Yu Yiting of China competes during the women's 200m medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
FUKUOKA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China's 17-year-old Yu Yiting reached the final of women's 200 meters individual medley (IM) for the first time at the World Aquatics Championships here on Sunday.
Yu qualified as the second placer in the semifinals in 2:09.04, 0.77 seconds behind defending champion Alex Walsh of the United States, who clocked a leading time of 2:08.27.
Yu was stopped at the semifinals in her first worlds in Gwangju, South Korea, in 2019 when she was only 13.
She made her mark at the Tokyo Olympic Games two years later by finishing 5th.
Her teammate Ye Shiwen, who rose to stardom by striking an individual medley golden double at the London Olympic Games at the age of 16, also qualified. She was 7th in 2:10.57.
Yu Yiting of China reacts after the women's 200m medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
Ye Shiwen of China reacts before the women's 200m medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
Ye Shiwen of China competes during the women's 200m medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Israel launches night raid on Gaza al
Super Rugby Aupiki final live updates: Blues Women v Chiefs Manawa
West Coast emergency staff preparing for deluge
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
OJ Simpson's alma mater, USC, stays conspicuously silent on his death despite honoring the ex
Iran vows revenge on Israel after Damascus embassy attack
Lisa Rinna, 60, and Amelia Gray Hamlin, 22, share mother
Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri
Coach speaks on car chase, gun shots after Hawke's Bay rugby game