China's Yu Zidi has won the women's 200-metre individual medley at the 2026 Asian Games in 2:06.10, setting a new Asian record at just 13 years old.
The performance lowered the previous continental mark and placed Yu within less than half a second of the world record.
Yu Zidi's record-breaking swim
Yu's 2:06.10 performance delivered gold and underlined why she is regarded as one of the most remarkable young talents in international swimming.
The time improved the Asian record and added another major result to a rapid rise on the international stage.
How close was the world record?
Yu finished only 0.40 seconds outside the world record of 2:05.70.
That margin is striking given her age and suggests there may still be substantial development ahead as she gains experience and physical maturity.
A major moment at the Asian Games
The victory adds to China's strong swimming programme and gives the Asian Games another headline performance from one of the sport's youngest elite competitors.
It also reinforces the depth of talent emerging in women's medley events across Asia.
What comes next
Attention will now focus on how Yu develops over the next major international cycles and how coaches manage the expectations that come with exceptional early success.
For now, the Asian Games record stands as one of the clearest indicators yet of her potential.
