One of the many highlights from Singapore this summer was China’s Yu Zidi, who, at just 12 years of age, became the youngest swimmer ever to make a final and win a medal at a World Championships.
In addition to placing 4th across the 200m fly, 200m IM and 400m IM events, Yu grabbed bronze as a result of swimming in the prelims of the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay with the final squad ultimately placing 3rd.
One of Yu’s primary rivals in her key events is 19-year-old phenom Summer McIntosh, Canada’s megastar who wrangled up a remarkable five medals from Singapore, including four individual golds.
Yu recently spoke to The South China Morning Post about her experience, commenting that she ‘learned so much’ through her elite international debut.
“For example, I want to study Summer McIntosh’s turns – I really admire her technique. I see her as a role model and hope I can become as good as she is someday.”
As a nation, China placed 6th in the overall swimming medal table, amassing 2 golds, 6 silvers and 6 bronze medals.
“This is the first international competition of the new Olympic cycle,” Cui Dengrong, China’s head coach, said. “Our focus is on developing young athletes and coaches while assessing our standing on the world stage.”
Although we’re awaiting entry lists and specific information, Yu is expected to race at the quadrennial National Games of the People’s Republic of China set for November.
Read more about Yu’s incredible World Championships achievements.
It’s very clear that Summer McIntosh is a phenomenal influence on the next generation of swimming hopefuls around the world. Summer is really, really good for the sport of swimming, she’s the only reason why I’ve got back into watching it.
Obviously Summer is the best female swimmer right now, and watching her as a role model (in the pool) is a good idea. But it’s kind of funny that she specifically mentions Summer’s turns, which is pretty much the only thing that people criticize Summer for. Walls are basically her only “weakness” compared to competitors.
Maybe her turns don’t look so bad when swimming in the next lane beside her.
Amazing! Her abilities are mind blowing 🤯
This will be a great story to watch. Pretty sure we will see Yu start to close the gap leading up to 28.
Is there any information available on Yu’s training?
Well yeah a 12 year old has much more room for improvement than a grown woman does. As long as she doesn’t burnout she will be ready for LA28.
19 is a grown woman now
Do you genuinely believe Summer is going to continue growing. Of course, she is going to continue to get stronger but that is something she can control, for the growth that she cannot control I do not think she is going to grow any. This is how it is for every woman, by the time they are just 15 years old, they are pretty much fully grown.
how is getting stronger not a form of growth? no shes not gonna grow more in height most likely but thats not the only thing that counts as growth