12-Year-Old Yu Zidi Qualifies With World-Class Times For Swimming Championships

Yu Zidi, a 12-year-old Chinese swimmer, is set to compete at the world swimming championships in Singapore with times that rank among the best globally in three events: the 200- and 400-meter individual medleys and the 200 butterfly. Her performances this year are remarkable for her age, with her 2:10.63 in the 200 IM being the fastest ever recorded by a swimmer her age, and her 2:06.83 in the 200 butterfly would have placed her fourth at last year's Paris Olympics. Yu's 4:35.53 time in the 400 IM is also among the top times worldwide and would have narrowly missed an Olympic bronze medal. Experts, including Greg Meehan, the American national team director, recognize her potential and are watching closely as she continues to achieve personal bests. While she is still far behind established talents like 18-year-old Canadian Summer McIntosh, Yu's progress at such a young age signals a promising future in competitive swimming. The swimming world eagerly anticipates her development and potential to become a star in upcoming international competitions.