CAIRO – Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt and Michelle Gulyas of Hungary retained the titles they earned in 2023 to begin Olympic year in the best possible style at UIPM Pentathlon World Cup in Cairo.
Later, Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Elgendy (EGY) won his home World Cup for the third time but only after resisting a remarkable burst from team-mate Moutaz Mohamed (EGY), who stole the lead for part of the Laser Run.
African champion Elgendy (EGY), 24, finally prevailed by 2sec and was joined on the podium by two first-time medallists, Mohamed (EGY) and bronze medallist Kamil Kasperczak of Poland.
“One year ago, I won this race and I am feeling the same emotions. One year ago, the whole race was intense and today it was like this too,” men’s champion Elgendy said.
“I was feeling a little bit more confident in the last shoot, and I focused on that because I knew it was going to be a hard last lap. I’m so pleased to win the first World Cup of the season here in Egypt for a third time.
“It was so difficult, even going back to the first day of Qualification when I qualified in my group in 12th place. But here I am winning the gold medal. Actually today, Moutaz Mohamed was fantastic and had a great race,” Elgendy added.
“When he passed me on the fourth lap, he was pushing me so hard and I knew I would have to shoot well and save energy for the last lap.”
Silver medallist Mohamed (EGY) fought back tears as he added: “It’s very special and I’m really proud. I have so much support and I’m very happy. I made a lot of effort and to be on the podium beside our No.1, with all his experience, it feels really good.
“The race was very hard, even back to Fencing on the first day in qualification when I had a bad fence, but then my Swimming was just enough to get me through because I have a great Laser Run.
“In the Semi-final, I had a bad shoot and had to run very well. But today it was all perfect, I couldn’t ask for more,” Mohamed added.
Women’s champion Gulyas (HUN) said: “It may have looked easy to you but it was very, very tough. There was a little temperature difference in the weather so it was difficult to run well, but I was trying to focus on my shooting so that I could keep my distance.
“I’m very, very happy, and my coaches are very happy that I’m back so everything is fine.
“I am a perfectionist, but I was very happy about my Riding because my horse was blind in one eye, so he was pushing a little to the left because of that. I had to focus very much on the technical things.
“I made a huge improvement in my running, because last year it was mostly my technical disciplines where I had a setback. I’m getting there and of course I’m not in my best shape yet, because the main competitions are later in the year. But I’m on the right track and happy.”
Gulyas (HUN) confirmed her early-season form with a serene victory, finishing 8sec ahead of silver medallist Sunwoo Kim of Korea and 14sec clear of bronze medallist Kerenza Bryson of Great Britain.
It was a fourth Pentathlon World Cup gold for the 23-year-old Hungarian sensation, who looks confident ahead of what is likely to be her second Olympic Games at Paris 2024.
Silver medallist Kim (KOR) added: “My horse riding was a strong point today and every other discipline went well. In Laser Run, I made some mistakes in shooting but my running was fine and that kept me in a good position.
“I started in a high position so I was nervous, but I was able to focus my mind with mind control. Running was good and I had enough focus to finish in a good position today.”
Bronze medallist Bryson (GBR) said: “I went in 4th and to be in the top five was a good sign. My running has come on a lot this year and since I moved to the national training centre in Bath.
“I feel lucky and really happy to be here, just super-happy with my performance. A medal is what I wanted so I achieved my target.
“I noticed my first two shoots were not great and I dropped back to 6th or 7th, but my next two shoots were better and in the last shoot, I was on Anna’s heel and I knew I had to get that shoot away because she is such a strong runner.”
Bronze medallist Kasperczak (POL) said: “This competition was very crazy for me. My first Final in a World Cup and now my first medal, a bronze medal. Unbelievable.
“It was very difficult. I’m very strong in running but the hot weather made it hard.”
