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Tom Bell

Harvey Kong

Mike Chan

Yu Zidi is only just into her teens, but the young swimming sensation is already a National Games champion – emphatically so, after smashing an Asian record set before she was born to win the women’s 200 metres individual medley on Tuesday.
She gave notice of her promise at the summer’s world championships in Singapore, collecting a relay medal and threatening the podium in her individual events.
And Tuesday’s medley final in Shenzhen saw her storm to gold for Hebei in two minutes and 7.41 seconds, slicing 0.16 seconds off the continental and Chinese bests of Ye Shiwen, set 13 years ago.
Yu turned 13 only 26 days earlier. Ye’s old mark of 2:07.57, an Olympic record and good enough for gold at the London 2012 Games, preceded her birth by 2½ months.
A mere 0.06 seconds had separated Yu from a medal in this event in Singapore, but she had a 0.89 buffer for gold here, ahead of Zhejiang’s Yu Yiting.

Earlier, Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei maintained their status among China’s best. The men’s 100 metres breaststroke was dominated by Qin as he finished first for Shanghai in 58.98 seconds, ahead of teammate Zheng Yinghao in 59.47 and Hubei’s Yan Zibei in 59.49.
Hong Kong’s Adam Mak Sai-ting, who had broken the city record when placing sixth in his semi-final in one minute and 0.44 seconds, was seventh in the final, clocking 1:00.53.
Qin’s verdict on his race was “passable”. “Injuries and technical issues have been bothering me lately,” he said.
First for Jiangsu in the women’s 100m butterfly final was Zhang, whose 56.88 seconds was too good for Wang Yichun of Shandong and Liaoning’s Wang Jingzhuo.
“If things don’t go well, I can’t help but wonder if I’m too old to stay in the pool, or if, as some netizens say, I should step down,” Zhang, 27, said. “But today’s results show that I won’t step down yet.”
There was a surprise on the final day of diving events, with Guangdong winning gold and bronze in the women’s 3 metre springboard but their 2024 Olympic champion Chen Yiwen finishing third rather than first, behind teammate Lin Shan.
Lin edged Sichuan’s Chen Jia with her final dive to earn her third gold of the Games, following success in the team and synchronised events – both alongside Chen Yiwen.
“I haven’t rested for a moment since preparing in July,” Lin said. “I’m very pleased that I performed at my training level today.”
In rowing, Hong Kong’s Wong Sheung-yee and Jenny Leung King-wan finished last in the women’s coxless pairs final at Guangdong International Rowing Centre, more than 21 seconds behind the winners, Liaoning’s Lu Xinyang and Cui Xiaotong.
Hong Kong’s men’s youth tennis team were left with bronze as they lost to Jiangsu in their semi-final in Zhuhai. Jack Cheng was beaten 6-1, 6-0 by Xu Kuangqing, then Nicholas Cheng Siu-chi went down 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to Hu Jia.
With no bronze play-off, they were guaranteed a medal and will receive HK$300,000 (US$38,600) from the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.
Also on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed State Councillor Shen Yiqin and her delegation to Hong Kong to inspect the city’s competition facilities and report on the enhancement of sports cooperation in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Gao Zhidan, director of the General Administration of Sport of China, also attended.
Lee said Hong Kong’s co-hosting duties reflected the country’s trust in the city and support for the collaborative development of the GBA. He added that Hong Kong would spare no effort in seizing the opportunities and potential of the Games.


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2025 National Games

National Games: swimmer Yu Zidi, 13, breaks record set before she was born to win gold

Yu Zidi is all smiles after her record-breaking swim in Shenzhen. Photo: Xinhua

Qin Haiyang on his way to victory in the men’s 100m breaststroke final. Photo: Xinhua

National Games: Zhang, 18, upstages Pan Zhanle, Sun Yang – but Pan wins relay gold

Zhang Zhanshuo of Shandong celebrates winning the men’s 400m freestyle final in Shenzhen. Photo: Xinhua

Pan Zhanle starts the final leg of the 4x100m freestyle relay. Photo: Xinhua

Zhao Jinlan lifts in the clean and jerk during the weightlifting 45kg final in Dongguan. Photo: Xinhua

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Jiangsu teammates Wu Jiaxin (right) and Zhou Chaowei celebrate a point during their men’s final against Li Zhuoxin and Xue Tao of Liaoning. Photo: Xinhua

Gold medalists Wu Jiaxin (left) and Zhou Chaowei celebrate winning gold with their coach. Photo: Xinhua

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Yu Zidi will swim in the 200m individual medley on Tuesday. Photo: Weibo/@孟巍威猛

Chen Meng, pictured winning gold at the 2024 Olympics, returns to action on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chen Yiwen (left, winning at the Olympics with Chang Yani) dives for glory on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Sport

China

Yu becomes Asia’s fastest ever in 200m individual medley, while Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei also swim to gold in Shenzhen


Yu becomes Asia’s fastest ever in 200m individual medley, while Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei also swim to gold in Shenzhen.


Chen Yiwen

Zhang Yufei

Yu Zidi

Qin Haiyang

National Games: swimmer Yu Zidi, 13, breaks record set before she was born to win gold

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Yu becomes Asia’s fastest ever in 200m individual medley, while Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei also swim to gold in Shenzhen

Yu becomes Asia’s fastest ever in 200m individual medley, while Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei also swim to gold in Shenzhen