Irish Olympics hero Daniel Wiffen and twin Nathan mark huge life milestone as parents share ‘pride'
It's an amazing feat given
Advertisement
3
Dad Jonathan shared this pic from their graduation day
Credit: @jwwrok
3
Daniel and Nathan will turn 24 on July 14
3
Daniel came home with a gold and bronze medal from the Paris Olympics
So it was understandable that dad Jonathan posted a message beaming with pride at his two high-achieving sons.
He tweeted: "These two keep us on our toes, but today is a very proud moment, when they have both graduated from Loughborough University in computer science. Congrats!"
Now that he has college out of the way, 800m freestyle Olympic champion is moving home to Northern Ireland where he will
While sharing this update around his swim career he insisted that it was a mutual decision between himself and long-time college coach Andi Manley.
Advertisement
Read More On Irish Sport
Manley told him he needed the change now to achieve his goal of becoming a treble gold medal winner at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Wiffen said: 'I am moving out of my house in Loughborough, so I'm definitely moving back to Ireland as my main training base.
'I will be doing stints in America. The Olympics are going to be there so you have to get ready for that way of life and time zone.
'Nathan is going to be there. You can only stay so far away from your twin you were born three minutes before so that's what I'm going to do. I'll be moving coach and it's going to be hard.
Advertisement
Most read in Other Sports
Exclusive
'I only decided four weeks ago that I was going to be leaving Loughborough. It was maybe two weeks ago when we had the conversation.
'We're really good friends and we chat all the time. He wants what's best for me. He's not a selfish coach and he's not going to tell me to stay just for his own benefit.
Full circle moment' - Jacqui Hurley emotional as RTE host prepares to represent Ireland on global stage
'He thinks it's beneficial for my career, that I need a new start because being in a university programme, you get 18-year-olds, 17-year-olds coming in every year who are a lot lower level than what I am at this point in my career.
'You want to strive to be better than the people . . . you want to train with somebody better than you though it's hard to train with somebody better than an Olympic gold medallist.
Advertisement
'It's trying to progress in other areas. A university programme probably isn't the best place for me at this point in my career.'
LOFTIER TARGETS
Wiffen is unsure who will coach him but is happy to return to his Armagh base and work from there with support from Swim Ireland.
But having won over fans last year when he declared he would win an Olympic gold medal in Paris and then achieved the feat, he has even loftier goals for LA 2028.
He outlined: 'The end goal is three gold medals at LA. I'm just training away and refining the skills right now.
Advertisement
'And then at the start of July I'm leaving for Malaysia for our pre-camp before the World Championships in Singapore in August.
'I've been told a couple of times by different world champions that the hardest world championships to win is the one after winning the Olympics.
'I'm up for the challenge. Obviously my goal is to stay undefeated in the 800 metres. I haven't lost in the 800m freestyle since 2023.
'For me that's the goal — just to keep undefeated and win another gold medal and then hopefully add that 400m and try to challenge it a bit more, and then for the 1500m.
Advertisement
'It's to try and progress from that bronze medal and win the gold I won in Doha before.
'I would say we're aiming for three gold medals. The 400m is maybe a bit of a stretch because it's a new event, but definitely two.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
35 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Joey O'Brien's Shelbourne reign starts on winning note
Joey O'Brien bagged his first three points as now permanent Shelbourne manager with a deserved win over 10-man Cork City. Harry Wood and Mipo Odubeko set the hosts on their way with two goals in the opening six minutes before Kitt Nelson struck to make what looked to be an intriguing second half. However Charlie Lyons' dismissal proved too much of a mountain to climb, as JJ Lunney struck late on to seal a massive victory. The announcement of the former Irish International O'Brien as Damien Duff's successor on a long-term basis managed to just calm the off-the-field questions around Tolka Park at a crucial stage of the season with a potential season defining game against Linfield looming large on the horizon. With two draws in their last two games, the reigning champions wasted no time in getting in front as Wood opened the scoring in just the second minute, sharply intercepting Lyons' pass out wide before coolly clipping the ball over Conor Brann. Despite the renewed optimism around the visitors, City found themselves further behind just four minutes later as Wood turned provider, squaring smartly to Odubeko to smash home his sixth of the season following a free-flowing move. The loss of top-scorer Djenairo Daniels as a focal point looked to be proving pivotal as the game went on with Seani Maguire looking isolated. The one-way Reds traffic continued and midway through the first half it should have been three when Odubeko pounced on further sloppy defensive play. The enigmatic striker raced clear on goal, but his touch took him slightly wide as he scuffed his left-footed shot wide of the target The traffic was brought to an abrupt halt as the visitors began to grow into the game. Greg Bolger's shot from distance almost caught Conot Kearns off his line which seemed to breathe life into the Leesiders. Freddie Anderson's back-post header from an out-swinging corner beat Kearns but just missed the target, before Shels' set-piece woes finally told on the stroke of half time. Anderson, at full stretch, kept the ball alive at the back post before it fell kindly to Nelson, who made no mistake sweeping the ball into the bottom corner. Having given themselves a lifeline, the bottom of the table side swiftly took the wind out of their own sails as skipper Lyons was given his marching orders for a dangerous looking lunge on Mark Coyle. Sensing blood O'Brien introduced Sean Boyd to partner Odubeko in attack, but it was fellow substitute Daniel Kelly whose pace looked dangerous down the right. Struggling to find a third, man-of-the-match Wood tried to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and looked threatening every time he picked up the ball. His deep cross from the right found the unmarked James Norris at the back post, but the on-loan Liverpool man's first-time effort trickled just wide of the far post As the game entered the dying embers, an Lunney then made sure of all three points when his deep cross from the right-hand side floated over everyone before sneaking in at the back post to earn the hosts their first win in four.
Irish Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time and TV channel is Waratahs vs British and Irish Lions on?
The British and Irish Lions tour continues with its third game in-country, against Super Rugby franchise 2025 tour may have got off to a poor start with defeat to Argentina in Dublin but the ship was steadied to some extent with comprehensive wins over Western Force in Perth and Reds in and Ireland's Hugo Keenan, who was suffering from a bug, and Toulouse and Scotland's Blair Kinghorn, who delayed as he was playing in the Top 14 final, will make their Lions starting XV for the game features six Ireland players Keenan, Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne as captain, James Ryan and Josh van der are a further three on the bench Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong and Joe star Elliot Daly suffered a Tour-ending injury in Wednesday's win and has been replaced by England's Owen finished eighth of eleven teams and outside the playoff zone in the 2025 Super Rugby tournament. Their season comprised six wins and eight defeats with five of those losses coming in their last six is what you need to know about the match:Where and when is it?The match takes place at the Alliance Stadium, Sydney, Saturday morning, July 5thWhat time is kick-off?The action gets under way at 11am Irish are the match officials?Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (New Zealand)Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)Tell me some Waratahs stuff?Joe Schmidt's Wallabies have released two key squad members for the game, tighthead prop Taniela Tupou and outside back Andrew Matt Philip will make a long-awaited debut should be used from the bench after returning to Australia from was named after being released by the Wallabies wider training group, as was Darby Lancaster who will start on the left wing and out-half Tane Edmed on the CORNERAndy Farrell, Lions Head Coach: 'Congratulations to Tadhg who will lead the side on Saturday night - and also to Blair, Hugo and Ben who will all make their Lions debuts. The games are coming thick and fast now as we face a Waratahs side who will want to make their mark."Tadhg Beirne, Lions Captain on Owen Farrell's arrival: "He's only going to bring some serious quality to the squad, so we're looking forward to inviting him in here and getting to hang out with him," said Beirne."Any type of leadership is only going to enhance the squad. Playing with him four years ago, I've seen all the leadership qualities that he brings, the quality of his talent as well. It's going to do nothing but boost the squad, for sure."Dan McKellar, Waratahs Head Coach: 'Nela (Tupou) at scrum-time and Kells' (Kellaway) experience on both sides of the ball will be invaluable. To go out there in set-piece first and foremost, back that up with physicality and show the ability to repeat it, they are the three things I talk to tight forwards about every day.'I want him to be really good around scrums, lineout, maul and then impose himself on the game as we know he can do with ball in hand and without just have to put them under pressure. They're a quality side, and as I've said to the players all week … this is a Test match.'We are not playing Super Rugby or anything else. We are playing a high-quality Test team but they've got two arms and two legs, and you just have to put them under pressure.'The Force and the Reds have been able to do that and sustain it for long periods of time is the challenge. They bring on eight high quality Test players off the bench, it's a fair challenge but as has been proven in the past, it's certainly doable. You just have to be very good.'DID YOU KNOW: Twelve years ago the Lions beat the Waratahs 47-17 with Leigh Halfpenny contributing 30 of the Lions' points. BETTING ODDSWaratahs win: 45/1Lions win: 1/100Draw: 50/1What TV CHANNEL IS IT ON?The match will be shown on Sky SportsTEAMSWaratahs: 15 Lawson Creighton; 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Darby Lancaster; 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson; 1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Rob Leota, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Hugh Sinclair (capt)Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Daniel Botha, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Henry O'DonnellLions15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland)14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/ Ireland) #86713. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #87812. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #86311. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/ Scotland)10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/ England) #8629. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/ England) #8601. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/ Scotland) #8682. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/ England) #8513. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/ Ireland) #8564. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/ Ireland) #838 (c)5. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #8806. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/ England) #8657. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #8748. Ben Earl (Saracens/ England) #857Replacements:16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #87317. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/ England) #85918. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #81819. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #87120. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #86921. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/ Wales) #86122. Ben White (Toulon/ Scotland)23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Irish athlete Ciara Mageean diagnosed with cancer
IRISH ATHLETE CIARA Mageean has announced that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment. The European champion and two-time Olympian posted on Instagram this evening. The 33-year-old said the diagnosis has 'been a lot to take in,' but is 'ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track'. Advertisement 'To everyone who's been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I've been diagnosed with cancer,' Mageean wrote. 'It's been a lot to take in, but I've already started treatment and I'm incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends. 'Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together. Your understanding means more than I can say. 'Thank you for the love and strength. I'm ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track.' The Portaferry native won 1500m gold at the European Championships in Rome last June, having previously claimed silver (2022) and bronze (2016). She was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic Games on the eve of her heat in Paris due to a long-running Achilles injury. Mageean had been targeting a return at September's World Championships. She made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, and also featured at the 2021 Games in Tokyo, where injury also hampered her preparations. Mageean was crowned 2022 Athletics Ireland Athlete of the Year, and took the Middle Distance honour in 2024.
