130 athletes from 26 countries convened in Belgrade, Serbia from 21 – 27 June for the 11th CMAS Indoor Freediving World Championship, and for the first time in history, the United States was among the participating countries.
Katie Kleinwachter, with a new National Record in Static Apnea: 5 minutes 41 seconds.
Not only can the US Freediving Federation (USFF) boast of its milestone participation in an Indoor World Championship, but the bar was also raised for women’s static apnea, and Team America came home with a new USFF national record.
Katie Kleinwachter set a new USFF/CMAS national record for Static Apnea with a time of 5 minutes and 41 seconds. Kleinwachter was the sole US diver to comprise Team America. However, as the first US freediver ever to compete in an Indoor World Championship, her participation opened the door for future US involvement in international indoor events. With mentorship from legendary Spanish freedivers and with a Belgian freediver as her interim coach, her performance was the epitome of collaboration within the larger international freediving family and the American diver turned heads for her bravery in going to Serbia alone to make the attempt.
“I’m extremely grateful for the support of the US Freediving Federation for entrusting me to be its first ambassador to the World Championship and for the opportunity to break an American record on this incredible stage! I’m also tremendously appreciative of the outpouring of support from friends and family, and for my interim coach Olivier for doing a fantastic job guiding me to victory. A HUGE thank you as well to Cressi for providing the US uniform and gear.”
The baseball tee type uniform distinguished this ex-softball-playing American from the heartland (native of Illinois) from the European competitors.
For more pictures and stories from Team America’s time at the World Championship, visit Katie’s Instagram @only100yrs or @USFreediving on Facebook.
Check out the records page to see the up-to-date American records after the World Championship and the first CMAS Indoor Competition:
https://usfreedivingfederation.org/records
The organizing committee, judges, and other teams alike were thrilled to have the United States taking part and all extended their congratulations on this groundbreaking participation. To observe the American records becoming higher and USFF’s increasing competitiveness are also very positive signs of this young federation’s continued growth.
Team America, Katie Kleinwachter, with Serbian organization staff at the Opening Ceremony.