World Junior Championship Semifinalist Malia Ma Commits to Harvard for Fall 2026

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Malia Ma, a semifinalist at the 2025 World Junior Championships, has announced her plans to swim for Harvard University beginning in the fall of 2026.

At the time of her commitment, she wrote on social media:

“I’m so thrilled to finally announce my commitment to the admissions process at Harvard University, where I will pursue my academic and athletic careers! I want to thank my family and friends for always believing in me and my coaches and teachers for helping me get to where I am today. None of this would be possible without Blue Swimming Club, @theclinic.international, and the Hong Kong team. I’d also like to give a heartfelt thank you to Coaches Amanda and Geordie for making this dream come true, and @harvardwswimdive for being so welcoming and kind. I’m so excited to start the next chapter of my life with this incredible team. GO CRIMSON!!!”

A native of Hong Kong, Ma currently attends Shanghai American School Puxi in China, where she has been a member of the school’s swim team for the past four years. A versatile competitor who primarily specializes in fly, Ma also represents Hong Kong internationally.

Ma enjoyed a strong performance at the World Aquatics Junior Championships (LCM) in Romania in August. She made it to the semifinals in the girls’ 50 fly, placing 16th in a lifetime best time of 27.06. Ma also contested the 400 IM, finishing 23rd in 4:59.67.

Ma set a number of new personal best times racing short course meters last season. At the SSL Championships (SCM) in April, she won five events and posted three lifetime bests. She prevailed in the 50 fly (26.96 – PB), 100 fly (59.97), 50 back (28.73 – PB) and 400 free (4:26.22), in addition to helping her team to a victory in the 200 medley relay. Ma also clocked a best time in the 50 free (27.45) as the leadoff on the 200 free relay.

At the 2025 Hong Kong Age Group Championships (SCM) in February, Ma logged two personal best times. She posted a time of 58.91 in the 100 fly and a time of 2:10.16 in the 200 fly.

Best Times SCM (SCY Conversion)

• 100 free – 59.19 (53.32)
• 100 back – 1:02.04 (55.89)
• 100 fly – 58.91 (53.07)
• 200 fly – 2:10.16 (1:57.26)
• 200 IM – 2:14.53 (2:01.19)
• 400 IM – 4:53.17 (4:24.11)

A Division I Mid-Major program, Harvard competes in the Ivy League Conference, with the Crimson women taking 2nd at the Ivy League Conference Championships last season before sending two athletes to the NCAA Division I Championships.

Based on the results from the 2025 conference championship and her projected converted times, Ma would have landed in the ‘A’ final in the 100 fly, the ‘B’ final in the 200 IM and the ‘C’ final in the 100 back and 400 IM, putting her in a position to be a strong contributor right from the start.

Joining Ma in Cambridge next fall will be Olivia Emmett, Emma Miner, Frances Muir and Clare Custer, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.

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