Russian freediver Alexey Molchanov has set a new world record after diving 413 feet on a single breath at the AIDA Freediving World Championships in Cyprus.
Molchanov, 37, is widely considered the greatest freediver in history. He has broken more than 30 world records and is the son of legendary diver Natalia Molchanova, who set 42 records of her own before her death in 2015.
This latest dive was particularly grueling. Molchanov held his breath for 4 minutes and 32 seconds as he descended into near-total darkness, battling extreme cold, crushing water pressure, and the ever-present risk of blackout during ascent. He broke his own record of 410 feet, set just last year.
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Breaking records in the deep
Molchanov competed in the constant weight bi-fins category at the 2025 AIDA Freediving World Championships, which requires divers to descend and ascend using only fins without pulling on the rope. His headlamp and safety line were the only guides in the Mediterranean waters off Limassol, Cyprus.
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He later described the toughest parts of the dive on Instagram, noting the “thermocline drop” when water temperature plunged from 77°F to 54°F within seconds, as well as the delicate pressure management needed to avoid lung injury at depth. Molchanov also highlighted the riskiest stretch: the final 100 feet of ascent, where most blackouts occur due to expanding air in the lungs and dwindling oxygen.
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To officially secure the record, Molchanov had just 15 seconds after resurfacing to complete a strict protocol: remove his gear, give a hand signal, and say “I’m OK.” With the record validated, his 413-foot descent now stands as the deepest constant weight bi-fins dive ever achieved.
For perspective, the dive is longer than a football field and a half, roughly equal to the height of a 41-story building, all completed on a single breath of air.
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