Discover the results of the 9th and most successful Azul Freediving Challenge 2023 Spring edition, in which 50 athletes from 17 different nationalities participated.
The Azul Freediving Challenge is a freediving competition for beginners and also advanced athletes! Certified freedivers from all around the world come to have fun at Cenote Yum Ki’n, a deep and perfect spot. Perfect for freedivers who want to explore the world of competitive freediving.
This was the 9th edition of the event organized by PranaMaya Freediving, the spring edition was a great success and it was from the 26 to the 28 of May 2023. 50 athletes of 17 different nationalities came to compete. Super friendly atmosphere where everybody enjoyed being present and sheared a lot of beautiful memories. For 3 days, athletes did their best to score points and reach the podium. The winners received prizes from our sponsors during the closing ceremony! But the Azul Freediving Challenge is foremost a fun competition that allows athletes to share their experiences with others!
Day 1: 35 white cards, 7 yellow cards and 1 red card were recorded; 7 national records were set, including 2 in the CNF (Constant weight No Fins) category by Ruben Pacheco from Puerto Rico with 35m of depth and Niamh Guilfoyle from Ireland with 35 of depth. 1 record was set in the CWT (Constant Weight) category by Vanessa Estol from Uruguay with 48m of depth, and 3 athletes set records in the FIM (Free Immersion) category, Maleck Bouguenoun from Algeria with 37m of depth, Yanita Yancheva from Bulgaria with , and Abla Chejai from Morocco.
Day 2: 36 white cards, 5 yellow cards were recorded; 6 national records were set, including 1 in the CNF (Constant weight No Fins) Abla Chejai from Morocco with 25m of depth. 1 record was set in the CWT (Constant Weight) category by Ruben Pacheco from Puerto Rico with 45m of depth. 1 record was set in the CWTB (Constant Weight Bi-fins) category by Yanita Yancheva from Bulgaria with 31m of depth, and 2 records were set in the FIM (Free Immersion) category by Maleck Bouguenoun from Algeria with 39M of depth and Vanessa Estol from Uruguay with 50m of depth.
Day 3: 32 white cards, 4 yellow cards and 2 red cards were recorded; 7 national records were set, including 2 in the CNF (Constant weight No Fins) category by Shaun Parrot from the United States with 71m of depth and Pedro Tapia from Mexico with 76m of depth. 1 record was set in the CWT (Constant Weight) category by Yanita Yancheva from Bulgaria with 34m of depth. 2 records were set in the CWTB ( Constant Weight Bi-fins) category by Vanessa Estol from Uruguay with 52m of depth and Abla Chejai from Morocco with 33m of depth, and 2 records were set in the FIM (Free Immersion) category by Maleck Bouguenoun from Algeria with 41m of depth and Ruben Pacheco from Puerto Rico with 56m of depth.
The “Azul Freediving Challenge” competition was a resounding success, with the establishment of 20 national records. The breathtaking performances of the athletes captivated the audience and showcased the passion and dedication of the global freediving community.
OVERALL FINAL RESULTS
In the overall competition, the top 3 female athletes are as follows: Cristina Sours from the United States won the gold medal with 166 points in first place. Sara Zorilla Ibañez from Spain took second place with 137 points, and Niamh Guilfoyle from Ireland won the bronze medal with 120 points.
Among the male athletes, the rankings are as follows: Konstantin Gariaev from Canada won the gold medal with 167 points. Edurado Iracheta from Mexico took second place with 136 points. Gonzalo Anza Cintora, also from Mexico, won the bronze medal with 106 points.
FIRST-TIMERS
The first-timers in the competition were Sara Zorilla Ibañez from Spain in the women’s category with 137 points and Gonzalo Anza Cintora from Mexico in the men’s category with 106 points.
CONSTANT WEIGHT BI-FINS
In the CWTB (Constant Weight Bi-Fins) category for women, Monserrat Peart from Mexico claimed the first-place with a depth of 70 meters. Cristina Sours from USA won the silver medal with a performance of 63 meters. Athlete Cesiah Naranjo from Mexico secured the third-place with a depth of 54 meters.
Among the male athletes in the Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) category, Paco Trad from Mexico won the gold medal with a depth of 60 meters. Konstention Gariev from Canada took second place with 52 meters, followed by Eduardo Escalente from Mexico in third place with a depth of 50 meters.
FREE IMMERSION
In the FIM (Free Immersion) category for women, Cristina Sours from the United States took first place with a depth of 62m. Vanessa Estol from Uruguay won the silver medal with a performance that reached 50m. Finally, Mexican athlete Cesiah Naranjo claimed the third place with a depth of 50m.
In the FIM (Free Immersion) category for men, Laurence Paik from the United States secured the first-place position on the podium with a depth of 75m. In second place is Konstantin Gariaev from Canada with 62m, and the bronze medal goes to Ori Cohen from Israel with a depth of 58m.
CONSTANT WEIGHT NO FINS
In the CNF (Constant Weight No Fins) category for women, the rankings are as following: in first place, Katie Mckarty from the United States with a depth of 46m. Sara Zorilla Ibañez from Spain took the second place with 45m. Third place, Christina Sours from the United states with 41m.
First place CNF (Constant Weight No Fins) for men, Mexican Pedro Tapia with 76m of depth, followed by Shaun Parrot coming from the United States in second position with 68m of depth and Laurence Paik from the United States also in third position with 53m of depth.
Finally, here are the unlikely results of the famous 70 meter challenge because there is not only one winner but three winners with a check of $ 1000 usd at the key.
Roberto Guzman, Mexiciain, returns to the CWTB category with an immersion of 2:05 minutes in the depths of the cenote. Then in the FIM category, Mexican Pepe Salcedo with an immersion of 2:22 minutes and French Max Gardien with 2:38 immersion.
Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding achievements in this memorable event. This official AIDA competition is open to all certified divers, so don’t miss your chance to participate in the next Edition!
Many thanks and congratulations to the safety team and the staff for their outstanding work!
Thanks to all our sponsors for macking this event possible : Octopus, Cressi, Depth Wish, Mexico IAqua, Journey Sports, Apnea Cozumel, Hipoxia, Amancay, cenote Yum Ki’N, AAK’JA, Suw Tribe.
See you next fall edition in September 22nd to 24th!