Opinion | HK swimmer's hard road to greatness

By Augustus K. Yeung

Introduction

In the months-long 2019 protests movement, many youngsters had become pawns, being used by people with ulterior political purposes. Fortunately, there are a few who have landed on the right path. Siobhan Haughey is one of the few exceptional youngsters who chose sports to express and excel herself in an activity that's age appropriate and bring glory to Hong Kong, not "class boycott".

Apart from the correct choice of sports as an expression of herself, she has impressed me as a true sportsperson who has both wisdom, vitality and virtue of an individual who is a truly great sports star in the history of Hong Kong.

"Stress at school, homesickness and a mystery foot injury—these are just a few of the many obstacles Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey has had to endure on her journey to becoming one of the best swimmers in the world," writes Nazvi Careem for the Post.

All Great Athletes Need Good Coaching

Michael Fasching, her long-time coach who works with Hong Kong's Harry Wright International, said the 24-year-old's positive outlook on life and determination to succeed—along with proper support—had helped her deal with the difficulties of being a full-time athlete.

Last week, Haughey made history when she won the city's first-ever swimming world title at the Abu Dhabi World Championships, winning the women's 200 metres freestyle in world record time and also claiming the 100m freestyle crown.

Last night she added a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle behind China's Li Bingjie and Canadian Summer McIntosh.

"She has always had the best possible mentors and support that could be rounded up," Fasching said. "She has encountered and dealt with many problems. Starting with the relentless stressful local school system in Hong Kong to at times feeling very home sick during her first year in the US state of Michigan.

"She has faced a mystery foot injury that still accompanied her in the run up to the Olympic Games last summer.

"She has faced Covid-19 lockdowns of training facilities in the US, long travel to get into the water as well as a cancelled Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Haughey's Outstanding Psychological Makeup

"Whenever there were hurdles in her way, she overcame them with unmatched positivity and determination to keep going towards her goal. The close circle around her is in absolute awe about her infectious positivity and quiet confidence. Siobhan, Hong Kong sport stands with you in this moment of glory. You are a beacon of relentless hard work and hope to all of us."

Haughey went to St Paul's Primary Catholic School and St Paul's Secondary School, both elite institutions known for their tough academic standards that she need to balance with her swimming training.

She then went to study at the University Michigan, majoring in psychology and spending months at a time away from her family and friends.

Hong Kong's First Medals in the Olympic Pool

The sacrifices were worth it when she won two silver medals at the Tokyo Games this year—Hong Kong's first medals in the Olympic pool.

"It means so much to me because this is my first-ever short-course world championship," Haughey said in a poolside interview after the 100m final.

"So far I've got two gold medals and it's amazing."

Lam Tai-fai, chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute where Haughey is a scholarship holder, congratulated the centre's star athlete yesterday.

"After winning two silver medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Haughey was never complacent and kept enhancing her capability. She showed her prowess in winning the world championships again after achieving a record-breaking result in women's 200m freestyle," he said.

"Her continuous impressive performance is historic for Hong Kong, boosting the morale of local elite sports development."

Haughey set a championship record of 50.98 seconds in winning the 100m freestyle on Saturday, two days after setting a world record of 1:50.31 in the 200m final. ("HAUGHEY'S HARD ROAD TO GREATNESS." South China Morning Post. Monday, December 20, 2021.)

Conclusion

While we happily celebrate Haughey's trials and triumphs, we also lament why so many of our students are so innocent and easily led, only to becoming pawns.

"Tens of thousands of school and university students opted for an unconventional start to the term as many donned yellow helmets, goggles and gas masks, while some formed human chains at school gates, in a bid to spread their anti-government messages."

"Yesterday afternoon, an estimated 4,000 students, mainly from secondary schools, braved torrential rain to join a rally at Edinburgh Place in Central, and attended civic education talks by teachers, social workers and health care professionals under the theme of "boycott classes but not education".

Their peers in tertiary education held an estimated 30,000-strong assembly at Chinese University, firing the starting gun of a class boycott expected to last for two weeks. ("THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS JOIN FIRST DAY OF CLASS BOYCOTT." South China Morning Post. Tuesday, September 3, 2019,)

Such was the mess that the Hong Kong education was in. There should have been more sports!

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

 

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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