Daniel Wiffen has won Ireland’s first ever World Aquatics World Championship medal. The 22-year-old stormed to gold winning a first ever World Title in the 800m Freestyle.
In an outstanding race from the Armagh man, he had an emphatic win over the stacked field to win in 7:40.94, two seconds ahead of his closest competitor. The Loughborough based swimmer is the current European Record holder in the event in 7:39.19 and the European and World Record holder in the short course (25m) version.
“That is amazing,” he said straight after the race. “Obviously the goal coming into this meet was to win a world medal and make the podium for Ireland, win Ireland’s first ever medal at a world championship level. It’s just really cool to say and I’m really happy.”
While the eventual silver and bronze medallists Elijah Winnington (7:42.95) of Australia and Gregorio Paltrinieri (7:42.98) of Italy lead for much of the race, Wiffen was controlled throughout, executing his race to perfection, taking the lead with 150 metres to go and not letting go.
“I was just really trying to build the confidence in myself and make sure I can trust it and execute my own race plan, and that’s what I did so I’m really happy.”
Wiffen returns to the pool on Saturday morning for the heats of the 1500m Freestyle.
Ireland had never won a World Aquatics Long Course (50m) Medal. Shane Ryan (2018 bronze), Ellen Walshe (2021 silver) and Mona McSharry (2021 bronze) have all won medals at World Short Course (25m) Championships.
Four Irish swimmers will be in action on Thursday, with Olympic qualification available in all events.
Victoria Catterson is first up in the 100m Freestyle. John Shortt, who turned 17 this week, returns to the World stage for the first time in 2024 in the 200m Backstroke Heats. After a fifth place finish in the 100m Breaststroke Final on Tuesday, Mona McSharry returns for the 200m Breaststroke, while Eoin Corby, also competing in the 200m Breaststroke, makes his World Championships debut.
The Championships are being broadcast live and free-to-air on the new Eurovision Sport service.
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