The Hungarian capital became the epicenter of competitive freediving this week with the staging of the World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships, the first edition of this prestigious event under the new WORLD APNEA brand. From May 31 to June 6, the iconic Duna Arena is hosting 264 athletes from 60 countries, competing in some of the sport’s most demanding disciplines and pushing the limits of physical and mental endurance on a single breath.
Organized by AIDA International, the competition has brought together some of the most prominent figures in the freediving world. Among them are multiple world record holders, including Poland’s Mateusz Malina, Hungary’s Zsófia Törőcsik, and Germany’s Heike Schwerdtner. However, the opening day already left an unforgettable mark thanks to a performance that once again demonstrated why freediving is much more than a test of lung capacity: it is a discipline built on technique, preparation, concentration, and complete body control.
Magdalena Solich Talanda opens the championship with a new world record
The standout athlete of the opening day was Poland’s Magdalena Solich Talanda, who set a new world record in the Dynamic Apnea with Bifins (DYNB) discipline by covering 270 meters underwater on a single breath. The achievement not only earned her the gold medal but also reinforced her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Since 2016, she has maintained a constant presence among the world’s elite, collecting titles and records that have established her as one of the most dominant athletes in modern freediving.
The women’s competition was marked by an extraordinary level of performance. South Africa’s Bevin Reynolds claimed the silver medal with a distance of 250 meters, while South Korea’s Hyegeum Oh secured bronze with 233 meters. Beyond the medals, the day proved historic as athletes set new continental records across Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania, highlighting the global growth of a discipline that continues to expand its reach and raise its standards.
A growing discipline that continues to push human limits
The men’s competition also delivered outstanding performances. Poland’s Mateusz Malina captured gold with a distance of 295 meters, followed by France’s Guillaume Bourdila with 283 meters and Aleksandr Maksimov with 259 meters. In total, 222 athletes from 59 countries took part in the DYNB event on the opening day, a figure that reflects the international reach freediving has achieved over recent decades.
In addition to the continental records, the first day of competition produced 30 new national records, evenly divided between the women’s and men’s categories. These results highlight the technical and athletic evolution of competitors, who find in freediving a unique combination of physical training, psychological mastery, and adaptability. The championship will continue with the Dynamic Apnea Without Fins (DNF) discipline, where the sport’s leading athletes will once again aim to surpass historic marks and write new chapters in one of the most fascinating disciplines in the aquatic world.
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