Constantin
Popovici
Romania
·
Cliff Diving
Date of birth | 2 October 1988 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Bucharest |
Age | 37 |
Nationality | Romania |
Career start | 2018 |
Disciplines | Cliff Diving |
In that title winning season, three victories and two podiums propelled the Romanian to glory ahead of the then-rising star Aidan Heslop, having previously been runner-up to Gary Hunt in 2021. In 2024, the 37-year-old narrowly missed out on his second title in a row as Heslop turned the tables in a red-hot battle between the two.
Fighting for the trophy
Last season, the door was left seemingly open for Popovici when his British rival was forced to pull out completely through injury. Third place at the season opener in the Philippines and a 10th World Series victory at Stari Most might have been enough in the short four-stop season. But, an unfortunate leg strain before the season finale, coupled with the brilliance of a returning old foe – Gary Hunt – meant it was the Frenchman who ultimately reclaimed the crown.
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Renowned for his resilience, fitness and almost supernatural powers of recovery – he once returned from a serious knee injury after just three weeks to score a barely believable victory – Popovici also boasts World Championships and World Cup golds, and is one of only a handful of divers to have executed a true perfect dive – all 10s from the judges – in Mostar in 2019.
Family legacy
The Bucharest-based athlete, who began doing high dives for fun before realising he had a real talent for it, credits his father for instilling such a strong sporting drive in him.
“My father, he was the one who brought me and my sisters into sport from a very young age,” recalls Popovici. “I remember we were about four to five years old, and we were doing abs and push-ups in the house. At five we were running 4k every Sunday, and he was always very supportive mentally throughout my career.”
Despite turning 38 later this year, there are no signs of him dropping off the pace just yet. A World Series win and a podium in four stops last season, along with two podiums at the World Aquatics World Championships and World Cup, are proof that this ‘Romanian shark’ is still circling at the very top of the sport.
Career Highlights
2025
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- 2nd Place: World Aquatics High Diving World Cup – Porto Flavia, Italy
- 3rd Place: World Aquatics Championships - Singapore
- 2nd Place Overall: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
2024
- 2nd Place Overall: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
- 1st Place: World Aquatics World Cup - Bahrain
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Athens, Greece
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Polignano a Mare, Italy
2023
- Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Champion
- 1st Place: World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka, Japan
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Boston, USA
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Paris, France
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Auckland
- 1st Place: World Aquatics World Cup - Fort Lauderdale, USA
2022
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- 1st Place: LEN European Championships - Rome, Italy
2021
- 2nd Place Overall: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
2019
- 1st Place - Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- 2nd World Series athlete ever to earn 5 x 10s for a dive
- 3rd Place - World Aquatics High Diving World Cup
- 1st Place: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Dún Laoghaire, Ireland
2018
- 2nd Place: World Aquatics High Diving World Cup
- Debut: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series - Copenhagen, Denmark
Athlete Partners
