Ukrainian Freediver Kateryna Sadurska Sets World Record With Historic 90-Meter Dive Without Fins

Ukrainian freediver Kateryna Sadurska set a new world record on November 11 after descending to a depth of 90 meters without fins at the international AIDA Blue Element November 2026 competition.

Competing in the Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF) discipline, considered one of the most demanding categories in freediving, Sadurska became the first woman in history to reach this depth without additional equipment, according to a press release announcing the achievement.

Her performance surpassed the previous best result by another female competitor, 79 meters, by 11 meters.

The 90-meter milestone has also been achieved by only six male freedivers throughout the sport's history, highlighting the significance of Sadurska's achievement.

The latest performance marks Sadurska's tenth world record in the discipline over the past four years. Since setting her first record at 73 meters in 2023, the Ukrainian athlete has improved her personal record by 17 meters.

The achievement follows a difficult period in Sadurska's competitive career, including an unsuccessful world record attempt earlier this year.

“In July of this year, I was attempting a record of 89 meters, but a week before the start, I suffered an injury. I had to urgently treat my wounds and undergo a course of antibiotics. I still competed, but my exhausted body could not withstand the extreme strain. Just before the finish, I experienced a blackout for the first time in my 10-year career and was disqualified. It was a difficult experience that forced me to reconsider my approach to preparation,” Sadurska said.

Despite the setback, the athlete returned to competition and successfully completed the 90-meter dive in November.

Sadurska dedicated her latest world record to Ukraine's defenders, emphasizing the importance of representing her country internationally amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion.

According to the press release, the war has made deep-water training in Ukraine impossible, forcing the athlete to spend several years traveling between countries, often relocating almost every month to maintain her training and competition schedule.

Sadurska said she had deliberately prioritized her sporting career and international competitions to continue representing Ukraine on the world stage.

“The full-scale war became a trigger for me to compete internationally and make sport a priority. My attempt today is a reminder to the world of the resilience and unconquerable strength of the Ukrainian people, who continue to fight to the end and do not give up, neither under relentless fire nor amid a complete lack of water, heating, electricity, and communications,” Sadurska said.

An 11-time world champion in freediving, Sadurska previously represented Ukraine at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Her latest achievement comes as Ukrainian athletes continue to secure historic results at international competitions.

On November 9, Ukrainian boxer Yevanhelina Petruk advanced to the girls’ 57kg semifinals at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, guaranteeing Ukraine at least a bronze medal. The result marks Ukraine’s first-ever medal in girls’ boxing at the Youth Olympic Games.

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