Yu Zidi, a 12-year-old Chinese swimmer, has claimed a bronze medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore after swimming in the preliminaries of the women's 4x200-metre freestyle relay. Although she did not compete in the final, where China finished third behind Australia and the United States, she receives a medal as a team member.
Yu has also come close to individual success, finishing fourth in both the 200-metre butterfly and the 200-metre individual medley. She still has the 400-metre individual medley to swim. Her performances have sparked debate about age limits in the sport, with World Aquatics executive director Brent Nowicki stating the governing body will review its rules. 'I didn't think I’d have this conversation, but now I think we have to go back and say is this appropriate?' he said.
Meanwhile, the women's 800-metre freestyle final is set for Saturday, featuring a highly anticipated showdown between American Katie Ledecky and Canadian Summer McIntosh. Ledecky, a four-time Olympic champion in the event, qualified fastest in 8:14.62, while McIntosh, who has already won three golds in Singapore, was third in 8:19.88. McIntosh said she felt 'really promising' after her heat, having recovered well during the meet.
Other finals on Friday include the women's 100-metre freestyle, men's 200-metre backstroke, men's 200-metre breaststroke, and men's 4x200-metre relay. Notable competitors include Evgenila Chikunova, swimming as a Neutral Athlete and holding the world record in the 200-metre breaststroke, and South African Pieter Coetze, favourite in the men's 200-metre backstroke.
