Germany Impresses in Accuracy and Style as Competition Advances Through Days 4 and 5 in Slovakia
BOĽKOVCE–LUČENEC (SVK) – Competition continued at a strong pace on Wednesday, 19 August, and Thursday, 20 August, at the 48th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship, with Days 4 and 5 bringing major developments across accuracy landing and style, while the leading positions in formation skydiving remained highly competitive.
After the close contests that emerged on Day 3, the latest rounds have started to give greater shape to the provisional classifications. With the different disciplines continuing to progress at different rates, however, the number of completed rounds still varies in some events and all standings remain provisional.
One of the biggest developments came in men's accuracy landing, where the competitors have now completed six rounds. Georges Toth of Switzerland has produced a remarkable series of jumps to move into the provisional lead with a total of just three centimetres, including four consecutive zero-centimetre scores from Rounds 3 to 6. Saleh Al Abidi of Qatar and Germany's Mathias Demmler share second place on five centimetres.
This represents a significant change from Day 3, when Hungary's Ferenc Horváth and France's Mathieu Guinde shared the lead after three rounds. Unfortunately, Guinde, who was among the strong contenders for the men's individual title, sustained an ankle injury in an unfortunate incident outside the competition and is no longer able to continue the championship. His withdrawal brings an early end to a strong performance in Slovakia, with the French athlete having recorded a total of seven centimetres after six rounds.
Germany has meanwhile established itself at the top of the men's team accuracy competition. After six rounds, the German team leads with 23 centimetres, seven clear of Italy and Slovenia, who share second place on 30. The Czech Republic follows with 35, ahead of Hungary on 39 and France on 40.
Germany is also setting the pace in the junior men's accuracy competition, where Mathias Demmler has consolidated his lead. After six rounds, Demmler has accumulated only five centimetres, including zero-centimetre scores in Rounds 2 and 6. Austria's Michael Urban and Germany's Elias Kammer share second place on ten centimetres.
In the women's accuracy competition, Monika Bekhit of Poland remains at the top. After three completed rounds, Bekhit leads with just four centimetres, one ahead of China's Yue Li on five. Poland's Ewa Wesolowska and China's Huili Gao share third place on seven centimetres.
Poland also maintains the provisional lead in women's team accuracy, with 51 centimetres after three completed rounds, narrowly ahead of China on 54 and Italy on 59. Spain follows on 65 and the Republic of Korea on 76. Brazil and Algeria have already recorded a fourth round, meaning direct comparisons between all teams must still be treated with caution.
In the junior women's accuracy competition, Germany's Zoe Stoll remains firmly in front with 21 centimetres after three rounds. Austria's Zoe Janko is second with 44, followed by Algeria's Kaouter Abeddaim on 49.
The style competition has also advanced considerably since Day 3. Germany, which already occupied the first three positions in the men's standings after the opening round, continues to dominate as more rounds are completed.
After three rounds, Elischa Weber of Germany has taken the provisional lead with a combined time of 18.64 seconds, just ahead of teammate Robin Griesheimer on 18.82. Stefan Wiesner, also representing Germany, is third on 19.31, while junior athlete Elias Kammer completes an impressive German top four with 19.65.
The women's style competition has progressed even further, with several leading athletes having completed five rounds. Léocadie Ollivier De Pury of France has strengthened her position at the top with a combined time of 34.02 seconds. China's Yue Li is second on 40.31, while Germany's Zoe Stoll occupies third place with 43.07.
Kammer also leads the junior men's style classification, recording 19.65 seconds after three rounds. China's Kai Ding follows on 20.98, with Germany's Magnus Ostler third on 21.87.
In formation skydiving, the exciting battle highlighted on Day 3 between Belgium and the United States remains unchanged at the top of the men's competition. After five rounds, Belgium continues to lead with 181 points, only three ahead of the United States on 178. Türkiye has now completed five rounds and occupies third place with 146 points, followed by Spain on 127 and Brazil on 121.
The women's formation competition has also progressed to five rounds for the leading teams. The Republic of Korea continues to set the pace and has increased its total to 92 points, ahead of Brazil on 76 and Spain on 34. Italy has completed only two rounds and therefore cannot yet be directly compared with the three leading teams.
As the championship moves towards its decisive stages, the latest two days have demonstrated once again how quickly positions can change in military parachuting. Germany has emerged particularly strongly across the accuracy and style competitions, while Switzerland's Georges Toth has produced one of the standout individual performances so far to take control of men's accuracy.
At the same time, Poland continues to lead women's individual and team accuracy, France holds the advantage in women's style, and the Republic of Korea remains the team to beat in women's formation skydiving. The three-point gap between Belgium and the United States in the men's formation competition promises further excitement as the championship approaches its conclusion.
The 48th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship continues at Boľkovce Airport near Lučenec, with further rounds set to determine the medals and the 2026 CISM World Military Champions.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department – Pictures: Carsten Thiel)
