Biathle-Triathle Spotlight: Four more countries join BTNT circuit

While the first half of 2021 saw much excitement at the long-waited resumption of the Biathle-Triathle National Tour in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, things barely quietened down as the year progressed with plenty more athletes shining across the globe.

Turkey, Burkina Faso, the Philippines and South Africa all joined in on the action in the second half of 2021, meaning that nine countries across three continents hosted multi-discipline events on the BTNT calendar this year. 

Heat is raised as Kerpe (TUR) toasts return of competition 

Izmit played host to Turkey’s first BTNT of the year in early August and while the resumption of action had been long awaited, the event benefited from additional interest as it doubled up as a national team selection competition.

With the help of the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, national team hopefuls went through their paces in the tourist hotspot of Kerpe, perched on the Black Sea. 

With places on the line for the both the European and World Biathle-Triathle Championships, the multi-sport action was fast and frenetic in Kerpe.

BTNT racing and fencing camp in Ouagadougou continue Burkina Faso’s growth

As one of the countries at the forefront of UIPM Sports’ growth in Africa, Burkina Faso has been a hive of activity in recent years. Laser Run and Biathle-Triathle competitions have attracted not only local participants but also those from neighbouring countries. 

On August 14 the federation organized a Biathle-Triathle National Tour at the Nogtaaba village in the capital city of Ouagadougou. 

“Despite the rain, there was an atmosphere of excitement and commitment among the pentathletes,” said a spokesperson for the local organizing committee. “With the obtaining of fencing equipment from the UIPM, we were also able to organize a fencing training camp.” 

Ormoc the venue as Philippines' SEA Games legacy grows

As part of the legacy commitments and continued successes of the 2019 South East Asian Games which the country hosted, the Philippines continues to organize not just frequent Biathle-Triathle National Tours but Global Laser Run City Tours too. 

After a successful Triathle event in February and Biathle event in early May, the Philippines Modern Pentathlon Association conducted Biathle-Traithle National Tour with a particular focus on Triathle in Ormoc on September 25.

The competitions took place, as is rapidly becoming a tradition, at the new Ormoc City National High School venue. The participants were PMPA young pentathletes with boys and girls across U13-U17 age groups testing themselves in shoot-run-swim event under the UIPM brand. 

Picturesque Stellenbosch (RSA) welcomes world champions home

As far as BTNT venues go, Somerset College in Stellenbosch may be the most breathtaking, surrounded by mountains on the one side, vineyards on the other and the ocean just over the hills.

In late October, the college played host to almost 120 Biathle athletes from Under 9 all the way up to 60+ with the same grades for the 95 Triathle competitors. Three gold medalists from the recent Biathle-Triathle World Championships in Weiden (GER) were on hand. 

“We had a lot of new athletes and a lot of interest in the practice shooting area,” said a spokesperson for the local organising committee.