Chinese freediver Yu Zhiying sets record, takes gold at Asian Freediving Cup

(ECNS) -- Chinese freediver Yu Zhiying set a new Asian record in the free immersion category with a 112-meter dive, winning gold at the Asian Freediving Cup held Monday off Panglao Island in the central Philippines.

After just a year of preparation, Yu successfully broke the Asian FIM record on the first day of the men's competition, becoming the Asian champion.

Yu stated that freediving is different from other competitive sports, and that athletes must avoid becoming overly excited during competition. Instead, they need to enter a deeply relaxed state to lower their heart rate and reduce oxygen consumption, which is key to achieving good results.

"When I'm in the competition, I must instantly get into the right mindset," he said.

Born in 1992, Yu began formal training in 2021. In June 2024, he broke the 100-meter mark in FIM at the Asian Cup, and in March 2025, achieved the top overall score in China for freediving through static apnea in a swimming pool.

(By Gong Weiwei)