Yu Zidi could make history on Monday, when the 12-year-old sensation races for her first medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
While Canadian world record holder Summer McIntosh, herself only 18 and an Olympic champion in the event, is the overwhelming favourite in the 200m individual medley final, Yu could become the youngest person to win a medal at an international event in 89 years.
That accolade belongs to Denmark’s Inge Sorensen, who won bronze less than a month after turning 12 at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the women’s 200m breaststroke.
Even if Yu misses the podium on Monday, she still has the 200m butterfly and the 400m medley – her best event – to fall back on. The youngster could also be selected for the relays.
Yu began to make waves in China in 2024, and within a year, she was among the fastest in the world in her three events.
From hitting international headlines to qualifying for the world championships and being tutored by an Olympic champion, here is everything you need to know about the swimming sensation.
