Russian freediver plunges 413 feet on a single breath to break world record

Alexey Molchanov, a Russian freediver, broke the world record at the AIDA Freediving World Championships in Cyprus by diving an incredible 413 feet on just one breath.

Alexei Molchanov, age 37, is often called the best freediver ever. He’s broken over 30 world records, and comes from a diving family – his mother, Natalia Molchanova, was a legendary diver herself, setting 42 records before she passed away in 2015.

This recent dive was incredibly challenging. Molchanov held his breath for over four minutes – four minutes and thirty-two seconds, to be exact – while descending into almost complete darkness. He faced intense cold, immense water pressure, and the constant danger of losing consciousness on his way back up. He surpassed his previous record of 410 feet, which he’d achieved just a year before.

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Breaking records in the deep

At the 2025 AIDA Freediving World Championships in Limassol, Cyprus, Molchanov competed in the constant weight bi-fins discipline. This means he dove down and back up using only fins, without touching the rope for assistance. He navigated the Mediterranean Sea using just a headlamp and a safety line.

He shared on Instagram that the most challenging parts of the dive were the sudden temperature change – dropping from 77°F to 54°F in just seconds – and carefully controlling the pressure to protect his lungs. He also pointed out that the last 100 feet of the ascent were the most dangerous, as this is where divers are most likely to lose consciousness due to changes in air pressure and low oxygen levels.

To make the record official, Molchanov had to quickly follow a specific procedure within 15 seconds of returning to the surface: he needed to remove his equipment, signal that he was okay, and verbally confirm his well-being. Once verified, his dive to 413 feet became the deepest constant weight bi-fins dive in history.

To give you a sense of scale, the dive stretches further than a football field and a half, and is about as tall as a 41-story building – all accomplished with just one breath.

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2025-09-27 17:48