Military martial artists excel on Day 3 in Warendorf

 

 

WARENDORF (GER) – The 1st CISM World Military Martial Arts Championships roared into its third day with full throttle action across judo, taekwondo, and wrestling, and the intensity never let up. With athletes fighting for pride, medals, and their nation’s honor, Warendorf became the epicenter of military martial arts excellence.

 

This historic event, blending the 28th World Military Taekwondo, 38th World Military Wrestling, and 43rd World Military Judo Championships, continued to raise the bar both on the mats and on the medals table.

 

 

Judo: big throws, big names, big moments

 

The day on the tatami belonged to a handful of heavy hitters both literally and figuratively.

 

In the Men’s 90kg category, Brazil’s Marcelo Fronckowiak threw his way to gold, overcoming a stacked field that included Italy’s Tiziano Falcone (silver) and joint bronze finishers from France and Lithuania. Over in the 100kg category, Hungary’s Zsombor Veg looked untouchable as he cruised past Poland’s Piotr Kuczera for the title. Host nation Germany also found the podium through Kilian Kappelmeier, who clinched bronze alongside Ukraine’s Oleksii Yershov.

 

 

The over 100kg final was a heavyweight showdown, and Finland’s Martti Puumalainen rose to the challenge, defeating Algeria’s Mohamed El Mehdi Lili in a gritty final. The category was loaded with power, with Korea, Slovakia, and Poland all in the mix.

 

In women’s action, Germany’s Anna Maria Wagner delivered a crowd pleasing gold in the 78kg class, while Beatriz Souza of Brazil continued her dominant run in the over 78kg, fending off France’s Julia Tolofua in the final.

 

 

Taekwondo: lightning strikes and tactical brilliance

 

Speed, timing, and nerves of steel were on display as taekwondo athletes lit up the arena.

 

France’s Celin Lyve Stone delivered a textbook final in the Men’s 74kg, outscoring Tunisia’s Badreddine Guermiti in a fast paced contest. Bronze went to Algeria’s Hani Tebib and South Korea’s Kim Min Uk, both of whom showed they belong on the world stage.

 

 

In the 80kg category, South Korea’s Kim Kyung Deok looked a class apart. After dispatching strong challengers from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, he sealed gold by overpowering Algeria’s Islam Bensaci in the final.

 

On the women’s side, Germany doubled up. In the 62kg class, Anastasia Rovithis edged out Italy’s Linda Cecchi in a nail biting final, while in the 67kg, Vanessa Körndl outlasted France’s Bintou Diakité to bring home another gold. Bronze finishes for Oman’s Sabra Al Salti and Romania’s Larisa Buda rounded off two fiercely competitive divisions.

 

Wrestling: raw strength meets tactical grit

 

After two days of build up, female freestyle wrestling stepped into the spotlight and didn’t disappoint. From explosive takedowns to last second reversals, Day 3 gave fans everything they came for. Poland opened with a bang in the 50kg category, as Natalia Walczak fought her way to gold in front of an ecstatic crowd. Emma Luttenauer (FRA) took silver, while Svenja Jungo (SUI) rounded out the podium.

 

 

India had a day to remember. Jyoti dominated the 53kg field, edging out Italy’s Emanuela Liuzzi Bakir in the final. Romanian Beatrice Ferent took bronze. The 57kg class saw a thrilling final between Romania’s Andreea Ana and Germany’s Anastasia Blayvas, with the Romanian taking gold. Bronze went to Tamara Dollak (POL) and Roksana Zasina (POL).

 

In the upper weights, Germany’s Elena Brugger was relentless in the 62kg final, defeating Ameline Douarre (FRA) with a mix of technique and muscle. Elena Esposito (ITA) and Elma Zeidlere (LAT) claimed the bronze medals. In the 68kg category, France’s Kendra Dacher clinched the gold medal after defeating India’s Priyanka in the final, while Hungary’s Noemi Szabados and Romania’s Kateryna Zelenykh each secured a bronze.

 

The 76kg class wrapped up the wrestling day in style, with India’s Reetika overpowering the field. Alexandra Anghel of Romania grabbed silver, while Enrica Rinaldi (ITA) took bronze.

 

 

Three days in, and this championship is already being hailed as a landmark event in military sport. With new champions crowned, rivalries heating up, and nations staking their claim on the podium, Warendorf is serving up martial arts at its best.

 

And the best part There’s still more to come.

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Bundeswehr)