European Short-Course, Day 5 Prelims: Daniel Wiffen Books Tilt At Treble In Otopeni

Daniel Wiffen of Ireland competes in the 800m Freestyle Men Heats during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 25th, 2023.

Daniel Wiffen: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

European Short-Course, Day 5 Prelims: Daniel Wiffen Books Tilt At Treble In Otopeni

Daniel Wiffen booked a tilt at the freestyle treble on the penultimate day of prelims at the European Short-Course Championships at the Aquatics Complex of Otopeni.

Having already made Irish history with 400 and 1500 gold, the Loughborough-based swimmer headed the 800 prelims where he’ll be joined by twin Nathan.

Alessandro Miressi, Nicolo Martinenghi, Luke Greenbank and Andreas Vazaios were heat winners in their respective events.

Freya Anderson, Benedetta Pilato and Anna Ntountounaki were also first through with Great Britain‘s mixed 4×50 free relay booking lane four for Saturday’s final in Otopeni.

Beryl Gastaldello won’t be taking any further part in the 50 fly after being DQd, hours after winning the 100 free.

There was no place for Olympic 200 free champion Tom Dean who missed out in the 100 free under the two-per-nation rule once again.

Men’s 50m Breaststroke

Nicolo Martinenghi, the 2022 world long-course silver medallist, heads the field in 26.04 ahead of Emre Sakci (26.15).

The Turkish swimmer holds the world record of 24.95, set in Gazientep in December 2021.

Caspar Corbeau, the 100 bronze medallist was next through in 26.37.

Simone Cerasuolo was the second Italian through in 26.43 with Federico Poggio missing out under the two-per-nation rule in eighth (26.77).

Women’s 200m Freestyle

Freya Anderson headed three British women in the top four, returning the morning after 100 bronze to go 1:53.72.

Barbora Seemanova, the 2021 European long-course champion, was second in 11:54.57 with Freya Colbert (1:54.89) and Lucy Hope (1:55.16) third and fourth through.

However, Hope misses out because of the two-per-nation rule.

Signe Bro took the final spot in 1:57.72.

Men’s 200m Backstroke

Olympic bronze medallist Luke Greeenbank was speedy to head the field in 1:49.79 ahead of British teammate Cameron Brooker (1:51.85).

Ole Braunschweig of Germany was some way clear to win his prelim and go third in 52.58.

Mewen Tomac and Yohann Ndoye Brouard both safely progressed the morning after a French 1-2 over 100m.

Women’s 50m Breaststroke

Three-time world medallist Benedetta Pilato is in pole in 29.21 ahead of Eneli Jefimova (29.46), the 16-year-old who claimed Estonia’s first European s/c title in the 100, and. Imogen Clark (29.50).

Sophie Hansson, bronze medallist at the 2021 short-course worlds, withdrew.

Men’s 100m Freestyle

A quality field in Otopeni was headed by Alessandro Miressi in 46.49 ahead of world record-holder David Popovici (46.70) who’ll return for the 200 free final this evening.

Matt Richards and Jacob Whittle both clocked 46.85 to progress but Tom Dean, the Olympic 200 champion, misses out under the two-per-nation rule once again in 47.16.

Dean failed to progress in the 200 free because of said rule while he finished ninth in the 400 free, missing out on the final by 0.09.

Dean’s British teammate Lewis Burras scratched and later appeared in the mixed 4×50 free.

Men’s 100IM

Andreas Vazaios returned after winning silver in the 200IM to post the fastest time of 52.19.

Duncan Scott, who claimed his first European s/c title on Friday ahead of Vazaios, was among eight swimmers to scratch.

Women’s 50 Fly

Anna Ntountounaki, bronze medallist at Kazan 2021, was swiftest in 25.36 ahead of Tessa Giele (25.45) with Sara Junevik (25.51) leading home Swedish teammate Louise Hansson (25.59).

Beryl Gastaldello, winner of the 100 free on Friday following 100IM and 50 free silvers, was DQd because of a false start.

Mixed 4×50 Free Relay

Great Britain will be in lane four after going 1:30.61 ahead of Italy 1:30.65 and France (1:30.75).

Men’s 800m Freestyle

Daniel Wiffen booked lane four in Sunday’s final in 7:33.38, 7.42secs outside the European record he set in December 2022.

The 22-year-old elevated himself to third-fastest all-time in the 1500 in Otopeni in 14:09.11 and a tilt at Grant Hackett‘s 800 WR of 7:23.42 that has stood since July 2008 could well be on the cards.

He said through Swim Ireland:

‘‘It was pretty good, I had a little bit of fun in that race, I went out normal pace and then I just sat back after I got the lead just to make it not as tough on me for the final tomorrow, now it’s all about recovery.”

Mykhailo Romanchuk (7:33.41) and Felix Auboeck (7:34.00) were next through with Nathan Wiffen fifth 7:34.82.

Nathan, who swam a 12-second PB, added:

“I came in here and thought it would be difficult to make a final at my first senior meet, or ever at any international, so to make two finals is pretty unreal in my opinion.

“The 800m is my main event, so I was surprised to make it in the 1500m, so yeah, I’m very excited.”

Henrik Christiansen, the 2022 short-course worlds silver medallist, was locked out by one place and 0.11 in 7:36.50.

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