‘Emotional' Yu becomes youngest swimmer to claim world medal
SINGAPORE : China's Yu Zidi said she felt 'quite emotional' after the 12-year-old became the youngest swimmer in history to win a world championships medal.
Yu swam in the heats of the women's 4x200m freestyle relay but missed Thursday's final as China claimed bronze behind Australia and the US in Singapore.
Yu, who was competing in the women's 200m butterfly final on Thursday – finishing fourth – received a medal as a member of the Chinese relay team.
'It feels quite emotional, it's a nice feeling,' she said.
Yu has turned heads with her performances in Singapore.
She qualified for Monday's 200m individual medley final and finished fourth, missing out on a medal by just 0.06sec in what is not considered her strongest event.
She followed that up with another fourth in the 200m butterfly final and will also compete in the 400m individual medley.
Yu, who turns 13 in October, discovered swimming at age six as a way to cool off during China's roasting summers.
She has drawn historical comparisons to Denmark's Inge Sorensen, who at 12 was the youngest-ever winner of an Olympic swimming medal with bronze at the Berlin Games of 1936.
But not everyone thinks Yu should be competing in Singapore.
Some in the sport have raised questions about the mental and physical impacts of high-level training and competing at an age when she is still developing as a person.
Under current World Aquatics rules, the minimum age is 14 but younger swimmers can compete at the championships if – like Yu – they are fast enough.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Heung Min makes instant impact in LAFC debut
CHICAGO: South Korea star Son Heung Min made his Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Saturday, providing a burst of energy as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Fire in Chicago. Heung Min was brought down for a penalty in the 77th minute that Denis Bouanga converted to clinch a draw in the 81st minute – VAR confirming the spot-kick after the referee had allowed play to continue. "It was a great pass. Obviously it was definitely contact and it was definitely a penalty, I have no doubt about it," said Heung Min, who was sent sprawling by Carlos Teran after racing on to a through ball with the goal in his sights. "A bit disappointed not getting three points, but I think everybody put in a lot of effort. (I'm) happy I made my debut and I hope the goals come soon." The former Tottenham captain also had a string of shots on goal, including one blocked in second-half injury time. Heung Min signed with LAFC on Wednesday for a reported MLS record US$26 million after a decade with Premier League club Spurs, where he became a household name. The South Korea captain had announced the previous Saturday in his homeland that he would be leaving the north London club and departed as Tottenham's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time with 173 goals in 454 appearances. Heung Min will not get a chance to play in front of home fans in Los Angeles until Aug 31, when Western Conference leaders San Diego will be the visitors. But around the Fire's SeatGeek Stadium there were a lot of fans wearing his jerseys, waving South Korean flags and holding up signs welcoming Son to MLS. Cheers greeted his entry in place of David Martinez in the 61st minute with the teams level at 1-1. Jonathan Bamba put Chicago 2-1 ahead in the 70th minute and were pressing again when Brian Gutierrez's shot bounced off the post and LAFC seized the rebound. Nathan Ordaz played the ball forward for Heung Min to race away. He had a first MLS goal in his sights when he was brought down. The penalty allowed LAFC to level for a second time. Carlos Teran had opened the scoring for the Fire in the 11th minute with a header from a corner. Eight minutes later Ryan Hollingshead nodded in to make it 1-1. Heung Min had said at his introductory press conference – attended by luminaries including Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass – that he felt fighting fit and wanted to get on the pitch "as soon as possible." He will have his next chance when LAFC, who moved up a spot to fifth in the Western Conference, visit the New England Revolution next Saturday. "It was a decent 30 minutes in my legs, so, yeah, getting ready for next week," Heung Min said.
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Salah criticises UEFA farewell for 'Palestinian Pele' not mentioning his death at hands of Israeli soldiers
ISTANBUL — Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah on Saturday protested UEFA's silence on how a former Palestinian player was killed by an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Suleiman al-Obaid was killed on Wednesday amid the second year of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Marking his passing, UEFA wrote, 'Farewell to Suleiman al-Obaid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times' – but said nothing about how he died. Salah pointedly criticised UEFA's farewell to Al-Obaid, saying: 'Can you tell us how, where and why he died?' More than 800 athletes have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israel's offensive on Oct 7, 2023, as the sports community continues to suffer under bombardment, famine, and the collapse of infrastructure, according to Palestinian officials. One of the latest victims was al-Obaid, who was killed while waiting for humanitarian aid – a common occurrence under a controversial Israeli- and US-backed aid scheme that critics have called a 'death trap.' According to the UN, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since May 27 while seeking food under the scheme, while Israel blocks other aid groups from entering Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association said in a statement: 'Former national team player Suleiman al-Obaid was martyred during an attack by occupation forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.' Al-Obaid, 41, born in Gaza and a father of five, is seen as one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football history. He played 24 official matches for the national team and scored two goals. — BERNAMA-ANADOLU
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Mohamed Salah slams UEFA for ignoring Palestinian footballer's death in Gaza
EGYPTIAN football icon Mohamed Salah has condemned UEFA for failing to acknowledge how Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obaid was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. Al-Obaid, nicknamed the 'Palestinian Pele,' died on Wednesday while waiting for humanitarian aid amid Israel's ongoing military offensive. UEFA's tribute post stated, 'Farewell to Suleiman al-Obaid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times,' but omitted details of his death. Salah responded sharply, asking, 'Can you tell us how, where and why he died?' Palestinian officials report over 800 athletes have been killed in Gaza since Israel's offensive began on 7 October 2023. Al-Obaid, 41, was among the latest victims, dying while queuing for aid under a heavily criticised Israeli and US-backed distribution system. The UN states at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since 27 May while seeking food, as Israel restricts other aid groups from entering Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association confirmed al-Obaid's death, calling him a 'martyr' killed by occupation forces. A father of five, al-Obaid played 24 matches for Palestine's national team, scoring twice, and was regarded as one of its greatest players. – Bernama-Anadolu
