Xu Jiayu
Xu Jiayu is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specializes in the backstroke. He is the Olympic Silver medalist and twice consecutive world champion in the 100 meters backstroke.
Early and personal life
Xu was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. His mother Yu Zhenzhen is a former swimmer who specialized in the butterfly. He has an elder sister Xu Si.Xu started swimming at the age of 4 under his mother's guidance.
Xu is an alumnus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Swimming career
Olympic Games
Xu competed for China at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and won a silver medal in the 100 metre backstroke at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also won a silver medal in the 4x100 mixed medley at the 2020 Summer Olympics and another silver medal in the 100 metre backstroke at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He won his first gold medal in the 4 × 100 metre medley relay at the 2024 Summer Olympics.Xu is the current national record holder in backstroke races in all distances.
He held the world record in the 100 m backstroke short course from 2018 to 2020.
International Competitions
At the 2014 Asian Games, Xu, Ning Zetao, Li Zhuhao and Li Xiang teamed up to win the men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay. Individually, Xu received silver medals in the 100m backstroke and 200m backstroke. While also receiving a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke.At the 2016 short course World Championships, Xu won the bronze medal in the 100 metre backstroke.
At the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, Xu became the first male Chinese swimmer to win gold in the 100m backstroke in a time of 52.44 seconds. He also received the bronze medal as a part of the mixed medley relay.
At the 2018 Asian Games, Xu received six gold medals. He swept the backstroke events and was part of the Asian record setting mixed and men medley relays.
At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, Xu successfully defended his 100m backstroke title with a time of 52.43 seconds. Xu also placed sixth in the 50m backstroke.