UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo: All you need to know

• Dynamic new Modern Pentathlon format for Paris 2024 revealed
• Viewers will see all five disciplines in a 90-minute showpiece
• New generation of athletes poised to star in historic season-opener

The wait is over. The most profound reform in the history of Modern Pentathlon is complete and a whole new format will be revealed in Cairo over the next six days.

Gone are the days of a multi-sport that took multi days. During the Finals of UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo on March 26, all five disciplines will be contested within a 90-minute blitz of action, with a new champion crowned inside two hours.

The new format was designed for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the sport will be subject to another transformation after 2024, with a new and as-yet unidentified 5th discipline set to replace Riding in time for Los Angeles 2028.

For now, the world’s leading pentathletes have already been challenged to adapt to a major change in the way they compete, with Finals consisting of Riding, Fencing (Bonus Round), Swimming and Laser Run in quick succession. Only 18 athletes reach the Finals, with 18 eliminated in the Semi-Finals, heightening the suspense and sense of opportunity for those who take part in the TV-friendly showpiece.

A new generation of athletes has been drawn to Cairo to compete in this historic event, with several big names retiring at the end of a five-year Tokyo 2020 cycle, and some nations still subject to travel restrictions due to COVID-19. One athlete from Ukraine (Maksym Aharushev) has registered to compete in the season-opener.

Two days of qualification on March 22/23 will determine the line-up for the new-look Semi-Finals (36 male and 36 female athletes) on March 24/25. The format for the Semi-Finals is the same as the Finals, only without Riding.

Ones to watch

Paris 2024 is of course a particularly big deal for France, so it’s no surprise to see Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Elodie Clouvel and two-time world champion Valentin Belaud raring to go.

They are joined on the entry list by some of the most exciting talents in Modern Pentathlon, including Ilke Ozyuksel of Turkey and Michelle Gulyas of Hungary and the Czech Republic duo Jan Kuf and Martin Vlach.

Host nation Egypt can expect to have strong prospects, with world No.7 Ahmed Hamed leading the men’s charge and two-time Olympian Haydy Morsy, Amira Kandil and Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic champion Salma Abdelmaksoud lining up in the women’s field.

There are also strong entries from Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico and Poland, while Great Britain, basking in the reflected glory of double Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, has sent a young team for the season-opener. It contains Henry Choong, younger brother of Olympic champion Joseph –in an interesting quirk, Mohamed Elgendy (EGY), younger brother of Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Ahmed, is also competing.

Visit the UIPM website to see the latest world rankings for women and men.

President’s welcome

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “I would like to welcome all athletes, coaches and trainers, guests and officials joining us this week in Cairo for the start of a new era for Modern Pentathlon.

“A lot of work has gone into the creation of a new format for our sport that is more dynamic and more exciting for spectators and viewers, but still presenting athletes with the ultimate challenge of body and mind – as Pierre de Coubertin envisaged.

“I am very proud of all the athletes who have trained hard and come through difficult times to be here now, taking part in this historic competition. We are together after a challenging and stressful period after two years of living with the COVID-19 pandemic and now through war in Ukraine, a very peaceful and independent country.

“My deepest thanks go to the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation and all volunteers, sponsors and supporters. Special thanks also to the city and national government, the National Olympic Committee and the media.

“In solidarity with all sportspeople, I have a message to the world: ‘Sport is the strongest factor for peace and friendship!’”

Watch and follow

Live coverage of UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo is available to subscribers on UIPM TV (UIPMTV.org) where annual packages cost €14.99.

Follow World Pentathlon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the Pentathlon World Cup for additional content, and visit the UIPM website or download the “UIPM Central” app to keep track of results.

Competition schedule

UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo

All times local (* live stream on UIPM TV)

March 22: Women’s Qualification (9am)

March 23: Men’s Qualification (9am) | Women’s Fencing Ranking Round (3.30pm)

March 24: Women’s Semi-Final (11am) | Men’s Fencing Ranking Round (12.30pm)

March 25: Men’s Semi-Final

March 26: Women’s Final* (10.20am) | Men’s Final (2.20pm)

March 27: Mixed Relay* (1.30pm)