World Championships: David Popovici Sets World Junior Record On Way to Top Seed in 200 Freestyle

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World Championships: David Popovici Sets World Junior Record On Way to Top Seed in 200 Freestyle

There is no doubt about the man to beat in the final of the 200-meter freestyle at the World Championships. Simply put, Romanian teenager David Popovici thrown down a challenge to rest of the field.

Just off the podium in the event at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Popovici comfortably claimed the top seed at the World Champs, as he maneuvered through the semifinals in 1:44.40. That performances was good for a world junior record for the 17-year-old, who is one of the brightest young stars the sport has seen in some time.

Popovici wasted no time taking command of his semifinal, as he covered the opening length in 23.99 and hit the midway point of the race in 50.24. Popovici dialed it back slightly over the back half of the race, a suggestion that much more is to come in the final. Based on the way he has looked through the prelims and semifinals, there is reason to believe something in the 1:43 range is on the horizon.

Splits: 23.93/50.24 (26.31)/1:17.25 (27.01)/1:44.40 (27.15)

Austrian Felix Aubock advanced to the final as the second seed, going 1:45.17, while Korea’s Hwang Sunwoo was next in 1:45.46. Reigning Olympic champion Tom Dean of Great Britain was fourth-fastest in the semifinals, behind a swim of 1:45.48, and has the early speed to match Popovici in the final. The question is whether he can find the closing speed to stay with the youngster.

The champion in the 400 freestyle, Australian Elijah Winnington, qualified fifth in 1:45.53, with Americans Drew Kibler (1:45.54) and Kieran Smith (1:45.94) next in line.

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