For the 4th time, Hong Kong Olympian Siobhan Haughey was named the women’s “Best of the Best” at the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards, having previously won it in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The award comes off the back of a decorated showing at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (LCM) in November, in which Haughey came away with a pair of golds in her signature 100 and 200 freestyles, clocking 52.89 and 1:54.85, respectively. She also added bronze medals in the 50 free (24.84) and 50 breaststroke (30.71) at those championships.
“Winning the ‘best of the best’ award again was quite difficult because a lot of us had some really good results at the National Games last year,” Haughey said in a report from the South China Morning Post. “It’s also a testimony to the fact that the results of Hong Kong athletes were getting better, that the bar to win an award here is higher, but it’s a good thing for sports in Hong Kong.”
Alongside Haughey was fencing world champion Ryan Choi Chun-yin, who was named the men’s “Best of the Best” award winner.
The winners were announced after a one-month voting period, with five men’s and five women’s award finalists selected from 41 and 39 nominations, respectively.
Among the other women’s award nominees were fencer Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan, karate world champion Grace Lau Mo-sheung, cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing, and snooker star Ng On-yee.
“Obviously, I don’t swim for these recognition or awards, I’m fine without them, but I am really happy that I have these, and I know for sure I still love my job [as a swimmer],” Haughey said to the South China Morning Post.
Since her first Hong Kong Sports Award win in 2017, Haughey has won seven awards, including this, her fourth “Best of the Best” win.
“It’s also a testimony to the fact that the results of Hong Kong athletes were getting better, that the bar to win an award here is higher, but it’s a good thing for sports in Hong Kong.”
