Olympic 200m champion David Popovici is looking forward to "a great big holiday on the beach" after punching a sensational 46.51 European and World-championship record in the 100m freestyle to become the first swimmer to achieve the 100-200 twin sprint crowns at the ling-course showcase not once but twice.

The Singapore 2025 "double double" is no mistake: in Budapest 2022, the Romanian matched American Jim Montgomery's 1975 twin 10-200m crowns, and today matched the feat to write another pioneering line in the history of global showcases dating back to 1973.

Just 0.11sec shy of the World record set by China's Pan Zhanle, Popovici made hay while the Olympic 100m champion was away pondering the meaning of a 47.81 in semis that left him watching the final from the stands.

Out in 4th in 22.49, and back in 24.02, Popovici, coached by Adrian Radulescu, is the second man ever to reach half-way in a 100m race inside 22.5 and return inside 24.12:

• 22.28, 24.12 - 46.40 Pan Zhanle - Paris 2024 WR / OR / AsR
• 22.49, 24.02 - 46.51 David Popovici - Singapore 2025 ER / CR

And Jack Alexy (USA) followed him to the wall for silver in 46.92 after a 46.88 American record in semis yesterday, his effort making him the third person to find that balance of <22.5, <24.5. Kyle Chalmers (AUS), like so many others, including himself on many occasions, has been just the wrong side of one or both of the splits.

Here's where we analysed that during the Paris Olympics:

Pandemonium In The Sprint Ranks: Dissecting An Inscrutable 46.40 - Part 1

In the tussle between those who roar out and hold on and those who hold fire and then spark when hunting down those who roar out, there had never been a swimmer capable of racing to the turn inside 22.5 and returning inside 24.5. There is one now - and how!

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Popovici's victory in the 200m added a second World crown to his Olympic gold from Paris 2024:

Singapore 2025

M200 Free: Popovici Gives Hobson No Choice Down The Last Length To Gold Again

“I think that was even better than the Olympics ... because I trained a lot for the Olympics but this year I came here much from a more relaxed place. I’m really proud of myself.” - David Popovici

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Paris 2024 and parental gold:

The Winners: Popovici Delivers On Promise With No ‘Pressure’ From Parents

In a series of articles and related features, SOS takes a look at the 14 nations, athletes and coaches who celebrated at least one gold in the Paris 2024 pool. Today: Romania

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord