Şahika Ercümen Breaks World Record in Free-Diving

Photos: Şebnem Coşkun/AA
Source: AA

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Diver Şahika Ercümen has broken women's free-diving world record of 90 meters in the Gilindire Cave in Turkey's Mediterranean province of Mersin.

Diving into a depth of 100 meters, Ercümen was doing intensive training for days ahead of today's world record. As of early morning hours, she dived for the world record supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Çukurova Development Agency.

Speaking before the training, Ercümen previously indicated that she found the cave interesting and added, "This cave has impressed us a lot. It is one of the most special places of the world. If our country has such a beautiful place as this, why shouldn't we make it world-known? I have never seen or heard about such a cave in any part of the world. All of sudden, you see a very beautiful puddle, like an oasis or a mirage in a desert."

Diving deeper than 90 meters in a single breath in the water surrounded by the remnants of the ice age, Ercümen has broken women's free-diving record of 90 meters and qualified to enter the Guinness World Records.

In addition to her world records, Ercümen has received over 100 medals in national and international competitions since 1998 as well as several other prizes, cups and Turkey records. (AÖ/SD)