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

• World champions Choong (GBR) and Micheli (ITA) top billing in Bulgaria
• Guzi (HUN) returns to face Olympic medallists and continental champions
• Can silver specialists Mexico make it fourth time lucky in Mixed Relay?

A glittering cast of world and continental champions and Olympic medallists are primed to shine at UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Sofia from May 9-14.

Both reigning world champions, Elena Micheli of Italy and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Joseph Choong of Great Britain, will be on the start line in the Bulgarian capital along with European champions Charlie Follett (GBR) and Richard Bereczki of Hungary as well as the Asian men’s champion, Shuai Luo of China.

Also adding stardust will be Olympic medallists Laura Asadauskaite of Lithuania (London 2012 gold, Tokyo 2020 bronze) and Elodie Clouvel of France (Rio 2016 silver).

Pan American champion Mariana Arceo of Mexico continues her quest for glory in both the women’s individual competition and the Mixed Relay, where she and Manuel Padilla (MEX) have won silver in all three Pentathlon World Cups so far this year.

New overall world record holder Blanka Guzi (HUN) returns after her incredible victory on home soil at UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest, while the European challenge is bolstered by athletes of the calibre of Valentin Prades (FRA), Jessica Varley (GBR), Rebecca Langrehr (GER), Balazs Szep (HUN) and team-mates Ieva Serapinaite (LTU) and Gintare Venckauskaite (LTU).

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 Sofia, 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.

President’s welcome

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “Bulgaria has become a strong pillar of our global sports movement, hosting many unforgettable competitions.

“We can expect a high level of organisation and hospitality throughout this UIPM Pentathlon World Cup, thanks to the Bulgarian Modern Pentathlon Federation and their partners within Government and the National Olympic Committee.

“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 Sofia 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 Sofia

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

May 9: Women’s Qualification

May 10: Men’s Qualification | Women’s Fencing Ranking Round

May 11: Women’s Semi-Final A (10am) | Women’s Semi-final B (4pm) | Men’s Fencing Ranking Round

May 12: Men’s Semi-Final A (10am) | Men’s Semi-final B (4pm)

May 13: Women’s Final (9am) | Men’s Final (3pm)

May 14: Mixed Relay (2pm)