China and Italy crowned Mixed Team champions as Cameri celebrates military shooting excellence
CAMERI (ITA) – The 56th WMC Shooting (Shotgun) concluded its sporting programme on Friday, 23 October 2026, at the Cameri Military Air Base, near Novara, Italy, with China and Italy claiming the final world titles in the Mixed Team Skeet and Trap competitions respectively. The last day of competition brought an exciting conclusion to a championship that gathered 60 military athletes representing 17 nations, celebrating sporting excellence, international cooperation and the fundamental values of the International Military Sports Council (CISM).
Following two days of individual competitions in Trap and Skeet, the spotlight turned to the Mixed Team events, where athletes combined their skills, precision and teamwork in pursuit of the final medals of the championship.
In the Mixed Team Trap competition, Italy delivered an outstanding performance as Alessia Iezzi and Diego Valeri secured the gold medal and the CISM world title. The Italian pair dominated qualification with an impressive score of 138/150 before confirming their superiority in the final with 36/40 targets. Their victory provided a fitting conclusion to a successful championship for the host nation, with both athletes having already distinguished themselves in the individual competitions.
Poland claimed the silver medal after qualifying with 132/150 and recording 29/40 in the final, while Brazil completed the podium with the bronze medal following a qualification score of 125/150 and a final performance of 18/30. The competition highlighted the importance of consistency and coordination between teammates, with the Italian pair demonstrating remarkable composure throughout the decisive stages.
The Mixed Team Skeet event produced another exciting contest, with China emerging victorious thanks to the performances of Xiao Yao Chen and Ying Xu. The Chinese pair secured the gold medal with a final score of 51/60, overcoming strong opposition from France and Italy in a closely contested competition.
France's Lucie Anastassiou and Dylan Chauray claimed the silver medal after an excellent final performance of 50/56, adding another podium finish to the French delegation's achievements in Cameri. Anastassiou had already distinguished herself by winning the women's individual Skeet title earlier in the championship.
Italy completed the Mixed Team Skeet podium as Niccolò Sodi and Simona Scocchetti secured the bronze medal. The Italian duo qualified for the final with an impressive 144/150, the second-best qualification score, before recording 38/48 in the final to claim third place.
The Mixed Team competitions brought the sporting programme to a close after several days of high-level performances in both disciplines. Throughout the championship, athletes demonstrated the concentration, discipline and technical excellence required in shotgun shooting, while strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual respect that characterize CISM competitions.
The championship, organized by the Italian Defence General Staff in cooperation with the Italian Shooting Federation (FITAV) and CISM, also held particular significance as it coincided with the centenary of FITAV, celebrating 100 years of dedication to the development of shooting sport in Italy.
Following the conclusion of the competitions, the official Closing Ceremony took place in Novara in the presence of distinguished military and civilian authorities, including CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, Official CISM Representative Commander Florentia Sfakianou of the Hellenic Navy, Lieutenant General Gianluca Ercolani, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Air Fleet and 1st Air Region Command of the Italian Air Force, Colonel Stefano Bianca, Chief of the Italian Delegation to CISM and Head of the Local Organizing Committee, as well as representatives of the municipalities of Cameri and Novara, the Italian Shooting Federation and the CISM Shooting Committee.
Addressing the participants, Commander Florentia Sfakianou congratulated the athletes and delegations on their achievements and emphasized that the championship had demonstrated the values of cooperation and friendship at the heart of CISM's mission. "We have witnessed high-level sporting performances, determination, discipline and excellence. But we have also witnessed something equally important: respect, camaraderie and friendship among military athletes from different nations," she declared.
The Official CISM Representative also expressed her sincere appreciation to the Italian authorities, the Italian Delegation to CISM, FITAV, the cities of Cameri and Novara, the Cameri Air Base and all the partners and volunteers who contributed to the successful organization of the championship.
She paid particular tribute to the Local Organizing Committee, led by Colonel Stefano Bianca, recognizing the professionalism, dedication and attention to detail demonstrated throughout the event. "Colonel, your team has delivered this Championship with a very high level of professionalism, dedication and attention to detail," she stated, before congratulating the organizers with the words: "Congratulations Italy! Mission Accomplished!"
Commander Sfakianou also thanked the President and members of the CISM Shooting Committee, the Italian Shooting Federation, judges and technical officials for their professionalism and commitment to ensuring the smooth conduct of the competitions. Reflecting on the significance of the championship beyond the sporting results, she reminded participants that the true success of a CISM event extends far beyond medals and scores. "The true success of a CISM Championship cannot be measured only by scores and medals. It is also measured by the friendships created, the hands extended, the experiences shared and the respect shown to one another," she emphasized.
Another highlight of the Closing Ceremony was the presentation of the Friendship Through Sport Award, presented by CISM partner A5DM, to Italy. The award recognized the host nation's outstanding commitment to promoting the fundamental values of CISM, including friendship, solidarity, mutual respect and international cooperation. Through its warm hospitality, dedication and successful organization of the championship, Italy demonstrated the true spirit of CISM's motto, Friendship Through Sport.
A further special moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the CISM Plaque to the Italian Armed Forces by Commander Florentia Sfakianou, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to CISM and their commitment to the successful organization of the championship.
With the final medals awarded, the 56th CISM World Military Shooting Championship officially came to an end, leaving participating delegations with lasting memories of sporting achievement, camaraderie and international friendship.
As athletes and officials prepare to return to their respective countries, the championship in Cameri stands as another successful demonstration of the power of military sport to bring nations together through shared values, mutual respect and peaceful competition.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Italian Delegation to CISM)
