Ukrainian Kateryna Sadurska Sets New Freediving World Record at 103 Metres – Higher Than the Motherland Monument
At the 8th CMAS Freediving World Championships 2024 held in Greece, Ukrainian swimmer Kateryna Sadurska set a new world record in the discipline ‘flipperless diving’ (CNF). The athlete dived to a depth of 80 metres and 103 metres with a monofin.
This year, the Ukrainian also confirmed her status as a world champion by diving 95 metres on a cable. What is particularly impressive is that the preparation for the competition was more difficult than expected, as Kateryna did not have the opportunity to test the starting structure before the competition, and her only official training was in another discipline.
During the championship, Kateryna set another national record by diving 103 metres with a monolast, which exceeds the height of the Motherland monument (102 metres). Thus, she became the first Ukrainian woman to reach this depth.
‘Today we have witnessed history being made. Kateryna Sadurska from Ukraine could have played it safe and won the gold, especially after several of her competitors had failed dives. But instead, she decided to go for a new world record in the CNF, proving once again that she is an invincible force in the sport,’ writes the Free diving ranking.
‘Kateryna's determination and resilience, especially in these difficult times for Ukraine, are truly inspiring. We congratulate you on this incredible achievement, Kateryna!’ the publication adds.
The eighth CMAS Freediving World Championships started on 2 October in Kalamata, Greece. Kateryna Sadurska became the only representative from Ukraine.
The previous world record of 78 metres was also held by a Ukrainian. CNF is considered to be the most difficult discipline in freediving.
Competitions are held in the Mediterranean Sea, where the water temperature is much lower than during its preparation - only 24 degrees on the surface, which significantly complicates the diving process.
Kateryna Sadurska is a three-time bronze medallist at the World Aquatics Championships (2013). She is a two-time champion and multiple winner of the European Aquatics Championships.
In 2021, she won a silver medal at the Kash Bashka Freediving World Championships, and the following year she took gold.