“Can he do it again?” That is the question the sewing world is asking about the young Romanian David Popovici when the WC in Japan starts in July. We turn back the clock to 13 August last year. On the starting podiums in Rome are eight of the fastest seamstresses in the world. Most of them are in their early 20s, tall and powerfully built. But one stands out. In lane four, a teenager is standing and straightening his prescription glasses. He throws himself into the water as soon as the starting shot goes off and begins the race that will soon send shock waves through the swimming community. – If you had said that a guy who weighed 80 kilos would take that record, people would think that it was not possible. But it is possible. As long as you maximize your potential, and do it smartly, everything is possible, says David Popovici to news. It is approaching a year since he set a new world record in the 100 meter freestyle with a time of 46.86. Swimmers and coaches are still scratching their heads over how a 17-year-old could be so fast at practice, many consider it “formula 1 in swimming”. – It is difficult to say why he is so fast, that is what the whole world is frantically trying to find out right now, says Henrik Christiansen to news, who himself has several WC and EC medals. The World Championships in long-distance swimming and diving will take place in Fukuoka in Japan from 14 to 30 July. Norway fields eight participants (five swimmers and three stupers). The rehearsals will be broadcast on news in collaboration with SVT. GOLD GLIS: Popovici took gold in the 200 meters at the EC last summer. Photo: Sergei Grits / AP “Skinny sprinting” Because, as Popovici himself was aware, he is far from the stereotype of a sprinter with his long, slender body and thin arms. He, and the trainer Adrian Radulescu, have called it “skinny sprinting”. – Most people who swim the short exercises are usually bigger, stronger and taller. But sometimes someone like me comes along. It shows that you don’t necessarily need to be as big as the others to perform. You just have to be good at what you do. You must be efficient, have good technique and speed, and be good under pressure, Popovici explains. And it is not just the atypical physique that makes the performance impressive. The previous record in the 100 meter freestyle was set with a so-called “super suit” back in 2009 by the Brazilian César Cielo. The “Supersuits” came on the market in 2008 and were made of a material that gave an abnormal amount of buoyancy. Well over 100 world records were set in 2009 before the suits were banned from 1 January 2010. BAN: The super suit used by Paul Biedermann turned swimming upside down, and still dominates the record lists. Photo: TONY GENTILE / Reuters Several of the records still stand today, among others in the men’s 200 meters free, set by German Paul Biedermann. It may fall this summer. – I really want to see Popovici beat Biedermann’s “super suit record”, says Christiansen. The Norwegian sewing profile has allowed itself to be impressed and amazed by the great talk of the sewing community. – He is very unique. I absolutely do not think he has reached any ceiling, he says and elaborates. – What’s so cool about him is that he’s just the right amount of “cocky”. He dares to speak loudly about his goals, and actually does the work needed to achieve them. He lies very high in the water and minimizes resistance very well. You can say that he prioritizes technique over power, explains Christiansen. Inspired by the ancient Greeks In order to have the best possible control over his thoughts when it matters most, Popovici says that he uses a philosophy that originates from ancient Greece, namely stoicism. He says that he has several books on the subject. – It’s about not letting yourself be influenced by things you can’t control. As long as something is not in your control, you should just shift your focus to something else. I try to transfer it to everyday life, and it helps me not to get stressed, Popovici elaborates. – Have you come to the point where you can control your thoughts? IN HIS RIGHT ELEMENT: Popovici says he thrives better in water than on land. Photo: AFP – I suppose I can do it better than most people, but I would be laughing if I said I could control every single thought that arises. In any case, the way of thinking has helped him to handle all the attention he has received after his breakthrough year last year. – I recently realized that my life has not actually changed, only other people’s perception of me has changed. And as I said earlier, it is not in my control. Some may think of me as a superstar or an “extremely fast alien”. To them I say: I only swim! And whenever people try to congratulate me too much, I stop them and tell them that I just sew. There is more to life than just congratulations, says Popovici. More comfortable in water The young Romanian says that as a child he had a back problem (scoliosis) and had “too much energy”. Legane therefore suggested that he try swimming. – I fell in love with the water. I started sewing outdoors, which I still do. That’s how it all started. – Do you feel more comfortable in water than on land? – I do, yes. Sometimes my back or knees, or actually just my body, hurt when I’m out of the water, but in the water I can’t feel any pain at all. In social media, Popovici calls himself “Chlorinedaddy”, i.e. chlorine’s father. – I have always known a kind of connection with chlorine. Since I was younger, I have smelled chlorine all day. – It’s like a perfume. I can’t say I like it, but it’s a part of me. I can’t take the smell of chlorine away, it’s in me, he explains. The World Championships in long-distance swimming and diving will take place in Fukuoka in Japan from 14 to 30 July. Norway fields eight participants (five swimmers and three stupers). The rehearsals will be broadcast on news in collaboration with SVT.
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