UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships: All you need to know
The golden sands of Mossel Bay hold a significant place in South African history as the first location where European settlers landed in 1488.
Five and a half centuries later, the world has descended on the stunning coastal location on the Western Cape as a piece of significant sporting history is made when, for the first time, the UIPM Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships are combined. A true festival of beach sports is poised to bring the UIPM 2025 season to a close in the most enjoyable way imaginable.
Fittingly, the occasion will see a staggering invasion of around 900 athletes from every corner of the planet, with 35 countries from all continents represented. The unprecedented assembly of medal hopefuls – with around 1,600 race entries in total – is no surprise given the fusion of two championships which, over the past two decades, have become two of the UIPM’s most accessible and popular global events.
And Mossel Bay will be truly a destination for all ages as the generational appeal of all three inclusive multisports is underlined by the spread of competitors. A full seven decades separates the most experienced entrants – Mary Collett of Great Britain and Hans Sliep of South Africa, both aged 77 – and a gang of six who, aged seven, are the youngest. The youngest of all, Yashvi Sharma of India, turned seven only a few weeks ago.
Along with the host nation and the British contingent, Egypt is a perennial powerhouse in these World Championships and will come with the expectation of challenging for multiple medals. Large teams from Japan and Thailand as well as India confirm the ongoing global development progress, with less established nations such as Lebanon, Madagascar and United Arab Emirates also marking this competition as a priority.
Family ties are thriving in the Pentathlon movement as multisport athletes pass on their experience through generations. Paris 2024 Olympian Alexandre Dallenbach of Switzerland is taking part this week together with his son, Abel, in the U9 category.
UIPM’s decision to bring these urban and beach events together reflects their shared heritage: open, welcoming competitions that have inspired thousands of new athletes, nations and clubs to join the UIPM family since their inception in the 2010s.
Well worth the journey, the breathtaking surrounds of Mossel Bay will be a spectacular destination for all of those who gather here.
Bringing the inaugural edition of this combined carnival of sporting joy to the Western Cape is also a fitting reward for the host nation. Having not hosted a major UIPM championships for over a decade, South Africa made its return with a hugely successful UIPM U17 Pentathlon World Championships in Johannesburg in July 2025.
Inclusion will also be front and centre as the UIPM Para Biathle, Para Triathle and Para Laser Run World Championships will run concurrently across the six days of action (8-13 December), with Para trail-blazers from five nations competing for glory.
Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run are cornerstones of the UIPM development programme and have proved a huge success both as an entry point to UIPM sports and as a training vessel for the running, swimming and shooting parts of Pentathlon in real race conditions.
The sequence of Biathle is Run-Swim-Run, while athletes in Triathle compete in a Swim-Run-Shoot format. It made its debut on international stage at the UIPM Biathle-Triathle World Championships 2013 in Cyprus, three years before the UIPM Laser Run World Championships was introduced in Perpignan (FRA).
PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
UIPM President Rob Stull OLY, who made a welcome speech at a colourful Opening Ceremony on 7 December, said: “It is my great pleasure to welcome all athletes, coaches, officials, families and supporters to Mossel Bay for the combined UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships.
“This event represents one of the most vibrant celebrations of our multisport community. Athletes of all ages and backgrounds come together here to test themselves, to grow, and to experience the unique spirit of Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run – three multisports that embody accessibility, opportunity and the pure joy of movement.
“Mossel Bay is an extraordinary setting for this occasion with its breathtaking coastline, historic significance and sporting passion. South Africa has long been a proud and committed member of the UIPM family, and we are grateful to our hosts, led by National Federation President Frans van Niekerk, for their seamless organisation of what promises to be a wonderful festival of sports.
“To all athletes: compete with courage, respect and determination. Enjoy every moment. These championships are not only about winning medals – they are about discovery, connection and dreaming big.”
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships will be covered across UIPM's social media platforms, with results available at the UIPM website and via the UIPM Central app.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Monday December 8: Biathle Mixed Relays; Biathle Semi-finals; Biathle U9 Finals; Para Classification
Tuesday December 9: Biathle Individual Finals; Para Biathle Finals
Wednesday December 10: Triathle Mixed Relays; Triathle Semi-finals; Triathle U9 Finals; Para Triathle Finals
Thursday December 11: Triathle Individual Finals
Friday December 12: Laser Run Mixed Relays; Laser Run Semi-finals; Laser Run U9 Finals; Para Laser Run Finals
Saturday December 13: Laser Run Individual Finals
Upcoming events
