Youth A World Championships YOG qualifiers begin in Budapest
The Hungarian capital Budapest will from Wednesday 14 May host one of UIPM’s most important competitions of the year with the much anticipated Youth A World Championships doubling up as the main 2014 Youth Olympic Games qualifications. Over 200 athletes from over 36 nations will be battling it for the opportunity of representing their country on one of the biggest sporting stages of all. 6 days of action begin with the Team Relays tomorrow.
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For pentathletes born between 1996 and 1999, this week could be career changing. There are 8 direct qualification spots available per gender, a further 4 per gender based on the Youth World Ranking so there are valuable points up for grabs and lastly there are a final 2 more existing places per gender based on the allocation of universality places.
The spotlight will firmly be on which of these young athletes can book their places for this summer’s big show in Nanjing, China, but this will also be an opportunity to look into the future and see tomorrow's stars today.
In the men’s draw, Australia’s Max Esposito will be amongst the favourites to be crowned Youth World Champion. The 16-year-old has already qualified for the YOG after victory in the Oceania play-offs. After making his way to the Final in his first Senior appearance on the World Cup Series circuit a fortnight ago, his calm demeanour and ability to mix it with the big boys should stand him in good stead for a tilt at gold. Henry Choong from Great Britain, Gergely Regos from Hungary, US Champion Brendan Anderson are just some of the names that also have a shot of making the podium.
The wonderful aspect of this competition is that the talent coming through the ranks of many countries is simply outstanding and there are so many to keep an eye out for. For instance, Javiera Rosas of Chile has been doing well amongst the Senior women and it will be interesting how she fares against the field of young and hungry athletes keen to make their mark. Watch out for Danni Wei, the 2013 Youth Worlds silver medallist, top ranked Youth Eilidh Price from Great Britain, Anna ZS. Toth of Hungary and Aurelia Tamasauskaite from the impressive Lithuanian production line. These are just a few amongst many others present in Budapest this week.
The swimming and combined events of each day of competition will be streamed live on the UIPM youtube channel. Subscribe to it HERE.
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Competition schedule
- Wednesday 14 May – Team Relays
- Thursday 15 May – Women’s Qualification stages
- Friday 16 May – Men’s Qualification stages
- Saturday 17 May – Women’s Final
- Sunday 18 May – Men’s Final
- Monday 19 May – Mixed Relay
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