Modern pentathletes’ last chance to qualify for Tokyo 2020

The Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships (8-13 June) provide the last opportunity for pentathletes to qualify for Tokyo 2020, taking place in 2021. There are plenty of chances available to grab a golden ticket.

As well as the kudos of winning the world championships itself, the top three in each of the men’s and women’s events earn their place in Tokyo. Up to 20 other athletes are jostling for position in the Olympic rankings system in order to join the 23 women and 23 men who have already been selected for the Summer Games.

The withdrawal of the British team due to a UK government update to foreign travel restrictions, impacts some of the athletes’ chances. Egypt was put on the UK Government’s ‘red list countries and territories’, meaning people in Britain should not travel there, from 4am, Tuesday 8 June.

A statement from Pentathlon GB on Sunday (6 June) said: “The athletes and staff set to travel are understandably disappointed with the outcome of the announcement – particularly due to the importance of the UIPM World Championships for those looking to achieve Olympic qualification status ahead of Tokyo – and are committed to providing the necessary support to all those impacted.”

These include Jo Muir (current Olympic ranking, 2nd) and Francesca Summers (6th) who are both vying for selection to take the second spot to join already qualified Kate French, courtesy of winning silver at the 2019 European Championships.

On the men’s side, Britain’s Joe Choong has already qualified by virtue of winning World Cup gold in Tokyo in 2019. Tom Toolis is ranked 5th after a storming second-place finish at the World Cup final in Hungary surged him up the table. James Cooke, the 2018 world champion, is ranked 16th.

With the Brits out of the running this week, the Belarus women’s team have a chance of claiming a hat-trick of world championship golds. Anastasiya Prokopenko became world champion in 2018 and Volha Silkina in 2019 but both are in a fierce battle this week with compatriot Iryna Prasiantsova, to claim the two Olympic qualification spots available to their nation as well as the world title.

In the men’s competition, the Republic of Korea also have a selection battle going on led by WOONG-TAE Jun, with former world champion JINHWA Jung and reigning Asian champion JIHUN Lee aiming to make selection.

Reigning world champion Valentin Belaud is lining up alongside French compatriot Valentin Prades, who won his third Pentathlon World Cup Final last month, solely in a battle for world championship glory as both have already qualified for Tokyo 2020.