Africa Zamorano and Paula Otero, sixth and seventh in the final of 200 backstroke and 800 free
MADRID, 12 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Romanian swimmer David Popovici beat the European record (46.98) in 100 free on Friday, on the second day of the European Championship that is taking place in Rome, a test in which the Spanish Luis Domínguez pulverized the Spanish mark and dropped from 49 seconds (48.98), while Africa Zamorano and Paula Otero finished sixth and seventh in the final of the 200 backstroke and 800 freestyle.
Popovici, at 17 years old, made history at the Foro Italico and the Romanian prodigy came close to breaking the world record in the 100 free. Even so, the show will continue this Saturday with the final test in which the Aragonese Luis Domínguez managed to qualify. However, the swimmer broke the Spanish record in the morning session by falling below 49 seconds.
For its part, the Spanish representation in the afternoon finals was in charge of Africa Zamorano, in 200 back, and Paula Otero, in 800 free. In the case of Zamorano, used to reaching the ‘Top 8’ in Europe, she left everything and moved up two places from the outside lane (2.11.11). Later, Otero finished eighth.
In the case of Jessica Vall, initially disqualified for an alleged double butterfly kick in the turn, she failed to qualify for the 100 breaststroke final after finishing tenth in the semifinals. At the gates of the final was also Nico García, who stayed on the shore, finishing ninth in the semifinal of 200 backstroke.