Seventeen-year-old David Popovici of Romania broke the swimming men's 100-meter freestyle world record by finishing the competition in 46.86 seconds to win the gold at the European Aquatics Championships in Rome, Italy on Saturday.

Popovici became the youngest swimmer to break a swimming world record. Set by César Cielo of Brazil at the World Aquatics Championships in 2009, it had stood unbroken for 13 years. Both Cielo and Popovici set their records at the same venue, the Foro Italico sports complex.

"There was no rush, and I had to be extremely patient about the world record," Popovici said. "It has hurt, but it's always worth it, and I feel fine right now. It felt great, and it's very special to break this record."

Popovici finished the start and return laps at 22.74 and 24.12 seconds, respectively, beating Kristof Milak (silver) of Hungary and Alessandro Miressi (bronze) of Italy in Saturday's competitions.

"This was a brilliant race, a joy to swim next to David," Milak said. "David is a fantastic swimmer; I think the same crazy genius of the freestyle that I am in the butterfly. It's great that his name will hit the headlines for long, long years."

Popovici won the men's 100m and 200m freestyle golds at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in June, but he didn't compete with Caeleb Dressel of the U.S., who dropped out of the event due to health reasons. Dressel won five swimming golds, including the men's 100m event title, at the Tokyo Olympics.

The world will be holding its breath when Popovici challenges Dressel at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Milak, as the world record holder of the men's 200m butterfly event, wants to contend for the top honor as well.

"My goal is very clear. I just want to reach a level in this event to arrive to Paris 2024 with the capability of swimming a time somewhere very close to 47 seconds," he said.