Daniel Wiffen has taken gold in the 800m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, thus becoming the first Irish swimmer to win a long-course medal at the event.
The Co. Down man swam a time of 7:40.94, ahead of Australian Elijah Winnington in second and Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri in third.
"My goal coming in, I knew it was the outside lane (the challenge) would be coming from," said Wiffen after the race. "So I stuck to my own plan and be in it in the last 50. It's good.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to support, it is actually Ireland's first ever world championship medal. I'm amazed. I really wanted to win this one, especially after breaking the (short-course) world record in December. To go on and win the world championships is just class."
DANIEL WIFFEN IS A WORLD CHAMPION! 💚
A time of 7:40.94 wins the County Down man Ireland's first-ever long-course medal at the world championships
Sensational stuff ☘️pic.twitter.com/9tB5lqwvCZ— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 14, 2024
Daniel Wiffen primed for Olympic success
Wiffen's victory will increase hopes that he can take home a medal at the Paris Olympics later this year, where he will be one of the favourites for both the 800m and 1500m events.
As stated by Balls contributor Dodge, Wiffen actually swam faster in 2023, when he finished fourth in the 800m at the World Aquatics Championships.
Wiffen swam faster in 2023 when he finished 4th. None of those who finished ahead of him last year were in the final (Hafnaoui went out in the heats, presumably ill/injured). Just in case anyone is looking for context for Paris… https://t.co/y4t29KgztY
— Dodge (@seidodge) February 14, 2024
Record-breaker
Wiffen's success comes a couple of months after he became the first Irish swimmer to break a world record, as his time of 7:20.46 in the 800m helped him to three golds at the European Aquatics Short Course Championships in Romania.
In the 1500m at the same event, he swam in the third fastest time ever, finishing just over two seconds outside the world record.
He previously described this week's event in Doha as his "test Olympics" and it has certainly gone to plan so far. After securing 800m gold, he will now turn his attention to emulating the feat in the 1500m.
