26/07/2023
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗜𝗠 (𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲)
𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗸 (𝗛𝗨𝗡) is changing the history of freediving for Hungary at Vertical Blue 2023. On July 25th, day five of the competition, Fatima dived to 102m (335ft) in FIM and set a new absolute World Record in the discipline according to AIDA rules. It is the first time in the history of competitive freediving that a Hungarian athlete has set a world record.
The previous absolute World Record in FIM was set at 101m (331ft) by 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗭𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶 (𝗜𝗧𝗔) at Vertical Blue 2021.
𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 - 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱
Fatima has already attempted to set a new AIDA World Record in FIM twice. However, the record slipped right through Fatima's fingers each time because of tiny details. During her first world record attempt on the second day of Vertical Blue 2022, Fatima was on her way to 99m (325ft), but had to turn back just 3m (10ft) before the target depth. How heart-wrenching it must be to turn away from a target that feels like it's right in front of you.
Her FIM World Record attempt on day 8 of Vertical Blue 2022 turned out to be even more dramatic. Fatima announced 100m (328ft) of depth, which was just 1m (3ft) shallower than the absolute FIM World Record at that time. Fatima swiftly and confidently reached the bottom plate but could not find a tag. She even sank a bit deeper below the plate and continued searching for a tag. But after a few seconds, Fatima had to turn back and start the ascent without a tag in hand. Despite the delay at the bottom plate, Fatima surfaced entirely under control and neatly performed the surface protocol. But what a curse! She received a yellow card and a 1-point penalty for the missing tag.
𝗖𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 - 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁
Then, at the CMAS 6th Freediving Outdoor World Championship, Fatima, together with 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗭𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶 (𝗜𝗧𝗔), announced 102m (335ft) of depth, aiming to improve the absolute FIM World Record by 1m (3ft). That day, the depth surrendered neither to Fatima nor to Alessia. Both athletes reached the target depth, grabbed the tag, but alas, blacked out several meters before the surface.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘁!
After so many efforts, at Vertical Blue 2023, Fatima has finally set her long-awaited absolute World Record! It is a milestone to celebrate and a remarkable achievement to remember. Fatima only started actively participating in international freediving competitions in 2019 and competed in her first World Championship that same year. While Fatima is considered relatively young in the sport, it is incredible that she has progressed to World Record-Holder status in five years.
Hearty congratulations to you, Fatima - we look forward to seeing you set more world records and will hold our breaths with you, rooting for you all the while!
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 - 𝘋𝘢𝘢𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯
