53rd World Military Swimming Championship kicks off in Warendorf with thrilling competitions

WARENDORF (GER) - The 53rd World Military Swimming Championship officially began yesterday, December 9, in Warendorf, Germany. An impressive Opening Ceremony marked the occasion, welcoming 160 athletes from 17 nations, all set to compete at the highest level of military swimming excellence.

The first day of competition unfolded today, December 10, with intense races that showcased extraordinary talent and sportsmanship. In the women’s 400m Freestyle final, Germany’s Maya Werner claimed victory with a time of 4:11.31, followed by teammate Jeannette Spiwoks at 4:14.57. Brazil’s Aline Rodrigues secured the third spot with a time of 4:16.78. On the men’s side, Brazil dominated the 400m Freestyle as Stephan Steverink delivered a gold-worthy performance at 3:49.10, while his compatriot Fernando Scheffer earned silver with 3:57.60. South Korea’s Oh Se Beom completed the podium in 3:58.05.

The women’s 100m Backstroke saw Brazil's Maria Pessanha secure gold with an impressive 1:04.12, followed by Germany’s Anna-Fiona Volz (1:09.22) and France’s Anais Bonaventure (1:11.51). In the men’s 100m Backstroke, South Korea’s Won Young Jun edged out the competition with a winning time of 55.45 seconds, narrowly beating Switzerland’s Gian-Luca Gartmann (55.52) and his teammate Flavio Bucca (56.25).

The 200m Butterfly final was equally electrifying. Maria Pessanha of Brazil won her second gold of the day in the women’s race with a time of 2:14.75. Ukraine’s Krystyna Panchishko secured silver at 2:26.05, and Germany’s Yvonne Prehn took bronze in 2:34.15. In the men’s event, Denys Kesil of Ukraine claimed gold with an impressive 1:56.83, ahead of Poland’s Damian Chrzanowski (1:59.43) and Brazil’s Guilherme Rosolen (2:06.07).

Brazil’s Gabrielle Assis dominated the women’s 50m Breaststroke, winning in 32.04 seconds, with fellow Brazilian Lorrane Ferreira securing silver (33.42). France’s Ava Petre rounded out the podium with a bronze at 35.21. Greece’s Spyridon Gkikopoulos triumphed in the men’s 50m Breaststroke, clocking in at 28.37 seconds. He narrowly beat Ukraine’s Maksym Ovchinnikov (28.44) and India’s Prema Likith Selvaraj (28.46).

The day concluded with thrilling team events. Brazil’s women’s 4x100m Medley team, composed of Pessanha, Assis, Rodrigues, and Ferreira, secured gold with a time of 4:15.48, outpacing Germany (4:23.62) and Poland (4:27.81). Switzerland emerged victorious in the men’s 4x100m Medley relay, finishing in 3:42.05. Poland claimed silver with 3:46.11, while Germany took bronze at 3:50.27.

Fans can catch the highlights and replays of today’s events on the LOC’s YouTube channel..

Looking ahead to tomorrow, December 11, the competition will feature exciting races, including the 800m Freestyle (female), 200m Breaststroke (female and male), 100m Freestyle (female and male), 400m Individual Medley (female and male), 50m Butterfly (female and male), and the 4x200m Freestyle relay (female and male). Stay tuned for another day of exceptional swimming action.

Results Day 1 - Qualifications - Finals

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