Saudi Freediver Salma Shaker Sets Record as Deepest Arab Woman

Salma Shaker, a Saudi freediver from Jeddah, holds the record as the deepest Arab woman in history after diving 70 meters into the Red Sea on a single breath in 2019, surpassing the previous national record held by Nada Alrasheed. The dive, lasting two minutes and 20 seconds, marked a milestone in Arab participation in extreme sports.

Freediving is widely classified as an extreme sport due to intense physiological demands, including lung compression and bradycardia at depth. Shaker emphasized that success requires harmony with the body, not resistance, and stressed humility and caution, stating that any perceived risk should prevent a dive.

Shaker competed internationally last year at Vertical Blue in the Bahamas, considered one of the premier freediving events globally. Her achievements come amid broader social changes in Saudi Arabia, where women's participation in sports has expanded significantly in recent years.

Shaker has shifted her focus from personal records to building a sustainable freediving culture in the region, aiming to mentor young athletes and host international competitions in Saudi Arabia. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.