World Aquatics Championships: Yu Zidi, 12-Year-Old Chinese Prodigy, Dazzles In Singapore

The globe got its first look on Sunday (July 27, 2025) at 12-year-old Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi, making her debut at the swimming world championships. She did not disappoint on the opening day of the eight-day competition in the pool in Singapore. Yu, who has been swimming astounding times in China, clocked 2 minutes, 11.90 seconds in the 200-meter individual medley to advance to the semi-finals. Her time was the 15th fastest of the 16 qualifiers, though a bit off her season-best time of 2:10.63.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 29 July 2025 12:12 pm

Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi at Singapore Swimming Worlds 2025 photo 1

Singapore Swimming Worlds: Women's 200-meter medley semifinal - Yu Zidi | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

Yu Zidi of China prepares to compete in the women's 200-meter medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

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Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi at Singapore Swimming Worlds 2025 photo 2

Singapore Swimming Worlds: Women's 200-meter medley semifinal - Yu Zidi | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

Yu Zidi of China prepares to compete in the women's 200-meter individual medley heat at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

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Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi at Singapore Swimming Worlds 2025 photo 3

Singapore Swimming Worlds: Women's 200-meter medley semifinal - Yu Zidi | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

Yu Zidi of China prepares to compete in the women's 200-meter individual medley heat at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

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Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi at Singapore Swimming Worlds 2025 photo 5

Singapore Swimming Worlds: Women's 200-meter medley semifinal - Yu Zidi | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

Yu Zidi of China warms up to compete in the women's 200-meter individual medley heat at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

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Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi at Singapore Swimming Worlds 2025 photo 4

Singapore Swimming Worlds: Women's 200-meter medley semifinal - Yu Zidi | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

Yu Zidi of China competes in the women's 200-meter individual medley heat at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

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Chinese prodigy swimmer Yu Zidi at Singapore Swimming Worlds 2025 photo Mio Narita

Singapore Swimming Worlds: Women's 200-meter medley semifinal - Yu Zidi | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

Mio Narita of Japan, left, and Yu Zidi of China, center, compete in the women's 200-meter individual medley heat at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

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