Italy was represented by a dream team made up of Alessia Zecchini, Davide Carrera, Vincenzo Ferri, Chiara Obino, Simona Auteri, and Mara Guida.

The event kicks off with CWT, constant weight. Alexander Kusakin breaks the ice — a world record and a 48-meter dive for the para-athlete who has become known for pushing past previous limits. In the senior category, Vincenzo Ferri is the first Italian to dive. His descent to 101 meters goes smoothly, but he fails to grab the tag, resulting in a yellow card and a one-meter penalty.

Mateusz Malina, riding high on his new world record in dynamic apnea, reaches 120 meters in 3 minutes and 55 seconds. Valid dive, solid surface protocol. An excellent performance by the Polish athlete.

Representing the host nation, Emmanouil Giankos grabs the tag at 125 meters. 4 minutes and 31 seconds, clean exit, slow and relaxed ascent. However, the gold medal goes to the favorite, Alexey Molchanov, who dives to 130 meters in 4 minutes and 23 seconds — a solid first place.

On the second day, it's the women's turn. Simona Auteri attempts a 90-meter dive but blacks out on the way up. Signs of tension were visible from the start, with swimming around the line. A technically clean-looking dive, but it ends with a red card.

It’s Mara Guida’s first world championship, and she shows up with style: she announces 96 meters, reaches the plate, but doesn’t grab the tag. Yellow card, but it’s a calm dive and smooth exit. Some Italian WhatsApp groups commented: “she’s strong.”

Then comes Chiara Obino. Solid, confident, and seemingly calm — a reliable diver who brings strong emotions. She completes 106 meters in 3 minutes and 34 seconds.

Alessia Zecchini announces 109 meters. The dive is simply perfect. Calm ascent, flawless technique, and a sincere smile at the surface. However, gold goes to Ukraine’s Nataliia Zharkova: 113 meters in 3 minutes and 21 seconds. Her speed and control earn her the top spot on this first world podium.

In the Free Immersion day, Poland’s Malina reaches 118 meters in 4 minutes and 33 seconds. It’s gold. Silver and bronze go to Greece’s Giankos (113 meters in 4:30) and Omar Al Ghailani, who brings Oman to the podium among the world’s best.

Unfortunate for Molchanov, who completes a 128-meter dive but gives the okay to the judges while facing the wrong way — red card and disqualification. A great day also for Alexander Kusakin with 63 meters and a world record in FFS1.

Among the women, Ukraine dominates again. Gold and silver go to Zharkova (101 meters) and Sadurska (98 meters, early turn, earning 94 points). Isabel Sanchez from Spain takes bronze with 92 meters.

Strong showings also from the Italians, particularly Mara Guida with 82 meters and Simona Auteri with 70 meters.

In CNF (constant weight no fins), Poland strikes gold again — this time through Kubiak Piotr, who nails a beautiful 91-meter dive. Molchanov takes silver with 90 meters and Malina gets bronze with 88 meters.

In the women’s no fins category, Sadurska does not disappoint: a 76-meter dive wins her gold. Silver goes to Maria Bobela of Poland (68 meters), and bronze to Elena Morozova (58 meters).

In the bifins category, Alexander Kusakin sets a new world record in FSS1 with 53 meters. But it’s Molchanov who claims the top of the podium with a dive to 121 meters. Malina takes silver with 116 meters, and Giankos gets bronze with 115 meters. Strong performance also by Ferri, reaching 93 meters.

In the women’s bifins category, Italy soars to the top. Gold for Zecchini with a flawless 105-meter dive. She shares the podium with another standout of this championship — Ukraine’s Zharkova. Bronze goes to Spain’s Sanchez, who reaches 96 meters. The other Italian women shine as well: both Guida and Auteri reach 84 meters. Sadurska turns early on her 96-meter declaration, surfacing at 90 meters, earning 84 points and missing the podium.

A beautiful, thrilling, and passionate world championship — though not without its share of controversy and notable withdrawals. But we’ll tell you all about that in the next article. Don’t miss it!

Credit: kostek_visuals