Filmmaker Nick Coulter documented the jump, which took place on 7/8 at an undisclosed location. Coulter closely followed Chucko's preparations and the dive itself.
"I've trained for years for this moment. Standing at the edge, I knew I could do it," Marker said after completing the record-breaking 48.7-meter dive.
The previous record of 44.3 meters was set by French athlete Come Girardot at the La Cimbarra waterfall in Aldeaquemada, Jaen province, central Spain, in 10/2024.
Girardot congratulated Marker. "I'm happy it was Chucko. He lives and breathes this sport," Girardot said.
Marker's jump raises the bar by over 4 meters, establishing a new milestone for death diving athletes.
Originating in Norway in the 1970s, death diving (also known as Døds) involves jumping from a high platform with arms and legs outstretched, resembling a freefall. Divers then tuck their bodies just before hitting the water to minimize impact. This extreme sport demands absolute control and nerves of steel.
Death diving now has a professional competition circuit and its own world championship, the Døds Diving World Championship. While Marker's jump wasn't part of an official competition, it's considered a historic moment for the sport.
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Vali Graham, 21, nearly died from a death dive from over 42 m. |
According to Uniquetimes, death diving attracts thrill-seekers. However, the excitement and challenge come with risks of serious injury or even death.
High-speed jumps from great heights can cause fractures, spinal injuries, head trauma, or fatalities. Even professionals face high accident risks. A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine estimated the death rate from high dives at approximately 1 in 18,000.
Beyond physical fitness, death diving requires skill, balance, reflexes, and exceptional muscle strength, especially for mid-air maneuvers. Inadequate preparation or training can have severe consequences.
Water conditions are unpredictable. Submerged rocks, obstacles, or insufficient depth can cause impacts and injuries. The promotion and practice of death diving also raise ethical and legal concerns. Some countries ban it due to potential negative influence on youth and the risk of normalizing dangerous behaviors.
Vali Graham, 21, nearly died after a 42-meter death dive. An incorrect water entry resulted in a fractured vertebra, sternum, fractured skull, ruptured eardrum, and surgery.
Hong Duy (according to AS)
