Prince Albert II of Monaco praises “incredible” University of Bath as Pentathlon World Championships are hailed as huge success
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has praised the “incredible sports complex” at the University of Bath after visiting the Laser-Run and Pentathlon World Championships 2023 in his role as UIPM Honorary President.
Dr Klaus Schormann – President of UIPM (Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne), the world governing body of modern pentathlon – also hailed the championships, staged over 10 action-packed days at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, as a huge success.
HSH Prince Albert, who saw Pentathlon GB’s Joe Choong and Italy’s Elena Micheli crowned as World Champions on Sunday, said: “It feels great to be back at the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships, especially here at the University of Bath at this incredible sports complex.
“It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm and the very knowledgeable crowd here, and it’s great to see the athletes go all out to try to secure a place at next year’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
A record number of countries and athletes competed at the 2023 World Championships, which concluded on Monday with Egypt’s Salma Abdelmaksoud and Mohanad Shaban winning mixed relay gold ahead of South Korea’s Sunwoo Kim and Woongtae Jun.
Czechia’s Lucie Hlavackova and Marek Grycz held off a strong challenge from Turkey’s Ilke Ozyuksel and Bugra Unal to complete the podium, while Kerenza Bryson – fresh from winning women’s individual bronze on Sunday – and Myles Pillage placed fifth for Pentathlon GB.
Athletes from four continents took home medals and UIPM President Dr Schormann said: “I am grateful to all the referees and volunteers who helped to make this competition so very successful in the year before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. We are very happy that the field of play was well-prepared and everything was provided to give the athletes fair conditions.
“Thanks to the National Federations and to the sponsors and suppliers and all who were involved in this fantastic competition. All of our international guests and sponsors who came here have enjoyed the atmosphere and the glory of this World Championships. It was great for the organising nation to have the Men’s Individual gold medallist on top of the podium, among other medals won by Great Britain.”
The University of Bath, home to Pentathlon GB’s National Training Centre since 1998, was selected to host the 2023 World Championships following a successful joint bid with Pentathlon GB and UK Sport.
As well as the Pentathlon World Championships, the University also hosted the first Laser-Run World Championships ever to be staged in the UK which featured athletes in age groups from under-9 through to over-70.
UIPM Pentathlon World Championships 2023 roll of honour
Men’s Individual: Gold – Joe Choong (Great Britain); silver – Emiliano Hernandez (Mexico); bronze – Mohanad Shaban (Egypt).
Women’s Individual: Gold – Elena Micheli (Italy); silver – Alice Sotero (Italy); bronze – Kerenza Bryson (Great Britain).
Men’s Relay: Gold – Moutaz Mohamed and Ahmed Hamed (Egypt); silver – Gergely Regos and Balazs Szep (Hungary); bronze – Changwan Seo and Jihun Lee (South Korea).
Women’s Relay: Gold – Amira Kandil and Malak Ismail (Egypt); silver – Beatrice Mercuri and Aurora Tognetti (Italy); bronze – Mayan Oliver and Mariana Arceo (Mexico).
Mixed relay: Gold – Salma Abdelmaksoud and Mohanad Shaban (Egypt); silver – Sunwoo Kim and Woongtae Jun (South Korea); bronze – Lucie Hlavackova and Marek Grycz (Czechia).
