Daniel Wiffen made his return to international waters as the European Short Course Championships got underway in Lublin, Poland.
Wiffen hasn’t competed since he pulled out of the World Championships with appendicitis before undergoing surgery at the start of September.
The Irishman was in the seventh and final heat of the 400 free in which he’s the defending champion and set the fastest time of 3:37.04 to book lane four for the final.
Men’s 400 Freestyle
Jack McMillan set the pace in the penultimate heat in 3:37.57 ahead of the final prelim which featured Olympic and world champion Lukas Märtens, defending champion Wiffen and Duncan Scott.
Märtens was under WR pace at the 100m mark and still led at halfway with Wiffen for company down in lane nine. The pair were tied with before the Irishman went ahead at 350 before coming home in 3:37.04 to book lane four alongside McMillan. Victor Johansson was third through in 3:37.73 ahead of Zalan Sarkany (3:38.07). Märtens was seventh in 3:38.38 with Scott claiming the final spot in 3:38.43 and Roman Fuchs locked out in 3:38.88.
