UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Tetrathlon Masters World Championships: All you need to know

• 100 athletes congregate in Gyomro (HUN) for two-format competition
• Global gathering of Masters returns after six-year hiatus
• 80-year-old Menck (GER) embodies essence of ‘sport for life’

Modern Pentathlon is for life, and the enduring charm of the world’s most versatile athletes will be on show as the UIPM Masters World Championships returns this weekend.

With three days of action ending a six-year hiatus for the global gathering, 100 athletes from 21 countries will compete in Modern Pentathlon and Tetrathlon formats in Hungary, one of the heartlands of the sport. Their experience spans all age brackets from 30+ to 70+ with one very special ‘Grand Master’ taking part – 80-year-old Roger Menck of Germany.

During this revival competition, a Masters Conference will take place in Gyomro (HUN) with members of the UIPM Masters Working Group presenting reports and elections for the Masters Committee taking place, with eight candidates (five women and three men) in the running for five places.

 

Pentathlon: scouting report

Andra Novicka of Latvia is a three-time age-group world champion in both Laser Run and Triathle who last year won the European Masters title at 40+ five years after becoming Masters world champion at 30+.

Michelle Kelly of United States is likely to provide stiff competition to Novicka (LAT) with a history of elite accolades including bronze medals at the 2005 Pan American Championships and 2007 Pan American Games. In Masters she won the 40+ age group in 2018 and remains in that age group.

Denise Silk of Great Britain was world champion 50+ in 2018 and is a multiple winner and medallist in the UIPM Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships.

Greece is represented by a brother and sister who have Hungarian roots, Peter Partics (world champion 30+ in 2018) and Katalin Partics, who won 40+ silver that year.

Also on the men’s side, Jean-Christophe Perrier of France aims to add the world title to the European Masters gold he won last year. Lajos Fazekas (GBR), a multiple Biathle-Triathle champion, now competes at 70+ having finished 2nd in 2018 at 60+.

 

Tetrathlon: scouting report

Barbara Oettinger of Germany was a 50+ winner in 2018 and, as a winner and medallist from the UIPM Biathle-Triathle World Championships she will be strongly fancied to take away the 60+ world title for Masters Tetrathlon.

Janos Pethes of Hungary goes in Tetrathlon having become Pentathlon world champion at 60+ in 2018, similar to Francisco Carnero Alonso of Spain who won the 50+ title six years ago.

Emanuele Gambini of Italy undertakes his first Masters World Championships at 50+ Tetrathlon having been winner of a Laser Run world title in 2019 and Biathle world title in 2021.

Officials’ welcome

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “I warmly welcome athletes, coaches and trainers, guests and officials to the revival of one of the most beloved competitions in the global Modern Pentathlon calendar.

“The UIPM Masters World Championships has been through a temporary hiatus, for various reasons, but I am thrilled it has now retained its rightful place as a highlight of the UIPM Sports season. The UIPM Sports movement is for life.

“Hungary is a dependable pillar of our movement, so it feels highly appropriate that the revival of the Masters World Championships takes place in Gyomro, at the centre of Europe. As the world continues to be shaken by regional conflicts, we come together as one global community to celebrate sport as a beacon of peace and respect.”

Click here to read the UIPM President’s welcome in full.

Hungarian Modern Pentathlon Association (HMPA) Managing Director Peter Vizkeleti said: “We are thrilled and honoured that the Hungarian Pentathlon Federation has the opportunity to host the Masters World Championships as it makes its exciting return.

“After a period of hiatus, we are especially proud to be part of this revival, which promises to be an extraordinary event, showcasing the dedication and skill of athletes from all over the world.

“Hungary will provide the perfect setting for this prestigious competition, and we look forward to welcoming the international pentathlon community. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure a memorable experience for everyone involved, and we are excited to witness the great sportsmanship and camaraderie that this event will bring.”

 

Watch and follow

Live results from the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Tetrathlon Masters World Championships will be available here with news and results also published on the UIPM website.

 

Follow World Pentathlon on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X or YouTube for additional content.

 

The competition runs from September 14-16, based on the following schedule.

• Saturday, September 14 | Individual Fencing & Swimming
• Sunday, September 15 | Individual Riding & Laser Run
• Monday, September 16 | Women’s, Men’s and Mixed Relays

 

Independent Neutral Athletes (AIN)

One pentathlete who holds a Russian passport has been approved to participate in a neutral capacity in the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon and Tetrathlon Masters World Championships.

Rather than representing their country of origin, the athlete will be designated as an independent neutral athlete (AIN).

The approval was granted by the UIPM Independent Panel, which was set up in May 2023 after UIPM created a pathway for individual athletes with Belarus or Russia passports to return to UIPM Sports competitions on a neutral basis.

The members of the Panel researches and discusses the credentials of all individual applications based on eligibility criteria set by UIPM, in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and in line with the United Nations in terms of the protection of individuals’ rights.

The successful applicant has received approval of their neutral status and is eligible to compete in Gyomro (HUN) from September 14-16. Any applications for future competitions will be considered in the same way.

In making this announcement, UIPM also reiterates its absolute support for athletes and other members of the Modern Pentathlon community in Ukraine who have suffered so much since the invasion of their country by Russia, supported by Belarus.