Doha: Qatar captured two gold medals in the target accuracy events, team and individual, at the close of the 47th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship (CISM Qatar 2025), held at Umm Shkhoot Airport in Doha.
According to Qatar News Agency, the competition brought together 320 male and female parachutists from 30 countries, who competed in three disciplines for men and women: four-way formation, style, and target accuracy. In the men's team target accuracy event, Qatar's squad, Khalid Shajea, Abdulaziz Al Hajjaji, Mohammed Saeed Al Marri, Saleh Al Obaidli, and Mohammed Al Atas, won gold with 25 points. They edged out the Czech Republic and Switzerland, who finished second and third respectively with the same score, on the basis of better attempts. Germany placed fourth with 27 points, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 31, and Slovenia with 34.
In the men's individual target accuracy, Qatar's Khalid Shajea claimed gold with five points, ahead of Germany's Robin Griesheimer, also on five points, while Qatar's Mohammed Saeed Al Marri took bronze with six. China dominated the women's team target accuracy, winning gold with 66 points. France finished second with 84 points, and South Korea third with 112 points. In the women's individual event, China's Ying Miao won gold with seven points, France's Leocadie Ollivier De Pury took silver with 10, and China's Li Jianhong earned bronze with 11.
President of the Military Sports Association Maj. Gen. Dr. Yousef Desmal Al Kuwari, Commander of the Joint Special Forces and Chair of Qatar Air Sports Committee (QASC) Brig. Gen. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Otaibi, President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) Col. Nilton Gomes, delegation heads, unit commanders, and guests attended the closing ceremony. The ceremony featured the Qatari national anthem, a parade of participating teams to the CISM anthem, a precision honor guard display by Qatar's armed forces, and evening aerial formations by Qatari parachutists that drew admiration for their skill and discipline.
In a speech, Brig. Gen. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Otaibi expressed gratitude to all delegations for their efforts and praised the spirit of participation, discipline, and commitment to the championship's goals, reflecting CISM's motto: "Friendship through Sport." At the conclusion of the championship, the CISM 2025 flag was formally lowered. Brig. Gen. Al Otaibi handed the flag to Col. Nilton Gomes, who passed it to a representative of Slovakia, the host of the next edition in 2027.
Brig. Gen. Al Otaibi praised the honorable results achieved by the national team and the remarkable achievements of the Accuracy Target Team. He attributed these achievements to the support from the Qatar Air Sports Committee and the wise leadership keen on providing all means of support for Qatari sports. He also highlighted the efforts of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani in supporting the championship's success.
Col. Nilton Gomes acknowledged the championship's success, noting its outstanding technical and organizational aspects. He emphasized that the event was more than a competition, serving as a cultural exchange platform for military sports enthusiasts. He praised Qatar for hosting a high-standard championship, providing excellent hospitality, and fostering a successful and high-level competitive environment.
Head of Media Affairs Salem Al Fahida congratulated the Qatari champions, stressing the championship's organizational and technical success, as testified by participating delegations. He noted the exceptional season for air sports in Qatar and praised the Qatari national team's performance amid strong competition.