Deepest recorded plunge in the ocean depths?
In the world of freediving, athletes are constantly pushing the boundaries of human endurance as they plunge to unprecedented depths. Here are some of the most notable recent records in various disciplines:
Alenka Artnik, a Slovenian freediver, set the women's constant weight with monofin (CWT) record, reaching a depth of 123 meters on July 9, 2025. Her achievement marks a significant milestone in the sport.
Alexey Molchanov, widely regarded as the greatest competitive freediver, broke the men's constant weight with bifins (CWTB) record with a dive of 125 meters in September 2024. Molchanov's feat solidified his position as a formidable force in the sport.
New Zealand's William Trubridge was the first to surpass 100 meters without fins and held multiple world records, including a free immersion (FIM) dive to 124 meters and a constant weight (CWT) dive to 121 meters. Trubridge's records held until 2025.
As of August 2025, the longest constant weight dive is 136 meters, and free immersion tops at 135 meters. However, the specific record holders for these latest numbers are not detailed in the search results.
These divers have shown remarkable determination and skill in their respective disciplines, achieving some of the deepest and most demanding breath-hold dives in the world. Variations such as diving with fins (monofin or bifins), without fins, free immersion, constant weight, variable weight, and no limit each have their own record.
Croatia's crystal-clear waters and rich underwater biodiversity have attracted many freedivers, providing an ideal setting for record-breaking dives. In 2005, Herbert Nitsch achieved 172 meters in Croatian waters while participating in No Limit free diving.
Natalia Molchanova, a Russian freediver, held numerous world records before her disappearance in 2015, with her deepest dive being 101 meters in the Constant Weight With Fins discipline.
Herbert Nitsch, known as the "Deepest Man on Earth", holds several deep diving records. In 2007, he set the official record for No Limit free diving to a depth of 214 meters.
Sayuri Kinoshita set a world record in the Free Immersion discipline with a dive of 97 meters in 2018. Alexey Molchanov, meanwhile, set a world record in the Variable Weight (VWT) category with a dive to 156 meters in 2023.
Free divers rely mainly on their own lungs, fins, masks, and weight belts to explore the depths of the ocean. The sport requires rigorous physical and mental training, as well as a deep understanding of safety protocols.
Unfortunately, the sport has also seen its share of tragedies. Loiç Leferme, a French freediver, died during a training session in the French Riviera in 2007. Leferme was part of the early community around AIDA and helped shape its rules and safety protocols.
The deepest free dive on record was to more than 210 meters below the water's surface. Despite the risks, the allure of pushing the limits of human endurance continues to draw athletes to this challenging and exhilarating sport.
Sports such as freediving demand remarkable determination and skill, as demonstrated by Alenka Artnik setting the women's constant weight with monofin (CWT) record at 123 meters. In parallel, Alexey Molchanov broke the men's constant weight with bifins (CWTB) record with a dive of 125 meters.
