Vitomir Maričić, a Croatian freediver, has captured global attention with an extraordinary feat: completing a 661-pound squat entirely underwater. While not reaching the legendary weights of bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman, Maričić’s accomplishment is remarkable, particularly given the physical demands of performing such a strenuous exercise without the ability to breathe. This incredible display of strength and breath-hold capacity has not only astonished onlookers but also secured him a Guinness World Record for the heaviest underwater squat.
Maričić, known for his exceptional breath-hold abilities and remarkable endurance, shared a video of the record-breaking squat on his Instagram account on February 10th. The accompanying caption emphasized the difficulty of the achievement, stating, “An achievement far tougher than it looks. Huge thanks to my incredible team…”
The Journey to 661 Pounds Underwater
The freediver revealed that his typical lifting weight when not submerged is around 210 kilograms (approximately 463 pounds). This served as his baseline for the underwater squat. In an interview, he explained the progressive approach to increasing the load: “We increased the load gradually, 220, then 260, and finally 300kg (660 lbs). It was challenging, but we made it.”
Maričić is a multifaceted athlete, functioning as a professional freediver, instructor, and strength and conditioning coach. His extensive background includes training in various sports and a deep understanding of sports science. It was through this exploration that he discovered freediving, a discipline in which he has since excelled, becoming a multiple world champion, a world-record holder, and a valued member of the Croatian national freediving team.
A Legacy of Record-Breaking
This underwater squat is not Maričić’s first foray into setting astonishing records. In 2025, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest voluntary breath-hold by a male, remaining submerged for an astounding 29 minutes and 3 seconds. Prior to that, he demonstrated incredible underwater mobility by setting another record for the longest underwater walk on a single breath, covering an impressive 107 meters in a swimming pool.
Public Reaction to an Unconventional Feat
Despite Maričić’s established history of setting remarkable records, his underwater squat has generated a unique wave of reactions from fans worldwide. Social media platforms buzzed with comments praising his extraordinary accomplishment.
Appreciation for the Difficulty: Many users expressed awe at the sheer difficulty of the feat, highlighting the extreme challenge of performing such a lift without oxygen. One commenter aptly noted, “People underestimate how hard that is with only one breath of Oxygen.”
Humorous Speculation: Some fans engaged in lighthearted speculation about Maričić’s future endeavors, with one user humorously suggesting, “What’s next 10000 in space,” and another quipping, “Lift the Titanic next.”
Questions of Physics: A few users questioned the physics involved, with one asking, “Does it not weigh less!?” This query was met with an insightful response from another netizen who clarified, “Considering buoyancy that’s ~260kg, still impressive.” This highlights the complex interplay of forces at play in such an underwater exercise.
Bodybuilding Comparisons: The record also sparked comparisons within the bodybuilding community. One fan commented, “I already know Ronnie Coleman in his prime could’ve done 1000 lbs underwater.” However, the article rightly points out that Maričić holds an official world record to validate his achievement, a testament to its unique merit.
The question of whether others are brave and skilled enough to challenge Vitomir Maričić’s record remains open. The field is certainly set for any aspiring freedivers or strength athletes looking to push the boundaries of human capability in the aquatic realm.
