From Depth to Distance: Zsófia Törőcsik Returns to the Pool for the World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships

After making history last year as the first woman to touch the 300m wall, is Zsófia Törőcsik gearing up to do it again?  

By Zowie Palliaer

As the world comes to Hungary, Zsófia Törőcsik heads home, preparing to represent Team Hungary at the upcoming AIDA World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships in Budapest. 

Just six weeks after setting a Free Immersion (FIM) World Record to 105m (344ft) in the Philippines, Molchanovs athlete Zsófia Törőcsik is once again preparing to compete on the world stage.

This time, however, her focus shifts from depth to distance.

Running from June 2-6 in Budapest, Hungary, the AIDA World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships will bring together some of the world's best freedivers for one of the most anticipated events of the year. And while Zsófia dedicated much of 2026 to depth training, she couldn't imagine missing a World Championship hosted in her home country.

"I really love the atmosphere of a World Championship, whether it's depth or pool," she told Molchanovs. "It's the biggest competition of the year, the one you don't want to miss."

For Zsófia, competing in Budapest feels both special and surreal.

"I'm incredibly happy that my home country is hosting such a major event," she said. "I truly believe this team is capable of making the most of the week ahead of us."

Yet despite her impressive recent success in depth, she’s approaching the pool competition with measured expectations.

"Even though I dedicated 2026 to depth training, I'm still going to compete in Budapest, just without putting high expectations on myself," she explained. "I need to stay realistic and keep a clear head."

After three months focused almost entirely on depth, Zsófia has completed just five pool training sessions since returning from Mabini.

“So for now, the motto is simple: Push it, but stay realistic.”

After diving an inspiring 105m at the AIDA Mabini Depth Quest six weeks ago, can Zsófia Törőcsik back it up in the pool? Photo © @tooyoung.toyang for @depthquestph.

From Depth to Distance

Zsófia arrives in Budapest carrying momentum from one of the biggest achievements of her career.

In April, she set a new World Record in Free Immersion, pulling herself to 105m and back during the AIDA Mabini Depth Quest in the Philippines. The performance added another incredible accomplishment to her weight belt.

But surprisingly, she believes her greatest gain from the depth season may not be physical.

"I've definitely lost some muscle and strength," she admitted. "But mentally I feel calmer than before."

That mental calmness may prove invaluable as she transitions back into competition mode. But focusing on the next goal has never been difficult for Zsófia, in fact, quite the opposite.

“What I still need to learn is how to enjoy the period after a good result without immediately wanting to train again and shift my focus to the next goal.”

Perhaps that mindset is exactly what makes her one of the most versatile athletes in the sport today.

The First Woman to Reach 300m

While Zsófia's recent depth world record may be fresh in everyone's minds, many freediving fans first became familiar with her through her extraordinary performances in the pool.

Last year, at the World Games in Chengdu, China, she became the first woman in history to reach the 300m wall in Dynamic with Monofin (DYN), setting a new world record and creating one of the defining moments of the 2025 season.

At the time, the significance of the achievement was difficult for her to grasp completely.

"I think only now do I fully realize what a huge milestone it was," she reflected.

She had spent so much time chasing the number that the reality of reaching it took longer to sink in.

"Every time a memory comes back to me, or I rewatch the videos and photos, I get emotional because they bring back all those beautiful feelings."

One keepsake in particular still makes her smile.

"The judge who gave me the white card later gave me the pen she used to write down the 300-meter world record. I still have that pen, and every time I see it, my heart smiles."

The achievement didn't just change the record books. It changed how she viewed possibility itself.

"Every record creates a new opportunity to push your limits further," she said. "What once looked like the ceiling becomes the floor.

Zsófia Törőcsik recalls needing days to process her 300-meter milestone at the World Games last year in Chengdu, China. Photo © @andras_freediver.

Managing Pressure

When an athlete achieves something as groundbreaking as a 300m world record, expectations naturally follow.

Pressure, however, is something Zsófia has learned to manage.

"The more successful you become, the greater the pressure becomes," she explained. "I had to learn not to expect unrealistic results all the time."

Her approach before competition remains refreshingly simple. "My guiding mindset is simple: It's just a competition. Nothing terrible will happen if I fail. The sun will still rise the next morning."

Because she doesn't define herself by success or failure, she's able to approach major competitions with a level of perspective that many athletes spend years trying to develop.

Looking Ahead

When asked what motivates her now - records, mastery, curiosity, or something else entirely - Zsófia's answer was immediate. "I'm genuinely curious about where my limits are."

She views freediving primarily as a competitive sport rather than a mystical pursuit.

"So I'll keep pushing myself for as long as I can, for as long as it remains difficult, and for as long as I can continue to stretch those limits."

As for what a perfect June would look like?

"If June goes exactly as planned, I'll finish the Pool World Championship knowing I brought out the very best I was capable of in that moment."

Zsófia Törőcsik enters Duna Arena in Budapest with Team Hungary for the AIDA World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships. Photo © @effiesnapsshots.

Then, she hopes, it'll be time to return to depth. Until then, all eyes will be on Budapest.

Whether she adds another world record to her name or simply delivers the best performance she's capable of, one thing is certain: Zsófia Törőcsik remains one of the most exciting athletes to watch in freediving today.

Molchanovs will be covering the AIDA World Apnea 2026 Pool Championships from June 2-6, bringing you daily competition coverage, results and all the biggest moments from the world's top freedivers. Follow along to see what Zsófia and the rest of the athletes are capable of.