Summary of the AIDA World Championships in Kalamata - Poland's success!

The tournament held in the Greek town of Kalamata – the 6th AIDA Individual Depth World Championship 2011 – has come to an end. Both among men and women, the favourites did not disappoint, although there were surprises. On the last day of the competition a great performance was recorded by a Pole – Mateusz Malina.

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The championships began with competition in the CNF competition. There were no surprises among men. With the result of 93m, the favourite and absolute leader – New Zealander William Treubridge – won. Second place, thanks to the depth of 84m, went to Czech – Michal Risian, while on the lowest step of the podium stood Frenchman – Morgan Bourc’his with the result of 80m.

In the women’s competition it seemed that the unrivalled Natalia Molchanova would easily win the gold medal, especially as her result of 64m was a new world record. However, the jury saw irregularities in the Russian’s attempt and she was disqualified. In this situation the gold medal went to Alena Zabloudilova from the Czech Republic, who improved her national record by 56m. The silver went to Wendy Timmermans of the Netherlands, who also set a new national record with her 52m dive. The final three was completed by Molchanova’s compatriot Irina Karina, who dived to 48m.

The next day of competition was the CWT competition. This day was also not without sensations. This time the freshly crowned winner from the previous day – William Trubridge, was disqualified for failure to comply with the surface protocol and thus lost the chance for a bronze medal, which was guaranteed to him by the result achieved – 112m. His fate was also shared by Natalia Molchanova’s son Alex. With 118m he would have been the new world champion. As a result, the most valuable trophy went to a popular Frenchman – Guillaume Nery, who reached the depth of 117m. Second place, and a South American record, was guaranteed to Crlos Coste, who descended to 116m. Bronze and the national record of 101m, went to the representative of the hosts – Giorgos Panagiotakis.

In women’s diving this time it was Molchanova who dived flawlessly and with 101m, she broke the world record from 2003 in great style and won her first gold medal of these championships. This result is all the more admirable, as the second on the podium, Slovakian Jarmila Slovencikova, achieved “only” 86m (country record). Japanese Misuzu Hirari was third and her result of 82m became a new Asian record.

The tournament was closed with the Free Immersion competition. As for the winner, there was no surprise. William Trubridge showed his best and deservedly won his second gold medal in this tournament. However, it is worth mentioning the vice-champion of the world, who became our compatriot – Mateusz Malina! His result of 106m is also a new country record. The bronze medal and a new country record, 105m achieved by the Slovenian Antonija Koderman was enough for that.

The second gold medal and another world record among women fell to Molchanova, who with 88m proved to be beyond the reach of her rivals. The second one, Czech Alena Zabloudilova, dived on 79m, besides winning the silver, improved her national record. The last place in the medal zone was occupied by German Anna von Boetticher, whose 71m, from now on, is a new German record.

The 6th AIDA World Individual Championships, turned out to be rich in records and surprises and unpredictable results. The favourites did not disappoint either and despite the problems, they cannot complain about what they managed to achieve in Kalamata.

The editors of Divers24 would like to congratulate our silver medallist and wish further success to the athletes representing this discipline. Let’s hope that with further achievements, the popularity and interest in freediving will grow!

Source: apnea.cz