Asian Games: Yu, 13, completes golden hat-trick

Thirteen-year-old swimming star Yu Zidi claimed a dominant victory in the 400 meters individual medley to complete a hat-trick of gold medals at the Asian Games.

China’s Yu led from start to finish to set a new Games record of four minutes and 28.56 seconds, beating the previous record – which had stood since 2014 – by almost 4.5 seconds.

Her time is the fourth fastest in the world this year, with only Canadian world record holder Summer McIntosh going faster.

Yu was 3.95 seconds behind compatriot Ke Wenxi, who took silver, with Japan’s Mio Narita taking bronze.

Having already won gold in 200 meter butterfly AND 200 meters individual medley in Nagoya – both in record times for the Games – Yu is widely tipped to contend for medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Meanwhile, North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum broke three world records in her bid to secure her third Asian Games gold in the women’s 49kg category.

Reigning champion Ri, 28, lifted 94kg in the snatch segment followed by a clean-and-jerk of 121kg, both marking 1kg more than previous world bests.

It netted her a total haul of 215kg, around 4kg more than the previous world record.

“The world record and this gold medal mean a lot to me, because of everything I poured into this competition,” Ri said.

“Today I took to the field bringing with me that faith and those expectations.”