Yu Zidi, a remarkable 13-year-old swimmer from China, made history at the Asian Games by winning gold in the women’s 200m butterfly with a record time of 2min 05.08sec on the first full day of competition. This victory marks her first major title, just two years ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.

After her triumph, a smiling Yu modestly remarked, "It was only so-so." Last year, she became the youngest medallist in swimming world championships history at just 12 years old, securing a bronze in the relay.

The Asian Games are being held in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Aichi prefecture, with swimming being one of the three featured sports. On the opening day, China emerged as a dominant force, winning six out of seven titles available.

The Games, officially inaugurated by Emperor Naruhito on Saturday, will run until October 4, featuring over 40 sports and offering places for the 2028 Olympics. However, preparations have faced challenges, including accommodation issues for the 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials, who are staying in temporary huts, hotels, and a cruise ship instead of a traditional athletes’ village.

In addition to swimming, notable events included Iran defeating China 79-70 to secure bronze in men’s basketball, while South Korea clinched gold with a 67-57 victory over Japan. In cricket, Smriti Mandhana led India to a 114-run win against Bangladesh, setting the stage for a final against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, weather permitting.

The looming threat of Typhoon Dujuan could impact the ongoing competitions, with heavy rain and strong winds expected in Tokyo and surrounding areas.