A new name is rapidly making waves in international swimming, and she’s only 13. Yu Zidi continued her remarkable rise by defeating Olympic medalist Regan Smith in the women’s 200m butterfly at the China Open in Shenzhen.
Yu clocked an impressive personal-best time of 2:05.71 to secure victory, delivering yet another standout performance against an elite field. Her swim not only underlined her growing dominance but also demonstrated that she can compete with and beat some of the world’s best at a remarkably young age.
Smith, a seasoned competitor with multiple Olympic medals, including gold, finished second despite her strong credentials. The American had previously claimed silver in this event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing behind Canada’s Summer McIntosh.
Yu’s winning time in Shenzhen would have been good enough for a podium finish at the world championships, further emphasizing the scale of her achievement. Her rapid progress has been one of the most talked-about developments in swimming over the past year.
The teenager first captured global attention at just 12 years old when she became the youngest medalist in the history of the World Swimming Championships. Since then, her trajectory has only accelerated.
The China Open, held in Shenzhen, has drawn a competitive mix of domestic and international swimmers, providing Yu with a strong platform to test herself. She is scheduled to compete in multiple events during the meet, reflecting both her versatility and endurance.
Yu is also part of a Chinese squad preparing for upcoming major competitions, including the Asian Games later this year in Japan. Her presence adds significant excitement and expectation around the team.
Her breakthrough season last year included a bronze medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the world championships in Singapore, alongside near-podium finishes in individual events. She further cemented her status as a rising star by setting an Asian record in the 200m medley at China’s National Games.
With performances like this, Yu Zidi is no longer just a prodigy, she is quickly becoming a genuine contender on the global stage.
