UIPM 2015 World Cup #3 – Rome opens door to the warriors of Modern Pentathlon

Rome will play host to the third stage of the 2015 UIPM World Cup Series this week (April 8-14).

The world’s leading Modern Pentathletes will descend on the ancient capital city of Italy looking to take a step closer to qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Following the resounding successes of World Cups #1 and #2, the Italian Modern Pentathlon Federation (FIPM) – with the support of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) – is ready to deliver another top class festival of Modern Pentathlon action to match the thrilling spectacles produced by Sarasota, USA, and Cairo, Egpyt.

Dr Klaus Schormann, President of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, said: “We are delighted to welcome all of our athletes, VIP guests and spectators to Rome for the third stage of our World Cup series.”

“This beautiful and ancient city is well known for its wonderful history as the home of the gladiators, the ultimate warriors who were known throughout the world for their physical and mental strength. We are sure this can inspire our athletes to summon their best performances.”

“We must say a big thank you to our hosts, the Italian Modern Pentathlon Federation and the Italian Olympic Committee, for the hard work they have put in behind the scenes to make this event possible.”

The qualifying rounds take place on April 8-9 before the Women’s Individual Finals follow on April 10, the Men’s Individual Finals on April 11 and the Mix Relay on April 13. April 12 is reserved for the Cultural Programme.

201 athletes from 34 nations will push themselves to the limits physically and emotionally to achieve their dream of representing their country at next summer’s Olympics.

With three events to go in the series, there is all to play for with everyone jostling for position.

Last time out in Cairo, the Egyptian crowd witnessed a new World Record in the shooting series with Germany’s Marvin Dogue hitting 5 shots in 5.9 seconds during qualification for the Men’s Individual Final.

It was Ruslan Nakonechnyi (Latvia), Laura Asadauskaite (Lithuania) and the duo of Ismael Hernandez-Uscanga and Tamara Vega (Mexico) who topped the podium in the Egyptian capital.

The winners from World Cup #1 came from Russia (Mix Relay) and Great Britain (Men’s and Women’s Individual, Samantha Murray and James Cooke).

In the Men’s rankings, Jan Kuf (CZE) sits top, but second placed Italian Fabio Poddighe (ITA) will be looking to exploit home advantage.

In the Women’s rankings, American Margaux Isaksen (USA) leads the way with Britian’s Freyja Prentice (GBR) and Poland’s Anna Maliszewska (POL) in second and third.

Follow all the action at www.pentathlon.org, with updates on the hour through Facebook at www.facebook.com/modpen and Twitter at https://twitter.com/UIPM_HQ.