UIPM 2015 Youth A World Championships: The power of teamwork in the last day of competition

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - Russia rounded off a glorious weekend with gold in the Men's Team Relay to bring the curtain down on the UIPM 2015 Youth A World Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fresh from Serge Baranov storming to individual gold in the Men's event on Saturday, the Russian team were in sterling form on Sunday finishing clear of the Czech Republic in second and Egypt who claimed bronze and the country's third medal of the championships. In a sign of how the competition would unfold, all three medalists occupied the top three spots in the Fencing, the Egyptian team claiming 20 victories from 30 with Russia and the Czechs both just one win behind. But the Russians grasped control of the competition with a blistering performance in the pool, finishing first in 1.51.03. Hosts Argentina swam second with the Czech Republic men in third in 1.55.69, a hair in front of the Egyptians in 1.55.72. Korea, who had taken both silver and bronze in the Men's individual event on Saturday finally showed their class to finish first in the combined in 10.21, however Russia were just behind in second and it was enough to seal gold ahead of the Czechs, Egyptians and the unlucky Koreans, who were pipped to bronze. Meanwhile Germany withstood a ferocious late fightback from both Great Britain and Russia to claim gold in the Women's Team Relay, finishing seven points clear of the field in the Argentine capital. The Germans had raced out in front with a dominant display in the Fencing, claiming 33 victories out of 48. In keeping with how the contest would pan out, the British were close behind with 31 victories and Russia back in fifth with just 23. Russia roared back in the pool to take first place in a time of 2.03.47 with Germany and Britain back in fifth and sixth respectively. A spirited challenge from both rivals in the Combined event looked like it may knock the Germans off top spot when the British team finished first in 12.19 with the Russians just a second back. However Germany held firm to take fifth place in the Combined and the gold medal. Britain took silver and Russia bronze. In the Mixed Team Relay, Egypt were again among the medals as they soared to gold with a performance that was all about consistency. Fresh from Haydy Morsy's silver medal in the Women's Individual on Friday, the Mixed team went one better thanks to top-five finishes in Fencing, Swimming and Combined. It was eventual silver medalists, Mexico, who came out on top in the Fencing with 26 wins from 34 contests, one ahead of Egypt in second. At that stage, few would have believed Spain would find their way on to the podium, having finished well outside the top ten. Yet the Spanish roared back in the Swimming and Combined - taking first place in both - to claim bronze a medal. Egypt's steadiness won out however, a fourth place in the pool followed by a strong fifth-placed finish in the combined securing gold, comfortably clear of the Mexican team in second and Spain's remarkable fightback earning bronze. Jorge Salas, President of Argentinian Modern Pentathlon Federation and UIPM Executive Board Member, was happy with the way the competition went. He said: "It was a competition in a high level with a demonstration of fair play by all these young athletes. "I want to keep showing the best of Argentina to the world through the sport of Modern Pentathlon. This is the first Olympic Federation organizing a Modern Pentathlon championship seeking the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 in Buenos Aires."