12-Year-Old Chinese Swimmer Sets Fastest Age-Record, Qualifies for World Championships

Yu Zidi, a 12-year-old Chinese swimmer, has been hailed as a "sensation" after clocking the fastest time ever recorded for her age in the women's 200m individual medley, finishing in 2 minutes 10.63 seconds at China's national championships. This time not only qualified her for the upcoming world championships in Singapore but would have also been sufficient to reach the semi-finals at last year's Paris Olympics. Yu, who trains in Hebei province and turns 13 in October, placed second behind Paris Olympian Yu Yiting during the competition in Shenzhen. China's swimming association plans to finalize the world championship squad after the conclusion of the national competition. Recognized as a "new star" by Chinese state media, Yu has gained national attention since last year and emphasizes the importance of consistent training and mental resilience. The global swimming community has also taken notice, with World Aquatics tweeting praise for the young athlete.