In Shadow of Popovici, N.C. State Recruit Ksawery Masiuk Of Poland Is Fast-Rising Star
During a summer in which David Popovici was the talk of the sport, and rightfully so, the exploits of another European teenager were somewhat overlooked.
Over the past few months, Poland’s Ksawery Masiuk made it clear that he is a rising star on the international backstroke scene. While the stroke is stacked with headliners, it wouldn’t be shocking if Masiuk, a 17-year-old, contended for the podium in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Consider what Masiuk achieved this summer:
- At the World Championships in Budapest, Masiuk earned the bronze medal in the 50 backstroke (24.44) and advanced to the final of the 100 backstroke via a national-record performance of 52.58. In the longer distance, the Polish star placed sixth.
- Masiuk claimed gold medals in the 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke at the FINA World Junior Championships and added a bronze medal in the 200 backstroke. A few weeks earlier, he swept those events at the European Junior Championships.
- At the European Championships in Rome, where Popovici registered a world record in the 100 freestyle, Masiuk qualified for the final of the 100 backstroke.
Like Popovici, Masiuk tested himself throughout the summer with appearances in four major competitions. Maintaining consistency and excellence at each stop is not an easy task, but Masiuk regularly produced elite performances. Going forward, his three-month experience should prove beneficial, particularly during NCAA competition at North Carolina State. Masiuk has made a verbal commitment to compete for coach Braden Holloway and the Wolfpack.
The European landscape in the sport is especially stacked at the moment, the likes of Popovici (Romania), Leon Marchand (France), Kristof Milak (Hungary) and Thomas Ceccon (Italy) highlighting the continent’s efforts. Masiuk, along with Portugal’s Diogo Ribeiro, has the ability to enhance this already stout European presence.