World Championships, Day Six Women’s Finals: Siobhan Haughey Defends 200 Free Title Ahead Of Smith And Steenbergen

l-r: Rebecca Smith, Siobhan Haughey & Marrit Steenbergen: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

A Special Thanks to Deep Blue Media for providing the images from this meet

World Championships, Day Six Women’s Finals: Siobhan Haughey Defends 200 Free Title Ahead Of Smith And Steenbergen

Siobhan Haughey led from the front for all but 25m as she defended her 200 free title at the World Championships in Melbourne.

The Hong Kong swimmer, who set the world record of 1:50.31 en-route to gold in Abu Dhabi last year, pulled away after the 150m mark with a final 50 of 28.86 (14.37/14.49), the only woman inside 1:52 in 1:51.65.

Splits: 25.91/54.30/1:22.79/1:51.65

Rebecca Smith of Canada reproduced her silver medal from 2021, matching her Abu Dhabi time of 1:52.24, with Marrit Steenbergen third in 1:52.28.

Haughey and Smith were joint fourth with Steenbergen at the head of the field after 25 before a second lap of 13.61 propelled the double Olympic silver medallist into the lead, 0.13 ahead of Smith.

Haughey pulled away at the 150 and extended her lead to win by 0.59secs for her second medal of the week following silver in the 100 free behind Emma McKeon.

Smith was 0.23 ahead of Steenbergen at 175 before a final 25 by the Dutchwoman guided her to within 0.04 of the Canadian.

It has been a superb year for Steenbergen: mixed medley bronze at the long-course worlds in Budapest was followed by four golds among a seven-strong haul at the Europeans in Rome.

The 22-year-old leaves Melbourne with gold in the 100IM and bronze in the 100 and 200 free.

Haughey said:

“I kinda wish the 200m free was on the first day like last year but this year it’s on the last day of the meet.

“I had to watch everyone else race before my main event. I am pretty happy with it. I tried to focus on my own race so I couldn’t really see where everyone else was, and I just did my race.

“After the 100 I felt pretty great. I was hopeful for a good 200. I was hoping for a faster time but I am still happy with it.”

Smith leaves Australia with four medals, adding 200 free silver to three relay gongs, and said:

“I am so thrilled with that swim. It’s my best event and having it on day six was little tough mentally to keep my composure, but I’ve had some great teammates around me who have helped me and encouraged me throughout the week and I’m just so happy with that result.”

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