Falling in love again
The 20-year-old lived up to her top seed status by taking the Copper-level title after defeating second seed Hana Moataz of Egypt 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 in just 27 minutes in Devonshire.
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Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Too much too young? China's 12-year-old phenom Yu sparks wonder and concern
MELBOURNE, Aug 12 — Beating a 12-year-old rival was once child's play for an elite swimmer but it has become an unlikely badge of honour when China's Yu Zidi is in the race. Only the very best in women's swimming were able to beat Yu at the world championships where the prodigy became the youngest medallist in the global meet's 52-year history. Yet even as the swimming world marvelled at Yu's talent, her age raised questions about the ethics of someone so young competing at the highest level. In a sport where the mental and physical toll can prove overwhelming for adults, Yu's success at the world championships was viewed dimly by some child protection advocates. 'Twelve-years-old is incredibly young in swimming,' author Linda Flanagan, a vocal opponent of children competing in elite sport, told Reuters. 'A 12-year-old does not train like an 18 or 20-year-old because their bodies aren't equipped to handle the work involved. 'And also emotionally, it's not in their best interest. 'It flies in the face of what psychologists say about what's healthy for kids, which is not to put all your eggs in one basket, to spread your interests so you don't become this narrow person.' Adolescents are hardly rare in swimming, particularly in women's competition where athletes tend to reach peak performance earlier than men. Dane Inge Sorensen was 12 when she won the 200 metres breaststroke bronze at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. She remains the youngest Games medallist in individual events. Sharron Davies swam for Britain at 11 and made her Olympic debut at the 1976 Montreal Games at 13. Far from being concerned about Yu's wellbeing, Davies said the Chinese wunderkind, who won a relay bronze and came fourth in three individual events on her world championships debut, would have found it a thrill. 'It is a total misconception that that young girl would have been extremely nervous. It would have been the opposite,' Davies told Reuters in an interview. '(When) I made that Olympic Games, I was just on cloud nine. 'There was nothing for me to lose and everything to gain. And it would have been the same for her: she had nothing to lose and everything to gain.' More intense There was little sign of Yu being overawed as she recorded personal bests in the 200m and 400m individual medley (IM), and 200 butterfly. Her time of 4:33.76 in the 400 IM final would have taken the Paris Olympic bronze medal away from 23-year-old American Emma Weyant. Yu told Chinese media the Singapore meet was more intense than she had imagined but the atmosphere was great. 'This relay bronze motivates me to keep working hard,' Yu told Xinhua. 'Right after the race, I talked to my family. I want to bring back the medal.... to share the joy with them.' Yu's may be the last world swimming medal won by a 12-year-old pending a World Aquatics review. Although the global swimming body has a minimum age of 14 for Olympics and world championships, its by-laws allow younger swimmers with qualifying times to compete. Yu qualified at the national championships in May. World Aquatics Executive Director Brent Nowicki said the governing body would have to take a look at the age rule. 'I didn't think I'd have this conversation, but now I think we have to go back and say, 'Is this appropriate?'' Nowicki told reporters in Singapore. 'Do we need to do other things? Put other guard-rails up? Do we allow it under certain conditions? I don't know the answer.' An International Olympic Committee consensus statement on elite youth athletes published last year noted adolescent athletes are more susceptible to 'musculoskeletal injuries' while the intense physical and mental demands of sport can bring 'psychosocial strain' and mental health challenges. China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that Yu nearly quit swimming last year when she was 11 because she felt pressure before the national championships. 'I was just overwhelmed with emotion and didn't want to train anymore,' Yu said in comments published by the broadcaster in May. But 'patient encouragement' from her coach and family helped her persevere. The Chinese Swimming Association and China's General Administration of Sport did not respond to requests from Reuters to interview Yu or her coaches, or for comment on the national swim team's safeguarding protocols for child athletes. Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he would be cautious about selecting a 12-year-old for open competition at a major global meet—but would not rule it out. 'I would go through a process to make sure everything was in place to support that athlete and that we felt we weren't putting any expectation or pressure,' he told Reuters. 'There's a lot of hurdles before we put (athletes) in that situation.' Three years out from the Los Angeles Olympics, rivals and pundits see a big future for Yu. But predictions of super-stardom may not bear out, according to Michael Bergeron, co-author of the IOC's consensus statement on youth athletes and a sport science expert with the Women's Tennis Association. Citing IOC data, Bergeron said just over 30% of under-18 athletes who competed at Olympics returned as adults. 'Maybe she is going to be a superstar down the road but the ones that usually excel at a young age are rarely the ones to excel as an older adolescent, never mind as an adult,' he said. — Reuters
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Elvis just misses final but scores big on potential
PETALING JAYA: Diver Elvis Priestly Clement (pic) missed out on a spot in the final in the 10m platform individual in the World Championships but received a thumbs up for his commendable performance. Debutant Elvis finished 16th after scoring 399.80 points in the semi-final at OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore yesterday.
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Young Indonesian pair Jafar-Felisha capable of going the distance in Paris
PETALING JAYA: Watch out for fast-rising Indonesian mixed doubles shuttlers Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu in the World Championships. Jafar-Felisha only combined a year ago but have clicked quickly and rose to No. 1 in the mixed doubles in Indonesia. The world No. 11 duo are set to pose a threat to their rivals in their first appearance in the world meet from Aug 25-31 in Paris. Jafar-Felisha proved their capabilities by bagging the World Tour Super 300 Taiwan Open title in May. The pair also captured bronze in their debut Asian Championships in April and reached the semi-finals of the Super 1000 China Open last month. Indonesian doubles coach Rionny Mainaky has backed Jafar-Felisha to defy the odds again and reach the final in Paris. "I have seen that Jafar and Felisha are capable of handling pressure. I want them to prove themselves in the World Championships," said Rionny in an interview posted in the Indonesian National Badminton Association (PBSI) website. "They have the skills and they are ready. Now, it only depends on their commitment and fighting spirit. "They only lost matches in Super 750 and 1000 tournaments due to small mistakes. We have analysed these and they know where they went wrong now. "If they are fully focused and can stay fit, I'm confident they can reach the final in Paris. They are young and have plenty of potential," added Rionny. Tantowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir were the last Indonesians to win the mixed doubles gold in the world meet when they triumphed in the 2017 edition in Glasgow. Tantowi-Liliyana also won the title in 2013 in Guangzhou. Indonesia have struggled to hit similar heights in the mixed doubles since the legendary pair's retirement. Jafar, 22 and Felisha, who only turns 20 next month, could be the ones to finally fill the void left behind by Tantowi-Liliyana. The youngsters will be keen to prove that they can follow in their seniors' footsteps with a good showing in Paris.
