Daniel Wiffen made history by becoming Ireland’s first world swimming champion with victory in the 800m freestyle final in Doha.

The 22-year-old claimed gold in a time of 7:40:94.

Wiffen produced a sensational swim and timed his effort to perfection, taking the lead with 50 metres to go.

He stretched away to claim his first global title ahead of Australia’s Elijah Winnington and Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri.

“Obviously the goal coming into this meet was to win a world medal and be on the top podium for Ireland and obviously it’s Ireland’s first ever medal at a world championship level,” said Wiffen.

“Yeah, it’s just really cool to say and I’m really happy.”

Wiffen, from Magheralin in County Down, qualified second fastest for the final, but in the early stages the race was led from the outside lanes.

Winnington, in lane eight, was under world-record pace at the halfway stage and led Paltrinieri, in lane one, with Wiffen in the middle of the pool 1.54 seconds behind in third.

Australian Winnington, who had won silver in the 400m freestyle earlier in the championships, tired and the Italian took the lead with 200 metres remaining.

But Wiffen paced his race brilliantly, reeled in Paltrinieri and, as they took the final turn together, Wiffen nudged ahead.

He turned on the power down the final 50m to touch the wall first and more than two seconds clear of Winnington, who just edged Paltrinieri for the silver medal.

“It was just really trying to build the confidence in myself, make sure I can trust it and really execute my own race plan and that’s what I did, so I’m very happy,” added Wiffen.

“Hopefully I don’t get too emotional on the podium, but yeah, I’m just ecstatic and I just can’t wait to get on this podium and grab that medal.”

It was a particularly satisfying result for Wiffen, who finished fourth in the 800m and 1500m at last year’s World Championships in Japan.

He also broke the 800m short course world record in Bucharest in December, with Wednesday’s success in Doha another important checkpoint in his quest to become an Olympic champion in Paris this summer.

Wiffen now hopes to add the 1500m title to his 800m gold, with the heats for the longer distance getting under way on Saturday morning.