There were many juicy swims, beautiful records and shining heroes at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka. Many favorites lived up to their expectations. Many, but not all. The 18-year-old world record holder from Romania, David Popovich, failed his trademark distances. But recently he was called nothing more than a genius.
What happened to the prominent young man?
new phelps
The 18-year-old Romanian star, often known as the second Phelps, broke into the world swimming elite last year, although in 2021 at the World Junior Championships he won three distances at once: 50, 100 and 200 m freestyle. . twice breaking the junior world record at the same time. After that, he went to the Tokyo Olympics, where he became the youngest member of the national team and even the youngest participant in the last swims of the Games, but then failed to enter the prizes.
David managed to make himself known loudly at last year’s World Championships in Budapest. He unexpectedly won the prestigious 100 and 200 meter freestyle, becoming the youngest champion in 15 years. And the last time the swimmers achieved such a double was only in 1973.
That same summer, at the European Championships, the boy broke the world record in the 100-meter dash, which he had held for 13 years, showing a result of 46.86.
It seemed that their rivals no longer stood a chance.
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sensational flop
Of course, after last year he crushed absolutely everyone, at the 2023 World Cup they expected at least the same from him. Many believed that Popovich would also be capable of breaking the 200-meter record, which they had not been able to break for 14 years. However, this was not destined to come true. David Popovich made it to the final at his two favorite distances and that was the end of his accomplishments in Japan.
The 200m swim started promisingly: David was in the lead through the first 150m. And then he just stood up. In the last 50 meters he was passed by three at a time. As a result, he showed the fourth result, 0.48 seconds behind the bronze. Popovich swam in the final in 1:44.90, which is 0.2 slower than in the semifinal.
David Popovich
Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Worse still was the final in the distance of 100 meters, where David is the current world record holder. He surpassed the first part with the third result, 0.25 seconds behind the leader. In the second part, he gradually moved away from the leaders and eventually finished sixth with a time of 47.83 s, which is 0.97 s slower than his own world record.
“A Chaotic and Strange Year”
Back in his native Romania, David Popovich held a press conference on the results of the World Cup in Fukuoka. Immediately at the airport, the swimmer addressed the disappointed fans with an apology and a motivational speech.
“First of all, I would like to thank the people who supported me, who watched the World Cup. I have now learned how important your support is in not so rosy times.
Now I have the best opportunity to convey to the young people and children who follow me that there is no magic, there is only training, constant effort to achieve the goal. I really want to be a well-rounded athlete who knows how to deal with the ups and downs of my career. I think this experience makes me stronger.
It was the most intense year of my life, from the world record to Fukuoka. It’s been a chaotic and strange year. But it taught me a lot.
I have two options as I see it. First, I let what happened demoralize me and keep me in my place. Or I let what happened motivate me. Of course, I will choose the second option. I love what happens. This is a sport, this is the real world, I can’t always win, sorry if you expect more.
I would like to end with a quote from Earl Nightingale: “Never give up on your dream just because it takes time to achieve it. Time keeps passing.”
And I end the tournament with something extraordinarily valuable to me. I am very motivated, I feel stronger than ever. I need to take a vacation now, take care of my body and mind, but I can’t wait to get back to training. I want to be the fastest swimmer in the world again, the best, because I feel stronger than ever.”
Does Phelps still have any records?
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