Romania's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Brandusa Ioana Predescu, said that swimmer David Popovici - who was named the best Balkan athlete of 2025 in the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) poll - is "a fantastic athlete who sets a role model for all generations", according to the Bulgarian national news agency.
Brandusa Ioana Predescu accepted on Monday the award in Sofia on behalf of Popovici, who could not attend the ceremony. The distinction was presented by Gabriel Valkov, Chair of the Bulgarian Parliament's Youth and Sports Committee.
"If you allow me, I would like to say a few words. First of all, I am delighted that you have done such a wonderful job and placed David in first position. I would also like to congratulate the Bulgarian News Agency on its 128th anniversary and, in front of the ambassadors and diplomats gathered here, to once again say that you have done a wonderful job. Our countries cooperate in a remarkable way," the Ambassador said.
Calling the award "a great part of your wonderful work", she recalled that Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci had won the Bulgarian News Agency's Balkan Athlete of the Year poll three times.
The Ambassador emphasized that Popovici "is not only a fantastic athlete, like all the others who received votes - he is also, and this is very important, a role model for young people in Romania and around the world. He is an inspiration to everyone. You heard him speak - he is an excellent speaker, a young man of great character and morals. He inspires me as well. He is an inspiring person who connects sport with morality, setting an example for all generations. Through his constant hard work, perseverance, consistency, and the fact that no matter how hard he works, he always has a smile on his face," Brandusa Predescu said.
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