The Making Of A World Record-Breaking Diver

Descending more than 300 metres into the depths of the ocean may sound like a daunting prospect to even the most seasoned diver. But to one man, it was just another a challenge that he set for himself to see how far he was able to push the envelope.

- Elizabeth Lim

Meet Ahmed Gabr, the 47-year-old Egyptian diver who, in 2014, broke the Guinness World Record for the Deepest Scuba Dive (Male) and Deepest Sea Dive at a mindblowing 332.35 metres.

Starting at the tender age of 18, Ahmed began scuba diving as a hobby and recreational sport before deciding to pursue it further as a full-time career by getting his scuba diving instructor licence. Between continually improving his diving skills and working as a technical diving instructor, Ahmed was also a Special Forces officer in the Egyptian Army. He even received a scholarship to attend the US Army Combat Diver course, making him the first and only certified US Combat Diver in the Middle East. Currently retired from the army, he is now a full-time diver with many upcoming projects up his sleeves.

Married with two children, ages 5 and 14, Ahmed started diving in 1991 and has achieved a great deal during his career of almost three decades. Crediting his army training and the mentality he developed over the years, Ahmed had constantly toyed with the idea of going for the deep dive world record. “I always want to feel challenged and every time I go deeper, I feel more comfortable,” Ahmed says. “To be on that thin red line, walking on the edge, it stimulates me as a human to push boundaries and to push limits.”