Manuel Díaz 'El Cordobés' made headlines during his daring performance on the popular challenge show 'El Desafío', where he faced the intense apnea test, aiming to push his limits underwater. The seventh season of the show brings high-stakes challenges, and Díaz's moment was nothing short of thrilling.
During the episode, which showcased some of the most demanding physical tests, Díaz, accompanied by special guest judge Rosa López, who set the record for the apnea test at 4 minutes and 40 seconds, stripped down to tackle his fears head-on. Despite his known apprehension—revealing, "Miedo, desconfianza, inseguridad. No lo controlo, no lo he hecho nunca"—the former bullfighter had motivated himself to give it his all.
The challenge involved contestants holding their breath underwater for as long as possible. Díaz managed to stay submerged for 4 minutes and 30 seconds, claiming one of the top performance spots on the show. Nevertheless, the tension escalated when Juandi, Díaz's coach, noticed signs of distress and called for him to surface. "¡Manuel, saca la cabeza!" he shouted, prioritizing safety as Díaz began to struggle.
Once pulled from the water, Díaz was visibly surprised, bombarding Juandi with questions about why he had to be taken out. "¿Por qué me has sacado?", he pressed, frustrated about his early exit. Juandi explained the necessity of his intervention, emphasizing, "Sonríe, que ha sido una pasada," meant to soothe the mood after the tense encounter.
The challenges faced during the episode didn’t solely revolve around Díaz. Other participants like Gotzon Mantuliz had also undergone grueling tests, including submerging himself in icy waters to find keys, highlighting the nature of danger present throughout the evening.
Díaz's emotional rollercoaster continued as he received mixed feedback from his teammates. While Juandi expressed pride over the accomplishment, his reactions reflected frustration as Díaz refused to celebrate. This prompted host Roberto Leal to intervene, stating firmly, "Esto no es un juego," reminding everyone involved about the seriousness of the challenges they were undertaking.
After the test, Díaz seemed to gather his composure, expressing gratitude to his coach and team for their support. The show's atmosphere transformed from tension to celebration, as Díaz's wife, Virginia Troconis, greeted him, evoking warmth and joy. Reflecting on her presence, he quipped, "Si yo sé que estás tú, me dejo matar," showing how much her support meant to him.
Despite not breaking the record, his score places him as one of the highest achievers in the show's history. With the stakes incredibly high, Díaz plans to donate his €12,500 prize to the Banco de Alimentos, underscoring the importance of community support and kindness. "Yo, sinceramente, he estado en todos los lados de la baraja. He estado en lo peor y he estado en lo mejor... Son familias que no llegan a tener una alimentación normal," he stated, meaningfully acknowledging the struggles families face.
With Díaz now placed third overall, the competition remains intense, led by Mantuliz and Victoria Federica. Each contestant pushes the boundaries of physical endurance and emotional strength as the season progresses, but few can rival the courage shown by 'El Cordobés' during his gripping apnea challenge.
The show continues to generate excitement week after week, proving not only to be about thrilling challenges but also about pushing personal limits and making heartfelt connections.
Viewers look forward to seeing how these contestants will navigate their upcoming challenges, eager to witness who will emerge victorious as 'El Desafío' progresses.