Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 12, lives up to billing on debut, Summer McIntosh wins first gold
Yu qualifies for 200m individual medley final on first day in Singapore as compatriot Li Bingjie pips Katie Ledecky for 400m freestyle silver
The globe had its first look at Chinese prodigy Yu Zidi on Sunday, when the 12-year-old made her debut at the World Aquatics Championships, qualifying for the final of the 200 metres individual medley.
Yu finished seventh overall in the semi-finals, shaving almost half a second off her personal best to come home in two minutes and 10.22 seconds.
Speaking after the race, Yu said she did not realise she had qualified for the final.
“I’m in?” she said. “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.
“It feels really good [to be at the world championships]. It’s much more than I expected. You can feel it’s quite intense. I try not to think so much, and just give it my all.”
Yu now has a chance to make history and become the youngest person in 89 years to win a medal at an international event. To do so, she will have to finish at least third in Monday’s 8.19pm race, which features world record holder and Olympic champion Summer McIntosh, who is bidding for five individual crowns.