Daniel Wiffen Sets BUCS 1500 Free Record As Freya Colbert Also Makes Winning Return After World Titles
Daniel Wiffen set a BUCS 1500 free record while Freya Colbert also made a winning return to the water following Doha 2024 at the BUCS Long Course Championships in Sheffield.
Wiffen became only the fourth man to complete the distance double when he won the 800 and 1500 at the World Championships to rub shoulders with the likes of Grant Hackett, Ahmed Hafnaoui and Sun Yang.
There was little time for the Irishman to celebrate on his return to Loughborough where he’s coached by Andi Manley.
Instead, the Irishman drove 60 miles up the M1 to Ponds Forge where he lined up alongside twin brother Nathan for the 1500 free at the BUCS (British Universities and College Sport) meet.
There he set a new BUCS record of 14:42.05, lapping his rivals and enjoying a 48.68sec victory over Tyler Melbourne-Smith (15:30.73) with Nathan Wiffen third in 15:54.37.
Colbert – who claimed the 400IM title in Doha – returned to win the 200 free in 1:58.03.
James Guy and Abbie Wood were among the guest swimmers who competed in prelims.
Other winners included Lauren Cox in the 100 back (1:00.76), Keanna MacInnes in the 100 fly (58.32) and Tatiana Belonogoff, who claimed the 50 breast crown in 30.33.
Katie Shanahan won the 200IM in 2:11.94 while Fleur Lewis headed the women’s fastest heat of the 1500 in 16:22.88.
Felix Auboeck won the 400 free in 1:47.77, Oli Morgan took the 100 back in 53.31 and Lewis Fraser won the 100 fly in 52.62.
Archie Goodburn edged out Greg Butler in the 50m by 0.05 in 27.63 to 27.68 while Charlie Hutchison overturned a 0.57 deficit at the final turn to claim the 2IM in 2:01.44.
Loughborough University won the mixed 4×100 medley relay in 3:50.51 ahead of Edinburgh (3:50.88)