- The Washington Times - Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Natalia Molchanova, the world’s most decorated freediver, is feared dead after going missing during a recreational dive off the coast of Spain, CNN reported.

The champion diver went missing Sunday in the Belearic Sea near the island of Formentera, when she got caught by a strong underwater current.

“Natalia Molchanova was recreationally freediving off the coast of Spain on August 2, 2015 when she was separated from her peers. She was diving without fins to around 30 to 40 meters and (supposedly) got into (a) strong underwater current,” said a statement released jointly Tuesday by her family and AIDA International, the sport’s international governing body.

Molchanova has set 41 world records and won 23 world champion titles in her sport, a form of underwater diving in which the participants cannot use breathing equipment but must hold their breath,

• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.

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