Pan Americans excel in Pentathlon and Obstacle Laser Run on pristine sands of Varadero (CUB)

The flexibility offered by Modern Pentathlon’s new format was fully utilised in Varadero, Cuba as the popular beach resort held an important gathering for NORCECA and South American athletes.

The Pan American Pentathlon and Obstacle Laser Run Open was a major momentum-builder for the Americas at the beginning of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games cycle. It enabled athletes aged from U15 to senior to gain crucial competitive experience across the five Pentathlon disciplines, as well as the Obstacle Laser Run (OLR) format that will be a pivotal development tool in years to come, and an Open Biathle.

With a new Obstacle course constructed on the pristine white sands, the female and male athletes competed in U15, U17, U19 and junior/senior individual categories, a Mixed Relay featuring Fencing and Swimming rounded off the competition. Mexico and Guatemala brought the strongest teams and enjoyed the highest level of medal success.

Catherine Mayran Oliver (MEX) won the women’s senior title, with silver going to team-mate Edith Lopez (MEX) and Mia de las Carreras (GUA) claiming bronze.

Another success for the Mexicans followed with Marco Lopez (MEX) winning the men’s gold medal. There was also joy for the host nation as Juan Pablo Velázquez of Cuba took out the silver, while Gabriel Dominguez of Dominican Republic completed the podium.

Guatemala had considerable success in the individual youth categories, winning three of the six gold medals, with two going to Mexico and Panama enjoying success thanks to U15 male prospect Iker Castillo. There was medal joy for Peru in the male categories as Gael Flores won bronze medals across U17 and U19.

It was notable to see the progress made in Obstacle training by numerous nations, resulting in multiple sub-30sec times on the course. Grayson Shaw, a 16-year-old from Canada, led the way with a blistering time of 25.35sec. 

In attendance, UIPM President Rob Stull OLY made a speech thanking Cuba’s National Pentathlon Commissioner, Frank Martinez, and all involved in the organisation of the competition including the Cuban Olympic Committee and its President Roberto Richards, Cubadeportes, INDER, Star Fish Resort and all volunteers. He also thanked Panama’s Ambassador to Cuba, Edwin Pitty, who was on hand to cheer on a full team from Panama.