PRNewswire
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 25: For the primary time ever, Team India will likely be representing the nation on the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest beginning June 2, 2026. This is a significant milestone for the expansion of freediving in India. This second additionally is available in the identical yr the Freediving Association of India (FAI) was shaped by Archana Sankaranarayanan, an 11-time nationwide report holder. Earlier this yr, FAI grew to become an Observer Member of AIDA International as AIDA India, giving Indian freedivers official illustration on the world degree.
Under AIDA India, three athletes will signify India on the 2026 World Apnea Pool Championship:
– Archana Thiagarajan – India’s main freediver, holding all nationwide data in each pool and depth disciplines, and the primary Indian to compete at a World Championship in Wakayama, Japan (2025).- Akshay Thatte – India’s first Freediving Instructor Trainer, main pool freediver and four-time nationwide report holder.- Vachan H U – Advocate, nationwide report holder, and the primary athlete to compete formally below AIDA India.Along with the athletes, Archana Sankaranarayanan has been chosen as the primary Indian Assistant Judge on the World Championship. She will return to Duna Arena in Budapest in a brand new role–not as an athlete, however as an official choose. She beforehand competed at this identical venue throughout the 2024 nOxyCup, the place she set a nationwide report for India.
Speaking about her journey, Archana Sankaranarayanan, Founder, FAI, stated: ‘It’s been a troublesome but rewarding journey. Competing was one half, however constructing the game, creating techniques, and rising the freediving group in India has been a very new expertise.’
This yr additionally highlights sturdy assist from the Indian diving group, with three homegrown manufacturers supporting Team India. Surface Interval has supplied efficiency merchandise, Stay Salty Club has supported with ocean-inspired enamel pins, and AZEN has contributed embroidered post-dive ponchos.
As Team India prepares for this historic championship, Archana Sankaranarayanan can also be highlighting the work of Manjhi, an NGO co-founded by Kashina Kareem and led with Shivani Sharma, which works with girls and adolescent ladies to construct management and struggle gender-based violence and inequality. Her reference to Manjhi started throughout the GP Birla Fellowship for Women Leaders, which performed a key position in shaping her journey in constructing AIDA India.
2026 is shaping as much as be a landmark yr for freediving in India, and the group hopes this second will convey extra consciousness and participation for the game within the nation.
About Freediving Association of India:
Freediving is a water sport that entails diving underwater on a single breath, with out using respiratory equipment akin to scuba gear. The Freediving Association of India is the official nationwide physique for Freediving in India and is devoted to the event and promotion of freediving in India. Established with the imaginative and prescient of making a structured, clear, and athlete-focused ecosystem. As an observing member of AIDA International, the affiliation goals to organise nationwide competitions, facilitate athlete participation in worldwide occasions, and nurture expertise to signify India on the world stage.
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