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Scottish Sun
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Swimming sensation, 12, becomes youngest athlete in history to win medal at World Aquatics Championship
RISING STAR Swimming sensation, 12, becomes youngest athlete in history to win medal at World Aquatics Championship Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD swimmer has made history by winning a bronze medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Chinese schoolgirl Yu Zidi became the youngest athlete to secure a podium place in World Aquatics. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi made history by winning a medal at the World Aquatics Championships at just 12 years old Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Yu came close to a podium finish earlier this week but narrowly missed out Credit: Getty Yu - who was born in October 2012 - will be going home with a medal after China secured bronze in the relay final on Thursday. While the pre-teen was not involved in the final, Yu qualified for a medal after swimming in the heats of the women's 4x200m freestyle relay. China finished third in the final, behind the United States and winners Australia. Yu is the youngest medallist at a major international competition since Denmark's Inge Sorensen won bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the 1936 Olympics, less than a month after her 12th birthday. Yu said: "It feels quite emotional, it's a nice feeling." But her participation at the World Championships has divided opinion. Competitors must be at least 14 years of age but Yu was permitted entry because her times met the association's 'A' standard. World Aquatics executive director Brent Nowicki admitted that he hadn't considered the possibility of a 12-year-old being able to qualify to compete. Nowicki said: "Our "A" standards are so thin, they're so tight that I don't think I actually, in my mind, thought that it was a potential that a 12-year-old earned such a time." 3 China claimed bronze behind the USA and Canada Credit: Alamy BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK However Nowicki also admitted that the organisation may need to reevaluate their policy going forward. He continued: 'She's great there's a big future there for her. "Hopefully there could be good things that could happen out of this, and it could be great. 'Next Usain Bolt' Gout Gout, 17, runs blistering sub-10sec 100m twice in same day "Obviously we have to make sure that that's what it is, right? We'll have a look and see whether we need to go steps further or whether we're comfortable with where we are." Yu's participation echoes Sharron Davies, who represented Great Britain at the 1976 Olympics at the age of 13. The schoolgirl, who turns 13 soon, came close to earning individual glory in the women's 200m butterfly final on Thursday, but narrowly missed out on a medal in fourth place. In Monday's individual medley final, Yu missed out on a medal by 0.06 seconds with another fourth-placed finish. In May, Yu set a world record for a 12-year-old in the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:10.63.
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
I'm Scotland's first astronaut – here's why celeb space trips like Katy Perry's are a good thing
His prediction comes weeks after Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight RISING STAR I'm Scotland's first astronaut – here's why celeb space trips like Katy Perry's are a good thing Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S first astronaut has insisted space trips can help save Earth. And David Mackay, 68, backed spaceports in this country to lead the way. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 He became the nation's first man to travel to space in 2019 3 It comes weeks after Blue Origin's historic all-female spaceflight Credit: The Mega Agency 3 David reckons SaxaVord's rocket hub on Unst in Shetland will soon be in demand Credit: PA He reckons more people will become inspired to tackle climate change after experiencing jaw-dropping views of the globe from orbit. His prediction comes weeks after Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight featuring pop singer Katy Perry. Campaigners insist the trips increase pollution via greenhouse gas emissions. But dad-of-two David, who piloted a Virgin Galactic trip in 2019, said: 'When it comes to celebrity space tourism, these passengers are incredibly influential. "If they come back inspired, talking about how fragile the planet is and urging people to take action, that can be a powerful force for good. 'There's no easy Plan B for Earth. We've got to look after it.' David, of Helmsdale, Sutherland, reckons SaxaVord's rocket hub on Unst in Shetland will soon be in demand. It is gearing up for lift-off in July. The US-based spaceman added: 'There's huge potential for space tourism here. "Scotland is a beautiful country. It could become a hotspot for people eager to venture into space.' Was Blue Origin mission FAKED? Conspiracy theorists reveal 'proof' We told previously how NASA's oldest serving astronaut made a detour to Scotland on return from his space mission. Don Pettit, 70, and his colleagues returned to Earth in a parachute-assisted capsule landing last month. They spent 220 days in space and orbited the Earth 3,520 times, NASA said in a statement. But Dr Pettit also made flying visit to Scotland on his way home.
