'Never seen that': Swimming world in disbelief after 12yo does the unthinkable
Swimming in her first final at a world championships, Yu finished the race in 2 minutes 09.21 seconds, missing out on bronze by just 0.06s. The 12-year-old was fastest off the blocks and in third place at one stage, but faded a little to miss a medal by the barest of margins. She produced the second-fastest final 50 - only behind gold medallist McIntosh.
Her performance on the world stage at just 12 years of age blew the swimming world away. American swimmer Alex Walsh, who took silver, said Yu was "phenomenally talented at such a young age", adding: "I think it will be interesting to see how she takes this meet and translates it into the future swims she has because she's definitely got a really bright future."
Canadian rival Mary-Sophie Harvey, who narrowly beat Yu to the bronze, predicted the Chinese swimmer will be a force to be reckoned with in three years time at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "She might have more pressure by the end of the meet because she's been swimming really well so far," said Harvey. "I used to be a junior and I used to think that it's just gaining experience for the future, and I think going into LA we're probably going to see her a lot more."
Yu will also compete in the 400m medley and 200m butterfly in Singapore, but she's already caught the attention of the swimming community. Michael Bohl, the Australian coach who works with the Chinese team, has already predicted big things.
"I've never seen a 12-year-old that could swim like this," he told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV in May. World Aquatics actually has a minimum age of 14 for swimmers to compete at the world championships, but younger athletes can gain entry if they meet the qualifying standard.
Insane!
— Fly High (@Jenniferhsu12) July 28, 2025
Respect
— Teater Impian (@ditditgli) July 28, 2025
Yu Zidi 4th at 12 years old..... 😱Congrats to our Canadians!! 🇨🇦🇨🇦
— Cecile (@__bunnyhop) July 28, 2025
Summer McIntosh makes it two gold from two races
While Yu captured the attention of the swimming world, McIntosh continued to show her star quality with her second gold of the meet. The 18-year-old Canadian romped to victory in the 400m freestyle on Sunday's opening night, and then surged to gold in the 200m medley.
"Going into the race tonight my goal was to put my head on the wall first, so to get that done is good," said the teenage phenomenon after her time of 2min 06.69sec. "I'm not super-happy with the time, but honestly, at a world championship, my goal is just to go as fast as I can."
Set to compete in the 400m medley, 200m butterfly and 800m freestyle as well, McIntosh has the chance to join Michael Phelps as the only swimmers to win five individual titles at a single world championships. "Happy with the gold and hoping to keep up my streak next time," she said.
Bronze for Australia's Alexandria Perkins
Australian swimmer Alexandria Perkins nabbed a bronze medal in the women's 100m butterfly on Monday night after the country's two gold medals on Sunday. World record holder Gretchen Walsh posted a powerful time of 54.73 that gave the 22-year-old a maiden world championship title and brought the US its first gold of the meet.Australia had upstaged the US in both the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle finals on Sunday night.
Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium (55.84) was second in the 100m fly, while Perkins came home fast to nab bronze in a time of 56.33. "I can't be happier with that," an elated Perkins told Channel 9. "It was a new experience being in this final tonight.
"I missed out last year at the Olympics, so I'm just really proud of myself for handling my nerves against someone like Gretchen. She's just incredible. She did a phenomenal job."
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