Current student Daniel Wiffen made history when he became the first Irish swimmer to win a world title after claiming gold in the men’s 800m freestyle. Wiffen further solidified his status by achieving double world champion status after a phenomenal swim in the men’s 1500m freestyle, setting a new national record of 14.34.07.
Sunday’s performance by Wiffen capped an incredible meet for the 22-year-old who was named Best Male Swimmer at the 2024 meet.
In other areas of the pool, it was also a brilliant contest for fellow Loughborough athletes.
Engineering student Laura Stephens clinched her first-ever World Championship medal with a gold in the women’s 200m butterfly event. Her performance secured Great Britain's first individual World Championship gold in a women's event since Rebecca Adlington's victory in the 800m freestyle in 2011.
Freya Colbert had a memorable competition, achieving a stunning gold in the women’s 400m individual medley on the final day of the championships. Colbert showcased her skills in the final freestyle stretch to earn her first global title with a time of 4.37.14.
This marked Colbert's second medal in Doha, who was a part of the Great Britain relay team that performed outstandingly in the women's 4x200m freestyle. The team secured the silver, where alumna Abbie Wood also played a key part in the quartet's success.
There was also a double silver for sisters Louise Hansson and Sophie Hansson, who combined superbly to take the women’s 4x100m medley relay title. Louise added a further medal with a bronze in the women’s 100m backstroke final.
Adding to the standout performances, Poland’s Kornelia Fiedkiewicz set a national record in the women’s 100m freestyle with a time of 54.01. Current student Lauren Cox placed 5th in the world in the women’s 100m backstroke, setting a new personal best of 59.60.
Earlier in the competition, Loughborough swimmer Hector Pardoe charged to Britain’s first 10km marathon swimming World Championship medal for more than a decade with a bronze in 1:48:29.
The World Aquatics Championships took place in Doha, Qatar between 2 – 18th February 2024.