David Popovici has passed the national title at 200 meters free. He swam the four basin lengths in 1: 45.07, this being the best performance of 2025. Throughout the season, it is exceeded only by the South Korean Hwan Sunwoo with 1: 45.03, a time made in November 2024.
David evaluated his performance from Otopeni in the event in which he became an Olympic champion in Paris with a time of 1:44, 72. “It's a very good time. It's very close to the time I had at the Olympic Games. I had no time waiting, but I swam as fast as I could today. And it was quite fast ”, said Popovici.
It was the first race of 200 m free after the one in Paris. How did she feel? “Okay, yes, it feels good. In the morning I only swam to qualify and test something, and now I swam as much as I could and feel better than I thought I would feel after eight months after the Olympic Games ”, he pointed out.
He also mentioned the time in the 50-meter free sample that he won on Wednesday with 21.83 s. “What I achieved yesterday made me even happier, because I wanted this job very much, to be the first in history under 22 seconds at 50, under 47 to 100 and below 1.43: 00 to 200. And this realized I enjoy very much”, David said.
What's the next challenge? “I do not know. I invent them along the way because, honestly, I have met all the goals I have proposed since I was little. Olympic champion, world champion, world record and so on.
To fight records motivates me more than any titles I would get because there is the situation you can become a world champion and a weaker time
– David Popovici
David Popovici said which race will be closer to him
David has two samples at the National Championships in Otopeni, 100 m free on Saturday and 100 m butterfly on Sunday. “I have no expectations for the Sunday race, but it will be sure the closest of the ones I swim,” he said. Even if he does not swim too often at 100 m butterfly, he holds the national senior record, 52.30, established in 2023.
David was expected by many children after the 200 -meter free sample. One of them entered the area of interviews and urged by his mother to embrace him on the Olympic champion.
“It's cute, I hope he didn't push his mother too much. The child should be left alone, but he was nice, I saw his card, which was written” David, I love you! “, Before entering the water.” On Friday, David Popovici has a break day, and on the weekend he returns to the Otopeni basin.
