Daniel Wiffen Spearheads Swim Ireland Squad On Return From Surgery At European S/C Championships
Daniel Wiffen will make his competitive return to the water following surgery as part of a 13-strong Swim Ireland team at December’s European Short Course Championships in Lublin, Poland.
Wiffen underwent appendicitis surgery in August after withdrawing from the World Championships ahead of the 1500 after finishing eighth in the 800 in which he’s the Olympic champion.
He has also moved to the US to train with the pro group at Cal-Berkeley after many fruitful years with Andi Manley at Loughborough.
Now the 24-year-old will return to the racing arena at the continental s/c event which runs from 2-7 December, two years after he won the 400-800-1500 treble at the 2023 edition in Otopeni, Romania. Not only that but Wiffen crushed the 800 free world record, going 7:20.46 to slice 2.96secs off Grant Hackett’s 2008 mark.
Wiffen will be joined by Ellen Walshe who won 400IM bronze last time out and who has been on fine form on the World Cup tour where she has picked up a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal, as well as setting two new Irish records, with the final leg to come in Toronto.
While Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry has opted not to travel to Poland, Wiffen and Walshe are joined by World Championships finalist Ellie McCartney, and semi-finalists Evan Bailey, John Shortt and Tom Fannon.
Interim Swim Ireland National Performance Director Andy Reid said “Congratulations to all athletes and their coaches on selection to the 2025 European Aquatics Championships (25m) Team. A special mention goes to our four senior team debutants, stepping onto the senior international stage for the first time. We are looking forward to delivering fast, end-of-cycle one short course racing and setting the tone for the season ahead.”