Apneist Jacques Mayol is the first man to reach a depth of 100 m undersea without breathing equipment - November 23, 1976

Jacques Mayol is known for setting an array of world records in the sport of free driving. Free diving is the generic term for any underwater activities that require people to hold their breath. Mayol was a French citizen but was born and raised in Shanghai, China. On November 23, 1976, at the age of 49, Mayol descended a record-setting 100 meters in a free drive. This dive culminated from a long-time rivalry with Enzo Maiorca, an Italian diver known for reaching the then-record of diving 50 meters underwater. Mayol’s dive not only beat but doubled this record.

The Big Blue, a film based on Mayol’s life and this rivalry, hit theaters in 1988. The film was directed by Luc Besson and Mayol himself was one of the screenwriters. During a test for a new Omega watch in 1981, Mayol beat his previous record and dived 101 meters. At the age of 56, Mayol once again bet his own record by diving 105 meters underwater. On December 22, 2001, Mayol committed suicide in Italy at 74 years of age; his ashes were spread on the Italian seashore.

http://www.boatseafari.com/JacquesMayol.htm