Arena Signs Romanian Teen Sprint Star David Popovici
David Popovici, the 17-year-old Romanian freestyler who made two Olympics finals in Tokyo, has signed an endorsement deal with Arena.
“Thrilled to announce that I am now an Arena athlete,” Popovici said in a company press release. “I feel that it is very important for me to be able to rely on a strong partner whenever is needed. Having Arena on my side lets me focus on my goals knowing that I have the best gear available. The future shines bright!”
David Popovici; Photo Courtesy: Matei Buta/Arena
Popovici was fourth in the men’s 200 free in Tokyo and seventh in the 100 free to go with 40th in the 50 free. He holds the world junior record in the men’s 100 free (47.30 seconds) and second-fastest in the men’s 200 free (1:44.68). His times rank in the top 15 all-time.
He swept the 50, 100 and 200 free at the European Junior Championships just before the Tokyo Games. He will continue his season at the World Short Course Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in December.
The native of Bucharest started swimming at a young age as a health measure to correct minor spine deformities. He’s been training with coach Adrian Radulescu since he was nine years old, and the results have been outstanding. He’s a multi-time senior national champion and holds three national records (two long-course, one short-course). He has the potential to be a paradigm-shifting swimmer with his refined style of sprinting.
“We’re obviously very excited that David will be joining our Elite Team,” arena deputy CEO Giuseppe Musciacchio said. “He’s doing things as a 17-year-old that today’s champions weren’t getting close to, so we’re thrilled to be part of the support group that will help to nurture him carefully so that he matures at the right pace to fully realize his unique talent. His signing builds on the positive collaboration we already have with the Romanian Swimming Federation, and we are really looking forward to supporting him and his compatriots to greater successes in the pool, and to leveraging this success to further promote swimming as a positive lifestyle in our European partner countries.”