Budimir Šobat
Croatia
Croatian freediver Budimir Sobat held his breath underwater for 24 minutes and 37 seconds in a static apnea attempt in Sisak on March 27, 2021, setting a world record. Static apnea involves submerging the face in water and holding one's breath for as long as possible -- the foundational discipline of freediving. The average person can hold their breath for one to two minutes, making this record more than ten times that baseline. Athletes employ hyperventilation and meditation beforehand to minimize heart rate and maximize the mammalian diving reflex.