In a stunning display of talent at the 20th Asian Games, 13-year-old Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi captured a gold medal on September 20, 2026. At just 13 years and 339 days old, Yu made an unforgettable impact in the women’s 200-meter butterfly event, clocking an astonishing time of 2 minutes and 5.08 seconds, which established a remarkable new record for the competition.
Yu Zidi’s record-breaking performance in the 200-meter butterfly race surpassed the previous mark set by fellow Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei. Zhang’s record, established in 2022 at the Asian Games, stood at 2 minutes and 5.57 seconds. Yu’s achievement underscores her rapid ascent in the sport, demonstrating prowess far beyond her years.
Born on October 16, 2012, in Baoding City, Hebei Province, Yu Zidi is rapidly building a reputation as a world-class athlete. Even before her latest triumph, she had already made history at the age of 12. During the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Yu became the youngest medalist ever in the history of the championships, securing a bronze medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. Her talent extends further, as she also holds an Asian record in the 200-meter freestyle, where her time of 2 minutes and 7.41 seconds broke the long-standing record held by veteran swimmer Ye Shiwen since 2012.
With this string of exceptional performances, Yu Zidi is widely regarded as a future star and is expected to become a prominent figure on the world swimming stage. Her inspiring achievements are anticipated to generate significant interest and create a considerable buzz leading up to the 2028 Summer Olympics scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, USA.
As of the morning of September 21, the People’s Republic of China confidently led the provisional medal table at the Asian Games. The Chinese delegation had accumulated a total of 22 medals, comprising 13 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze. Host nation Japan followed closely, having secured a total of 21 medals, with 6 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze.
