World Record Expanded with Gold by Magic Marchand, as McIntosh Secures Another Victory
In the thrilling world of swimming, two standout performances have caught the attention of spectators and experts alike at the 2025 World Swimming Championships. While 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi made history by becoming the youngest medalist in the championships, French swimmer Marchand set new records in the 200m medley event.
Yu Zidi, at just 12 years old, won a bronze medal as part of China's women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay team. Despite not breaking a world record during this event, her historic achievement is undeniable. However, the youngest swimmer to break a world record at the championships has not been specifically reported.
Meanwhile, Marchand, a 23-year-old French swimmer, made waves in the pool by breaking Ryan Lochte's 2011 world record in the 200m medley semi-finals. His time of 1min 52.69sec was more than a second faster than Lochte's previous record. In the finals, Marchand won the gold medal with a time of 1:53.68, the second-quickest time ever recorded.
Marchand expressed his excitement after winning the gold medal, stating that he was happy to break the record. On the other hand, the youngest swimmer to break a world record at the championships remains unreported.
In addition to these standout performances, other notable achievements include Romania's David Popovici's win in the 100m freestyle final with a time of 46.51sec, setting a championship record. Australian swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan won the women's 4x200m freestyle relay final, while her compatriot Kyle Chalmers finished third in the 100m freestyle final.
American swimmer Katharine Berkoff won the women's 50m backstroke, while Regan Smith of the United States finished second in the same event. In the 100m freestyle final, Jack Alexy of the United States finished second with a time of 46.92sec, and Chinese Olympic champion Pan Zhanle did not compete in the final.
Australian McIntosh, the 200m butterfly Olympic champion, has won three gold medals at the Singapore championships so far, in the 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and 200m butterfly. Hubert Kos of Hungary finished third in the 200m medley finals, and American Shaine Casas finished second in the same event.
Despite not breaking a world record, Yu Zidi's participation in the championships has sparked a review of age-limit guidelines by World Aquatics, suggesting the rarity of such young competitors breaking records. The championships continue to deliver exciting performances and historic moments, with many more to come.
Sports continue to captivate spectators and experts alike, as evidenced by the numerous notable achievements at the 2025 World Swimming Championships. While Yu Zidi, a 12-year-old Chinese swimmer, made history by winning a bronze medal in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay, the youngest swimmer to break a world record remains unreported.
