2025 World Championships
- July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
- Singapore, Singapore
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Day one of the 2025 World Championships saw two Asian swimmers step on the Singapore podium.
First, Olympic medalist Kim Woomin of South Korea earned bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle, posting a near-lifetime best of 3:42.60.
Reigning world record holder Lukas Märtens of Germany reaped gold in 3:42.35, just .02 ahead of Australia’s Sam Short who settled for silver in 3:42.37 in the tight battle.
Then, 23-year-old Li Bingjie of China raced her way to silver in the women’s edition of the 400m free.
The multi-Olympian stopped the clock at 3:58.21 to establish a new Asian Record en route to touching behind winner Summer McIntosh of Canada’s effort of 3:56.26. American Katie Ledecky rounded out the podium in 3:58.49.
Several Asian swimmers made their way into tomorrow night’s finals, including Qin Haiyang (CHN) in the men’s 100m breast, along with Zhang Yufei (CHN)/Mizuki Hirai (JPN)/Yu Yiting (CHN) in the women’s 100m fly.
Also making her presence known was Yu Zidi of China, the 12-year-old phenom who put up a time of 2:10.22 to earn the 7th seed for the women’s 200m IM final.
The effort represented a new lifetime best for the youngster, overtaking the 2:10.63 notched at this year’s Chinese National Championships in May. Yu easily cleared the World Aquatics ‘A’ standard of 2:12.83 with that swim, qualifying her for these World Championships, regardless of her age.
World Aquatics typically requires swimmers to be at least 14 years of age to race at World Championships; however, as Yu hit the ‘A’ cuts outright, she booked her ticket to Singapore.
According to Tom Decent of The Sydney Morning Herald, the only younger swimmer to compete at a World Championships was Bahrain’s Alzain Tareq, who raced at age 10 in 2015 under looser qualifying standards. Since then, the global governing body has required swimmers to hit a qualifying standard to compete if they’re under 14, versus going as a Universality selection.
Additionally, from SMH, ‘not since the 1936 Berlin Olympics has a swimmer won an international medal at a younger age. That honour belongs to Denmark’s Inge Sorensen, who picked up a bronze medal less than a month after turning 12.’
Yu is also set to compete in the 200m fly and 400m IM, the former of which she currently ranks 7th in the world on the season (2:06.83). She has a bona fide chance for at least capturing a minor medal should she meet or exceed the types of performances and continue her head-turning trajectory.
Speaking to World Aquatics on making the 200m IM final, Yu said, “I’m in? Oh. I’m happy about that, and I will continue to work harder. I hope to find a breakthrough at these world championships and show my potential.”
Asian National/Continental Records
- Li Bingjie, Women’s 400m freestyle (3:58.21) – Chinese & Asian Records
Asian Medal Table Through Day One of 2025 World Championships
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | China | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | South Korea | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Overall Medal Table Through Day One of 2025 World Championships
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 |
Australia
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Canada | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Germany | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | U.S. | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | China | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Italy | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | South Korea | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
I believe that Yidi only needed the B cut to participate, I read through the rulebook yesterday, can anyone verify that?
That’s correct.
It’s awesome that’s she’s good at the exact same events as Summer. Should see some interesting battles in the future, or with the way she’s progressing in a few days in the 200 fly
Yes, indeed, but it goes beyond that, I think. If the very young girl’s progress continues, this has a chance to be one of the very best long-term head-to-head rivalries we’ve ever witnessed in the sport. Something to mark tomorrow; put it in the book of ‘firsts’ for later reference: Their first sharing of a competitive race pool. The first of how many? Depends whether Summer goes on to ’32 Brisbane, which I can’t see not happening, or even past it. Several dozen instances? A spectator’s possible fanciful future… Admittedly, Yu has quite a way to go though.
Way beyond merely interesting to see Yu literally up against it at the final turn — turning in 8th — and needing an impossible finish to make the final… coming home, WHAT!!?, in 30.0! Tremors from a temblor. Freaking amazing.
Out of curiosity, if a 12 year old from the United States were to make the world championships, would they be allowed to wear a tech suit? I’m pretty sure the US is the only country who has the rule of having to be 13 to wear a tech suit but would said swimmer be exempt from that rule?
The rule doesn’t apply at Jr Nats and above (and certainly not at WA events which are not run under USAS rules).
Well Yu Zidi turns 13 this year, so maybe in the exact circumstances they just pretend
Zidi will perform 400 better than 200. Let’s see.
I predict a medal in the 400 IM
400 IM and 200 butterfly.