The 17-year-old broke the previous record set by Brazil’s Cesar Cielo in 2009 by 0.05 seconds when he took gold ahead of Hungary’s Kristof Milak and Italy’s Alessandro Miressi.
Popovici, who was crowned world champion in the 100m and 200m freestyle earlier this year, will become the youngest-ever world record holder in the 100m freestyle.
“A fantasy could be a 45 now (second time),” he added. “Adam Peaty is a pioneer in terms of the goals he set for himself. It was science fiction to others, but not to him.”
British swimmer Peaty has set himself the benchmark by becoming the first man to swim the 100m breaststroke in under 57 seconds during his career – a feat he equaled when he broke his own record in 2019.
The prospect of a new 100m freestyle record seemed likely when Popovici broke the 47-second barrier for the first time in Friday’s semifinals. After his record-breaking swim the next day, he was congratulated by Cielo.
“Congratulations Popovici! I’m glad to have had this huge record for so long!
“There’s the new fastest man alive in the 100m freestyle and he’s just getting started!”