UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest: All you need to know

• World champion Marosi (HUN) aiming for glory on home soil
• Micheli (ITA) and Gulyas (HUN) ready to battle for gold again
• Semi-finals to be streamed live on UIPM TV for the first time

One of the greatest pentathletes of all time, Adam Marosi of Hungary, resumes his career in a star-studded field at UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest.

Now 37, Marosi (HUN) finished 6th at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last year and now aims for glory on home soil as part of a formidable national team including world No.1 Michelle Gulyas (HUN).

The competition will be the second to feature the new, TV-friendly format designed for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. All five disciplines are contested in a 90-minute blitz of action and a new champion is crowned inside two hours.

The action began today (April 26) and two days of qualification will determine the line-up for the new-look Semi-finals on April 28/29. Only 36 athletes (18 female, 18 male) will return for the Finals on April 30 before the competition concludes with the Mixed Relay on May 1.

Budapest (HUN) will also be the venue for two days of important meetings relating to the New 5th Discipline process designed to transform Modern Pentathlon for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The New 5th Discipline Working Group will meet on May 1 to discuss proposals to be presented to the UIPM Executive Board on May 2.

Ones to watch

She soared to the top of the world rankings in a breakthrough 2021 season that makes Gulyas (HUN) an obvious favourite for gold in front of a home support in the Hungarian capital.

However, she will have to improve on her performance in Cairo (EGY) last month where she was narrowly beaten by world No.8 Elena Micheli of Italy, who will be back on the start line in Budapest (HUN).

A new generation of athletes has been enticed by the new format and the chance to start afresh with a new Olympic cycle, but the women’s field also contains some established podium contenders such as Marie Oteiza of France and Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Oktawia Nowacka of Poland.

African champion Haydy Morsy of Egypt and Pan American champion Mariana Arceo of Mexico are also likely to be prominent.

On the men’s side, the host nation can have even higher expectations of success after naming a star-studded team that includes former Pentathlon World Cup winners Robert Kasza (HUN) and Bence Demeter (HUN) alongside the veteran Marosi (HUN).

However, the entry list screams of quality and all of the Olympians who finished 5th to 8th in Tokyo (JPN) – Martin Vlach of Czech Republic, Marosi (HUN), Valentin Prades (FRA) and Jan Kuf (CZE) respectively – will be on the start line looking to add to their career medal hauls.

Visit the UIPM website to see the latest world rankings for women and men.

President’s welcome

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “Following a successful season-opener in Cairo, I am delighted to welcome all athletes, coaches and trainers, guests and officials to Hungary for UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest.

“Both Cairo and Budapest hosted test events for the new Modern Pentathlon format that will add dynamism and excitement to our sport throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic Games cycle, so I am pleased to start the 2022 season in these two cities which are pillars of Modern Pentathlon.

“The new format has already re-energised our community and attracted new fans, and everyone in the world will be able to watch the Semi-finals this week thanks to enhanced coverage on UIPM TV.

“My gratitude goes to the Hungarian Modern Pentathlon Federation and all volunteers, sponsors and supporters. Special thanks also to the city and national government, the National Olympic Committee and the media.”

Watch and follow

With Semi-finals streamed for the first time, live coverage of UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest is available to subscribers on UIPM TV (UIPM.tv) where annual packages cost €14.99.

Follow World Pentathlon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the Pentathlon World Cup for additional content, download the “UIPM Central” app to keep track of results.

Competition schedule

UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest

All times local (* live stream on UIPM TV)

April 26: Men’s Qualification (11.15am)

April 27: Women’s Qualification (8.30am) | Men’s Fencing Ranking Round (2pm)

April 28: Women’s Fencing Ranking Round (10.30am) | Men’s Semi-finals* (1.50pm)

April 29: Women’s Semi-finals* (1.50pm)

April 30: Men’s Final* (8.40am) | Women’s Final (2.40pm)

May 1: Mixed Relay* (11am)