Indian freediver becomes first AIDA judge at global event
Archana Sankaranarayanan, founder of the Freediving Association of India, has made history as the first Indian AIDA judge to officiate at an international depth freediving competition. She will serve as an Assistant Judge at the International Depth Competition from October 1–6, 2026, revisiting the same event where she competed as an athlete two years earlier.
Her competitive journey began in Panglao, Philippines in 2024, where she shattered two national records on her debut. This achievement set the stage for her current role as a judge, a position that highlights her dedication to developing freediving in India. In March 2026, she earned AIDA National Observer certification and later oversaw the selection of India’s first official national team for the World Apnea Pool Championship in Budapest, where she also judged as an Assistant Judge.
The sport’s momentum in India has surged recently. In August 2026, three divers established new national marks in quick succession: Adyut Dobhal broke the 50-meter FIM record with a 51-meter dive in the Philippines. Six days later, Mukesh Prakash matched that depth in Indonesia, while Bux Khurana extended the record to 52 meters on August 19. Prakash, India’s deepest Molchanovs instructor, had previously sought Sankaranarayanan’s guidance, citing her experience after she set her own 40-meter national record there in 2025.
Beyond competitions, Sankaranarayanan has introduced a Competition Scholarship covering 100% of registration fees for athletes facing financial obstacles—a direct response to her own challenges while competing abroad. In November 2026, she will host India’s first AIDA-sanctioned freediving competition, Namaste World Apnea India, Inaugural Edition, in Bengaluru.
Freediving, a discipline requiring breath-hold dives without scuba gear, has lacked organized structure in India until recently. The Freediving Association of India, serving as the national governing body, now seeks to build a transparent, athlete-centered framework. As an observing member of AIDA International, the association organizes national events and supports Indian athletes in global competitions.
