by sportswriter Li Jia
HANGZHOU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) — Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Hong Kong, China, nicknamed “The Little Mermaid”, showcased her prowess within the pool on the Hangzhou Asiad, clinching two gold medals with spectacular performances.
Haughey, 25, who was the runner-up in each the 100m and 200m free on the Tokyo Games, delivered an distinctive swim on Monday. She received the 200m freestyle in a single minute 54.12 seconds. This victory marked Hong Kong, China’s first swimming gold medal on the Asian Games and was additionally her first Asian Games gold, particularly important after she missed the 2018 version attributable to an damage.
On the next day, “The Litter Mermaid” set a brand new Asian report within the 100m freestyle, clocking a time of 52.17. This time is simply surpassed by Australia’s Olympic and world champion, Mollie O’Callaghan, and ranks because the third-best of the yr.
“I’m really happy that I can do a best time here. I haven’t swum a best time since Tokyo (Olympic Games), but I knew I had the ability of going faster. I’m really glad that I could do it here at the Asian Games, and break the Asian record. It just proves that I’m not at my peak yet and hopefully I can keep going and keep swimming faster,” she mentioned.
Haughey started her swimming journey at age 5, influenced by her older sister Aisling Haughey, who has represented Hong Kong, China in World Cup occasions. “When I was younger, I really hated swimming. Different coaches told my parents I had talent and I shouldn’t give up swimming. The more I swam, the more I realized I actually liked swimming,” Haughey recalled.
She rapidly made a reputation for herself within the pool. She turned the primary swimmer representing Hong Kong, China to achieve the ultimate of a person occasion on the world championships, ending fifth within the 200m freestyle on the 2017 Budapest worlds.
Haughey continued to make historical past on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She secured silver in each the 200m and 100m freestyle, changing into the primary athlete from Hong Kong, China in any sport to win multiple medal at a single Olympic Games version.
In Hangzhou, Haughey expressed her elation at making historical past once more by profitable Hong Kong, China’s first-ever swimming gold on the Asiad. “It’s very special,” she mentioned. “I guess I was hoping for a little faster time, but it’s not too far off my best time, so I’m still happy with it.”
While she hasn’t outlined long-term targets, Haughey is already centered on the Paris Games, that are simply 10 months away. “Me and my coach, we’re really prepared for Paris, and if I just keep doing what I’m doing right now, I’ll be ready,” she shared.
Regarding the opportunity of breaking a world report, she remarked, “I try not to give myself too much pressure, I’m just going to keep doing what I do, train hard and see where that takes me. I don’t want to limit myself in any way, I don’t have a specific time goal. As long as I do my best, the results will come.”
“The Little Mermaid” additionally earned a bronze within the 50m breast and performed a pivotal function in her group’s bronze win within the girls’s 4x100m free relay. “I don’t swim breaststroke that often, but I figured I’d start off the meet with a fun event. It was really fun, I had a best time and that put me in a good mood, and hopefully I can carry that momentum for the rest of the week.”
Haughey is registered for seven occasions on the Asiad, and followers are eagerly awaiting her performances within the 50m free and the three relays.