From Mikus Hill to the podium

The competition brought together soldiers from capitals of the V4 countries: teams from Prague, Warsaw, Bratislava and Budapest were competing with each other – and also with themselves. On Tuesday, the main activity was an orientation run in pairs. The distance of this run was 14 kilometers – of course, only for those who did not lost their way. Naturally, the competitors had to climb the height called “cruel Mikus Hill” as well, which was named after Lieutenant Colonel György Mikus, one of the chief organizers.

Wednesday was a practice day, and on Thursday, a multitude of obstacle courses and checkpoints, an orientation run, hand-grenade throwing and shooting awaited the participants. The uphill slopes, the summer heat and the continuous concentration all put the teams to the test. Hussar Private Second Class Gergő Salga, a soldier of the Count Nádasdy Ferenc Hussar Division is a returning contestant of the Hungarian team. Having crossed the finish line, he wearily recalled the hardest moments of the day. “We have completed a three-times five-kilometer circle, and various tasks awaited us at six checkpoints. My favorite is shooting. The biggest challenge is running uphill, the »wailing wall« called Mikus, at the top of which one even has to carry a medicine ball. I think we’ve given a good performance and count on finishing in the top tree.”

Gergő was right: the Hungarian team was the runner-up in the overall results. It was followed by the Czech team and preceded by the Polish one, whose members stood on the highest step of the podium.

The awards were presented by Colonel Levente Réz, Commander, HDF vitéz Szurmay Sándor Budapest Garrison Brigade. “Keeping in shape is very important to soldiers, and competing gives them serious motivation for doing so. Our soldiers can choose from among a multitude of sports championships, from field running races to triathlon to patrol competitions like the present one. Besides, building international relations is also very important. The acquaintances we return from Püspökszilágy with may benefit us later as well” – said the colonel.

Czech infantryman First Lieutenant Dominik Popelka visited the competition for the third time, and praised the organizing work. “Every year we met the competitors here, and participation is already a tradition for my team. Year after year, the competition is getting more exciting, and the organizers are striving to perfect it, to make it more exciting and to renew he course. I like shooting, where I can gather a little strength, too. This competition requires good physical fitness, because the majority of participants are serious sportsmen besides being active-duty soldiers. As for myself, I compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I hope I can return here next year, too” – this was how the soldier serving in the Prague garrison said goodbye.

In 2027, the participants will enter a jubilee competition. Teams from capital garrisons of Central and Eastern Europe are warmly welcome to join the 30th International Patrol and Shooting Competition.