Andy Cabrera conquered two world titles in speed apnea

May 28, 2025

Cuban Andy Cabrera dominated two of the events in the Master 1 category (50 to 59 years old) during the 2025 World Pool Apnea Championship, which concluded this Sunday in the city of Athens, in Greece.

At the event, called by the World Confederation of Underwater Activities (CMAS), the island's representative prevailed in the 8×50 and 4×50 meter modalities. In both he achieved his personal best and set new continental records, according to a report from the newspaper Girón, through its Facebook profile.

In the first modality, the native of the Matanzas municipality of Cárdenas stopped the clock at 5:36 minutes, and in the other he closed with a time of 2:03 minutes, according to what is reflected on the CMAS website.

The publication adds that Andy, who resides in France and holds that country's citizenship, decided to represent Cuba in the competition, where he completed his participation with a fourth place in the 2×50 meter event with a time of 47.03 seconds. All his times were registered as new Pan-American records.

Apnea is considered an extreme sport, and is based on the voluntary suspension of breathing underwater while covering long distances or descending to great depths.

In its speed variant, the competitor needs to cover an established distance in the shortest time possible. Andy clarified to the media that in these competitions the swimmer can lift his head and breathe after covering the 50-meter distance to reach another similar distance.

He also stated that it was "a great honor to represent Cuba, to hear for the first time the notes of the national anthem and to see the Cuban flag at the highest point of the podium".

The publication states that two years ago Andy participated in the National Competition in Cuba, where he set a national static apnea record in the masters category, as well as in the 4×50 meter modality with a time of 2:40 minutes.

He also competed in the 2024 Belgrade World Championship where he won three silver medals setting three continental records that have now been surpassed in the Greek capital.

He currently works as an apnea instructor in France, but is also driving a local development project in the town of La Conchita in Cárdenas called Escuela Azul.

This initiative has among its objectives teaching swimming to children with some type of disability to ensure their safety in the water, promoting the practice of apnea, raising awareness among spearfishermen for safe, responsible and environmentally respectful fishing, as well as promoting the collection of solid waste on the beaches.