Hong Kong China Long Course Swimming Invitational Trial I
- May 11-12, 2024
- Hong Kong Sports Institute
- Long Course meters (50m), Prelims/Finals
- Meet site/results
Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey is best known as a middle distance swimmer, especially in the 100 and 200 meter freestyles, but time-and-time again she flexes way more versatility than the average swimmer of her specialty.
Haughey, 26, swam her first-ever 800 free on Saturday and in the process broke the Hong Kong Record in the event. She swam 8:39.93 to slip under the old record of 8:41.66 that was set by four-time Olympian Stephanie Au Hoi-shun at the Beijing Games in 2008.
Haughey’s splitting was reflective of her inexperience with the event. She went out very fast in the first 100, backed way-off the pace for the next 300 meters, punched the gas from the 400 through the 700, and then held on as best as she could at the finish.
Splits Comparison:
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Stephanie Au Hoi-shun
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| 100m splits | 200m splits | 100m splits | 200m splits | |
| 100m | 1:02.45 | 1:01.89 | ||
| 200m | 1:05.39 | 2:07.84 | 1:06.33 | 2:08.22 |
| 300m | 1:05.20 | 1:06.10 | ||
| 400m | 1:06.16 | 2:11.36 | 1:05.90 | 2:13.00 |
| 500m | 1:06.65 | 1:04.69 | ||
| 600m | 1:06.85 | 2:13.50 | 1:04.56 | 2:09.25 |
| 700m | 1:05.93 | 1:04.95 | ||
| 800m | 1:03.03 | 2:08.96 | 1:05.51 | 2:10.46 |
| 8:41.66 | 8:39.93 |
Au, who has gravitated towards the backstroke races (and especially the sprint backstroke races) later in her career, also swam on Saturday, swimming 28.48 in prelims before scratching the final. That time was half-a-second from her Hong Kong Record.
Haughey is already qualified to swim the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, and 100 breaststroke at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, though that schedule is likely to be pared-down to her two best medal chances in the 100 and 200 freestyles. Hong Kong has also qualified 400 free and 400 medley relays, which Haughey is expected to participate in.
Pending ratification, Haughey now holds nine Hong Kong records in individual long course events, which is over half of the events in which such records are kept. She holds a further 11 records in short course meters. Haughey won silver medals in the 100 and 200 meter freestyles at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games.
Haughey and Au are two of several members of Hong Kong’s National Team competing this weekend.
17-year-old Cindy Cheung Sum-yuet, the only other Hong Kong woman besides Haughey to have locked in her spot for the Paris Olympics, was 2nd in the 50 backstroke in 29.85, behind another 17-year-old Ng Cheuk-yan (29.38).
Other Event Highlights
- Adam Chillingworth is a month clear of setting the Hong Kong Record in the 200 breast in San Antonio, but on Saturday Adam Mak Sai-ting, the former record holder, got the win in 2:13.01.
“World class”
Ok so people took what I said in the wrong way. Yes I am aware an 8:39 is nothing of interest but what I am mostly referring to is that Siobahn is so versatile that only a few other swimmers can do that in particular I’m so many other events that are at a higher level. Also I think she could be a lot faster in the race if she did it more it was her first one. Hope that helps
It’s an impressive swim especially in the conversation of versatility, but not “world class.” Another data point, that time places her 16th at 2023 US National Championships. Granted those girls were rested and a target meet, just trying to give context to the time.
Funny how people are so unimpresed by this.
I totally get you guys, I too have seen katie ledecky, but still, going under 9:00 is so crazy fast.
Personally I can’t even swim 400 at that pace, so I’m happy to be impressed by anyone who can swim an 800 in less than nine minutes.
Im surprised with the negativity here!
Agreed. Some people suck.
One or two people have been way over the top but I agree that 8-39 is nothing outstanding really.
It’s a nice story for her and another national record but HKG records – outside of Haughey’s marks – are fairly soft.
Yeah the big girls hold 8:40 repeats in training
Yeah but they can’t go 52.0 in the 100 free.
Pretty sure MOC went 52.0 and I bet the whole farm she does 8:40 in training.
Alright, so 2 women in the world can do this. Still amazing haha
No. 1 can, the other hypothetically can.
It’s cute but this ain’t it.
Is she gonna do the 200 IM someday? She seems to have a Kate Douglass-esque aversion to what should be a great event
Was wondering the same. As a fan, love to aee her take a crack at it, even just for fun
She has a 2:12.10 logged from 2017 and narrowly lost to Madisyn Cox for 2nd at a pro series in it. She definitely could be great in it if she trained it.
I’m surprised and impressed Stephanie Au is still swimming.