David Popovici said he was looking forward to “a great big holiday on the beach” after completing a sprint double at swimming’s world championships in Singapore on Thursday.
The charismatic Romanian won the 100m freestyle in a championship-record 46.51sec, with Jack Alexy of the United States taking silver (46.92) and Australia’s Kyle Chalmers bronze (47.17).
Popovici also won the 200m free two days earlier.
The 20-year-old said he had seriously considered withdrawing from the world championships before his first race as he battled mental doubts.
He will now award himself a well-deserved break, adding his world titles to the Olympic 200m freestyle gold he won in Paris last year.
“Have a great big holiday on the beach, lying on my back, drinking whatever I want to drink,” Popovici said when asked what he planned to do next.
“Just enjoying life a little. And driving my fast car on some really nice, picturesque roads.”
The race was billed as a showdown between Popovici, Alexy and Chalmers, with all three qualifying for the final in fast times.
But Popovici took control over the second half of the race, streaking clear of his rivals to surge home in the second-fastest time ever.
Popovici said he felt he had to prove himself again in Singapore after his Olympic success in Paris.
“I’ve been thinking about the Olympics every day since I was 10, no exaggeration,” he said.
“But once I did that, I came to the realisation that nothing changes, my life doesn’t change.
“So coming into this I really wanted to prove to myself that I can do it even after such a hard and successful year.”
The final was missing Olympic 100m freestyle champion and world record holder Pan Zhanle, who was eliminated after finishing 10th in the semi-finals.
The Chinese swimmer said he “wasn’t in good shape” after also crashing out early in the 200m freestyle.
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© Agence France-Presse
