Starting with a gold medal in swimming, Hungary also won athletics medals at the XVI Summer European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF).Continue reading
Both men’s and women’s medals were won by Hungarians at individual and team levels as well, at the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships in Alexandria, Egypt.
Balázs Szép won the bronze medal in the men’s event at the World Championships in Alexandria, while the Hungarian team of Szép, Bence Demeter, and Csaba Bőhm finished second. Demeter finished eighth, Bőhm tenth, and Richárd Bereczki, the fourth Hungarian in the 18-man final, 13th.
Thursday’s semi-finals were held in two groups of 18, with the top seven per group advancing directly to Saturday’s final, and four more pentathletes advancing on points. All four Hungarians were eligible for the final 18, Hungary being the only country to have all its competitors in the men’s final.
I came to the World Championships in good shape after a good preparation, but I did not expect such a good result, it was a bit of a surprise for me too,”
said Balázs Szép, who thanked his mother and his coaches for this excellent result.
“My strength is the combined event, in which I finished second again, including the second best time. I did my best in the race, and at the end, I was careful not to be overtaken, so I could finish third,” the 22-year-old athlete of the Újpest Gymnastics Club (UTE) told MTI. He said that he called his running coach Kárai Kázmért shortly after crossing the finish line, but they could not talk, they were crying on the phone. As for the future, he added that he is now taking a rest and would like to compete in the European Championships in Székesfehérvár in September.
Michelle Gulyás won the silver medal in the women’s event, while the Hungarian team of Gulyás, Sarolta Simon, and Blanka Guzi finished third. The other Hungarian participant in the final, Simon, finished 16th, and Guzi’s semi-final result counted towards the Hungarian team score.
“I must admit I could not spare any energy because everyone was so close to each other, I had to push to make sure I could keep going. I felt very tired after the final. I managed to rest well and recharge for the day of the final, so I started the ride in a good mood,” Gulyás said, adding:
I am very happy with the way the race went, I am happy with the silver medal. I am very grateful and I take this opportunity to thank my family, my coaches, and my sponsors, without whom this would not have been possible. Special thanks also to the fans who have stood by me all the way and cheered us on in front of the TV!”
Results:
Women’s individual event:
1. Elena Micheli (Italy) 1416 points
2. Gulyás Michelle 1412
3. Ilke Özyüksel (Turkey) 1405
… 16. Simon Sarolta 1342
Women’s team event:
1. Great Britain (Charlie Follett, Olivia Green, Jessica Varley) 4161
2. Republic of Korea (Kim Sun Vu, Song Sung Min, Jung Heun) 3987
3. Hungary (Michelle Gulyás, Sarolta Simon, Blanka Guzi) 3815
Men’s individual event:
1. Joseph Choong (Great Britain) 1514 points
2. Mohamed Elgendi (Egypt) 1512
3. Szép Balázs 1507
… 8. Demeter Bence 1489
… 10. Csaba Bőhm 1483
… 13. Bereczki Richárd 1464
Men’s team event:
1. France (Valentin Belaud, Christopher Patte, Valentin Prades) 4491 points
2. Hungary (Balázs Szép, Bence Demeter, Csaba Bőhm) 4479
3. Germany (Pele Uibel, Marvin Faly Dogue, Patrick Dogue) 4417
Source: MTI, Penthatlon.hu
Featured image via the Facebook page of the Hungarian Modern Pentathlon/Hungarian Pentathlon Association