Early Life: Raised in Water
Alexey Olegovich Molchanov was born on 6 March 1987 in Volgograd, Russia, into a family immersed in swimming. His mother, Natalia Molchanova, was an accomplished swimmer who later became the most decorated freediver in history. From an early age, Alexey excelled in freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke, and growing up in this athletic environment shaped both his discipline and his natural ease in the water.
Discovering Freediving
In April 2004, Alexey entered his first freediving competition—and immediately made an impression by winning and setting a Russian national record in dynamic apnea (158 meters). This marked the beginning of a career where competitive drive met introspection: freediving became a practice of breath control, stillness, and a deep connection to the underwater world.
First World Records and Depth Dominance
In 2008, Molchanov set his first world record, swimming 250 meters in dynamic apnea with a monofin on a single breath. This performance established him internationally and set him on a record-breaking trajectory. He soon shifted focus to open-water depth disciplines. In 2012, he reached 125 meters in constant weight (CWT) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and later improved to 126 meters at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas. He continued to push limits: 128 meters in 2013, 129 meters in 2016, cementing his reputation as the deepest competitive freediver of his generation.
In 2020, Alexey set a Guinness World Record for an under-ice freedive of 181 meters, proving his mastery not only of depth but of extreme environments. In 2025, he continued to push the boundaries, achieving 126 meters in CWTB at the AIDA World Championships in Limassol, and later 127 meters at Deep Dominica—his 41st world record.
Family Life: Elena and Maksim
Alexey was married to Elena Molchanova (née Sokolova), a Russian Olympic swimmer who competed in 2008 and 2012 and won gold at the 2013 Universiade. Their shared elite sporting background created a strong partnership built on discipline and performance.
On 17 February 2021, they welcomed their son, Maksim Alexeyevich Molchanov. Alexey has spoken about balancing world-record attempts with fatherhood, describing family life as a grounding force alongside the demands of professional freediving.
Oksana Molchanova: The Quiet Pillar of the Family
While Alexey became the face of modern competitive freediving, his sister Oksana Molchanova has remained a steady presence behind the scenes. The daughter of legendary Natalia Molchanova, Oksana grew up in the same aquatic world that shaped Alexey.
Rather than pursuing competitive depth records, Oksana contributes as a freediving instructor and competition judge, mentoring athletes and supporting the sport’s growth and safety worldwide.
The Molchanovs School: Continuing the Legacy
Building on his mother’s teaching system, Alexey helped develop the Molchanovs freediving education system and equipment brand. Around 2010, he began working on specialized gear, and in 2018, the Molchanovs Movement officially launched globally in partnership with Chris Kim and Adam Stern.
Today, the system offers structured courses from beginner to elite, combining training methodology, safety standards, and community-building events, connecting freedivers across continents.
Dive Deeper with Apnea Nautica Stupava
Ready to explore your potential? At Apnea Nautica in Stupava, we bring the Molchanovs philosophy to your local waters. Our courses and trainings are designed to help you:
Improve breath control
Refine freediving technique
Dive safely in both pools and open water
Train with experienced instructors, learn tips inspired by Alexey Molchanov, and experience progression in a supportive, community-focused environment.
But freediving is about more than technique—it’s about connection. Share your journey, enjoy the unique underwater silence, and celebrate each achievement with fellow divers. Every dive is a step toward personal growth and inner calm.
Come dive with us at Apnea Nautica and discover how deep your potential really goes!
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Sources:
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Freediving Central. “Get to Know Alexey Molchanov – The Current World Freediving Champion.” Freediving Central, https://freedivingcentral.com/blog/get-to-know-alexey-molchanov/?utm.com
Freediving Central. “Molchanovs Education System.” Freediving Central, https://freedivingcentral.com/molchanovs-education-system/?utm.com
Men’s Health. “The Triumph and Tragedy of the World’s Best Freediver.” Men’s Health, 9 Mar. 2021, https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a35588070/alexey-molchanov-worlds-best-freediver/?utm.com
Molchanovs. “Alexey Molchanov.” Molchanovs, 27 Oct. 2018, https://molchanovs.com/blogs/our-athletes/alexey-molchanov-1?utm.com
Molchanovs. “The Extraordinary Life of Natalia Molchanova.” Molchanovs, 8 May 2024, https://molchanovs.com/blogs/latest/the-extraordinary-life-of-natalia-molchanova?utm.com
Molchanovs. “The Molchanovs Mission.” Molchanovs, https://molchanovs.com/pages/about-us-page?utm.com
Molchanovs. “Top 10 World Record Freedives of 2025.” Molchanovs, 1 Jan. 2026, https://molchanovs.com/blogs/latest/top-10-world-record-freedives-of-2025?utm_.com
Sportsin.biz. “Athlete’stardom: Alexei Molchanov after His World Record at the AIDA World Championships: ‘Competition Is 1% of Freediving’.” Sportsin.biz, 26 Sept. 2025, https://sportsin.biz/alexei-molchanov-after-his-world-record-at-the-aida-world-championships-competition-is-1-of-freediving/?utm.com
The Times. “Russian Freediver Breaks Two World Records.” The Times, 26 July 2023,
Yahoo Sports. “‘Freediver’ Review: Extreme Sports Doc Offers a Deep and Often Tender Look at a Unique Obsession.” Yahoo Sports, 8 Dec. 2024.
