18-year-old David Popovich arrived in Japan, the country where he will participate in the World Swimming Championships from July 14-30. The city of Fukuoka will host the competition.

Davyd PopovychPhoto: Cris BOURONCLE / AFP / Profimedia

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The first image of David in Japan was published by the athlete’s trainer Dragos Luskan.

“Greetings from the Tokyo Olympic Center! We arrived in this vibrant city full of excitement as we prepare for the upcoming World Swimming Championships!

The World Championships will be held in Fukuoka and will bring together the best swimmers from around the world to demonstrate their skills, dedication and determination.

Stay tuned as we embark on this incredible journey. Go Romania!” – Dragoš Luskan.

David Popovici will compete in two events, he is the reigning world champion in both: 100m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

The 200 m freestyle final will be held on July 25, and the 100 m freestyle final will be held on July 27.

The competition in Japan will be an important rehearsal before the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer of 2024. David has repeatedly stated that he dreams of winning a gold medal for Romania.

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David Popovici, two-time European and world champion in the summer of 2022

David Popovici won two gold medals at the European Swimming Championships in Rome in August 2022, our athlete was unstoppable in the 100m freestyle and also in the 200m freestyle.

We will remind you that in June 2022, David Popovich made a double at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest, having won the 100 m freestyle and 200 m freestyle.

During the entire World Swimming Championships, only one athlete managed to win the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle events from the same edition.

It happened 49 years ago, and the one who ticks off this feat is called Jim Montgomery (USA – he is now 67 years old). That year, the competition was hosted by Belgrade.