UIPM 2015 Senior World Championships - Lena Schoneborn wins the World Championship at home

BERLIN, GERMANY - Lena Schoneborn (GER) has been crowned World Champion here in Berlin at the 55th UIPM Senior World Championships after winning gold in the Women's Individual Event. Home advantage was crucial - as it was the Men's Relay on the Opening Day - as the German, and 2008 Olympic Champion came out on top in the 36-strong field to book her place in next summer's Olympic Games in Rio. She made a disappointing start to the day finishing 28th in the Swimming, but recovered well and went on to finish first in the Fencing beating the World Record with 280 Points (30 victories and 5 defeats), sixth in the Riding and stretch a nine second advantage going in the Combined Event to clinch first place on the podium. She said: "I am very exhausted, but totally happy to be the new World Champion in my home city, in front of my home crowd and my family. It almost made me cry. "It wasn't a perfect day because of the swim in the morning, but I had a perfect ride and I felt really comfortable. I almost had a full score and it's been a while since I did that. I was obviously nervous going into the run, but I just tried to focus and it worked out. "With the support of the home crowd it made it a lot easier to go all out and give 110 per cent. On the last lap I knew I was going to take it individually, but I knew we were also going for a Team Medal so I just kept on running as hard as I could." China's Qian Chen (CHN) took silver with Yane Marques (BRA) in third for bronze. Yan is the first Brazilian female athlete qualified to the Olympics in Rio 2016. As Qian Chen had already guaranteed her qualification in the Asian & Oceania Championships beginning of June, Russian Donata Rimsaite benefited of the Olympic spot for being fourth. Chen said: "I feel very excited as I didn't think I would get the Silver, but I tried hard in each discipline and it paid off. I wasn't sure how the running would go, but I focussed on every single detail and was determined so that is probably why I got second place." Bronze medallist Marques added: "I am so happy to get this medal and qualify for Olympics next year. I am going to the Olympics so really happy. I had a very good day with my fencing, and running so I am very happy." The 36 competitors for the Women's Individual Final started in the pool where France's Elodie Clouvel (FRA) and Samantha Murray (GBR) placed first, although with her time of 2.07:53 Clouvel (FRA) was faster by 0.04 of a second. Hungary's Sarolta Kovacs (HUN) came in three seconds behind them to take third place with Italy's Alice Sotero (ITA) fourth in 2.11:67 and Yane Marques (BRA) in fifth posting a time of 2.12:16. On to the Fencing, and home advantage played it's part as in front of a very enthusiastic German crowd it was Lena Schoneborn (GER) who took first place with 30 wins and only five defeats to move up to second in the overall classification heading in to the Riding Arena. There were 25 wins apiece for Russia's Donata Rimsate (RUS), Kovacs (HUN) and Brazil's Marques (BRA). That saw the Hungarian Kovacs (HUN) elevated to first on the overall leaderboard and Marques (BRA) sitting third after the first two events. The same trio remained in control by the completion on the Riding, albeit it was German Schoneborn (GER) who was now in pole positon with her sixth place finish giving her a nine second advantage over Marques (BRA) who moved in to second as the Women went in to the final Combined Event. Kovacs (HUN) was a further nine seconds behind the Brazilian as the enthralled crowd held their breath to see who would come out on top in the ever-dramatic running and shooting. With the crowd fully behind her, Schoneborn (GER) more than maintained her nine second lead and some solid shooting and a fantastic run saw her cross the line first. Chen (CHN) came from fourth and with a superb run managed to close down Marques (BRA) by the third round on the Shooting Range. It went down to the final 800m with Chen (CHN) out pacing her opponent to take silver leaving the Brazilian with third and bronze. Also celebrating were the Polish athletes who won gold in the Women's Team event. Aleksandra Skarzunska, Oktawia Nowacka and Anna Maliszewska stood on top of the podium alongside silver medallists Germany (Lena Schoneborn, Janine Kohlmann and Annika Schleu) and bronze medallists Hungary (Sarolta Kovacs, Zsofia Foldhazi and Tamara Alekszejev). After another superb day of thrilling live modern pentathlon action, UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: "This was more than only a great day with three different continents on the podium. "What we have witnessed here in these very hot weather conditions is seeing high level performances from former Olympic and World champions who are now standing on our podium. We are all very proud of this. "It is also great for the UIPM as we are seeing athletes from different countries being successful so this shows we are a global sport. "Thank you so much to the organisers and the athletes and I wish the athletes all the very best for the remainder of their season." Follow all the action of this UIPM 2015 Senior World Championships with our live results and live streaming of the Mixed Team Relay Competition tomorrow at www.pentathlon.org, our updates through Facebook at www.facebook.com/modpen and Twitter at https://twitter.com/UIPM_HQ