Haughey's Hong Kong Honours Keep Piling Up: Asian Games Crown Retained In 200 Free
Haughey one of two to stop another China gold rush at the 20th Asian Games as 13-year-old Yu Zidi's 2:06.10 Asian 200IM record rockets her to all-time No2 just 0.4sec shy of Summer McIntosh's WR; China men's 4x200 quartet set 7:00.17 Asian record for gold in tussle with Japan
Siobhan Haughey dominated the 200m freestyle final on day 2 at the 20th Asian Games in Tokyo this evening, her 1:54.96 victory marking her 19th career sub-1:55 and the second time she's lifted the same crown, after her 2023 triumph in Hangzhou.
In other finals, day 2 witnessed Asian records from 13-year-old Yu Zidi, on 2:06.10 just 0.4sec shy of the World record in the 200m medley; and China men's 4x200m free quartet, on 7:00.17 for victory over Japan, on 7:01.
Haughey, meanwhile, is one of the most decorated Asian swimmers in history, with four Olympic (including silvers in the 100 and 200 free) and four World long-course podiums, including 200 free gold, to her name in a pantheon that now has 11 international titles (today's win No11) among 38 medals representing Hong Kong.
Her Asian Record of 1:53.92, which granted her Olympic silver at Tokyo2020ne, and her Games record of 1:54.12 from 2023 lived to fight another day, Haughey's latest sub-1:55 the 18th fastest effort just beyond a 17th entry from March this year within a second of the best of her two sub-1:54 efforts.
Consistency of quality in major competition has been one of the hallmarks of Haughey's international career.
Today's splits:
- 26.51; 55.08; 1:24.52; 1:54.96
The podium was completed by China's Li Jiaping, 1:56.58, and Liu Yaxin, 1:57.53.
Haughey's primary coach is Tom Rushton, who has been guiding her training since 2021, while David Wong, manager, and Michael Fasching, head coach at the Harry Wright International swim program in Hong Kong, named after its founder, the late Captain Harry Wright, who started the program in the 1970s, and saw the likes of New Zealand's Anthony Mosse set out on his swimming voyage there en route to a career that included 200 'fly Olympic bronze, World silver, Commonwealth, Pan Pac and Universiade titles in the 1980s.
Last November, Haughey praised all three men for the good guidance they've provided, noting on her social after she'd raced successfully at her first National Games in China alongside a snap of her and Rushton, each with a one of her medal's round their necks :
"I had the opportunity to share the podium with my coaches, all of whom have played a big part in my career: Tom Rushton, my coach since 2021; David Wong, a man who handles anything and everything; and Michael Fasching, my club coach from [hwiswimminghk]. It’s a nice way to give them the recognition they deserve and see them get nervous before walking to the podium 😆 They are just a few people who’ve helped me along the way and I want to thank all the other supporting staff for getting me back on track to race again. As always, I’m happy to represent 🇭🇰 on the big stage again alongside my amazing teammates 🫶🏻"
Below:
- The Battle Of The Two Yus Goes to Zidi in 2:06.10 WJR
- Yu Zidi's splits, compared to McIntosh's and Hosszu's
- China's growing 4x200m free strength in fight with Japan
- Wither The Pace Of Peaty Peak?
