Archana Sankaranarayanan Becomes First Indian AIDA Judge Selected for International Depth Freediving Competition
Archana Sankaranarayanan has become the first Indian judge selected to officiate at an international depth freediving competition. She is also actively working to grow the sport in India through new associations and scholarships.
Why it matters
This marks a milestone for Indian representation in niche international sports and highlights the professionalization of freediving in the region.
MUMBAI, India , Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Archana Sankaranarayanan, founder of the Freediving Association of India (AIDA India), has been selected to officiate at the International Depth Competition from October 1–6, 2026, becoming the first Indian AIDA judge selected to judge an international depth freediving competition.
Two years after beginning her competitive freediving journey in Panglao, Philippines, Sankaranarayanan is returning to the same competition, this time as an Assistant Judge. In 2024, she entered the competition as a first-time athlete and broke the first two national records of her career. The appointment marks a full-circle moment for Sankaranarayanan and comes during a significant year in her work towards growing Indian freediving.
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