Youthful swimmer David Popovici, multiple European, world, and Olympic champion, has revealed his rival for 2026, making sure to praise Pan Zhanle, the Chinese who still holds the world record for the 100-meter freestyle.
With two gold medals at the World Championships in Singapore last summer, Popovici concluded this year 2025 perfectly, but the challenges will continue and will be even tougher in terms of world swimming in the upcoming year.
About Pan Zhanle, the man who impressed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning gold in the hundred and breaking the world record, Popovici has only words of praise:
”He's an incredible athlete. He has strength, ambition, and a strong mentality. I respect him a lot because he pushes me to surpass myself. Rivalry is healthy when it breeds respect,” said David Popovici to iamsport.ro.
The Asian athlete did not repeat his great performances in 2025, disappointing at the World Championships, but Popovici says he will continue to be a great rival of his: ”It's natural for every athlete to have better and weaker moments. Pan had a peak period, but sports are cyclical. I wish him to come back strong; it's much more motivating to compete with the best,” Popovici added.
And considering that Jack Alexy from the USA is the best American swimmer of the year 2025, Popovici expects the American to grow and be even better next year: ”He's an explosive athlete with impeccable technique. He has that young and courageous spirit that inspires you. I enjoy watching him evolve because he brings good energy to the competition,” commented the Romanian multiple champion.
David Popovici had an extraordinary year in 2025, setting a new European record in the 100-meter freestyle with 46.71 seconds, the best time in the world in 2025. He is the first swimmer to finish the last 50 meters in under 24 seconds in a 100-meter freestyle in the history of swimming.
D.A.