\n<\/p>\n
Someone else in the crowd who has had a huge influence on Wiffen’s career was Andi Manley, his coach from Loughborough University.<\/p>\n
Wiffen’s move to the centre of excellence in Leicestershire, where he studies Computer Science, was crucial in his rise to world champion.<\/p>\n
Wiffen’s trains every day with Olympic and world medallists and that has paid dividends in what he has been able to achieve.<\/p>\n
But the journey is far from over. His immediate thoughts are on the 1500m freestyle this weekend and the opportunity for double world gold.<\/p>\n
“The 1500 is my preferred event, long course. I love that event. It’s like just relaxing in my head,” he explained.<\/p>\n
“It’s just like metronome swimming and just really fun to me. And I mean, I obviously want to be on the podium in the 1500, and I think I will get there.<\/p>\n
“It’ll just be trying to make it through the heat.<\/p>\n
“So it’ll be the hardest part, in my opinion, because there’s a lot of people here who will want to put a target on my back, who will want to be kicking me out of the heats to make sure that I won’t be on that podium.<\/p>\n
“But I’ll just be trying to control the race in the heats and making sure that I do the job.”<\/p>\n
When he returns home next week his thoughts will immediately turn to the Paris Olympics and the sport’s ultimate prize, where he admits there will be increased pressure on him after his success in Doha.<\/p>\n
“I’m up for it. It doesn’t bother me. Nathan told me, as soon as you become champion, you become 50% better. So I guess that’s what we’re going to have to become.<\/p>\n
“I’m ready to up my game now because Paris is not going to be easy but I’m putting everything into this year.<\/p>\n
“If you looked at me when I was younger, nobody would have thought I would become a world champion.<\/p>\n
“I put the hard work in every day. I don’t think there’s any sign of me stopping yet.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n