Romanian swimmer David Popovicki (Alberto Pezzoli/Getty)
Young Romanian David Popovici smashed, Saturday, a Record world 100m sprint swimming Freestyle for men, at the European Swimming Championships, held in the Italian capital, Rome.
The 17-year-old broke the long-standing record held by Brazilian Cesar Cielo, taking the gold medal in 46.86 seconds, 0.05 seconds ahead of Célo’s record at the 2009 world championships.
“I wanted to go as fast as I might, and it looks like I did,” Popovici, who described himself as a “skinny legend”, told the BBC following the achievement.
“I knew this day would come… I’m glad to have had that time for so long. There’s a guy faster in the 100m now, and he’s just starting,” Silo wrote on Twitter following Popovici broke his time.
Popovici set the first world record in the continental swimming championships, while Hungarian butterfly specialist Christoph Melak won the silver in 47.47 seconds, and Italy’s Alessandro Merisi took the bronze.
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Time stood still as David Popovici ???????? broke the World Record in the Men’s 100m Freestyle with a time of 46.86.
Watch #LENRoma2022 live on https://t.co/o9O77EauXC ???? pic.twitter.com/vakqp89slG
— LEN – European Aquatics (@LENaquatics) August 13, 2022
