Turkey ramps up preparations for major UIPM events with Judges Certification Program course

Turkey ramped up its preparations for a hectic summer of elite Modern Pentathlon competitions with a prolific week of training and up-skilling the next generation of judges in the country. 

A particularly important UIPM Judges Certification Program (JCP) course in the Turkish capital of Ankara earlier this month was particularly well attended with almost 70 judges from the nation either taking their first steps or moving on up the judging ladder. 

Turkey will make its mark at top-level Modern Pentathlon this summer when it hosts the fourth leg of the UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup in early June and, just a few weeks later, the UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Final. 

With anticipation and excitement building for both events in Ankara, UIPM JCP Educator and Technical Committee member Andrea Dell’Amore (ITA) flew out to Turkey to help ensure the host nation’s judging capabilities are ready to meet this moment. 

The JCP course which ran from March 30-April 3, covered all three judging levels: Level 1 (Assistant Judge), 2 (Judge) and 3 (International Judge) with 67 judges travelling from across Turkey to the capital city to take part. Six judges achieved Level 3 with 14 more moving up to Level 2 and an impressive 47 participants taking their first steps into judging with their Level 1 certification. 

The judges were put through their paces across all five disciplines during the course with participants eager to get to grips with all aspects of the New Format, which proved a major success at the year’s first UIPM Pentathlon World Cup event in Cairo last month.

There has been huge support from all levels of the Turkish and local governments as well as the National Olympic Committee surrounding the country’s elevation to being a host nation of the most prestigious UIPM events and the same was again true of this course. 

The UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Ankara takes place from June 7-12 with the UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Final bringing the very best athletes in the world back to the Turkish capital on June 23-26.

UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann said: “We have been so impressed with the dedication and excitement in Turkey as it prepares to host these prestigious UIPM events. But as we know attention to detail is vital too and I am delighted to see this important week so well attended by so many newcomer and improving judges from across Turkey. I again give my thanks to the Turkish Federation and also the Turkish government for their unwavering support as we look forward to a wonderful summer in Ankara.”

UIPM Executive Board Member for Sport Janusz Peciak said: “Judges are absolutely vital to everything we do in our great sport and we are always excited to see new participants begin their journey in the UIPM Judges Certification Program. Just as importantly, seeing judges move on up the ladder gives me great confidence in the depth and quality of judging in Turkey. I thank our diligent instructor Andrea for all of his efforts during the course and look forward to some great competitions in June.”

UIPM Technical Committee Member and JCP Educator Andrea Dell’Amore said: “What a week! Working with so many participants hungry to learn and improve and grow their judging skills was really a thrill. We got through so much important work together and the growth I saw even in those five days makes me very excited for this group. The UIPM’s new Education Platform also offers great support to judges in Turkey and around the world as they continue their development so I thank UIPM staff for their work on this important endeavour and I wish all of the participants in Ankara continued success in their judging journey.”