Pentathlon GB scooped the Best Event category at this year’s Bath Awards 2024, and won the UIPM’s (The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne) Event of the Year.

Bath Life Awards captured by Bath local photographer. Beata Cosgrove Photography

The World Championships were an international qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcasing approximately 700 elite athletes, including Team GB Olympic champion Joe Choong. It was one of the biggest sporting events ever staged in the South West of England, featuring hundreds of athletes, coaches, support staff, volunteers, delegates and media, as well as 4,500 spectators from across the globe.

The event had a specific focus on young people and inclusion, with the local economy benefitting from an injection of more than £1 million via thousands of participants and visitors to the city.

The Pentathlon GB-managed event debuted spectators being able to enjoy watching fencing, horse-riding and laser run (running and laser shooting) live from their seats at the outdoor arena, while the swimming section, which took place in the University’s Olympic-sized pool, was broadcast live via a large video screen in the stadium.

It is the first time Great Britain has hosted the World Championships since 2009, with the BBC broadcasting coverage of the men’s, women’s and mixed relay finals. The Laser Run World Championships, also held as part of the event, included a Para Laser Run category for the first time.

Alongside the sporting competitions, Pentathlon GB converted the University of Bath’s indoor tennis courts into a ‘have a go’ fencing and laser shooting zone, with additional activities for all the family, including time trials against the champions, design a swim cap and a fun obstacle course for younger children.

Trafford Wilson, CEO of Pentathlon GB says: “We are over the moon to have been recognised at these two awards, and I am extremely proud of my team’s hard work in bringing the World Championships to life. These awards are for them. Hosting the World Championships in Bath in the same year as we celebrated 100 years of pentathlon in Great Britain and its 25-year connection with the city was momentous for us and so we are particularly honoured to have won at the Bath Awards 2024.

“However, the true triumph of our World Championships is best gauged by its enduring legacy. The team at Pentathlon GB is consistently working to grow our sport and is focused on taking participation to new heights in partnership with local clubs and schools, helping to make modern pentathlon more accessible and inclusive. This includes introducing a new ‘friendly’ brand, Penta+, to help bring in and inspire a new audience.”

With thanks to Pentathlon GB via Big Fish Public Relations

After a personal best individual World Cup result of 4th on Friday, it was another major milestone achieved for Summers with the first WC medal of her career. The silver also rounded off a hugely successful week for Pentathlon GB athletes with Joe Choong taking silver in the men’s individual final yesterday and Tom Toolis recording his own World Cup best result of 6th.

Story of the Day

The mixed relay began in the pool where the Brits got off a strong start, clocking a 2:00.93 to sit 4th in the early standings. With 21 nations competing, the fencing discipline was always likely to play an important role in the final outcome and that proved to be the case. However, after a sluggish start, the Pentathlon duo found their form, putting in a hugely impressive final few rounds to end with 24 victories and 16 defeats from their 40 bouts.

Although the Gloucestershire-Surrey partnership didn’t add any more points to their tally in the bonus round, they remained in 4th at the end of the morning and within striking distance of those ahead.

With the horse-riding arena cutting up after the past two days of individual finals, many teams encountered difficulties. However, Cooke and Summers were not to be one of those, a controlled display seeing them score 286 points for their round and moving the Brits up to second heading into the laser run.

With a large number of nations packed in behind them, the pressure was on the Brits throughout the 3200m run-shoot. However, both 22-year-old Summers and 28-year-old Cooke kept their composure to maintain their place in second at the line to add another silver medal to Joe Choong’s from the men’s final yesterday.

The next World Cup takes place in Hungary from 1st-5th. The Pentathlon GB team competing in that event will be announced shortly.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

European silver medallist Kate French will make her first international appearance of the year at World Cup 2 in Sofia this month as preparations for the 2019 Europeans in Bath continue to hot up. The 28-year-old will have fond memories of the venue having taken a World Cup gold with a stunning display at the same venue last May. French will be joined by fellow 2018 European medallist Joe Choong and reigning World Champion Jamie Cooke as Pentathlon GB’s leading lights all head to Bulgaria.

Rio Olympians Choong and Cooke will be joined by Myles Pillage and Tom Toolis in the men’s British team with both athletes heading into the event in fine form after impressive performances at the opening World Cup in Cairo. Toolis finished 9^th in the Egyptian capital, his first ever top 10 finish at World Cup level whilst Pillage recorded his own World Cup best result of 22^nd, fresh off the back of a 2018 World team silver medal alongside Choong and Cooke.

Meanwhile, the British women’s team sees Joanna Muir, Freyja Atkinson and Francesca Summers joining French in Sofia. Like their male counterparts, the quartet will all head to World Cup 2 in high spirits with Dumfries’ Muir the highest placed British finisher at last year’s World Championships in Mexico. Summers was another athlete to record a World Cup PB in Cairo, an excellent 6^th place finish seeing her place on the wider podium. Meanwhile Prentice will head to the event fresh from a bronze medal at the French Open Tetrathlon Championships last month, a result which sees her set to make her first World Cup appearance for nearly 3 years.

The competition marks the next big step of a long and important 2019 season with Olympic qualifying officially starting on June 1^st before the World Cup Final, which doubles as the Tokyo test event takes place from 27^th-30^th June. Following that, a home European Championships takes place on British soil at the University of Bath in August.

The National Lottery funded event, dubbed “Gladiators Return”, will see the best modern Pentathletes from across Europe descend on the former Roman Spa town and will run from 6th-11th August 2019. As well as continental crowns, Tokyo Olympic qualifying places will be up for grabs making it one of the most important events of the season. Tickets for the Championships are now on general sale with more information available at: www.pentathlongb.org/euros2019

In Sofia, all eight athletes will compete in the individual competitions with Jamie and Frankie also lining up in the mixed relay on the final day of the competition.

Full schedule

Wednesday 10^th April – Women’s Qualifying

Thursday 11^th April – Men’s Qualifying

Friday 12^th April – Women’s Final

Saturday 13^th April – Men’s Final

Sunday 14^th April – Mixed Relay

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Story of the Day

Summers, Follett and Bryson had all come through qualifying on Wednesday to make the final and started their day in the pool with the 200m swim. It was Bristol’s Follett who started strongest of the Brits, stopping the clock in 2:21.37 with Summers recording a time of 2:23.41 and Bryson 2:26.53.

It was to be the fencing hall that dictated the final outcome of the day for the Pentathlon GB athletes, Surrey’s Summers faring by far the best as she secured 20 victories from her 35 bouts in the ranking round before going on to add two additional points in the bonus round. Plymouth’s Bryson finished the discipline with 14 victories with Follett on 11 victories. That meant former Junior World Champion Summers was 13^th at the end of the morning with Bryson 30^th and Follett 35^th heading into the ride.

Whilst many athletes at the top faltered, a flawless display from Summers saw her pick up the maximum 300 points. Follett also performed well, picking up just 3 time faults to score 297 points for her round, performances which saw both Brits make significant ground on their nearest rivals. 20-year-old Bryson had a tougher time in the third discipline, a score of 226 ending her hopes of a personal best World Cup finish. As a result, Summers headed into the laser run in 6^th with Follett 27^thand Bryson 36^th after the opening three disciplines.

In the combined run-shoot, an excellent display from Summers saw her maintain her position in 6^th, recording her best ever World Cup result and a second WC top 10. Behind her, Follett and Bryson both battled well in the final discipline with Follett crossing the line 32^nd and Bryson 36^th.

Today sees the men’s final taking place in Cairo with Myles Pillage and Tom Toolis both in action for Pentathlon GB after coming through qualifying on Thursday.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

• Rio Olympian French makes it back-to-back victories in 2019 Pentathlon GB ranking series
• French beats Olivia Green and Freyja Atkinson at the University of Bath and West Wiltshire Equestrian Centre
• Francesca Summers drops from second place after being eliminated in the riding discipline
• Plymouth’s Pillage beats Olympians Jamie Cooke and Joe Choong in thrilling men’s battle

Kate French and Myles Pillage took top honours at the second Pentathlon GB National Ranking Competitions after thrilling battles at the University of Bath and West Wiltshire Equestrian Centre yesterday (Saturday 9^th February). Kate finished ahead of Olivia Green and Freyja Atkinson in the women’s event after Francesca Summers, who was in second heading into the ride, was eliminated in the final discipline.

In the men’s event, Myles edged out Rio Olympians Jamie Cooke and Joe Choong with the order of the top three changing throughout the day as Britain’s best modern Pentathletes pushed each other hard at the venue of the 2019 European Championships.

Women’s competition

At National Ranking Competition 1, French was in charge throughout the day but on this occasion she was forced to come from behind with Holly Parker leading Amy Silk and Freyja Atkinson after the fence with the Rio Olympian back in sixth. French’s charge started in the swimming pool as she topped the discipline times in 2:18.50, moving into third place overall behind Parker and Summers. An exciting laser run battle ensued with French edging out her younger rival to hold a slender advantage heading into the ride.

With Summers eliminated following a fall at the last fence, French had a comfortable gap and although not at her best in the final discipline, her score of 272 ensured she topped the standings for the second consecutive ranking competition. Summers’ error allowed those behind to profit with Olivia Green finishing 2^nd and Freyja Atkinson 3^rd. Behind the leading trio, Zoe Davison, Kerenza Bryson, Holly Parker, Charlie Follett and Georgia Hannam rounded out the top eight places.

Full women’s results

Men’s competition

The men’s competition was a topsy-turvy affair with Pillage leading Choong and Cooke after the opening discipline in Bath. The swim saw the leading trio maintain those positions before another fascinating battle in the laser run which saw Orpington’s Choong come out on top as he led Pillage by a couple of seconds over the line.

However, things changed again in the final discipline. First Choong was penalised for an infringement during the course walk before reigning World Champion Cooke piled the pressure on the leading duo with a perfect clear round. Plymouth’s Pillage was up to the task, a score of 293 giving him the provisional lead and when Choong also rolled a single pole, the victory was the 21-year-olds with Cooke 2^nd and Choong 3^rd as his penalty came back to haunt him. That meant it was another bronze medal position for the 23-year-old after he also finished 3^rd at the Budapest Indoor Competition last week, the first international of the 2019 season.

Behind the top three, Tom Toolis, Sam Curry, Bradley Sutton, Kieran Harby and Josh Miller completed the top 8.

Full men’s results

This weekend’s competition completes the senior and junior ranking competitions for 2019 and focus now turns fully to the international season, beginning with the opening World Cup in Cairo at the end of February.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

It was a fourth individual international medal of the Scot’s career and a first since taking bronze at the same competition back in 2016. However, it was a performance that triumphed all of those with the Brit beating reigning World medallist Annika Schleu into silver and seeing off an extremely strong field which had assembled in Budapest ahead of a pivotal season in the modern pentathlon calendar.

Although the final results weren’t as eye catching, there was also significant encouragement for the remainder of the Pentathlon GB team with some impressive discipline performances undone by struggles elsewhere. That meant Jess Varley came home 18th with Zoe Davison 24th, Charlie Follett 30th and Olivia Green 31st in the first final of 2019.

Reaction

Reflecting on her victory Muir commented “I’m delighted to start the season by winning a gold medal. Today I felt like everything just clicked which is an incredible thing as an athlete.

“I was a little bit disappointed with my swim in qualifying so it was nice to improve on that and get my day off to a good start. I was actually slightly in disbelief when I saw the time because it was a one second PB.”

Muir added “Fencing is something I’ve struggled with in competition but also something I’ve been working really hard on, so it was nice to see the hard work paying off today.

“I was quite nervous going into the laser run because I’d never started in first before and I also knew that I had Annika (Schleu) right behind me who’s one of the quickest laser runners in the world. However, I knew my shooting in training had been going well so I just put my confidence in that and focussed on my own drills.”

The competition starts a busy period for Britain’s modern Pentathletes and looking ahead Muir said “I can’t wait for the rest of the season. I knew the winter block of training had gone well but you never actually know where you are until you’re up against your competitors, so this result has given me a huge amount of confidence. We’ve got a huge year coming up with Olympic qualifying starting and the European Championships coming to Bath so it’s great to start the year with a victory.”

Story of the Day – Jo Muir

The women’s final started in the pool with the 200m swim, Scotland’s Muir setting the tone for the day ahead with a blistering time of 2:11.59, placing her third in the early standings. It has always been the fencing discipline which has proved to be the achilles heel of Muir, but after a strong performance in qualifying, she backed that up with one of her best ever international fences as the 24-year-old recorded 21 victories and just 12 defeats from her 33 bouts.

That moved the Brit up to second in the overall standings before another excellent discipline performance in the ride saw the National Training Centre based athlete score 294 points. That moved Muir into the lead of the competition as former leader Luca Szarka struggled.

With her favourite discipline, the laser run, to come things were looking good for Jo but reigning World silver medallist Annika Schleu was still a significant threat. There were to be no such worries though with Muir demonstrating brilliant early season form to record the third quickest laser run time, extending her advantage to 14 seconds by the line. That made it a perfect start to the 2019 for both Muir and the whole Pentathlon GB squad, maintaining the momentum that has been created by Jamie Cooke’s World Championships triumph and Jess Varley’s Under 24 European bronze at the end of last season.

Story of the Day – GB athletes

There were strong swims from all five Pentathlon GB athletes to begin the day with Stroud’s Davison (2:13.13) and Bristol’s Follett 2:16.20 both inside the top 12 of the discipline standings. Saddleworth’s Green, the youngest member of the squad in Hungary stopped the clock in 2:16.93 while Fotheringhay’s Varley, fresh off the back of a PB in qualifying, recorded a 2:18.48.

After the serene progress of the opening discipline, the fencing proved to be more of a mixed bag for the British athletes. In addition to Muir’s charge, there was also a very strong performance from University of Bath student Follett who was just one hit further back (20V 13D), whilst Varley ended the discipline with 15 victories and 18 defeats to her name. Green, who had already done extremely well to make the final on her senior modern pentathlon international debut finished with 11 victories from her 33 bouts with Davison securing 8 hits.

19-year-old Davison performed well in the ride with just a single knockdown seeing her score 293, whilst Varley picked up 274 points for her round. There was more difficulty for the other Brits though with Follett and Green both being eliminated, ruining their chances of finishing higher up the leaderboard, particularly Follett who had been situated in 7th before the third discipline.

As a result, it was a battle for the minor places in the laser run but the British contingent all performed well with Varley recording the eighth quickest laser run time as she moved up to 18th and inside the top half at the finish. Davison also made ground in the final discipline, moving up to 24th with Follett 30th at the line. There was also a fine end to Green’s senior debut as the 19-year-old moved up to 31st with a rapid run-shoot of her own.

The remainder of the women’s team will next be in action on Saturday 9th February when they all compete at the second Pentathlon GB National Ranking Competition of the year at the University of Bath.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Story of the Day – Girls’ Competition

The girls’ competition began in pool with the 200m swim, Yorkshire Pentathlon Club’s Olivia Herron topping the timings in 2:15.94. Plymouth College’s Georgina Mitchell (2:19.48) and Annabel Denton (2:22.43) recorded the next best times, but there was little to choose between most of the field.

The competition really began to take shape in the fencing salle, Pentathlon Hereford’s Rebecca Wreyford moving into contention by winning the discipline with 28 victories and just 10 defeats from her 28 bouts. That was one hit more than Alex Bousfield with Mitchell recording 26 hits. That meant Mitchell held a one second lead over Bousfield heading into the laser run with Denton (3rd), Whitaker (4th) and Wilson (5th) all well placed overall after top ten discipline performances in the fence.

Blustery weather made for tough conditions in the laser run but it was to be Wilson who came out on top after the quickest laser run of the day. She was followed home by Whitaker and Bousfield to complete the podium places.

Annabel Denton, who finished inside the top 10 at last October’s Youth Olympic Games, came home 4th with Leweston Pentathlon Academy’s Charlotte Hicks 5th after the third quickest laser run time. Behind them, Warwickshire’s Mitchell finished 6th with Surrey’s Isabella Summers 7th whilst Dorset’s Amy Northam, Oxfordshire’s Eda Onay and Lancashire’s Larissa Hannam rounded out the top 10 at the University of Bath.

Full girls’ results

Story of the Day – Boys’ Competition

The boys’ competition began with the fence, Hartpury College MPA’s Josh Hood coming out on top with 28 victories and 8 defeats from his 36 bouts. That saw him finish the opening discipline one victory ahead of George Case with another Hartpury student, Aurelio Calipa (25 victories), rounding out the top three.

Ashford School Pentathlon Club’s Tom Wilton topped the swim standings in 2:04.56, over six seconds clear of North Kent MPC’s Luke Fowle (2:10.98) and Yorkshire Pentathlon Club’s Toby Price (2:11.89). Case recorded the fourth quickest time to take a 25 second lead into the laser as he headed Calipa, Hood, Price and Wilton.

That gap proved to be enough with Case holding off the chasing pack to take victory with Price coming out on top in the battle for second with Hood. Pentathlon Newcastle’s Ross Charlton moved up to 4th thanks to the quickest laser run of the day with Wilton 5th and Leweston Pentathlon Academy’s Sam Cobb 6th due to another rapid effort in the final discipline.

The top ten was rounded out by London’s George Simpson, Warwickshire duo Guy Anderson and Josh Mitchell and Somerset’s Calipa.

Full boys’ results

The next Under 19 Pentathlon GB Ranking Competition month take place on Sunday February 10th, also at the University of Bath.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Cooke meanwhile, was second after the fence and swim, but just as was the case in Mexico 4 months ago, he surged through in the laser run to take control before holding onto his advantage in the horse-riding discipline. That saw him finish Myles Pillage and Tom Toolis in Bath.

As a result, Plymouth duo Bryson and Pillage were the highest placed Junior athletes in the women’s and men’s competition respectively.

Story of the Day – Men’s event

It was Pillage and Rio Olympian Joe Choong who took charge in the fencing hall, both finishing with 23 victories and 7 defeats from their 30 bouts with Cooke and Toolis both 3 hits further back.

In the pool, Cambridge University’s Henry Choong stopped the clock in 2:01.55 to record the quickest time of the day with Cooke (2:02.48) and Pillage (2:02.54) following.  That meant Pillage, Cooke and Choong – the trio who won a historic men’s team medal at last year’s World Championships – occupied the top 3 places heading into the laser run with Toolis in 4^thand Basingstoke’s Bradley Sutton 5^th.

27-year-old Cooke then came to the fore, recording the quickest time in the laser run to move into a lead he wouldn’t relinquish. Behind him, Pillage maintained his place in 2^nd with Toolis moving up to 3^rd and Sutton 4^th as Choong dropped out of contention due to illness. That allowed Gloucester’s Jamie Harper to move up to 5^th and Clitheroe’s Oliver Murray 6^thafter the opening four disciplines.

There was little change in the ride with most of the leading athletes scoring well, but 20-year-old Sutton slipped a couple of places after an unfortunate refusal at the 11^th fence. That meant Cooke guaranteed his victory with Pillage and Toolis rounding out the podium places. Behind them, Murray finished 4^th with Harper 5^th and Sutton 6^th meaning the top six finishers all train at Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre at the University of Bath.

Hartpury College’s Jack White, Millfield School’s Will Howard, Henry Choong and the University of Bath’s Josh Miler rounded out the top 10

Full men’s results

Story of the Day – Women’s Competition

The women’s event also began in the fencing salle and Rio Olympian Kate French took command from the off, topping the discipline standings with 36 victories and just 6 defeats from her 42 bouts. That put her 5 victories ahead of the rest of the field with Francesca Summers (31V 11D) and Kerenza Bryson (30V 12D) also performing well in the opening discipline.

Zoe Davison, who finished 4^th at last year’s Junior World Championships in the Czech Republic, led the way in the swim with a time of 2:17.06. She was followed by Joanna Muir (2:17.55) and Georgia Hannam (2:17.71) with French recording the fourth quickest time to extend her overall advantage to 37 points over Summers after the opening two disciplines.

Although the gap at the front was large, just 58 seconds separated Summers from 14^th placed Holly Parker which meant a thrilling battle ensued behind. French comfortably maintained her lead with Dorking’s Summers holding onto second and Plymouth’s Bryson third despite pressure from the chasing pack. France’s Emma Riff, competing in the competition as a guest of Pentathlon GB’s, moved up to fourth with Jo Muir 5^th and Olivia Green 6^th thanks to the quickest two laser run times of the women’s competition.

As is so often the case, things can change quickly in the horse-riding arena and Summers and Riff were to be the biggest losers with Summers suffering numerous time faults and Riff being eliminated due to four refusals.

However, there was to be no such drama for French with a controlled round seeing her take victory by over 30 points from Bryson with Scotland’s Muir moving up to third. Summers finished in 4^th with Bristol’s Charlie Follett 5^th after topping the ride standings.

Saddleworth’s Green maintained her position in 6^th with Jess Varley 7^th and Freyja Atkinson, competing in the first time for over two years, 8^th. Stroud’s Davison and Morecambe’s Georgia Hannam, who both now train at Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre at the University of Bath, rounded out the top 10.

Full women’s results

The second Pentathlon GB National Ranking Competition of the year takes place on Saturday 9^th February, also at the University of Bath and West Wiltshire Equestrian Centre. The opening World Cup of the season in Cairo then follows at the end of February as the competition season steps up.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Jo Muir led the Pentathlon GB women’s team home in 16th at the 2018 World Championships with Kate French 19th and Francesca Summers 20th after a punishing laser run in Mexico City. The build-up to the week has been dominated by discussions about altitude and smog and that came to the fore with a chaotic final discipline which saw the order of the field turned upside-down. Muir was one of those to come through the field, gaining nine places in the run-shoot with European silver medallist French one of those to slip back as the lack of oxygen at 2400m took its toll. However, it was the first time since 2013 that three British women have finished inside the top 20 at the World Championships.

Story of the Day

The women’s final began with the fencing ranking round, which sees all athletes fence each other in a round robin format. Rio Olympian French got off to the perfect start, winning her first seven bouts, including victories over fellow Brits Muir and Summers. Although the 27-year-old couldn’t quite maintain that momentum, she still finished with a positive score of 19 victories and 16 defeats from her 35 bouts, leaving the world number 7 well placed overnight. 19 hits was a score matched by Summers with the 22-year-old Brit enjoying a fine second half of the ranking round. The fencing discipline has always been the achilles heel of Muir, but in the toughest event of the season, the Brit put up a good battle, finishing with 14 victories to her name.

With the ranking round complete, day 2 was to be all in one arena with the new Pentathlon Stadium concept being used for the first time. That included a 25m swimming pool, which is where the second day started. All three Brits showed they were up to the fight as they began strongly, Scot Muir leading the way in the second discipline in a time of 2:17.21. Gravesend’s French was just behind her fellow University of Bath based athlete in 2:18.90 with Dorking’s Summers stopping the clock in 2:21.91.

In the fencing bonus round, 24-year-old Muir added two extra points to her score with victories over France’s Julie Belhamri and Ukraine’s Zinayida Batrak before French secured a victory of her own against China’s Yufei Bian, the same athlete who had defeated Summers in the previous bout. That meant French was the lead Brit in 12th after the opening two disciplines, with Summers 17th and Muir 27th.

Muir was the first Pentathlon GB athlete into the horseriding arena where on a tricky little pony, she faced a real test. However, the Brit was up to task, demonstrating fantastic horsewomanship skills to avoid any refusals and score 280 points with just two pole knockdowns. Summers also faced a tough assignment, riding a horse that was eliminated in the first round. However, the 2014 Youth Olympic Games silver medallist was calm throughout her round, with just two knockdowns and 286 points with no threat of another elimination.

French, the final Brit into the arena, is one of the best riders on the international modern pentathlon circuit and demonstrated that again, a perfect clear round seeing the European silver medallist score the maximum 300 points and topping the discipline standings, just as she did at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Those performances saw all three British athletes move up the overall standings with French rising to 7th, Summers 15th and Muir 25th heading into the concluding laser run. In normal conditions, the top three would have been out of reach with the rest of the top 10 battling for the minor places but the altitude and fatigue meant that wasn’t the case with the running differences between athletes massively extenuated.

As is often the case, Muir made great gains in the final discipline, moving up to 16th in her first World Championships final. Unusually, French was one of those to lose-out in the run-shoot, dropping to 19th with the altitude appearing have a negative effect. Summers, making her first international appearance since May was one place further back, meaning it was three Pentathlon GB athletes in the top 20 for the first time in five years despite some frustrations and disappointments.

Belarus’ Anastasiya Prokopenko came from over a minute back at the start of the laser run to become the new Modern Pentathlon World Champion with Germany’s Annika Schleu taking silver and European Champion Marie Oteiza bronze.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

It was a serene day for both current European silver medallist French and 2014 Youth Olympic Games silver medallist Summers with impressive fencing performances setting them on their way to qualification. For 2016 World Championships women’s relay medallist Muir, it was the laser run which ensured her progress with a scintillating display in the final discipline of the day.

Teenager Zoe Davison, making her World Championships debuts in Mexico City, missed out on qualification but there were still plenty of positives to take from the day for the young Brit in conditions which proved to be as tough as promised in the build-up to the event.

Story of the Day – Group A

European silver medallist French was placed alongside Scot Muir in qualifying group A. That meant the duo begin their 2018 World Championships campaigns in the fencing hall with French performing strongly, just as she has done for the past two years. The Rio Olympian got off to a quick start and was towards the top of the discipline standings throughout, eventually finishing fourth with 23 victories and 10 defeats from her 33 bouts. For recently turned 24-year-old Muir, it was a different story with the Brit struggling in the second half of the discipline, claiming just one victory from her final 10 bouts. That meant Muir finished with 11 victories and 22 defeats to her name, giving her an uphill task for the rest of the day.

In the pool, part of the main arena in the world’s first ever Pentathlon Stadium, both British athletes performed well. It was Muir who led the way, stopping the clock in 2:18.82, narrowly ahead of fellow University of Bath graduate French who recorded a time of 2:19.26. Those times meant French was placed in 2nd with Jo 25th in the overall group standings.

Being at the top end of end of leaderboards is something 27-year-old French is getting used to and the Pentathlon GB athlete once again showed calmness and composure in the concluding run-shoot as she maintained her place inside the top 10 of the group standings to comfortably qualify for Wednesday’s final. Behind her, the task was much tougher for Muir, starting 36 seconds behind 15th and the all-important automatic qualifying places. However, the Brit is one of the best laser run athletes in the world and once again demonstrated her skill in the final discipline with a sublime display of running and shooting which saw her move up inside the top 10, crossing the finish line alongside French to ensure her own place in the women’s final.

Story of the Day – Group B

The two youngest members of the women’s team, 22-year-old Summers and 19-year-old Davison were both placed in qualifying group B, beginning their day in the pool. It was to be an encouraging start the day for both Brits with World Championships debutant Davison opening her campaign with a time of 2:16.65 and Summers, making her first international appearance since the end of May, recording a time of 2:21.12.

In the fencing hall, it was Surrey’s Summers who led the British charge, winning 10 of her opening 13 bouts on the way to a terrific score of 21 victories and 10 defeats. Alongside her, Davison, who is still only in her first year as a Junior athlete was around the level mark throughout the discipline. That continued right the way through to its conclusion with the Gloucestershire athlete, one of the youngest in the field, finishing with 15 victories and 16 defeats from her 31 bouts. That meant Summers was 2nd in the overall group standings with Davison in 16th after the opening two disciplines in Mexico City.

As French had done before her, Summers produced an assured display in the concluding run-shoot to book her place in the final. With lots of experienced athletes around her battling for the last few qualifying places, things were always going to be tough for Davison with the British teenager missing out on qualification. However, there was still plenty of encouragement for the Brit to take from the day and her first appearance at a major senior championship.

Tomorrow sees men’s qualifying taking place with Joe Choong, Jamie Cooke, Sam Curry and Myles Pillage all in action for Pentathlon GB. French, Muir and Summers will also return to action tomorrow with the women’s fencing ranking round taking place before the remainder of the final on Wednesday.

Courtesy of Pentathlon GB

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