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European Short Course Swimming Championships: Irish Swimmer Daniel Wiffen Sets World Record In 800m Freestyle

Daniel Wiffen had already won gold medals in the 400-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle events at the championships

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Ireland's Daniel Wiffen, centre, celebrates his gold medal in Men's 800m Freestyle
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Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen set a short course world record in the 800-meter freestyle, beating Grant Hackett's previous mark by almost three seconds. (Swimming News)

Wiffen finished in 7 minutes, 20.46 seconds to take gold at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania. Australia's Hackett had held the record for 15 years after swimming 7:23.42 at the Victoria Championships on July 20, 2008.

France's David Aubry was second to Wiffen in 7:30.32, and bronze went to Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine in 7:31.20.

Wiffen had already won gold medals in the championships' 400-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle events.