Siobhan Haughey Breaks Asian Record to Win 200 Free; Perfect 9-for-9 in ISL History in Event

Photo Courtesy: MIKE LEWIS/ISL

Another swim, another win for Siobhan Haughey in the 200 free.

The Energy Standard swimmer from Hong Kong won the event in the International Swimming League (ISL) final in 1:51.11, a best time, breaking her own Asian record in the process. She is the second-fastest SCM performer in history.

Haughey has been one of the most dominant swimmers in the ISL this year, proving it in the final with the 200 free win. She is 9-for-9 in her ISL career — spanning both seasons — in the event with no one able to unseat her so far in ISL history.

She held off a late charge by Freya Anderson (1:51.87) of the London Roar, who broke the British record in the event. Cali’s Allison Schmitt (1:52.17) finished in third as she fell off the pace on the final 25, but was still near the American record.

Haughey also anchored the winning mixed 4×100 free relay, running down the Cali Condors during her anchor leg.

“I am really hoping to keep going and keep getting faster,” Siobhan Haughey said in the post-race interview.

It is something she has done the past four years.

Since 2016, Haughey has gone from an Olympian in the semifinals, to a medal contender at the world level.

She smashed Asian records in the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle in the first ISL meet of the season and has continued to build since then.

Haughey came to Budapest with some momentum, swimming extremely fast during an exhibition swim in Hong Kong. But this was her first meet in months. Her last big meet was the 2019 World Championships, where she finished fourth in the 200 free.

Haughey, one of the most decorated swimmers in University of Michigan history, swam for the DC Trident last season before switching to Energy Standard this season.

It was originally a chance to train with a different group as many of the Energy Standard swimmers train together, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t happen for Haughey, though she has enjoyed training with the team in the Budapest bubble.

“Energy Standard has swimmers from 20 different countries. Everyone has different experiences and knowledge so you’re able to learn something new from everyone,” Siobhan Haughey said. “It’s also fun training with the team because it’s not every day that you get to train with so many top swimmers in the world. It’s a really eye opening experience.”

Many of Haughey’s swims have been eye-opening experiences for her Energy Standard teammates, and the rest of the ISL.

Haughey is hoping that trend continues for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. She has already qualified for the Games and is looking to keep her speed build going — leading to another eye-opening race.

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