Men's 100m Freestyle World Record: Reaching New Heights (7)

Breaking the world record held by Siero for 13 years

   David Popovici

On August 13, 2022, at the European Swimming Championships held in Rome, 17-year-old Romanian prodigy Popovici powerfully claimed victory with a time of 46.86 seconds, instantly breaking the men’s 100-meter freestyle world record of 46.91 seconds set by Brazilian legend Cesar Cielo back in 2009. Coincidentally, both Popovici and Cielo had previously set their world records in the very same pool in Rome.

Before Cielo set his record, the men’s 100-meter freestyle world record had never lasted longer than eight years. Between the European Championships in March 2008 and the World Championships in July 2009, no fewer than three swimmers managed to break the world record seven times in total. It was only in the 13 years that followed that Cielo’s remarkable 46.91-second mark remained unchallenged. A key reason for this durability? Cielo wore the high-tech "sharkskin" swimsuit when he broke the record. However, starting in 2010, the International Swimming Federation banned the use of such advanced swimwear. Since then, breaking records has become far more challenging—relying solely on physical ability and technique, it’s now significantly harder to surpass those historic marks once enhanced by cutting-edge technology.

Although several swimmers have come close to breaking the 46.91-second mark, none have managed to surpass it. Australian star Cameron McEvoy once clocked a time of 47.04 seconds in 2016, while America’s “Flying Fish,” Caeleb Dressel, delivered an astonishing performance in 2019, swimming 46.96 seconds—the first time in 10 years that the 47-second barrier was broken. Yet, even these impressive achievements haven’t been enough to challenge Sieloff’s longstanding record.

Popovich stands 1.90 meters tall and weighs 80 kilograms—surprisingly lean. He doesn’t possess the kind of explosive arm strength seen in Popov or Klim, nor does he have Drexel’s powerfully built physique, Chalmers’ relentless finishing punch, or Sielo’s raw, front-end speed. Yet, despite these differences, he remains faster than everyone else. His wingspan stretches well beyond 2 meters—a remarkable feat that puts him on par with some of the NBA’s top perimeter defenders.

Popovich boasts exceptional explosiveness and endurance, allowing him to maintain high speed in the first half of the race while surging ahead with a powerful final sprint—leaving his opponents with no chance. His technique is also flawless: his underwater movements are smooth yet incredibly strong, his breathing rate is perfectly balanced and steady, and his turns are swift, precise, and impeccably executed.

Popovich also possesses remarkable mental strength, enabling him to deliver exceptional performances in crucial matches—unfazed by any opponent or pressure.