Turkish diver to try to break men's, women's world record

ANTALYA, Turkey

Turkish world record holding diver Sahika Ercumen will attempt to set the men's and women's 100-meter freediving world record Tuesday, dedicated to the 98th anniversary of Turkey’s Republic Day.

Ercumen now trains for her diving in Kas district of Antalya province.

While attempting to break the world record, Ercumen aims to raise awareness on "Gender Equality" and "Life in Water," highlighting water pollution including plastic waste and invasive species caused by climate change.

Speaking on Monday to Anadolu Agency, Ercumen noted that she bagged three medals and broke five Turkish records in the 2021 Vertical Blue freediving competition at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas.

"We won two titles and broke a Turkish record at the international tournament held in Kas. We are preparing for the world record after holding six new records in Turkey. It was a good preparation process for me because I have been in Kas for a while. It has been like my second home. The moral part of this record is also very important for me because I want to break this record to dedicate it to Republic Day on Oct. 29 and the 98th anniversary of our Turkish Republic," she said.

Stressing that the depth she will dive for the world record has not been announced yet, she said, "We aim to break the record by diving into 98 or 100 meters. We broke the record unofficially in our last training session. Our goal is to set the record officially with the referees dedicated to our Republic. Our motivation is very high. We believe that we will break the record."

Ahead of Tuesday's diving, she dived with women diagnosed with breast cancer to draw attention to breast cancer with the Pi Women's Cancer Society in Antalya.

They unfurled a banner reading "Our Strength Is Greater Than Cancer."

The United Nations Development Program previously declared Ercumen, 36, Turkey's ambassador for underwater life.

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli in Ankara