World Aquatics Championships: Siobhan Haughey takes silver in 100 metres freestyle, gold for Australia’s O’Callaghan
- Hongkonger was chasing her city’s first ever podium finish in the global long-course championships
- This was her second shot at glory after missing out on a medal in the 200m freestyle
Siobhan Haughey took silver in the 100m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan on Friday, as Mollie O’Callaghan became the first woman to complete a 100m-200m freestyle double.
The Hongkonger finished in 52.49 seconds in the final in Fukuoka claiming her city’s first ever medal at the event, with Australia’s O’Callaghan touching home in 52.16. Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands was third in 52.71.
Haughey had been leading at the half-way stage, and was the first to turn at 24.87 and the only one to turn under 25.00. She led too with 25m to go, but was overhauled by her 19-year-old rival.
Emma McKeon, the 100m freestyle Olympic champion, finished fifth in a time of 52.83.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s such a weird feeling,” O’Callaghan said of her historic achievement. “I didn’t even know that no woman had done that and to be the first is just incredible. There are no words to explain it – I’m just so thrilled.”
Steenbergen said she “didn’t really expect to win a medal” after finishing third.
