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Martin Štěpánek (born June 5, 1977 inNáchod,Czech Republic) is a world classfreediver and record-holder.
From 1984 to 1997 he was a competitivemonofin swimmer (finswimmer) (distances 50m and 100m). Martin's academic background follows a degree in Forestry Engineering with advanced studies in Sports Biology at theCharles University in Prague, Czech Republic. After moving to theUnited States he became USA Certified as a Deep Sea and Saturation Commercial Diver in May 1999. In 2000 Martin met Douglas Peterson, who went on to become his freediving coach and mentor, guiding him to his first World Record in July 2001. Since then, Martin continued to set freediving world records annually up to his retirement from competitive freediving in 2012. He is now recognized as one of the pioneers of modern freediving education.
Martin was on hand duringDavid Blaine's "Drowned Alive" stunt inLincoln Center in May 2006. Blaine was attempting tohold his breath (known as "apnea") long enough to break the current world record of eight minutes, fifty-eight seconds.[1]
Martin is the founder ofFreediving Instructors International (F.I.I.) the largest[according to whom?] freediving education agency in the United States. He is an advisory board member ofDiveWise a non-profit organization dedicated to freediver education and safety and celebrity supporter of Oceana.[2]
In May 2009, utilizing only his monofin for propulsion, Martin became the first man to dive over 400 feet (120 m) on a single breath of air.
| Apnea | Association | Record | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIM | 110 m | 23 May 2009 | Sharm (Egypt) | |
| CWT | 122 m | 22 May 2009 | Sharm (Egypt) | |
| FIM | 108 m | 5 April 2006 | Cayman (BWI) | |
| FIM | 106 m | 3 April 2006 | Cayman (BWI) | |
| CWT | 106 m | 1 April 2006 | Cayman (BWI) | |
| VWT | 136 m | 14 April 2005 | Cayman (BWI) | |
| CNF | 80 m | 9 April 2005 | Cayman (BWI) | |
| CWT | 103 m | 10 September 2004 | Spetses (Greece) | |
| FIM | 102 m | 3 Mars 2004 | Cayman (BWI)[3] | |
| CWT | 93 m | 29 May 2003 | Limassol (Cyprus) | |
| FIM | 90 m | 8 September 2001 | Miami (USA) | |
| STA | 8 min 6 sec | 3 July 2001 | Miami (USA)[3] | |
| STA | 7 min 47 sec | 1 July 2001 | Miami (USA) |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
