Panglao, Philippines — July 21, 2026
USA Freediving athlete Enchante Gallardo delivered a landmark performance at the 2026 AIDA Asian Freediving Cup, tying the women’s Free Immersion (FIM) world record with a dive to -106 meters — matching the current AIDA / World Apnea record held by Natalia Zharkova (Ukraine). The historic dive comes just one week after Gallardo broke her own North American Continental Record in the same discipline, further cementing her position among the deepest women in the history of the sport.
World Record Tie — 106m Free Immersion
On July 21, Gallardo completed a 106-meter / 348-foot dive in Free Immersion (FIM), a discipline in which athletes pull themselves down and back up along a rope without the use of fins or other propulsion aids. The performance ties the current AIDA world record, placing Gallardo alongside Natalia Zharkova as a co-holder of the deepest FIM dive ever recorded by a woman. Only three female divers in history have ever surpassed 105 meters in Free Immersion, placing Gallardo among an exceptionally small group at the very top of the sport.
The dive also marks the first time an American woman has held the FIM world record since Annabel Edwards set a world record of 75 meters on May 27, 2005, at the Kona Freedive Invitational — more than two decades ago.
Continental Record — 104m Free Immersion
Just one week earlier, on July 14, Gallardo set a new North American Continental Record with a 104-meter / 341-foot Free Immersion dive at the same event, improving on her own previous continental mark of 101 meters, set in November 2025.
“This world record represents so much more than a number. It encompasses the years of growth, training, persistence, perseverance, learning to trust myself both in and out of the water. Every challenge, setback, and even the small victories along the way made this moment even more meaningful. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this moment possible,” said Enchante Gallardo.
Photo: Federico Buzzoni
Just Getting Started
Notably, the Asian Freediving Cup marks only the beginning of Gallardo’s 2026 depth season. She is set to compete next at the World Apnea Championship in Cyprus this October, where she is expected to continue pushing her depth progression — with an outright FIM world record squarely in her sights.
Leadership Recognition
“Not a lot of people understand the effort that goes into a dive like this — the training, the attempts that didn’t go as planned, and the mental discipline it takes to stay patient. She earned every meter of this, and it’s been incredible to watch it all lead to this moment,” said Brad Stephens, USA Freediving Treasurer and athlete.
“Everyone on the USA Freediving Board joins me in celebrating this incredible achievement. Enchante has represented Team USA with excellence, professionalism, and humility, and we’re incredibly proud to see her make history. This is a remarkable moment not only for Enchante, but for USA Freediving, and we’re excited to cheer her on at the AIDA World Championships this October,” said Katie McCarthy, USA Freediving Secretary and athlete
About Enchante Gallardo
Gallardo, based in Hawaii, has spent years developing her depth disciplines and is regarded as one of the most consistent and accomplished athletes in competitive freediving. She was ranked the world’s #1 depth freediver for both 2024 and 2025, and #2 overall freediver (combined depth and pool disciplines) for 2025. She is coached by Martin Ruman (Slovakia), whose guidance has been central to her steady, methodical progression toward the world record. Her performance at the 2026 AIDA Asian Freediving Cup in Panglao further establishes her as one of the deepest athletes, male or female, in the sport’s history.
Full Results
Official performance results can be found through AIDA International: https://www.aidainternational.org/EventPage/4932
Media Assets
Photo: Federico Buzzoni
High-resolution photography and DiveEye underwater video of the record-breaking dives are available upon media request.
USA Freediving is a nonprofit association founded on the democratic representation of freediving within the United States and internationally. Founded in 2003, USA Freediving is the national governing body dedicated to furthering the development of the sport and recreation of freediving in the United States and abroad. For more information about USA Freediving, Team USA, and membership please visit www.usafreediving.com.
The Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée (International Association for the Development of Apnea) is the international sanctioning body for freediving, individual and team competition, and freediving world record attempts. For more information about AIDA please visit www.aidainternational.org.