| On the 12th and 13th January
2002, a refresher course for instructors of the Apnea Academy
was held in Milan. At the end of the course, in a conversation
with Umberto, I was able to satisfy some curiosities regarding
the world of competitive freediving and I think that our conversation
could be of interest to other readers of Apnea Magazine. |
Umberto Pelizzari - Photo: Alberto
Balbi |
Apnea Magazine: Recently you've set the
new world record in the variable ballast discipline (-131
mt.) and on this occasion you decided to leave the competitive
world of freediving. How did you feel during this venture?
Umberto Pelizzari : As in the previous
occasions, during this performance I did my utmost.
I wanted to finish my career with another record. During my
competitive career my attempts to brak a world record have
always been succesful and I have always given my all, especially
during training, where I never left anything to chance. The
fact that I was facing my last challenge didn't affect my
performance in any way and everything went as it did in my
previous world records.
Why did you decide to leave the competitive world even
if you are still the best freediver in the world?
Every athlete who has reached important objectives in his
discipline, soon or later has to make the decision to leave
competitions. I chose to do this while I was still the world's
top free diver and to mark this moment with a new world record.
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I felt this was
the best way to leave, even if it wasn't an easy decision
considering I am still the world champion. Along with
my team mates, I had just brought back the third world
title. At this point I felt I had nothing else to prove
and that by leaving at that time, my retirement would
remain a happy memory for all.
What are your future projects in the field of sport?
I'll certainly try to promote the discipline of freediving,
especially among young people. There are a lot of promising
athletes and who knows, I could always consider the possibility
of coaching a team for the world championship.
The Apnea Academy remains an important activity that I
want to carry on and one of my primary objectives is to
continue to improve this high quality school. Along with
Stefano Tovaglieri I have just finished writing a manual
about free diving and I'm going to translate my book "Profondamente"
so that it can also satisfy the demand abroad.
I have received several proposals for some very interesting
short movies and documentaries and the Brazilian, Austrian
and Estonian sport federations have asked me to develop
the freediving sector in their countries.
My agenda is full!
|
Umberto during his last Record
-131 variable ballast - Photo : Alberto Balbi |
Photo : Alberto Balbi |
Regarding
the world championship, what were the main differences
you experienced between a world team competition
and an individual attempt for a record?
I feel much more involved when I'm in a team event.
The emotions I experienced during the las world
championship definitely exceeded those during my
record attempt. In static I have the potential to
reach 7 min and 15 sec.( my personal record is 7
min and 38 sec.), but I couldn't reach more than
5.30, a time length that I repeated during the TV
program "Le lene" while joking and laughing
with the presenters. I think that this was probably
due to the sense of responsibility felt towards
the team. During a personal record attempt you represent
your image as an athlete; during a world championship
you represent your country, so everything inevitably
becomes mor difficult. The last championship was
a good example of this but I must say that it was
great to share the victory with my team mates.
In your opinion, what limits could humans reach
in the future and who are the best athletes at the
moment? |
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I think that in the constant weight discipline,
the one I consider most demanding, we will be
able to reach a limit of lOOmt. In the no-limits
discipline, I predict that we will reach 200mt.,
even if the greatest difficulty in this discipline
is the assistance and surveillance of the diver.
In static, I think we will be able to reach 8min.30-45sec.............well,
close to 9min.!
Regarding the top athletes of the moment, I must
say that challenges with only two contenders no
longer exist. In the past, Mayol and Majorca contended
for the world title and until recently, Pipin
and I were the contenders. Now there are at least
ten athletes ready to contend for the world record.
Among the athletes who impress me the most are
Herbert Nitsch (Austria), Giankos Manolis (Greece),
Martit Stepanec (Czech Republic) and Pierre Frotta
(Monaco).
Among the Italians I think that Davide Carrera,
nicknamed 'II Bimbo', is probably the one who
will follow in my footsteps. At the moment he
is in India perfecting his meditation skills,
an excellent technique that has already helpecd
him to set a world record for free immersion (91
mt).
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Umberto's last achievement:
Alberto Balbi |
Ok Umberto, Thanks, also on behalf
of the readers of Apnea Magazine. See you again at the
next Apnea Academy meeting.
OK, see you! By the way, Corrado, you
look as if you have put on some weight. You'd better
lose some, otherwise I'll put you on a diet!
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