Winners of the hot air balloon championship and strongman tournament announced in Birštonas

The Lithuanian-Latvian Hot Air Balloon Championship was held here for four days, with 24 pilots from the Baltic countries competing against each other. On July 6, the State Day, the strongest participant of the International Strongmen Tournament was also revealed.

24 pilots from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland participated in the 33rd open Lithuanian-Latvian hot air balloon championship "Birštonas Cup 2025". Gusty winds and changing weather conditions changed the competition plans. During the four days of the competition, four out of six planned flights were completed, and during them the pilots performed 19 tasks of varying complexity.
In the Lithuanian championship, first place went to experienced aviator Rokas Kostiuškevičius, who scored 15,073 points, second place went to Vytautas Sviderskis (14,510 points), and third place went to Martynas Lyčius (13,131 points). Arnis Mikelsons became the Latvian champion (8,862 points).
"Preliminary weather forecasts raised concerns that gusty winds could affect the course of the competition. However, the professionalism and experience of the participants left no room for error. In addition, yesterday's flight and the colorful sea of hot air balloons delighted the large number of residents and guests of the resort who gathered," said Žydrūnas Kazlauskas, the organizer of the event and the head of the Audenis aeronautical club.
Ž. Kazlauskas noted that the exercises arranged by the competition director contributed to the participants' good results in the overall standings. The winners were awarded Lithuanian Aeroclub medals and other prizes, and all championship participants received valuable rating points, which will determine the rosters of next year's Lithuanian and Latvian national teams.

There was no shortage of sporting excitement on the ground on Sunday. The resort hosted the 26th International Strongman Tournament, which brought together nine of the strongest athletes from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. In five events – tug-of-war, holding the sword of King Mindaugas, turning heavy tires, lifting a log and relay – the athletes fought for the title of the strongest.

After completing all the events, the winners' podium was divided as follows: first place went to Latvian Maris Krievelis, second place to Lithuanian Saulius Skikas, and third place went to Lithuanian representative Vytenis Pauža. The winners were awarded commemorative cups and sponsor prizes.

The tournament "Nemunas Galiūnas 2025" was watched by a crowd of curious people and spectators, who were invited to try and complete various tasks themselves and experience the challenges of the strongman sport.