Another gold medal for David Popovici in Slovakia, after a race completed with the second time in history

David Popovici ranked the first position in the 100 -meter free sample from the European Championship U23 in Samorin, Slovakia. With a time of 46.71 seconds, the athlete legitimized at CS Dinamo corrected the continental record he had established, in Rome, in 2022.

For David Popovici is the third medal conquered at Samorin, after the bronze from 50 m free and the gold from 200 m free, a test in which he has an en-tite Olympic champion after the Paris games in the summer of 2024.

On Saturday, the Romanian ended the 100 m free sample in 46.71 seconds, the second best time in history, according to GSP.

Until February 2024, Popovici also owned the world record of 46.86 seconds, which he had established at the European Championships in Rome in 2022. The current terminal was fixed by the Chinese Pan Zhanle, at 46.4 seconds.

According to Golazo.ro, David Popovici obtained four times under 47 seconds, while Pan Zhanle did it five times. The only swimmers who have descended under this threshold are Cesar Cielo (46.91), Alain Bernard (46.94), Caleb Dressel (46.96) and Jack Alexy (46.99).

On Friday, after winning the bronze at 50 m free, the Romanian swimmer sent a message on social networks.

“Gold and bronze at the European Championship U23, Samorin! Two moments that fit in 24 hours, but gather years of work, sacrifices and dreams. I am grateful for everything I live and for all those who support me unconditionally. I thank the team, the coaches and you, to those who are with me!”