her age, immediately made her one of the biggest talking points of the Asian Games swimming competition.

A Record-Breaking Teenager Already

Although this is Yu’s first major individual title, her international reputation was established before the Asian Games.

In 2025, when she was only 12, Yu won a bronze medal in a relay event at the World Aquatics Championships. The achievement made her the youngest medalist in the history of the competition.

She has also continued to impress this year. In March, Yu defeated American Olympic medalist Regan Smith, further highlighting her rapidly developing ability at the highest level.

Age Brings Extra Attention

Yu’s age has naturally become an important part of the discussion surrounding her career.

Under World Aquatics regulations, the usual minimum age for competing at international championships is 14, although exceptional young swimmers can be granted special opportunities under certain circumstances.

Yu will turn 14 next month. Before reaching that milestone, she has already won an Asian Games gold medal and broken a Games record.

She is also expected to compete in two more individual events at the current Asian Games, giving her further opportunities to test herself on the international stage.

At the same time, the demands of elite training and high-level competition at such a young age have sparked discussion within the swimming community. How Yu manages the physical and competitive demands of international swimming as her career develops will be closely watched.