Drzonków delivers a week of excellence as the 49th WMC Modern Pentathlon concludes

DRZONKÓW (POL) – The 49th CISM World Military Modern Pentathlon Championship reached its conclusion on September 28 after a week of intense competition that brought together the very best of military sport. Hosted by the Polish Central Military Sports Group (Centralny Wojskowy Zespół Sportowy) the championship highlighted the strength, versatility, and determination of athletes from across the CISM community, as individual brilliance and collective teamwork produced a series of memorable performances.

The men’s individual final, contested on September 27, was dominated by Ukraine, which confirmed its tradition of excellence in this discipline. Oleksandr Tovkai claimed the gold medal with 1566 points, displaying a balanced mastery across all five events. He was closely followed by Hungary’s Csaba Bohm, who scored 1563 points after a particularly impressive laser run that almost overturned the standings in the final meters. Bronze went to another Ukrainian, the young Danylo Sych, whose consistency across the competition allowed him to total 1555 points. Just outside the podium, another Ukrainian, Yuriy Kovalchuk, finished fourth with 1549 points, making it three Ukrainians in the top four and underlining their dominance. Brazil’s Joan Victor Acioly and Italy’s Denis Agavriloaie were also among the top six, proving that the rising generation is ready to challenge the established names.

In the women’s individual final, also held on September 27, Turkey celebrated a prestigious victory through Ilke Özyüksel. Already known as an Olympian and a regular contender on the international circuit, she once again confirmed her class by scoring 1444 points to secure the gold medal. Behind her, Poland’s Małgorzata Karbownik raised the home crowd to their feet, delivering a brilliant silver-medal performance with 1423 points, including a strong obstacle course and fencing round that kept her in contention for the title until the end. Italy’s Aurora Tognetti completed the podium with bronze after a solid and balanced competition that gave her 1396 points. Hungary’s Rita Erdos finished just behind in fourth place with 1386 points, while Switzerland’s Anna Jurt and Turkey’s Sidal Aslan also figured prominently in the top ten, alongside young Egyptian talent Jana Attia, who at only 19 years old showed great promise for the future.

The team competitions confirmed the collective strength of these nations. In the men’s ranking, Ukraine’s trio of Tovkai, Sych, and Kovalchuk combined their efforts to win the gold medal with 4670 points, comfortably ahead of Poland with 4430 and Egypt with 1031. In the women’s team event, Turkey’s squad, composed of Özyüksel, Aslan, and Aksin, claimed the gold medal with 4089 points. Hungary took silver with 3972, while Egypt earned bronze with 2891, thanks in large part to the solid efforts of Malak Ismail and Jana Attia.

The final day, September 28, was entirely dedicated to relays and offered spectacular races that captivated the spectators. In the women’s Obstacle Laser Run relay, Poland’s duo of Karbownik and Natalia Dominiak delighted the home supporters with a gold-medal performance, narrowly edging Turkey’s Özyüksel and Sidal Aslan, while Italy’s Elisa Sala and Aurora Tognetti finished third. In the men’s relay of the same discipline, Turkey once again stood out, with Kıvanç Taşyaran and Jan-Demir Vurdum taking gold ahead of Egypt’s Moustafa Abouamer and Mazen Shaban, while France’s pair of Valentin Belaud and Léo Bories fought their way to bronze after a thrilling race.

The Modern Pentathon mixed relay was the closing highlight of the sporting program, and it offered one of the most dramatic conclusions of the week. Ukraine’s combination of Tovkai and Iryna Boicheniuk claimed the title with 1371 points after a hard-fought contest that was only decided in the final laser run. Turkey’s Özyüksel and Taşyaran once again made the podium, this time with silver, while Egypt’s pairing of Jana Attia and Mohanad Shaban confirmed the strength of the Egyptian rising generation with a bronze medal.

The Closing Ceremony in Drzonków brought the curtain down on the championship in a festive and emotional atmosphere. CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim thanked the Polish Central Military Sports Group, the Local Organizing Committee, the volunteers, and the athletes for their dedication and praised the flawless organization of the event. “The past week has shown us once again the true value of our motto, Friendship through Sport,” he said.

Official CISM Representative Major Jan-Henrik Bäck, who was present onsite throughout the championship, emphasized the broader meaning of the competition in his address: “What we have witnessed here is not only the pursuit of medals, but also the embodiment of perseverance, fair play and respect. Every athlete who entered the field of play gave a part of themselves to this community, and for that they all deserve our gratitude. Poland has set the bar high, both in terms of organization and spirit, and we leave Drzonków inspired by what military sport can achieve.”

With the 49th World Military Modern Pentathlon Championship now concluded, attention turns to the next chapter of the CISM calendar. From 17 to 23 October 2025, Wuhan, China, will host the 54th World Military Naval Pentathlon Championship, promising another week of passion, excellence, and camaraderie under the CISM flag.

All information, results and updates about the championship are available on the LOC Website.

• Final Results Modern Pentathlon: Men's Individual - Women's Individual - Men's Team - Women's Team - Mixed Relay

• Final Results Obstacle Laser-Run: Men's Relay - Women's Relay

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Centralny Wojskowy Zespół Sportowy)