Haughey keeps lightning-fast form, smashes Asian record

Hong Kong top swimmer Siobhan Haughey broke the Asian record when defending her title in the 100-meter freestyle at the International Swimming League Final in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. She clocked. 50.79 seconds.

She also maintained her top form in the 200m freestyle when she defeated some of the world's best, making her unbeaten in the event in 17 competitions across three ISL seasons.

Her efforts helped power Energy Standard to the overall team championship with 534 points. It was Energy Standard's second title, having also won 2019.

In the 100m freestyle race, Haughey broke her Asian record as well as the ISL record of 50.94 seconds set in November last year in Budapest, Hungary.

Haughey, a double silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in August, was the second last to react to the starting horn in the race, but her acceleration and speed were too fierce for her competitors to handle.

Haughey, representing French swimming team Energy Standard, overtook all the other swimmers before reaching the halfway mark to defend her title in record-breaking fashion.

Her winning time was just 0.54 seconds behind the 50.25 seconds world record set by Australian Cate Compbell in 2017. Haughey's time also made her the only female swimmer this season to finish under 51 seconds.

Haughey's teammate Sarah Sjostrom from Sweden finished second in the 100m race in 51.26 seconds, with London Roar's Australian Emma McKeon taking third 0.32 seconds behind Sjostrom.

After a break, Haughey made an appearance in her pet event - the 200m freestyle - and won by over two seconds over her competitors.

She finished in 1:51.04, behind her Asian record of 1:50.65.

Nevertheless, it was worth 15 points for her team.

Haughey remains undefeated in her ISL 200m freestyle career - winning 17 appearances across three ISL seasons.

Haughey is also the Asian record holder of the short course 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, as well as the Asian record holder of the long course 100m and 200m freestyle.

Last year's team winner Cali Condors, led by seven-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel, came a close second with 522 points.

London Roar and LA Current placed third and fourth with 393.5 and 305.5 points respectively.

Haughey, however, only placed fourth in the most valuable player race in the Eindhoven finals with 50.5 points.

The honor went to teammate Sjostrom with 61 points.

The veteran Swedish swimmer also snatched the MVP title of the season with 511.5 points.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com