On February 21, 2025, Manuel Díaz, famously known as El Cordobés, made waves during the seventh gala of the popular Spanish program El Desafío, where he achieved a remarkable time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds during the challenging apnea competition. Though he fell short of breaking the record held by Rosa López at 4 minutes and 40 seconds, his effort captivated both the audience and the judges.
From the moment the show commenced, excitement was palpable. Juan del Val, one of the program's jurors, hinted at the potential for something historic, stating, "We are anticipating something extraordinary tonight." El Cordobés's participation had stirred considerable speculation, particularly after he demonstrated impressive capability during practice sessions.
Diving headfirst, El Cordobés approached the apnea challenge with confidence, appearing calm as he submerged. Juandi Alcázar, his coach, monitored him closely, fully aware of the dangers associated with holding one’s breath for extended periods underwater. Apnea, which requires both physical and mental fortitude, is not to be taken lightly, as those familiar with the competition know well.
During the first four minutes, it seemed everything was going smoothly. El Cordobés, who had expressed prior apprehensions about the challenge, remarked, "This was going to be tough, but I was ready to give it my all." Despite his fears—stemming from his past difficulties with water—he pushed through, trying to break the long-standing record.
But as he surpassed the four-minute mark, tension began to build. Juandi noticed El Cordobés starting to lose focus, as he began to expel air from his lungs instead of keeping it contained. Juandi's instinct kicked in; he had to prioritize safety over ambition. Just after the four-minute mark, he pulled El Cordobés to the surface. "No, please! Why did you take me out?" shouted the torero, indicating his frustration.
Roberto Leal, the program’s host, intervened. "I can understand your side, but Juandi had warned you repeatedly. If he pulls you out, it’s for your safety, not for any game. This is serious!" Leal’s admonition highlighted the rigor of the challenge.
Juandi attempted to explain his decision: "I had to pull you out; I couldn’t let you go longer. You didn’t listen to my instructions about not expelling air, which is why I had to act. I feared for your safety, and I wouldn’t forgive myself if something went wrong. You began to encounter some loss of control after four minutes. We can’t afford to take those risks!" His words were filled with concern as he reinforced the need for vigilance during such potentially dangerous undertakings.
Although El Cordobés registered 4:30, his emotional response reflected dissatisfaction with the outcome. "I could’ve gone longer, I just knew it!" he complained, struggling to reconcile his physical limitations with his ambitions. His coach reassured him, "You performed extraordinarily well; focus on the accomplishment rather than the missed record!"
Despite the disappointment at not breaking the record, El Cordobés left strong impressions — being the third-best time recorded on the show’s history. "This moment was special, it challenged my limits and-I hope to come back even stronger next time!" he later remarked.
The evening wasn’t solely about El Cordobés. The gala featured high-stakes performances from other contestants, including second-place finisher Lola Lolita, who dazzled with her aerial dance on the climbing wall, and Gotzon Mantuliz, showcasing his daring escapism tactic within ice. But, it was El Cordobés who stole the spotlight with his valiant apnea attempt, garnering stellar ratings for the show.
At the end of the event, El Cordobés was declared the winner of the night, receiving the perfect score of 30 from the jurors. Sponsors and viewers praised his determination and eagerness to exceed expectations, albeit with the acknowledgment of the necessary safety measures embedded within the competition.
The ranking after the gala left El Cordobés reflecting on both the excellence of his performance and the reality of safety. He’d captured the hearts of the audience and emerged as one of the fiercest competitors of the season, underscoring the balance between ambition and caution.
Overall, the apnea attempt brought forth tension, excitement, and reflection, showcasing the essence of El Desafío. El Cordobés, now sitting securely within the history of the program, left both participants and viewers with memorable takeaway lessons about risk and achievement. Each competition pushes its contestants to boundaries, reconstructing their relationship with fear and endurance—vital forces driving the spirit of El Desafío.