SNAPS … Training time connected to the press invitation.
Budapest is once again to be the world capital of modern pentathlon for a few days.
Between June, 9-13, – BOK Hall will host the Budapest leg of the UIPM Pentathlon World Cup, which is not only the last World Cup competition of the season before the World Cup Final, also held in Budapest, but also one of the most important international events of the new era of the sport. The importance of the competition is further increased by the fact that Kirsty Coventry – President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will be arriving in Budapest for the women’s final.
The Hungarian Pentathlon Association presented the competition at an international press conference on Monday, for which a total of 240 competitors from 47 countries around the world have entered. 103 athletes will compete for the women’s race and 137 for the men’s race, including Olympic champions, world champions and European champions.
The Budapest World Cup will hold a special place in the 2026 season. Not only will it be the last World Cup stop before the World Cup Final at the end of June, but Budapest will also host both major UIPM events within two weeks, making it one of the most important centers of international pentathlon. The Budapest World Cup is a major international event in the new era of modern pentathlon. Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) has now become an integral part of the sport, and the Budapest race is an important stage on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The audience and the media will be able to see the renewed, more dynamic and spectacular competition format up close, which will determine the future of the sport.
“We are very proud that Budapest can once again host the world’s best pentathlon athletes. Hungary has been a key player in the sport for decades, both as a competitor and as a host country. Last year, the Budapest World Cup won the award for the most innovative World Cup, and this year we have set ourselves the goal of providing a world-class experience for athletes, spectators and the media,” said Gábor Balogh – President of the Hungarian Pentathlon Association. The President of the Hungarian Association emphasized that Kirsty Coventry’s visit is a great recognition not only for the Budapest competition, but also for Hungarian pentathlon, which clearly demonstrates the international significance of the sport and Hungary.
Robert Stull – President of the International Pentathlon Federation (UIPM), emphasized that Budapest is the perfect location for the transformation that the sport is currently undergoing. “Budapest is more than a World Cup venue. This is one of the events where the future of the sport can be seen up close. OCR helps bring modern pentathlon to new audiences, while preserving everything that makes this sport special. The Budapest competition will also take place in an indoor environment, which is easier for spectators to follow and offers a more spectacular and enjoyable format for television broadcasts. The atmosphere of excitement and competition will be almost palpable in the arena,” said the UIPM President.
Sports Director János Belák spoke about the professional details, according to whom this year’s Budapest World Cup will feature a stronger field than ever before. Among the men, Olympic bronze medalist Giorgio Malan and two-time world champion Valentin Belaud will also be competing.
The women’s field will include two-time world champion Elena Micheli – European champion Kerenza Bryson, and defending World Cup champion Ilke Ozyuksel.
The Hungarian team will be represented by competitors such as Guzi Blanka, Rita Erdős, Blanka Bauer, Mihály Koleszár, Csaba Bőhm, Balázs Szép and András Gáll. “The Budapest World Cup is both a home field and a serious international test for Hungarian competitors. The field is extremely strong, but at the same time, we have several athletes who have a realistic chance of fighting for the final, and even for the medal positions. The audience will see world-class competitions during the week,” said János Belák.
The qualifiers for the women’s field will begin on Tuesday, with the men joining the competition on Wednesday. The women’s final will be held on Friday, June 12, and will also be attended by Kirsty Coventry – President of the International Olympic Committee. The men’s final will take place on Saturday, June 13.
The organizers are expecting more than a thousand spectators to the BOK Hall, where the audience can follow the OCR, fencing, swimming and laser run competitions up close.
A brief introduction to the HUNGARIAN PENTATOM ASSOCIATION, which is one of the most successful and traditional national associations of the sport. Hungarian pentathlon athletes are among the most successful competitors in the history of the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships. The association’s main objective is the continuous development of the sport, strengthening its international role and supporting new generations of modern pentathlon in Hungary.
Riport and snaps by Aggie Reiter
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