UIPM 2021 Pentathlon Junior World Championships: A glimpse of the future in Alexandria (EGY)

• Paris 2024 journey begins for world’s leading under-21 pentathletes
• Hundreds of athletes from 27 nations mark return of under-age competition
• President Schormann salutes host nation Egypt as ‘a dependable pillar of our movement’

The long wait is over. Two years since UIPM last staged a global gathering of under-age pentathletes, the future stars of Modern Pentathlon are back together and ready to compete for the coveted title of junior world champion.

The UIPM 2021 Pentathlon Junior World Championships began today at the Arab Academy for Science Technology & Maritime Transport in Alexandria (EGY), running until July 18.

More than 250 athletes aged 21 and under from 27 countries will take part in the last global competition before the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where numerous former junior world champions will represent their countries on the ultimate stage.

This week will offer a glimpse of the future, with many participants aiming to reach the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in three years’ time when the new Modern Pentathlon format will be introduced.

Egypt has been a cornerstone of the return of competitions in 2021, having stepped in to host the UIPM 2021 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships in June. Many of the younger athletes competing this week will return in September for the rescheduled UIPM 2021 Youth World Championships (U19/U17).

COVID-19 protocols

Like all UIPM competitions held so far in 2021, the UIPM Pentathlon Junior World Championships will be run according to a set of COVID-19 Coronavirus protocols designed to prioritise the health and safety of all participants – athletes, coaches, technical officials and organisers.

Protocols are applied to all aspects of each competition from inbound and outbound travel to accommodation and local transportation, with the intention of minimising risk of COVID-19 infections. Special publications including the Event Organizers Infection Prevention Guidelines and Operational Vade Mecum can be found at UIPM’s COVID-19 information page.

Alice Rinaudo, a former UIPM U19 world champion, won the Modern Pentathlon new format test event in Budapest (HUN)

Athletes to watch

Host nation Egypt can expect to have high hopes of success after selecting a number of athletes who have enjoyed success at senior as well as junior level. This includes Tokyo 2020 Olympians Amira Kandil and Ahmed Elgendy, who became junior world champion in 2018 before claiming gold at the Youth Olympic Games – like Salma Abdelmaksoud, who will also take part this week.

The women’s field will feature two other athletes ranked in the top 50 at senior level – Laura Heredia of Spain and Anna Jurt of Switzerland (49). Italy has a strong record in global junior and youth competitions and will have a strong team led by 2018 Under 19 world champion Alice Rinaudo (63), winner of the last test event for the new Modern Pentathlon format designed for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On the men’s side it is harder to identify potential challengers to Elgendy (EGY), who won silver in 2019, but athletes ranked in the world’s top 100 include Giorgio Malan (ITA, 65) and Kamil Kasperczak of Poland (82). Uibel Pele of Germany and Maksim Maruk of Belarus will be aiming to build on a top-20 finish two years ago.

Ahmed Elgendy (EGY) won gold and silver in the last two UIPM Pentathlon Junior World Championships

President’s welcome

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “This is a very special event – the first global competition we have been able to arrange for under-age athletes since the outbreak of COVID-19.

“After such a long break, I give my thanks and full respect to all athletes and coaches who have stayed motivated and focused throughout this very difficult time for all global society.

“Egypt has proved once again in 2021 to be a dependable pillar of our movement, and I thank the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation for working closely with us to organise this competition in a safe and secure way, as they did the UIPM 2021 Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships in Cairo in June.

“I also thank all volunteers, sponsors, suppliers, supporters and media representatives who will join us this week in a celebration of Modern Pentathlon. Above all, a very special thanks to the Arab Academy for Science Technology & Maritime Transport for their enormous support with facilities, accommodation and other logistics.

“I am sure this Junior World Championship will be a milestone in the career of many junior athletes, including those who are focusing on the next Olympic cycle and the Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024.”

Watch and follow

The UIPM 2021 Junior Pentathlon World Championships in Alexandria (EGY) runs from July 12-18, beginning on Monday, July 12 with the Women’s Relay.

Visit the UIPM website or download “UIPM Central” from your app store to keep track of live results throughout the UIPM 2021 Pentathlon Junior World Championships.

Follow World Pentathlon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, VK or Weibo throughout the season for additional content.

Competition schedule

UIPM 2021 Pentathlon Junior World Championships

July 12: Women’s Relay

July 13: Men’s Relay

July 14: Women’s Qualification

July 15: Men’s Qualification

July 16: Women’s Final  

July 17: Men’s Final

July 18: Mixed Relay