Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen scoops European Gold and comes agonisingly close to breaking world record

The 22-year-old secured the 1500m freestyle title in style. His winning time of 14.09.11 was the third fastest time in history and just outside the world record of 14.06.88 as well as being a personal best and an Irish record.

Up to the 1,000m mark, the Loughborough-based student was ahead of world record pace. He finished an incredible 12 seconds ahead of his closest rivals David Aubry (14:21.78) of France and Mykhailo Romanchuk (14:22.18) of Ukraine in the event in Otopeni, Romania.

Only four swimmers have ever dipped under 14.10 for the gruelling event and only Germany’s Florian Wellbrock (14:06.88) and Italy’s Gregorio Paltrineiri (14:08.16) have bettered his effort.

The performance confirmed his status as one of the most promising swimmers in the world. On Tuesday he won the gold medal in the 400m freestyle, setting a new Irish record.

“‘It’s a great time,” said a delighted Wiffen. “I knew I was going fast as I took it out fast, and I just wanted to see how long I could hold on, I got to the 500m, and I was really feeling it. It definitely hurt, but I expected to be that fast building on from the 400m title.

“I guess I’m just taking loads of confidence from this and hopefully will bring it back and convert it into long course (50m).”

Adding to the history of the race, Ireland were represented by twins for the first time in a European final as Daniel’s brother Nathan made his debut. Nathan swam a personal best time of 14:38.75 to finish eighth overall.

“I got to the first 1,000 and thought I’m hurting a bit here, but I’d told my coach I wanted to go out with the pack, because you’ve got to learn to stick with them in the 1500m, because that’s how the race goes, so I’m pretty happy with that,” said Nathan.

Speaking to The Irish Independent, Daniel modesty said the highlight of the final was having his twin Nathan in the race. “It was fantastic, and it was a great achievement for him to reach a final in his first championship.”

He said the event formed part of his preparations for the world championships next year and ultimately the Olympic Games in Paris. “We will just keep competing and see where it takes us.”

He is a final year computer science student in Loughborough University in the UK where Nathan is also a student.

Daniel and Nathan will be back in the pool on Saturday in the heats of the 800m freestyle, an event in which Daniel is the European record holder.

The twins are the youngest sons of Jonathan and Rachel Wiffen. Home is Magheralin, a small village between Moira and Lurgan, situated on the Armagh side of the county boundary with Down.

The twins followed their older sibling Ben, now a swimming and cross-fit coach, into the pool.

Ben and his girlfriend, together with Daniel and Nathan’s parents Jonathan and Rachel, were in Romania to see the race.

Meanwhile, Danielle Hill put in another fantastic performance in the 50m backstroke semi-final and was just on the Irish record of 26.59 that she had set in Thursday’s heats, clocking 26.62, to finish fourth in her heat and sixth overall to progress to Friday’s final.