CAIRO, Egypt -- An Egyptian diver has broken the world record for the deepest scuba dive, Guinness World Records officials said Friday.
Judge Talal Omar confirmed the record by Ahmed Gabr at a depth of 332.35 metres (1,090 feet) in the diving resort of Dahab, on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Omar said the record attempt started Thursday morning, and that Gabr emerged from the water just after midnight early Friday.
The previous record, achieved in June 2005 by South African Nuno Gomes, stood at 318.25 metres (1,044 feet).
Gabr is a member of Egypt's special forces. He started his diving career at the age of 18 and was granted a scholarship to the U.S. Army combat diver course. The 38-year-old diver started training for the world record in 2010.
