Career
Born in Romania, Popa defected in 1978. His senior rowing in Melbourne, Australia was initially from 1979 with the Mercantile Rowing Club and then since 1983 with the Banks Rowing Club where he has been a long-time committee manitoba Popa competed for Australia at the 1983 World Rowing Championships.
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Popa had rowed at seven for the Australian men"s VIII bronze medal result.
At the 1986 World Rowing Championships in Nottingham, England Popa was in the seven seat of the victorious Australian men"s VIII. Popa was again a seven in the Australian men"s VIII who finished in fifth place at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.