extraordinary 2021 world record achieved by Budimir Šobat, a Croatian freediver, who held his breath for an astonishing 24 minutes and 37 seconds (using pure oxygen beforehand—a discipline called pure-oxygen static apnea).
Key Events and Achievement:
- The Record: On March 27, 2021, 56-year-old Budimir Šobat lay face down in a swimming pool in Sisak, Croatia, aiming to break the world record for the longest breath held. He succeeded, setting the new Guinness World Record at 24 minutes and 37 seconds, crushing the previous mark of 24 minutes and 3 seconds.
- The Preparation: Prior to the attempt, Šobat spent 30 minutes breathing pure bottled oxygen, a technique that forces extra gas into his lungs and allows for extended breath-holding, although it is viewed by some in the freediving community as controversial (or “a circus,” as Šobat himself jokes, comparing it to other Guinness stunts).
- The Motivation: Šobat’s true motivation for seeking the record was not peer respect but to raise awareness and funds for his daughter, Saša, who was born with brain damage and later diagnosed with autism.
- The Mental Battle: During the record-breaking attempt, Šobat’s years of mental training were tested. Around the 15-minute mark, he actually briefly fell asleep, a moment of extreme calm that conserved energy but was immediately followed by stress when he awoke. His coach tapped him at 17 minutes, signaling the start of the final, painful stage where the diaphragm spasms due to carbon dioxide buildup. He focused on a silent mantra to calm his heart rate and endure the suffering until he finally surfaced after 24:37.
- The Aftermath: Despite the monumental achievement, Šobat’s reaction was typical of his disciplined, matter-of-fact nature. After confirming he was “OK,” he simply changed his clothes and met his wife and daughter, ready for his turn to clean the bathroom—his focus quickly returning to his family, who remain his primary purpose.
