Military Students Win Defense Minister’s Cup

CHISINAU, August 23, 2013 — Military Academy of the Armed Forces “Alexandru cel Bun” won, for the third time, the Defense Minister’s Cup held during August 19-23, on the territory of the defense educational institution.

The military students won eight medals at the individual and team contests. The servicemembers of the 22^nd Peacekeeping Battalion won the second place, being followed by Special Forces Battalion “Fulger”, that won the third place.

The Defense Minister’s Cup was offered to the winner by the Chief of Main Staff, National Army Commander, Brigadier Gen. Vitalie Stoian. The winners of the second and third places were awarded diplomas and medals.

“Today you demonstrated that there is a sound competition in term of servicemembers’ physical training in the National Army, which is very important on the battle field. You are the ones to show your unit’s readiness level. I wish the winners to keep training in order to maintain their chances to win other competitions. I encourage those who did not win the sports contests this year to make effort and train hard in order to have success in their future competitions”, Brigadier Gen. Stoian said.

The Chief of Main Staff, National Army Commander, awarded the special prize of the competition to LCT Radu Turcan from Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun”, who won the wrestle competition, after defeating the representative of Moldova Brigade, soldier Vasile Bujac.

According to the Head of Physical Training and Sports Section of the Training and Doctrine Division, Main Staff, LTC Vasile Olednic, the participants competed at military pentathlon and triathlon, grenade throw, 3000-meter running, weight lifting, wrestling, rope pulling and others.

The Defense Minister’s Cup is held yearly and aims at improving National Army servicemembers’ performance.

This year, the competition brought together 132 servicemembers of 11 military units.