Swimming High Performance has never been at the level it is at the moment in Ireland and there was firther evidence at the weekend after a great week that we are mixing it at the very highest levels.

Daniel Wiffen won his second World Title of the week in the 1500m Freestyle yesterday and has been named Male Swimmer of the Meet by World Aquatics on the final day of racing at the World Championships in Doha.

Wiffen demolished the 1500m Freestyle field, claiming the gold medal by over ten seconds in 14:34.07, a new personal best and Irish Senior Record, breaking his previous best of 14:34.91 from 2023.

“I mean that race was definitely better for me, I pb’d, I’m so happy, because after hitting that time in April last year, it could have been a fluke,” he said after the race speaking to Trish Mayon of Swim ireland.

“I went 14:35 at the under 23’s in Dublin, in my hometown, obviously coming here, the progression from the 400m to the 800m to the 1500m today, I’m just so happy to come away with a pb and two world titles.”

Wiffen swam much of the race out on his own, taking the lead at the 150m and building up a lead of 20 metres over his opponents that was never relinquished.

“I was talking about it before with my coach Andi (Manley), and we had a little bet to see if I could pb or not, but yeah 100 percent, go out a bit faster than everybody else and just be in my own lane, swim my own race and get out ahead and really focus on what I was going to do.”

The 22-year-old spent most of race inside world record pace; he is now the fifth fastest swimmer ever in the event with this time and has a target on Sun Yang’s 2012 World Record of 14:31.02.

“Yeah 100 percent, it’s definitely one of my goals to try and beat that at some point, I mean I’m only 22, I have at least another eight years, another couple of Olympics in me, I’m sure it will go at some stage and I hope to be the person to do it.”

Mona McSharry, competing in her third final of the week, was eighth in the 50m Breaststroke Final in 30.96. The 23-year-old has had an outstanding week, making finals in the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke with fifth place finishes in the 100m and 200m Olympic events.

It was also a great tournament for the Irish Relay teams.

While they did not compete in Doha, Ireland’s Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay time of 4:01.25 from the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, is good enough for a quota spot for Paris 2024. Ireland already has two females with Olympic Qualification Times from that relay in Mona McSharry and Ellen Walshe. It will be Ireland’s first female relay at an Olympic Games since 1972.


The Men’s Medley Relay on Sunday was an opportunity for nations to secure their places at the Paris Olympic Games, with the combined Top-16 times from Doha and the 2023 World Championships in Japan considered for invitations.

As of this evening Ireland sit thirteenth (Women) and fifteenth (Men) and within the quota spots available.

Ireland still have some work to do in the Men’s relay, with two Olympic Qualification Times (OQT) required from the team in order to confirm the Olympic place when the invitation arrives. Ireland have only had one previous Male relay at an Olympic Games when the 4x200m Freestyle competed in Tokyo in 2021.


“This brings to an end a wonderful week for Irish swimming, a terrific team performance and some exceptional stand out moments across the eight days,” said Swim Ireland National Performance Director Jon Rudd.

“The superlatives for Daniel Wiffen’s two gold medals this week are endless, and how he continues to inspire young Irish swimmers back at home with these swims of this nature cannot be measured.”

“Mona McSharry has also featured in three finals this week, another tremendous achievement and for the Men’s Medley relay to make the final with yet another β€˜first’ for us is outstanding.”

“Seven finals in total for us here and another three semi-finals, with Ireland finishing tenth on the World Medal Table. At least two of our relays can now look forward to Olympic invites and our final Olympic Trials in May is set to become one of the most exciting swimming events ever to take place at the National Aquatic Centre.”

“So, a thank you and a very well done is due to this team of terrific athletes, their coaches, and their home programmes; they have done us proud once again.”

The next opportunity for Irish swimmers to qualify for the Paris Games will be at the Irish Open Championships and Olympic Trials, which take place at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre from May 22nd – 26th.

That is definitely one to put in the diary.

 

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