Egypt secured the first gold medals of the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships 2023 after an action-packed day of relay competition at the University of Bath.
Amira Kandil and Malak Ismail claimed the women’s relay title after consistent performances across all five disciplines, crossing the finish line six seconds clear of Italy’s Beatrice Mercuri and Aurora Tognetti.
Bronze went to overnight leaders Mayan Oliver and Mariana Arceo of Mexico, while Pentathlon GB’s Gina Speakman and Alex Bousfield – who study Sports Performance and Politics & International Relations respectively at the University of Bath – finished fifth in front of an appreciate home crowd.
The men’s relay saw Moutaz Mohamed and Ahmed Hamed emulate their compatriots’ earlier success as they held off the challenge of Hungary and South Korea in a thrilling laser-run. Guy Anderson and Sam Curry, who studied Accounting & Finance and Politics & International Relations respectively at the University, placed eighth for the home nation.
The horse riding, fencing bonus round and laser-run all took place in the outdoor pentathlon arena built on the athletics track at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, while the swimming was broadcast to spectators live on a big screen.
Tuesday also doubled as a Family Day with children, parents and grandparents taking the opportunity to enjoy world-class sport while trying their hand at the pentathlon disciplines – including obstacle course, being introduced to the sport after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – in hugely-popular ‘have a go’ activities on the indoor tennis courts.
The individual pentathlon competitions begin on Wednesday with the women’s qualifying round, with the men getting their campaigns under way on Thursday. The semi-finals are on Friday and Saturday respectively, followed by both finals on Sunday where medals and Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifying places will be won.
Tickets for the World Championships, which conclude on Monday 28th with the mixed relay, are available now at wch2023.org.
With thanks to Team Bath
