For the fourth time, representatives of military classes and soldiers of the National Reserve Forces arrived at the barracks of the 23rd Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec to compete in fitness events requiring excellent physical condition, knowledge of military matters and, above all, the ability to work as a team. The championships were organised by the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Company “Commando”, with logistical support from the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment.

The students of military-profile classes were the first to compete for the title of the best. After the competition was inaugurated on 15 September by the commander of the Bolesławiec artillery unit, Colonel Andrzej Lorenc, and the Association’s vice-president, Bogdan Fiałkowski, the sporting competition began.

Twenty men’s teams and 11 women’s teams from across the country entered this year’s championships, comprising nearly 200 students in total.

During the three-day championships, held at the training facilities of the Bolesławiec unit, the teams competed in a five-kilometre cross-country march, during which they had to complete a series of fitness tasks, such as throwing a grenade at a target, transporting a casualty, completing an obstacle course and shooting with an air rifle, as well as at the physical fitness centre and in a swimming relay.

All the events required the participants to be versatile and in ironclad physical condition. Most importantly, however, there was no shortage of sporting spirit and excitement. The competition concluded with a ceremonial assembly at which the winning teams were presented with cups, certificates of recognition and material prizes.

View photo: National Sports and Defence Championships View photo: National Sports and Defence Championships View photo: National Sports and Defence Championships

From 19 to 21 September, soldiers of the National Reserve Forces competed. Forty-eight men and four women took part in the championships, competing in the swimming course, at the physical fitness centre, at the garrison shooting range, in grenade throwing and on a five-kilometre cross-country march route. During the last event, they had to transport ammunition boxes, disassemble and assemble weapons within specified time limits, complete an obstacle course and carry a ZT–30L cargo container.

The ceremonial summary of the championships took place on 21 September. During the assembly concluding the soldiers’ competition, the winners were honoured with cups, certificates and material prizes. In addition, all championship participants received gifts and consolation prizes from the “Commando” Association. The organisation of the sports and defence championships was commissioned and funded by the Ministry of National Defence. The overall standings are provided below.

Sports and Defence Championships for NSR soldiers

women’s classification:

  1. Pvt. Karolina Kazimierczuk
  2. Pvt. Renata Ławniczak-Borkowicz
  3. Pvt. Sandra Garnek

men’s classification:

  1. Pvt. Paweł Andrzejewski
  2. Pvt. Wojciech Kois
  3. Pvt. Przemysław Warta

Sports and Defence Championships for military-profile classes

girls’ teams:

  1. Secondary School Complex in Dobrodzień
  2. Kombatants of the Lwówek Land Economic and Technical School Complex in Rakowice Wielkie
  3. A. Kamiński General and Vocational School Complex in Lubomierz

boys’ teams:

  1. Miners and Energy Workers of Turów Vocational and Secondary School Complex in Zgorzelec
  2. J. Szatowski Non-Public School Complex in Janowiec Wielkopolski
  3. Kombatants of the Lubań Land Secondary School Complex in Lubań.

Capt. Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii