49th WMC Modern Pentathlon - Summary News
DRZONKÓW (POL) – The 49th CISM World Military Modern Pentathlon Championship in Drzonków offered a full week of top level military sport, combining precise organisation with intense competition and a strong sense of friendship among nations. Hosted at the Sports and Recreation Center in Drzonków by the Polish Central Military Sports Group, the event gathered delegations from thirteen countries and confirmed once again the strength and relevance of modern pentathlon within the CISM programme.
The championship began with the technical meeting on 22 September, where representatives of CISM, the Local Organising Committee and national teams reviewed regulations, safety procedures and logistical details. Official CISM Representative Major Jan Henrik Bäck, CISM Sport Committee President for Modern Pentathlon Lieutenant Commander Andreas Eleftherios Idra and Lieutenant Colonel Jan Litwiniuk from the Organising Committee addressed the delegations alongside key partners such as the UIPM Technical Delegate and the local pentathlon director. Their exchanges ensured a clear framework for the competition and underlined the collaborative spirit between CISM, the international federation and the host institution.
The following day, 23 September, the opening ceremony officially launched the championship. Delegations from thirteen participating nations marched into the arena accompanied by the Air Force Representative Orchestra from Poznań, whose performance gave the occasion a ceremonial and emotional dimension. Lieutenant General Marek Sokołowski, General Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, declared the championship open, while CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim reminded all present that military sport is a powerful tool for bringing soldiers together and building cooperation beyond borders. The ceremony concluded with a dynamic display by the Military Police Special Unit from Warsaw, which impressed the spectators and set an inspiring tone for the days ahead.
Competition began immediately with the relay events and the first medals. On the opening day of sport, Poland delighted the home crowd in the women’s relay. Małgorzata Karbownik and Natalia Dominiak delivered a complete performance across all disciplines and secured the first gold of the championship, ahead of Hungary and Italy. In the men’s relay, Egypt produced one of the early highlights of the week. Mohamed El Ashqar and Mohanad Shaban combined consistency with a decisive laser run to take gold in a remarkably close contest, finishing just ahead of Ukraine and Poland. The day ended with the Obstacle Laser Run mixed relay, an exciting and innovative format that combines running, shooting and obstacles. France took the first title in this discipline through Rebecca Castaudi and Jean Baptiste Mourcia, followed by Switzerland and Turkey, and confirmed the growing place of this event in the CISM calendar.
The Obstacle Laser Run then took centre stage in the individual competitions. In the men’s final, Turkey’s Kıvanç Taşyaran produced an outstanding performance to win gold with a narrow margin over Poland’s Daniel Lawrynowicz and France’s Jean Baptiste Mourcia, both of whom pushed the race to a thrilling conclusion. In the women’s final, Poland celebrated another triumph on home soil as Małgorzata Karbownik claimed the title ahead of Turkey’s Ilke Özyüksel and Egypt’s young talent Jana Attia. These races brought together experienced champions and rising athletes from Europe, Africa and South America, illustrating the diversity and dynamism of modern pentathlon within CISM.
Attention then turned to the traditional individual modern pentathlon finals, which took place on 27 September and showcased the full breadth of the five disciplines. In the men’s event, Ukraine confirmed its status as a powerhouse of the sport. Oleksandr Tovkai captured the world military title with 1566 points after a balanced and controlled performance. Hungary’s Csaba Bohm finished only three points behind after a remarkable laser run that almost overturned the final standings. Another Ukrainian, Danylo Sych, claimed bronze with 1555 points, while his teammate Yuriy Kovalchuk placed fourth. With three Ukrainians in the top four, the competition clearly underlined the country’s depth and tradition in modern pentathlon. Brazil’s Joan Victor Acioly and Italy’s Denis Agavriloaie also finished among the best, confirming the emergence of a new generation of contenders.
The women’s individual final delivered a prestigious victory for Turkey. Ilke Özyüksel, already well known on the Olympic and World Cup circuits, won gold with 1444 points after a performance that combined experience, accuracy and composure in all events. Poland’s Małgorzata Karbownik once again rose to the occasion in front of her home supporters and took silver with 1423 points, thanks in part to a strong obstacle course and fencing round. Italy’s Aurora Tognetti completed the podium with bronze and 1396 points after a consistent competition. Hungary’s Rita Erdos finished close behind in fourth place, with Switzerland’s Anna Jurt, Turkey’s Sidal Aslan and Egypt’s Jana Attia also featuring in a very competitive top group. At only nineteen years of age, Jana Attia’s presence among the leading athletes was a promising sign for the future of Egyptian modern pentathlon.
The team rankings confirmed the collective strength of Ukraine and Turkey. In the men’s team event, Ukraine’s trio of Tovkai, Sych and Kovalchuk combined their scores to win gold with 4670 points, ahead of host nation Poland and Egypt. In the women’s team competition, Turkey’s team of Özyüksel, Aslan and Aksin secured the title, with Hungary taking silver and Egypt bronze after solid contributions from Malak Ismail and Jana Attia. These results highlighted not only individual brilliance but also the importance of depth, cohesion and mutual support within each delegation.
The final day of the championship on 28 September was dedicated to relays and provided a fittingly energetic conclusion. In the women’s Obstacle Laser Run relay, the Polish pair of Karbownik and Dominiak repeated their earlier success and won gold ahead of Turkey’s Özyüksel and Sidal Aslan, with Italy’s Elisa Sala and Aurora Tognetti taking bronze. In the men’s relay of the same discipline, Turkey again stood on the highest step of the podium thanks to Kıvanç Taşyaran and Jan Demir Vurdum, followed by Egypt’s Moustafa Abouamer and Mazen Shaban and France’s experienced duo of Valentin Belaud and Léo Bories. The mixed modern pentathlon relay closed the sporting programme with another intense contest. Ukraine’s combination of Tovkai and Iryna Boicheniuk claimed the title after a decisive final laser run, while Turkey once again reached the podium with silver through Özyüksel and Taşyaran, and Egypt’s pair of Jana Attia and Mohanad Shaban secured a well deserved bronze.
The closing ceremony brought together athletes, officials, volunteers and organisers in a warm and emotional atmosphere. CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim thanked the Polish Central Military Sports Group, the Local Organising Committee and all partners for their outstanding work, emphasising that the week in Drzonków had once again demonstrated the true meaning of the CISM motto Friendship through Sport. Major Jan Henrik Bäck, representing CISM throughout the event, stressed that beyond medals and rankings, what remained were examples of perseverance, fair play and mutual respect. He praised Poland for the quality of its organisation and the spirit shown by all participants.
As the championship came to an end and delegations prepared to leave Drzonków, the legacy of the 49th CISM World Military Modern Pentathlon Championship was clear. The event had combined high performance sport with international solidarity, provided a platform for both established champions and young talents, and strengthened the ties between nations. The CISM community now turns its attention to the next chapter, the 54th World Military Naval Pentathlon Championship in Wuhan, where once again military athletes will meet under the CISM flag to pursue excellence and friendship through sport.
All information, results and updates about the championship are available on the LOC Website.
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Final Results Modern Pentathlon: Men's Individual - Women's Individual - Men's Team - Women's Team - Mixed Relay
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Final Results Obstacle Laser-Run: Men's Relay - Women's Relay
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 | Poland, Egypt and France shine on Opening Day of the 49th WMC Modern Pentathlon |
 | Poland and Turkey celebrate gold at the 49th WMC Modern Pentathlon in Drzonków |
 | Drzonków delivers a week of excellence as the 49th WMC Modern Pentathlon concludes |
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Centralny Wojskowy Zespół Sportowy)
