From October 3rd to 9th, the CMAS World Freediving Championships took place in Kas, Turkey. The French performed beautifully and returned with several medals.
Over seven days, sea dives took place in four disciplines: constant weight with monofins, bifins, and without fins, as well as free immersion. Athletes were able to enjoy the exceptional setting offered by the worlds in Kas with excellent visibility and flawless security and organization.
A great first
Among the seven athletes who made up the French team, some like Alice Modolo, Arnaud Jerald, Stéphane Tourreau, and Abdelatif Alouach were not new to being selected to represent their country. However, for Marianna Gillespie, Guillaume Bourdila, and Thomas Guignes, it was a big first.
And it wasn’t one but two medals that Marianna Gillespie won for her very first selection in the national team! She was crowned vice-world champion on the first day, offering a first silver medal to the French team with a dive to -103 meters with a monofin! She repeated the feat by winning a second medal a few days later, diving to -97 meters with bifins, earning her bronze and a French record.
A historic double
Arnaud Jerald and Abdelatif Alouach achieved a historic double by both reaching the top of the podium, crowned world champions with a descent to -116 meters with bifins.
Finally, Abdelatif Alouach also won a second medal, this time in silver, as well as a French record, by descending to 85 meters without fins in 3 minutes and 40 seconds.
Finally, one last surprise from the French athletes! Joining the French team free divers was Sauveur Lococo, not a team member but allowed to register to compete as a Master 65-70 years old, a new category in the World Championships. He achieved a world record.
opening image © FFESSM / Vincent Pouyet