# China’s 13-Year-Old Swimmer Shines at Asian Games

> China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi leads Asian Games with Japan claiming opening gold.
- Title: China’s 13-Year-Old Swimmer Shines at Asian Games · Malay Mail
- Summary: China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi leads Asian Games with Japan claiming opening gold. China’s 13-year-old Yu Zidi dominated women’s 200m butterfly heats…
- Keywords: yu zidi, takumi hojo, 20th asian games, nagoya, japan, china, triathlon, 200m butterfly, asian games 2026, 2028 olympics, news, world
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/20/chinas-13-year-old-swimmer-yu-zidi-dazzles-at-asian-games-japan-claims-opening-gold/235836
- Published: 2026-09-20T11:27:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: yu zidi, takumi hojo, 20th asian games, nagoya, japan, china, triathlon, 200m butterfly, asian games 2026, 2028 olympics, news, world
## Opening Gold Medal
Japan’s Takumi Hojo won the men’s individual triathlon in Gamagori city near Nagoya with China’s Zhang Xirui second and Kazakhstan’s Arlan Zhanabay taking bronze.
## Yu Zidi’s 200m Butterfly Heat
13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi was fastest in the women’s 200m butterfly heats, nearly 2.70 seconds quicker than compatriot Chang Mohan.
## First Gold Medalist
Takumi Hojo, 30, secured Japan’s first gold medal at the 20th Asian Games, qualifying him for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
## Event Challenges
The 20th Asian Games faced logistical issues including no athletes’ village, temporary accommodations, and typhoon threats.
## 2028 Olympics Qualification
The Games offer 2028 Olympics qualification opportunities despite organizational hurdles like transportation failures and substandard housing.
## Event Timeline
The 20th Asian Games run from September 20 to October 4, 2026, featuring over 11,000 athletes in 40 sports.
## Key takeaway

China’s 13-year-old Yu Zidi dominated women’s 200m butterfly heats, while Japan’s Takumi Hojo won the first gold in the men’s triathlon at the 20th Asian Games.