Record-breaking performance
Yu Zidi, 13, captured the opening-day gold in the women's 200-metre butterfly at the Asian Games in Tokyo, clocking 2:05.08. The time eclipsed the previous Games record of 2:05.58 set by compatriot Zhang Yufei in 2023.
She finished more than three seconds ahead of teammate Chang Mohan, who took silver. After the race, Yu smiled and said, "It was only so-so," adding that her butterfly technique "is still slightly lacking."
The 13-year-old added that she improved her time by 0.9 seconds in the event and hopes to swim even faster in future competitions. "I improved my time by 0.9 seconds here, and I believe I will perform better next time," she said.
Yu is slated to compete in two additional individual events at the Games. She previously made history as the youngest swimmer to medal at the World Championships, earning bronze in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay at age 12.
The result positions her as a strong contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.