What we learned: Modern pentathlon highlights from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

From Great Britain's historic double, to the super mums taking part, we look back at modern pentathlon's most memorable moments at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, recap the medallists, how to watch highlights, and what we have to look forward to at Paris 2024.

4 min

Modern Pentathlon

(2021 Getty Images)

Modern pentathlon was among the final sports to finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games - and it was worth the wait.

Great Britain did the double, winning both the men's and women's competitions, with Joe Choong writing himself in the history books.

Elsewhere, Jun Woong-tae landed South Korea's first modern pentathlon medal, while Egyptian rising star Ahmed Elgendy showed that the future of the sport is bright.

Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, a recap of the medal winners, and who to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Top 5 modern pentathlon moments at Tokyo 2020 in 2021

Let's take a look back at some of the top action:

1: Kate French becomes Great Britain's second ever modern pentathlon Olympic champion

After finishing 5th at Rio 2016, French was determined to get a medal at Tokyo 2020.

And the 30-year-old achieved that goal in style, blowing the competition away to win women's gold.

Having missed just two of her 22 shots in the laser run, French approached the finish line with daylight between her and the other athletes.

French is the first British woman to win the title since Stephanie Cook, who was victorious at Sydney 2020.

(2021 Getty Images)

2: First pentathlete to medal for Korea

There was an historic moment for South Korea, courtesy of Jun Woong-tae.

The 26-year-old finished in third place in the men's race, to claim his country's first Olympic medal in the sport.

Jun's teammate Jung Jin-hwa finished just out of the medals in fourth place, but South Korea's modern pentathlon programme is on the up.

3: Super mums of the modern pentathlon

Modern pentathlon was one of many sports in Japan where athletes were returning to play, having recently given birth.

Anastasiya Prokopenko of Belarus was one such competitor, and was in good form after winning the 2021 World Championship title in Cairo - but a medal in Tokyo wasn't to be.

Lithuania's Laura Asadauskaite made her comeback, hoping to replicate the form that saw her become Olympic champion at London 2012.

She couldn't quite hold off the impressive Kate French, though, finishing in second to take home silver.

(2021 Getty Images)

4: Egypt's rising star

At 21 years old, Ahmed Elgendy has a bright future in the modern pentathlon.

And after winning bronze at the 2021 World Championships, a podium finish was well within his reach.

He was neck and neck with eventual champion Joe Choong as they started the run to the finish line, and while the Briton would eventually get the better of him, Elgendy picked up a silver medal.

In doing so, the youngster made history for Egypt, by winning their only medal in this event, as well as the country's first non-bronze medal at Tokyo 2020.

It bodes well for the future and what Elgendy is capable of.

5: Joe Choong makes history for Team GB

Following the success of Kate French in the women's event, it was time for Joe Choong to write himself in the history books.

The 26-year-old ran his final race with the maturity of a champion, and overcame the challenge of Elgendy to take home the gold.

He becomes the first British man to ever win an Olympic title in the modern pentathlon.

It was a significant improvement on his 10th place finish in Rio, completing a modern pentathlon double for the Brits.

(2021 Getty Images)

One last look

The headline acts were undoubtedly French and Choong, who became just the second and third Team GB athletes to win Olympic titles in this event.

South Korea's investment in the modern pentathlon is also paying off.

Both Jun and Jung have shown their potential in multiple competitions, and even though only Jun walked away with a medal, they've marked themselves as a nation to watching in the coming years.

(2021 Getty Images)

Hello Paris 2024

Eyes will be on the Brits, who go into Paris 2024 as defending champions.

But also keep a look out for Australia's Chloe Esposito, who didn't compete in Tokyo after becoming a mother last year. The Rio 2016 gold medallist is reportedly hungry to return to action, and claim back her crown.

Elsewhere, Egypt's Ahmed Elgendy has youth on his side, and after pushing Joe Choong to the limit in the final event, could go one step further next time.