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China victorious in World Cup #4 Mixed Relay

Modern Pentathlon

Yufei Bian and Zhaohong Cai teamed up to great effect in the Mixed Relay at World Cup #4 as they claimed the title for China after winning both the fence and swimming disciplines before finishing first in the combined. The Czech Republic were worthy silver medallist in the Hungarian city Kecskemet as Lithuania came out on top in the six-way battle for third to claim bronze. 

16 nations were represented in the competition as China’s campaign began with 21 victories on the pistes, a haul of wins only matched by Lucie Grolichova and Ondrej Polivka of the Czech Republic. They then went into the equestrian event in a commanding lead after winning the 200m freestyle swim in a time of 1:55.09.

A measured ride by the Chinese duo ensured they would start the combined 10 seconds ahead of second placed Czech Republic. Showing absolutely no nerves, Bian cleared her target at the first round at the range in just five shots which set the tone for a quality display by both athletes as Cai stayed composed on his two loops of the 800m course to win the competition.

The Czech Republic, the only team that could have applied any kind of pressure on the Chinese in the run/shoot after coming third in the ride, could not catch up with the Chinese pair and came home with a well-earned silver.

On the combined starting grid, only 6 seconds separated Russia, in provisional third, and Belarus in 8th with USA, Lithuania, Hungary and Hungary all set to play their part an enthralling battle for bronze. It was neck and neck throughout but Lithuania had Lina Batulevicute and World Champion Justinas Kinderis in their ranks and the planet’s top ranked male pentathlete showed tremendous speed in the final meters to finish third, leaving Hungary’s Bence Demeter and the United StatesNathan Schrimsher in his wake.

Demeter and Sarolta Kovacs has to settle for fourth place as Schrimsher and Isabella Isaksen were fifth. Italy’s Claudia Cesarini and Pierpaolo Petroni made their way up from 10th to come home in 6th as Ukraine’s Viktoria Tereshuk and Pavlo Tymoshchenko ended the day 7th. Olga Karmanchikova and Pavel Sekretev of Russia, who began the combined in 3rd were 8th overall.

Mixed Relay Final Standings

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