UIPM 2023 U17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Historic first global integration of Obstacle in Modern Pentathlon in Alexandria (EGY)
• Youth athletes poised to compete in a full Pentathlon for the first time
• President Schormann tells next generation of pentathletes “the future is bright”

An exciting glimpse of Modern Pentathlon’s future will be provided by teenage athletes competing in the historic UIPM 2023 U17 World Championships.

Athletes from 26 nations will take part in the first global youth competition to feature a five-discipline Pentathlon.

The four-discipline Tetrathlon format (Fencing/Swimming/Laser Run) and three-discipline Triathle (Swimming/Laser Run) formats were previously in place at youth level. But now, thanks to the integration of Obstacle, next-generation athletes now have the chance to pursue world titles in the new sequence of

Fencing/Obstacle/Swimming/Laser Run that will be adopted at all levels of Modern Pentathlon after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

Six days of action begin today with the Women’s Relay and Men’s Relay, culminating with the individual Finals on Saturday (July 15) and Mixed Relay on Sunday (July 16).

Host nation Egypt is likely to be among the most competitive nations, having dominated the combined UIPM 2022 Youth World Championships (U19/U17) in Lignano Sabbiadoro (ITA) with eight gold medals. But Obstacle adds an intriguing new racing element, adding excitement not only for athletes but spectators and stakeholders.

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport in Alexandria (EGY) hosts the first of three UIPM World Championships to feature the new-look Modern Pentathlon this year. Later in July, Istanbul (TUR) will host the U19 equivalent and in September, U22 athletes will gather in Druskininkai (LTU) for the UIPM Junior World Championships.

UIPM / LOC COMMENTS

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “I am delighted that our next generation of athletes will have the opportunity to make history by competing in a full Pentathlon based on the integration of Obstacle into our historic Olympic multi-sport.

“This season we have seen the introduction of this exciting new Modern Pentathlon format at national and continental levels, and now it becomes a feature of our unique sport on a global scale. The future is bright for these U17 athletes and for our entire movement!

“The UIPM 2023 U17 World Championships is a very important competition for the development of our UIPM Sports movement and we can always depend on our hosts in Egypt to organise an excellent competition with high-level sports and event hospitality.

“My thanks go to the Local Organising Committee, the National Olympic Committee of Egypt and to Government partners for making this week’s competition possible. And a special note of gratitude to Prof Ismail Abdel Ghafar, President of The Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport. I also thank all volunteers, sponsors and media who will contribute to the success of the World Championships.

“Finally, I would like to remind all participants to conduct themselves in a spirit of respect and fair play, remembering the values established by our founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.”

UIPM Vice President and Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation President Sharif El Elerian: “Today marks a historic day for Egypt and UIPM as we proudly host the inaugural Youth World Championships featuring the newly introduced Obstacle discipline. We are confident that this event will be a resounding success and a chance for us to showcase the sport of pentathlon in the best possible way

“We understand that not all nations have had ample opportunity to practice the Obstacle discipline, but we firmly believe that through the three upcoming World Championships - starting with the U17 World Championships in Alexandria, followed by the U19 World Championship in Türkiye, and finally, the Junior World Championships in Lithuania - this new discipline will bring about positive changes in the sport of Pentathlon.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate UIPM on a successful season and express my gratitude to Dr Klaus Schormann for entrusting Egypt with the honour of hosting such a prestigious competition.

“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Egyptian Government, the Minister of Youth and Sport, Dr Ashraf Sobhy, the National Olympic Committee of Egypt and its President, Eng Hesham Hatab, for their unwavering support in organizing this competition and previous events held in Egypt. Together, we aim to make this an unforgettable and impactful championship.”

WATCH AND FOLLOW

The UIPM 2023 U17 World Championships runs from July 11-16, beginning on Tuesday, July 11 with the Women’s Relay and Men’s Relay.

The Women’s Individual Qualification follows on July 12, with the Men’s Individual Qualification on July 13. Thirty-six female and 36 male athletes then compete in the Fencing Ranking Round on July 14 before completing the Individual Finals the next day.

Visit the UIPM website or download “UIPM Central” from your app store to keep track of live results throughout the UIPM 2023 U17 World Championships.

Follow World Pentathlon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the season for additional content.