UIPM 2026 Biathle-Triathle-Laser Run World Championships: Cobb (GBR) conquers rivals in style

On a scintillating Saturday for Great Britain at the UIPM 2026 Biathle-Triathle-Laser Run World Championships, it was left to Sam Cobb (GBR) to take home the biggest prize of all. 

One day after their female counterparts had served up engrossing Laser Run action in Madeira’s port capital of Funchal, 12 separate Men’s Finals took centre stage on the penultimate day of one of the most cherished competitions in the UIPM calendar. 

Cobb (GBR) was crowned senior champion as he put an exclamation mark on a glittering personal week. The gold medal which hung around his neck afterwards was the third prize of his week and the 23-year-old took a notable scalp in the process — seeing off Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Giorgio Malan of Italy, who finished fifth. 

Despite another day of dominance from the Great Britain contingent, Saturday again underlined the broad appeal of the development sports with eight different nations from across Europe, Africa and Asia topping the podium. 

There was another victory for fellow powerhouse nation South Africa when Karlo Marais won the U11 decider and Bulgaria got in on the act as Aleksandar Merdzhov triumphed in the U13 decider. 

Kazakhstan scored another top prize of the week when Almes Savet raced clear of his rivals to win the Junior Final. The former triathlete switched to Pentathlon just last summer but already has the measure of some of the world’s best. 

There were Masters victories for France, Spain and the host nation of Portugal. 

Senior Laser Run champion Sam Cobb (GBR): “It was a really good race. It was tight right for the start and we were all bunched up throughout the race. The crowd was amazing. All of the younger ones and GB team watching on and cheering. The race was really good. I shot very well and then came out the last shoot in fourth so I had to give it my all on the last run and find a sprint finish. 

“I was just going to give it my best shot today, do everything I could. I had to shoot well, that was my thinking, to give myself a chance to be up there. It all planned out very well. My first two shoots were very good but I thunk the last run was where I won, just having that little bit more. Last season, my Laser Run wasn’t as good [as this] so hopefully this is the start of something back to my best.”

Junior Laser Run champion Almes Savet (KAZ) said: “Honestly, the emotions right now are absolutely incredible. I never expected to win today — to be frank, I wasn’t even thinking about making the podium. I just went out there and gave it everything I had.

“The competition was fierce. My main rivals were Iliev from Bulgaria, who is an exceptional shooter and a very strong runner, and also the Czech athlete, whose shooting was truly top-tier. My own shooting was far from great today — spending 25 to 26 seconds on the range is definitely not where I want to be. But my running carried me through. The run is what saved the race and brought me this victory.

“It is the highest honor to represent Kazakhstan on the international stage and raise our sky-blue flag to the very top. This gold belongs to my country and to everyone who believed in me.”