David Popovici

Popovici was born in Bucharest, Romania, and he started swimming at Lia Manoliu pool at the age of 4, at a doctor's recommendation to correct early stage scoliosis.[https://www.dor.ro/david-popovici-swimming-phenomenon/ "David Popovici wants to be the world's best swimmer and has every chance"]. dor.ro. Retrieved 16 June 2022. At the age of 9 he began to train at Aqua Team Bucharest, under coach Adrian Rădulescu, a former swimmer with a PhD in athletic performance specialized in swimming. At the age of 10, Popovici broke his first junior national record, in 50 m backstroke – a 24-year-old record held by Dragoș Coman, a 2003 world bronze medalist. At 14 he became the fastest swimmer under 15 in the history of the European Youth Olympic Festival, swimming 100 meters in 49.82 seconds.[https://about.arenasport.com/en/athletes/david-popovici David Popovici]. Arena. Retrieved 1 September 2022.

At the 2020 European Aquatics Championships in Budapest, which took place from 10 to 23 May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Popovici managed to swim below the Olympic Qualifying Time in the Men's 100-metre freestyle event and by doing so, he qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,Digi Sport (19 May 2021). [https://www.digisport.ro/alte-sporturi/pe-creasta-valului-robert-glinta-a-luat-argint-la-europene-david-popovici-s-a-calificat-la-jo-de-la-tokyo-1107831 "FOTO.Pe creasta valului! Robert Glință a luat argint la Europene, David Popovici s-a calificat la JO de la Tokyo"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2021. being the youngest member of the Romanian team.Cisale, Giusy (22 December 2020).[https://swimswam.com/il-16enne-david-popovici-continua-ad-impressionare-al-gyor-open/ "IL 16ENNE DAVID POPOVICI CONTINUA AD IMPRESSIONARE AL GYOR OPEN"] (in Italian). SwimSwam. Retrieved 27 May 2021.Gazeta Sporturilor (19 May 2021). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/pustiul-a-facut-fata-in-finala-david-popovici-a-ocupat-locul-6-in-proba-de-100-m-liber-la-ce-de-la-budapesta-632184.html "Puștiul a făcut față în finală » David Popovici a ocupat locul 6 în proba de 100 m liber la CE de la Budapesta"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 19 May 2021. He broke the Romanian national record three times during the event (in the heats, semifinal and final), finishing sixth place in the final.LEN (19 May 2021). [https://budapest2020.microplustiming.com/export/NU_Budapest2021/NU/pdf/SWMM100MFR------------FNL-000100--_73A1%201.0.pdf "2020 LEN European Aquatics Championships Budapest (HUN): Results 100m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 19 May 2021. Popovici also competed in the Men's 50-metre freestyle and the Men's 200-metre freestyle, meeting the Olympic Selection Time in both of the events.LEN (20 May 2021). [http://budapest2020.microplustiming.com/export/NU_Budapest2021/NU/pdf/SWMM200MFR------------HEAT--------_74A%201.0.pdf "2020 LEN European Aquatics Championships Budapest (HUN): Results 200m Freestyle Men Heats"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2021 European Junior Championships}}

{{MedalGold | 50 m freestyle | 22.22 }}

{{MedalGold | 100 m freestyle | 47.30 (WJ)}}

{{MedalGold | 200 m freestyle | 1:45.95 }}

{{MedalSilver | 4×100 m freestyle relay | 3:19.94 }}

{{MedalBottom}}

Popovici won a total of four medals, at the 2021 European Junior Swimming Championships in Rome, where he broke the 100-metre freestyle junior world record twice. In the 4x100-metre freestyle relay, he broke the junior world record for the first time, with a time of 47.56,LEN (6 July 2021). [https://ejscroma2021.microplustiming.com/indexRoma2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDQyJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDR4MTAwIG0gU3RpbGUgTGliZXJvIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqA0IHggMTAwIG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqA0eDEwMCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBGaW5hbCcpOw==&cat=ASM&page=002&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDAgbSBTdGlsZSBMaWJlcm8gLSBGaW5hbA==&descEN=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFs&descFR=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDAgbSBOYWdlIExpYnJlIC0gRmluYWw=&curCatSel_M_F=19:03&sport=Swimming "2021 European Junior Swimming Championships Rome (ITA): Results 4x100m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 6 July 2021.Byrnes, Liz (6 July 2021). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/david-popovici-sets-wjr-47-56-in-100-free-to-go-fourth-in-rankings-at-european-junior-championships/ "David Popovici Sets WJR 47.56 In 100 Free To Go Fourth In Rankings At European Juniors"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 6 July 2021. helping the relay win the silver medal. Two days later, he managed to break the same junior world record again, this time in the 100-metre freestyle event, to win the gold medal, with a time of 47.30.LEN (8 July 2021). [https://ejscroma2021.microplustiming.com/indexRoma2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAyJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDEwMCBtIFN0aWxlIExpYmVybyAtIEZpbmFsJywgJ01lbsKgLcKgMTAwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbCcsICdNZW7CoC3CoDEwMCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBGaW5hbCcpOw==&cat=&page=&spec=&bat=&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=&descEN=&descFR=&curCatSel_M_F=19:26&sport=Swimming "2021 European Junior Swimming Championships Rome (ITA): Results 100m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 8 July 2021. This performance made Popovici the fastest man in the world at that time in 2021, surpassing Kliment Kolesnikov.Rieder, David (8 July 2021). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/david-popovici-rockets-to-47-30-100-free-breaks-own-world-junior-record-fastest-time-in-the-world/ "David Popovici Rockets to 47.30 100 Free, Breaks Own World Junior Record, Fastest Time in the World"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 8 July 2021.Ursescu, Marian (8 July 2021). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/david-popovici-a-castigat-titlul-european-de-juniori-cu-un-nou-record-mondial-are-cel-mai-bun-timp-mondial-al-anului-636456.html "David Popovici a câștigat titlul european de juniori cu un nou record mondial! Are cel mai bun timp mondial al anului"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 8 July 2021. His second gold medal of the European Junior Championships came in the 200-metre freestyle event, where he broke another junior world record in the semifinal, with a time of 1:45.26.LEN (9 July 2021). [https://ejscroma2021.microplustiming.com/indexRoma2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAzJywgJzAwMycsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdVb21pbmkgLSAyMDAgbSBTdGlsZSBMaWJlcm8gLSBTZW1pZmluYWxlJywgJ01lbiAtIDIwMG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gU2VtaS1GaW5hbCcsICdIb21tZXMgLSAyMDAgbSBOYWdlIExpYnJlIC0gRGVtaWUtRmluYWxlJyk7&cat=ASM&page=003&spec=001&bat=001&td=CGR1&hg=18:05&descIT=VW9taW5pIC0gMjAwIG0gU3RpbGUgTGliZXJvIC0gU2VtaWZpbmFsZQ==&descEN=TWVuIC0gMjAwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBTZW1pLUZpbmFs&descFR=SG9tbWVzIC0gMjAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIERlbWllLUZpbmFsZQ==&curCatSel_M_F=19:26&sport=Swimming "2021 European Junior Swimming Championships Rome (ITA): Results 200m Freestyle Men Semifinal"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 9 July 2021. He won his third gold medal in the 50-metre freestyle event, where he finished 0.61 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Nikita Chernousov.LEN (11 July 2021). [https://ejscroma2021.microplustiming.com/indexRoma2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAxJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDUwIG0gU3RpbGUgTGliZXJvIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqA1MG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqA1MCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBGaW5hbCcpOw==&cat=ASM&page=003&spec=003&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=VW9taW5pIC0gMjAwIG0gU3RpbGUgTGliZXJvIC0gU2VtaWZpbmFsZQ==&descEN=TWVuIC0gMjAwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBTZW1pLUZpbmFs&descFR=SG9tbWVzIC0gMjAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIERlbWllLUZpbmFsZQ==&curCatSel_M_F=19:34&sport=Swimming "2021 European Junior Swimming Championships Rome (ITA): Results 50m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 11 July 2021.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Popovici competed in the 50-metre, 100-metre, and 200-metre freestyle individual events, following his good performances at the European Championships. While he did not win a medal, he was only 0.02 seconds behind bronze medalist Fernando Scheffer, and ahead of Martin Malyutin (who won the gold medal at the European Championships), as he finished fourth in the Men's 200-metre freestyle, with a time of 1:44.68.Race, Retta (26 July 2021). [https://swimswam.com/popovici-scorches-144-68-free-european-junior-record/ "16-YR-OLD POPOVICI SCORCHES 1:44.68 200 FREE EUROPEAN JUNIOR RECORD"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 26 July 2021[https://www.lequipe.fr/Natation/Actualites/Le-britannique-tom-dean-titre-sur-200-metres-aux-jo-de-tokyo/1273472 "Le Britannique Tom Dean titré sur 200 mètres aux JO de Tokyo"] (in French). L'Équipe. Retrieved 27 July 2021.{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMM200MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf |title=Final results |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819185316/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMM200MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf }}Rieder, David (12 August 2021).[https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/the-outstanding-but-overlooked-mens-swims-from-the-tokyo-olympics/ "The Outstanding But Often Overlooked Men's Swims From the Tokyo Olympics"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 12 August 2021. In the Men's 100-metre freestyle, Popovici once again asserted himself as a medal contender, qualifying for the final (47.72) and ultimately placing seventh, with a time of 48.04.{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMM100MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf |title=Final results |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729024423/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMM100MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf }}

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2021 European Championships (SC)}}

{{MedalGold| 200 m freestyle | 1:42.12 (NR) }}

{{MedalBottom}}

To follow-up a pair of national records accomplished while racing at the FINA World Cup meet in Kazan, clocking respective performances of 46.77 in the 100-metre freestyle,{{cite web|title=Men's 100m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500120101EC04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|last=FINA|author-link=FINA|website=Omega Timing |date=29 October 2021|access-date=29 October 2021}} and 1:43.58 in the 200-metre freestyle,Swimming World editorial staff (31 October 2021). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/david-popovici-romanias-rising-teenage-star-sets-two-national-records-at-world-cup/ "David Popovici, Romania's Rising Teenage Star, Sets Two National Records at World Cup"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 31 October 2021. Popovici entered to compete at the 2021 European Short Course Swimming Championships held at the Kazan Aquatics Palace in Russia. On 6 November, Popovici won the gold medal in the Men's 200-metre freestyle event, with a time of 1:42.12, breaking his own national record from the World Cup.LEN (6 November 2021). [https://kazan2021.microplustiming.com/indexKazan2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAzJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDIwMCBtIFN0aWxlIExpYmVybyAtIEZpbmFsJywgJ01lbsKgLcKgMjAwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbCcsICdNZW7CoC3CoDIwMCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBGaW5hbCcpOw==&cat=ASM&page=002&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=VW9taW5pIC0gMTAwIG0gU3RpbGUgTGliZXJvIC0gRmluYWxl&descEN=TWVuIC0gMTAwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbA==&descFR=SG9tbWVzIC0gMTAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFsZQ==&curCatSel_M_F=18:36&sport=Swimming "2021 European Short Course Swimming Championships Kazan (RUS): Results 200m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 6 November 2021. He failed to qualify for the finals in the Men's 100-metre freestyle, and Men's 400-metre freestyle individual events.LEN (6 November 2021). [https://kazan2021.microplustiming.com/indexKazan2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAyJywgJzAwMycsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDEwMCBtIFN0aWxlIExpYmVybyAtIFNlbWktRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqAxMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIFNlbWktRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqAxMDAgbSBOYWdlIExpYnJlIC0gU2VtaS1GaW5hbCcpOw==&cat=ASF&page=002&spec=003&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=V29tZW7CoC3CoDEwMCBtIFN0aWxlIExpYmVybyAtIFNlbWktRmluYWw=&descEN=V29tZW7CoC3CoDEwMG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gU2VtaS1GaW5hbA==&descFR=V29tZW7CoC3CoDEwMCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBTZW1pLUZpbmFs&curCatSel_M_F=20:09&sport=Swimming "2021 European Short Course Swimming Championships Kazan (RUS): Results 100m Freestyle Men Semifinal"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 6 November 2021.LEN (2 November 2021). [https://kazan2021.microplustiming.com/indexKazan2021_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDA0JywgJzAwMScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDQwMCBtIFN0aWxlIExpYmVybyAtIFByZWxpbWluYXJ5JywgJ01lbsKgLcKgNDAwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBQcmVsaW1pbmFyeScsICdNZW7CoC3CoDQwMCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBQcmVsaW1pbmFyeScpOw==&cat=ASM&page=002&spec=003&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDAgbSBTdGlsZSBMaWJlcm8gLSBTZW1pLUZpbmFs&descEN=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIFNlbWktRmluYWw=&descFR=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDAgbSBOYWdlIExpYnJlIC0gU2VtaS1GaW5hbA==&curCatSel_M_F=10:21&sport=Swimming "2021 European Short Course Swimming Championships Kazan (RUS): Results 400m Freestyle Men Preliminary"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 2 November 2021.

In his first of two events at the 2021 World Short Course Championships, the 400-metre freestyle on 16 December, Popovici placed thirty-second with a time of 3:46.08 and did not qualify for the evening final.FINA (16 December 2021). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500190101EF0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Abu Dhabi (UAE): Men's 400m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 24 October 2022. For his second event, the 200-metre freestyle the following day, he ranked fourteenth in the preliminary heats with a 1:43.62, not qualifying for the final of the event.FINA (17 December 2021). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500190101EE0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Abu Dhabi (UAE): Men's 200m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 24 October 2022.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2022 World Championships (LC)}}

{{MedalGold| 100 m freestyle | 47.58 }}

{{MedalGold| 200 m freestyle | 1:43.21 (WJ)}}

{{MedalBottom}}

At the 2022 World Championships, Popovici won gold medals in the Men's 100-metre freestyle and the Men's 200-metre freestyle, becoming the first swimmer in 49 years to win gold in both sprint events, at the same edition of the world championships. Popovici dominated throughout the heats, semifinals and final of the 200-metre freestyle event, firstly clocking a personal best 1:44.40 in the semifinal, to take the top seed and break a world junior record.FINA (19 June 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EE0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2022 World Aquatics Championships Budapest (HUN): Men's 200m Freestyle Semifinal Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 19 June 2022. In the final, on 20 June, he finished 1.26 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Hwang Sun-woo, touching the wall at 1:43.21 to become the fourth fastest performer of all-time (second fastest performer of all time in a textile swimsuit) and win the gold medal.FINA (20 June 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EE0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2022 World Aquatics Championships Budapest (HUN): Men's 200m Freestyle Final Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 20 June 2022. This performance made Popovici the second-youngest swimmer to win the Men's 200-metre freestyle event at the world championships (following Tim Shaw), at only 17 years and 278 days old.Ross, Andy (20 June 2022). [https://www.fina.org/news/2651017/thomas-ceccon-smashes-world-record-david-popovici-swims-fastest-200-free-in-10-years-swimming-finabudapest2022 "Thomas Ceccon Smashes World Record; David Popovici Swims Fastest 200 Free in 10 Years {{pipe}} Swimming #FINABudapest2022"]. FINA. Retrieved 20 June 2022. On Day 4, in the semifinal of the 100-metre freestyle, Popovici broke his third world junior record in as many days by clocking a 47.13, heading into the final as the top seed by nearly half a second.FINA (21 June 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EC0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2022 World Aquatics Championships Budapest (HUN): Men's 100m Freestyle Semifinal Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 21 June 2022. On the next day, in the final, he managed to win his second gold medal, touching at 47.58 for a come-from-behind victory, just .06 ahead of France's Maxime Grousset.FINA (22 June 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EC0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2022 World Aquatics Championships Budapest (HUN): Men's 100m Freestyle Final Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 22 June 2022.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2022 European Junior Championships}}

{{MedalGold | 50 m freestyle | 22.16 }}

{{MedalGold | 100 m freestyle | 47.69 }}

{{MedalGold | 200 m freestyle | 1:45.45 }}

{{MedalGold | 4×100 m freestyle relay | 3:18.93 }}

{{MedalSilver | 4×100 m mixed freestyle relay | 3:29.35 (NR)}}

{{MedalBottom}}

At the 2022 European Junior Championships in Otopeni, Popovici competed in five individual and relay events, winning either gold or silver in all five of them, and helping his compatriots to what was going to be Romania's most successful European Junior Championships.Gazeta Sporturilor (10 July 2022). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/romania-locul-3-in-clasamentul-medaliilor-la-europenele-de-la-otopeni-668723.html "România, locul 3 în clasamentul medaliilor la Europenele de la Otopeni » David Popovici, MVP-ul competiției"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 10 July 2022. Matching his individual performances in Rome from last year, he won the gold medal in the Men's 50-metre,LEN (8 July 2022). [https://ejcotopeni2022.microplustimingservices.com/indexEJC2022_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAxJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDUwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbCcsICdNZW7CoC3CoDUwbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbCcsICdNZW7CoC3CoDUwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFsJyk7&cat=ASM&page=003&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWVuwqAtwqA1MG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWw=&descEN=TWVuwqAtwqA1MG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWw=&descFR=TWVuwqAtwqA1MCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBGaW5hbA==&curCatSel_M_F=&sport=Swimming "2022 European Junior Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Results 50m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 8 July 2022. 100-metre,LEN (10 July 2022). [https://ejcotopeni2022.microplustimingservices.com/indexEJC2022_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAyJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDEwMG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqAxMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFsJywgJ01lbsKgLcKgMTAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFsJyk7&cat=ASM&page=001&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFs&descEN=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFs&descFR=TWVuwqAtwqAxMDAgbSBOYWdlIExpYnJlIC0gRmluYWw=&curCatSel_M_F=&sport=Swimming "2022 European Junior Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Results 100m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 10 July 2022. and 200-metre freestyle events, most notably winning the 200-metre freestyle final with a time of 1:45.45, which was 2.26 seconds ahead of silver medalist Lorenzo Galossi.LEN (6 July 2022). [https://ejcotopeni2022.microplustimingservices.com/indexEJC2022_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDAzJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDIwMG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWVuwqAtwqAyMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFsJywgJ01lbsKgLcKgMjAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFsJyk7&cat=ASF&page=003&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWVuwqAtwqAyMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFs&descEN=TWVuwqAtwqAyMDBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFs&descFR=TWVuwqAtwqAyMDAgbSBOYWdlIExpYnJlIC0gRmluYWw=&curCatSel_M_F=&sport=Swimming "2022 European Junior Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Results 200m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 6 July 2022. On 5 July, Popovici led off the Romanian Men's 4×100 freestyle relay in 47.54, as the quartet composed of himself, Vlad Stancu, Ștefan Cozma and Patrick Dinu won gold in front of a home crowd, with a time of 3:18.93.LEN (5 July 2022). [https://ejcotopeni2022.microplustimingservices.com/indexEJC2022_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU00nLCAnMDQyJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNZW7CoC3CoDQgeCAxMDAgbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbCcsICdNZW7CoC3CoDQgeCAxMDAgbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbCcsICdNZW7CoC3CoDR4MTAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFsJyk7&cat=ASM&page=042&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWVuwqAtwqA0IHggMTAwIG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWw=&descEN=TWVuwqAtwqA0IHggMTAwIG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWw=&descFR=TWVuwqAtwqA0eDEwMCBtIE5hZ2UgTGlicmUgLSBGaW5hbA==&curCatSel_M_F=&sport=Swimming "2022 European Junior Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Results 4x100m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 5 July 2022.Byrnes, Liz (5 July 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/david-popovici-propels-romania-to-4x100-free-gold-with-47-54-lead-off-50-back-cr-for-mary-ambre-moluh/ "David Popovici Propels Romania To 4×100 Free Gold With 47.54 Lead-Off; 50 Back CR For Mary-Ambre Moluh"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 15 October 2022. One day later, on 6 July, Popovici was part of the Romanian relay that won the silver medal in the Mixed 4x100-metre freestyle, along with Patrick Dinu, Bianca Costea, and Rebecca Diaconescu.LEN (6 July 2022). [https://ejcotopeni2022.microplustimingservices.com/indexEJC2022_web.php?s=Q2hlY2tKc29uVG9Mb2FkKCdBU1gnLCAnMDQyJywgJzAwNScsICcwMDEnLCAnJywgJycsICdNaXhlZMKgLcKgNCB4IDEwMCBtIEZyZWVzdHlsZSAtIEZpbmFsJywgJ01peGVkwqAtwqA0IHggMTAwIG0gRnJlZXN0eWxlIC0gRmluYWwnLCAnTWl4ZWTCoC3CoDR4MTAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFsJyk7&cat=ASM&page=042&spec=005&bat=001&td=CAL_BYEV&hg=&descIT=TWl4ZWTCoC3CoDQgeCAxMDAgbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbA==&descEN=TWl4ZWTCoC3CoDQgeCAxMDAgbSBGcmVlc3R5bGUgLSBGaW5hbA==&descFR=TWl4ZWTCoC3CoDR4MTAwIG0gTmFnZSBMaWJyZSAtIEZpbmFs&curCatSel_M_F=&sport=Swimming "2022 European Junior Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Results Mixed-4x100m Freestyle Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 6 July 2022.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2022 European Championships (LC)}}

{{MedalGold| 100 m freestyle | 46.86 (WR) }}

{{MedalGold| 200 m freestyle | 1:42.97 (WJ, NR) }}

{{MedalBottom}}

Popovici kept his momentum rolling from the world championships into Rome, where he entered to compete at the 2022 European Aquatics Championships. His meet started with the 100-metre freestyle, where in the prelims he clocked a new championship record of 47.20.LEN (12 August 2022). [https://roma2022.microplustimingservices.com/export/NU_ROMA2022/NU/pdf/SWMM100MFR------------HEAT--------_74A%201.0.pdf "2022 European Aquatics Championships Rome (ITA): Results 100m Freestyle Men Preliminary"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 12 August 2022. He followed that up with a 46.98 performance in the semifinals, setting a new world junior record and European record.LEN (12 August 2022). [https://roma2022.microplustimingservices.com/export/NU_ROMA2022/NU/pdf/SWMM100MFR------------SFNL--------_74A%201.0.pdf "2022 European Aquatics Championships Rome (ITA): Results 100m Freestyle Men Semifinal"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 12 August 2022.Byrnes, Liz (12 August 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/european-championships-david-popovici-sets-european-record-of-46-98-in-100-free/ FLASH! European Championships: David Popovici Sets European Record Of 46.98 In 100 Free]. Swimming World. Retrieved 12 August 2022. Furthermore, his closing split in the semifinals (24.05), became the fastest in the history of the event at that time.Li, Yanyan (13 August 2022). [https://swimswam.com/david-popovici-goes-46-86-breaks-cielos-13-year-old-100-free-world-record/#:~:text=On%20Saturday%2C%20in%20the%20men's,world%20record%20by%200.05%20seconds. "DAVID POPOVICI GOES 46.86, BREAKS CIELO'S 13-YEAR OLD 100 FREE WORLD RECORD"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 13 August 2022. On 13 August 2022, Popovici one-upped himself in the final, touching at 46.86 to not only win gold, but break César Cielo's 13-year-old world record in the event, by 0.05 seconds.LEN (13 August 2022). [https://roma2022.microplustimingservices.com/export/NU_ROMA2022/NU/pdf/SWMM100MFR------------FNL---------_73A2%201.0.pdf "2022 European Aquatics Championships Rome (ITA): Results 100m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 13 August 2022.Fleșeru, Roxana (13 August 2022). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/david-popovici-finala-100-metri-liber-record-mondial-671725.html "David Popovici e cel mai rapid înotător al tuturor timpurilor! A spulberat RECORDUL MONDIAL în proba de 100 de metri liber și a cucerit aurul european"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 15 October 2022.Sharma, Hritika (13 August 2022). [https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/romanias-popovici-breaks-world-100m-freestyle-record-european-championships-2022-08-13/ "Romania's Popovici breaks world 100m freestyle record at European championships"]. Reuters. Retrieved 31 August 2022.OlympicTalk (15 August 2022). [https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/08/15/david-popovici-world-record-100-freestyle-swimming-european-championships/ "David Popovici is youngest man to break swimming world record since Michael Phelps"]. NBC Sports. Retrieved 31 August 2022. The Romanian was not leading at the halfway mark of the race, opening in 22.74 and trailing Maxime Grousset with fifty meters left to go. However, he came home in a scintillating 24.12 final fifty, and ended up winning 0.61 seconds ahead of his closest competitor.

Following his performances in the semifinals and the final, Popovici became the first swimmer to crack the 47-second mark two times.Byrnes, Liz (13 August 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/flash-david-popovici-sets-100-free-world-record-of-46-86/ "FLASH! David Popovici Sets 100 Free World Record Of 46.86"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 13 August 2022. On 14 August, he once again proved he was in top form in the 200-metre freestyle event, moving through the prelims and the semifinals easily, and dropping the hammer in the final the following day, clocking a new world junior record of 1:42.97, to win his second gold medal.LEN (15 August 2022). [https://roma2022.microplustimingservices.com/export/NU_ROMA2022/NU/pdf/SWMM200MFR------------FNL---------_73A2%201.0.pdf "2022 European Aquatics Championships Rome (ITA): Results 200m Freestyle Men Final"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 15 August 2022. This performance made him the fastest textile performer in the history of the event and third fastest all-time behind Michael Phelps and world record holder Paul Biedermann.Sutherland, James (15 August 2022). [https://swimswam.com/watch-david-popovici-hits-142-97-200-free-fastest-textile-swim-in-history/ "WATCH: David Popovici Hits 1:42.97 200 Free, Fastest Textile Swim In History"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 15 August 2022. On 17 August, Popovici swum in the heats of the Men's 400-metre freestyle event, clocking a personal best of 3:47.99, but later withdrew from the final.LEN (17 August 2022). [https://roma2022.microplustimingservices.com/export/NU_ROMA2022/NU/pdf/SWMM400MFR------------HEAT--------_74A%201.0.pdf "2022 European Aquatics Championships Rome (ITA): Results 400m Freestyle Men Preliminary"]. Microplus Informatica. Retrieved 17 August 2022. Following the conclusion of the competition, LEN, the official governing body of European Aquatics, announced that David Popovici was named the male swimmer of the meet, as his performances earned him the highest number of FINA points during the championships.Li, Yanyan (18 August 2022). [https://swimswam.com/len-names-popovici-and-meilutyte-as-swimmers-of-the-european-championships/ "LEN NAMES POPOVICI AND MEILUTYTE AS SWIMMERS OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 18 August 2022.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2022 World Junior Championships}}

{{MedalGold | 100 m freestyle | 47.13 }}

{{MedalGold | 200 m freestyle | 1:46.18 (CR) }}

{{MedalGold | 4×100 m freestyle relay | 3:18.84 }}

{{MedalSilver | 4×100 m mixed freestyle relay | 3:30.39}}

{{MedalBottom}}

Two weeks before his eighteenth birthday, Popovici competed at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Lima, in his final long course international competition as a junior athlete. On the first day, 30 August, Popovici helped the Romanian relay to a gold medal in the Men's 4x100-metre freestyle event, finishing 1.45 seconds ahead of the French relay that won the silver medal.FINA (30 August 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700050101F70104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Men's 4x100m Freestyle Final Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 30 August 2022. He twice lowered the FINA World Junior Championship Record in the 100-metre freestyle; first by leading off the relay in prelims, and then again in the final.[https://www.cotidianul.ro/aur-la-campionatul-mondial-de-inot-si-un-nou-record-popovici/ "Aur la Campionatul Mondial de înot! Și un nou record Popovici!"] (in Romanian). Cotidianul. Retrieved 31 August 2022.Eggert, Gregory (31 August 2022). [https://www.fina.org/news/2770469/first-set-of-golds-is-claimed "First set of golds go to Romania, Brazil, Japan and Hungary during Day 1 | #FINALima 2022"]. FINA. Retrieved 31 August 2022. The next day, he managed to do the same in the 200-metre freestyle, as he captured the gold medal, covering his four laps in a champion-record mark of 1:46.18.FINA (31 August 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700050101EE0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Men's 200m Freestyle Final Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 31 August 2022. Popovici ended up touching the wall almost three seconds before silver medalist Dániel Mészáros, who was timed in 1:48.98.Lohn, John (31 August 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/world-junior-championships-david-popovici-destroys-field-for-gold-in-200-freestyle/ "World Junior Championships: David Popovici Destroys Field For Gold in 200 Freestyle"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 31 August 2022.Gazeta Sporturilor (1 September 2022). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/david-popovici-inot-campionatele-mondiale-juniori-lima-peru-romania-673230.html "David Popovici, AUR și la 200 metri liber, la Campionatele Mondiale de juniori! » Andra Gorecki, aproape de medalie"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 1 September 2022.Pérez, Marta (1 September 2022). [https://www.mundodeportivo.com/natacion/20220901/1001860014/oro-popovici-200-libre-mundial-junior.html "Oro de Popovici en 200 libre en el Mundial júnior"] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. Retrieved 1 September 2022. On 1 September, the Romanian relay featuring Popovici on the leadoff leg, won the silver medal in the Mixed 4x100-metre freestyle event, with a time of 3:30.39, finishing 0.36 seconds behind the Hungarian relay.FINA (1 September 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700050301F70104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Final Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 1 September 2022.Lohn, John (1 September 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/world-junior-championships-david-popovici-spins-more-magic-but-hungary-rallies-for-relay-win/ "World Junior Championships: David Popovici Spins More Magic, But Hungary Rallies For Relay Win"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 1 September 2022. In his final event, Popovici swam in the 100-metre freestyle, winning his third gold medal, with a time of 47.13, 2.24 seconds ahead of silver medalist Jere Hribar.FINA (4 September 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700050101EC0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Lima (PER): Men's 100m Freestyle "]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 4 September 2022.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2022 World Championships (SC)}}

{{MedalSilver| 200 m freestyle | 1:40.79 (NR) }}

{{MedalBottom}}

On day two of the 2022 World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Popovici set a new world junior record in the semifinals of the 100-metre freestyle with a time of 45.91 seconds, which was 0.20 seconds faster than the former mark of 46.11 by Kliment Kolesnikov.FINA (14 December 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EC0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Melbourne (AUS): Men's 100m Freestyle Semifinals Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 15 December 2022.Byrnes, Liz (14 December 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/world-championships-day-two-semi-finals-wjr-for-david-popovici-crooks-mckeon-martinenghi-king-lead-the-way/ "World Championships, Day Two Semifinals: WJR For David Popovici; Crooks, McKeon, Martinenghi & King Lead Way"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 19 December 2022. The following day, he placed thirty-first in the 400-metre freestyle with a time of 3:58.48.FINA (15 December 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EF0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Melbourne (AUS): Men's 400m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 15 December 2022. In the final of the 100 metre freestyle, he set another world junior record with a personal best time of 45.64 seconds and placed fourth.Byrnes, Liz (15 December 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/world-championships-day-three-mens-finals-kyle-chalmers-wins-100-free-in-cr-wjr-for-popovici/ "World Championships, Day Three Finals: Kyle Chalmers Wins 100 Free In CR; WJR For Popovici"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 19 December 2022. His performances in the 100-metre freestyle made him the first junior swimmer in history to go under 46 seconds in the event.Penland, Spencer (28 December 2022). [https://swimswam.com/2022-swammy-awards-world-junior-male-swimmer-of-the-year-david-popovici/ "2022 SWAMMY AWARDS: WORLD JUNIOR MALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR – DAVID POPOVICI"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 29 December 2022. The sixth and final day, he won the silver medal in the 200-metre freestyle with a new Romanian record time of 1:40.79.FINA (18 December 2022). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EE0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Melbourne (AUS): Men's 200m Freestyle Final Results"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 18 December 2022.Lohn, John (18 December 2022). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/world-championships-day-six-mens-finals-despite-broken-finger-hwang-sunwoo-is-golden-in-200-freestyle-david-popovici-earns-silver/ "World Championships, Day Six Men's Finals: Despite Broken Finger, Hwang Sunwoo Is Golden In 200 Freestyle; David Popovici Earns Silver"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 19 December 2022.

At the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Popovici entered the Men's 100-metre freestyle and the Men's 200-metre freestyle events. Coming into the 200-metre freestyle event the favorite despite a season-best of just 1:45.49, Popovici was decent in the prelims, with a 1:45.86 time for third.FINA (24 July 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EE0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 200m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 24 July 2023. He then led in the semis with a season-best time of 1:44.70.FINA (24 July 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EE0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 200m Freestyle Semifinals Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 24 July 2023. In the final, Popovici was out quick with a 23.74 at the 50-metre mark, under his world junior record pace by 0.36 seconds. He remained under the record pace at the half point with a 50.18 split. He then showed no signs of faltering at the 150-metre mark with a 26.60 to remain under his best pace, but disaster struck on the last fifty meters, coming home in a sluggish 28.12, which saw him passed by Matt Richards, Tom Dean, and Hwang Sun-woo. He finished in fourth, with a time of 1:44.90.FINA (25 July 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EE0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 200m Freestyle Final Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 25 July 2023. In the 100-metre freestyle event he ranked sixth in the prelims with a time of 47.90,FINA (26 July 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EC0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 100m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 26 July 2023. and fifth in the semis with a time of 47.66.FINA (26 July 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EC0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 100m Freestyle Semifinals Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 26 July 2023. In the final, he was third at the halfway mark, opening in 22.73. However, his 25.10 time in the final fifty meters meant that he ended up sixth, with a 47.83 seconds time.FINA (27 July 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EC0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 100m Freestyle Final Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 27 July 2023.

{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=2023 European Championships (SC)}}

{{MedalBronze| 100 m freestyle | 46.05 }}

{{MedalBottom}}

In December, he entered to compete at the 2023 European Short Course Championships, in Otopeni, Romania. On 5 December, he swum in the Men's 4x50-metre Freestyle relay final, alongside Alexandru Stoica, Mihai Gergely and Patrick Dinu. While the 1:25.93 time set by the Romanians was only enough for seventh, his 21.30 time in the relay represented a new national record.LEN (5 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101F60104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 4x50m Freestyle Final Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 5 December 2023. On 8 December, he placed third in the morning prelims of the Men's 200-metre Freestyle event, with a time of 1:42.39.LEN (8 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EE0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 200m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 8 December 2023. Later that evening, he ranked first overall in the semifinals, with a 1:42.04 time.LEN (8 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EE0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 200m Freestyle Semifinals Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 8 December 2023. On the morning of 9 December, he swum in the prelims of the Men's 100-metre Freestyle event, clocking a 46.70 time to qualify for the semifinals in second.LEN (9 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EC0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 100m Freestyle Heats Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 9 December 2023. In the final of the 200-metre freestyle that evening, he came in fourth with a time of 1:41.52, despite touching first at the 25-metre mark and second at the 50-metre mark.LEN (9 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EE0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 200m Freestyle Final Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 9 December 2023. Two hours later, he entered the pool again for the semis of the 100-metre freestyle event, qualifying for the final in sixth, with a 46.48 seconds time.LEN (9 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EC0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 100m Freestyle Semifinals Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 9 December 2023. The final of the 100-metre freestyle event took place on 10 December. Although he had a slow start; touching only seventh at the final turn, Popovici was the quickest in the final twenty-five meters, managing to finish in third with a 46.05 time, 0.02 seconds ahead of Matt Richards who came in fourth.LEN (10 December 2023). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EC0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "2023 European Short Course Swimming Championships Otopeni (ROM): Men's 100m Freestyle Final Summary"]. Omega Timing. Retrieved 10 December 2023.

Popovici grew up idolizing Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe.Binner, Andrew (22 June 2022). [https://olympics.com/en/news/five-facts-david-popovici-swimming-world-champion "Five things to know about David Popovici: The Romanian swimmer destined for greatness"]. olympics.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022. He also stated that he is inspired by Floyd Mayweather, following Mayweather's training methods and the way he motivated himself.Constantin, George (15 August 2022). [https://www.prosport.ro/alte-sporturi/floyd-mayweather-modelul-in-sport-pentru-david-popovici-nu-este-de-ajuns-sa-ajungi-campion-o-data-video-19506042 "Floyd Mayweather, modelul în sport pentru David Popovici: 'Nu este de ajuns să ajungi campion o dată'"] (in Romanian). Prosport. Retrieved 15 August 2022. In December 2021, Popovici signed an endorsement deal with Arena.De George, Matthew (7 December 2021). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/arena-signs-romanian-teen-sprint-star-david-popovici/ "Arena Signs Romanian Teen Sprint Star David Popovici"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 7 December 2021. In July 2022, Popovici was awarded the Order of the Star of Romania, the highest civil order in the nation, by the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.Redacție a1.ro (21 July 2022). [https://a1.ro/news/social/presedintele-klaus-iohannis-ia-conferit-lui-david-popovici-ordinul-national-steaua-romaniei-in-grad-de-cavaler-id1077154.html "Preşedintele Klaus Iohannis i-a conferit lui David Popovici Ordinul Naţional 'Steaua României' în grad de Cavaler"] (in Romanian). Antena 1. Retrieved 19 August 2022. In May 2023, Popovici donated one of the gold medals he won at the 2022 World Championships to charity, having it melted into little golden ribbons that were gifted as a sign of hope for children diagnosed with cancer.Fleșeru, Roxana (18 December 2023). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/popovici-gest-caritabil-copii-cancer-fundite-medalie-aur-723296.html "David Popovici le-a oferit copiilor care au învins cancerul fundițe confecționate din medalia sa de suflet"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 18 December 2023. He also became an ambassador for the organization Hope and Homes Romania in April, which helps children get out of orphanages by finding them families to live with.Sutherland, James (4 May 2023). [https://swimswam.com/david-popovici-donates-world-championship-gold-medal-to-cancer-campaign/ "DAVID POPOVICI DONATES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL TO CANCER CAMPAIGN"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 4 May 2023. In July 2023, Popovici became Swimming Brand Ambassador for Omega.Jitea, Adrian (19 July 2023). [https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/altele/david-popovici-contract-omega-704974.html "Lovitura dată de David Popovici înaintea Mondialelor de natație - A semnat cu un gigant"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 19 July 2023. In the autumn of 2023, he became a student at the University of Bucharest, where he studies Psychology.Olteanu, Maria (2 October 2023). [https://www.eurosport.ro/natatie/viata-de-student.-david-popovici-a-inceput-astazi-facultatea-la-universitatea-din-bucuresti_sto9820649/story.shtml "VIAȚĂ DE STUDENT. DAVID POPOVICI A ÎNCEPUT ASTĂZI FACULTATEA, LA UNIVERSITATEA DIN BUCUREȘTI"] (in Romanian). Eurosport. Retrieved 2 October 2023.

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• Swimming World, Swimmer of the Year (male): 2022
• Swimming World, Newcomer of the Year: 2021Lohn, John (27 December 2021). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/david-popovici-named-swimming-worlds-male-newcomer-of-the-year/ "David Popovici Named Swimming World's Male Newcomer of the Year; Huge Upside For Romanian Teen"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
• SwimSwam Swammy Award Male Swimmer of the Year: 2022
• SwimSwam Swammy Award European Male Swimmer of the Year: 2022Kaufman, Sophie (December 24, 2022). [https://swimswam.com/2022-swammy-awards-european-male-swimmer-of-the-year-david-popovici/ "2022 SWAMMY AWARDS: EUROPEAN MALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR – DAVID POPOVICI"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
• SwimSwam Swammy Award World Junior Male Swimmer of the Year: 2022
• SwimSwam, Top 100 (Men's): 2022 (#20),Sutherland, James (20 January 2022). [https://swimswam.com/swimswams-top-100-for-2022-mens-20-11/ "SwimSwam's Top 100 For 2022: Men's #20-11"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 20 January 2022. 2023 (#3), 2024 (#17)Sutherland, James (5 February 2024). [https://swimswam.com/swimswams-top-100-for-2024-mens-20-11/ "SWIMSWAM'S TOP 100 FOR 2024: MEN'S #20-11"]. SwimSwam. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
• LEN Award, European Male Swimmer of the Year: 2022Ligue Européenne de Natation (17 January 2023). [https://www.len.eu/len-awards/ "New winners in swimming: Popovici and Meilutyte voted the best in Europe"]. LEN. Retrieved 17 February 2023.Byrnes, Liz (17 February 2023). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/david-popovici-and-ruta-meilutyte-among-the-winners-at-the-2022-len-awards/ "David Popovici And Ruta Meilutyte Among The Winners At The 2022 LEN Awards"]. Swimming World. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
• Gazeta Sporturilor, Romanian Athlete of the Year: 2022Fleșeru, Roxana (16 November 2022). [https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/special/david-popovici-sportivul-roman-al-anului-gala-gsp-2022-680073.html "David Popovici, Sportivul Român al Anului 2022 după un vot unanim: „După ce repeți de 10.000 de ori ceva, a 10.001-a oară, în concurs, nu are cum să nu îți iasă""] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
• BTA, Balkan Athlete of the Year: 2022Associated Press (28 December 2022). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/romanian-swimmer-popovici-named-best-balkan-athlete-of-2022/2022/12/28/b3622316-86cc-11ed-b5ac-411280b122ef_story.html "Romanian swimmer Popovici named Best Balkan Athlete of 2022"]. The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
• Piotr Nurowski Award: 2021Fodor, Simona (26 November 2021). [https://www.romania-insider.com/popovici-nurowski-best-summer-athlete-nov-2021/ "2021 Piotr Nurowski Prize: Romanian swimmer named best young European athlete in summer sports"]. Romania Insider. Retrieved 26 November 2021.

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• {{sports links}}
• [https://davidpopovici.com Official Website]

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{{succession box

| before = César Cielo

| title = Men's 100-metre freestyle
world record-holder (long course)

| years = 13 August 2022 – 11 February 2024

| after = Pan Zhanle

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions 200 m Freestyle Men}}

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{{Footer European SC Champions 200m Freestyle Men}}

{{BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Popovici, David}}

Category:2004 births

Category:Living people

Category:Swimmers from Bucharest

Category:Romanian male freestyle swimmers

Category:Swimmers at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic swimmers for Romania

Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming

Category:Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)

Category:European Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming

Category:21st-century Romanian sportsmen

Category:Recipients of the Order of the Star of Romania

Category:Swimmers at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic gold medalists for Romania

Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Romania

Category:Olympic gold medalists in swimming

Category:Olympic bronze medalists in swimming