Kateryna Sadurska's historic victory
On August 19, 2026, Ukrainian athlete Kateryna Sadurska wrote her name into the history of world freediving by winning a gold medal at the World Championships under the auspices of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS). In the opening discipline of the competition — Constant Weight with Fins (CWT) — the Ukrainian athlete declared a depth of 108 meters and successfully completed the dive, securing the winning result. For Sadurska, this is her first gold medal at the World Championships specifically in the CWT discipline, marking the culmination of a long journey to the top.
Dramatic finale: the fight for the podium
Two athletes initially declared a greater depth than the winner: Italian Alessia Zecchini and Ukrainian Natalka Zharova, both intending to dive to 121 meters. However, fate decided otherwise. Zecchini stopped at the 114-meter mark and, receiving an 8-point penalty, settled for the silver medal. Natalka Zharova, the reigning world champion, successfully reached the declared depth of 121 meters but experienced a blackout (fainting) upon surfacing. As a result, her dive was disqualified, which came as a shock to the sports community.
Contradictory data
There are discrepancies in the interpretation of events surrounding Natalka Zharova's result in official reports and comments from various sides. On one hand, the fact of a successful dive to 121 meters is confirmed by the judging commission, yet the disqualification of the result due to a blackout on the surface remains a subject of debate. Some experts believe that CMAS rules regarding safety during surfacing require revision, especially in the context of such extreme depths. On the other hand, the federation's official position remains unchanged: athlete safety is the priority, and a violation of the surfacing protocol automatically leads to the disqualification of the attempt.
The path to gold: from 4th place to the top
For Kateryna Sadurska, this victory was the result of consistent development and overcoming difficulties. In 2024, she took 4th place with a result of 103 meters, and in 2025 she showed 98 meters, stopping just a step away from the podium twice. Now, in 2026, she not only overcame the psychological barrier but also demonstrated the stability and mastery necessary to win gold. She already holds World Champion titles in Free Immersion (FIM) and Constant Weight No Fins (CNF), making her one of the most decorated athletes in Ukrainian freediving history.
Comments and prospects
Natalka Zharova, whose result was not counted, commented on her performance on social media: "It is a pity that I failed. This was my first attempt at 120 meters in a competition. I will consider this an isolated incident for now. If it happens again, I will draw conclusions." Her words reflect both disappointment and readiness for further self-improvement. Kateryna Sadurska, in turn, expressed gratitude to her team and fans, noting that this victory is the result of collective efforts and self-belief.
