Romania's Popovici scores best time in 200 m freestyle final qualifying round
Romanian swimmer David Popovici, a 100 and 200 m freestyle world champion, on Monday qualified for the 200 m freestyle final with the best time (1:44.70) in the semi-finals at the ongoing 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, told Agerpres.
Popovici, who competed in the second semi-final on lane five, was followed in the rankings by American Luke Hobson (1:44.87) and South Korean Hojoon Lee (1:45.93).
In the heats, Popovici had the third best time (1:45.82).
In 2022, he won the gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, and also at the European Championships in Rome, in the 100m and 200m freestyle races.
He also set a new world record in the 100m freestyle, clocking in at 46.86 at the European Aquatics Championships in Rome.
In Fukuoka, Popovici will also compete in the 100 m freestyle events, which heats are scheduled for July 26.