Ukrainian freediver Kateryna Sadurska has set a new world record, becoming the first woman in history to dive to a depth of 90 metres without fins or a breathing apparatus. The historic dive took place on 11 November at the AIDA Blue Element November 2026 international competition in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Dominica. The athlete covered the distance on a single breath in 3 minutes and 33 seconds, surpassing her own previous record. This is the Ukrainian’s tenth world record in freediving over the last four years.
- Kateryna Sadurska was the first woman to dive to a depth of 90 metres without fins.
- The record-breaking dive lasted 3 minutes and 33 seconds on a single breath.
- A Ukrainian woman has set her tenth world record in freediving in four years.
- The athlete dedicated her achievement to Ukraine and its defenders.
Sadurska covered 90 metres without fins in 3 minutes 33 seconds
The Ukrainian woman set the record in the CNF (Constant Weight No Fins) discipline, which is considered one of the most challenging in freediving. Competitors dive and return to the surface using only their own movements, without fins, a breathing apparatus or pulling themselves up along a rope.
At a depth of 90 metres, the absolute pressure is approximately 10 atmospheres. As a result, the volume of air in the lungs is significantly reduced, and the body is subjected to considerable physiological stress.
Achievements Sadurska’s surpassed her previous best of 88 metres, set on 30 November 2025 at the CMAS Deep Dominica competition. Under AIDA rules, the Ukrainian diver’s previous record stood at 86 metres.
A tenth world record following a failed attempt and a loss of consciousness
This latest result was particularly significant for the athlete following a difficult performance in July 2026. At that time, Sadurska had been preparing to dive to a depth of 89 metres, but a week before the event she sustained an injury and was forced to undergo a course of antibiotics.
Despite not having fully recovered, she took to the starting block. During the final phase of her dive, the athlete lost consciousness for the first time in her ten-year career and was disqualified.
Following this, the Ukrainian athlete revised her approach to training and recovery. By November, she had already reached a historic milestone.
Sadurska has been setting world records in the CNF discipline since 2023. Over the course of four years, she has improved on her initial result by 17 metres. According to her team, her closest rival has reached 79 metres, whilst among men, only six athletes have surpassed the 90-metre mark without fins.
A Ukrainian woman dedicated her world record to the defenders of Ukraine
Kateryna Sadurska previously represented Ukraine at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in synchronised swimming, before switching to freediving.
Following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the athlete has been forced to train abroad, as Ukraine lacks the necessary facilities for deep-water training whilst the war is ongoing.
She dedicated her new record to Ukraine’s defenders and to everyone who continues to fight for the country’s freedom.
«This is a reminder to the world that we’re not giving up,» the athlete emphasised, commenting on her achievement.
According to the specialist publication DeeperBlue, the result has already been recorded by AIDA, although final approval of the record is subject to the completion of anti-doping procedures.
