UIPM Family mourns passing of Alexander Kukarin

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has written to the Russian Modern Pentathlon Federation to express its deep sorrow after the death of Alexander Kukarin, one of the country’s most accomplished pentathletes.

Kukarin was only 22, and he had helped Russia to win medals at both the Senior World Championships and the European Championships in 2015. The loss of an elite athlete in his prime has sent shockwaves through the global Modern Pentathlon community.

Dr Klaus Schormann, President of UIPM, said: “We are very sorry for Alexander’s family, the Russian federation and for UIPM. We have all lost such a wonderful, young and talented athlete.

“Alexander would have had a great future in Modern Pentathlon and I can only that hope his family and friends in time will be consoled by the great things he achieved in his short career.

“Our Modern Pentathlon family is in shock today - and our thoughts are with the Kukarin family and our friends at the Russian federation.”

Kukarin took home a silver medal from his first appearance at the UIPM 2015 Senior World Championships, in Berlin (GER), when he took part in the Men’s Team Relay. Two months later, in August, he continued an excellent season by winning bronze in tandem with Donata Rimsaite in the Mixed Relay at the European Championships in Bath (GBR). Such performances on the international stage had been expected from Kukarin ever since 2011, when he won individual gold at the World Youth A Championships in Istanbul (TUR).