Teenager Yu Zidi narrowly misses podium again

China's 12-year-old Yu Zidi finished fourth in the women's 200-meter butterfly final at the World Aquatics Championships on Thursday, narrowly missing the podium for a second time this week.

Yu Zidi of China is seen after the women's 200m butterfly final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, July 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

The primary school student, competing in her first international meet, clocked two minutes 6.43 seconds - just 0.31 seconds behind bronze medalist Elizabeth Dekkers of Australia.

Earlier in the week, Yu also placed fourth in the 200-meter individual medley final on Monday.

Canada's Summer McIntosh won the race in 2:01.99, setting a new world championships record. Regan Smith of the United States took silver in 2:04.99.