OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST Daniel Wiffen has eased his way to the final of the 400m Freestyle event at the European Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships in Lublin, Poland.
The Armagh man, who won his gold medal in Paris 2024 in the 800m event, was the quickest across all seven heats, recording a time of 3:37.04.
As ever, he waited for his chance before striking and making his move, being positioned third after the 100m mark. He then moved into second with 100m left and made his move to overtake Lukas Martens, who won the Olympic gold in this event.
This was Wiffen’s first competitive fixture since appendix surgery, his last coming back in August at the World Championships in Singapore.
The final will be held at 6.07 Irish time this evening.
Advertisement
”I’m not gonna lie, it was quite hard,” Wiffen said afterwards. “I had to push a bit because I was in lane nine. It’s probably the worst lane to be in the heats beside the wall, but I was in control the whole way.
“I knew where everybody was, so it was pretty easy for me because I could bilaterally breathe that way, so happy with the time.
“It’s definitely the fastest morning swim I’ve had, but I’m not about that, so tonight [will be] a lot faster.”
The 24-year-old was satisfied with how the early start panned out while optimistic about his chances this evening.
“I actually had no idea how I was going to race today,” he added. “I didn’t do any pre-racing before this.
“I’m just looking for gold. I mean, I am the world record holder in the 800, so I really should win that one.
“But I don’t really have any expectations, I’m just looking to have a bit of fun racing the short course.
“I did an amazing job in this last event in 2023 — so one gold I’m happy with.”
There was more progression for Fermanagh’s Ellie McCartney, who made her way to the women’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals by coming fourth in her heat, her time 1:05.54. Her semi-final will be at 6.32pm.
Meanwhile, John Shortt proceeded to the semi-finals of the men’s 200m backstroke. He finished second in the final heat with his time of 1:50.65 being the joint-fourth fastest overall from the heats.
The semis are slated for 7.10pm Irish time.
“It’s nice to get in the first one to shake the nerves off a bit and see where we’re at,” Shortt said
“And I felt really good as I was swimming it. So we’ll see how we go tonight.
“I’d love to get down near that 1:49 range [tonight]. That would be a serious swim, but we’ve got to make sure that we’re recovering well now and then get back at it tonight.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Daniel Wiffen wins heat to go into final of European Championships in Poland
Updated at 13.57
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST Daniel Wiffen has eased his way to the final of the 400m Freestyle event at the European Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships in Lublin, Poland.
The Armagh man, who won his gold medal in Paris 2024 in the 800m event, was the quickest across all seven heats, recording a time of 3:37.04.
As ever, he waited for his chance before striking and making his move, being positioned third after the 100m mark. He then moved into second with 100m left and made his move to overtake Lukas Martens, who won the Olympic gold in this event.
This was Wiffen’s first competitive fixture since appendix surgery, his last coming back in August at the World Championships in Singapore.
The final will be held at 6.07 Irish time this evening.
”I’m not gonna lie, it was quite hard,” Wiffen said afterwards. “I had to push a bit because I was in lane nine. It’s probably the worst lane to be in the heats beside the wall, but I was in control the whole way.
“I knew where everybody was, so it was pretty easy for me because I could bilaterally breathe that way, so happy with the time.
“It’s definitely the fastest morning swim I’ve had, but I’m not about that, so tonight [will be] a lot faster.”
The 24-year-old was satisfied with how the early start panned out while optimistic about his chances this evening.
“I actually had no idea how I was going to race today,” he added. “I didn’t do any pre-racing before this.
“I’m just looking for gold. I mean, I am the world record holder in the 800, so I really should win that one.
“But I don’t really have any expectations, I’m just looking to have a bit of fun racing the short course.
“I did an amazing job in this last event in 2023 — so one gold I’m happy with.”
There was more progression for Fermanagh’s Ellie McCartney, who made her way to the women’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals by coming fourth in her heat, her time 1:05.54. Her semi-final will be at 6.32pm.
Meanwhile, John Shortt proceeded to the semi-finals of the men’s 200m backstroke. He finished second in the final heat with his time of 1:50.65 being the joint-fourth fastest overall from the heats.
The semis are slated for 7.10pm Irish time.
“It’s nice to get in the first one to shake the nerves off a bit and see where we’re at,” Shortt said
“And I felt really good as I was swimming it. So we’ll see how we go tonight.
“I’d love to get down near that 1:49 range [tonight]. That would be a serious swim, but we’ve got to make sure that we’re recovering well now and then get back at it tonight.”
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
swim meet Swimming WIFF OF CORDITE