Mona McSharry has kicked off team Ireland's medal haul in the pool with a fantastic performance in last night's 100m breaststroke final to claim bronze and Down native Daniel Wiffen has followed that up with a gold medal performance and a new Olympics record in tonight's 800m freestyle final.
The 23-year-old made the Irish team for Tokyo 2020, where he was one of eight on the nine-strong Irish Olympic Swimming roster making his Olympic debut. He won his heat in 7:51.65, which was good enough to place him 14th overall but unfortunately not enough to make the final.
But he's been a different animal since then, to qualify for tonight's final, Wiffen won his heat with an impressive time of 7:41:53 to book his place in the 800m freestyle final. The Irish athlete set the fastest time across all four heats, in his heat, the Australian duo of Elijah Winnington and Sam Short raced into the lead only for Wiffen to hunt them down.
Paris 2024: Ireland's Daniel Wiffen makes a big statement of intent as he wins his 800m freestyle heat in a time of 7:41.53, securing his place in the final.#RTESport #Paris2024
📷Updates https://t.co/NhnQoPxaeE
📷Watch https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/1zUFIqYvvp— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 29, 2024
SEE ALSO: 'Oh sh*t!' Mona McSharry Gave Epic Interview After Averting Disaster To Win Bronze
Who is Daniel Wiffen?
Magheralin is Daniel's home, a small village between Moira and Lurgan on the border between Down and Armagh. Though their home is in Armagh, the nearest GAA club St Michael’s, who Daniel played for at underage level, is affiliated to the Down County Board.
A sibling rivalry with his twin Nathan has helped push Wiffen to such great heights that has seen him recognised worldwide as a swimming superstar.
Each week the twins spend a combined 50 hours plus in the pool and gym and believe that skills gained now, such as time management and discipline, will last them a lifetime.
Both are currently studying computer science degrees at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England.
Aside from being a champion swimmer, Wiffen also has the distinction of featuring in one of the most popular TV shows of all time, Game of Thrones.
The hit TV series was partly filmed in Belfast, with Wiffen and his twin brother having the opportunity to appear as extras in one of the series' most memorable episodes, the infamous Red Wedding.
Record breaker
The 7:39.19 he set when finishing fourth in last year’s World Championships in Fukuoka stands as a European record.
He also broke the 800m freestyle world record, recording a time of 7:20.46 at the European Short Course Championship at the end of last year.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗
Daniel Wiffen has set a new World Record in the 800m Freestyle of 7:20.46.
Daniel smashed the oldest world swimming record on the books, 2008 Grant Hackett .
🥇🥇🥇
pic.twitter.com/GQtLfdLWFZ— Derry McVeigh ☘️🇮🇪 (@derrymcveigh) December 10, 2023
He really is a superstar in the pool.
