Wiffen bags gold at European Short Course swimming championships

Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen took gold in the 400m freestyle on the opening day of competition at the European short course championships in Otopeni on Tuesday.

Wiffen, who came fourth in the 1500m freestyle at the world championships in July, clipped almost three seconds off his own national record as he won in 3min 35sec.

He touched over two seconds ahead of Lithuania’s Danas Rapsys with Belgium’s Lucas Henveaux taking bronze.

“The 400m is not part of my usual programme so winning is a good sign of what I can do in my other races (800m and 1500m),” said the 22-year-old from Magheralin in Northern Ireland.

“The race went as planned; I kept a bit in reserve for the second half as I’m a long-distance swimmer.”

Later in the championships, he is expected to meet up with his twin brother Nathan over his usual distances.

The first day of competition was also marked by two titles for Great Britain, Abbie Wood in the 400m medley final and the 4x50m freestyle relay team.

“Great Britain has never really been a nation of sprinters,” said relay member Ben Proud.

“But in recent years we’ve had a few good guys all of a sudden, and today’s performance was incredible.”

Italy took silver and Greece bronze.

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AFP

(NAMPA / AFP)