Multiple European, world, and Olympic champion David Popovici added another precious gold medal to his collection, winning the 100-meter freestyle event at the Settecolli Trophy in Rome.
In the pool where he set a great 100m freestyle record a few years ago, Popovici triumphed on Saturday evening with a competition record time of 47.26 seconds. At the end of the competition, David also shared his initial reaction, revealing his new goal that he has set for himself.
"It was a good race, a time I am satisfied with, and it intrigues me, makes me curious about what I am capable of under certain conditions when I am well-rested and ultra-specifically prepared for the European [Championships].
I hope to see many world records broken in this pool in the near future. I am seriously considering breaking the world record in the 100m, maybe in Paris, I don't know, maybe in January, in September, whenever it may be. I see it as a when, not an if."
This is my first international competition since last year's World Championships, and I have started very well. I also have the 200m freestyle event tomorrow. The competition record was still mine, honestly, right? Oh, no, darn it, let it be, I've taken it now. I don't even know what the record is for tomorrow. The time doesn't matter much; what matters is to be better than my yesterday self."
It is clearly a competition where we all came in the midst of our training, and we know what to expect. I am in the middle of preparing for the European Championships, and I have exceeded my expectations."
The 200m freestyle is a more complex, more intricate event than the 100m, more strategic, more tiring, but easier to qualify in the morning. Tomorrow, I allow myself to swim slower in the morning and qualify, and then in the evening, give it my all. If I win, great, if I place 25th... well, it won't happen, but it will be just as good."
At the end of the day, I love my job; I am very privileged to earn my bread this way and to be tired, in itself, from the fact that people call out to me for autographs. Despite all this heat, it is still more beautiful to swim outdoors; I like it," said David Popovici after his gold medal win in Rome, in an interview with TVR Sport.
On Friday, he finished 2nd in the 50m freestyle, achieving his career-best time in this event, and on Sunday morning, David will return to the pool to compete in the heats of the 200m freestyle, the event in which he is the reigning Olympic champion.
D.A.