Freediving Archives - NRI News https://nrinews24x7.com/tag/freediving/ Fri, 22 May 2026 17:42:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://nrinews24x7.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cropped-NRI_NEWSFavi-32x32.png Freediving Archives - NRI News https://nrinews24x7.com/tag/freediving/ 32 32 India’s Inaugural Freediving Team Competes at the World Championship https://nrinews24x7.com/indias-inaugural-freediving-team-competes-at-the-world-championship/ https://nrinews24x7.com/indias-inaugural-freediving-team-competes-at-the-world-championship/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 17:42:30 +0000 https://nrinews24x7.com/?p=180811 INDIA: For the first time, Team India will be representing the country at the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest starting June 2, 2026. This is a major milestone for the growth of freediving in India. This moment also comes in the same year the Freediving Association of India (FAI) was formed by Archana Sankaranarayanan, an […]

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]]> INDIA: For the first time, Team India will be representing the country at the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest starting June 2, 2026. This is a major milestone for the growth of freediving in India.

This moment also comes in the same year the Freediving Association of India (FAI) was formed by Archana Sankaranarayanan, an 11-time national record holder. Earlier this year, FAI became an Observer Member of AIDA International as AIDA India, giving Indian freedivers official representation at the global level.

Under AIDA India, three athletes will represent India at the 2026 World Apnea Pool Championship:

  • Archana Thiagarajan – India’s leading freediver, holding all national records in both pool and depth disciplines, and the first Indian to compete at a World Championship in Wakayama, Japan (2025).
  • Akshay Thatte – India’s first Freediving Instructor Trainer, leading pool freediver, and four-time national record holder.
  • Vachan H U – Advocate, national record holder, and the first athlete to compete officially under AIDA India.

Along with the athletes, Archana Sankaranarayanan has been selected as the first Indian Assistant Judge at the World Championship. She will return to Duna Arena in Budapest in a new role, not as an athlete, but as an official judge. She previously competed at this same venue during the 2024 nOxyCup, where she set a national record for India.

Speaking about her journey, Archana Sankaranarayanan said, “It’s been a difficult yet rewarding journey. Competing was one part, but building the sport, creating systems, and growing the freediving community in India has been a completely new experience.”

This year also highlights strong support from the Indian diving community, with three homegrown brands supporting Team India. Surface Interval has provided performance merchandise, Stay Salty Club has supported with ocean-inspired enamel pins, and AZEN has contributed embroidered post-dive ponchos.

As Team India prepares for this historic championship, Archana Sankaranarayanan is also highlighting the work of Manjhi, an NGO co-founded by Kashina Kareem and led by Shivani Sharma, which works with women and adolescent girls to build leadership and fight gender-based violence and inequality. Her connection with Manjhi began during the GP Birla Fellowship for Women Leaders, which played a key role in shaping her journey in building AIDA India.                        

2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for freediving in India, and the team hopes this moment will bring more awareness and participation for the sport in the country.

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]]> https://nrinews24x7.com/indias-inaugural-freediving-team-competes-at-the-world-championship/feed/ 0 World Championship Freediving Depth 2024 https://nrinews24x7.com/world-championship-freediving-depth-2024/ https://nrinews24x7.com/world-championship-freediving-depth-2024/#respond Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:16:43 +0000 https://nrinews24x7.com/?p=175074 GREECE: The final day of the CMAS 8th World Championship Freediving Depth (Day 9) in Kalamata brought both breathtaking performances and shifting conditions, making it a thrilling conclusion to the event. In the women’s Constant Weight with BiFins (CWTBF) day, Alenka Artnik emerged as the undisputed champion with a remarkable dive to 103 meters. Artnik, known for her consistency and grace under pressure, delivered a […]

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]]> GREECE: The final day of the CMAS 8th World Championship Freediving Depth (Day 9) in Kalamata brought both breathtaking performances and shifting conditions, making it a thrilling conclusion to the event.

In the women’s Constant Weight with BiFins (CWTBF) day, Alenka Artnik emerged as the undisputed champion with a remarkable dive to 103 meters. Artnik, known for her consistency and grace under pressure, delivered a flawless performance, securing her well-earned first place and solidifying her reputation as one of the sport’s greatest athletes. Her dive not only showcased her skill but also her mental fortitude, as she remained unfazed by the increasing difficulty posed by the weather later in the day.

Coming in second was the ever-impressive Alessia Zecchini, who reached 100 meters. Zecchini, a fierce competitor, executed her dive with precision, just shy of the top spot. Her performance was met with applause as she pushed the limits, demonstrating why she’s consistently at the top of the sport. Zecchini’s dive was a testament to her strength and determination, especially given the shifting sea conditions.
Rounding out the podium was Kateryna Sadurska, who secured third place with a dive to 95 meters. Sadurska’s performance was steady and composed, highlighting her technical prowess, and her focus and control were evident throughout the dive.
The day began with calm seas and ideal conditions, allowing the early athletes to perform in relatively serene waters. However, as the competition progressed, the weather began to shift. Winds picked up, and the sea became rougher, adding an extra layer of challenge for the later divers. Despite this, the athletes remained resilient, adapting to the changing environment and delivering awe-inspiring performances.

Overall, Day 9 of the CMAS World Championship was a thrilling and fitting conclusion to an incredible week of competition, with the world’s best freedivers pushing the boundaries of human potential.

You can watch and follow the dives live at tv.cmas.org

Live Results:  https://freedivingranking.com/live-results?tab=event-ranking


Competition Days
Friday, October 4 –  CWT Men – RESULTS
Saturday, October 5 – POSTPONED BY BAD WHEATER
Sunday, October 6- CWT Women – RESULTS
Monday, October 7 – FIM Men – RESULTS
Tuesday, October 8 –  FIM Women – RESULTS
Wednesday, October 9 – CNF Men – RESULTS
Thursday, October 10 – CNF Women – RESULTS
Friday, October 11 – CWT Bifins Men – RESULTS
Saturday, October 12 – CWT Bifins Women – RESULTS

Text Credits: CMAS
Photo Credits: CMAS
Video Credits: CMAS

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