David Popovici was named the best athlete in the Balkans in 2025, surpassing big names like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo

David Popovici, double world champion in swimming, was named the best athlete in the Balkans in 2025, in a survey organized by the Bulgarian news agency BTA. The award ceremony took place in Sofia on February 16, where Popovici defeated world-renowned athletes, including Serbian basketball players Nikola Jokic and Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo. The list of the top 10 athletes in the Balkans also includes Bulgarians Aleksandar Nikolov (volleyball) and Karlos Nasar (weightlifting), as well as others from various disciplines. Additionally, Popovici was also chosen as the best European swimmer of the year 2025, surpassing the famous Leon Marchand, thus solidifying his status as a leader in European sports.