Quito crowns champions as Para-Athletics and Trail-O conclude with historic finales

QUITO (ECU) – The final two days of competition, August 21 and 22, brought an extraordinary close to the 2nd CISM World Military Para-Athletics Championship and the 1st CISM World Military Trail-O Championship 2025. Hosted at the Escuela Superior Militar “Eloy Alfaro,” the events highlighted the remarkable performances of military athletes from across the world, combining the power of para-athletics with the strategic challenge of orienteering’s newest format.

On August 21, the field competitions produced memorable victories. Brazil dominated in the throwing events, with André Luis da Rocha Antunes taking gold in the shot put F52 and Douglas de Oliveira Firmino winning the F56 javelin throw. His compatriot Matheus Benini added two titles in the shot put and javelin throw F46, while Wendel Pereira da Silva impressed in the shot put F64 with a mark of 11.25m and later triumphed in the javelin throw with 41.12m. Greece also shone through Fotios Ntimeris, who secured victories in the shot put and javelin throw F42. Soultana Keramyda of Greece left her mark on the women’s side with gold in both the discus and javelin throw F55/F56. In the men’s long jump, Russia’s Sergei Makarenkov captured the T42 title, while Ecuador’s athletes filled the podium in the T63/T64 category, demonstrating the host nation’s determination and depth.

The track was equally vibrant. Russia’s Bolat Kosumov powered to gold in the men’s 400m T46 with 58.61, while Italy’s Roberto Como secured the T47 race. Ecuador’s Milton Paucar Pachacama delighted the home crowd by winning the 400m T38, and Italy’s Carlo Fabio Marcello Calcagni set the standard in the T72 with a time of 1:00.98. In the 1500m finals, Russia’s Petr Goriainov dominated the T46 in 4:57.53, while Darwin Vallejo of Ecuador earned victory in the T44. Russia continued its strong form with Sergei Tanygin and Artem Kurilko leading the T64, and Paucar Pachacama once again confirmed his class with a second gold in the T38.

The climax arrived on August 22 with the short sprints and endurance races. In the 200m finals, Russia’s Sergei Makarenkov won the T42 in 26.89, Italy’s Salvatore Perrone competed strongly in T44, and Russia’s Bolat Kosumov clocked 27.01 to win the T46. Italy celebrated further with Carlo Calcagni taking the T72 gold in 29.40, while Ecuador’s Ángel Pulla Paez earned silver in T64 behind Russia’s Anton Eksanov. The 5000m races closed the athletics program with thrilling long-distance battles. Russia’s Petr Goriainov once again stood atop the podium in the T46, while Darwin Vallejo brought home another gold for Ecuador in the T44. Spain claimed glory with Gustavo Molina Martinez’s victory in the T53, and Russia sealed a double triumph in the T64 with Sergei Tanygin and Artem Kurilko finishing ahead of Ecuador’s José Ignacio Fiallo Vasquez and Ángel Gonzalez.

Meanwhile, August 22 also witnessed a historic milestone for Orienteering in CISM with the first-ever Trail-O TempO event. Russia’s Sergeant Aleksei Karelin became the inaugural champion with a score of 972, followed closely by his compatriot Major Anton Eksanov with 1071. Ecuador’s Sergeant Rene Pacheco delighted the local fans by securing the bronze medal, while his teammates Sergeant Eduardo Seis and Captain Ángel Pulla placed fourth and fifth, proving Ecuador’s strength in this demanding discipline.

The championships closed with pride and celebration. Lieutenant Colonel Christian Lützkendorf, Official CISM Representative of the event, praised the outstanding level of organization and congratulated the athletes for their spirit of competition and friendship. CISM warmly thanks the Ecuadorian Delegation for their excellent organization, professionalism, and hospitality, which ensured the success of these historic championships and left a lasting legacy for future editions.

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)