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Only 12 years old, Yu Zidi made waves in the swimming world when he almost won a medal at the 2025 World Swimming Championship. |
The world of sports is not short of prodigies. But when a 12-year-old like Yu Zidi not only participates, but competes and almost wins a medal at the 2025 World Swimming Championships in Singapore, the old question resounds with new weight: Is early talent always a good thing? And how old is too young to shoulder the pressure of the top?
Yu Zidi didn't come to Singapore to learn - she came to compete. Missing the bronze medal in the 200m medley by just 0.06 seconds, Yu asserted that she was not a one-time phenomenon. She went on to qualify for the 200m butterfly, facing off against experienced "seniors" like Summer McIntosh - who competed at the Tokyo Olympics when she was just 14. And she also competed in the 400m medley - the forte of many world champions.
To many, Yu is a sporting miracle - a symbol of perseverance, hard work and natural talent. She modestly denies being a "genius", stressing that everything comes from practice. But while the public admires her, experts are starting to worry.
Christian Hansmann, the German swimming sports director, did not hesitate to call Yu’s presence at the tournament “worrying”. He spoke not only as a professional, but also as a father with a child of the same age. “The pressure from the crowd, the media, the coaching – it’s too much for a 12-year-old,” he shared.
Several other athletes also admitted their confusion. Lilou Ressencourt (France), 22, did not hesitate to say that being defeated by Yu made her “uncomfortable” – not because of jealousy, but because she was worried about the girl. “I am an adult and I am struggling with the national championships, let alone the world championships. Yu is only 12 years old – the burden is too much,” she admitted.
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Yu Zidi didn't come to Singapore to learn - he came to compete. |
Meanwhile, the International Swimming Federation is facing a paradox of its own making. Although the competition age limit is 14, younger athletes can still compete if they meet performance standards. And Yu has surpassed that standard.
“We were surprised, but also confident in our current athlete protection system,” said Executive Director Brent Nowicki. However, he acknowledged that Yu’s case would force them to “review” the regulations.
Because the history of sports has witnessed too many tragedies from stars who rose to fame too early. From Inge Sorensen - who won an Olympic medal at the age of 12 in 1936, to Alzain Tareq - a Bahraini girl who competed at the world championships at the age of 10 but soon fell into oblivion. And most recently, Kamila Valieva - a 15-year-old Russian figure skater, caught up in a doping scandal at the 2022 Olympics, forcing the International Skating Union to raise the minimum age to 17 to protect young athletes.
The issue here is not just age, but how professional sports define “maturity.” Talent is undeniable. But what happens to that talent when it comes at the expense of childhood, psychology, and even the long-term future?
Yu Zidi could become a world champion, even a legend. But he could also – if not properly protected – be another name on the list of stars who have faded from the spotlight too soon.
The world of sport needs prodigies. But what it needs more is the awareness to not turn a child into a tool for achievement. For Yu, the real finish line is not in the pool, but in the ability to overcome expectations that are not appropriate for his age.
Source: https://znews.vn/than-dong-boi-loi-12-tuoi-gay-tranh-cai-post1573131.html
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