Who is Yu Zidi? Meet China’s swimming sensation, 12

Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 12, is competing in the Singaporean World Aquatics Championships in 2025.

In her first competition, Yu reached the 200-meter individual medley final, which was second to her younger brother in championship history.

Yu, who met a coach at the age of six while taking a family vacation to a water park, jumped into the water park to finish fourth, only 0.06 seconds clear of the medals.

Although all competitors at the World Aquatics Championships must be at least 14 years old, Yu was allowed to enter because her times fell under the “A” standard.

Yu attempted to join China’s 400-meter individual medley team at the Olympics before the 2024 Olympics, but Yu came in just under two and a half seconds short of the qualifying time.

Yu’s 400-meter individual medley time of 4:35.53 would have placed her fourth at the Paris Games, having earlier this year won the Chinese swimming competition.

Li Bingjie, her idol, and teammate and Olympic medalist Li Bingjie have trained Yu. Yu’s “older sister” also refers to Li.

Yu competes in the 200-meter individual medley at the Singapore Sports Hub as well as the 200-meter butterfly race.

Yu broke the record for a 12-year-old in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2: 10.63 on social media in May, earning her the nickname “sensation.”

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