Top-five finish for Breakthrough Programme student-athlete James Hulme at Pentathlon Junior World Championships
University of Bath student James Hulme followed up his bronze medal at the European Juniors by securing a top-five finish on the global stage at the UIPM Pentathlon Junior World Championships in Hungary.
The Sports Performance student, who trains with Pentathlon GB at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, topped the fencing rankings with 21 victories and then excelled in the obstacle course racing to maintain his overall lead.
A solid swim kept him at the front of the pack but while his medal chances were dashed during a difficult laser run, Hulme can take great credit from his all-round performances after crossing the line in fifth place.
With Reuben Cawley and Sebastian Forrest both reaching the men’s semi-finals, GB’s men finished fourth in the team standings.
In the women’s competition, Chloe Johnson impressed in her first global championships as she placed 16th overall. Poppy Clark (Biochemistry) and Gina Speakman (Sports Performance) were semi-finalists as GB’s women placed fifth in their team competition.
Hulme will be back in action at the Senior European Championships, taking place in Madrid from 21st to 27th July. He is joined in the men’s team by Santander Sporting Scholar Charlie Brown, Ross Charlton and Sam Cobb.
Charlie Follett, the 2022 European Champion, is in the women’s squad alongside Olivia Green, Natalie Hatfield, Eva Marsh and Emma Whitaker.
Hulme, Cobb and Marsh are all supported in their dual sporting and academic careers by the Team Bath Breakthrough Programme. Applications are now open for the 2025-26 academic year, click here to find out more.
