53rd CISM World Military Naval Pentathlon Championship underway in Eckernförde, Germany
ECKERNFÖRDE (GER) - The 53rd CISM World Military Naval Pentathlon Championship is currently taking place in the picturesque town of Eckernförde, Germany, from August 24th to September 1st, 2024. This prestigious event has brought together top military athletes from six nations—Brazil, Spain, Finland, Italy, Sweden, and the host country, Germany—to compete in a challenging series of naval pentathlon events.
The championship was officially inaugurated during an opening ceremony held at the naval base in Eckernförde on Sunday, August 25th, at 3:00 PM. The event was graced by the presence of Commander (OF-4) Olaf Oertel, head of the Eckerfordel naval base, and Mrs. Iris Ploog, Mayor of Eckernförde. Presiding over the ceremony was Major Jan-Henrik Back, the Official CISM Representative (OCR), who delivered a powerful speech that resonated with both the athletes and the distinguished guests in attendance.
Major Jan-Henrik Back, in his address, expressed his deep appreciation for the significance of this event and the host region. “It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you all to beautiful Eckernförde in the State of Schleswig-Holstein. This region has a long tradition in the history books, valuable coastline in particular, and for sure this Naval base has a vital security importance for Germany and the Baltic area,” said Major Back. He further highlighted the resilience of the area, recalling the catastrophic sea flood of 1872 that devastated the region, drawing a parallel to the challenges faced by the world in recent years, particularly the pandemic. “No one could imagine what challenges we should face just a few years ago. The pandemic period has put our existence in a new perspective. Therefore, I am happy to be here and even more happy that your mission around the globe can join,” he added.
The competition, which emphasizes the importance of multinational military cooperation, is a testament to the camaraderie and mutual respect fostered through sports. “Today, the real significance of military sport relates to the increasing importance of multinational military cooperation in building peace and security around the world,” Major Back emphasized, urging the athletes to use this opportunity to build relationships while striving for excellence in the competition. He also praised the strong German traditions in CISM and acknowledged the efforts of the German Armed Forces and the Naval base in Eckernförde for their pivotal role in organizing the championship.
Major Back concluded his opening remarks with a powerful message to the competitors: “You are already winners; you have shown that you belong to the absolute elite in your country and thanks to your own efforts, you have created a possibility to compete against the best competitors from other countries. Now it’s time to enjoy a great competition. I hereby declare the 53rd CISM Military World Naval Pentathlon Championship – Open! I wish all of you, competitors and organizers, the best of luck during the competitions.”
The first events of the championship took place on August 27th and 28th, featuring the Obstacle Race, Lifesaving Swimming Race, and Utility Swimming Race. The athletes displayed exceptional skill and determination, with standout performances from several competitors. In the women’s Obstacle Race, Justina Lundberg from Sweden secured the first place, followed closely by Brazil’s Tatiane Pereira de Souza and Spain’s Debóra Hernández Vázquez. In the men’s category, Germany’s Janik Hoffmann emerged victorious, with Alvaro Bartus Fernández from Spain and João Pedro Oliveira Farche from Brazil taking second and third places, respectively.
The Lifesaving Swimming Race on August 28th saw Tatiane Pereira de Souza from Brazil claiming first place in the women’s category, while her compatriot, Fernanda Ferreira Angelo Grossi, took second. Italy’s Alessia Belviso secured third place. In the men’s category, Janik Hoffmann of Germany continued his winning streak, followed closely by João Pedro Oliveira Farche from Brazil and Niko Korhonen from Finland.
The Utility Swimming Race also took place on August 28th, with Brazil’s Tatiane Pereira de Souza once again leading in the women’s category, followed by Fernanda Ferreira Angelo Grossi, also from Brazil, and Sweden’s Heidi Winberg. In the men’s category, Janik Hoffmann of Germany clinched first place, with Finland’s Niko Korhonen and Brazil’s João Pedro Oliveira Farche rounding out the top three.
As the competition stands, after three out of five events, Tatiane Pereira de Souza from Brazil leads the female general classification, followed by Sweden’s Justina Lundberg and Brazil’s Fernanda Ferreira Angelo Grossi. In the men’s category, Germany’s Janik Hoffmann is in the lead, with João Pedro Oliveira Farche from Brazil in second place, and Brazil’s Max Leal dos Santos in third. In the team classifications, Brazil is leading in both the male and female categories, with Spain and Sweden trailing in the women’s category, and Spain and Finland following in the men’s.
The next event, the Seamanship Race, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 29th, promising more thrilling competition and showcasing the exceptional abilities of the participating military athletes.
The championship continues to be a celebration of military excellence, sportsmanship, and international friendship, embodying the CISM motto: “Friendship through Sport.”
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
