China's Yu, 13, wins third gold with latest Asian Games record
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
TOKYO: China's 13-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi completed a hat-trick of Asian Games golds on Wednesday (Sep 23) with a dominant victory in the 400m individual medley, two years out from the Los Angeles Olympics.
The schoolgirl powered home in an Asian Games-record 4min 28.56sec to make it a clean sweep from her three individual events in Tokyo, following victories in the 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley, also in Games-record times.
She beat the previous 400m IM Games record set by China's Ye Shiwen in 2014 by almost 4.5 seconds.
It was the fourth-fastest time in the world this year, with world record-holder Summer McIntosh owning the top three.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
Yu is shaping up to be a major medal threat at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
She has been the talk of swimming since becoming the youngest medallist in world championships history last year with bronze for China's relay team aged just 12.
She also finished just outside the medals in fourth in three world individual events.
She has embellished her growing reputation this year, notably with a victory over multiple American Olympic champion Regan Smith in March.
She has dominated this week in Tokyo and gave another glimpse of her immense talent in the 400m IM.
Yu took the lead straight from the start and set off on a procession towards the finish line.
She finished 3.95sec clear of silver medallist Ke Wenxi of China, with Japan's Mio Narita finishing third.
As well as international news headlines, her Asian Games exploits have caused a sensation back home.
Her back story, such as being spotted by chance by a swimming coach at a water park, and her struggle with interviews, have gone viral.
Asked if answering questions was the hardest part, she replied with a giggle this week: "Every time I just want to float off somewhere else."
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Newsletter
Week in Review
Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review
Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app