Zsofia Torocsik set a new world record in the FIM discipline at an international competition in the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park, while Croatian freedivers also delivered notable performances.
The international freediving scene was abuzz with news of a new world record. Hungarian competitor Zsofia Torocsik achieved a historic feat by diving to 107 meters in the FIM (Free Immersion) discipline during the competition held in the waters of the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park. The event, which concluded yesterday, further cemented Lastovo's reputation as a premier deep-diving destination.
The competition was organized by Adriatic Freediving and AIDA Croatia, with support from the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park, which has been part of this sporting story for the fourth consecutive year. Thanks to natural advantages such as crystal-clear waters and great depths close to shore, Lastovo has become a hub for freedivers from around the world, not only for competitions but also for summer camps organized by Adriatic Freediving.
Torocsik also made another major attempt at Lastovo. In the CWTB discipline, she dove to an impressive 114 meters, which also represented a potential world record. However, after a detailed analysis of slow-motion footage, judges spotted a pull during the ascent, resulting in the disqualification of that result. Nevertheless, her success in the FIM discipline remains officially recognized and etched into the record books.
In addition to the Hungarian diver, the competition served as an important preparation for the Croatian national team ahead of the upcoming World Championship in Cyprus in October. Toma Čelar from Split showed significant improvement in nearly all disciplines and will be one of Croatia's key assets at the world event. On the other hand, Sanda Delija and Petar Klovar deliberately skipped record attempts, with organizers believing they are saving their best performances for Cyprus.
In the deepest dives, the experienced Vitomir Maričić played a crucial role as the chief safety diver. His task was to oversee the safety of all competitors, and this year, in the most challenging disciplines, participants from Germany, Argentina, and Hungary, alongside the Croats, competed for top spots on the podium.
The organizers particularly emphasize the ecological dimension of the event. Freediving is one of the few sports that can host top-tier competitions in a nearly untouched environment with minimal impact on nature. Holding such a competition in a protected marine area serves as a model for how sport and environmental protection can go hand in hand. The event also carried World Record status, ensuring that all aspects, from judging and safety to anti-doping controls, were at the highest possible level.
