UIPM 2017 U19 World Championships: Ibatullina is golden girl for Russia

Adelina Ibatullina of Russia stood on top of the world after a thrilling battle for Women’s Individual glory at the UIPM 2017 U19 World Championships.

Ibatullina (RUS) overcame a 12-sec deficit to win a spectacular gold after starting the Laser-Run in 5th place, and she was joined on the podium by two other athletes who demonstrated their composure and stamina to move through the field.

Silver went to Elena Micheli, whose efforts enabled Italy to claim team gold, and bronze was claimed by Haydy Morsy of Egypt, a Rio 2016 Olympian who won bronze in this competition in 2016 and silver in 2015.

Michelle Gulyas (HUN) was 4th and Alice Rinaudo (ITA) 5th ahead of two local Czech competitors, Katerina Krejci and Veronika Novotna.

Russia won team silver and Mexico were the unexpected winners of bronze.

Earlier, Michelle Gulyas (HUN) was the top scorer in Swimming after a time of 2:09.84 and Rinaudo (ITA) topped the standings in Fencing with 24 victories. Gulyas (HUN) started first in the Laser-Run but she would ultimately finish just outside the medals.

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “Today we saw a dramatic conclusion to the Women’s Individual Final with the winners coming from behind, but what we saw from all competitors was a great passion and energy.

“I am more than happy along with my colleague, Viacheslav Malishev, the Executive Board Member for Development, about the success of this important development event and we are looking forward to another excellent day at the Men’s Final where nations will also be chasing team medals with great determination, as we saw today.”

The UIPM U19 World Championships, formerly known as the UIPM Youth A World Championships and comprising a Tetrathlon format (Swimming / Fencing / Laser-Run), continue on July 23 with the Men’s Individual Final. The Mixed Relay concludes the competition on July 24.