SPORTS · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Teen Prodigies Shine at Asian Games
WHY IT MATTERS
The Asian Games continue to showcase the talent of young athletes, with Kojima's record-breaking performance and Yu's dominance in the pool highlighting the growing competition in the region. The events also underscore the resilience and determination of athletes from countries like Afghanistan, who are overcoming significant challenges to compete at the highest level.
What happened
At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, 17-year-old Yumeki Kojima of Japan set a Games record in the men's 400m individual medley, topping the 12-year-old mark of Kosuke Hagino. Kojima's triumph, which also rewrote his world junior record, has him aiming to close the gap on French great Leon Marchand, the world record holder.
Meanwhile, China's teenage phenomenon Yu Zidi continued to dominate the pool, grabbing another title for the swimming superpower in the women's 200m backstroke.
In other events, India's women's team claimed the T20 title, led by 79 from veteran opener Smriti Mandhana, and Afghanistan celebrated a maiden cycling medal won by Fariba Hashimi, a woman who once disguised herself as a man when training in the nation.
PRIMARY SOURCES
More teen magic in Asian Games pool as Kajima thrills Japan
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