Yesterday, Siobhan Haughey, a Hong Kong native, won her first long-course world championship in the women's 200-meter freestyle. Likewise, Tomoru Honda of Japan won the 200 butterfly, marking the pinnacle of his career.
Daniel Wiffen won the men's 800 freestyle, which was Ireland's first-ever medal at the world championships, with a powerful final kick. And in the 50 breaststroke, Sam Williamson delivered dominant Australia its first swimming gold medal of the event.
After years of near misses, Haughey, a three-time short-course worlds champion, finally touched first in the large pool. She finished second in the 100 free at the world championships in Fukuoka last summer, and she won silver medals in the 100 and 200 free at the Olympics in Tokyo.
Haughey also placed fourth in the 200 free at the world championships in 2019 and 2023, barely off the podium. After swimming 150 metres at a pace that broke the world record, the first swimmer from Hong Kong to earn an Olympic medal managed to hold on to win in 1 minute, 54.89 seconds. She ended far short of O'Callaghan's world record of 1:52.85 from the previous year.
After winning the 400 free, Erika Fairweather of New Zealand took home the silver medal with a time of 1:55.77. At 1:56.00, Brianna Throssell of Australia won bronze. This time, Honda won first place in 1:53.88. Honda finished second in the 200 fly in the Tokyo Olympics and third in the event at the previous two world championships. Alberto Razzetti of Italy won the silver medal in 1:54.65, while Martin Espernberger of Austria took up the bronze in 1:55.16.
