The performances of David Popovic in 2022 could not go unnoticed under any circumstances, and the Romanian athlete was duly rewarded for his exceptional achievements.

Davyd PopovychPhoto: Cris BOURONCLE / AFP / Profimedia

European and world champion in 100 and 200 meter freestyle swimming before adulthood, David Popovici carried the Romanian flag to the highest peaks of the world, setting various records in the world of swimming.

David Popovich, Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine

David Popovich was named the 2022 Swimmer of the Year by American Swimming World Magazine on Friday, after the shark was named Europe’s 2021 Swimmer of the Year.

At the age of only 18, the athlete, registered with CS Dinamo Bucharest, appears on the front page of the famous magazine together with Ariarne Titmus, who received the swimmer of the year award. The Australian is a two-time Olympic champion in Tokyo at distances of 200 and 400 meters freestyle, but she did not participate in the World Championships in Budapest.

As such, David Popovich joins a select club of swimmers who have received this award. Michael Phelps has the most titles (8 titles), followed by Ian Thorpe (4 titles).

Laureates of 2022:

  • Swimmer of the Year: David Popovich (male) and Ariarne Titmus (female)
  • Oceania: Zac Stubblety-Cook (Australia)
  • Europe: Sara Sjoström (Sweden)
  • Africa: Peter Kutze (male – South Africa) and Lara van Niekerk (female – South Africa)
  • USA: Bobby Finke (Male) and Katie Ledecky (Female)

David Popovich will also compete in this year’s World Short Course Championships in Melbourne from December 13-18.

  • Reasons why David Popovich did not go to offers from the USA
  • David Popovich and the improvements he needs to make to become the greatest swimmer of all time
  • David Popovich’s obsession: “I want to reach this status as soon as possible”
  • David Popovici, a message for Romanians after a year in which he took the swimming world by storm
  • The legendary Oleksandr Popov was asked if he would compete with David Popovich – The spectacular answer of the multiple Olympic champion
  • Sensational David Popovich through the eyes of the former 100m freestyle record holder: It’s scary how much he can improve
  • The Hungarian press and a big surprise – there are no swimming pools in Romania, but there is an “alien”: David Popovici