There were 96 performances over six days / Aufguss WM/ Ryszard Rak
Hosted inside the newly-built 300-seat sauna at Aquardens Verona, Italy, the Aufguss World Championship finals combined breathtaking architecture with state-of-the-art theatre technology.
Complete with modern light and sound systems and powerful EOS ovens, the arena provided the perfect setting for the artistry, heat and ritual of aufguss.
The six-day, sold-out competition drew 115 finalists from 18 countries, who presented 96 15-minute performances to a total of more than 30,000 sauna-souls over the course of the week.
Verona represents a significant homecoming for the international championship, as the roots of Aufguss World Masters can be traced back to Cron4 in Bruneck.
This year marked the first participation of the USA and Canada, further expanding the global scope of the competition. During the opening ceremony, Aufguss World Masters also welcomed Moldova and Sweden as new delegations, set to debut in 2026.
Queen of singles Among the 40 singles finalists, Sigrid van Rijswijk from the Netherlands emerged as the new world champion – becoming only the second woman ever to win the singles title.
Previously crowned champion in the team category, van Rijswijk stunned audiences with a powerful story of a fraudulent fortune teller who discovers she possesses supernatural abilities. The performance climaxed in a breathtaking sequence where two towels seemed to fly into her hands as if by magic, symbolising her new-found powers.
Judges praised her show for its masterful blend of light, sound, heat, fragrance and storytelling. The performance ended on a hopeful note, with the fortune teller learning to use her gifts for good – a narrative that left the sauna in euphoria.
Other shows featured a quirky Alice in Wonderland, a haunting tale reminiscent of Snow White and a witty repetitive reinvention of Groundhog Day.
Team champions The team division also showcased 40 world-class performances.
The gold medal went to the Czech Republic team of Robert Zidek, Barbora Brozova and Gabor Tapolcai. Their piece combined technical mastery with a nuanced story of class, power and personal growth. Two high-society men attempted to mould a commoner to fit into their world, with humour and depth, leaving audiences deeply moved.
Closing reflections Throughout the competition, the performers transformed the sauna into a stage where heat met theatre, ritual created artistry and communities united in sweat and song.
As Pablo Picasso once said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” In Verona, aufguss masters reminded us that creativity, storytelling and shared rituals can bring out that inner artist – and remind us of our shared humanity.
The championship week closed with gratitude to organisers, performers and audiences alike.
The journey continues next year, when the 2026 Aufguss World Championships will be held at Satama Sauna Resort and Spa near Berlin, Germany, between 7–13 September.
Credit: Farris Bad
"Each performance offered a unique glimpse into the artistry of aufguss" – Lasse Eriksen, VP, Aufguss WM competition and jury member
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
There were 96 performances over six days / Aufguss WM/ Ryszard Rak
Hosted inside the newly-built 300-seat sauna at Aquardens Verona, Italy, the Aufguss World Championship finals combined breathtaking architecture with state-of-the-art theatre technology.
Complete with modern light and sound systems and powerful EOS ovens, the arena provided the perfect setting for the artistry, heat and ritual of aufguss.
The six-day, sold-out competition drew 115 finalists from 18 countries, who presented 96 15-minute performances to a total of more than 30,000 sauna-souls over the course of the week.
Verona represents a significant homecoming for the international championship, as the roots of Aufguss World Masters can be traced back to Cron4 in Bruneck.
This year marked the first participation of the USA and Canada, further expanding the global scope of the competition. During the opening ceremony, Aufguss World Masters also welcomed Moldova and Sweden as new delegations, set to debut in 2026.
Queen of singles Among the 40 singles finalists, Sigrid van Rijswijk from the Netherlands emerged as the new world champion – becoming only the second woman ever to win the singles title.
Previously crowned champion in the team category, van Rijswijk stunned audiences with a powerful story of a fraudulent fortune teller who discovers she possesses supernatural abilities. The performance climaxed in a breathtaking sequence where two towels seemed to fly into her hands as if by magic, symbolising her new-found powers.
Judges praised her show for its masterful blend of light, sound, heat, fragrance and storytelling. The performance ended on a hopeful note, with the fortune teller learning to use her gifts for good – a narrative that left the sauna in euphoria.
Other shows featured a quirky Alice in Wonderland, a haunting tale reminiscent of Snow White and a witty repetitive reinvention of Groundhog Day.
Team champions The team division also showcased 40 world-class performances.
The gold medal went to the Czech Republic team of Robert Zidek, Barbora Brozova and Gabor Tapolcai. Their piece combined technical mastery with a nuanced story of class, power and personal growth. Two high-society men attempted to mould a commoner to fit into their world, with humour and depth, leaving audiences deeply moved.
Closing reflections Throughout the competition, the performers transformed the sauna into a stage where heat met theatre, ritual created artistry and communities united in sweat and song.
As Pablo Picasso once said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” In Verona, aufguss masters reminded us that creativity, storytelling and shared rituals can bring out that inner artist – and remind us of our shared humanity.
The championship week closed with gratitude to organisers, performers and audiences alike.
The journey continues next year, when the 2026 Aufguss World Championships will be held at Satama Sauna Resort and Spa near Berlin, Germany, between 7–13 September.
Credit: Farris Bad
"Each performance offered a unique glimpse into the artistry of aufguss" – Lasse Eriksen, VP, Aufguss WM competition and jury member
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