53rd WMC Swimming - Warendorf (GER) - Summary News
WARENDORF (GER) - The 53rd World Military Swimming Championship in Warendorf, Germany, showcased exceptional athletic performances and remarkable displays of military sportsmanship over its first three days. Kicking off on December 9, the championship welcomed 160 athletes from 17 nations during an impressive Opening Ceremony.
The first day of competition, held on December 10, saw thrilling races and outstanding individual efforts. In the women’s 400m Freestyle final, Germany's Maya Werner captured gold, followed by her teammate Jeannette Spiwoks, while Brazil’s Aline Rodrigues claimed bronze. The men’s 400m Freestyle was dominated by Brazil, with Stephan Steverink and Fernando Scheffer taking gold and silver, respectively, and South Korea’s Oh Se Beom finishing third. Other standout performances included Brazil’s Maria Pessanha, who secured victories in both the women’s 100m Backstroke and 200m Butterfly events. In the men’s 200m Butterfly, Ukraine’s Denys Kesil delivered an electrifying performance to secure gold. The day concluded with Brazil's women’s team triumphing in the 4x100m Medley relay, while Switzerland emerged victorious in the men’s event.
On December 11, the second day of the competition, Germany’s Jeannette Spiwoks thrilled the home crowd by winning the women’s 800m Freestyle, with her compatriot Maya Werner finishing second and Poland’s Paulina Piechota taking bronze. Brazil continued its dominance as Gabrielle Assis captured gold in the women’s 200m Breaststroke, while her compatriot Aline Rodrigues won the women’s 100m Freestyle.
On the men’s side, Korea’s Yang Sug Hyun delivered a commanding performance in the 200m Breaststroke, while Brazil’s Victor Aleará secured gold in the 100m Freestyle. Stephan Steverink added another gold to Brazil’s tally with an impressive victory in the 400m Individual Medley. The day’s excitement peaked during the relay events, with Germany’s women’s team claiming gold in the 4x200m Freestyle and Brazil’s men’s team dominating their relay to secure first place.
The third day of the championship, held on December 12, brought even more exhilarating races and record-breaking performances. Germany’s Maya Werner once again delivered a stunning victory in the women’s 200m Backstroke, while Brazil’s Maria Pessanha took silver and Poland’s Aleksandra Polanska claimed bronze. The men’s 200m Backstroke saw Korea’s Won Young Jun narrowly defeat Switzerland’s Flavio Bucca in a nail-biting finish.
In the 50m Freestyle events, Brazil’s Lorrane Ferreira clinched gold in the women’s race, while Ukraine’s Vladyslav Bukhov set a new CISM World Record to win the men’s event. The mixed 4x100m Medley relay brought the day to a thrilling conclusion, with Switzerland claiming gold, followed by Brazil and Germany.
The final day of the 53rd World Military Swimming Championship, December 13, brought a spectacular finish to the competition. The day featured some of the most anticipated events, including the men’s and women’s 50m Butterfly. Germany's Jeannette Spiwoks, in a fiercely contested race, claimed gold in the women’s 50m Butterfly, while Brazil’s Aline Rodrigues secured silver and Poland’s Paulina Piechota earned bronze. In the men’s 50m Butterfly, Ukraine’s Serhiy Shevchuk outperformed his competitors to take the gold medal, while Brazil’s Felipe Ribeiro and Germany’s Florian Peter finished with silver and bronze, respectively.
The final events saw Brazil’s men’s and women’s teams dominate the 4x50m Freestyle relays, with Brazil claiming the gold medals in both categories. The closing ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to an intense and inspiring championship, with athletes celebrated for their performances, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence.
In conclusion, the 53rd World Military Swimming Championship in Warendorf was a remarkable showcase of international athleticism, military spirit, and unity. The athletes’ dedication to their sports, combined with the vibrant atmosphere created by their performances, made this event truly unforgettable.
Brazil emerged as the most dominant nation, but the competition also saw memorable achievements from Germany, Ukraine, Switzerland, and other nations, emphasizing the global nature of military sports. As the championship came to a close, it underscored the power of sports to bring people together and foster connections across cultures and nations.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department – Pictures: Bundeswehr)
