Daniel Wiffen surrenders first of his World Championship swimming titles in Singapore – The Irish Occasions

Daniel Wiffen has surrendered the primary of his World Aquatics Championships titles after ending eighth within the 800m freestyle last in Singapore.

Exactly a 12 months to the day since profitable the occasion on the Paris Olympics, Wiffen was clearly off his greatest when coming house in a time of seven:58.56, properly down on his Olympic and European document of seven:38.19 set in Paris.

The title right 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 last having clocked 7:46.36 in his warmth on Tuesday morning to take lane one for the ultimate.

The 24-year-old made a daring try and defend his title, main the race after 200m, 0.40 inside world document tempo, earlier than he dropped again to fifth on the 300m mark. Once Jaouadi hit the entrance at midway 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,” stated 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 affected by appendicitis 5 weeks in the past, however had felt he was suitably recovered to compete on the World Championships.

“I’m not letting it affect me at this World Championships, I’m here to race and race fast,” he stated.

In February final 12 months, Wiffen received the 800m freestyle World title in Doha in a time of seven:40.94.

Wiffen can have one other shot of a medal in Singapore when he makes an attempt to defend his 1,500m freestyle World title, which he additionally received in Doha earlier than claiming bronze within the occasion on the Paris Olympics.

The 1,500m freestyle heats happen on Saturday morning, with Wiffen swimming in warmth two (4.50am Irish time). The eight quickest swimmers throughout the three heats will qualify for Sunday afternoon’s last.

Also in motion for Ireland on Wednesday was Ellen Walshe, who decreased her personal Irish document in qualifying for the ultimate of the 200m butterfly.

The Dubliner’s time of two:07.71 made her the fourth quickest qualifier, putting her in lane six for Thursday last (12pm Irish time).

In the 50m backstroke semi-final, Danielle Hill improved on her warmth time to clock 27.71 to complete twelfth general, whereas Evan Bailey swam 49.52 within the heats of the 100m freestyle.