Hungarian Indoor Championships 2021: Dogue brothers (GER) split by Kasza (HUN) on podium

Patrick Dogue of Germany came from behind to claim gold in the Men’s Final of the 7th Hungarian Open Indoor Championships, consigning Robert Kasza of Hungary to silver after an enthralling chase.

Kasza (HUN) had started Laser Run in the lead and held onto it for half of the race, but Dogue (GER) made a major gain on the second lap having started 4th and left the shooting range with a narrow lead that he refused to relinquish despite the persistent efforts of the local favourite.

Beyond the tussle for gold there was an intriguing race for bronze, finally won by Marvin Dogue (GER) to ensure double family representation on the podium. The world No.4 was followed across the line by France duo Christopher Patte (4th) and Jean-Baptiste Mourcia (6th), split by Pavels Svecovs of Latvia in 5th.

Mourcia (FRA) was the fastest Laser Run performer of the day (10:08.03), having gone into the final discipline in 23rd position.

The indoor competition in Budapest (HUN) was the first to draw participants from multiple continents, with 20 nations sending athletes eager to sharpen their competitive instincts after a largely fallow year in 2020. Michelle Gulyas (HUN) gave local organisers reason for cheer with victory in the Women’s Final yesterday.

In the Men’s Final it was young Tamas Joszef of Hungary who completed his 200m in the fastest time (1:56.06), followed by Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt (1:56.51) and Bence Kardos (HUN, 1:58.90).

Star performer in Fencing was Eslam Hamad (EGY), who scored 25 victories and would have been in a stronger overall position if not for a 10pt equipment penalty. There were 23 wins for Svecovs (LAT), Kasza (HUN) and Andriy Fedechko of Ukraine.

There were 11 perfect scores in a high-quality Riding round, with Patrick Dogue (GER) moving up the field and keeping the pressure on Kasza (HUN), who also scored 300 as did Svecocs (LAT) and Patte (FRA). Marvin Dogue (GER) dropped 14 penalty points but had just enough class to force way his way to a medal in an intriguing Laser Run.

Patrick Dogue (GER) said: “It was really tough because it was the first competition after this long COVID break, no-one knows how his shape is and I didn’t start so well this morning, but finally everything was fine. I think I’m in good shape.

Marvin Dogue (GER) added: “Before the Laser Run I noticed there were so many fast guys in front of me, so I just decided to focus on myself and test myself because this is a test competition for World Cup season and Olympic qualification.

“I was just trying to show my best, but when I finished my third lap I saw four or five at the shooting range and I thought ‘OK, now it’s your time’.”

Kasza (HUN) said: “It wasn’t an easy race, but it gave me a good boost. I was glad for Patrick that he defeated me at the end, because when I win an indoor championship I usually suffer all year round!

“I’m not happy with my swimming because every year I lose one second of my time, but it’s a promising start to the year.”

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann, who attending all four days of the competition, said: “Yesterday we saw an excellent Women’s Final and again today in the Men’s Final, if there had been spectators here they would have seen a very enjoyable competition.

“It was important for all the athletes to compete and test all their preparation from the winter season. Also the coaches and trainers can judge better what they have to do more in preparation for UIPM Pentathlon World Cup Budapest here at the end of March.

“Thanks again for the excellent organisation, which is not easy in these difficult times, but all the athletes are satisfied how they have been accommodated with food and all the actions that had to be taken linked to the protection of health during this pandemic time.

“We are looking forward to the World Cup season, and I wish everyone luck. Let’s hope that the pandemic can be much more controlled through the vaccination, and I wish that national governments are understanding that the vaccination of athletes and coaches is very much needed so that they can be well prepared for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2021.”

All results from the competition are available at the UIPM website.