Daniel Wiffen has surrendered the first of his World Aquatics Championships titles after finishing eighth in the 800m freestyle final in Singapore.
Exactly a year to the day since winning the event at the Paris Olympics, Wiffen was clearly off his best when coming home in a time of 7:58.56, well down on his Olympic and European record of 7:38.19 set in Paris.
The title here went to Ahmed Jaouadi, the 20-year-old from Tunisia, who dominated the second half of the 16 lengths to strike gold in 7:36.88.
Wiffen was the slowest of the eight qualifiers for Wednesday’s final having clocked 7:46.36 in his heat on Tuesday morning to take lane one for the final.
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The 24-year-old made a bold attempt to defend his title, leading the race after 200m, 0.40 inside world record pace, before he dropped back to fifth at the 300m mark. Once Jaouadi hit the front at halfway it was race over, with German Sven Schwarz second in 7:39.96 and his compatriot Lukas Maertens third in 7:40.19
Olympic 1,500m champion Bobby Finke from the USA was fourth in 7:46.42.
“We got in there, we got eighth place, and last in the final, and obviously not my best showing. From last year, winning the Olympics, to coming eighth in the final,” said Wiffen.
“Honestly I’m happy to be in the final, still progressing, still getting those nerves up. That’s what sport is about, trying to get comfortable, and pretty sure I was leading at one point.
“Then got to 400, and my stomach was in pieces, so not my best showing, but happy to represent Ireland again in the final.”
Earlier this week, Wiffen revealed he had been suffering from appendicitis five weeks ago, but had felt he was suitably recovered to compete at the World Championships.
“I’m not letting it affect me at this World Championships, I’m here to race and race fast,” he said.
In February last year, Wiffen won the 800m freestyle World title in Doha in a time of 7:40.94.
Wiffen will have another shot of a medal in Singapore when he attempts to defend his 1,500m freestyle World title, which he also won in Doha before claiming bronze in the event at the Paris Olympics.
The 1,500m freestyle heats take place on Saturday morning, with Wiffen swimming in heat two (4.50am Irish time). The eight fastest swimmers across the three heats will qualify for Sunday afternoon’s final.
Also in action for Ireland on Wednesday was Ellen Walshe, who reduced her own Irish record in qualifying for the final of the 200m butterfly.
The Dubliner’s time of 2:07.71 made her the fourth fastest qualifier, placing her in lane six for Thursday final (12pm Irish time).
In the 50m backstroke semi-final, Danielle Hill improved on her heat time to clock 27.71 to finish 12th overall, while Evan Bailey swam 49.52 in the heats of the 100m freestyle.
