David Popovich managed another great performance and won European gold in the 200m freestyle. After the race in Rome, the 17-year-old spoke about how close he was to the legendary Michael Phelps’ best time.

David Popovich, only one hundredth of the legendary Michael Phelps – The first reaction after the gold in Rome

David stopped the clock in 1:42.97, only Phelps’ hundredth time in 2008.

Popovici is the third fastest swimmer in history in this competition, the record belongs to the German Paul Biedermann (1:42.00).

“I am very pleased. I am in no way disappointed that I didn’t beat Phelps’ time. I have this feeling, I don’t even know how to describe it… “Ah, another hundred”. That was the first thought.

But he has nothing. I have all the time in the world. Phelps, setting the time, also set a world record. With small steps and gently, gently, we move in the direction we want.

Yes, this final exhausted me even more, being the second challenge in the program. I am extremely tired.

But it was not the hardest race of my life. It was definitely the best 200m ever. But that’s part of the sport, part of what we do.

On the podium, I thought about all the Romanian flags in the stands, about the world that shouted and applauded me” – Davyd Popovychquoted by GSP.

Know:

• On Monday, Popovich also set a new competition record. The precedent belonged to Russian Martin Malyutin: 1:44.79 (Budapest 2020).

• David will also perform in Rome at the distance of 400 m freestyle.

200 m freestyle, the fastest swimmers in history

1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann (Germany) – Rome 2009

1:42.96 – Michael Phelps (USA) – Beijing 2008

1:42.97 – David Popovici (Romania) – Rome 2022

1:43.14 – Yannick Agnelle (France) – London 2012

1:43.90 – Danyla Izotov (Russia) – Rome 2009.