A 12 months to the day since his Olympic triumph, Wiffen got here out of the blocks quick and led the race after the opening 100 metres, when he was on world report tempo from the surface lane.
He maintained his benefit on the 300m mark, however was quickly caught and handed by Jaouadi, Schwatrz, Martens and his American Olympic rival Bobby Finke.
The Eire swimmer continued to fall away as Jaouardi stretched his margin out entrance, and Wiffen would ultimately come dwelling in eighth place – some 22 seconds behind the Tunisian.
Jaouadi’s time was the third-fastest ever within the self-discipline after a blistering last 400m.
Regardless of a disappointing defence. of his 800m crown, Wiffen will attempt to reclaim his 1500m freestyle title when the heats begin on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Ellen Walshe produced an outstanding swim in her 200m butterfly semi-final to progress to Thursday’s last with the fourth quickest time total.
The 23-year-old posted a time of two:07.48 to complete third in a fast second semi-final behind Summer season McIntosh and the USA’s Regan Smith.
Danielle Hill posted a season’s greatest time within the 50m backstroke however missed out on the ultimate by setting the twelfth quickest time within the semi-finals.
Hill posted a time of 27.71 seconds and stated she had “very combined feelings” after her swim.
“I need to be in that last and I have been round that point for a few years, so there’s something we have now to alter in an effort to enhance,” she stated.
“I am disenchanted to not be in that last but it surely’s an enormous studying curve this week.”
Hill is again within the pool within the 100m freestyle on Thursday morning, together with 200m breaststroke swimmers Ellie McCartney and Mona McSharry.
