Robert Badea (18 years old), European junior champion in the 400 m mixed and world bronze medalist in this event, was named the junior of the year in Gala CSA Steaua. A complicated 2026 awaits the licensed swimmer at this club: it will be the first year of seniority and he will also take the Baccalaureate exam.
Robert Badea had a 2025, his last junior year, with many challenges. In addition to the honors obtained at the European Championships, a gold in the 400m medley and a silver in the 200m medley, and at the World Championships a bronze in the 400m medley, the teenager faced an injury: an elbow fracture a month before the National Short Course Championships, where he nevertheless swam.
The swimmer Robert Badea, the junior of the year, with the captain of the Steaua club Eduard Danilof PHOTO Cristi Preda
This injury made him miss the European Short Course Championships in Lublin. “I was qualified for the Europeans, but before the Nationals, a month ago, I fractured my elbow and couldn't swim for two weeks, but now everything is fine. It was a very small fracture, now the important thing is that I've recovered. It was stupid what happened and I'm definitely not going to do something like that again“, said Robert Badea.
What grade did Robert Badea give himself in 2025
Looking towards his performance in the pool in 2025, the star player designated the junior of the year by the club where he is registered has self-evaluated. “If I have to give myself a score from 1 to 10, I would give myself a seven, maybe an eight, because the year didn't go the way I wanted, but at least it ended with this trophy”, he pointed out.
There is always room for improvement. I wanted a little more at the World Championships in Otopeni, but for that moment third place was perfect, it was exactly what had to happen- Robert Badea
Robert Badea, who is coached by Iulia Becheru, has started preparations for the next season, one with two targets: the Baccalaureate exam and the European Senior Championships in Paris (10–16 August).
“The goal is to reach a final in Paris; it's my first senior year and it will be much harder, but I say more is possible. But I also have Bacul, we'll see what comes out. At the moment I'm too focused on swimming, I have to focus on school too, but it's hard for me to come back and take an exam after four years. It's more pressure, but I don't know what's going on, that I'm not too stressed,” he said with a smile, as he does before every race.
