David Popovici Lowers Day-Old 100 Freestyle World Junior Record

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Although he landed off the podium in this fast and furious men’s 100m freestyle, Romanian David Popovici lowered his own World Junior Record en route to finishing in 4th place.

Popovici produced a mark of 45.64 for a new lifetime best, easily overtaking his previous WJR of 45.91 logged during the semi-finals of this event last night. That result surpassed the WJR entering this meet,  a time which stood at the 46.11 Russian Kliment Kolesnikov posted in 2018 at the Salnikov Cup.

 

Comparing Popovici’s performance last night to this evening, the 18-year-old was out much more quickly chasing Chalmers tonight, hitting a 22.13 opener instead of 22.40. That made all the difference, as his back half was identical between the two results.

New WJR Old WJR
50m 22.13 22.40
100m 23.51 23.51
Final Time 45.64 45.91

Coming into this meet, Popovici’s lifetime best SCM 100 free was 46.62 which he posted in October. As such, the teen has managed to hack off nearly one second in just a matter of 3 months to edge closer to the World Championships podium.

He has already demonstrated his historic status in the long course 100 freestyle where Popovici established a new World Record of 46.86, breaking the longstanding Cesar Cielo mark of 46.91 from 2009.

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Khachaturian
1 year ago

i can’t imagine how much faster he is gonna get when he replicates the fast turns you have to do in SCM to LCM

Hank
Reply to  Khachaturian
1 year ago

Did you notice a lot of improvement in his turns and underwaters here. How far does he have to improve in this regard still?

Daddy Chill
Reply to  Hank
1 year ago

His turns looks slower then they were in Rome and this makes you wonder..

Mclovin
1 year ago

He is going to breack 1,40 in the 200m freestyle isnt he?

FAN
Reply to  Mclovin
1 year ago

It wouldn’t surprise me at all. A year ago he was 142 in SCM so he needs to do at least 141 or less to make the final and there’s no semi. He may have the WR in LCM but regardless of the meters the 200 is his game. Can’t wait to watch this race!

Troyy
1 year ago

Really didn’t think he’d be this fast so soon in short course.

Mojo
1 year ago

Excellent race, having in mind DP hates to race in SC.

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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