Lithuanian Firefighters Became World Champions
On 16 October 2025, Lithuania’s strongest firefighters went to the World’s Strongest Firefighter Championship in Dallas, the USA. Sixteen Lithuanians competed for the title of champion against 300 participants from around the world on 20–25 October 2025. The qualifying rounds for the finals took place on 20–23 October 2025, individual races and awards took place on 24 October 2025, tandem, team races and final awards took place on 25 October 2025.
Three Lithuanian teams won in the relay competition at the Firefighter Challenge World Championship. The Lithuanian men’s team got into the finals and won gold medals (L. Leonavičius, J. Višnevski, G. Samauskis, R. Lindenis, and R. Vilimas). In the mixed relay (2 women and 3 men) finals the Lithuanian team also became champions (R. Balčiūnas, M. Kirelytė, K. Gražinis, R. Bartkutė, A. Ašmontas). The men’s over 40 team (R. Balčiūnas, A. Ašmontas, M. Gasparėnas, R. Viskontas, E. Krivickas) also faced no difficulties and became world champions.
Two Lithuanian relay teams won bronze medals: the Lithuanian mixed team (M. Gasparėnas, E. Litwin, M. Dūda, D. Gideikaitė, and R. Viskontas) and the Lithuanian women’s team, which was formed for the first time (M. Kireilytė, R. Bartkutė, D. Gideikaitė, and E. Litwin).
Lithuanian tandem teams became world champions as well: L. Leonavičius and E. Krivickas in the open category, R. Bartkutė and M. Tommervold in the women’s 45-49 age category. R. Balčiūnas and R. Bartkutė, as well as R. Balčiūnas and D. Gideikaitė, won silver medals in the mixed category, in the men’s 40-49 age category – R. Viskontas and E. Krivickas, in the open mixed category – M. Gasparėnas and E. Litwin, in the men’s under 40 age category – L. Leonavičius and R. Vilimas.
R. Bartkutė and E. Litwin won bronze medals in the women’s category.
Lithuanian firefighters won many medals in the finals of the World’s Strongest Firefighters Championship in the USA. In the individual competition in his age category (30–34 years), L. Leonavičius, who set a world record, this time took second place. R. Bartkutė came second in her age category (45–49 years).
E. Litwin, participating in the World’s Championship for the first time, took third place in the youngest age category (18–24 years old). D. Gideikaitė took second place in the second division.
Based on the personal times achieved by each participant, the Lithuanian representatives were divided into four teams: two men’s teams (3–5 men per team) and two mixed teams (2 men and 2 women). Based on the three best individual times achieved by the team, the Lithuanian men’s team (L. Leonavičius, R. Lindenis, G. Samauskis, R. Vilimas, J. Višnevski) and the Lithuanian mixed team (A. Ašmontas, K. Gražinis, M. Kireilytė, R. Bartkutė) became world champions. Second place in the mixed category went to another Lithuanian team – M. Dūda, R. Balčiūnas, D. Gideikaitė, and E. Litwin.