The first UIPM Laser Run World Championships staged in Britain proved to be a huge success as more than 560 athletes from 33 countries served up three thrilling days of competition at the University of Bath.
Racers of all ages and abilities competed for world titles in 37 categories, from under-9s through to over-70s, including, for the first time, three Para Laser Run categories.
Gold medals went to athletes from 10 different countries, Egypt being the most prolific nation with 12 of them. That included both the women’s and men’s LR4 (wheelchair) champions, Hanin Elkhouly and Abdullah Abdelmawla.
The host nation won seven titles, four of them in the mixed relays on the last day of competition, while the senior crowns went to Elzbieta Adomaityte of Lithuania (women), Spain’s Pau Salomo (men) and Switzerland’s Katharina Jurt and Alexandre Dallenbach (mixed relay).
All of the action took place on the athletics in-field at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, which has been transformed into a pentathlon arena for the World Championships.
UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “In the past three days in Bath we saw a fantastic presentation of the UIPM Laser Run World Championships for all generations, from U9 to Masters. This was a universal celebration of the glory of sport.
“We have fantastic facilities here at the University of Bath, and we had athletes competing and cheering each other on surrounded by parents and coaches. Laser Run is a very special pillar of our UIPM movement as a popular urban sport.
“The UIPM Para Laser Run World Championships for wheelchair athlete and other classifications took place this morning and it was clear that the level is growing. It is fantastic that our movement is taking care of Para Pentathlon athletes and making sure our sport is as inclusive as possible.”
Focus now turns to the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships, which run from 22-28 August at the University, home to Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre.
The women’s and men’s relays get the action under way today (Tuesday), followed by the women’s and men’s individual competitions whose finals take place on Sunday 27th. The mixed relay completes nine days of world-class sport on Monday 28th.
Tickets are available at wch2023.org.
With thanks to Team Bath
