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A new freediving world record has been set by Ukrainian diver Kateryna Sadursk. She made history at the Blue Element International Freediving Competition which was held in Scott’s Head Bay, Dominica this year.
The competition moves locations each year but remains arguably the most prestigious international freediving competition annually. At the very least, it consistently brings out some of the absolute best in the sport and this year Kateryna Sadursk was able to set her new freediving world record in front of the sport’s elite.
Kateryna Sadursk Sets Freediving World Record: 83 Meters With No Fins
Sadurks’s new freediving world record was specifically within the Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) category. Within the sport of freediving, there are all sorts of different disciplines. There is Constant Weight (fins and no fins), Free Immersion, Variable Weight (focus is on depth), Dynamic Apnea, and Static Apnea (all about distance + time).
Completing this feat without fins is truly the most wild aspect of it all to me. Think about the last time you tried to really dive down deep without fins. The water pressure gets intense pretty quickly, like in a deep pool or a shallow wreck/reef.
Now imagine trying to swim 282 feet deep, without fins, while holding your breath, and hoping your eyes don’t explode. The last time I tried to dive ‘deep’ holding my breath my mask suction cupped to my face and popped all of the blood vessels in my eyes. I looked like a junkie for days all because I was trying to get a good look at a big fish…
Anyway, here is Kateryna Sadursk setting the new freediving world record at 83 meters with no fins, as first reported on by EuroNews:
This is far from her first world record in freediving though! In 2023 she set the AIDA world record at the Vertical Blue tournament at 74 meters. She would then break her own world record five more times before this week when she set the new world record at 83 meters without fins. Absolutely incredible stuff.
We shouldn’t be surprised though, she is one of the most decorated freedivers of all time. Kateryna has medaled 34 times at various global championships in Freediving and Artistic/Synchronized Swimming. Her Wikipedia page has a great rundown of all the medals she has won throughout the years in both freediving and synchronized swimming.
You can find Kateryna on Instagram here to keep up with her global achievements.