The Romanian prodigy swimmer strikes again: David Popovici sets a new World Junior Record for 200 free and wins the World Swimming Championship for the event. He becomes the first Romanian man to top the world podium.
David Popovici set a world junior record of 1:43.21 to win the 200 free at the World Championships. He finished ahead of Hwang Sunwoo (KOR), 1:44.47, and Tom Dean (GBR), 1:44.98.
International Press: “Popovici Evokes Memories of Thorpe and Phelps”
The specialized media talks about him with pride. The Swimming World compares him to Thorpe and Phelps, two of the most excellent swimmers of all time.
The 17-year-old was flanked by the European 400 silver medallist Felix Auboeck of Austria and Hwang – whose WJR Popovici eclipsed – with Olympic champion Dean of Britain in lane six. His is a rare talent. Think of young male prodigies and the likes of Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe spring to mind. Born in the Romanian capital Bucharest on 15 September 2004, Popovici doesn’t turn 18 for almost another three months.
The Swimming World on David Popovici
He’s just 17 and has a magnificent career ahead. Should he keep up this rhythm, he’d definitely enter the top swimmers of all time.
Romania doesn’t do good in football, as the national team is at its lowest in the last 30 years, but the country shows great talents, such as great swimmers, tennis players and many others.
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