Hong Kong swimming star Siobhán Haughey captured her first long-course world title, winning the women's 200-metre freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships early on Thursday.

Haughey, a three-time champion at the short-course worlds, finally touched first in the big pool after years of close calls.

She was the Olympic silver medalist in both the 100 and 200 free at the Tokyo Games, in addition to a runner-up finish in the 100 free at last summer's world championships in Fukuoka.

Also, Haughey finished fourth in the 200 free — just off the podium — at both the 2019 and 2023 worlds.

“This really means a lot to me," she said. “It's nice to finally see the No. 1 next to my name.”

In the first final of the night, Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen used a strong finishing kick to capture the men’s 800 freestyle in 7 minutes, 40.94 seconds, his country’s first medal ever at the world championships.

“I really wanted to win this one,” said Wiffen, the short-course world record holder in the 800 free.

Haughey added to a bronze medal she won a day earlier in the 100 breaststroke, a surprising result in an event she swam “just for fun.”

She will face a much stiffer challenge at the Paris Olympics, where the 200 free will include Australian stars Mollie O'Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus, who were among the many no-shows for Doha.

“I feel like I can do a lot better," Haughey said. “Paris is the main target, so hopefully tweak and fine-tune some things the next few months and I can have an even better swim in Paris.”

The first swimmer from Hong Kong to capture an Olympic medal was under world-record pace through 150 metres and held on at the end to win in 1:54.89. She finished well off O'Callaghan's mark of 1:52.85 set at last year's worlds.

The silver went to New Zealand's Erika Fairweather at 1:55.77, giving her another medal after a victory in the 400 free. Australia's Brianna Throssell took the bronze at 1:56.00. (AP)