2026 World Aquatics World Cup #1 – Baku
China’s Yu Yiting picked up her 2nd Asian record of the meet in the women’s 200 IM, swimming 2:02.80 to take down Yui Ohashi‘s 2020 record of 2:03.93. She also moves up to become the 6th fastest performer in history in the event.
WOMEN’S 200 IM – FINAL
- World Record – 2:01.63, Kate Douglass (USA), 2024
- World Cup Record – 2:02.13, Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 2014
GOLD – Yu Yiting (CHN), 2:02.80 *Asian Record*
SILVER – Marrit Steenbergen (NED), 2:05.09
BRONZE – Abbie Wood (GBR), 2:05.69
Yu jumped out to an early lead, splitting 26.26 on the opening fly leg to turn almost a second ahead of Great Britain’s Abbie Wood, who swam 27.10 to turn in 2nd.
She maintained her lead through the remainder of the race, splitting 30.77/36.19/29.58 to finish more than two seconds ahead of European Record Holder Marrit Steenbergen‘s 2:05.09 in 2nd.
| Split Comparison | New Asian Record — 2:02.80, Yu Yiting (CHN): 2026 World Cup, Baku |
Former Asian Record — 2:03.93, Yui Ohashi (JPN): 2020 ISL Semifinal #1
|
| Fly | 26.26 | 27.32 |
| Back | 30.77 | 31.07 |
| Breast | 36.19 | 35.62 |
| Free | 29.58 | 29.92 |
| Total | 2:02.80 | 2:03.93 |
Yu was faster than Ohashi on every 50 except the breaststroke one, building a strong lead over the record pace to make up for her half-second loss in the breaststroke, splitting 36.19 to Ohashi’s 35.62.
Yu came home strong, swimming 29.58 to lock up the win and a new Chinese and Asian record time. The swim makes her the 6th fastest performer in history in the event, moving her ahead of Australian Kaylee McKeown‘s 2:03.57
Her previous best was 2:03.99 from the Singapore World Cup stop in 2024.
Top 6 Performers All-Time
- Kate Douglass (USA) — 2:01.63, 2024
- Marrit Steenbergen (NED) — 2:01.83, 2025
- Katinka Hosszu (HUN) — 2:01.86, 2014
- Alex Walsh (USA) — 2:02.65, 2024
- Abbie Wood (GBR) — 2:02.75, 2024
- Yu Yiting (CHN) — 2:02.80, 2026
