India’s deepest woman breaks the 40m barrier and becomes the first Indian to judge an international AIDA competition

Manado, Indonesia : Archana Sankara Narayanan, India’s trailblazing freediver, has once again plunged into history—this time by breaking two more national records at the Manado Apnea competition held from August 1–3 in Indonesia. Archana achieved 38 meters in Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) and an incredible 40 meters in Constant Weight (CWT)—officially becoming India’s deepest female freediver once again. More significantly, she is now the first Indian woman ever to cross the 40-meter mark in a competitive freediving event.

This milestone is more than just a number—it marks a powerful new chapter for women in Indian freediving, opening up uncharted territory and redefining what’s possible.

The Manado event marked Archana’s third depth competition this year and fifth overall—but her impact is anything but routine. With these two new records, she now holds an unprecedented 11 national records, making her the most decorated Indian woman in depth freediving history.

Archana’s achievements extend far beyond her dives. She was recently named India’s first official Molchanovs ambassador, she will now be a brand collaborator partnering with the world’s leading freediving education and gear platform. This milestone is not just a personal honor—it’s a game-changer for her and for the future of Indian freediving.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Molchanovs for this support,” she says. “It’s more than just high-performance equipment—it’s a belief in me, in my journey, and in what India can become in the freediving world.”

In another landmark moment, she became India’s first AIDA-certified judge, and will soon become the first Indian ever to officiate at an international AIDA competition—the Tulamben Pool Games at Apnea Bali, held on August 9–10.

These recognitions are a testament to her growing role as a leader, not just an athlete, helping shape the future of freediving in India.

In recognition of her impact both in and beyond the water, Archana was recently awarded the GP Birla Fellowship for Women Leaders—an honor given to some of India’s most promising and influential women changemakers.

Selected for her pioneering role in building the Indian freediving ecosystem and inspiring women through sport, she joins an elite group of fellows working across diverse sectors to shape India’s future.

“Being chosen as a GP Birla Fellow is deeply meaningful,” Archana says. “It reinforces that freediving isn’t just about me going deeper—it’s about opening new spaces for others too.”

Archana’s story—from a corporate lawyer to India’s deepest freediver—is not just inspirational; it’s transformational. She’s redefining what it means to represent India on a global stage in a discipline that demands calm, courage, and relentless discipline.

Her achievements are igniting curiosity and confidence in a new generation of Indian athletes, especially women, who are seeing a visible, relatable, and record-breaking role model in the sport.

“As I dive deeper, I’m not just chasing numbers—I’m building a path for others to follow,” she says.

A key part of Archana’s recent success was a month-long training camp in Amed, Bali, where she reunited with her first-ever freediving coach, Shubham Pandey—the same coach who introduced her to the sport during her Level 1 course in Nusa Penida two years ago.

The reunion marked a full-circle moment. The two had last worked together at Archana’s debut competition—the Panglao Depth Games in 2024—and their reunion in July 2025 proved both technically pivotal and emotionally meaningful.

“Training again with Shubham was like returning to where it all began,” Archana shared. “His belief in me, even when I doubted myself, was crucial in getting me to 40m.”

In the midst of training and high performance, it was a simple yet powerful conversation with Australian competitive diver and friend Brennan Hatton—whom Archana met last year at Apnea Bali—that helped bring clarity and calm.

His encouragement helped her shift from pressure to presence—reminding her to enjoy the journey, embrace the joy, and dive with lightness and love for the sport.

Archana also credits Sergei Busargin and her coaches at Kaizen Freediving, with whom she trained extensively this year. Their coaching played a key role in honing her technique and mental strength, especially in the lead-up to the Manado competition.

She further extends her gratitude to Sophie from SuperHome for her continued encouragement and training support, and to the Apnea Bali team—“a second family and the fuel behind so much of my growth.”

“Every coach I’ve worked with has brought something unique—technique, calm, confidence, and structure. I carry a part of all of them with me in every dive.”

In addition to her athletic milestones, Archana was selected by Luciana, national record holder and organizer of the Tulamben Pool Games, to serve as an official AIDA judge.

“I’m incredibly honored to be entrusted with this role. Thank you, Luciana, for believing in me and opening this door not just for me, but for India.”

Archana Sankara Narayanan is not just breaking records—she’s building an ecosystem. Her unique blend of performance, professionalism, and advocacy is putting Indian freediving on the global map in unprecedented ways. As she continues to dive deeper—into the ocean, into leadership, and into her purpose—she is taking India with her, one breath at a time.