On July 19 volunteer soldier of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Pte Simonas Krėpšta won Lithuania's first prize in the 5th CISM Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In half-distance individual course he won the Champion's title. Basketball players of the Lithuanian Armed Forces also pace safely towards the goal - they have three victories in a row.
Men competed in 4,3 km track with 18 control posts. Simonas Krėpšta overcame the distance in 24 min. and 13 sek., Austrian Gernot Kerschbaumer was second (24 min. 37 sek.), Swiss Andreas Kyburz came third (24 min. 55 sec.). Other Lithuanians - Vilius Aleliūnas and Donatas Stulgys - displayed equal results (26 min.12 sec.) and occupied the 12th position.
Lithuanian basketball players who take part in matches daily have already secured three victories- Brazilian team was defeated by 65-61, Qatar's team by 82-69, Uzbek military - by a clear 86-53. On July 20 Lithuanian military basketball team meets with Kazakhstan's team, and with Italian team on July 21.
From July 16 to 21 Lithuanian troops participate in the 5th CISM Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the second largest sports event after the Olympic Games.
Fighter-jets and assault helicopters of the Brazilian Air Force, hundreds of samba dancers, six Brazilian military bands, address from Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, and Games Fire lit by the best football player of all times Pele at Rio de Janeiro, Botafogo Stadium - that is what was offered in the opening ceremony of the 5th CISM Military World Games in Brazil. Lithuania's flag in the ceremony was carried by the coach of the military basketball team, 1st Lt Mindaugas Kildišius.
Lithuania in the Games is represented by a team, judo, box, orienteering and beach volleyball teams.
Over 7 thousand participants from more than 100 countries across the globe take part in the event. The military sports event organised every four years was established and first held in 1995 in Italy. The first CISM Winter Military World Games was for the first organised in 2010 in Italy as well.
Find more information about the event at: http://www.rio2011.mil.br/
Pictures by Alexandre Durao, Ernesto Carrico, Severino Silva and Lithuanian delegation.
