Maldives on Tuesday broke the world record for the most people freediving simultaneously.
As part of the World Tourism Day 2019 celebrations, the island nation’s President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih joined 520 others in simultaneous freediving off the lagoon of Baros Maldives resort, staying underwater for around 30 seconds.
Freediving world champion Willian Trubridge, a double world record holding freediver from New Zealand, also participated in the event, dubbed “Neyvaa”, which in local Dhivehi language means breath.
Officials of Guinness at the scene declared the “Neyvaa” event as a new world record and presented the official certificate to President Solih.
“Neyvaa” was the Maldives’ attempt to break the world record previously held by ‘La Scuola del Mare 2’ (Verona), in Torri del Benaco, Verona. Verona had set the world record for the most people freediving simultaneously on October 11 2009 with 280 people.
Following the first ever world record by the popular tropical holiday destination, the Maldives is set to host another world record attempt in joggling by Canadian joggler Michal Kapral, as part of the destination’s newfound push into sports tourism.
Kapral, who currently holds the world records for running the fastest marathon and half-marathon while juggling, and for the fastest 10-kilometre run while juggling without a drop, will attempt to break his own 10-kilometre record with four balls at the “Run in Addu” event to be held at the southernmost atoll of Addu on Friday.
On Saturday, Kapral will also attempt to climb 3,000 stairs while juggling three balls in an attempt to break the current record of 600 stairs. This event will take place at the Sultan Park grounds in capital Male.