David Popovici was born on September 15th, 2004 in Bucharest, Romania. His passion for swimming was ignited at the young age of four when a doctor recommended swimming as a way to help correct his early-stage scoliosis. He wasted no time diving into the water and began training at Aqua Team Bucharest at the age of nine.
By the age of ten, Popovici had already broken his first junior national record in the 50-meter backstroke. His talent and dedication were evident early on, and by the time he was 14, he had set a new record as the fastest swimmer under 15 at the European Youth Olympic Festival, clocking in at an impressive 49.82 seconds for the 100-meter freestyle.
Popovici's star continued to rise as he shattered world records in the long course 100-meter freestyle and the junior world record in the long course 200-meter freestyle. He also claimed the junior world record in the short course 100-meter freestyle, showcasing his versatility and dominance in the pool.
In 2022, Popovici made history by becoming the first man in nearly fifty years to sweep both the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyles at the World Championships. His exceptional performance solidified his status as one of the greatest swimmers of his generation.
Outside of the pool, Popovici has a keen interest in philosophy and stoicism. He is an avid reader and prefers delving into books over spending time on social media. Among his favorite reads are "The Practice of Groundedness" by Brad Stulberg and "Sans Famille" by Hector Malot.
Popovici grew up in the Pantilimon neighborhood of central Bucharest, Romania. His father, Mihailo Popovici, played a pivotal role in his journey, first as a pharmaceutical agent and later as the director of the Dinamo Club swimming school. Popovici's idols include legendary swimmers Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe, as well as his admiration for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s training methods.
In July 2022, Popovici was honored with the Order of the Star of Romania by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, recognizing his outstanding achievements in the world of swimming. Despite his already impressive resume, Popovici remains humble and driven, with dreams of one day having the superpower to breathe underwater.
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