Alexey Molchanov

Alexey Olegovich Molchanov (born 6 March 1987) is a Russian free diver. He is multiple world champion in freediving, the current world record holder in various freediving disciplines, president of the Freediving Federation, head of the Natalia Molchanova Freediving School, ambassador for the Lake Baikal Foundation, and the founder and equipment designer for the Molchanovs freediving brand. He is the son of Natalia Molchanova, a multiple world champion and freediving record holder.

Career

Alexey Molchanov set his first freediving world record in 2008, swimming 250 meters underwater in a pool with a monofin on a single breath. Since then, he has focused on depth disciplines and competing in open water.

In 2012, he set a world record in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, diving to 125 meters with a monofin. Later that year, he broke his own record by diving to 126 meters in Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas. At the 2013 AIDA World Championship in Kalamata, Greece, he set a new world record of 128 meters. In 2016, he improved it to 129 meters in Baia, and in 2018, he achieved 130 meters in the Bahamas, once again surpassing his own mark. This achievement was featured in the Netflix sports documentary series *Religion of Sports*. In 2021, during the Vertical Blue competition, he extended the record to 131 meters. In August 2023, at the CMAS World Championship, Molchanov reached a depth of 136 meters, setting another absolute depth record in competitive freediving, a performance he confirmed in September under AIDA rules.

Originally a competitive swimmer, Alexey began freediving in his teens when his mother, Natalia Molchanova, was already a champion. She developed a unique instructional method that helped establish her as one of the greatest competitive freedivers in history and contributed significantly to the sport's popularity in Russia. Following in her footsteps, Alexey not only leads the Freediving Federation but also founded Molchanovs, a company that provides education and manufactures freediving gear.

Personal life

From 2016 to 2024, he was married to Elena Molchanova (née Sokolova), a Russian swimmer, Universiade champion (2013), and participant in the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics. She holds the title of International Master of Sports of Russia.

Children: Maksim Alexeyevich Molchanov (born 17 February 2021).

Personal bests

* STA (Static Apnea) — 8 minutes 33 seconds
* DYN (Dynamic Apnea with Monofin) — 300 meters
* DNF (Dynamic Apnea without Fins) — 200 meters
* CWT (Constant Weight with Monofin) — 136 meters
* CWTB (Constant Weight with Bi-Fins) — 124 meters
* CNF (Constant Weight without Fins) — 100 meters
* FIM (Free Immersion) — 133 meters
* CWTi (Constant Weight under Ice) — 90 meters
* VWT (Variable Weight) — 156 meters

Filmography

* '' One Breath'' (2020)
* ''Religions of Sports'' (2018)
* ''Breath of the Deep'' (2024)
* ''Freediver'' (2024)

Records and medals

Summary:
* STA – 8 min. 33 sec.
* DYN – 300 m
* DNF – 200 m
* CWT – 136 m
* CWTB — 125 m
* CNF – 100 m
* FIM – 133 m
* CWT ICE – 85 m
* VWT - 156 m

Clarification:
* STA = Static Apnea. Holding the breath as long as possible.
* DYN = Dynamic Apnea with fins. Diving as far as possible with the use of fins or a monofin.
* DNF = Dynamic Apnea without fins. Diving as far as possible without fins.
* CWT = Constant weight with fins. Diving as deep as possible with the use of fins or a monofin.
* CWT ICE = Constant weight with fins under the ice in cold water. Diving as deep as possible with the use of fins or a monofin.
* CNF = Constant weight without fins. Diving as deep as possible without fins.
* FIM = Free Immersion. Diving as deep as possible by pulling down and up the rope.
* VWT = Descent is assisted by a weighted sled sliding down a line, the ascent may be either by:
1.) pulling up along the line or swimming with or without fins under AIDA rules
2.) swimming with fins under CMAS rules.

Personal bests

References

External links

Breathtaking undersea world of a 'Moscow Merman', By Sheena McKenzie, CNN
* Russian
personal page
Russian Freediving Association (checked 19 November 2010)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Molchanov, Alexey
1987 births
Living people
Russian freedivers
Sportspeople from Volgograd