Wiffen sets men’s 800-freestyle short course world record in Romania

Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen set a short course world record in the 800-meter freestyle on Sunday, beating Grant Hackett’s previous mark by almost three seconds.

Daniel Wiffen of Ireland celebrates his victory at the end of the men’s 800m Freestyle. | Photo Credit: AFP

Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen set a short course world record in the 800-meter freestyle on Sunday, beating Grant Hackett’s previous mark by almost three seconds.

Wiffen finished in 7 minutes, 20.46 seconds to take gold at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania. Australia’s Hackett had held the record for 15 years after swimming 7:23.42 at the Victoria Championships on July 20, 2008.

𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟 𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗧'𝗦 𝟭𝟱-𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥-𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 🤯#LENOtopeni2023 | #Swimming@SwimIrelandpic.twitter.com/M0o4pSC9Pw

— European Aquatics (@LENaquatics) December 10, 2023

France’s David Aubry was second to Wiffen in 7:30.32, and bronze went to Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine in 7:31.20.

Wiffen had already won gold medals in the 400- and 1,500-meter freestyle events at the championships.