Home favourite Gulyas (HUN) back to her best on home soil with Brown (GBR) also victorious

After a 2023 season of ups and downs, Michelle Gulyas of Hungary laid down a marker for a more consistent 2024 season as she again delivered in front of her home crowd at the Peridot Hungarian Indoor Championships

On the men’s side, Charlie Brown of Great Britain took gold in a richly talented field in Budapest (HUN). 

Always a favoured February destination for elite pentathletes, this year’s competition attracted a typically strong entry with the Olympic Games just six months away. Over 100 athletes took part in the event from February 8-12 with 10 nations competing in the women’s event and nine nations represented on the men’s side. 

Gulyas (HUN) regained the title she first claimed in 2021 – also an Olympic year. The world No.9 was impressively consistent across all five disciplines and held off a two-pronged British assault, crossing the line 12sec ahead of Emma Whitaker (GBR) with 2023 silver medallist Kerenza Bryson (GBR) taking bronze. Reigning Olympic champion Kate French (GBR) made her return after a break from the sport, finishing 16th in the final. 

The ever-improving Brown (GBR) went one better than his compatriots when he came out on top in a gripping men’s competition as he raced to gold with 15 seconds to spare over Eslam Hamad of Egypt in second with Marvin Dogue of Germany claiming bronze. World No.1 Mohanad Shaban (EGY) crossed in fourth place. 

Women’s gold medallist Gulyas (HUN) said: “I was really happy about this first competition because finally there was a chance to see what the hard work has done and what it has improved. It’s great motivation, not just for me but for the coaches as well.”

The UIPM competition season begins with UIPM 2024 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo from March 5-10.