13-year-old Yu Zidi sets Asian record in women's 200m individual medley at China's 15th National Games

Yu Zidi, a freshly-minted 13-year-old swimmer, emerged victorious in the women's 200m individual medley in Shenzhen on Tuesday, setting a new Asian record at China's 15th National Games.

The Hebei native had already turned heads several months before her October birthday, locking up a place at the World Championships by finishing second at May's National Championships. She then improved her personal best to 2 minutes, 9.21 seconds in the world final in Singapore in July.

She faced stiff competition at the National Games from returning gold medalist Yu Yiting, who led by one second after the first 50 meters. The young talent from Hebei caught up during the breaststroke leg and maintained her pace over the final 50 meters, touching the wall first in a new Asian record of 2 minutes, 7.41 seconds.

Chinese compatriot Ye Shiwen had set the previous standard at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

Shanghai's Qin Haiyang claimed the gold medal in the men's 100m breaststroke. The two-time world champion and current national and Asian record holder led from the start, finishing in 58.98 seconds to win his first title at this year's National Games. His teammate, defending champion Yan Zibei, finished just 0.02 seconds later to take silver.

The women's 100m butterfly final saw Jiangsu's Zhang Yufei successfully defend her title. The national and Asian record holder completed the race in 56.88 seconds.