Source: Pentathlon GB

Pentathlon GB’s Green and Pillage end Junior Worlds with mixed relay bronze

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Olivia Green and Myles Pillage produced a fine display to claim bronze in the mixed relay on a dramatic final day at the Junior World Championships in Drzonkow.

On a fascinating day which saw massive changes in every discipline, the British duo kept their nerve to secure the final place on the podium and cap a fine week for Pentathlon GB athletes with the fourth British medal of the Championships.

It was a second bronze of the week for Green after finishing third in the women’s team competition alongside Georgia Hannam and Kerenza Bryson and sixth medal of an excellent 2019 season. For Pillage, it was a fine bounceback after yesterday’s men’s final which also saw him in medal contention before ultimately finishing 10th in the West Polish town.

Story of the Day

The mixed relay began in the pool and it was the British duo who were quickest out of the traps, setting the standard with a 1:56.38 for their 200m swim.

In the fencing hall, a strong finish from saw the PGB duo finish with 19 victories and 15 defeats from their 34 bouts, keeping them in touch with the discipline leaders. 19-year-old Green and 21-year-old Pillage then added two further points to their tally in the fencing bonus round courtesy of victories over Mexico and Hungary. That left the University of Bath students 6th after the opening two disciplines with South Korea heading the way after impressing on the piste.

In the men’s final, the riding arena scuppered British chances of medals. 24 hours on, there was to be more drama in the third discipline, but on this occasion it was the Union Jack which was to the fore with a fine round from Green and Pillage seeing them score 285 points after just a single pole and handful on time faults.

The young British duo then watched on as all five nations above them faulted with a string of penalties as the overall leaderboard was once again turned on its head. Previous leaders South Korea were remarkably one of seven nations to be eliminated, scoring zero as a result, and ending their medal chances.

It meant that Saddleworth’s Green and Plymouth’s Pillage leapfrogged all those ahead of them and returned back to the top of the overall standings. However, with just 35 points covering the top 6 nations there were still more twists and turns to follow in the laser run.

It was to be the shooting range where most of the drama unfolded as the Egyptian pairing of Salma Abdelmaksoud and current Youth Olympics Games Ahmed Elgendy took advantage of others mistakes to take a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish with Russia coming through to take silver. However, some strong running from Green and Pillage ensured they took the final step on the podium, holding off a late charge from home favourites Poland to take bronze and a 4th British medal of the week at the Junior World Championships.

The day ends this year’s Junior Major Championships with a superb 8-medal haul for Pentathlon GB athletes across the Junior Worlds and Junior Euros which were held last month.

Pentathlon GB athletes return to action on Thursday with the start of the Under 19 and Under 17 World Championships as the 2019 international season continues apace.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB