Hailing from Rijeka, Vitomir Maričić, a prominent member of the Croatian national freediving team, has accomplished a remarkable feat by establishing a Guinness World Record for the heaviest squat performed entirely underwater.
Maričić successfully hoisted a barbell weighing 300 kilograms, equivalent to 661.4 pounds, demonstrating exceptional strength training that culminated in this groundbreaking official recognition. On solid ground, this freediving sensation is renowned for executing muscle-ups with loads reaching 210 kilograms, which served as the foundation for his extraordinary underwater endeavor. He explained the progression in an interview, stating, “We increased the load gradually, 220, then 260, and finally 300kg.” He added, “It was challenging, but we made it.”
Although the buoyancy of water reduces the effective weight compared to performing the lift on dry land, the intense water pressure, the critical need for precise breath control, and the formidable stability issues transform this into an exceptionally demanding task. Maričić himself described it on Instagram as “An achievement far tougher than it looks.”
How Much Weight Did Maričić Lift?
In a captivating video shared on Instagram by Maričić, viewers witness the athlete positioning himself to lift the substantial barbell directly from the squat rack, with his bare feet firmly planted on an underwater platform. He pauses briefly to compose himself amid the water before descending into a profound squat and powerfully driving the barbell upward once more. A team of underwater spotters swiftly intervenes to ensure the rack is properly aligned, allowing Maričić to safely return the weight to its resting position.
One impressed follower remarked, “I couldn’t hold my breath long enough,” while another astute observer noted, “Good depth.” Maričić enjoys widespread admiration within the global freediving community. Just last year in 2025, he shattered records by holding his breath underwater for an incredible 29 minutes and three seconds. Previously, in 2024, he achieved another Guinness World Record by completing the most consecutive backward handsprings underwater while gripping a 10-kg weight, totaling an impressive 29 repetitions.
