By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam
Less than 24 hours ago, former 100 freestyle world record holder David Popovici took over the world lead with a sizzling 46.71. The time was faster than his previous world record, the fastest in the world this year, and now stands as the second-fastest performance in history behind Pan Zhanle‘s 46.40 from the Paris Olympic final.
These two look to be both the present and the long-term future of the event. Both are 20 years old and could remain key players in the sport for several more Olympic cycles. While there are other contenders in the event, we wanted to take a detailed look at how Pan and Popovici’s races compare, who was stronger in each phase of the race, and what Popovici could still improve, at least on paper, to make another push for the world record.
First, we’ll start with Pan’s world record from Paris and break down the numbers.
Race Summary
Key times Averages Splits Reaction time 0.62 Velocity m/s 2.16 1st half 22.28 Start time 5.45 Stroke rate 52.52 2nd half 24.12 Finish time 2.38 DPS 2.44 Drop-off 1.84 Total time 46.40 Turn 9.23 First 50 time % 48.02 Underwater 10.45 Second 50 time % 51.98Race Details
Distance Time 25s 50s Velocity Underwater swim (m) Stroke rate Stroke count DPS Turns 0-15m 5.45 2.75 12.8 15-25m 4.56 10.01 2.19 54.7 2.40 25-35m 4.86 2.06 51.6 2.39 35-45m 4.75 2.11 51.3 2.46 45-50m 2.66 12.27 22.28 1.88 53.1 30 45-65m 9.23 2.17 8.1 9.23 65-75m 4.92 11.49 2.03 49.3 2.47 75-85m 5.12 1.95 48.6 2.41 85-95m 5.13 1.95 47.1 2.48 95-100m 2.38 12.63 24.12 1.89 47.6 34Next, let’s dive into how Popovici’s race unfolded.
Race Summary
Key times Averages Splits Reaction time 0.63 Velocity m/s 2.14 1st half 22.73 Start time 5.42 Stroke rate 51.08 2nd half 23.98 Finish time 2.53 DPS 2.45 Drop-off 1.25 Total time 46.71 Turn 9.44 First 50 time % 48.66 Underwater 10.30 Second 50 time % 51.34Race Details
Distance Time 25s 50s Velocity Underwater swim (m) Stroke rate Stroke count DPS Turns 0-15m 5.42 2.77 12.9 15-25m 4.68 10.10 2.14 53.3 2.41 25-35m 4.86 2.06 50.0 2.47 35-45m 4.80 2.08 50.0 2.50 45-50m 2.97 12.63 22.73 1.68 50.8 30 45-65m 9.44 2.12 7.7 9.44 65-75m 5.00 11.47 2.00 49.7 2.41 75-85m 5.02 1.99 49.5 2.42 85-95m 4.96 2.02 48.9 2.47 95-100m 2.53 12.51 23.98 1.78 51.7 35Now, let’s take a closer look at how the two races stack up against each other.
Key Times
POPOVICI PAN Total time 46.71 46.40 Reaction time 0.63 0.62 Start time (s) 5.42 5.45 25m time (s) 10.1 10.01 Finish time (s) 2.53 2.38Cumulative Splits
POPOVICI PAN 25m 10.10 10.01 50m 22.73 22.28 75m 34.20 33.77 100m 46.71 46.4025m Splits
POPOVICI PAN 1st 25m 10.10 10.01 2nd 25m 12.63 12.27 3rd 25m 11.47 11.49 4th 25m 12.51 12.6350m Splits
POPOVICI PAN 1st 50m 22.73 22.28 2nd 50m 23.98 24.12Turn Times (45m to 65m)
POPOVICI PAN Turn 9.44 9.23Stroke Counts
POPOVICI PAN Lap 1 30 30 Lap 2 35 34Measurement Averages
POPOVICI PAN Velocity (m/s) 2.14 2.16 Stroke Rate (str/min) 51.08 52.52 DPS (m) 2.45 2.44Velocity Graph
Stroke Rate Graph
Distance-Per-Stroke Graph
Popovici closed faster than Pan, splitting 23.98 on the second 50 compared to Pan’s 24.12. That made Popovici the first swimmer to ever to close a 100 free in under 24 seconds. Popovici also had a smaller drop-off from his first 50 to second 50, 1.25 seconds compared to Pan’s 1.84, showing better back-half control. His distance per stroke was slightly higher at 2.45 meters compared to Pan’s 2.44, and he was faster on both the third 25, 11.47 to 11.49, and the final 25, 12.51 to 12.63.
Popovici’s pure speed has been trending upward throughout the year. He broke 22 seconds in the individual 50 free for the first time at the Romanian Nationals in April, posting a 21.83 for a new Romanian record, and followed that up with a 21.86 this week. That emphasis suggests he’s fully aware it’s an area that needs to improve.
Pan’s opening 50 was 22.28 compared to Popovici’s 22.73, and the biggest gap came on the second 25, where Popovici was 0.36 seconds slower. That margin alone was wider than the overall difference between their final times. Combined with a slower turn at 9.44 versus Pan’s 9.23, the second 25 and wall are clearly where Popovici lost ground.
Pan’s reaction time was slightly better at 0.62 to 0.63, and he had the quicker final 5 meters at 2.38 compared to Popovici’s 2.53. He also covered more distance underwater at 10.45 meters versus the Romanian’s 10.30. Pan held a higher average stroke rate at 52.52 compared to Popovici’s 51.08, and maintained a slightly better average velocity of 2.16 meters per second to Popovici’s 2.14.
In terms of race structure, Pan swam 48.02% of his time on the front half and 51.98% on the back. Popovici was slightly more back-loaded at 48.66% out and 51.34% back. Pan’s fastest 25m split was his first (10.01), and slowest was the final 25m (12.63). Popovici’s fastest was also his first (10.10), and slowest his second 25m (12.63)..
Watch both swims here:
Pan’s 46.40 world record, available via the official Olympics YouTube channel:
Popovici’s 46.71, available via SwimSphereTV on YouTube:
Special thanks to Dušan Danilović of the Slovenian Swimming Federation for his significant contributions to this article.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Data Deep Dive: Comparing Popovici’s 46.71 to Pan’s 46.40 100 Free World Record
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