Thirteen-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has made a strong impression at the 2026 Asian Games in Tokyo, setting records and attracting significant media attention. Zidi broke the Games record in the women’s 200m butterfly on Sunday and followed with another record-setting performance in the 200m individual medley on Monday. Her winning time of 2:06.10 in the medley was not only a Games record but also the fastest time recorded worldwide this year, coming just 0.40 seconds short of the world record held by Canada’s Summer McIntosh.
Yu’s rapid rise in the swimming world began last year when she became the youngest medalist at the World Championships by winning bronze as part of China’s relay team at just 12 years old. Her early success has positioned her as a potential top contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Despite her achievements in the pool, Yu has expressed challenges with the media spotlight. She has admitted finding interviews more difficult than competing, often struggling to articulate her thoughts in front of crowds of Chinese and international journalists. When asked to share her feelings about racing, Yu responded hesitantly, saying she primarily focuses on technical instructions from her coach during competitions. “In the last 50 meters, you can’t save energy, you have to give it everything, not think about anything, close your eyes and hang on,” she explained.
Yu’s situation touches on wider discussions within the swimming community about the pressures faced by very young athletes competing at high levels. World Aquatics regulations generally set 14 as the minimum age for major championships but allow exceptions for exceptionally fast swimmers like Yu. Some experts have raised concerns regarding the physical and mental toll that elite training and competition can impose on children of her age.
Balancing her education with her swimming career has also been a challenge for Yu, who is still attending school while navigating her growing fame. Stories of her discovery—reportedly identified by a coach at a water park—and her struggles with interviews have garnered widespread attention both in China and internationally.
When asked if interviews were the hardest part of her experience, Yu responded with a laugh, saying she often wishes she could “float off somewhere else.” Her candidness has added a relatable dimension to her story as she continues to break records and cultivate a promising swimming career.