Ukrainian freediving sensation Kateryna Sadurska has etched her name into the history books after descending to an astonishing 86 meters on a single breath, setting a new world record and reaffirming her status as one of the sport’s most elite underwater athletes.
The record was achieved in the Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) category — widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding and technically challenging disciplines in freediving. Unlike other categories, CNF divers descend and ascend without fins, weights, or propulsion equipment, relying solely on raw strength, lung capacity, hydrodynamics, and mental focus.
Sadurska’s flawless descent captivated spectators and fellow competitors. Every meter she traveled downwards required absolute control — equalizing pressure, conserving oxygen, maintaining calm, and fighting the immense resistance of deep water. The return to the surface is even more grueling, demanding tremendous power and endurance as the body pushes upward through increasing buoyancy.
When Sadurska resurfaced after her dive, she was met with thunderous applause and emotional cheers. Judges confirmed the dive with a clean surface protocol, officially certifying the 86-meter world record.
International freediving officials praised the achievement as a “landmark moment for the sport,” noting the growing prominence of Ukrainian athletes in global underwater competitions. Sadurska, a former synchronized swimmer and a multi-discipline underwater athlete, has been steadily climbing the ranks, breaking records and redefining expectations.
Her accomplishment carries added symbolic weight amid Ukraine’s ongoing challenges, serving as a powerful message of resilience, national pride, and determination.
Sadurska’s new world record is expected to inspire a new generation of freedivers, proving that human potential continues to expand when courage meets discipline in the depths of the ocean.
