UIPM Judges Certification Programme: How 45 officials prepared for World Championships in Guiyang (CHN)

A major cohort of 45 officials completed the UIPM Judges Certification Programme (JCP) in Guiyang (CHN), strengthening the technical workforce ahead of the UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Championships.

The course offered certification at Levels 1 and 2 and formed an important part of local preparations for the flagship competition, which brought the world’s leading pentathletes to Guiyang as part of UIPM’s Race Across China.

The programme began with an extensive online theory phase from July 20 to August 14, followed by on-site theory and practical training in Guiyang from August 21-25.

A total of 45 students took part, comprising 24 women and 21 men, making it one of the largest JCP groups of the year.

The course was delivered by UIPM JCP educator Andrea Dell’Amore (ITA), who also serves as UIPM Executive Board Member for Sport and Chair of the UIPM Technical Committee.

Dell’Amore said: “Preparing judges for a World Championships carries a special responsibility because we need every official to understand their role and apply the rules consistently at the highest level.

“I was very impressed by the commitment of this group throughout a long period of online learning and then during our practical sessions in Guiyang. With 45 participants, we have not only supported the immediate needs of the World Championships but also helped to create a stronger base of qualified officials for the continued development of Modern Pentathlon in China.”

Bin Zhang, President of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Association, said: “Hosting the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships was an important moment for the sport in China, and we wanted to ensure the highest possible standards of officiating.

“Developing our technical officials is an essential part of building a sustainable future for the sport. We are very pleased that 45 judges took part in this programme, with strong representation from both women and men, and we thank UIPM and Andrea Dell’Amore for providing this valuable education and support.”

The JCP provides a structured pathway for judges to develop their knowledge and practical expertise, helping National Federations to build the qualified technical workforce required to stage competitions at national and international level.

For the 45 participants in Guiyang, the programme provided an immediate opportunity to put their learning into practice on the sport’s biggest annual stage while establishing skills that can support future Pentathlon competitions across China.