China and Ukraine shine as the 61st CISM WMC Aeronautical Pentathlon takes off in Brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) - The 61st CISM World Military Aeronautical Pentathlon Championship began in Rio de Janeiro in an atmosphere of pride, emotion and unity that perfectly reflected the CISM motto, Friendship Through Sport. Hosted by the Brazilian Armed Forces at the Air Force University (UNIFA), the championship was officially inaugurated on November 7 in the presence of the CISM President, Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, the Official CISM Representative and Board of Directors Member, Major General Rashid Mahbook Al-Dosari, and senior representatives of the participating nations. The event brought together military athletes from Brazil, China, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Finland, all united by the same spirit of service, discipline and passion for sport.
The opening ceremony was a moment of solemn beauty and military precision. Under the warm Brazilian sun, delegations marched proudly across the parade ground, flags fluttering and bands playing traditional military marches. The CISM President praised the host nation for its organization and hospitality, emphasizing the value of bringing together armed forces from around the world in peaceful competition. “Every athlete who stands here today represents not only their nation but also the shared values that unite our military communities: respect, integrity, perseverance and friendship,” he said. The ceremony also included the awarding of CISM Medals of Merit to distinguished contributors, reinforcing the symbolic link between athletic performance and service to peace.
The competition began the following day, Saturday, November 8, with two demanding events: Shooting in the morning and Swimming in the afternoon. These disciplines tested the athletes’ technical skill, composure and endurance, setting the tone for the challenges to come. The Shooting event took place at the CMTE range, where competitors faced the delicate balance of precision and calm under pressure. Each shot required absolute concentration, control of breathing and the ability to steady the hand despite the rising tension of competition.
The following morning marked the beginning of the competition with the Shooting event at CMTE. Athletes demonstrated remarkable precision, patience and composure as they aimed for perfection. It was a memorable day for Finland as Staff Sergeant Heini Pelto achieved a historic milestone, setting a new CISM record with 179 points, surpassing the previous best of 177. Her consistency and concentration earned her a standing ovation from teammates and rivals alike. Pilot Officer Jia Wang of China followed closely with 175 points, while Sweden’s Second Lieutenant Linnea Tang completed the top three. In the men’s event, Ukraine’s Major Dmytro Kmetiuk displayed exceptional control to finish first with 183 points, ahead of Spain’s Brigadier David Revuelto with 179 and Lithuania’s Second Lieutenant Justinas Kontautas and Spain’s Captain Eduardo Martínez-Osorio, who tied for third with 176.
As the rifles were put away, the athletes made their way to the pool at the CDA for the Swimming event. In this discipline, raw physical endurance replaces stillness and calm. The transition from shooting to swimming perfectly embodies the complexity of the aeronautical pentathlon, which requires athletes to excel in technical, tactical and physical dimensions. Once again, the day was marked by extraordinary performances. Denmark’s Sergeant Adriana Bankowska took the spotlight by completing her race in one minute and eleven point eight seconds, setting a new CISM record and surpassing the previous best mark of one minute and sixteen point three seconds. Her rhythm in the water and flawless turns captivated the spectators and inspired her teammates. Sergeant Sofie Bunten, also from Denmark, followed with a strong swim of one minute and thirteen point two seconds, while Brazil’s Sergeant Ellen Souza, cheered passionately by the home crowd, finished third with one minute and fourteen point seven seconds.
The men’s swimming event produced another victory for Ukraine’s Major Dmytro Kmetiuk, who confirmed his reputation as one of the most complete athletes in the championship. His time of fifty-eight point nine seconds placed him ahead of China’s Flying Officer Wenfa Xu, who swam one minute and one point two seconds, and Sergeant Yixing Zhu, also from China, who clocked one minute and one point six seconds. With two gold medals in as many events, Kmetiuk not only positioned himself at the top of the individual ranking but also propelled Ukraine to the first place in the team classification. China’s consistent performances across multiple athletes placed them in close pursuit, while Spain, Finland and Brazil rounded out the top five.
The aeronautical pentathlon, inspired by the skills essential to air force personnel, requires a unique blend of physical conditioning, technical mastery and mental resilience. Each discipline, shooting, fencing, swimming, ball contest, obstacle run and orienteering, challenges different capacities that together reflect the versatility of the modern soldier-athlete. It is a sport where precision meets endurance, speed meets strategy and mental strength often proves decisive.
The third day of the championship, Sunday, November 9, was dedicated to Fencing at the CDA. From the early morning until evening, the fencing hall echoed with the sharp sounds of blades clashing and the rhythmic steps of athletes advancing and retreating in combat. The Chinese delegation dominated the men’s competition in extraordinary fashion, confirming its technical supremacy and tactical discipline. Flying Officer Wenfa Xu claimed first place with twenty-nine victories and ninety-five hits, showing both speed and impeccable timing. Flight Sergeant Yahao Li and Sergeant Yixing Zhu followed closely, both with twenty-six victories, demonstrating the strength of the Chinese team. Spain’s Sergeant Jorge Laguna took fourth position, while China’s Pilot Officer Minghao Li completed the top five.
The women’s competition was equally spectacular and once again marked by Chinese supremacy. Sergeant Kaili Zhang and Flying Officer Haoqin He shared first place with twenty-one victories each, followed by Pilot Officer Jia Wang, who ranked third with twenty victories. Spain’s Major Ana Lopes and Lithuania’s Sergeant Vaiva Pestininké completed the top five. Brazil’s Sergeant Ellen Souza and Spain’s Sergeant Andrea Fernández also earned valuable points for their teams, keeping the competition wide open.
After three events, the provisional individual rankings revealed the first clear patterns of dominance in Rio. In the men’s category, Ukraine’s Major Dmytro Kmetiuk remained firmly in the lead with a total of 3,272 points, the result of three remarkable performances in shooting, swimming and fencing. China occupied the next positions with Flying Officer Wenfa Xu second at 3,185 points, Flight Sergeant Yahao Li third at 3,056, and Sergeant Yixing Zhu fourth at 3,056. Spain’s Sergeant Jorge Laguna followed with 2,894 points, while Finland’s Senior Lieutenant Lauri Ikonen ranked sixth with 2,852. Ukraine’s Major Mykhailo Bezuhlyi stood close behind with 2,816, confirming Ukraine’s strength as a team. Brazil’s Captain Ariel Kaczmark was the best-placed host-nation athlete at 2,633 points, maintaining Brazil’s presence among the top ten.
In the women’s category, the provisional classification after fencing reflected the extraordinary balance between China, Brazil and Finland. China’s Flying Officer Haoqin He led the ranking with 2,988 points after three consistent events, combining power in swimming with precision in fencing. Brazil’s Sergeant Ellen Souza, who thrilled local fans with her swimming medal, stood in second place with 2,848 points. China’s Sergeant Kaili Zhang followed in third with 2,778 points, confirming the strength of the Chinese women’s delegation. Lithuania’s Sergeant Vaiva Pestininké, fourth with 2,558 points, and China’s Pilot Officer Jia Wang, fifth with 2,525, completed the leading group. Finland’s Staff Sergeant Heini Pelto ranked sixth with 2,517 points, thanks to her shooting record on the opening day and steady results in fencing and swimming.
The team standings after three events placed China at the top of both the men’s and women’s competitions, thanks to exceptional overall performances in fencing and swimming. Ukraine followed closely, maintaining strong balance across all disciplines, while Spain held third place. Finland, Brazil and the Czech Republic remained within striking distance, ensuring that the coming events could still alter the final outcome.
Beyond the medals and scores, what stands out most during these first three days in Rio is the atmosphere of genuine friendship and respect among the athletes. Competitors who just moments earlier faced each other in tense contests are seen sharing smiles, handshakes and words of encouragement after each event.
As the championship moves forward, anticipation builds for the Ball Contest, the Obstacle Run and the Orienteering Race, which will complete this demanding test of skill, endurance and teamwork. The first half of the competition has already provided moments of inspiration and excellence, demonstrating that in Rio de Janeiro, the 61st CISM World Military Aeronautical Pentathlon Championship is not only a contest of strength and skill but also a celebration of the values that unite soldiers and athletes from every corner of the world.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department and Brazilian Delegation to CISM)
