China’s Young Star Yu Zide Sets New Asian Swimming Record

13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zide made headlines at the National Games in Shenzhen by breaking the Asian record in the 200-meter individual medley. Her stunning performance earned her the gold medal and marked the first Asian record of her young career. Yu clocked an impressive 2 minutes 07.41 seconds, surpassing the previous record held by fellow Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen, who had set a time of 2:07.57 minutes at the London 2012 Olympics when she was 16.

Yu’s victory was even more remarkable as she finished nearly one second ahead of her closest rival, Yu Yiting, the 2022 Asian Games champion. Despite being only 13 years old, Yu displayed the confidence and technique of a much older and more experienced swimmer. Her consistent pacing and powerful finishing stroke helped her secure a dominant win in front of a packed crowd in Shenzhen.

The record Yu broke had stood for over a decade and was one of the most respected benchmarks in Asian swimming. Ye Shiwen, who became an Olympic champion at 16, had inspired a generation of Chinese swimmers. Now, Yu Zide seems ready to carry that legacy forward, proving that China’s young athletes continue to shine in global sports.

Yu Zide has been known in swimming circles since she nearly qualified for the Paris Olympics last year, when she was just 11 years old. Her outstanding performance during the Chinese Olympic qualifiers caught the attention of both national and international observers. Although she narrowly missed out on an Olympic spot, her potential was clear. Coaches and fans have since followed her rapid progress.

In May 2025, Yu showed her versatility by winning two gold medals in the 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly at national events. She also secured second place in the 200m individual medley, which qualified her for the World Championships in Singapore. There, she became the youngest medalist by helping the Chinese 4x200m freestyle relay team win the bronze medal.

At the same World Championships, Yu finished fourth in all her individual races — the 200m and 400m individual medley and the 200m butterfly. These results placed her among the best young swimmers in the world and confirmed that she could compete at an international level despite her age.

Yu Zide represents Hebei Province, her hometown region known for producing strong athletes in various sports. Her achievements have brought pride to her province and inspired many young swimmers to follow in her footsteps. Hebei officials praised her discipline, noting her maturity in handling pressure during high-level competitions.

After her record-breaking win in the 200m individual medley, Yu is now setting her sights on the 200m butterfly heats, scheduled for Thursday. She is determined to capture another gold medal at the National Games, which take place every four years and are considered one of China’s most important sporting events.

Yu’s coach described her as a “once-in-a-generation talent” and praised her for her commitment to training. “She trains with focus and energy every day,” the coach said. “Even at her young age, she understands race strategy and keeps improving her technique. Her success today shows her hard work.”

Sports analysts believe that Yu Zide’s new record could mark the beginning of a long and successful career. With her combination of speed, stamina, and calm under pressure, many expect her to become one of China’s leading swimmers in the coming years. If she continues at this pace, Yu could be a strong contender at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where she will still be only 16 years old — the same age as Ye Shiwen when she won gold in 2012.

Yu Zide’s record-breaking swim at the National Games in Shenzhen has made her one of the youngest Asian record holders in history. Her achievement shows the strength of China’s youth sports programs and highlights the bright future of Asian swimming. With her focus now on the 200m butterfly event, fans across China are eager to see if the 13-year-old prodigy can add another gold to her growing list of achievements.