Siobhan Haughey, Hayden Kwan break more records on day 2 of Hong Kong Open Championships
- Hayden Kwan got day 2 of the Hong Kong Open Championsips under way by breaking the men’s 200m backstroke mark twice
- Siobhan Haughey says she is back in top competitive form as she set a new Hong Kong record in the women’s 400m freestyle
Swimming sensation Siobhan Haughey returned to Hong Kong Open Championships on Sunday with a 400m freestyle city record, while teenager Hayden Kwan continued to shine, breaking the men’s 200m backstroke record twice in one day.
Both Haughey and Kwan won two titles and set Hong Kong records, earning them the overall men’s and women’s outstanding trophies.
Haughey, a two-time Olympic silver medallist, was competing in Hong Kong for the first time in 15 months, and her first time since suffering an injury after a poolside slip in Dubai.
On Sunday, the 24-year-old took first place by breaking her own 400m freestyle record in four minutes, 08.64 seconds – 2.23 seconds faster than her previous best set in May.
“Actually, I didn’t expect much from the Hong Kong Championships, I’ve been away from competition for a long time, but the record I broke in the 400m free means my previous training worked,” Haughey said.
“I’ve been working hard with the physiotherapists on a daily basis since my injury, and I can say that it is no longer a problem. My training has returned to normal.
“I like competing in Hong Kong because there are so many fans here, and I’m looking forward to swimming with the young swimmers from my club.”
Haughey also competed in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay on Sunday, where her club, South China Athletic Association, finished third with a time of 3:56.70.