Team India makes impressive debut at World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships in Budapest
India marked a significant milestone in competitive freediving as its first officially selected national team delivered a strong performance at the World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships held in Budapest, Hungary.
Competing at the prestigious Duna Arena, the Indian contingent secured eight white cards and set three national records, highlighting the country's growing presence in the international freediving arena.
The team, representing the Freediving Association of India under AIDA India, consisted of athletes Vachan H.U., Archana Thiagarajan, Akshay Thatte, and Archana Sankaranarayanan.
Vachan H.U. emerged as one of India's top performers, earning three white cards and establishing two national records during the competition. Archana Thiagarajan secured two white cards and set another national record, while Akshay Thatte finished with three white cards.
In another landmark achievement for Indian freediving, Archana Sankaranarayanan became the first Indian to be selected as an Assistant Judge at a World Freediving Championship, marking a historic moment for the sport in the country.
The World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships featured athletes from across the globe competing in four disciplines: Dynamic Bi-Fins (DYNB), Dynamic No Fins (DNF), Static Apnea (STA), and Dynamic Apnea (DYN).
During the event, the Indian team met Anshuman Gaur, who congratulated the athletes on their achievements. The Embassy of India in Hungary also hosted a special felicitation ceremony for the team at its cultural centre.
The athletes acknowledged the support of coaches, teammates, and mentors, including retired Squadron Leader Shanmukha Reddy, whose guidance contributed to the team's performance. The team also received equipment sponsorship from Kraken Planet, an international freediving gear manufacturer.
The successful campaign marks India's first participation as an officially selected national team at the World Apnea Pool Championships and underscores the rapid growth of freediving as a competitive sport in the country.