India’s First Freediving Team for World Championship

India will field its first official freediving team at the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest, Hungary, from 2 June 2026. The team has three athletes: Archana Thiagarajan, Akshay Thatte, and Vachan H U.

Freediving and Apnea Pool Events

Freediving is a breath-hold underwater sport that includes pool disciplines and depth disciplines. The World Apnea Pool Championship is an international competition conducted under AIDA International, the global body associated with competitive freediving.

Indian Participation in AIDA Events

Archana Thiagarajan became the first Indian to compete at a World Championship at Wakayama, Japan, from 28 June to 2 July 2025. She competed at the 34th AIDA Freediving World Championship and set four new national records across pool disciplines.

Indian Athletes and Records

Archana Thiagarajan is an 11-time national record holder and became the first Indian woman to cross the 40-metre mark in a competitive freediving event in August 2025. Akshay Thatte is India’s first Freediving Instructor Trainer and a four-time national record holder. Vachan H U, also known as Vachan Gowda, is an advocate and a national record holder.

Important Facts for Exams

• AIDA stands for the International Association for the Development of Apnea.
• The 34th AIDA Freediving World Championship was held in Wakayama, Japan, from 28 June to 2 July 2025.
• San Antonio Beach in Calapan, Philippines, was the venue for Dinesh Soundappa’s 34.6-metre national record dive on 4 March 2026.
• The Freediving Association of India became an Observer Member of AIDA International in March 2026.

Freediving Association of India

The Freediving Association of India was formed in 2026 by Archana Sankaranarayanan. It became an Observer Member of AIDA International in March 2026 and provides official global representation for Indian freedivers.