Yu Yiting Breaks Asian Record With 2:02.80 in Women’s 200 IM

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.