Brazil dominates as 53rd World Military Swimming Championship concludes in Warendorf

WARENDORF (GER) - The 53rd World Military Swimming Championship concluded on December 13 in Warendorf, Germany, with a thrilling final day of competition that saw records broken, close finishes, and standout performances by Olympic and high-level athletes. The event culminated with the Closing Ceremony, marking the end of an exceptional championship and a successful conclusion to the CISM Sports Calendar for 2024.

The day began with a stunning display in the 200m Freestyle female final, where Germany’s Maya Werner delighted the home crowd with a gold medal-winning performance, finishing in 2:00.77. Brazil’s Aline Rodrigues (2:01.97) and Poland’s Aleksandra Polanska (2:02.49) secured silver and bronze respectively. The men's final in the same event saw Brazil’s Stephan Steverink dominate the pool with a winning time of 1:47.18, followed by compatriot Fernando Scheffer (1:49.67) and Poland’s Kacper Majchrzak (1:50.62).

The 50m Backstroke events showcased remarkable talent, with Brazil’s Maria Pessanha narrowly out-touching Germany’s Laura Riedemann to claim the women’s gold in 29.19 seconds. Ava Petre of France rounded out the podium in 31.31. On the men’s side, Republic of Korea’s Won Young Jun stunned the field with a blazing 25.40 seconds, securing the gold ahead of Poland’s Tomasz Polewka (25.83) and Germany’s Marek Ulrich (25.86).

In the grueling 1500m Freestyle male final, Republic of Korea’s Oh Se Beom displayed incredible endurance, taking gold with a time of 15:42.30. Poland’s Filip Zaborowski (15:51.37) earned silver, while Switzerland’s Christian Schreiber (15:57.81) completed the podium.

The 100m Butterfly events were fiercely contested, with Brazil’s Maria Pessanha claiming her second gold of the day in the women’s final, finishing in 1:01.34. Germany’s Yvonne Prehn (1:07.26) and Anna-Fiona Volz (1:08.11) added to the host nation’s medal count. The men’s event saw Ukraine’s Denys Kesil clinch gold in 53.48 seconds, edging out Brazil’s Guilherme Rosolen (53.61) and Poland’s Damian Chrzanowski (54.06).

The relay events brought the day to a dramatic conclusion. Brazil’s women’s team, featuring Lorrane Ferreira, Gabrielle Assis, Maria Pessanha, and Aline Rodrigues, dominated the 4x100m Freestyle final with a time of 3:50.86. Germany (3:56.32) and Poland (3:56.92) took silver and bronze respectively. The Brazilian men’s team continued the trend, winning the 4x100m Freestyle final in 3:22.51, ahead of Republic of Korea (3:24.11) and Switzerland (3:24.32).

The day also featured the exciting 4x50m Freestyle mixed para-athletes relay, where India’s team emerged victorious with a time of 1:46.51, followed by France (1:47.46) and Belgium (2:21.19).

Fans can relive all the action from the final day of the championship on the LOC's official YouTube channel: 

The Closing Ceremony of the 53rd World Military Swimming Championship was a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary event, celebrating the exceptional efforts of the athletes, coaches, and organizers who contributed to its success. The ceremony highlighted the values of sportsmanship and mutual respect, with heartfelt speeches, cultural performances, and the symbolic lowering of the CISM flag.

Special recognition was given to the German Delegation to CISM for their outstanding work in organizing this championship. Their meticulous planning, warm hospitality, and commitment to excellence ensured that the event ran seamlessly, providing athletes with a platform to deliver some of the most thrilling performances of the year. This championship, as the final event of the 2024 CISM Sports Calendar, capped off a year marked by high-level competition and inspiring moments that reaffirmed the importance of sports in fostering peace and understanding among nations.

As the curtains closed on this remarkable event, the focus now shifts to the year ahead. The 5th CISM World Winter Games, set to take place in Lucerne, Switzerland, from March 23 to 30, 2025, promises to be another landmark occasion in military sports. Featuring a wide array of winter disciplines, the Games will bring together elite military athletes in a celebration of skill, resilience, and international friendship. The event will also showcase Switzerland’s renowned alpine scenery and its rich tradition of hosting world-class sporting events.

CISM extends its gratitude to all participants, supporters, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the 53rd World Military Swimming Championship and eagerly anticipates welcoming the global military sports community to Lucerne in March 2025. Together, these events underscore the enduring mission of CISM: to promote friendship through sport and unite armed forces worldwide in the pursuit of peace and excellence.

Results Day 4- Qualifications - Finals

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