David Popovici Swims 1:43.13 200 Freestyle, #5 Performance All-Time, Top Time In World

2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – FINAL

• World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, Germany (2009)
• European Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, Germany (2009)
• Championship Record: 1:42.97 – David Popovici, Romania (2022)

GOLD – David Popovici, Romania 1:43.13
SILVER – Danas Rapsys, Lithuania 1:45.65
BRONZE – Antonio Djakovic, Switzerland 1:46.32

David Popovici of Romania clocked the 5th fastest 200 freestyle of all-time with a 1:43.13 to defend his European title. Popovici went out under World Record pace at the 100 mark flipping in a 50.08, 0.04 seconds ahead of record pace.

Split Comparison:

Popovici was out fast and felt the pain at the end as he fell off World Record pace by the 150 mark. Earlier this week, Popovici swam a 46.88 in the 100 freestyle, the #3 swim in history and said that he is un-tapered at this meet. Popovici’s swim also was the 5th fastest performance all-time.

Top 5 All-Time Men’s 200 Freestyle Performances

1. Paul Biedermann, Germany, 1:42.00 (2009)
2. Paul Biedermann, Germany, 1:42.81 (2009)
3. Michael Phelps, USA, 1:42.96 (2008)
4. David Popovici, Romania, 1:42.97 (2022)
5. David Popovici, Romania, 1:43.13 (2024)

Popovici now moves up in the World so far this season as his previous season best stood at a 1:44.74 from the Mare Nostrum series. Popovici is the only swimmer to have swam a sub-1:44 swim as Lukas Martens of Germany held the previous top time of the season with a 1:44.14 from the end of April.