Watch Hong Kong’s Ian Ho Crack 21.97 50 Free For OLY Qualification

HONG KONG LC SWIMMING TIME TRIAL IV

  • Sunday, June 20th
  • Hong Kong Sports Institute
  • Held behind closed doors; Olympic qualifier
  • LCM (50m)
  • Results

Racing by himself today at the Hong Kong LC Swimming Time Trial IV, 24-year-old Ian Ho became the first man from his nation to ever get under the 22-second threshold in the 50m freestyle.

After posting a heats swim of 22.03, already a personal best, the former Virginian Tech student-athlete ripped a big-time 21.97 to further establish himself as the king of sprint free in Hong Kong.

Entering this meet, Ho held the HK national standard at the 22.09 he logged in just May of this year. That painstakingly missed the FINA ‘A’ cut of 22.01 needed to qualify for the Olympic Games next month in Tokyo, Japan.

Flash forward to tonight, however, and the Michigan pro group ace got the job done with the first sub-22 second result of his career.

Ho is now just the 6th Asian man ever to break the 22-second barrier in this 50m free event.

All-Time Top Asian Male LCM 50 Freestyle Performers

  1. Shinri Shioura (JPN) – 21.67, 2019
  2. Yu Hexin (CHN) – 21.79, 2020
  3. Katsumi Nakamura (JPN) – 21.87, 2018
  4. Ning Zetao (CHN) – 21.91, 2013
  5. Kosuke Matsui (JPN) – 21.93, 2019
  6. Ian Ho (HKG) – 21.97, 2021

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Sean Workman
3 years ago

There is no one, in my mind, more deserving of this honor than Ian Ho. This man is the most dedicated person I have seen, in and out of the pool, that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in the sport of swimming. Congratulations, OLYMPIAN Ian Ho!!!

Brian
3 years ago

Congratulations Ian!! Fantastic swim! Best of luck in Tokyo!

SwimShark
3 years ago

Great accomplishment and congrats!

Also like the part where Hong Kong is referred to as its own nation. If it were only true in real life and for its people.

Sergio Lopez Miro
3 years ago

Sorry but Ian does not swim with Michigan Pro group. Ian left Blacksburg last March of 2020 to compete in Hong Honk at a meet and because of the Covid situation he stayed there with his family training with the Hong Kong National Team all the way until now.

swimmerfromjapananduk
Reply to  Sergio Lopez Miro
3 years ago

how do you butcher the spelling of Hong Kong that badly the first lmao, but get it right the second

Last edited 3 years ago by swimmerfromjapananduk
Coach Macgyver
Reply to  swimmerfromjapananduk
3 years ago

Shut up dude

Sergio Lopez Miro
Reply to  swimmerfromjapananduk
3 years ago

Probably I would butcher your name too if I knew who you are lmao

JP input is too short
Reply to  Sergio Lopez Miro
3 years ago

Oh… oh, that’s harsh!

swimmerfromjapananduk
Reply to  JP input is too short
3 years ago

too harsh, allow it

swimmerfromjapananduk
Reply to  Sergio Lopez Miro
3 years ago

if you somehow butcher a three letter name then that is a serious problem. I would go talk to a professional in that sort of field to get checked if I were you

Jackman
Reply to  Sergio Lopez Miro
3 years ago

As I understand it, there is a Michigan Pro group based in Hong Kong currently doing sets written by Michigan coaches. This includes Haughey, Yeung, etc.

Sergio Lopez Miro
3 years ago

Very Happy for you, your family and your past and present coaches. Big Hug from your Hokie Family and see you in Tokyo. Proud of you!

David Herbert
3 years ago

Congrats Ian! One of the hardest workers I’ve ever swam with, no one deserves this more.

Amadeus Quix
3 years ago

Wow! Congratulations Ian! You earned it.

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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