Long Dengxi of China waves to the spectators after the Men’s Dynamic with Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
CHENGDU, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese para athlete Long Dengxi claimed his second gold in freediving at The World Games 2025 here on Monday, while Hungary’s Zsofia Torocsik broke the world record of the women’s dynamic with fins by 16 meters.
Following his win in the men’s dynamic without fins – FFS1-FFS2 category on Sunday, the 18-year-old Long added gold in the dynamic with fins, reaching 181.5 meters. Denmark’s Casper Marti-Beckmann took silver, and France’s Alexandre Boscari got bronze.
“Winning two golds leaves me thrilled. Huge thanks to our coach for guiding us through every training challenge,” said Long, who has trained in freediving for less than a year. “My future goal? To keep pursuing this sport and hope to shatter my personal best from training.”
Chinese para athlete Huang Jingqiu rebounded from a disqualification on Sunday to win the women’s dynamic without fins – FFS1-FFS2 event. Her compatriots Huang Shiyu and Kong Tianci were disqualified from their events for failing the surface protocol.
Poland’s Mateusz Jan Malina, winner of the men’s dynamic without fins on Sunday, also secured a double by winning the dynamic with fins. Although he did not approach his world records in either event, the 39-year-old was satisfied.
“My legs are very tight. I have not fully recovered since yesterday. Today was a good fight. I was just trying to do my best. I’m satisfied both yesterday and today, I squeezed like a lemon,” said Malina.
In the women’s dynamic with fins, Torocsik improved the world record from 284.0 to 300.0 meters to win the gold. Former record holder Julia Malgorzata Kozerska of Poland took silver, and compatriot Magdalena Solich Talanda earned bronze.
“I still cannot believe it, but I wanted the world record so much,” said Torocsik. “I just trained hard. I try to do my best every single time, doesn’t matter what kind of conditions or what kind of mental or physical status. I think that’s the key.”
The two-day freediving competition, featuring disciplines for athletes with and without impairments, saw two world records. China led the medal table with four golds, followed by Poland with three golds, one silver, and one bronze, and Italy on 2-2-3. ■
Gold medalist Long Dengxi (C) of China, silver medalist Casper Marti-Beckmann (L) of Denmark and bronze medalist Alexandre Boscari of France attend the victory ceremony for the Men’s Dynamic with Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Long Dengxi of China reacts after the Men’s Dynamic with Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Long Dengxi (R) of China reacts after the Men’s Dynamic with Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Gold medalist Long Dengxi (C) of China, silver medalist Casper Marti-Beckmann (L) of Denmark and bronze medalist Alexandre Boscari of France pose during the victory ceremony for the Men’s Dynamic with Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Huang Jingqiu (L) of China is given instructions by her coach before the Women’s Dynamic without Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Huang Jingqiu of China prepares before the Women’s Dynamic without Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Gold medalist Huang Jingqiu (C) of China, silver medalist Maria Carolina Rodriguez Angarita (L) of Colombia and bronze medalist Marta Pozzi of Italy pose during the victory ceremony for the Women’s Dynamic without Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Gold medalist Huang Jingqiu (C) of China, silver medalist Maria Carolina Rodriguez Angarita (L) of Colombia and bronze medalist Marta Pozzi of Italy attend the victory ceremony for the Women’s Dynamic without Fins – FFS1-FFS2 Final of the Freediving event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
