Longest Breath-Hold World Record Attempt at Dubai's Extreme Sports Expo

DUBAI, UAE, September 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Fazza Freediving Champion, Branko Petrovic, will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest breath-hold underwater also known as static apnea next month. 

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140930/708911 )

The existing record of 11 minutes and 35 seconds underwater on a single breath of air was set by Stephane Mifsud of France in 2009.

The Guinness World Record attempt will take place at Skydive Dubai on Friday 10th of October at 5pm during the middle east's first extreme sports expo organised by SPEARO Freediving Magazine.

"I am very confident that I can break the existing world record," Petrovic said adding "The Guinness World Records in static apnea were set while freedivers hold their breath on the surface of a swimming pool. At the Fazza Freediving Championships we need to hold our breath, dive down to 4 meters and ascend to the surface once we have reached our limits which makes it arguably the most challenging breath hold tournament in the world."

Branko earlier this year took 1st place in March at the 2014 Fazza Freediving Championships with a time of 9 minutes and 36 seconds. During the qualification round Branko also set a new competition record of 9 minutes and 47 seconds. 

Zarir Saifuddin, owner of SPEARO Freediving Magazine and Main Organiser of the extreme sports expo, said "the world record for the longest breath-hold has not been broken in 5 years due to the enormous challenge freedivers face in passing 11 minutes underwater on one breath. If a new record is set in Dubai I do not think it will be broken for many years to come - if ever."

The world record breath hold challenge is sponsored by KEMOS Group of Companies who will be awarding Branko a prize money of AED 120,000 should he be able to set a new world record. The prize money equals approximately AED 10,000 for every minute Branko would be required to stay underwater in order to set a new world record.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Khayat, CEO of KEMOS Group of Companies said "Breath hold diving started in Dubai so it is only right that the world record for the longest breath hold be set in Dubai".

The world record attempt will take place at Skydive Dubai Palm Island Drop Zone on Friday 10th of October at 5:00pm.

For more information visit http://www.thespearoexpo.com

Contact: Dunia - +971-4-454-9789