Daniel Wiffen Places Eighth in 800m Freestyle Final at World Aquatics Championships
Northern Ireland's Olympic 800m freestyle champion Daniel Wiffen led early but ultimately finished eighth in the Singapore final amid post-appendicitis struggles.
Olympic 800m freestyle champion Daniel Wiffen led early but could not sustain his pace and finished eighth in the final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Wiffen surged ahead after 300 metres, setting a world-record pace in the opening 100 metres from the outside lane, but was gradually overtaken.
Tunisia's Ahmed Jaouadi claimed gold in 7:36.88, followed by Germany's Sven Schwarz and Lukas Martens. Wiffen's time of 7:58.56 left him 22 seconds behind the winner.
The 24-year-old from Northern Ireland had battled appendicitis before the meet, avoiding surgery but feeling "really weak" after advancing as the last qualifier in his semi-final.
Despite the setback in the 800m, Wiffen will seek to defend his 1500m title when heats begin on Saturday.
Wiffen's early lead showed his potential, but health setbacks and fatigue prevented him from challenging for gold in Singapore.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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