UIPM 2024 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo: Gulyas (HUN) and Koreans shine in Women’s Semi-final

• Korea and Lithuania lead the way with three Finalists each
• Rejuvenated Gulyas (HUN) takes Fencing lead into Super Saturday
• Returning Olympic champion French (GBR) also survives Semi-final battle

A rejuvenated Michelle Gulyas of Hungary raced to the front of the field on an enthralling Women’s Semi-final day at UIPM 2024 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo.

As the first World Cup of an Olympic year, the Egyptian capital has attracted a star-studded cast and many of the most dominant names in the sport came to the fore on the third day of competition as the Women’s field was cut from 36 to 18 for the Final on Super Saturday.

While Korea and Lithuania led the way with three athletes from each nation progressing safely, it was Gulyas who signalled a return to her best form as she comfortably qualified for the Final and leapt to the front of proceedings as she took an overall lead of five points thanks to 26 Victories in the Fencing Ranking Round.

Gulyas was competing in Semi-final A where she finished seventh overall with the group’s best performers Mariana Arceo of Mexico and Kate French of Great Britain, the reigning Olympic champion making her return to elite UIPM competition after an extended break away from the sport.

There was joy for the host nation when Salma Abdelmaksoud of Egypt also qualified from the day’s first Semi-final however there was also room for a shock with resigning World Champion and World No.1 Elena Micheli of Italy narrowly missing out, finishing 11th of the 18.

In the day’s second Semi-final it was a Korean one-two with Sunwoo Kim leading home Seungmin Seo (KOR), World No.2 Alice Sotero (ITA) not far behind. Veteran Elodie Clouvel of France and rising star Kerenza Bryson (GBR) also made it safely through ensuring Saturday’s decider will be an unmissable affair.

Pentathlon World Cup Cairo continues tomorrow (March 8) with the Men’s Semi-final followed before both Finals on Super Saturday, March 9 and concludes with the Mixed Relay on March 10.

Live stream of the Semi-finals and Finals is available on UIPM TV and all competition results are available at the UIPM website.

The 18 qualified athletes for the Women’s Final are: