Brazil’s Mixed Judo Team wins big as Korea and Germany rule Taekwondo

WARENDORF (GER) - The fourth day of the 1st CISM World Military Martial Arts Championships brought another display of top-tier athleticism and discipline as military athletes from around the world competed in judo, wrestling, and taekwondo at the Bundeswehr Sports School in Warendorf. The Championships, combining the 28th World Military Taekwondo Championship, the 38th World Military Wrestling Championship, and the 43rd World Military Judo Championship, continue to demonstrate the unique spirit of camaraderie and excellence that defines military sport.

In judo, the spotlight was on the Mixed Team event, which featured some of the most balanced and tactical matches of the tournament so far. Brazil emerged victorious, taking gold after a series of dominant performances across all weight classes and categories. The French team, well-organized and technically sharp, advanced to the final but had to settle for silver following a hard-fought match against the Brazilians. Germany and Italy both claimed bronze, having reached the semifinals with energetic and determined performances. The judo competition once again underscored the global depth of talent, with all teams showing remarkable fighting spirit and tactical discipline on the tatami.

Greco-Roman wrestling also delivered intense action, with Germany ultimately securing the top spot in the overall team ranking. The German athletes impressed with consistent performances across the board, including gold medal finishes and multiple podium appearances. India followed closely in the team standings, showcasing their rising strength in this discipline, while Poland rounded out the top three.

Individually, the wrestling competition produced several standout moments. In the 60kg category, Sumit of India outmaneuvered his opponents with explosive technique and clinched the gold medal, while Turkey’s Ilbars Mert claimed silver. The 67kg division saw a dominant run by Turkey’s Yildirim Mustafa Safa, who edged out Germany’s Janis Heinzelbecker in a close final. In the 77kg category, Hungary’s Levai Zoltan stood out with his power and precision, earning the gold against Ukraine’s Andrii Kulyk.

Hungary continued its winning streak in the 87kg class, where Levai Tamas displayed tactical superiority to take gold ahead of Greece’s Ilias Pagkalidis. In the 97kg category, German wrestler Lukas Lazogianis delighted the home crowd with a powerful gold-medal performance, overcoming strong challenges from Finland and Turkey. The heavyweight 130kg division concluded with a brilliant performance by Finland’s Elias Kuosmanen, who triumphed over Lithuania’s Mantas Knystautas in the final, while Ukraine’s Mykola Kuchmii and Germany’s Franz Richter earned the bronze.

In taekwondo, it was a day of individual excellence and emotional victories. In the women’s -73kg final, France’s Althéa Laurin stood atop the podium after an impressive showing, besting Italy’s Maristella Smiraglia in the final. In the +73kg category, Lorena Brandl of Germany delivered a commanding performance to win gold, underlining her status as one of the event’s standout athletes. Brandl’s performance not only brought victory for her country but also earned her the Best Female Athlete award of the tournament.

On the men’s side, the Republic of Korea confirmed their dominance in taekwondo with gold medals in both middleweight categories. Park Sang Hun took top honors in the -87kg division, overcoming France’s Ismael Bouzid in a tactical contest, while Beom Gu Jung added a second Korean gold in the -87kg final, defeating France’s Omar El Yazidi. The Koreans’ precision, speed, and strategic control were unmatched throughout the day, contributing to their team’s top ranking in the male taekwondo standings.

The full breadth of Korea’s taekwondo excellence was on display not only through its athletes but also through coaching and officiating, with Hee Jeong Choi named Best Male Coach. Germany equally received recognition for its taekwondo program, with Coach Sergej Kolb and referee Anne-Kathrin Minx awarded for their contributions. Luxembourg’s Keivan Shariatmadar was honored as Best Male Referee.

Beyond medals and rankings, Day 4 also paid tribute to values that define military sport. Germany received the Fair Play Award, a nod to the spirit and respect shown by its delegation, while Ecuador was honored with the Encouragement Award for its perseverance and dedication. At the end of the day, France emerged as the top nation in the overall rankings, reflecting a strong and consistent presence across all disciplines.

As the Championships head into their final days, the atmosphere in Warendorf grows more electric. Athletes are pushing boundaries, national teams are strategizing for final pushes, and the CISM spirit is alive and thriving on every mat. Day 5 promises more clashes of champions, unforgettable moments, and a continuation of the martial legacy being written in Warendorf.

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Bundeswehr)