UIPM 2016 Champion of Champions: All-star cast in race for glory

An all-star cast comprising 22 Rio 2016 Olympians and two reigning world champions will round off their year by chasing the title of UIPM Champion of Champions this weekend.

World champions Valentin Belaud (FRA) and Sarolta Kovacs (HUN) will be among the favourites for gold in Doha but they will both be up against some serial winners.

The men's field includes world No.2 and 2016 World Cup Final winner Jamie Cooke (GBR) and Charles Fernandez (GUA), who recently became Junior World Champion.

The women's event will be graced by two Germans ranked No.1 and No.5 respectively, former world and Olympic champion Lena Schoeneborn and 2015 Champion of Champions Annika Schleu (GER).

Some of the finest emerging talent from all over the world has also congregated in Qatar for this annual event as well as some other very experienced campaigners: Samantha Murray (GBR), Anastasiya Prokopenko (BLR), David Svoboda (CZE) and Nathan Schrimsher (USA).

Another notable name on the start list will be Khalid Al-Nuaimi, 25, representing the host nation.

The city of Doha, which is rapidly becoming one of the world's busiest sporting centres, will host the Champion of Champions for the third time in four years having secured the rights to the competition from 2015-2017.

A full Modern Pentathlon programme will take place in the Qatar Foundation Recreation Centre and Al Shaqab Arena.

Dr Klaus Schormann, President of UIPM, said: "This will be the final highlight of a very exciting and successful Olympic Modern Pentathlon season.

"For UIPM, Doha is a special pillar of our movement and a destination that honours the Qatari tradition of organising Olympic sporting events and promoting them as a vehicle for integration, education and peace."

Mohammed Al Naimi, the Event Director, said: "It is a privilege to host this event in Qatar giving us the opportunity to encourage the community to be involved in different types of sports as well as supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030, specifically regarding health and sports. 

"This year, we have a Qatari athlete that will compete and we are very proud to have him joined this competition. We as organizers are more inspired to look for potential athletes in the future. 

"Our team has been very dedicated to support this event and I am looking forward to its success."

The women's individual event takes place on Saturday, November 12 before the men's individual event on Sunday, November 13.