China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu eyes Asian Games gold hattrick

TOKYO: 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi is inching closer to a record-breaking haul of Asian Games gold medals, with her team-mates predicting her success is no longer surprising. Yu already holds two golds from the Tokyo Games, having swum the fastest qualifying times in the women's 400m individual medley (4min 39.43sec). She is set to chase a third gold in the same event.

Born and raised in China, Yu has been a sensation since becoming the youngest medalist at the world championships last year, winning bronze for China's relay team at just 12 years old. Team-mate Zhang Yufei, a multiple Olympic gold medallist and world champion, expressed that Yu's accomplishments no longer spark shock or surprise.

Zhang hopes Yu can handle the increasing pressure and maintain her impressive momentum. Yu dominated her 400m IM heat, finishing 0.36 seconds ahead of Japan's Mio Narita. Yu has also won the 200m butterfly and 200m IM events so far, showcasing her prowess in multiple strokes. Her success at the Asian Games has caused a stir in China, with her story of being discovered at a water park and her interview struggles going viral.

Zhang believes Yu has the potential to become the face of Chinese swimming, expressing her hope that Yu continues her momentum and inspires Chinese swimming in the future.