written by Rosita Ungerank

From September 22 to 27, WorldSkills 2026 took place in Shanghai. After months of intensive preparation, Manuel competed there on behalf of Switzerland as the Swiss champion in CNC milling. He is now returning home as the vice world champion.

Awards ceremony in Shanghai

Four days of intense concentration

Over the course of four days of competition, the goal was to apply what he had learned under international competition conditions. This required not only precision and technical skill, but also concentration, composure, and the ability to handle time pressure.

Manuel remained unfazed by the large crowd in Shanghai. He was able to complete his tasks within the allotted time.

Just how much the result meant to him became clear immediately after the closing ceremony.

My main goal was to win bronze, but now I've even won silver, it's just unbelievable!

Manuel Nussbaumer

Silver for Manuel, twelve medals for Switzerland

With his silver medal, Manuel also secured the only medal for the eight-member delegation from Central Switzerland. The other seven competitors from Central Switzerland were each awarded a Medal of Excellence for their performances.

The WorldSkills were also a success for the entire SwissSkills National Team. The 42 talented Swiss vocational professionals won four gold, two silver, and six bronze medals. As a result, Switzerland ranked third in the nations’ standings and was the most successful European nation.

A success with many supporters

The silver medal was not just the result of the four days of competition in Shanghai. Manuel prepared intensively for WorldSkills over many months.

He was supported in this effort by his expert, Silvio Tönz, from the SwissSkills National Team, as well as by his colleagues at Bucher Hydraulics in Neuheim.

His instructors and colleagues enabled him to focus on his preparation and provided him with the necessary facilities and equipment for his training.

After the awards ceremony, Manuel expressed his special thanks to Peter Böhi for his support and the training opportunities at Bucher Hydraulics, as well as to Silvio Tönz for the intensive preparation.

From swiss champion to vice world champion

Winning the silver medal marks the end of an intense period for Manuel.

What began with his Swiss championship title at SwissSkills 2025 and took him through numerous training sessions and competition simulations, now concludes on the podium at WorldSkills in Shanghai.

Congratulations, Manuel, on this magnificent and extraordinary achievement!

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