Free-diver goes deep off Limassol for world record

By a Staff Reporter

TWO world renowned free-divers went to Limassol yesterday to break the world record in free-diving — one suffered from the ‘bends’ and the other became the new Men’s Constant Ballast World Record Holder.

Martin Stepanek, from the Czech Republic, beat the world record by one metre to reach 93 metres deep, with no assistance other than a gulp of air and flippers.

Austrian Herbert Nitsch made the first attempt to break the world record but after four minutes underwater he resurfaced in a daze. According to a free-divers website, www.deeperblue.net, Nitsch damaged his right eardrum on the way down causing pain and disorientation on the ascent and eventual blackout. Medical staff had to administer oxygen for 10 minutes before he recovered.

Reporters and camera crew from around the world were present to cover the event which gained increasing popularity after French director Luc Besson made the cult classic Big Blue on the world of free-diving.

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