Romanian David Popovici is not worried about his disappointing performance at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka (Japan), he assured Thursday after a new disappointment in the 100m freestyle.
“It’s going to be okay,” said the 18-year-old swimmer, who arrived in Japan as the 100 and 200m freestyle title holder and queen race world record holder.
Thursday, one year before the Paris Olympics, he could only take sixth place in the round trip, two days after failing at the foot of the 200m podium.
“Fortunately for me, what didn’t go perfectly here can be rectified in training,” he said. “So as long as I apply myself in training, that I am more rigorous than I have been this year, which has had a lot of ups and downs, I will be fine.”
Asked about the lessons to be learned from his competition, the young Romanian said: “As soon as I hit the wall after the 200m, this thought came to mind that I had to train better. .”
“I have to train more and above all, I have to be more regular, that’s what makes everything work,” added Popovici, who had to adjust his training this season to pass his baccalaureate in Romania.
Thursday in the 100m final, he was never really in the game for victory, finishing far behind the new world champion, Australian Kyle Chalmers.
“I’m glad it’s over,” said the Romanian, who pledged to take some time off to “reflect on this busy and strange year.”