2026 CHINESE NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Tuesday, June 16 – Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Hangzhou, China
- LCM (50 meters)
- Live Results
- Day 1 Recap
The 2nd day of action in Hangzhou was highlighted by a few major performances, perhaps none more impactful than one of China’s young talents in Yu Yiting in the 200 IM, blasting a new Asian Record in the event in 2:06.82, a time that leapfrogs her into the top spot on the world rankings this season, and slots her well inside the top ten performers ever in the event’s history.
Yiting was dominant in the 200 IM final, which closed out the 2nd day of individual competition. She finished more than two and a half seconds ahead of former Asian record holder Yu Zidi in 2:09.33. That swim also puts Yiting ahead of Zidi as the world’s top performer in the event this season, besting the 13-year-old phenom’s 2:07.41 from the Chinese National Games in November, which also stood as the then-Asian record.
2025-2026 LCM Women 200 IM
Yiting
2:06.82
| 2 | Yu Zidi | CHN | 2:07.41 | 11/11 |
| 3 | Kate Douglass | USA | 2:07.85 | 12/04 |
| 4 | Abbie Wood | GBR | 2:08.17 | 04/18 |
| 5 | Summer McIntosh | CAN | 2:08.21 | 03/07 |
Prior to this meet, Yiting’s best time of 2:07.75 ranked her as the 11th-fastest performer ever in the event. This new time moved her up in the all-time rankings to 6th.
Top Women’s 200 IM Performers
- Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 2:05.70
- Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2:06.12
- Ariana Kukors (USA) – 2:06.15
- Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 2:06.63
- Kate Douglass (USA) – 2:06.79
- Yu Yiting (CHN) – 2:06.82
- Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (GBR) – 2:06.88
- Stephanie Rice (AUS) – 2:07.03
- Alex Walsh (USA) – 2:07.13
- Yu Zidi (CHN) – 2:07.41
Yiting opened up in 27.25 on the fly leg, a half second quicker than Zidi’s former Asian Record opening split of 27.78 from November. Yiting actually outsplit Zidi on all but one stroke in this race. The only advantage that Zidi had in the end was a freestyle split that was four-tenths better than that of Yiting.
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Yiting’s New Asian Record
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Zidi’s Old Asian Record
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| Fly | 27.25 | 27.78 |
| Back | 32.12 | 32.23 |
| Breast | 36.98 | 37.33 |
| Free | 30.47 | 30.07 |
| 2:06.82 | 2:07.41 |
race videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O5iZ0E_aus
Yu Yiting switched to Bohl’s group this year, and it works. China has always lagged behind the US and Australia in physical training and injury management. Since Bohl started coaching in China, his high-intensitpy training plan actually injured a few swimmers. However Yu Yiting’s fitness and conditioning were already elite, she was able to handle the workload and stay healthy. Her progress had plateaued before because her breaststroke wasn’t improving under her old coach, if you look up her WA profile, you’ll see her breaststroke PB hasn’t budged since she was 13
“Former Asian record holder, 13-year old Yu Zidi” is a wild concept.
Alex Walsh suddenly have two new strong competitors even if Kaylee and Kate choose not to swim 200IM.
Xu Jiayu also broke the Asian record in the 50 back. And Qin got beaten in the 100 breast.
It’s also interesting that Zidi’s improvement seems to slow down already.
This is not Asian Games.
Wait till Asian Games.
Every year I’m told to wait until Chinese Games, Asian Games or whatever meet Chinese swimmers are targeting but I seldom saw different results. She’s only 13. You don’t expect a 13 year old to be a lot slower than her best time at a trials level meet.
I’m not saying she won’t improve further more. I’m just bring up an observation and what I thought at the first moment of seeing the times.
Keep in mind she went 2:05 in the 200 fly back in March