Thrilling opening day of competition at the 25th CISM World Military Triathlon Championship
SAMARKAND (UZB) - The 25th edition of the CISM World Military Triathlon Championship began in style on Tuesday, as the ancient city of Samarkand welcomed the world’s finest military triathletes for the first day of competition. Against the backdrop of Uzbekistan’s historic landmarks and under the enthusiastic support of local fans, athletes competed in the individual categories of Elite Women, Elite Men, Senior Women, and Senior Men. The day was marked by outstanding performances, fierce rivalries, and the unmistakable spirit of Friendship Through Sport that defines CISM events.
The presence of the CISM Secretary General, Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, who attended the Championship as the Official CISM Representative, added further prestige to the opening day. His presence underlined the importance of this milestone edition of the World Military Triathlon Championship and reinforced CISM’s commitment to promoting solidarity and sporting excellence among the armed forces of the world.
The Elite Women’s race set the tone for the day with a powerful demonstration of endurance and strategy. France’s Matilda Gautier proved unstoppable, crossing the finish line in a remarkable time of 56 minutes and 47 seconds. She was closely followed by Slovenia’s Tjaša Vrtačič, who kept up the pressure throughout the race and secured the silver medal in 57 minutes and 11 seconds. France celebrated another triumph as Célia Merle delivered a strong performance to capture bronze in 58 minutes and 06 seconds, underlining France’s depth in the women’s field.
The Elite Men’s competition quickly turned into a showcase of French dominance, with Dorian Conninx powering to victory in a lightning-fast 49 minutes and 50 seconds. His compatriot Nathan Lessman maintained the momentum for France, finishing just over thirty seconds later to claim the silver medal. The Uzbek crowd had every reason to cheer as local hero Jeremi Quindos produced an exceptional race, taking the bronze medal in 50 minutes and 27 seconds. His presence on the podium marked a proud moment for the host nation and added to the electric atmosphere in Samarkand.
In the Senior Women’s category, the gold medal went to Russia’s Anastasiia Abrosimova, who delivered a commanding performance to finish in 1 hour, 04 minutes, and 24 seconds. The silver medal was earned by Canada’s Sarah Graves, who clocked in at 1 hour, 06 minutes, and 14 seconds, while Spain’s Loreto Pastor Sopelana secured bronze with a time of 1 hour, 07 minutes, and 23 seconds. Their performances reflected both experience and resilience, inspiring younger athletes present at the event.
The Senior Men’s race concluded the day with a gripping battle for the podium. Russia’s Kirill Goldovskii emerged victorious, completing the course in 56 minutes and 27 seconds. France’s Bertrand Boulch was not far behind, finishing in 56 minutes and 42 seconds to claim the silver medal. Portugal’s Màrcio Neves added his country to the medal table by taking bronze in 56 minutes and 56 seconds. Each of these seasoned competitors demonstrated remarkable consistency and tactical precision across the swim, bike, and run segments.
The first day of competition in Samarkand highlighted not only the high level of military triathlon but also the values of determination, solidarity, and international friendship that CISM continues to promote. With the individual races completed, attention now turns to the upcoming events of the Championship, where athletes will continue to push their limits and strive for glory while proudly representing their nations.
The Championships will continue until 21 August, promising more memorable performances in the days ahead. Complete results are available here !
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
