India First Official Freediving Team Headed to Budapest World Championship

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is freediving?
A: Freediving is a sport where athletes go underwater on a single breath without any breathing equipment like scuba tanks. It includes swimming long distances or diving deep.

Q2: When and where will India’s first official freediving team compete?
A: The team will compete at the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest, Hungary, starting from 2 June 2026.

Q3: Who are the three athletes in the Indian team?
A: The three athletes are Archana Thiagarajan, Akshay Thatte, and Vachan H U (Vachan Gowda).

Q4: What is AIDA International?
A: AIDA International stands for International Association for the Development of Apnea. It is the global governing body for competitive freediving.

Q5: What is the Freediving Association of India?
A: It is the official body formed in 2026 by Archana Sankaranarayanan to represent Indian freedivers globally. It became an Observer Member of AIDA International in March 2026.