Cuban freediver Lemay Gutiérrez Álvarez secured both a gold and a silver medal in the Masters M1 category at the 2026 CMAS Open International Freediving Indoor Santa Marta. This international pool freediving tournament took place from October 22 to 25 in Santa Marta, Colombia.
The official event report, released on Saturday, October 25, documented the performances across the four pool disciplines featured in the competition.
Dynamic Apnea Victory
Gutiérrez Álvarez clinched the gold in the men's M1 dynamic apnea with fins (DYN) event on Sunday, October 25. He covered an impressive 179.5 meters without penalties, earning a white card and securing the top spot on the podium. Brazilian competitor Rodrigo Macedo followed with a distance of 153.5 meters, and Colombia's Andrés Capera Borja placed third with 134.5 meters.
Strong Performance in Dynamic Apnea with Bifins
On the previous day, Saturday, October 24, Gutiérrez Álvarez competed in the men's M1 dynamic apnea with bifins (DYN-BF). He achieved 168.5 meters without penalties, again receiving a white card. In this event, Capera Borja took first place with a record-setting 174 meters for the M1 masters category, while Macedo finished third with 152.5 meters.
Understanding the Masters M1 Category
The distances refer to the horizontal meters covered underwater with a single breath, not to depth. The M1 category is for athletes aged 50 to 54, following the regulations of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) for pool apnea and has its own distinct podium apart from the senior category.
About the Tournament
Organized by the Colombian Federation of Underwater Activities (FEDECAS) and endorsed by CMAS, the tournament brought together competitors from junior, senior, and masters categories in static apnea, dynamic without fins, dynamic with bifins, and dynamic with fins. Being an open international tournament, rather than a world championship, performances could be validated as national, continental, or world records by CMAS.
Lemay Gutiérrez's Stellar Career
Hailing from Jaruco, Mayabeque, Gutiérrez Álvarez has a well-established international career. At the 2023 CMAS World Championship in Kuwait, he won two silver medals and set a Pan-American record. According to the CMAS America record tables, he holds a mark of 234.50 meters in DYN-BF from Belgrade in July 2024. In September 2025, he set a Cuban national record in open waters during the Gran Retto Varadero, with approximately 190.5 meters in dynamic apnea with a monofin.
His declared personal bests in Santa Marta were 200 meters for DYN and 190 meters for DYN-BF, which placed his tournament performances below his previous bests, yet still enough to claim the masters M1 title in the event with fins.
FAQs About Lemay Gutiérrez's Achievements in Freediving
What medals did Lemay Gutiérrez win at the Santa Marta tournament?
Lemay Gutiérrez won a gold medal in the men's M1 dynamic apnea with fins and a silver medal in the men's M1 dynamic apnea with bifins.
What is the Masters M1 category in freediving?
The Masters M1 category in freediving is for athletes aged 50 to 54, according to CMAS regulations for pool apnea events.
Where is Lemay Gutiérrez from?
Lemay Gutiérrez hails from Jaruco, Mayabeque, Cuba.
How does the Santa Marta tournament validate performances?
The Santa Marta tournament is an open international event where performances can be validated as national, continental, or world records by CMAS.