Taken by a 17 year old! And he’s probably as skinny as any itu triathlete…
Skinny? Lol, I would never believe he was 17. Looks 25 compared to a normal high schooler.
faaaaaaast
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46.86. Wow. And no full body supersuit like the previous record holder
He does looked pretty skinny compared to some of the other sprinters I can think of (Albeit I’m not a huge swimming fan so I can’t think of many). Per the number Olympics website he’s 6’3†and 176 lbs
Previous WR holder Cesar Cielo was 2 in jest taller but I’m seeing his weight listed as anywhere from 176 to 194…not sure what is correct. Caleb Dessel is listed 6’3†200 lbs. Nathan Adrian is listed at 6’5†225 lbs
I’m curious when the 50 goes down without supersuits.
46.86 is completely nuts. I’ll keep swimming distance because that kind of speed is in another universe. 
Popovici in Tokyo last year was like Michael Phelps in Sydney 2000- the kid who had the potential to be a generational talent but was just not quite there yet.
It’s going to be a lot of fun to see what he does not yet. He’s got a bit of a swagger, and I like that confidence.
Thats awesome to see, swimming 8n normal bike pants, he even beat the guy with hot cup hickies! Anyone know what Lionels 100m pb is?
He is definitely a huge talent. David is more of a freestyle specialist but with that kind of talent and his age there’s no telling what he will do in the future. Also, I’m glad to see Romanian athletes making it to the top of world sports again. I grew up in Romania and had to quit swimming at 11 when the only pool in my town (2nd largest in the country) closed down because of disrepair and lack of funding. I feel like we lost an entire generation of talented kids that were born in the 80s and grew up through the fall of the communist regime and the years of instability that followed.
Popovici in Tokyo last year was like Michael Phelps in Sydney 2000- the kid who had the potential to be a generational talent but was just not quite there yet.
It’s going to be a lot of fun to see what he does not yet. He’s got a bit of a swagger, and I like that confidence.
There are actually pictures showing that he had the bottom of the suit rolled up like a cuff (grippers out). I’m sure he left around 0.87 on the table doing this.
Anyone know what Lionels 100m pb is?
LOL well played!
Anyone know what Lionels 100m pb is?
LOL well played!
(I thought he meant it.)
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46.86 is completely nuts. I’ll keep swimming distance because that kind of speed is in another universe.
I reckon if I trained hard enough, I could swim 50m in that time.
perhaps just as impressively, that’s his second time sub-47. I don’t think anyone else has managed that yet.
He commented that he wants to be the first one to go sub 45. Seems nuts, but given how talented and young he is, it might be possible.
He commented that he wants to be the first one to go sub 45. Seems nuts, but given how talented and young he is, it might be possible.
he has the short course WR at 46.7 I think he’ll easily take that to sub 46 within the next 12 months and could potentially be sub 45 in the small pool. i dunno about sub 45 long course, but who the hell knows.
I just can’t see sub 45 in the next few years without some new tech or shenanigans being involved.
Skinny because he’s only 17. Dressel was probably not too different at 17, but yeah he’s a bit lankier that those others you listed rather than giant broad shoulders. Also I wouldn’t even call Popovichi a ‘sprinter’-- he wins by beating everyone in the 2nd 50 and the 100 is probably not even his best event. I think the 200 is his best, it’s just that the WR there is ridiculous, and the super suits probably aided a little more as the distance goes up (i.e. they provide more aid as fatigue sets in).
If he could get his start to Dressel’s level he could threaten the 46s barrier.
We might see the first 1:42 200M FR since the WR this week, maybe even 2nd fastest 200M ever.
1:42.97
His kick is something else.
Well actually every aspect of his swimming is unbelievable.
That said…I am not giving him the Olympic gold in the 100 free just yet (Though 200 free seems a lock).
1:42.97
His kick is something else.
Well actually aspect of his swimming is unbelievable.
That said…I am not giving him the Olympic gold in the 100 free just yet (Though 200 free seems a lock).
I’ll say it now. Popovici - Dressel - Chalmers. in that order. (Milak a darkhorse to medal in the 100 free)
We might see the first 1:42 200M FR since the WR this week, maybe even 2nd fastest 200M ever.
4th fastest. - right behind some no-name named Phelps…