The 2025 AIDA World Freediving Championship, held in Wakayama, Japan, left an indelible mark with athletes from 46 countries, consolidating the global nature of freediving and showcasing the growth of this discipline across five continents. One of the major milestones of this edition was AIDA’s commitment to inclusion by providing financial assistance to 63 athletes from 43 countries, facilitating their participation by covering part of their travel and accommodation expenses.

The championship was marked by an exceptional level of competition, reflected in the achievement of 109 new national records in the four pool disciplines. Of these, 63 were achieved by women and 46 by men, with 50 different athletes setting at least one new record for their country. In addition, new national records were set in 34 countries across five continents, and three world records were broken, underscoring the extremely high level of competition.

These results demonstrate the technical evolution of freediving and the positive impact of facilitating access to athletes from around the world. The Wakayama event has served as a platform for emerging talent, removing geographical and economic barriers and fostering a more inclusive competitive environment.

“Direct results after investment”

AIDA President Sasa Jeremic highlighted the importance of this edition: “Wakayama 2025 has been a key moment for the sport. We have seen the direct results of investing in athlete development: more participation, more records, and a stronger and more connected freediving community.” The words of the organization’s top official reflect the spirit of an edition that was committed to collective growth and equal opportunities.