Final jumps bring 48th WMC Parachuting to a close in Slovakia
BOĽKOVCE–LUČENEC (SVK) – The final jumps, the final moments and the conclusion of a championship to remember. The 48th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship came to an end on Saturday, 22 August, at Boľkovce Airport near Lučenec, bringing a week of high-level competition, precision, determination and teamwork to a close.
The final competition day settled the remaining classifications and also saw the completion of men's style and men's formation skydiving, before athletes, officials and delegations came together for the Closing Ceremony.
The championship concluded in the presence of the CISM President, Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, who attended the event throughout the week in his capacity as Official CISM Representative (OCR), alongside members of the CISM Parachuting Sports Committee (PCSC).
One of the most closely followed competitions of the week was men's individual accuracy. After eight rounds, four athletes had finished level on an exceptional total of just six centimetres. Bonifác Hájek of the Czech Republic, Saleh Al Abidi of Qatar and Mathias Demmler of Germany occupied the leading positions in the final classification, while Stefan Wiesner of Germany, who also totalled six centimetres, was ranked fourth. Wiesner recorded two zero-centimetre landings over the eight rounds, compared with three for each of the other three athletes.
The men's team accuracy competition ended with Germany taking first place with an impressive total of 30 centimetres. Slovenia secured second place with 41 centimetres, ahead of Italy, also on 41, while the Czech Republic finished fourth with 43.
In women's team accuracy, China secured first place with a final total of 74 centimetres, ahead of Italy on 87 and Spain on 91. The Republic of Korea finished fourth with 106 centimetres, followed by Poland on 109. Round 7, which had begun during the previous competition day, was cancelled because not all teams were able to complete their jumps. The final classification was therefore determined on the basis of the six fully completed rounds.
The final day also completed the men's style competition, and Germany produced a remarkable sweep of the podium. Elischa Weber claimed first place with a combined time of 31.08 seconds, followed by Robin Griesheimer on 31.75 and Stefan Wiesner on 32.75. Germany's Elias Kammer finished fourth on 32.85, with the Czech Republic's Petr Chládek fifth on 33.06.
The championship also produced a series of outstanding performances in Style, with several European record claims submitted for performances achieved in Lučenec on 20 August.
Germany's Zoe Stoll produced two performances for which European junior women's record claims have been submitted. Her total of 43.07 seconds after five rounds improved on the previous European mark of 45.48 seconds set in 2023. She also recorded a single-round score of 8.40 seconds, improving on the previous mark of 8.69 seconds.
France's Léocadie Ollivier de Pury also delivered two potential European record performances in the women's category. Her 6.52-second performance in Round 5 improved on the previous European single-round mark of 6.64 seconds, while her total of 34.02 seconds after five rounds bettered the previous European record of 34.99 seconds.
Germany's Elias Kammer added two further European junior record claims, recording a single-round score of 6.34 seconds and a total of 32.85 seconds after five rounds. In total, six European record claims involving three athletes emerged from the Style competition in Lučenec, with all performances subject to the relevant official record ratification procedures.
Few competitions provided more suspense during the week than men's formation skydiving. Belgium and the United States had been separated by only three points after six rounds, and their battle remained incredibly close until the very last round.
After eight rounds, Belgium claimed first place with 287 points, just one point ahead of the United States on 286. The Americans produced the higher score in the final round, 40 points to Belgium's 39, but Belgium's advantage accumulated over the previous rounds proved just enough to secure the victory. Türkiye completed the podium with 231 points, ahead of Germany on 220.
The sporting programme was followed by the Closing Ceremony, providing an opportunity to celebrate not only the medal winners but also all the athletes, delegations, coaches, judges, officials, organisers and volunteers who contributed to the success of the championship.
Among the most meaningful moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the CISM Friendship through Sport Trophy to Team Korea, recognising the values of friendship, respect and camaraderie that lie at the heart of the International Military Sports Council.
Another symbolic moment followed with the handover of the CISM flag to the United States delegation, looking ahead to the 8th CISM Military World Summer Games, which will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 25 June to 4 July 2027.
At the conclusion of the championship, the CISM President, Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, highlighted the high sporting level demonstrated throughout the week and expressed CISM's appreciation to the host nation and everyone involved in the organisation of the event. He also underlined that beyond medals and results, championships such as this one demonstrate the values that unite the CISM family: friendship, respect, solidarity and camaraderie through sport.
The presence of the CISM President as OCR and of the PCSC Parachuting throughout the championship reflected CISM's commitment to supporting the development of military parachuting and maintaining the highest sporting and technical standards at its competitions.
CISM extends its sincere appreciation to Slovakia, the host nation, as well as VŠC DUKLA, the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic and the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, for their commitment, organisation and hospitality throughout the championship.
CISM also thanks every athlete, delegation, coach, official, judge, organiser, volunteer and everyone working behind the scenes who contributed to making the 48th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship a memorable international sporting event.
After a week of competition in the skies above Lučenec, the final parachutes have landed, the medals have been awarded and the CISM family looks ahead to its next challenges, united once again by the values that define military sport.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department – Pictures: Carsten Thiel)
