It's three years since David Popovici popped a 1:43.21 World Junior record stunner to claim the first World 200m free title of his career in his last year as 'youth'.

Three years on, Paris gold in his vault for the past year, Popovici, still only 20, has his second 200m global crown, his time 1:43.53. His performance explained the manner in which the first Romanian man to claim Olympic gold in the pool has made himself the man to beat over four lengths since his breakthrough season.

The only time he led the race was when he caught and edged ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Luke Hobson with about 20 metres to go. The splits tell the tale of:

• one man biding his time, Popovici comfortable with his capacity to pounce just when needed
• a defending champion, Korea's Sunwoo Hwang, still trying to master 200m pace
• an the American, Hobson, storing up strategy on the long stretch to a Home Olympics
• and a Japanese teenager, Tatsuya Murasa, who swam his own race and found the podium turn of pace just when he needed it

Hobson made his big move down the third length, Popovici, half a second down at half-way, losing a further 0.14 to the last turn. And then, as Hobson felt the pace, Popovici out in a 26.43 home comer for victory, Hobson hanging on for silver in 1:43.84, Murasa grabbing bronze in 1:44.54 after passing Hwang with the second fastest last-length split. 26.66.

Coached by Adrian Radulescu, Popovici said:

“I think [the win feels] even better than the Olympics, to be honest. You know why? I trained a lot for the Olympics, but this coming (in) a year, a more relaxed year, more easy-going after the Olympics… I’m very proud of myself.”

What had gone through his head on the hunt down the last length?

“It’s a lot of ‘I have to do this’, a lot of self-talk. Even if not winning, I’m telling myself that I cannot let go. I cannot go easy, I have to give it my best. I owe myself at least that.” 

The race unfolded with USA comfortably ahead on the all-time medals table since 1973, with seven titles, but the last of those dates back to 2011, when Ryan Lochte lifted the crown in Shanghai.

Hobson added a silver for the USA, which has 18 medals in total. Romania has just two - both gold and both owned by Popovici, his latest victory lifting his nation above three others to sixth on the table.

Hobson was pensive. He said:

“Obviously I always wanted to go for the win and I’ve been working towards it for a couple of years now, and I just gotta keep working towards it. Overall though, I was really happy with that swim. Great time. It’s great to have two people under 44 in the finals again, so hopefully many more great races to come.”

If Popovici restricted his thoughts on a future World record attempt to paying plaudits to Paul Biedermann without mentioning the shiny elephant on the room, Hobson averted his gaze in the same direction of hope and positivity:

“I think we just need to keep pushing each other and have a couple more years to keep working at it. That record is very fast, but I think it will be attainable one day if we keep working on it, you got to keep chipping away at it.”

Hobson works hard and smart under the guidance of coach Bob Bowman. Doubtless. Bowman's mantra could be heard loud and clear in the swimmer's response when asked about his "plans" to finish his 200m race "stronger". Hobson said:

“Just keep working hard and practise every day. That’s what it takes. I’ve made huge strides since last year and training with the group I’m with down in Texas has helped a lot. It’s a super competitive, great group of guys. So hopefully another year with that, keep improving, and that’s my favourite part of the sport is, you just keep getting better.”

Young Musara was delighted with a performance that bagged bronze:

“It’s amazing. I was aiming for it, but I honestly didn’t think I could actually get it. Having Popovici next to me helped a lot - those last moments were really tough, but I chased him down with everything I had, like my life depended on it. I think this is a medal I won through sheer grit.”

He celebrated with Popovici as they soaked in the result. “I couldn’t see the time on the scoreboard clearly, but he celebrated my medal with me," said Musara. "I felt like I finally stood at the same level with him and competed as equals.”

Fine memories for the now and always.

Musara invited us into the engine room for a moment when recalling the plans and processes and then their execution:

“I went out in 51.0 for the first half. Up until the semifinals, I had been attacking the first 50 meters, but before the final, I discussed with my coach and we decided to push from 50m to 100m, and then connect that to the 150m mark so I could lift my pace at the end. I think I was really able to raise my speed in the last 50m, so the strategy worked. I swam that last 50m faster than I expected, and I think that’s the kind of performance you can only bring out in a world championship final.”

“I thought I could win a medal as long as I didn’t fall behind Popovici, so I focused on not letting him get away—in fact, I swam with the intention of overtaking him. I was able to approach the race calmly and enjoy it. I had done some tough training in Sierra Nevada, so I was confident. I believed it was important to focus on swimming my own race. Even though I was surrounded by athletes I admire in the call room, I managed to stay composed in that environment.”