European Short Course Championships: Daniel Wiffen breaks 800m freestyle world record

Daniel Wiffen has broken the 800m freestyle world record to clinch his third gold medal at the European Short Course Championships in Romania.

The 22-year-old finished in 7 minutes 20.46 seconds, shaving over two seconds off a record held by Australian Grant Hackett, which stood for 15 years.

He beat France's David Aubry to the gold medal.

Wiffen also clinched the 1500m and 400m freestyle gold medals this week.

"It's amazing. I had so many people texting me saying I was going to break the world record," he said.

"I was trying to keep it under wraps that I was kind of in the shape for it. This morning I felt horrible as well, which is kind of weird.

"It clearly proves that feeling doesn't really have anything to do with it."

In the final day of action in Bucharest, the County Armagh native finished almost 10 seconds ahead of second placed Aubry in 7:30.32 and Ukraine's Mykhailo Romanchuk in third.

Sunday's win caps a fine end to a remarkable week for Wiffen, who became the first Irish swimmer to win a gold medal at a European Short Course Championships with his victory in the 400m freestyle on Tuesday.

He then set a new personal best and Irish senior record time of 14:09.11 in the 1500m freestyle on Thursday, the third quickest time in history.

"This is the hardest period of racing," he said.

"We had 10 days of racing, including the week before this. I've done four 1500m, three 800m and two 400m - to finish it off in that style just proves my fitness at the moment.

"This time last year I broke the European record 800m. At the World Champs I had two fourth places and a European record long course in the 1500m freestyle.

"Off the back of that I was disappointed with my fourth place. When I got here I was like, 'OK, we need to step up'. No more fourth places, let's get in the medals.

"I came away with three golds and a world record, it's just amazing," he beamed.

Wiffen won three gold medals at the European Short Course Championships this week

Wiffen's twin brother Nathan finished eighth in 7:39.99 and Daniel praised his brother's influence on his own performance this week.

"I'm so proud of me, my family - Nathan as well in this final. We push each other on every day.

"I'm so happy to bring this sport to the Irish public. Swimming isn't very big in Ireland, and now it is probably one of the biggest sports ever."

Looking ahead to next year's Olympics in Paris, Wiffen concedes that all eyes will be on him after his displays in Bucharest.

"I'm maybe going in with a target on my back, I guess, after breaking that world record.

"I'm just going to go with the same attitude I have gone with now. I'll go back to training, I need to work a bit harder on my turns - they were a bit sloppy in my opinion but it's going to be a great season."