Diving deep, making history
From pools to open water, freediving tests body and mind, capturing hearts as it takes center stage at the World Games for the very first time.
Most Olympic sports primarily engage the sympathetic system, where excitement can boost performance — sprinting or swimming, for example. In contrast, sports like shooting or archery test the parasympathetic system, requiring athletes to stay calm.
Freediving demands both: the physical fitness to swim long distances underwater and the composure to minimize oxygen consumption.
This is why psychological training is essential, incorporating meditation, mindfulness, and visualization.
"Meditation sharpens focus. Mindfulness helps manage discomfort and the urge to surface by concentrating on each movement and technique. Visualization allows divers to rehearse competition scenarios mentally, reducing pre-competition anxiety," Zhao explained.
In preparation for the World Games, Zhao even used singing bowl therapy to calm athletes' nerves, which proved effective.
"Freediving is not just a competitive sport; it's a lifestyle," he said.
Zhao believes that when people face significant stress from work or life, freediving can help them focus on breath-holding and cultivate mindfulness.
He also challenges the stereotype that freediving is inherently dangerous.
"Freediving is a safe extreme sport when practiced with proper training. In all our years of teaching, we've never had a single physical injury," he said.
"Freediving is a sport worth trying for anyone looking for a break from the pressure of life," Zhao added.
