Nick Pelios
Freediver, Creator
Share this on
Nick Pelios
Freediver, Creator
The 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship in Ajaccio, Corsica, has once again showcased the pinnacle of human achievement in freediving. This year’s event has been a testament to the incredible skill and determination of athletes from around the globe, who have pushed the limits of their abilities in the quest for excellence.
From record-breaking depths to awe-inspiring performances, the championship has delivered a series of remarkable feats across various freediving disciplines. Each day of the competition has highlighted exceptional talent and the relentless drive of divers striving to set new benchmarks in the sport. As we delve into the details of this year’s championship, we celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of these athletes and the new records they have set, underscoring the continuous evolution and excitement of freediving.
The 33rd AIDA Freediving World Championship has officially begun in the stunning waters off Corsica, France. On the opening day, female athletes took on the demanding discipline of Constant Weight No Fins (CNF). In this event, divers must descend and ascend to their announced depth using only their swimming strength—without fins and without pulling on the rope. CNF is widely regarded as one of the most physically intense freediving disciplines due to the effort required to manage buoyancy and swimming technique during both the descent and ascent.
The competition is taking place roughly a mile offshore from Ajaccio, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C at the surface to a chilly 16°C below 60 meters. This thermal gradient adds another layer of difficulty for athletes in the deep.
The current AIDA world record holders in CNF are
- Women: Kateryna Sadurska (Ukraine), who set the world record of 77 meters on July 29, 2023. A former synchronized swimmer, Sadurska has transitioned into one of the top figures in the freediving world.
- Men: William Trubridge (New Zealand), a legend of the sport and the only man to surpass 100 meters without fins, with his record dive of 102 meters on July 21, 2016.
The opening day saw 29 female athletes from 19 countries compete, including seasoned freedivers and emerging talents from nations where freediving is on the rise, such as Cape Verde, Syria, and Costa Rica. This growing international presence highlights the sport’s increasing global appeal.
Podium Results – Day 1
1. Maria Bobela Klovar (Poland) – 66 meters, setting a new Polish national record.
2. Lauren Matevish (USA) – 63 meters.
3. Marine Simonis (Belgium) and Marianna Gilesspie (Individual International) – tied for third with 61 meters.
Additionally, Talya Davidoff from South Africa set a new African continental and South African national record, reaching 60 meters without fins.
New National Records Set on Day 1
- Maria Bobela Klovar (Poland) – 66 meters.
- Talya Davidoff (South Africa) – 60 meters.
- Nikita Fima Atriyu (Indonesia) – 47 meters.
- Janita Kulkula (Finland) – 46 meters.
- Estefania Dejuk (Costa Rica) – 20 meters.
The first day of the AIDA Depth World Championship showcased remarkable athleticism and the global growth of freediving as a competitive sport.
The 33rd AIDA Freediving World Championship continues in Corsica, France, with a focus on the men's Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) competition. On the second day, male athletes took on this demanding discipline, where they must descend and ascend to their announced depth using only their swimming power—without fins or pulling on the rope. CNF is known for its rigorous physical requirements and the advanced swimming technique needed to manage changing buoyancy throughout the dive.
The event is held approximately a mile offshore from Ajaccio, where the water temperature varies from a comfortable 27°C at the surface to a chilly 16°C below 60 meters.
The current AIDA world record holder for CNF is
- William Trubridge (New Zealand), who set a remarkable record of 102 meters on July 21, 2016, becoming the only diver to exceed 100 meters without fins.
Day 2 featured 43 male athletes, including returning champions and rising stars from 21 countries. Among them were last year’s podium finishers—Petar Klovar, Vitomir Maricič, Alexey Molchanov, Abdelatif Alouach—as well as emerging freediving talents.
Podium Results – Day 2
1. Petar Klovar (Croatia) – 93 meters. Petar claimed first place with a 93-meter dive, securing the gold medal for the second consecutive year and continuing the Klovar family’s success after his wife, Maria Bobela Klovar, won in the CNF category the previous day.
2. Vitomir Maricič (Croatia) – 82 meters. Vitomir, a training partner and friend of gold medalist Klovar, took the silver medal with an 82-meter dive, earning silver for the second year in a row.
3. Abdelatif Alouach (France) – 72 meters. Abdelatif made a strong showing with a 72-meter dive, achieving a podium finish while also managing the significant responsibilities of organizing this year’s Championship in collaboration with AIDA International and AIDA France.
Several national records were set during the men's CNF competition:
- Jihoon Jang(Korea) – 66 meters.
- Gonzalo Cortes Tavara (Peru) – 56 meters.
- Marcell Bago (Hungary) – 56 meters.
- Andres Leon (Costa Rica) – 30 meters, marking the first-ever national record for Costa Rica as freediving gains traction in the country.
The second day of the Championship highlighted outstanding performances and the growing international scope of freediving.
On the third day of the 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship, the focus shifted to the women's Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) competition. Athletes enjoyed favorable sea conditions with calm waters and no currents or waves, setting the stage for impressive performances.
Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) is a challenging freediving discipline where divers use bi-fins—one on each foot—to descend and ascend without the aid of external equipment like sleds or propulsion devices. While bi-fins offer greater control and stability, they generally demand more effort than a monofin to reach the same depths. Success in CWTB requires exceptional technique, including precise body positioning, kicking technique, and breath control to minimize energy expenditure and optimize performance. This discipline is a cornerstone of competitive freediving, balancing strength, skill, and efficient oxygen use.
The current female world record holder in CWTB is Alenka Artnik from Slovenia, who set the record with a 111-meter dive in 2023.
Here are the standout performances from today’s CWTB competition:
1. Marianna Gillespie, competing as an Individual International athlete, achieved a 96-meter dive. Earlier in the championship, she earned a bronze medal in the Constant Weight No Fins discipline on the first day.
2. Enchante Gallardo from the USA (Hawaii) reached 91 meters, setting a new Continental Record for North America and a National Record for the United States.
3. Talya Davidoff of South Africa made a notable dive of 84 meters, establishing new Continental and National Records for Africa and South Africa, respectively.
In addition to the podium finishers, several national records were set during today's event:
- Belgium: Marine Simonis – 75 meters.
- Poland: Maria Bobela Klovar – 82 meters.
- Spain: Marta Gil – 81 meters.
- Latvia: Yulia Marievich – 66 meters.
- Indonesia: Nikita Fima Atriyu – 66 meters.
- Syria: Amal Alnabwany – 48 meters.
- Cape Verde: Tatiana Mendes Barbosa – 47 meters.
Day 3 saw 30 female athletes from 19 countries, including experienced competitors and emerging talents from nations where freediving is on the rise, such as Cape Verde, Syria, and Costa Rica. Their participation highlights the expanding global reach and inclusivity of the sport.
Day 4 of the 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship was rescheduled from September 9 to September 10, 2024, due to adverse weather conditions. The men's Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) event, originally planned for the previous day, was postponed as strong winds and swells brought colder water masses into the bay, creating more challenging conditions for the competitors.
Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) is a demanding freediving discipline where divers use bi-fins—one on each foot—to descend and ascend without external aids like sleds or propulsion devices. While bi-fins offer greater control and stability, they require more effort compared to monofins to reach the same depth. Success in CWTB depends on optimizing body position, kicking technique, and breath control to conserve energy during the dive. This discipline is a key part of competitive freediving, balancing strength, technique, and efficient oxygen use.
The current men's world record holder in CWTB is Alexey Molchanov, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete. He set the record at 123 meters during the 2023 AIDA World Championship in Limassol, Cyprus, and has announced a new world record attempt of 125 meters in bi-fins.
Here are the results from today’s CWTB competition:
1. Alexey Molchanov, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, achieved an outstanding 125-meter dive, successfully defending his title as World Champion and breaking his own world record. This dive marks Alexey’s seventh world record in CWTB since the discipline’s introduction in 2019, and his 35th world record across all freediving disciplines.
2. Andrey Matveenko, also an Individual Neutral Athlete, earned the silver medal with a dive of 112 meters.
3. Petar Klovar from Croatia reached 105 meters, adding a remarkable performance to his earlier gold medal in the Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) discipline on Day 2.
In addition to the podium finishes, several national records were set during today’s event:
- Korea: Jihoon Jang – 100 meters.
- Finland: Tommi Pasanen – 90 meters.
- Peru: Gonzalo Cortes Tavara – 80 meters.
Day 4 saw 31 male athletes from 23 countries, featuring both seasoned champions and emerging talents from nations where freediving is on the rise. Their participation highlights the expanding global reach and inclusivity of the sport.
On the fifth day of the 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship, the focus was once again on the women competing in the Free Immersion (FIM) category. Following the challenging conditions caused by strong winds and swells two days ago, which introduced colder water masses into the bay, athletes faced another set of demanding conditions.
Free Immersion (FIM) is a freediving discipline where divers use only their hands to pull themselves down and up a vertical rope, without the aid of fins. This discipline is revered for its pure connection to the water, demanding exceptional upper body strength and efficient energy use, especially during the ascent. The slow, controlled movements along the rope often give FIM a meditative quality, allowing divers to experience a close, natural flow with the water.
The current female world record holder in Free Immersion (FIM) is Fatima Korok from Hungary, who set the record at 102 meters in 2023.
Here are the highlights from today’s FIM competition:
1. Enchante Gallardo from Hawaii, USA, achieved a remarkable depth of 94 meters, setting a new Continental Record for North America and a National Record for the USA. Just two days prior, she also set the Continental Record in Constant Weight Bi-Fins, earning a silver medal.
2. Marianna Gillespie, competing as an Individual International Athlete, reached a depth of 81 meters. Marianna had previously won gold in Constant Weight Bi-Fins and bronze in Constant Weight No Fins on the first day of the competition.
3. Şahika Ercümen, the esteemed Turkish freediver, claimed the bronze medal with a dive to 77 meters.
In addition to the podium finishers, several national records were set during today’s event:
- Cape Verde: Tatiana Mendes Barbosa – 42 meters.
- USA: Enchante Gallardo – 94 meters (National and Continental record).
- Belgium: Marine Simonis – 73 meters.
- Indonesia: Nikita Fima Atriyu – 65 meters.
Day 5 saw 30 female athletes from 19 countries, featuring both seasoned competitors and rising stars from nations where freediving is gaining traction, including Cape Verde, Syria, and Costa Rica. Their participation underscores the sport’s growing international reach and inclusivity.
The 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship has reached its midpoint, with three days of competition remaining. Athletes are gearing up for the final events, which include the Constant Weight (CWT) disciplines for both women and men, and the Men’s Free Immersion (FIM) category.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, competitors have continued to deliver remarkable performances, maintaining an exhilarating atmosphere throughout the championship. One of the highlights so far is world-renowned freediver Alexey Molchanov, who broke his own world record in the Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) category with an extraordinary 125-meter dive on a single breath.
The emerging talents in the sport have also made their mark, setting new Continental Records:
- Enchante Gallardo from Hawaii, USA, established new North American records in both the Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) and Free Immersion (FIM) categories.
- Talya Davidoff from South Africa set new African records in the Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) and Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) categories, underscoring the growing global talent in freediving.
Over the first five days of the competition, the event has seen not only a World Record and four Continental Records set but also 28 National Records broken across both male and female categories in three different disciplines.
With three exciting days left, the championship is set to showcase even more record-breaking performances and exceptional achievements.
After two days of delays due to strong winds and rough seas, the 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship resumed today. The competition featured a mixed event with both men and women diving in the Constant Weight (CWT) discipline. Regarded by many freedivers as their favorite, Constant Weight requires athletes to use a monofin, combining technique, strength, and coordination to reach and return from great depths. This discipline is known for pushing both physical and mental endurance to the limit.
A total of 78 competitors took part in today's event. Conditions were challenging, with surface water temperatures dropping to 23°C and temperatures as low as 13°C at depths beyond 60 meters, following the previous days' heavy winds. Despite these obstacles, athletes delivered impressive performances, setting national records and achieving remarkable results.
Here are the top performers in the Women’s CWT category for today:
1. Marianna Gillespie, competing as an Individual International Athlete, achieved a remarkable dive of 100 meters. Marianna has had an exceptional championship, previously earning a bronze in the No-Fins discipline, gold in Free Immersion, and silver in Bi-Fins.
2. Laia Sopeña, a rising star in Spanish freediving, made an impressive dive to 98 meters, securing the silver medal and setting a new Spanish National Record. Her performance highlights her growing potential in the sport.
3. Enchante Gallardo, representing Hawaii, USA, reached a depth of 93 meters to claim the bronze medal. Earlier in the championship, Enchante set a new Continental Record for North America and a National Record for the USA with a 91-meter dive. She also won silver in Constant Weight Bi-Fins and gold in Free Immersion.
The 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship concluded today in Ajaccio, Corsica, with the rescheduled Men’s Free Immersion (FIM) event. This discipline, where athletes descend and ascend by pulling themselves along a rope without fins, faced challenges due to colder water temperatures brought on by adverse weather. The tough conditions led some competitors to cut their dives short for safety reasons, yet the event still showcased impressive performances from top freedivers.
Men’s Free Immersion Podium:
1. Petar Klovar (Croatia) – With a remarkable dive to 127 meters, Petar Klovar secured the gold medal, further solidifying his position as one of the sport's leading athletes. His consistent performance throughout the championship demonstrated his dominance.
2. Abdelatif Alouach (France) – The Corsican athlete and co-organizer of this year's championship claimed silver with an impressive 111-meter dive.
3. Vitomir Maričić (Croatia) – Vitomir Maričić rounded out the podium with a bronze-winning dive to 109 meters, showcasing his experience and skill in navigating the tough conditions.
In addition to the podium finishers, several national records were set:
- Jihoon Jang (Korea) – 100 meters, marking his third national record of the event.
- Marcell Bago (Hungary) – 86 meters.
Despite the challenging water temperatures, the 2024 AIDA World Championship has highlighted the strength and resilience of the freediving community. Athletes from around the globe have pushed the boundaries of human potential in a sport that demands both mental and physical prowess.
Overall Category Winners
The prestigious Overall Category awards recognize athletes who excel across all four disciplines: Free Immersion (FIM), Constant Weight (CWT), Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF), and Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB). Success in this category requires adaptability and exceptional skill across various techniques and physical challenges.
Men's Overall Winners:
1. Petar Klovar (Croatia) – With a gold medal in FIM, gold in CNF, and bronze in CWTB, Petar Klovar has earned the Men’s Overall Champion title.
2. Jihoon Jang (Korea) – Taking silver in the overall category, Jihoon Jang’s steady and powerful performances across all events have highlighted his resilience and skill.
3. Vitomir Maričić (Croatia) – Rounding out the podium with bronze in the Men’s Overall category, Vitomir’s consistent performance in the FIM event was key to his top-three finish.
Women's Overall Winners:
1. Marianna Gillespie (Individual International Athlete) – For the third consecutive year, Marianna Gillespie has earned the title of Women’s Overall Champion. Her outstanding performance across multiple disciplines, including a 100-meter dive in CWT and podium placements in other events, underscores her dominance in the sport.
2. Talya Davidoff (South Africa) – Talya Davidoff takes second place in the Overall category, impressing with two Continental Records for Africa.
3. Enchante Gallardo (USA) – Enchante Gallardo claims third place in the Overall category, showcasing strong performances throughout the championship.
World Record:
- Alexey Molchanov (Russia) set a new World Record in Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) with a 125-meter dive, surpassing his own previous record.
Continental Records:
- Enchante Gallardo (USA, Hawaii) – Set Continental Records for North America in both Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) with a 91-meter dive and Free Immersion (FIM) with a 94-meter dive.
- Talya Davidoff (South Africa) – Set Continental Records for Africa in Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) with an 84-meter dive and Constant Weight No-Fins (CNF) with a 60-meter dive.
National Records:
- A total of 36 national records were set across various countries and disciplines, showcasing the global talent and competitiveness in freediving.
The 33rd AIDA Depth World Championship has celebrated the extraordinary achievements of freedivers from around the world, highlighting their dedication, training, and perseverance. Each diver has pushed the limits of their physical and mental capabilities, making this championship a remarkable display of human potential.