UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest: All you need to know

According to the textbook, she is several years past her peak. But the true legends of sport live in defiance of performance theory.

When she competes in UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest this week, Laura Asadauskaite of Lithuania will be one of a small number of 30-something athletes in the field. And she is 39, heading for a 40th birthday in advance of Paris 2024.

Olympic medals are the currency in which Asadauskaite (LTU) trades. A gold medallist in London 2012, she proved her remarkable longevity by winning silver at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games in August 2021. The only blip was Rio 2016, where she suffered elimination in Riding.

Is Paris 2024 within her grasp? Few would against this supremely fit and tenacious competitor.

The return of Lithuania’s sporting icon adds intrigue to the ongoing rivalry of two much younger athletes who hope to emulate the great one. World No.1 Michelle Gulyas of Hungary returns to perform in front of a home crowd and try to outdo the 2022 world champion, Elena Micheli of Italy.

But Asadauskaite (LTU) faces another significant adversary from within her own team, in the shape of UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Ankara winner Ieva Serapinaite (LTU).

The other two medallists from Ankara (TUR), Rebecca Langrehr of Germany and Mariana Arceo of Mexico, will also be aiming to maintain their form in this third competition of the global season, where European champion Charlie Follett of Great Britain comes back into the mix.

Threats are also sure to emerge from strong teams such as China, Egypt and Korea, while many eyes will be on the two-time junior world champion, Rebecca Castaudi of France.

Lithuania's Olympic legend, Laura Asadauskaite makes her Pentathlon World Cup return in Budapest (HUN)

On the men’s side we find another member of the ‘1984 club’ – evergreen legends who will turn 40 in Olympic year – in the shape of Adam Marosi (HUN). Competing in the Mixed Relay, the 2021 world champion stands at the helm of a home team packed with talent from the experienced Bence Demeter (HUN) to European champion Richard Bereczki (HUN) to high-ranked Balazs Szep (HUN, 3) and Csaba Bohm (HUN, 4).

Another cross-continental clash of the titans beckons with Korea fielding Woongtae Jun (2) and Changwan Seo (6) while Egypt can have high hopes of success after Ahmed Elgendy (5) and Mohanad Shaban (9) won the first two Men’s Finals of the season.

Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Pavlo Tymoshchenko of Ukraine is rarely far from the podium, while other contenders could well emerge from China, Germany and Poland.

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

Road to Paris 2024

No athlete can secure a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest, but they can go a long way towards earning a return ticket to Ankara (TUR) for the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final, where the first direct Olympic qualification quota places will be won on 3 June.

There are another 14 competitions taking place in 2023 and 2024 where points count towards the dream of competing in the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris (FRA). Discover the Modern Pentathlon qualification pathway.

Egypt can have high hopes of success after Ahmed Elgendy (above) won gold in Cairo (EGY) followed by Mohanad Shaban in Ankara (TUR)

President’s welcome

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “Hungary has for many years been an exceptional pillar of our global sports movement, hosting many of our most memorable competitions with iconic moments over the decades.

“It is always wonderful to be here in the beautiful capital city of Budapest. Not only can we expect a high level of organisation and hospitality throughout this UIPM Pentathlon World Cup, we can also rely on our hosts to provide competitive athletes in all events.

“I would like to thank the Hungarian Modern Pentathlon Federation for arranging this important competition. I also want to thank Hungarian Government partners and the National Olympic Committee, as well as all volunteers, sponsors, supporters and media representatives, for playing a vital role.

“Already this season we have seen athletes compete at a very high level as they aim to qualify for the Pentathlon World Cup Final in Ankara, where the first automatic qualification places for Paris 2024 will be on offer.

“I ask athletes to always remember their responsibility to compete in a spirit of fair play, as our founder Pierre de Coubertin envisaged, and respect the Olympic values as we together enjoy the glory of our wonderful sport of Modern Pentathlon. Faster, Stronger, Higher … Together.”

Watch and follow

Live coverage of UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest is available to subscribers on UIPM.TV where annual packages cost €14.99.

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

Competition schedule

UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest

Times denote start of UIPM.TV live coverage (CEST)

April 25: Women’s Qualification

April 26: Men’s Qualification | Women’s Fencing Ranking Round

April 27: Women’s Semi-Final A (2:45pm) | Women’s Semi-final B (5:30pm) | Men’s Fencing Ranking Round

April 28: Men’s Semi-Final A (2:45pm) | Men’s Semi-final B (5:30pm)

April 29: Women’s Final (10am) | Men’s Final (4:30pm)

April 30: Mixed Relay (4pm)