Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen Withdraws from World Aquatics Championships
Northern Ireland’s Olympic swimming star Daniel Wiffen has announced his withdrawal from the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore due to lingering effects from appendicitis he suffered in June.
The 24-year-old Magheralin swimmer, who won Olympic gold in the 800m freestyle, finished eighth in Wednesday’s 800m final. Despite a strong start, Wiffen struggled in the latter stages of the race, later revealing that his “stomach was in pieces” after passing the halfway mark.
Wiffen had just managed to secure a place in the final, qualifying as the last swimmer from the heats, admitting afterward that he felt “really weak” following his earlier races. He also competed in the 400m heats on Sunday, finishing 16th overall.
Originally, Wiffen was set to defend his 1500m World Championship title on Saturday. However, after assessing his condition, he decided to withdraw to focus on recovery.
“Just to let everyone know I have medically withdrawn from the World Championships in Singapore due to the appendicitis that I suffered from in June,” Wiffen said. “Thank you for all the support in last night’s (800m) final. I wasn’t physically at my best, but I will be working towards getting back to full fitness and winning shape soon.”
While the setback is disappointing for both Wiffen and his supporters, the Olympic champion remains focused on returning to top form for upcoming competitions. His decision highlights the challenges athletes face in balancing recovery with the demands of international competition.
