Coaches and judges join Janusz Peciak OLY for successful seminar in Mungyeong (KOR)

With four Korean pentathletes currently among the top 20 in the men’s and women’s world rankings, the country’s status as a pentathlon powerhouse is clear.

The diligence and dedication to the cause extends to those helping to train, support and organize in the sport - and  Korea hosted a highly productive gathering for coaches and judges recently.

The 2023 Modern Pentathlon Coaches’ and Judges’ Seminar, held over two days from February 16-17, saw UIPM Executive Board Member and 1976 Olympic champpion Janusz Peciak OLY, Chairman of the UIPM Technical Committee, lead a group of almost 50 existing and new coaches and judges.

The seminar was held at Mungyeong, venue for the 2015 CISM Military World Games, and primarily helped guide participants through changes and updates to pentathlon rules as well as a focus on the new Obstacle Discipline, bring introduced for the first time in the 2023 season. 

Mr Peciak was joined by Dongkook Chung (KOR), a members of the UIPM Technical Committee, and visited Korea’s National Training Center (NTC) on the second day of the seminar.

In his capacity as Deputy Chair of the NTC Mr Chung guided Mr Peciak through the training facilities for summer  and winter sports as well as the medical center and dining and facilities.

With 37 current and 12 new coaches and judges taking part, Mr Peciak was hugely impressed with the energy and keen interest of the Korean participants.

“This has been an excellent, well organized and very professional seminar,” he said. “It’s so pleasing to see almost 50 coaches and judges here. They asked so many interesting questions and had discussions about horse riding, the new Obstacle discipline as well as additional rules updates.

“Although it was just two-day course, I am sure that it significantly helped everyone to prepare the the 2023 season — and beyond.”