David Popovici Going PRs in Workout Before World Jrs, Talks Dressel & 100Fr WR

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with the newest world record holder, David Popovici, the 17-year-old phenom who broke Cesar Cielo‘s 13-year-old 100 free mark. Popovici is currently in Lima, Peru, preparing for the World Jr Championships, the last Jr meet of his career. He isn’t entering the meet with any expectations but did admit that he went best time in workout just the other day, signaling that the Romanian may be in top form once again. Popovici also comments on dealing with this new level of fame after becoming the fastest man on Earth, what small change allowed him to break his first world record, and racing top-level competitors like Caeleb Dressel in the future.

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Tony
2 years ago

An awful lot of hoopla around one event (the 100 free) where Pop, Dressel and Chalmers realistically overlap. Pop and Chalmers aren’t a threat to Dressel in the 50 free (or 50 & 100 fly). Dressel and Chalmers aren’t a threat to Pop in the 200 free.

Sub13
Reply to  Tony
2 years ago

The 100 free is the blue ribbon event where a very old supersuit record just got broken by a 17 year old, and prior to that it was already one of the most talked about events of the last few years. Add to that Dressel and Chalmers both have had huge media exposure this year for various reasons.

Why wouldn’t there be a lot of talk about it?

Hank
2 years ago

Does anyone know anything about the pool in Lima? It is not exactly Rome and known for world records. Not sure how much pool design plays into fast swimming but I’d be surprised if the pool is as fast as Rome and any records are established here. Popovici might swim 47 mid or 1:44 low here and that would be OK.

John26
2 years ago

Where are the “Popovici going 46.5 in practice” guys?

Jamesabc
Reply to  John26
2 years ago

Lol if SwimSwam has taught me anything, it’s to never say that you went a PB during practice. Commenters here will bring it up decades later even when it’s completely unrelated.

mahaney
Reply to  Jamesabc
2 years ago

but it felt monotone wdym

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
2 years ago

The European men (Proud, Popovici, Paltrinieri, Ceccon, Martinenghi, Milak, Marchand) rocked calendar year 2022.

End of discussion.

Troyy
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
2 years ago

I’m looking forward to seeing them rock 2023 and 2024 as well

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

The male contingent of Team USA has its work cut out in calendar year 2023.

Jamesabc
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

If Russia is allowed to participate next year that will make Europe even stronger.

Troyy
Reply to  Jamesabc
2 years ago

It doesn’t seem likely with how the war is going.

Caught by the Fuzz
Reply to  Jamesabc
2 years ago

Maybe they will be allowed to participate again by the time the 2032 Olympics roll around. Who knows what kind of team they will have by then? All of the crushing sanctions will surely hinder their athletic programs at some point.

SAMUEL HUNTINGTON
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
2 years ago

Don’t forget Romanchuk’s fantastic 1500.

NB1
2 years ago

the way he pulls away at 75 meters is like Usain Bolt accelerating towards the end of the 100 dash

Ragnar
Reply to  NB1
2 years ago

Bolt started as a 400m runner, so goes to show racing down often is better than up

Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

deleted.

Last edited 2 years ago by Argentina on top 🇦🇷
Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

After Europeans finished and in the span of 2 weeks, Popovici gave 2 full interviews to Hawke and Swimswam.

Meanwhile, mister Caeleb Remel is refusing to speak with the media.

By my understanding, to be on the US National team, you need to provide a yearly training and competition calendar signed by your coach. Meaning USAS won’t give him the APA Tier-1 funding, unless all the criteria are met.
I know he doesn’t need it thanks to the 6 figures monthly paychecks he’s getting from Speedo, but even Speedo might drop him if he doesn’t give them clarifications about his training and competition schedule, the same way TYR dropped Simone last year.

All in all,

2nd part of the comment:

All in all, , when Dressel wanted to promote his speedo products or piece by piece clinic, you gave him the platform to do it.

His honeymoon is coming to an end in Iceland and after 2 months break, I think it’s time now for him or his agent Erika to speak with SS and give an explanation of what happened and his goals moving forward.

Last edited 2 years ago by Argentina on top 🇦🇷
DCC Parent
Reply to  Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

Wow…Dressel sure is living rent free in your head.

Jamesabc
Reply to  Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

Swimmers can’t really win on here, can they? When Titmus was open and honest about not going to worlds, she got trashed for months. When Dressel goes silent, he gets trashed for months. Does everyone on here just like to trash swimmers?

Last edited 2 years ago by Jamesabc
BigBoiJohnson
Reply to  Jamesabc
2 years ago

Who make grave errors, yes. We need to keep the sport respectable and respected.

Jamesabc
Reply to  BigBoiJohnson
2 years ago

Not sure how skipping an event that was slapped together at the last minute at an extremely inconvenient time is a “grave error”

Teddy
Reply to  Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

He obviously needs some time and space. Why not let him have it?

Lots of people get depressed after the Olympics, and these last two years seem to have been way harder for people

He is, and always will be a champion

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Teddy
2 years ago

I seriously wonder if Caeleb Dressel tweaked his shoulder in the heats of the men’s 100 meter freestyle with the switch to a straight-arm freestyle.

Troyy
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
2 years ago

If that were the case there’d be no secrecy.

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Teddy
2 years ago

Worst case scenario, Michael Andrew carries the flag in the men’s 50 meter freestyle for Team USA, Shaine Casas carries the flag in the men’s 100 meter butterfly for Team USA, and break out grandma’s prayer beads in the men’s 100 meter freestyle for Team USA.

Nelly
2 years ago

Class act re comments on Dressel, and this guy is an absolute killer. Quiet, confident mind allows the body to follow. Get back in the ring Dressel, it’ll be enjoyable.

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Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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