An Italian freediver on Wednesday smashed the Guinness world record for static apnea, a sport that made headlines in April after American magician and endurance artist David Blaine set a new record on live television.
Gianluca Genoni held his breath for 18 minutes 3.69 seconds while lying underwater in a Mantua swimming pool, beating German diver Tom Sietas, who managed 17 minutes 19 seconds in September - also on live TV - to unseat Blaine from the Guinness world record book.
Blaine carried out his feat on the Oprah Winfrey Show in April, submerging himself in a water-filled sphere for 17 minutes 4.4 seconds.
Under Guinness rules, competitors are allowed to breathe pure oxygen for 30 minutes before making their attempts.
