Article by Roxana Fleşeru – published on Thursday, June 26, 2025 21:51 / Updated Thursday, June 26, 2025 22:11
Denis Popescu (21 years old), gold medalist, has twice improved the national record to 100 m butterfly (51.49 s and 51.48 s). Before the Samorin competition, he belonged to David Popovici (52,30).
Denis Popescu came smiling at the mixed area, overwhelmed and satisfied with his performance: gold at 100 m butterfly in the European Championships U23, defeating Diego Ribeiro, the world champion of the sample.
The 21 -year -old Romanian has qualified in the final with the best time, 51.49 s, while also represented a new national record.
David Popovici was the holder of the national record of 2023, when he had swam at the 52.30 national championships. In the evening session, Denis managed to improve it again, with a hundredth, 51.48 s. Denis again made a very good race and chose with gold.
“In the morning I am surprised alone, I did not know what was happening, it is very strange to see you in front, the first medal, I want to dream of big things,” Denis said.
VIDEO. Denis Popescu and the bet won with David Popovici
He also revealed that he also had a bet with David Popovici, especially since Denis Popescu had the best time of his career before Samorin a 52.32.
“I didn't expect to drop so much at once. It is very difficult to drop almost second in such a sample. I also won a bet with David because he also swims, the object of the bet was who goes under 52 seconds first and I'm glad I was the one and I won the bet ”said Popescu.
He revealed and which is the hardest moment of the race. “To see yourself first, you come to enjoy yourself, but you don't enjoy it because it is still in the race. I lived this feeling in the morning, and now I was used to it.”
Denis was glad and because he fought and defeated the Portuguese champion in the test. “I will still be brave and I hope to compete with him.”
Denis Popescu: “Who knows what to do at the World Championships”
Denis Popescu will also go to the World Championships in Singapore (July 27-August). Only he and David Popovici will represent Romania at the Planetary race. “An excellent test before the World Championships, passed with great and who knows what we do there.”
But until then, he has two samples at Samorin, 50 m back and 50 m butterfly. “This medal is a step forward, a moral boost. It shows me that everything we do is well. I do not want to enjoy so much, it is only the first day, we have more evidence. I still want to look like I can,” he concluded.
