In Kalamata the 8th World Freediving Championships

The 8th World Freediving Championship, "CMAS 8th World Championship Freediving Depth," will take place from October 3rd to 12th in the welcoming, safe and clear Greek waters and the bay of Kalamata.

This premier event, hosted for the first time in Greece, is expected to bring global attention to the sport of freediving.

One hundred forty-five athletes from 44 countries will participate, diving to incredible depths with one breath. Many world champions have arrived in Kalamata and been trained to acclimate where they will compete.

In a world where the desire for authentic experiences in nature and the environment is increasing, the World Championship is an excellent opportunity for Greece to emerge as a protagonist in free diving and the blue economy. This race is not just a meeting of athletes but an event where the country's natural beauty is combined with human strength and resistance to the wet element.

Beyond the sporting event itself, the event places Greece on the world map of diving, while our country also offers a multitude of experiences that highlight its nature and culture.

The Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports sponsors and finances the World Championship. The Deputy Minister of Sports, Yiannis Vroutsis, will attend the opening ceremony on October 3rd and visit the games the next day. The Deputy Minister is expected to announce a series of actions aimed at establishing Greece as a leading diving destination.

The Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activities (EUDA) has entrusted the organisation with an established Authentic Big Blue and Niritis team. For 20 years, they have organised freediving tournaments in Greece. The same team successfully organised the World Cup Depth Series in the Ionian Sea this year.

The Greek National Team consists of:

Women: Anna Iliadou, Fayrouz Al Mehdawi, Konstantina Mavrou and Theoni Papasimakopoulou
Men: Manolis Yankos, Christos Karelos, Alexandros Koukos, Andreas Karderinis, Ioannis Kothonidis, Christos Papadopoulos and Alexandros Tzanerakis.
The event's technical director is Dimitris Koumoulos, with Apostolos Belos' support and supervision.

The Municipality of Kalamata, the Region of Peloponnese, and the "Aeolos" Maritime Sports Association of Kalamata and EOT are co-organisers. At the same time, the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre will provide medical support. The major sponsor is NRG, while the supporter of nautical goods is EVAL. The official partner is the Hellenic Inflatable Boats Association (OFSE).

The World Freediving Championship promises to elevate the country's sport and diving tourism and showcase Greece's unique natural beauty at an international level.