Who is Yu Zidi, the Chinese 12-year-old making waves at World Aquatics Championships?
Advertisement
While Canadian world record holder Summer McIntosh, herself only 18 and an Olympic champion in the event, is the overwhelming favourite in the 200m individual medley final, Yu could become the youngest person to win a medal at an international event in 89 years.
That accolade belongs to Denmark's Inge Sorensen, who won bronze less than a month after turning 12 at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the women's 200m breaststroke.
Even if Yu misses the podium on Monday, she still has the 200m butterfly and the 400m medley – her best event – to fall back on. The youngster could also be selected for the relays.
Yu began to make waves in China in 2024, and within a year, she was among the fastest in the world in her three events.
Yu Zidi prepares to compete in the 200m individual medley heats in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: AP
From hitting international headlines to qualifying for the world championships and being tutored by an Olympic champion, here is everything you need to know about the swimming sensation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's fencing world champion Ryan Choi arrives home ‘with grateful heart'
Hong Kong's newly crowned world fencing champion Ryan Choi Chun-yin returned to the city on Monday and expressed his gratitude after his triumph in Georgia last week. Speaking on his arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, 27-year-old Choi described his relief and joy after reaching the pinnacle of his sport. Having so often been overshadowed by Cheung Ka-long, Hong Kong's two-time Olympic champion, Choi not only won a world men's foil title before Cheung but also dethroned his teammate to become the world No 1. 'I am grateful now, having always missed out by a little in my career,' Choi said. 'So many times, I felt it was going to be my day, but it was never me. Ryan Choi (right) celebrates his victory over Kirill Borodachev in Tbilisi. Photo: AFP 'I have never felt so fulfilled. This is the first time I feel that God is really good to me. I really have nothing to complain about. I will now continue my career with a grateful heart.' The first Hongkonger even to reach a world final, Choi last Wednesday beat Kirill Borodachev of Russia 15-9 in Tbilisi to become his city's first world champion.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Why is Chinese football developing so slowly? AC Milan academy coach gives 1 reason
China's failure to impose itself on the football stage is an issue that continues to baffle many in the game. Advertisement Despite its vast size and population, it has failed to qualify for a men's World Cup since 2002 and will once again miss out on the 2026 edition after finishing behind Indonesia in qualifying. Andrea Galbiati is a coach at AC Milan's academy in Hong Kong, having recently been transferred from his post in Beijing – and he highlighted some of the issues he felt have been holding the country's youth development back. 'When you're dealing with young children, the relationship with the parents is vital,' Galbiati told the Post. 'You need to earn their just; they need to see that their child is happy. 'So not being able to communicate with parents in Beijing because of the language barrier, it made things much more difficult. Andrea Galbiati (right) with Alexandre Pato at AC Milan's academy in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout 'Those 45 or older: let's say 95 per cent don't speak English, which was an issue. It's the same where I'm from in Italy.
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Influencers, rappers, YouTubers and fans: AC Milan and Liverpool's modern media
The days of football clubs travelling abroad accompanied only by a familiar press pack have been consigned to history. Advertisement And it is not just the extra TV cameras, pundits, worldwide media and club legends – a term liberally applied in some cases – that jump on the travelling bandwagon. No, space these days is found for YouTubers, fan channels, bloggers and, in the case of AC Milan, a Chinese rapper. Simba Siiviba, who boasts almost 800,000 followers on mainland social media platform Weibo, routinely incorporates AC Milan into his lyrics. One of his songs, El Capitano, was written in tribute to ex-Milan skipper Massimo Ambrosini. 'I put so many AC Milan posts on Weibo and TikTok,' Simba told the Post. Simba Siiviba (right) with former AC Milan player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Photo: Weibo 'We want to grow bigger and connect more with AC Milan … and publish more and more stuff. It's my goal to have AC Milan as a big part of my identity, and my performances.'
