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Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Times
Chinese prodigy, 12, fractions of a second off medal at World Championships
The 12-year-old Yu Zidi produced one of the most remarkable swimming performances in history by finishing just 0.06sec from a medal at the World Championships. In a sport famed for legends who emerge in their teens, Yu is especially young but the Chinese announced her arrival as a prodigious talent by coming fourth in the 200m individual medley final in Singapore on Monday. Yu is the first pre-teen to race at the World Championships and the youngest of 55 women who have swum inside 2min 10sec for the 200m medley. The average age for members of that club is 21. A 12-year-old has not competed at the highest level for almost 100 years — Denmark's Inge Sorensen won bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the Berlin Games of 1936. Sorensen remains the youngest-ever Olympic medal winner. Undeterred by the narrow miss, Yu, who shaved more than a second off her personal best to finish in 2:9.21, was already thinking about her other events this week, the 200m butterfly on Wednesday and the 400m medley on Sunday. 'I will try to get on the podium. But I feel like that's probably impossible. Still, I want to give it a shot. I was one step short today, so I will keep working hard,' Yu said. Yu certainly made an impression on her fellow competitors. 'She's obviously phenomenally talented at such a young age, and it'll be interesting to see how she takes this meet and translates it into the future swims,' said Alex Walsh, 23, the silver-medal winner from the United States. There have been many outstanding teenage swimmers but generally they do not make their mark before the age of 15. Shane Gould in 1972 and Katie Ledecky and Ruta Meilutyte in 2012 were all Olympic champions at 15, while Michael Phelps was 15 when he first raced at the Olympics. Gold in Yu's race went to Summer McIntosh, the Canadian 18-year-old superstar, who was a triple Olympic champion at 17. In the modern era Yu's versatility and speed are unprecedented for a 12-year-old and she is officially too young to hold a world junior record, which she could claim only after turning 14. Born in Baoding, Hebei Province, Yu started training at six. 'After four years of systematic training, she reached the level of a national first-category athlete and was accepted into the Taihua Jinye Swimming Club training centre in Hengshui, where the Hebei Province second team trains,' Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, reported. Yu was soon placed in practice lanes next to the likes of Olympic and world relay champion Li Bingjie and two other national team members. 'She is an Olympic champion, I swim in lane zero, she in lane one — that makes me nervous,' Yu said. By 11, she had clocked times that would have won her several British junior titles in age groups three and even six years older (butterfly) than her. In some events, she would be challenging for places at the Games in Britain's Olympic trials. Yu's precocious talent earned her the nickname 'Xiaohaijie' — 'the little big girl'. 'I found it quite strange at first, but I really like the nickname,' Yu said. 'At the same time, it also puts pressure on me. I'm afraid of doing poorly and disappointing people.' Her regime already includes high-altitude training in Yunnan and she covers 10km in the pool every day for at least six days of the week. Her routine and workload have raised eyebrows in many leading nations but Yu has credited her school for striking the right balance. 'Because everything is available here — training, meals, accommodation, lessons — I can fully concentrate on training during the day and go to school in the evening without distractions,' she said. Yu has conceded that the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming but said that it was her 'duty' to find a way through. As trials for the World Championships loomed large in April, she recalled how daunting the goal of winning a medal at the Chinese Championships felt. 'I almost wanted to give up,' Yu said. 'I was full of emotions and no longer wanted to train. Coaches, team doctor, parents, my first coach — everyone talked to me. I thought back to my beginnings and realised how important swimming is to me. I can't give up.' Still there are concerns about the pressures put on a 12-year-old. One leadership figure who has worked closely with champions, world-class sports scientists, physiologists and psychologists, said: 'When you have a talented young athlete who stands out at the age of 12, it's about ensuring you do the right thing for the long term, not the long-term development in the sport. 'That means taking things at a sensible pace, introducing the right type of training, the right type of competition at the right moment for them. 'There are plenty of athletes around the world who were identified at 12 years old, who could have been better at 13, 14, 15 and then taken through on a steady pace so that they're in the best physical shape between 20 to 26 years old. They're still in love with the sport, healthy and being able to do what they want and need to do at the right time of their life.'
Japan Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
I'm no genius, says 12-year-old Yu after just missing podium at worlds
Chinese 12-year-old Yu Zidi has become a sensation at the World Aquatics Championships after missing the podium by only 0.06 seconds in the women's 200-meter individual medley in Singapore on Monday, but she is keen not to get caught up in the hype. Yu, who shaved over a second off her personal best to finish in two minutes, 9.21 seconds, received high praise from fellow competitors but said she was focusing only on her training. "I will try to get on the podium. But I feel like that's probably impossible. Still, I want to give it a shot. I was one step short today, so I will keep working hard," Yu told CCTV. American silver medalist Alex Walsh said Yu has a bright future. "She's obviously phenomenally talented at such a young age, and I think it'll be interesting to see how she takes this meet and translates it into the future swims," Walsh said. With the media comparing her to prodigies like Canada's Summer McIntosh, who claimed gold in the race, Yu shook her head when asked if she was a genius. "Not really. It's all thanks to hard training," she said. Yu is set to compete in the 200m butterfly on Wednesday, with the 400m medley to follow on Sunday.
Canada News.Net
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
(SP)SINGAPORE-WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS-SWIMMING-WOMEN'S 200M MEDLEY-FINAL
(250729) -- SINGAPORE, July 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Summer McIntosh (2nd L) of Canada and Alex Walsh (1st L) of the United States compete during the women's 200m individual medley final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Never seen that': Swimming world in disbelief after 12yo does the unthinkable
Yu Zidi is the talk of the swimming world after the 12-year-old narrowly missed out on a medal at the world championships in Singapore on Monday night. The Chinese swimmer finished fourth in the women's 200m medley final, with Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh taking the gold. 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 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." with agencies
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
World Aquatics Day 2: Summer McIntosh And Gretchen Walsh Win Big; Qin Haiyang Takes The 100 Breaststroke Gold
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JULY 27: Summer McIntosh of Team Canada reacts after winning gold in the ... More Women's 400m Freestyle Final on day 17 of the Singapore 2025 World Aquatics Championships at World Aquatics Championships Arena on July 27, 2025 in Singapore. (Photo by) On the second day of the World Aquatics championships, Summer McIntosh continued her winning streak. After an impressive semi-final yesterday, the Canadian swimmer won the 200 IM in 2:06.69. McIntosh took a comfortable lead from the start and touched the wall two seconds ahead. The 18-year-old is now the first swimmer to break the 2:06 barrier at the meet. She was followed by Alex Walsh in 2:08.58, while Canada's Mary-Sophie Harvey picked up the bronze in 2:09.15 On Monday, McIntosh had to balance a demanding schedule, which included two events: the 400 free final and the 200 IM semi-finals. Today, she was provided a better opportunity to claim her second world title in Singapore. McIntosh's performance was almost only a second off her world record of 2:05.70 set at the trials in June. However, the swimmer was expecting more from the race.'Going in tonight, my goal was to get my hand on the wall first, so to get that done is good. I'm not super happy with my time.' McIntosh said.'My goal is just to go as fast as I can against my competitors.'' Now she aims to 'keep up the streak' and win five individual medals in Singapore. After achieving '40% of her goals,' she will be competing in the 400 IM, 800 free and 200 fly this week. Gretchen Walsh Wins 100 Free On Monday, Gretchen Walsh secured the first gold medal for Team U.S. Walsh, who was heavily favored to win the 100 fly, secured the podium finish in 54.73. The 22-year-old claimed her first-ever individual gold at the 2025 Worlds, while registering the second-fastest performance in history. Taking down Sarah Sjöström's championship record from 2017, the Nashville-based swimmer was seconds behind her world record time set in May. In a post-race interview, she opened up about her experience winning the race despite battling 'acute gastroenteritis,' which the team picked up at the training camp. 'It was not easy, and I'm just really proud of myself.'' Gretchen Walsh is one of the most consistent swimmers produced by Team U.S. She has consistently excelled in yard and short-course pools, with multiple records and titles to her name. However, since last year, Walsh has established herself as more than just a 'bathtub swimmer.' Qualifying for her debut Olympics by breaking the 2016 world record in the 100 fly and claiming two gold medals in Paris, she has showcased great performances in long-course pools. With Olympian Sarah Sjöström skipping the season, she will now look forward to winning the other three events she qualified for as well: 50 fly, 50 free and 100 free. In the 100 breaststroke, China's Qin Haiyang successfully claimed back his world title. Surpassing Paris Olympic champion Nicolo Martinenghi, Haiyang won the event in 58.23. Martinenghi, who faded in the second half of the race, managed to touch the wall in 58.58 and was followed by Denis Petrashov of Kyrgyzstan, who took bronze in 58.88. After facing disappointment at the Paris Olympics, Haiyang has made an impressive comeback this season. The 200 backstroke world-record holder, who claimed the first gold for China, is now more confident heading into the upcoming events. 'I'm competing in three events, and they're all tough ones. Even if I didn't win the gold today, I've done better than yesterday, and that's enough for me.' Haiyang stated.
