Modern Pentathlon World Cup Sofia 2024: Laser run heroics secure triumphs for Blanka Guzi and Pierre Dejardin

Pierre Dejardin holds off Egyptian pair for maiden World Cup win

There was a similarly thrilling finish to the men’s final with Pierre Dejardin securing his first World Cup victory ahead of Egyptians Mohanad Shaban and Mohamed Elgendy.

A fine swim left Shaban in front with an 18-second advantage over Dejardin in second. Elgendy started the run in fifth, 38 seconds off the lead, but quickly moved up the order.

After the first shooting series, Elgendy was up to third place with just 15 seconds to make up on last year’s World Cup Final victor. The team-mates struggled on the second round of shooting, and Dejardin took advantage to close on Shaban before moving past.

Elgendy made up ground on the final shooting series, leaving the range just behind Shaban and only six seconds off the pace. He passed Shaban who managed to retake second in the closing stages, but neither could catch the 30-year-old Frenchman who ensured his first return to the podium since 2018 was a winning one.

Dejardin said, “I just focused on my work. I knew I had to shoot well and run well and do my best. I didn’t think about the result, just be focused.”

On potentially making Paris 2024, he added, “It’s a good step but it’s not done. I want to go to the Olympics so I have to continue my work and I have to have good results in the World Cup Final and the World Championships. We have a strong team so it’s a fight, and I will fight.”

A total of 28 places in Paris will be decided in the next few weeks. First there is the World Cup Final in the Turkish capital Ankara, comprising the top 36 athletes in the World Cup standings per gender, from 22-26 May.

Then follow the UIPM 2024 Pentathlon World Championships in Zhengshou, People’s Republic of China from 9-16 June. Three automatic spots per gender will be awarded there with nine more based on the final Olympic world rankings. The other two are Universality Places awarded to NOCs which are traditionally under-represented at the Games.