Ukrainian freedivers Natalia Zharkova and Kateryna Sadurska brought the country a double podium finish at the World Freediving Championship under the auspices of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS), which is taking place on Roatán Island in Honduras. In the Constant Weight with Monofin discipline, both athletes dived to some of the greatest depths in their categories and successfully completed their attempts, securing a spot on the world championship podium.
Double Podium and New World Record
Natalia Zharkova won the gold medal with a result of 107 meters, setting a new world record in this discipline at the CMAS competition. Kateryna Sadurska, who dived to 102 meters, received the silver award — this is also a personal best for her in constant weight diving. Spanish diver Isabel Sanchez finished third with a result of 96 meters, taking the bronze medal.
Zharkova's Record Depth
Before Zharkova's performance, the world record in this discipline belonged to Italian diver Alessia Zecchini, who set it in April 2024 by diving to 104 meters. Thus, the Ukrainian athlete improved the mark by three meters, cementing her status as the best in the world in constant weight with monofin diving at the current championship.
Sadurska: Personal Best and a Series of Titles
For Kateryna Sadurska, the silver in 2026 is a continuation of an impressive streak: she has already become a CMAS World Champion in constant weight diving three times — in 2022, 2023, and 2024. At this tournament, she also won her first career "gold" in the constant weight with fins discipline, achieving a result of 108 meters.
Tournament Context in Honduras
The CMAS World Championship on Roatán Island proved to be truly successful for the Ukrainian freediving team: the Ukrainian women have already won gold medals in both women's events of the tournament. In the constant weight with fins discipline, the reigning world champion was Zharkova; however, her result was not counted this time, allowing Sadurska to take the "gold" in this category.
Backstory: Second Consecutive Joint Podium
The performance in Honduras marked the second consecutive joint podium finish for Zharkova and Sadurska in this discipline at world championships. At the 2025 World Championship, Zharkova won with a result of 101 meters, while Sadurska finished second, diving to 94 meters. The progression of results for both athletes from 2025 to 2026 demonstrates steady progress and intensifying competition on the global freediving stage.
