European Championships, Day 4 Prelims: David Popovici With 1:45 Start To 200 Defence; Splits 46.66 On Relay Anchor
David Popovici returned to the water the morning after swimming the third-fastest 100 free in history to go 1:45 over 200 at the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade.
The 19-year-old – who won double world and European gold in 2022 – returned to anchor Romania into the men’s 4×100 free final, splitting 46.66.
Popovici retained his continental title in 46.88 on Wednesday, 0.08 off Pan Zhanle’s WR and 0.02 outside his European record of 46.86 en-route to gold at Roma 2022 which was then a world record.
The Romanian was back in the water at the Sports and Recreational Center Milan Gale Muškatirović the following morning as he started the defence of his 200 title.
Popovici posted the third-swiftest time in history and a world textile record of 1:42.97 at the Foro Italico two years ago.
David Popovici: Photo courtesy: European Aquatics
On Thursday, he looked ominous, going through 100 in 50.84 (24.19/26.65) – 0.72 off Paul Biedermann’s WR split in 2009 – before easy speed guided him to 1:45.44.
Velimir Stjepanovic of Serbia was second through into the semis in 1:47.18, 10 years after he beat Biedermann to the European title in Berlin.
Danas Rapsys followed the pair in 1:47.27 with Saso Boskan of Slovenian clinched the final semi spot in 1:48.74.
Popovici returned for the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, taking over with Romania in sixth before propelling them to third-fastest into the final in 3:15.20 behind Serbia (3:13.47) and Croatia (3:15.13).
Elsewhere, Paulina Peda of Poland headed the women’s 100 fly in 58.14 ahead of 50 silver medallist Roos Vanotterdijk (58.45) with 2022 bronze medallist Lana Pudar through in 11th in 59.54.
Kristyna Horska of Czechia leads the 200m breaststroke in 2:27.45 with 100 gold medallist Eneli Jefimova (2:28.93) and defending champion Lisa Mamie (2:29.67) also through.
Reigning champion Apostolos Christou heads the men’s 50 back in 24.66.
- Link to results/start sheets
- 2024 Olympic Games Coverage – Paris
- European Championships Day 1 Prelims
- European Championships Day 1 Finals
- European Championships Day 2 Prelims
- European Championships Day 2 Finals
- European Championships Day 3 Prelims
- European Championships Day 3 Finals