This is the Swim Poll of the Week for Thursday, January 20, 2022. Sponsored by Strechcordz Swim Training Products. In our last swim poll, we wanted to know: Which of these rising freestyle stars will be the first to capture an international medal at either the World Championships (LC) or Olympic Games?
David Popovici, racing at the famed Foro Italico, claimed European junior crowns in the 50 freestyle (22.22), 100 free (47.30) and 200 free (1:45.95). Popovici’s best performance came over four laps. In the final of the 200 free, he touched the wall in 1:44.68, just .02 behind bronze medalist Fernando Scheffer of Brazil. He was also named Swimming World’s newcomer of the year for 2021.
It is not unreasonable to suggest that Popovici will contend for the podium in both the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle when the FINA World Championships are held in Fukuoka, Japan in May. Certainly, Popovici is not fazed by the expectations thrust upon him.
Joshua Liendo will be featured on the cover of the February 2022 issue of Swimming World Magazine. In Abu Dhabi at Short Course Worlds, Liendo trimmed .58 off a 50 free record that stood since 2009 and lopped nine-tenths off the 100 butterfly mark.
The 19-year-old was part of the mixed 200 free relay gold medal squad. He added bronze medals in the 50 and 100 free, setting a Canadian record in the former, plus a pair of national records in the sprint fly events. Liendo was the first Black Canadian swimmer to win an individual medal at a major international event.
In Tokyo, Sunwoo Hwang, was fifth in the 100 freestyle (47.82) and seventh in the 200 freestyle (1:45.26), with best times of 47.56 (semifinals) and 1:44.62 (prelims). After the Olympics Hwang continued to impress. At the Front of Youth Movement, Hwang set a world record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:44.62.
Later in October, he crushed the Koren 200 IM record with a time of 1:58.04 at the National Sports Festival. Closing out 2021, he took gold at Short Course Worlds in the 200 freestyle touching the wall in 1:41:03.
Which of these rising freestyle stars will be the first to capture an international medal at either the World Championships (LC) or Olympic Games?
David Popovici, Romania — 48%
Joshua Liendo, Canada — 25%
Sunwoo Hwang, Korea — 26%