Commando: Fifth National Sport and Defense Championships

For the fifth time, teams representing uniformed classes from across the country arrived at the Bolesławiec barracks to select the best competitors in events requiring excellent physical fitness, knowledge of military matters and, above all, the ability to work efficiently as a team.

The competition was organized by the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Forces Company “Commando,” with logistical support from the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment and the “Baryt” Search and Rescue Unit.

On September 15, the championships were opened by the commander of the Bolesławiec artillery unit, Colonel Paweł Świtalski, and the vice-president of the “Commando” Association, Bogdan Fiałkowski, who wished all competitors the best possible results and the proverbial soldiers’ luck. After the parade and presentation of the participating teams, fierce competition began.

Nineteen men’s teams and 12 women’s teams entered this year’s championships, representing nearly 300 students in total. During the four-day championships held at the training facilities of the Bolesławiec unit, the teams competed in a five-kilometer team run (during which they had to complete a series of fitness tasks, such as throwing a grenade at a target and for distance, transporting an injured person, completing an obstacle course and shooting a sporting rifle), an obstacle course at the Physical Fitness Center, and a swimming relay.

All events required the competitors to be well-rounded and in ironclad physical condition. Most importantly, however, there was no shortage of excitement and the spirit of sporting competition. The championships concluded with a ceremonial assembly at which the winning teams were presented with cups, certificates of recognition and material prizes. The sport and defense championships for students from uniformed classes were commissioned by the Ministry of National Defence and funded entirely by it.

The teams achieving the best results in the overall standings were:

• Men’s team standings:
  1. Zespół Szkół Ekonomiczno-Technicznych im. Kombatantów Ziemi Lwóweckiej w Rakowicach Wielkich
  2. Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących i Zawodowych im. A. Kamińskiego w Lubomierzu
  3. Zespół Szkół Ponadgimnazjalnych im. Kombatantów Ziemi Lubańskiej w Lubaniu
Women’s team standings:
1. Zespół Szkół Ponadgimnazjalnych w Dobrodzieniu
2. Zespół Szkół Ekonomiczno-Technicznych im. Kombatantów Ziemi Lwóweckiej w Rakowicach Wielkich
3. Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących i Zawodowych im. A. Kamińskiego w Lubomierzu.

Capt. Remigiusz Kwieciński