The modern pentathlon is a unique Olympic sport that was introduced by the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, at the 1912 Stockholm Games. Inspired by the events a soldier would have to face on the battlefield, the modern pentathlon combines five disciplines: fencing, swimming, equestrianism, shooting and running. Today you’ll learn a little more about this sport, as well as meeting the biggest names in modern pentathlon today!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in modern pentathlon today are!
Biggest names in Modern Pentathlon today: historical context
Practicing modern pentathlon requires an impressive combination of technique, endurance, strength, concentration and speed.
This unique sport is made up of five distinct disciplines: fencing, swimming, equestrian jumping and a combination of running and laser pistol shooting.
Historical Roots
The origins of the modern pentathlon can be traced back to the ancient pentathlon, one of the oldest disciplines to be part of the ancient Olympic Games, held for the first time in 708 BC in Greece.
At that time, the pentathlon included running, jumping, throwing and wrestling.
According to historical accounts, the Spartans, known for their military tradition, were the main advocates of including the pentathlon in the Olympic Games.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in modern pentathlon today are!
They believed that the competitions were too focused on civilian skills and wanted an event that reflected more of the demands of a warrior.
Evolution to the Modern Pentathlon
Over time, the pentathlon became a highly prestigious competition, aimed at the most complete athletes, and gained prominence at the Olympic Games.
The winner was considered the “Champion of the Games” and received the title of Victor Ludorum.
Pierre de Coubertin, the creator of the Modern Olympic Games, introduced a modernized version of the pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Games.
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After some modifications, the modern pentathlon was established, including fencing, swimming, equestrianism, shooting and running.
The addition of the term “modern” was made to differentiate it from its old version.
Modern Pentathlon in Brazil
In Brazil, the modern pentathlon began to be practiced in 1922, initially restricted to the armed forces due to its high physical demands and strict discipline.
The Brazilian debut in the modern pentathlon at the Olympic Games took place in Berlin in 1936, with athletes Anísio Rocha, Guilherme Catramby and Rui Pinto Duarte.
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A milestone in history
One of the most remarkable moments for the Brazilian modern pentathlon took place at the London 2012 Olympic Games, when Yane Marques from Pernambuco won the bronze medal, becoming the first Latin American to achieve this feat in the sport.
The modern pentathlon continues to be a test of versatility and skill, challenging athletes to master five different disciplines and stand out on the Olympic stage.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in modern pentathlon today are!
Biggest names in Modern Pentathlon today: rules
The modern pentathlon consists of five events, held on a single day:
- Fencing:
- A single-round competition in which all athletes face each other in sword duels.
- Each duel lasts one minute, and the first to touch their opponent wins. If no touch is registered, both lose the match.
- Swimming:
- 200-meter freestyle race.
- Athletes’ times are converted into points according to a specific table.
- Equestrianism:
- Show jumping competition.
- The athletes ride horses drawn just before the competition, with no time to train them.
- Penalties are applied for knocking down obstacles, refusing jumps or exceeding the time limit.
- Shooting and Running (Laser Run):
- It combines shooting with running, in a race of four 800-meter runs interspersed with shots at targets 10 meters away.
- Athletes must hit five targets before continuing to run.
The points accumulated in each event determine the starting order for the final event, the Laser Run, where the first to cross the finish line wins.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in modern pentathlon today are!
Biggest names in Modern Pentathlon today (Men – World)
Joe Choong (United Kingdom)
Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020, he is one of the leading names in the men’s modern pentathlon.
Valentin Belaud (France)
A two-time world champion, he is one of the most consistent and talented competitors on the scene today.
Ahmed El-Gendy (Egypt)
A silver medalist at Tokyo 2020, he is a young athlete who has a lot of promise for the future.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in modern pentathlon today are!
Biggest names in Modern Penthlaton today (Female – World)
Kate French (United Kingdom)
Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020, she is one of the most complete and dominant pentathletes.
Laura Asadauskaitė (Lithuania)
Olympic medalist and multiple world champion, she is a benchmark in the sport.
Anastasiya Prokopenko (Belarus)
A multiple world and European champion, she is a constant top competitor.
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Biggest names in Modern Pentathlon (Male – Brazil)
Felipe Nascimento
Experienced athlete with several participations in world and Pan-American championships.
Danilo Fagundes
Another strong name from Brazil on the modern pentathlon scene, with good results in international competitions.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in modern pentathlon today are!
Biggest names in Modern Pentathlon today (Female – Brazil)
Yane Marques
Bronze medalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games, she is one of the most iconic figures in the Brazilian pentathlon.
Isabela Abreu
Promise of the Brazilian modern pentathlon, she has shown great potential in recent competitions.
Which countries have the best chance of winning medals at the Paris 2024 Games?
The countries with the greatest tradition and potential to win medals in the modern pentathlon at Paris 2024 include:
- United Kingdom: with athletes such as Joe Choong and Kate French, the UK is a strong contender for several medals.
- France: In addition to Valentin Belaud, France has a solid tradition in modern pentathlon and a strong training structure.
- Lithuania: With Laura Asadauskaitė, Lithuania is always on the podium at major competitions.
- Egypt: Ahmed El-Gendy showed that Egypt can be a major competitor on the international stage.
These countries have robust training programs and a history of success in modern pentathlon, making them favorites for future Olympic competitions.
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