Daniel Wiffen has made Irish swimming history by winning gold in the 800m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.
The Magheralin, County Armagh man became the first Irish swimmer to win a medal at the World Championships, and did so in style in a time of seven minutes 40.94 seconds.
Wiffen was second quickest in qualifying, and maintained that form in the final, reeling in Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri, who was pipped for silver by .03 of a second by Australian Elijah Winnington (7:42.95).
"Amazing," said the 22-year-old after the race.
"Obviously, the goal coming into this meet was to win a medal and be on the top podium for Ireland.
"It's Ireland's first ever medal at World Championships level and that's really cool to say.
"I'm amazed. I really wanted to win this one, especially after breaking the [short-course] world record in December. To go on and win the World Championships is just class."
Paltrinieri was in lane one and Winnington in lane eight, so Wiffen was aware from the start where the challenge would come from, and he kept them in his sights before hitting the front for the first time with 150 metres to go.
"My goal coming in, I knew it was the outside lane [the challenge] would be coming from. So I stuck to my own plan to be in it in the last 50.
"It was just really trying to build the confidence in myself, make sure I can trust it and execute my own race plan. That's what I did. I'm very happy."
Wiffen added that he couldn't wait to hear the national anthem being played as a world champion and that he was delighted his parents were poolside to witness it.
"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I hope I don't get too emotional on the podium. I'm just ecstatic.
"I wanted them to be here. They missed my world record in Otopeni [Romania] so it's great for them to see me winning the gold medal at the world champs."
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to support."
The Loughborough University student will now turn his attention to securing further success in the 1500m freestyle event, the heats of which begin on Saturday.
Wiffen had finished fourth in both the 800m and 1500m events at the most recent World Championships last July - setting a European record of 7:39.19 in the 800m final - but travelled to Qatar with high hopes of a medal after claiming short-course 400m, 800m and 1500m golds in Otopeni before Christmas.
Shane Ryan (2018 bronze), Ellen Walshe (2021 silver) and Mona McSharry (2021 bronze) had all previously won medals at world short-course (25m) championships.
McSharry (200m breaststroke), Victoria Catterson (100m freestyle), John Shortt and Eoin Corby (both 200m breaststroke) will all be in action in Thursday's heats.
