UIPM 2025 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest: Mohamed (EGY) storms back to win Men’s Final

Moutaz Mohamed of Egypt came from nowhere to snatch his first elite gold medal at the end of an incredible Men’s Final at UIPM 2025 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest.

The 20-year-old Mohamed (EGY), a two-time silver medallist last season, destroyed the field from a Laser Run starting position of 9th. Mihaly Koleszar of Hungary had the final say in a sprint finish to take silver ahead of first-time medallist Ugo Fleurot of France, ensuring that the same three countries that won medals in the Women’s Final followed suit in the Men’s Final.

Fencing

At opposite ends of the draw, top seeds Yauheni Arol (AIN) and Koleszar (HUN) looked seriously impressive on the piste, the latter playing a showman role to whip up the crowd.

Mohamed El Ashqar of Egypt also made it to the Round of 4, along with the top two and Jonas Kalaminskas of Lithuania, after upsetting No.3 seed Fleurot (FRA).

Arol (AIN) and Koleszar (HUN) duly met in the Round of 2, and the locals were finally left disappointed as the clinical Arol (AIN) prevailed 5-3 to claim the maximum 250 points.

Obstacle

Mohamed Hassan (EGY) set the tone with a 28.26 while Moriz Klinkert of Germany and James Hulme of Great Britain also went under 30sec in the early stages.

Enter the towering El Ashqar (EGY) to raise the bar – and his own career profile as a serious medal contender. In the penultimate race he stormed into the overall lead with an electrifying time of 25.70.

Swimming

El Ashqar (EGY) was not content with one outstanding time today – he also blitzed Swimming with an incredible 1min 55.35sec. But just as it looked as if he would start Laser Run with a 35sec advantage, a 10-point penalty for a false start added to the cloud around his gold-medal prospects. And had he pushed himself too hard?

Seizing his opportunity, Mohamed (EGY) also crept under the 2min mark in the pool, while Roberto Micheli of Italy was next-fastest with 2:01.58.

Laser Run

Akim Gnedtchik (AIN) moved past Kalaminskas (LTU) into the bronze position on the first lap, but a 6sec shoot from Fleurot (FRA) made things start to look interesting. Ominously, Mohamed (EGY) performed the same trick at the second shoot.

El Ashqar (EGY) looked comfortable initially in defending his 25sec lead, getting out of the range just before Koleszar (HUN) arrived, but the second lap was a game changer as the local favourite devoured the deficit and moved into pole position after the second shoot.

By the time they returned to the range, Gnedtchik (AIN) had also overtaken El Ashqar (EGY), and that was where Mohamed (EGY) also moved into the medal positions. Incredibly, he then moved past Gnedtchik (AIN) and, as they re-entered the indoor arena to conclude the fourth lap, stole the lead from Koleszar (HUN).

The drama continued as Koleszar (HUN) stuttered on his last shoot when there was a chance to move back in front, but as soon as the running resumed, all doubt about who was going to win was removed. The free-running Mohamed (EGY) simply left the field behind, and Fleurot (FRA) then continued his own comeback by moving into second, only to take his eye off Koleszar (HUN) on the final bend, giving the home athlete a chance to pip him on the line.

In securing his first senior gold, Mohamed (EGY) set the standard for Laser Run this season with a lightning-quick 9:51.74, while Yuriy Kovalchuk of Ukraine also broke the 10min mark in finishing 5th. Gnedtchik (AIN) and Roman Popov (UKR) completed the top six as El Ashqar (EGY) came home in 7th.