Alexey Molchanov is finally an official “World Champion“. The Russian freediver well known for his disciplined technique and physical prowess, demonstrated his undeniable mental strength today as well by setting a new world record of 128 meters constant weight (CWT) at the 2013 AIDA world championships – despite deteriorating conditions. Alexey’s official dive time was three minutes and :38 seconds round-trip.
“Today was pandemonium on the Mediterranean sea, with over half of divers turning early or being disqualified for various reasons. Choppy waves, a surface temperature drop of 2ºC from last week and very wet ‘dry areas’ were probably the main culprits.” regaled William Trubridge from his facebook page, “I’ve finished with silver, behind the golden retriever Alexey Molchanov, who somehow managed to bounce back from a recent blackout to complete an amazing 128m dive.”
Alexey’s new world record is an improvement upon his own previous record of 126m set last year at Vertical Blue. The other medal winners in today’s extra challenging Constant Weight heat included:
MEN
- Gold : Alexey Molchanov of Russia 128m WR
- Silver: William Trubridge of New Zealand 120m
- Bronze: Guillaume Néry of France 119m ( penalty) short tag
WOMEN
- Gold: Natalia Molchanova of Russia 96m
- Silver: Misuzu Okamoto of Japan 86m
- Bronze: Nataliia Zharkova of Ukraine 85m
And despite Neptune stirring things up many national records were set as well including:
- Anna Von Boetticher Germany NR 81m
- Jeanine Grasmeijer Netherlands NR 80m
- Jesper Stechmann Denmark NR 102m
- Alexander Bubenchikov Ukraine NR 91m
- Nataliia Zharkova Ukraine NR 85m
- Eran Gilead Israel NR 85m
- Michael Naef Switzerland NR 81m
- Steinar Schjager Norway NR 81m
- Yulia Maryevich Latvia NR 65m
- Estrella Navarro Holm Mexico NR 60m
- Liza Yakubuk Israel NR 50m
- Helen Evi Holroyd Cyprus NR 38m
The competition continues with Free Immersion on Saturday. Stay tuned for more results.
photo treatment courtesy of Apnea Academy/ Antonella De Vanna.
