2026 ROMANIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 26th
- Otopeni, Romania
- LCM (50m)
- Day 1 Recap/Day 2 Recap/ Day 3 Recap/Day 4 Recap
- Live Results
The 2026 Romanian National Championships concluded in Otopeni with multiple swimmers topping the podium to wrap up their European Championships qualification campaigns.
Aissia Prisecariu was tonight’s winner in the women’s 200m backstroke, delivering the decisive victory in a time of 2:12.74.
That got her to the wall nearly six seconds ahead of her peers, with Rebeca Veress representing the next-closest competitor in a time of 2:18.67, just a fingernail ahead of Ana Rozorea, who rounded out the podium in 2:18.74.
The men’s 200m back saw Alexandru Constantinescu get it done for gold in a time of 1:59.21 as one of two swimmers under the 2:00 threshold.
Joining him under the barrier was Robert Badea, who clocked 1:59.49, as Tudor Iordache captured bronze in 2:01.98.
Daria Silisteanu proved too quick to catch in the women’s 100m fly, posting a result of 1:00.11.
Behind her was Rebeca Craioveanu, who snagged the silver in 1:0078, as Irina Preda bagged the bronze in 1:01.40.
The men’s 100m fly saw Vlad Mihalache become the national champion, hitting a time of 52.36 for a new personal best.
Entering this competition, Mihalache’s PB checked in at the 52.67 put up for a 7th-place finish at last year’s U23 Championships.
Denis Popescu was a mere .10 off Mihalache’s effort, hitting 52.46 as the silver medalist. Mihnea Pop also landed on the podium in 54.16, good enough for bronze.
Andrei Proca was the men’s 1500m free victor by over seven seconds, reaping gold in 15:11.43.
However, Luca Marinescu earned a new Romanian Age Record for 16-year-olds, with his time of 15:18.97 enough to earn the silver.
Finally, Olympic champion David Popovici was indeed in the water, taking on his squad’s mixed medley relay.
21-year-old Popovici took on the fly leg where he delivered a split of 51.36, including a 23.57 opener and a 27.79 on the back half.
Love this post from David! https://www.instagram.com/p/DXoMl5-jGQO/ Also, Chalmers’s comment/question and his reply.
51.36 100fly split is impressive for someone who doesn’t regularly compete in the stroke.
Why the downvotes?? 51.3 is fast, even without the changeover that is gonna be under 52.
Obviously we don’t know his training, but I’d bet an awful lot it is nearly all freestyle. To swim a random 100 fly and be that close to the top guys, is a great sign for his speed. Especially considering he’s only in 47 mid/1:45 form this week.
Great photo selection