Daniel Wiffen breaks oldest world record to secure his third European gold
Ireland's Daniel Wiffen with his gold medal after winning the 800m freestyle, setting a new world record of 7:20.46, at the European Short Course Swimming Championships at the Aquatics Complex in Otopeni, Romania. Photo: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
Daniel Wiffen smashed the oldest world swimming record on the books in the 800m freestyle final yesterday to claim victory at the European Short Course Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
The Down man had already set the European record of 7:25.96, but took almost three seconds off Australia’s Grant Hackett’s 2008 time of 7:23.42 yesterday, touching the wall in an incredible 7:20.46.
Hackett had first set the world record in August 2001 – just two weeks after Wiffen was born.
The result was Wiffen’s third gold and his third European title of the championships, with the 22-year-old also named as the male swimmer of the tournament. Yesterday’s triumph did not come easy. however.
“It’s amazing. I had people messaging me asking if I was going to try and break the world record, but I was trying to keep it under wraps that I was in the shape for it,” Wiffen said
“I actually felt horrible during the morning so it’s great to swim that fast when I’ve been feeling that way.
“This is the hardest ever period (of racing) as I’ve had ten days of racing. I’ve done four 1500s, three 800s and two 400s in ten days and to finish off with the world record just proves my fitness.
“This time last year I broke the European record in the 800m and then in April I went 14:36 and then at the world champs, two fourth places and a European record long course in the 800m freestyle.
“Off the back of that, I was kind of disappointed with my fourth places so coming here I was like, ‘we need to step up, no more fourth places. Let’s get in the medals’ and we came away with three golds and a world record which is just amazing”
Also swimming the 800m final, was Wiffen’s twin brother Nathan, who placed eighth in 7:39.99. This was the 22-year-old’s second fastest time in the event.
Swimming at his first senior international, Nathan was happy with his performance.
“I was very tired in that final, I’m not going to lie, I got a 13 second best in the heats and I was blown away by that, but then I’ve never done that many events in my life, I’ve never done that many swims and I’m very proud that on my first international stage that I’ve made two finals and that was the fastest final there’s ever been, so I was so proud to make it,” he added.
