MILITARY ATHLETES FROM 14 COUNTRIES COMPETE IN THUN

The CISM regional tournament took place in Thun from June 11 to 13, with 120 athletes from 14 nations competing. The Swiss shooters managed a total of nine podium finishes.

1/13/2025

During the three days of competition at the Guntelsey in Thun, the CISM regional tournament offered high-class competition. The Swiss participants performed excellently and won multiple medals.

TWO INDIVIDUAL GOLD MEDALS FOR DUFAUX

Gilles Dufaux excelled in the competition with the standard rifle over 300m three positions and deservedly won the gold medal with 587 rings. He also triumphed in the military rapid fire with 578 points, winning gold again. Together with Pascal Bachmann and Sandro Greuter, he won gold in the 300m three-position standard rifle team event and silver in the 300m 3x20 military rapid fire.

STRONG WOMEN

Muriel Züger won gold in the 50m three positions with 590 points, while Franziska Stark won bronze. Together with Sarina Hitz, they secured victory in the team ranking. Anja Senti, the «prone queen», excelled in the individual 50m prone competition and won gold with 625.2 points. In the team ranking, Muriel Züger, Franziska Stark and Sarina Hitz took silver behind Austria.

BRONZE FOR PISTOL LEGEND STEVE DEMIERRE

Steve Demierre, a legend in pistol shooting, won a bronze medal with the centerfire pistol over 25m.

«UNOFFICIAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP»

Although the military competitions are hardly noticed by the general public, events such as the CISM regional tournament in Thun offer military marksmen optimal conditions to compete internationally and at the same time to fulfill their military service obligations. Patrik Roland Fluri, Chief of CISM Swiss Shooting, emphasizes the attractiveness of the tournament: «The regional tournament in Thun is considered the most attractive CISM competition worldwide. The Swiss team, which consists mainly of top athletes, is world class, as is the CISM staff, which we train specifically every year.» Around 80 people from the military and civil defense were on hand, and a total of 14 nations participated with 120 shooters and around 40 coaches and trainers, which adds up to a total of 240 people.

COMRADESHIP IS THE FOCUS

One of the key aspects of the CISM is the direct contact between participants from different nations. «The marksmen and women who take part in our regional tournament are among the best in the shooting sport. The standard of competition is very high, it's basically an unofficial European championship,» says Fluri proudly. The open exchange with military personnel from different countries opens up new perspectives and promotes camaraderie. «Friendship through Sport» is the motto of the CISM, and this is lived here. For example, the Swiss team coach gave a Swedish shooter a helpful tip that improved her performance. This kind of support and camaraderie is what makes CISM competitions special, according to Fluri. // Swiss Shooting