While you and I were watching YouTube videos while pooping, one Singaporean woman set a new record by diving 65 metres into the ocean without breathing gear.
National record
Singaporean freediver Lim Anqi set a new national record (62m) in the free immersion discipline at the Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques (CMAS) 2019 World Freediving Championships in Honduras.
She initially planned to complete a 54m dive in the event to commemorate Singapore’s 54th birthday.
Advertisements
That sounds impressive enough, but she ended up putting in a 65m dive – a new national record and her personal best in a competition – in last Friday’s constant weight bi-fin.
Her national record was the fourth at the competition in Roatan. She had also set new marks in the no fins (45m) and constant weight (60m).
If you’re unfamiliar with freediving, it’s a form of underwater diving where participants do not use any breathing apparatus. Instead, they see how deep they can go on a single breath.
That sounds like a nightmare for people like you and me, but Lim is enjoying every minute of it.
“It was fabulous. I’m here with another Singaporean diver, (Chua) Shuyi, so team Singapore is just the two of us,” said Lim.
“To be able to receive so much encouragement from friends and family back home made us definitely feel like we wanted to do Singapore proud and it being Singapore’s National Day this week gave us more to celebrate for sure.”
Other records
In addition to her national record, Lim also set Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) national records in the Caribbean Cup.
One was her 60m dive in the constant weight discipline. This is where divers descend using their hands or fins, without pulling on the rope except at the start and end of the descent.
Advertisements
Another was her 45m dive in the constant no fins discipline. As the name suggests, divers descend without the use of fins or rope. This is considered one of the most challenging disciplines of freediving.
“I stretched myself but I was given the opportunity so the least I could do was to do my best”, Lim said.
Her friends and family had helped her raise the $6500 needed for the trip.
Little recognition in Singapore
While freediving is still a relatively unknown sport in Singapore, Lim hopes that it will gain more recognition.
Singaporean freedivers often have to train overseas because of the lack of support and funding.
Advertisements
Lim is aiming to compete in more events in the region but said that funding is an issue.
“Unless this sport is recognised more seriously on a higher level, many can’t afford the time or money to do it. If there’s enough support one day, there will be a bigger Singaporean presence at these big competitions.”
I don’t know about you, but I can’t even swim in a pool without a float, an oxygen tank, and paramedics on standby.
These GRCs & SMCs will have the toughest fights in GE2025; here’s why:
Read Also:
- Former Radio DJ Billy Wang Loses 21kg in Three Months, Returns to Singapore for Election
- PM Wong Warns Against Foreign Political Interference and Identity Politics During Election
- SDP Candidate Dr Gigene Wong Issues Two Apologies after Using Racial Slur to Describe Teammate during Election Rally
- Man Plans to Sell Flat After Neighbour Washes Floor 10 Times Daily with Chemical Mixture and Makes Noises at Night
- China Cancels 12,030 Tons of US Pork Orders amid 172% Tariff Standoff with Trump Administration
- These Are the 5 GRCs / SMCs That Will Have a Tight Contest in GE2025
