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UIPM 2017 WORLD CUP I: Bence Demeter (HUN) pounces to claim gold

Modern Pentathlon
  • Masterful Laser-Run performance brings first World Cup success for 26-year-old
  • Podium places for Rio 2016 top two Lesun (RUS) and Tymoshchenko (UKR)
  • Successful season-opening final in 2024 Olympic candidate city Los Angeles

Bence Demeter (Hungary) came from behind to claim Men's Individual gold at the opening event of the 2017 UIPM World Cup season in the 2024 Olympic Games candidate city of Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old, previous winner of two World Cup bronze medals, demonstrated masterful tactics during the Laser-Run that allowed him to outwit silver medallists Pavlo Tymoshchenko (Ukraine) and bronze medallist Alexander Lesun (Russia) and secure his first gold.

Demeter started the Laser-Run in 3rd place behind Lesun (RUS) and Tymoshchenko (UKR) but was the Ukrainian who took the initiative in the first three shooting series at Fairplex in Pomona, Los Angeles County.

On the final lap, Demeter (HUN) lurked behind the leader and then pounced, timing his sprint to perfection to leave Tymoshchenko (UKR) five seconds behind and Lesun (RUS) a distant third.

"I am very happy, it was a brilliant run-shoot for me," said Demeter (HUN), who had already begun the season with gold at the Peridot Indoor Competition in Budapest.

"My tactic was to try to follow the first two competitors and then use my sprint in the last 100 metres. Usually I have a good sprint, so I am very happy."

Earlier, world record-holder Logan Storie (USA) set the pace in Swimming at the Claremont Club. His time of 1:55.85 made him the early leader ahead of James Cooke (GBR, 1:58.79) and Gauthier Romani (FRA, 2:02.33).

It was in the Fencing arena that Lesun (RUS), Tymoshchenko (UKR) and Demeter (HUN) started to take charge of proceedings.

Lesun (RUS) emerged on top in the Ranking Round with 26/8 and he added the extra point by defeating Tymoshchenko (UKR) in the final bout of the Bonus Round, where Danil Kalimullin (RUS) and Nathan Schrimsher (USA) scored three wins apiece.

Only two athletes, Ondrej Polivka (CZE) and Sebastian Stasiak (POL) managed a perfect score of 300 during the Riding, both riding Gracie. But Lesun (RUS) protected his lead with a clean round, allowing him to start the Laser-Run 11 seconds ahead of Demeter (HUN) with Egor Puchkarevskiy (RUS) and Tymoshchenko (UKR) close behind.

After an intriguing Laser-Run, Alexander Nobis (GER) finished 4th ahead of Robert Kasza (HUN) in 5th and Egor Puchkarevskiy (RUS) in 6th. For full results visit the UIPM website.

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: "Today was an extremely interesting final. We are at the beginning of the road to Tokyo 2020 and we could see here great performances and new faces of our sport. The facilities here in Fairplex, Los Angeles, are amazing and the atmosphere was great.

"Tomorrow also we will see a great competition for the medals on the women's side."

The action continues with the Women's Final on February 25, with live stream available at UIPMTV.org from 6pm (PST - Pacific Standard Time).

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