Olga Nesterenko, a 48-year-old pharmacist from Chelyabinsk, Russia, achieved fifth place in static apnea at the World Championship in Greece, setting a personal record of almost 7 minutes of breath-holding underwater. Nesterenko’s journey into freediving began just five years ago, during the coronavirus pandemic, and she has quickly risen to the international level despite her non-professional athlete status.

Nesterenko discovered freediving through breathing practices linked to her long-time yoga practice. Encouraged by her coach, Konstantin Almazov, she found a passion for underwater breath-holding.

Training is fitted into her schedule, with twice-weekly sessions at the Stroitel swimming pool involving breathing exercises and water practice. She practices breathing techniques like “square breathing” during everyday activities, such as riding the tram.

Freediving provides Nesterenko with peace of mind, akin to meditation, allowing her to focus on her body and movements in the water. She notes that many freedivers start later in life, bringing valuable life experience to the sport.

At the World Championship in Greece, after qualifying in all-Russian competitions in St. Petersburg, Nesterenko competed in three disciplines, excelling in static apnea. With the help of coach Mikhail Bryantsev, Nesterenko pushed her limits.

Despite experiencing a “samba,” or involuntary movements indicating potential loss of consciousness, Nesterenko managed to recover and secure her record. While recognizing her potential to improve, she remains realistic about her goals.