UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Championships: Khalil (EGY) roars back in Women’s Qualification
Having shattered records throughout her historic 2025 campaign, Farida Khalil of Egypt was always going to have a tough act to follow this season. But after a lengthy break from competition, the reigning champion roared back in remarkable fashion with a record-breaking opening performance at the UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Championships.
Khalil (EGY), the teen phenomenon whose ‘Farida Slam’ last year redefined the sport, was competing for the first time in individual competition since claiming global gold in last year’s Pentathlon World Championships in Kaunas (LTU).
Less than an hour after her compatriot Zeina Amer (EGY) had set a new world record in Obstacle Racing with a rapid 26.10sec en route to topping Qualification Group A, Khalil (EGY) shattered that mark by becoming the first woman to go sub-26 with 25.54. She wouldn’t let up, crossing the line a full 21sec clear of the 38-strong field in the second group.
Behind Khalil (EGY), Olympic bronze medalist Seungmin Seong of Korea secured safe passage as she finished in tandem with in-form Ilke Ozyuksel of Türkiye, who has won both Pentathlon World Cup and European golds this season. Aurora Tognetti of Italy and Kerenza Bryson of Great Britain also impressed as they eased through inside the top 10.
Earlier in Group A, Amer (EGY) crossed the line ahead of current World No.1 Blanka Guzi of Hungary with Mariya Gnedtchik of Belarus, winner of Women’s Relay gold on Monday, impressing. Mingyu Zhang led the home challenge for China with a solid display.
Elsewhere, Pentathlon World Cup Final winner Anna Jurt of Switzerland was joined by fellow Paris 2024 Olympian Laura Heredia of Spain in progressing with little fuss. Teammates Emma Whitaker and Poppy Clark (GBR) also clinched berths in Saturday's Semi-finals.
Watch and follow
The UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Championships take place from August 24-30, with livestream of the Semi-finals and Finals available to watch free on YouTube based on the following schedule (TV start times listed in Central European Summer Time):
Friday August 28
- Men’s Semi-final A (07:00)
- Men’s Semi-final B (10:30)
- Women’s Fencing Seeding Round
Saturday August 29
- Women’s Semi-final A (07:00)
- Women’s Semi-final B (10:30)
Sunday August 30
- Men’s Final (07:00)
- Women’s Final (10:30)
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