Swiss freediver Peter Colat has broken the Guinness World Record for holding a breath underwater at 19 minutes and 21 seconds, his website has reported.

This content was published on February 15, 2010 - 09:43

The Zurich-based Colat, aged 38, performed the feat in a water tank at a holiday fair in St Gallen, smashing the old record by 19 seconds.

The previous record for oxygen assisted static apnea was held by the Italian Nicola Putignano.



Colat, an experienced diver, said the first 12 minutes were no problem. “I felt the first need to breathe very late, but because of this it was even stronger,” he explained on Sunday.



He said he was very happy and proud of his achievement, which was followed by a large crowd.



Under the Guinness Book rules he was allowed to inhale pure oxygen ten minutes before his attempt.



swissinfo.ch and agencies



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