David Popovici has been named the best swimmer in Europe 2022 as part of the European Swimming League (LEN) awards, it was announced at the continental forum. Kostyantyn Popovich was also recognized as the best high jumper.

Davyd PopovychPhoto: ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP / Profimedia

David Popovich, the best swimmer of 2022

In the ranking published by LEN, Popovici dominates with 56.16%, ahead of Hungary’s Christoph Milak (22.71%), Italy’s Thomas Ceccone (13.79%), France’s Leon Marchand (4.77%) and another Italian, Nicolo Martinengi ( 2.56%).

Popovici (18) won two gold medals at the World Championships last year (100m freestyle, 200m freestyle), won two gold medals at the European Championships (100m freestyle, 200m freestyle), setting a new world record for the distance on this occasion 100 m freestyle, took silver at the World Championships at a short distance (100 m freestyle), and also received three titles of the world champion among juniors and four titles of the European champion among juniors, writes Agerpres.

In the women’s category, the title of the best swimmer last year went to a Lithuanian athlete Meilyutite routewith 37.20%, which won the match with Sweden’s Sara Sjostra 35.11%, Holland’s Marrit Steenbergen 18.75% and Italy’s Benedetta Pilato 8.93%.

Kostyantyn Popovych, the best high jumper

Romania also had the men’s high jump honoree, Constantin Popovici, the reigning European champion and fifth in the World Series rankings, who took first place with 64.77% of the vote, followed by compatriot Katelin Preda, runner-up of Europe and third in the World Series standings, 24.18%, and Italy’s Alessandro De Rose, European bronze medalist, 11.05%.

These were the first honors that Romania received within the LEN Awards, founded in 2008.

Public voting accounted for 30%, the remaining 70% went to LEN members and the LEN Technical Commission.