UIPM 2026 Biathle-Triathle-Laser Run World Championships: Hatfield (GBR) and Sancisi (ITA) upstage Pentathlon stars in Triathle Finals

Newcomers, crossover athletes and elite pentathletes jostled for glory on Triathle Finals Day at the UIPM 2026 Biathle-Triathle-Laser Run World Championships in Funchal, Madeira (POR).

Natalie Hatfield of Great Britain and Niccolo Sancisi of Italy were crowned senior champions after overcoming strenuous competition at the harbourside venue.

Hatfield (GBR) was a hugely impressive winner of the women’s title in an exceptional time of 15min 48.20sec, with Andrea Flores of Mexico claiming silver ahead of the experienced Italian pentathletes Alessandra Frezza and Alice Rinaudo.

The men’s racing was much tighter as Sancisi (ITA) held on to defeat Paris 2024 Olympian Todor Mihalev of Bulgaria by less than 3sec, with Marco Lopez (MEX) ensuring a podium double for his team as he held off Sam Cobb (GBR) in the race for bronze.

Katerina Vanova of Czechia picked up the Junior Women’s title, ahead of Yoana Rumenova of Bulgaria and Luisa Cunha of Portugal. Marco Ciamaglia (ITA) claimed the Men’s Junior gold after holding off Hendrik De Wet of South Africa and Georgi Iliev (BUL).

The swim-run-shoot combination proved a thrilling spectacle in perfect weather conditions on the Atlantic island where almost a thousand competitors have gathered this week to compete across three sports and with Para categories.

Across the age groups there was grit, glory and camaraderie all the way throughout the racing, as scores were settled and friendships made from U9 to Masters 70+, where 79-year-old Mary Collett (GBR) once again proved unbeatable.

The Women’s Triathle medals table was dominated by Hungary and South Africa, with Türkiye performing well and Australia among the medallists. Gold was split more evenly in the Men’s categories with athletes from Czechia, Georgia and Portugal among the winners and medals heading the way of Greece and Ireland.

Senior men’s champion Niccolo Sancisi of Italy said: “I came from triathlon. In the last few months, since my coach likes to also make us try new disciplines within multisport, I started with my teammates doing some shooting, and we tried to participate also in the national championship of Italy, and we did well.

“So they let us participate in the Triathle World Championship today, and we did very well. I did a good shooting and a good run. I'm also satisfied with the swimming. I did some mistakes in the transition from Laser Run to the swim, and they cost me 10 seconds penalty. But luckily, I managed to still get the first position with the running, so I'm quite happy overall with all disciplines.

“I hope to also participate in the new Pentathlon or Triathlon in the future.”

Under 9 Girls champion Asya Saat of Türkiye said: “I got many medals and loved it. I'm happy and I'm proud of this.

“The water was cold. The sun was shining, and I ran the race fast. Running was my best discipline.”

Boys U15 champion Liam Neil of Great Britain said: “I had to focus on the shoot, and a good shoot meant I came out first and had to just lead on the run and the swim.

“Laser Run is next. I’ve got to focus on the shoot, and then hopefully see where I am, and hopefully get another medal.

“It’s very nice here and very nice weather as well. That helps you to compete.”

Masters 50+ champion Emanuelle Gambini (ITA) said: “I'm very happy. It was an amazing race because James Greenwell in the second position is a very strong man. I won the last day in the Biathle, and I'm very happy to stay here. This is my family. UIPM is my family. Thank you.

“I dedicate this medal to my friend, Roberto Sanchez. He isn’t very well and stayed at home. I dedicate this to him. Roberto is also a pentathlete in 50+ Masters. I hope next time he will be with us here.

“The best discipline today was the Swim because I swam very well, and last month I didn't run very fast because I had problems with my body. But today it was good. I'm very happy to be here. I'm very happy to win. And now we go to the last competition in the Laser Run.”