by At just 12 years old, Yu Zidi in China is already one of the fastest swimmers in the world.
Her times are so fast that it is currently in competition – and impressive – at the aquatic world championships in Singapore.
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World Aquatics has a minimum age requirement of 14 for the world championships, but Yu’s times are so fast that it qualifies despite everything.
The young person, not yet a teenager, has already won almost a medal. The phenomenon finished fourth in the 200 m individual mixture on Monday, only 0.06 seconds in the rhythm of the bronze medal. The race was won by Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh.
Incredibly, this event is probably the lowest race for YU at this year championships – it will also run in the individual 400 meters, as well as the 200m butterfly.
After its performance on Monday, a medal in these two events is surely a possibility.
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The championships of the year marks the first time in her incredibly short career that Yu faced the best in the world – many of whom will have paid attention to the narcotic moments she has put in her country so far.
Yu swimming on Sunday in the semi-final of the individual 200 meter. – Manan Vatsyayana / AFP / Getty Images
During the national championships in May, the Chinese prodigy swam individual relay of the 200m in 2: 10.63. Not only did he win a silver medal for him, but it was also the fastest time ever recorded by a 12 -year -old man, a man or a woman, in this discipline
She then swam the 200m butterfly, probably her best blow, in 2: 06.83. This moment would have put its fourth at the Olympic Games from last year, but it was also the fifth fastest period in the world this year.
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During the 2024 world championships, the weather would have been enough to win a gold medal.
Although his personal records are breathtaking, it is even more impressive when you consider his age.
Yu has established rapid lightning times despite only 12 years. – Sarah Stier / Getty Images
It is an incredible increase for a girl who, according to the Associated Press (AP), only started swimming at the age of six.
“Summer was too hot and my father took me to the water park,” she told the official Xinhua news agency, according to Associated Press.
“I appreciated the freshness of the water and spent a lot of time in different small pools for children. One day, a coach approached me and asked me if I wanted to swim faster. ”
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It is true that swimmers, especially women, can compete worldwide when they are still very young. Just look at the Canadian star McIntosh as an example.
Comparisons with Summer McIntosh
During the Tokyo Games in 2021, at the age of 14, McIntosh made its Olympic debut, finishing fourth in the 200 meter freestyle.
She put gold in gold in the 200m butterfly and the 400m Medley at the world championships in 2022, as well as two gold medals at Commonwealth Games at 200m and 400m Medleys.
Now 18 years old, the Canadian is one of the largest swimmers in the world, recently publishing the second faster 200m butterfly in history.
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The American Katie Ledecky is another swimmer who started early, making her Olympic debut in London when she was only 15 years old.
Now she is the most decorated American Olympian woman of all time, with 14 medals with her name, including nine gold medals.
The two will serve as inspiration to Yu, who will seek to continue his trajectory in the coming years.
Yu (left) in training in January of this year. – Hebei Taihua Jinye Swimming Club / AP
The Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 are the obvious target. Yu will have 15 by then and would surely be among the contenders for the medal if things continue to progress as they are.
There are risks, of course, that Yu could run out while it is presented to a more difficult competition and years of training, but for the moment, the 12 -year -old girl keeps her feet on the ground.
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“As I am not competitive in Sprint events, I have to choose the individual swimming of 400 meters and the butterfly 200 meters like my favorites,” she said.
“My age is currently an advantage and I hope to grow and develop more strength in the future.”
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