Historic 1st World Military Sitting Volleyball Championship opens in Curitiba as Brazil and France claim first victories

 

 

CURITIBA (BRA) – A historic milestone for international military sport was reached in Curitiba, Brazil, as the 1st CISM World Military Sitting Volleyball Championship officially opened on 10 November 2026, marking the beginning of CISM's first World Military Championship entirely dedicated to sitting volleyball. Following an emotional Opening Ceremony celebrating inclusion, resilience and military solidarity, the competition got underway on Wednesday, 11 November, with Brazil and France securing the first victories of this inaugural edition.

 

Organised from 9 to 18 November 2026 by the Brazilian Ministry of Defence, through the Brazilian Delegation to CISM (CDMB), in partnership with the Fecomércio SESC SENAC Paraná System, the championship brings together 67 athletes, coaches and officials representing five nations: Brazil, Colombia, France, Italy and Russia.

 

Beyond the sporting competition, this historic event reflects CISM's commitment to expanding opportunities for wounded and adaptive military athletes, demonstrating the transformative power of sport and the enduring values of its motto, Friendship through Sport.

 

 

The championship officially opened on Tuesday, 10 November, at the SESC da Esquina Theatre, in the presence of numerous civil and military authorities.

 

Among the distinguished guests were CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho and CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, alongside Mr Darci Piana, Vice-Governor of the State of Paraná and President of the Fecomércio SESC SENAC Paraná System; Dr Idervânio da Silva Costa, Secretary of Personnel, Health, Sport and Social Projects of the Brazilian Ministry of Defence; Mr Fábio Augusto Lima de Araújo, National Secretary for Para Sport; and Lieutenant General (Air Force) Helmer Barbosa Gilberto, President of the Brazilian Air Force Sports Commission.

 

The five participating delegations entered the theatre to warm applause, setting the tone for a ceremony dedicated to the determination, courage and achievements of military athletes who have overcome serious injuries to continue their sporting journeys.

 

Addressing the delegations, CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho emphasised the historical significance of the championship: "This first edition is more than a new tournament; it represents our commitment to inclusion, integration, higher performance standards, and new opportunities for wounded and adaptive military athletes across our CISM member nations."

 

 

The CISM President also highlighted the special significance of hosting this inaugural championship in Brazil, recalling the country's longstanding involvement in CISM since 1954 and its successful organisation of the 5th CISM World Military Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. Turning to the athletes, he underlined the values that make sitting volleyball a powerful expression of military teamwork and solidarity: "Every rally is built on mutual trust; every point demands total discipline."

 

He further encouraged all participating delegations to embrace their pioneering role in the development of military para-sport: "To every delegation: you are founding partners of a new legacy, and demonstrating the true power of military camaraderie and military para-sport."

 

The ceremony also included the presentation of prestigious distinctions, including the Military Sports Merit Medal awarded by the Brazilian Ministry of Defence, the CISM Order of Merit and the CISM Star of Sports Merit, recognising individuals who have contributed to the development of military sport and inclusion. A traditional performance by the Grupo Esperança de Curitiba brought a cultural dimension to the celebrations.

 

 

Following the official proceedings, a demonstration match at the SESC da Esquina court featured children from the SESC Paraná Aprender e Jogar (Learn and Play) Project alongside military athletes, highlighting the importance of inclusion, education and the lasting social legacy of sport.

 

The first official matches took place on Wednesday, 11 November, at the SESC da Esquina court, with Brazil facing Russia and Italy taking on France. In the opening encounter, host nation Brazil secured a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Russia, overcoming an early setback to claim its first points of the championship.

 

Russia made a strong start, taking the opening set 25–21. However, the Brazilian team responded with determination, winning three consecutive sets 25–20, 27–25 and 25–22 to complete an impressive comeback in front of the home crowd. The closely contested third set proved particularly important, with Brazil prevailing 27–25 before maintaining its momentum to secure the victory.

 

 

The second match saw France deliver a convincing performance against Italy, claiming a 3–0 victory to open its campaign in commanding fashion. The French team controlled the encounter from the beginning, winning the opening set 25–13 before extending its advantage with a 25–10 second set. France maintained its dominance in the third set, closing out the match 25–13.

 

With these results, France and Brazil both collected three points in the opening round, with France taking the early lead in the standings thanks to its superior set ratio.

 

The championship continues on Thursday, 12 November, with two additional matches scheduled at the SESC da Esquina court. Colombia will make its first appearance in the competition against host nation Brazil at 14:00, while Russia and Italy will face each other at 16:30 in an important encounter as both teams seek their first victory.

 

 

The five participating nations are competing in a round-robin format, with the four highest-ranked teams advancing to the semi-finals on Sunday, 15 November. The first-ranked team will face the fourth-ranked team, while the second- and third-ranked teams will compete for the remaining place in the final. The championship will reach its sporting conclusion on Monday, 16 November, with the bronze-medal match scheduled for 09:00 and the gold-medal match at 14:30.

 

The inaugural World Military Sitting Volleyball Championship represents an important step in CISM's efforts to strengthen the participation and visibility of adaptive military athletes within its international sporting programme. By providing a dedicated platform for high-level competition, the championship highlights not only sporting excellence but also the determination, discipline and solidarity shared by military personnel across national borders.

 

The event also contributes to the momentum towards the 8th CISM World Military Games – The Carolinas 2027, scheduled to take place from 25 June to 4 July 2027 in the United States.

 

 

During his opening address, CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho expressed his hope that the championship would encourage the participating delegations to continue their sporting journeys towards next year's Games.

 

As the first matches unfold in Curitiba, the championship is already demonstrating that military sport offers opportunities for achievement, personal development and international friendship, regardless of physical challenges. With five nations contributing to this historic first edition, the 1st CISM World Military Sitting Volleyball Championship stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion and the shared commitment of the CISM family to its enduring motto: Friendship through Sport.

 

For further information, match results and the competition programme, visit the official championship website: https://sittingvolleyball2026.com/

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department and Brazilian Delegation to CISM - Pictures: Brazilian Delegation to CISM)