The ninth annual World Olive Harvesting Championship took place in early October on the Croatian island of Brač. Unexpectedly, nations without a historical tradition of olive cultivation claimed the medals. The Czech Republic achieved a remarkable result, becoming the vice-world champions in olive harvesting. Finland surpassed all competitors to win the gold medal at the championship held on Brač. This outcome highlights the growing global interest in and skill development within olive harvesting, regardless of regional agricultural heritage. The event showcased a surprising shift in competitive dynamics within this specialized field.