It’s not every day you see a swimmer so young making waves on the global stage. But Yu Zidi, a Chinese phenom, is doing just that at the World Championships in Singapore. At only 12 years old, she’s already writing her name into the history books.
This past Thursday, Yu Zidi added another incredible chapter to her story. She swam in the preliminary heats of the 4×200 meter freestyle relay. Her efforts helped her team qualify for the final race. Later that afternoon, her teammates powered through to secure a bronze medal. Yu Zidi got to celebrate the medal right alongside them. She earned it by playing a crucial part in getting them there.
This kind of achievement by someone so young is truly rare. Looking back through international swimming records, only one other swimmer comes close. That would be Inge Sorensen from Denmark. She was also 12 years old when she won a bronze medal. Sorensen earned her bronze in the 200 meter breaststroke at the 1936 Olympic Games. It shows just how special Yu Zidi’s performance is.
Yu Zidi also swam in an individual event that day, the 200 meter butterfly. She put up a fierce fight in the pool. She just barely missed out on a podium spot. Yu Zidi finished in fourth place. She was only three-tenths of a second shy of winning another medal. Even without a medal, her competitive spirit shone brightly. This young swimmer is certainly one to watch for the future.