- 2 years ago
Women's Final
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00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:18 Yes, welcome back to Sofia, Bulgaria for Super Sunday here in the fourth World Cup of the 2024
00:00:29 Pentathlon season. Two finals to bring you today. Firstly, it is the women's final. We've done
00:00:36 qualifications, we've done semi-finals A and B. We are left with the 18 top athletes here in
00:00:43 Sofia, Bulgaria. Conditions are not too bad at the moment. It's 14 degrees with very little wind.
00:00:51 It's actually quite sunny down here despite the snowy mountains you can see overlooking this
00:00:56 beautiful, marvellous venue here in Sofia. But let's take a look at the new format which starts
00:01:02 with qualifications where the athlete numbers are reduced to two groups of 18 with semi-final A and
00:01:06 B taking place. After the semi-finals we're left with the 18 best athletes who contest in the final.
00:01:11 The event taking place over a condensed 90-minute duration, five disciplines with 18 athletes up
00:01:16 against each other and competing for the medals. Well today is of course semi-finals day so, well
00:01:22 actually no, it's finals day. We are there with the riding, the riding rules, points scoring system
00:01:26 on your screens now. We'll go into greater detail later in the competition. It's then over to the
00:01:31 fencing bonus round for the one-on-one on bouts with the conclusion of the fencing action. Each
00:01:36 victory is worth two extra points for the athletes. The heats of the 200-meter freestyle in the pool
00:01:44 follow and here in Sofia it's a 50-meter pool which can make for some slow times. We conclude
00:01:50 with the aerodromatic later on five laps of the 600-meter circuit with four laser shooting rounds
00:01:55 where the athletes of course have to shoot the five targets as quickly as they can. The first
00:01:59 over the finish line as always is the winner. This is the new format. It's brutal, it's ruthless,
00:02:05 it's unapologetic, it's fast, it's frantic and a new challenge for athletes to overcome.
00:02:10 Welcome to Modern Pentathlon 2024. Those are the medals the athletes are competing for here
00:02:17 in Sofia and these are your Olympic rankings. Clemenza Bryson and Elisa Sotero who aren't at
00:02:23 this competition are currently top. Xiong Wingsheng, Gouyash, Nedchik and Sunwoo Kim.
00:02:28 But it's all about trying to get yourself inside that top nine ahead of those athletes who, well,
00:02:35 the ones that have already qualified obviously don't need to qualify twice but there are nine
00:02:40 qualification spots still up for grabs after this competition. We'll have a good idea as to who is
00:02:46 looking in a good position but don't forget we still have World Cup Final and World Championships
00:02:51 so still plenty of pentathlon points up for grabs. Right, let's bring ourselves up to speed then as
00:02:57 to where the competition is up until now because of course fencing ranking round happened a couple
00:03:02 of days ago and this is where very important pentathlon points are up for grabs. Blank Guzi
00:03:08 you can see on your screens there up against various athletes. Elodie Cluvel has had a very
00:03:15 good ranking round, is in a good position and let's take a look at those scores. It is Cluvel,
00:03:20 top of the pile, 26 victories with Mailena Zyuid having a brilliant competition. Her first final of
00:03:27 the year then it is Elzbieta Adamatiti and Ewa Serepniević. The battle for supremacy in the
00:03:35 Lithuanian team is a really interesting battle as is that battle in the British team. There's
00:03:40 lots of good subplots going on here but it is finals day and the medals will be won and lost
00:03:46 over the course of this competition. Those are your 18 best athletes here in Sofia. Time then to
00:03:53 introduce Elida van der Merwe into the commentary box. Elida is here for us commentating in Sofia.
00:04:00 Welcome Elida and looking forward to get underway with our first ride of the competition. Yes, thank
00:04:04 you very much James. It's very, it's good weather here today for riding so let's see what the
00:04:10 athletes can give us today. Athletes have just got 20 minutes to warm up with their horse and then
00:04:17 to complete the 10 obstacles. So we are ready to get underway with the riding. First up it is
00:04:25 Xiangwen Xiang on horse seven. It's a time of one minute and nine seconds. The athlete have to get
00:04:34 themselves under that time and Xiang gets herself out onto the course heading towards obstacle
00:04:41 one to get herself underway and it's quite a sharp right hand steer towards obstacle two. They have
00:04:50 to use a wide berth of the course as they make their way towards two as demonstrated by Xiangwen.
00:04:58 Happy with this start so far? Yeah, no so far. I think Xiangwen Xiang should just get into a rhythm
00:05:04 and that usually happens throughout the course. Xiangwen Xiang picking up a silver in Ankara.
00:05:09 She goes over 4A and 4B. This is looking good for the Korean athletes. Oh and there's a refusal into
00:05:16 five. So talk to us about that there Elida. Yeah, so Xiang should really start again with a proper pace
00:05:25 and get into rhythm especially with a double. This double is of upright and oxygen just right
00:05:34 after so she will really have to get into rhythm again, recollect herself and continue the course.
00:05:39 So it's a knock down into five. So this is starting to get a little bit costly now. 2.83 and the time
00:05:47 is ticking away. Clears six, it's flat out towards seven. Over seven, steers right now towards
00:05:55 the double obstacles of 8A and 8B. 8A the cleared, clears the vertical of 8B. Two to go.
00:06:04 Over towards nine now. It's a flat straight run towards
00:06:10 and it's second refusal now into nine.
00:06:15 So one last chance to get this right which she does and then towards 10.
00:06:27 And it's a knock down into 10 as well. So it's a score of 2.44 in total then for Xiangwen Xiang
00:06:38 and that is not going to give her any help in getting up those scores Elida. Yeah, no especially
00:06:44 looking at the rankings all athletes are so close to each other so these points are going to be
00:06:49 crucial today. And we will now welcome our next athlete Laura Heredia of Spain. So Laura Heredia
00:07:02 has already qualified for the Olympic Games so there's a little bit less pressure on her
00:07:09 shoulders as she just slowly makes her way towards the start of the course.
00:07:16 Bell rings and off we go. Heredia begins her ride. She has 30 seconds to get herself over the first
00:07:31 obstacle. Off we go. First obstacle cleared. It's that big pause in between one and two.
00:07:39 Skims over the top of two but gets away with it and goes wide into three. Yeah, this two to three
00:07:49 is a broken line so athletes will have to make sure to get their horse in the center of the obstacle.
00:07:55 Over four A and B.
00:07:57 First knock down for five. A little bit scruffy this ride but so far it's not been too punishing.
00:08:07 Clears seven as well so it's just the one knock down so far for Heredia.
00:08:17 Up towards now eight A and B. Clears A and B. Two to go for Heredia.
00:08:28 Just the one knock down so far. Time-wise it's looking okay.
00:08:33 Over towards the final obstacle and clears it. Time-wise it's looking good as well.
00:08:45 So solid score that Ali. That's a two nine three. Yeah, no very smooth round there from Heredia
00:08:51 except for that knock down. I think once she gets into the groove of the rhythm she really does the
00:08:57 job well. And we will now welcome our next athlete Emma Whittaker of Great Britain.
00:09:03 So Emma Whittaker is a World Cup medalist before. She won a bronze medal in Cairo 2022.
00:09:15 Emma Whittaker is a good rider and she's a good laser runner as well. So if she gets clear around this course
00:09:22 Emma could be dangerous later on in the competition.
00:09:24 Under the careful guidance of the British riding coach, a legend, Jubina.
00:09:29 And here we go. Emma approaches the first obstacle cleared.
00:09:41 Yeah, this one to two does have a long turn to do and athletes really have to recollect themselves
00:09:46 to get in the center as Emma Whittaker has done for that broken line to three.
00:09:50 Yeah, so a lot smoother than we saw with Lara Heredia there.
00:09:54 Yeah, Emma Whittaker is taking advantage of those corners and those turns in the course.
00:10:01 Past four out at four B over towards five. Skims the top of five but gets away with it.
00:10:09 So now I cut back through the middle of the course for six. The obstacle of six is cleared.
00:10:17 This is looking very smooth so far. Over seven. Now the double obstacles of 8A and 8B.
00:10:26 Clears 8A, clears 8B. Oh no, it's a knockdown of 8B so that's
00:10:34 293. Two to go for Whittaker.
00:10:38 One left.
00:10:42 Nicely done by Whittaker. She does get the one time penalty. So it's 292 for Whittaker
00:10:54 and I'm sure Alida should be very happy with that score. Very much indeed. I think a thing to note
00:11:00 is with the obstacle 8A and 8B, the first obstacle is a knockser and then to an upright. So athletes
00:11:06 will have to sort of after that first obstacle recollect themselves because they will take
00:11:11 a larger jump and that stride will have to sort of be in relation to what the course is set up with.
00:11:17 But athletes are looking as if they are doing well in the warm-up arenas, what we can see.
00:11:24 Rita Rodas makes her way on to the course. Currently in 16th place.
00:11:31 What can Ados do from here?
00:11:35 Here we go then. Clears obstacle one. Cut round left towards two.
00:11:43 Slight hesitation into two. Is that broken line into three? But she's
00:11:52 navigated around that well.
00:11:55 Clears the double obstacles of 4A and 4B over towards five now.
00:12:05 Knocked down through five. A little hesitation there with the contact with Ados and the horse
00:12:12 but she just get the rhythm going throughout the course. Pick up the pace a bit.
00:12:21 No perfect scores yet so far in the women's final. Two back-to-back 293s. We're about to
00:12:27 have a third consecutive one. 8A and 8B is a knockdown. 14 points off the score of Ados.
00:12:37 Needs to get round clear now. Time-wise I think it's going to go over as well.
00:12:41 Might just about get away with it. She heads towards 10. It will be a couple of seconds over.
00:12:47 And knocks down 10 which means you say 276.
00:12:52 Yeah it's always that last obstacle of the course isn't it where you're just sort of
00:13:00 holding your breath until you get over and usually when that happens you're holding your
00:13:04 breath and you take that deep breath you let go of everything you get out of the connection you
00:13:08 go over the contact so to keep in control all the way until you cross that finish line.
00:13:13 But now we'll be welcoming Malek Ismail from Egypt. Malek Ismail picked up her first
00:13:21 World Cup medal of her career and she picked up bronze in Ankara.
00:13:28 Malek Ismail has been in form this year makes another final.
00:13:31 Ismail will have to find her rhythm with this start as she goes from two to three
00:13:41 for the broken line. Getting in the center. You can see that slight hesitation into three
00:13:48 there that broken line's catching up a few athletes but Malek Ismail gets away with it.
00:13:53 Concentration on the face of Ismail.
00:14:10 Nicely done.
00:14:13 So so far so good for Malek Ismail as she heads towards the final double obstacles of this course.
00:14:22 Oxer and then vertical. That was a knockdown in the warm-up arena then if you heard that clatter.
00:14:29 That was from the Lithuanian athlete but we focus on Malek Ismail who is going clear as things stand.
00:14:37 One to go. It'll go over the time but she won't worry about that. Heads towards 10
00:14:41 and goes clear. Brilliant ride out there from Malek Ismail. Four time penalties it's a 2.96
00:14:50 and that's our best score of the day so far. Time-wise it's not the easiest course this is it
00:14:56 Alida. There's potential to lose time. Yeah I think there are a couple of turns which are
00:15:05 sort of costing the athletes their time penalties but so far there was a clear
00:15:11 round in terms of knocking with Malek Ismail but we now welcome Blanka Guzi.
00:15:17 A bit smooth in the warm-up arena but let's see how she does now.
00:15:23 It's the first knockdown for Guzi which then makes things a little bit more difficult
00:15:32 from this point onwards because you're up against it.
00:15:35 I mean this two to three is a tricky ride to do. It's a broken line and a change of leg in
00:15:45 between going from the right direction to the left direction. She goes to four a and b well executed.
00:15:51 She seems to be finding her rhythm here. It's always nervy for athletes when they get that
00:15:58 knockdown early on and you know it's going to be a tough ask to try to go clear for the rest of the
00:16:05 course but Guzi so far has only got that one knockdown from obstacle one. Why is it then do
00:16:14 you think athletes get caught out? Is it sort of a... there's another knockdown there comes from Guzi.
00:16:18 Is it sort of a lack of concentration heading into the first obstacle? I think it's more of nerves
00:16:24 really and I think the biggest thing you want to do when you start is to get a nice rhythm with your
00:16:30 horse because that rhythm is what you're going to have potentially throughout the whole course and
00:16:34 that's the most important thing your rhythm getting the good pace there but Guzi did find her rhythm
00:16:41 throughout the course. Just very fast ride that as well by the possibly a little too fast but
00:16:47 she's got the... that's Zintaria Van Karskaiti up next who is a very quick runner a clear ride here
00:16:57 and Van Karskaiti could well be dangerous later on in this competition. Making her way through now
00:17:07 here's rider number seven
00:17:12 we are seeing the athletes take that wider turn which is I would say best. No one's cutting
00:17:17 through are they? You need a good line into two and I mean it's not worth the risk of getting a
00:17:23 refusal or a knockdown just to shave off a second or two. Especially with how close the points are
00:17:28 but Van Karskaiti goes for 4a and Bien knocks 4a. So Van Karskaiti can't really afford any more
00:17:35 knockdowns if she is going to be a realistic medal opportunity and just as I say that
00:17:39 five goes dumbling so 2.86 it's now damage limitation time for Van Karskaiti. 2.86 she
00:17:47 could still do something with this score but any more and it's going to really be difficult for Van
00:17:51 Karskaiti. I think Van Karskaiti is finding her distance before the jump the closer she gets the
00:17:58 horse likes or yeah the closer she gets the more she will clear the jump as she goes to jump number
00:18:09 nine so it's two seven nine currently for Van Karskaiti. Time wise she's going to go clear so
00:18:15 she gets past the final obstacle although there's 21 points off the score of Van Karskaiti meaning
00:18:21 it's two seven nine.
00:18:22 So that's two seven nine points for Van Karskaiti and we'll now welcome Kina Kova of Ukraine
00:18:37 next up.
00:18:40 Olga Klinikova is next up on the course.
00:18:47 Kina Kova gets in the center of the jump as she did
00:18:56 very well she goes to the broken line two and three.
00:19:04 Kina Kova broken line into three has to correct to get back to the center of the obstacle.
00:19:12 Clears past 4a and 4b.
00:19:17 Clears five.
00:19:21 Kina Kova seems to have found the distance that she needs to jump with this horse a really good
00:19:30 relationship she's built up so far and if she continues oh
00:19:34 lost her footing there with the stirrups but
00:19:39 really well recovered just unfortunate knock there could be due to a loss of balance she
00:19:48 had just before that but she makes her way to oxer number nine.
00:19:53 Clears it.
00:19:57 Two to go one to go and there we go it's a very good ride this from Kina Kova
00:20:06 293 she's within that time.
00:20:10 Very good ride indeed just very unfortunate losing her footing there which
00:20:17 one more question would she have changed the results but very well recovered there from Kina Kova.
00:20:25 Valeria Permakina up next our best score so far is a 296 that was from Malakishma.
00:20:32 Not the easiest course this has to be said.
00:20:37 Permakina actually leans back and that's a refusal into obstacle one from Permakina so
00:20:45 worst possible start there.
00:20:49 She's pulling really far it's a second refusal so Permakina is struggling a little bit here yeah
00:20:55 one more refusal and she's out and
00:20:58 that to me was a third refusal.
00:21:02 These athletes do only have 20 minutes with the horses to build that relationship.
00:21:12 Yeah that's elimination because well when you get two refusals you've got to get a third.
00:21:18 When you get two refusals you have to go past the obstacle and Permakina
00:21:21 has unfortunately been eliminated from the ride.
00:21:39 Yeah so multiple World Cup medalist Tannik Zillikens next out onto the course.
00:21:45 And here we go.
00:21:50 Zillikens to pick up the reins.
00:21:59 Oh it's another refusal into obstacle one so we're seeing this happen a bit more
00:22:07 consistently. Athletes struggling with that first obstacle. Zillikens heading towards one again
00:22:14 gets it done this time so good recovery from Annika.
00:22:18 Now it's all about that damage limitation she's lost about 12 seconds with that refusal.
00:22:25 Here's three. The horse does seem cunning to jump so I think once Annika just gets into that rhythm
00:22:34 she'll make her way throughout the course which she is doing really well indeed. She could get away
00:22:40 with this ride by the way if she doesn't knock down any more but again five is catching a few
00:22:44 athletes down so Zillikens now is very much all about damage limitation here.
00:22:51 Oh no another knockdown so 8a and 8b.
00:23:04 Athletes are knocking that 8b though I think it must be because of the oxo the first
00:23:08 course of the leg goes to nine and makes a way to ten for the last jump. Time wise actually it's
00:23:15 not as drastic as it could have been but a fine knockdown into ten and it's now a 2.56 for Annika.
00:23:24 So 256 points for Zillikens as we now welcome our next athlete French of Great Britain.
00:23:44 Iranian Olympic champion Kate French is competing in her second competition of the 2024 season.
00:23:53 Kate French notoriously a very good rider.
00:23:56 Just finding that right leg there. Taking her time as she heads towards the start of this
00:24:03 ride. Here we go then. No mistakes for French over that first obstacle. It's a tricky first
00:24:10 obstacle that one having an oxo as the first obstacle. French always looks very calm on the
00:24:16 horse. Just about gets away with a real wobble there but well recovered.
00:24:23 So far so good. Still waiting on her first score in women's final.
00:24:28 Knockdown. In fact it's a refusal into 4a. French was just leaning a bit forward there as she
00:24:38 came towards the jump so she will get a chance to attempt it again after the course boulder.
00:24:46 Put it up again for her. She will now be thinking how she could execute the jump now.
00:24:51 Reconnecting herself and forwards. So second attempt at 4a. Oh gets through it. Well done.
00:25:04 So good work that by French to get herself back on track. It's a wide line into five which
00:25:11 resulted in another knockdown. She's battling the horse a little bit here.
00:25:18 Picks up the pace into seven.
00:25:23 It seems as if French's challenge here is sort of keeping the contact with the horse and just
00:25:31 making sure that they are in this in sync and wanting to go in the same direction. Because
00:25:36 just before the jump the horse seems to want to swerve just to the right. She's controlling it
00:25:42 really well. She makes a way to jump on the line and clears it. Time-wise is getting the cross
00:25:49 for now for French. And there we go it's another knockdown. So it's a 2.55 for French who is
00:25:58 in this battle for qualification for the Olympics.
00:26:04 It's a 2.55.
00:26:09 So Elisee Ronaldo out next. The Italian athletes looking to pick up some points here and
00:26:26 we've had a couple of 2.55s and 2.56s from previous athletes and it's a refusal into one.
00:26:32 Obstacle one leader is proving to be a real tricky start to this course isn't it?
00:26:37 Yeah I know I must say I think athletes just really need to find their rhythm into it.
00:26:45 And Ronaldo's waiting for the jump to be pulled up which is now. Obstacle one is an oxer so it is
00:26:55 a bit mentally sort of hard to approach it. So another refusal there into obstacle one. One more
00:27:02 refusal and this will be elimination. She's got to try and get herself back on course here and
00:27:09 there is a first refusal for the Italian and that unfortunately is an elimination.
00:27:20 Yeah so as we said James that first obstacle is an oxer and I think we all tend to make it a bit
00:27:28 bigger or we see it a bit bigger than we than it actually is and should just jump it as if it's a
00:27:34 normal jump but easier said than done as we now welcome Osama Abdel Maksoud of Egypt.
00:27:45 So Osama Abdel Maksoud 15th in Ankara last year bronze in Cairo last year. Last year was a good
00:27:50 year for Osama Abdel Maksoud. She's in sixth place overall at the moment gets past that tricky
00:27:55 obstacle one. There's no time for these athletes now because this is a real opportunity for them
00:28:02 to pull away if they are to get a good skip score here. So a refusal there into three and we're
00:28:10 really seeing the pack closing up here because if you've got a good score earlier and there's a
00:28:14 good chance you're going to shoot up the rankings. It does give the opportunity for the top five
00:28:18 potentially. Osama Abdel Maksoud gets through those so
00:28:22 scores still been affected but she needs to get through this course and still be in with a chance
00:28:30 of getting a half decent score heading into the offensive bonus from knockdown to five.
00:28:38 Moving now towards six. It looked like a moment like the horse might refuse there
00:28:45 over seven. 8a and 8b to follow.
00:28:49 Clears 8a and 8b as well.
00:28:57 Two to go then.
00:29:05 Abdel Maksoud. A slight hesitation into nine but she's got through it.
00:29:10 This has actually been a good recovery that from Abdel Maksoud. This is two seven one so
00:29:16 she's lost 29 points. Could have been way worse though. Now we do see athletes sort of having a
00:29:24 rusty start must be that number one two and three. Those three jumps I would say are the most
00:29:29 technical but as athletes find their way throughout the course they seem to find the rhythm of it.
00:29:35 This is a tough course mate. No doubt about it since Alha Nikovar from Ukraine scored a two
00:29:41 nine through for the elimination of two five six or two four five and elimination in a two seven one.
00:29:46 The top five with a chance to pull away here. Jessica Varley of Great Britain is next on the course.
00:29:55 Varley is a good laser runner. She's a good rider as well by the way.
00:30:04 She communicates with the horse. She's very vocal on the back of the horse. She's very determined
00:30:09 for this competition. It's a big competition this for Varley. She knows now her refusal or
00:30:16 a series of knockdowns could really affect her chances of potentially even
00:30:21 qualifying for the Olympic Games but she still has a chance on her day. Varley is one of the
00:30:28 best athletes winning medals last year and she's in a really good position here and knows it.
00:30:35 Goes over seven. Loses a footing a little bit. She kept the stirrup I think she has.
00:30:43 So she's going well so far for Varley. 8a, 8b. Nicely done. Two to go.
00:30:52 Time wise a little bit slow but that is no issue whatsoever. Clears nine. One to go for Varley here.
00:31:00 This is the best rider today we've seen so far and Varley goes clear. It's a 297
00:31:07 and that is a big big moment there for Jessica Varley. She goes
00:31:16 into the fence with a real spring in her step now. It's a 297. A very determined ride from Varley.
00:31:24 Yeah, no, definitely. I think that communication and that connection that Varley had between the
00:31:30 horse was all that she needed for this discipline. So we now have this battle of the Lithuanians.
00:31:36 Jeva SerebiniaitÄ— next out on the course. Clears one. It'll be her teammate Elzbieta Adamatiti
00:31:44 out next and two clear. Four SerebiniaitÄ— makes it over three. She's not over
00:31:51 complicating things here. It's a good pace but not too fast. Heads into 4a and 4b clear.
00:31:59 Adamatiti going well here. It's a smooth ride so far from Lithuania and one knockdown into five.
00:32:05 We've seen that a few times into five but nothing to worry about at the moment.
00:32:12 So, Jeva SerebiniaitÄ—. Oh, well recovered there. That's a brilliant recovery from
00:32:19 SerebiniaitÄ—. I was fully expecting the refusal there.
00:32:22 Oh, there's a refusal. Yeah, so in this case SerebiniaitÄ— will have to repeat the double.
00:32:33 She refuses the second part of the double. So she will now have to recover herself. Lost the
00:32:41 stirrup as well by the way on the left foot. So this is a difficult situation here for SerebiniaitÄ—.
00:32:48 The time is ticking and she knows she's in trouble here. She heads now back towards
00:32:53 8a and oh this is very difficult and she's retired from the ride and it will sadly
00:33:06 be an elimination for SerebiniaitÄ—. Very unfortunate. That is just how quickly
00:33:12 this competition can come unstuck. So, as things stand Jessica Varley
00:33:21 in a very good position. You can see SerebiniaitÄ— is visibly
00:33:26 stressed by that. You've got to feel for her because it was all going well until 8b.
00:33:35 She was having a lovely competition so far but very unfortunate for her. That probably does mean
00:33:41 that SerebiniaitÄ— might struggle for World Cup final as well. Oh, Anna Matyti is up next. We're into the top
00:33:51 three athletes.
00:33:59 This is nervy times for these athletes with so much at stake being Olympic year.
00:34:03 Anna Matyti just holds on here. This is proving to be a very challenging
00:34:10 ride here for a lot of these athletes. 4a clear, 4b clear. Head now towards 5,
00:34:17 which we've seen a few knockdowns before. Not the case for Anna Matyti. So far so good
00:34:23 for the young up-and-coming Lithuanian. Corrects herself into 6, gets the line okay.
00:34:30 Over 7 and now 8a and 8b. This is where her teammate was caught out. It's an oxford to start
00:34:39 with and it's flat out through to a vertical. This is looking very good for Anna Matyti who is having a
00:34:47 fantastic competition here. Has never won a World Cup medal before but is in a really good position
00:34:53 here. It is going to be our first perfect score. Heads towards obstacle 10 and goes clear.
00:34:58 Anna Matyti comes good when it matters the most and Elzbieta Anna Matyti is in an absolutely
00:35:06 fantastic position. After a perfect ride it could not have gone better for the Lithuanian.
00:35:13 Anna Matyti making a case here really for Olympic qualification. Brilliant from Anna Matyti.
00:35:22 We're into the top two and it's now the turn of Marlene Joade competing in her first final
00:35:30 of the 2024 season. Joade has gradually been improving her performances over the year
00:35:36 and is now in a very good position in second place. Looking now to match Anna Matyti and
00:35:45 make a second perfect consecutive score. It's nervy moments this but Joade so far so good.
00:35:54 She's concentrating hard over towards 4A and 4B.
00:35:57 Nicely done gets away with 4B there into 5. Needs to concentrate. She does good ride this
00:36:08 from Joade. Heading out towards 6. Good pace into 6 and over 7 now. Yes 8A and 8B.
00:36:19 Next up for Joade. Clears A. Knocked down into B but that's fine. This is looking pretty good
00:36:31 for Joade. Just two to go. A moment of thought and clarity now as she approaches these final
00:36:37 two obstacles. Clears 9. One to go. This would be a very very good score for Joade. If she can get
00:36:43 through 10 she does. It's another very good score. It's a 2.93 for Marlene Joade and we are now seeing
00:36:54 it's a mighty ride. Vali with the 2.97. Anna Matyti with our first and only 300. Joade
00:37:02 with a 2.93 and hold your breath. Ellen D. Cluvel because she's gone so well into this competition
00:37:10 so far and it's now all attention on our highest ranked athlete. Clears one.
00:37:19 Olympic silver medalist from Rio 2016. Multiple world cup medalist. Clears two and clears three.
00:37:31 So far so good for Cluvel. 4A and 4B to follow as she looks to qualify for her home Olympic games.
00:37:42 Ellen D. Cluvel. She's very much an athlete who seems to perform well under pressure and there
00:37:48 is a lot of pressure on her shoulders as we speak. There will be some nerves in her no doubt about
00:37:55 that as she clears seven. This is looking like a very good ride so far for Cluvel. She's a good
00:38:02 swimmer as well by the way so this could give Cluvel a sizable lead heading into Laser Run
00:38:07 if she can get through these final two obstacles. 9 and 10 to go. No knockdowns or refusals so far
00:38:18 for Cluvel. Clears nine. One to go time-wise is looking good. This for our second perfect score
00:38:23 as she clears it. Ellen D. Cluvel with the 300 and well out of the final five rides
00:38:32 four of them with very good scores. Really really solid end to the competition. That's
00:38:41 Vali, Jowid, Adamititi and Cluvel have made statements there and actually
00:38:48 Sam Abtomaksood with the 271 is still in a good position. So it's a bit of a breakaway
00:38:55 from the top four now Alida as we watch the replays of Cluvel. Yeah I think it was a tricky
00:39:03 course for athletes this competition but it will make things interesting especially with how close
00:39:10 the points are and we saw yesterday well day before yesterday in the women's semifinals just
00:39:17 how valuable every point is with the bonus round with the swimming and now with today's riding
00:39:21 but Cluvel has put herself in a very good position regarding after the ranking round and horse riding.
00:39:29 Yeah let's take a look at those scores then and you can see Cluvel 10 points ahead of Adamititi.
00:39:33 Adamititi and Cluvel both going clear. Jowid in third place just two points off of Adamititi just
00:39:40 12 points behind Cluvel. Jowid definitely in with a chance of a medal here by the way.
00:39:46 Jessica Varley has moved up into fourth place. Varley is really in a good position here.
00:39:53 Whittaker okay I think a medal might be difficult from Whittaker from that position but
00:39:58 she is with the 292 giving herself a chance. Malakishmiel one of the big benefits of the
00:40:05 riding. Olga Klynikova has risen up through the rankings as well.
00:40:13 Blanka Guzzi has moved up a few places. Van Karskaite has moved up a single place and
00:40:20 actually got away with it from her rider 279. I think she could still cause some problems from
00:40:25 the position that she is in but you have to feel for Sera Piniayte who was in a very good position
00:40:31 but was eliminated from the riding. Okay that concludes the riding discipline. We still have
00:40:37 fencing, swimming and the laser one to bring you. Let's take a look back at the swimming.
00:40:41 Let's take a look back at the riding highlights before moving on to the fencing.
00:40:47 So
00:40:55 So
00:41:00 So
00:41:04 So
00:41:34 So welcome back to Sofia. World Cup 4 is in full swing here. Women's final and we're starting to
00:41:40 get a little taster of things to come. I would say at this point the competition is things are
00:41:45 looking good for Clouvel. She just went clear in the riding as we move on to the fencing bonus
00:41:50 round. Now what I think fencing bonus round offers the athletes the opportunity to do is to claw back
00:41:56 some of the points they may have lost in riding. For example if you've got 293 and then you pick up
00:42:02 three fencing bonus round wins, it kind of feels like you are closing in on that point that you
00:42:07 might have lost from a knockdown. So yeah it gives a good chance doesn't it Elida for athletes to
00:42:11 get a few extra points. Yeah no definitely. I mean if we look at the standings now our top three
00:42:17 athletes have really pulled away through about 10 points ahead of everyone else but it is Olympic
00:42:24 year. Everyone is looking for those points so even if they're not maybe potential podium winners but
00:42:29 they will be fighting for every single spot and ranking that they can get in this competition.
00:42:33 So we are just a couple of minutes away from the beginning of fencing. This competition
00:42:40 moves by quickly and yeah it's been interesting to see just how things have progressed here in
00:42:52 Ankara.
00:42:55 So first on the bonus round we have Xiong Ming Xiong and Laura Heredia for the next few minutes.
00:43:07 So athletes are transitioning now from their riding gear into the fencing gear. It is something
00:43:13 to consider sort of how will they change from the fencing then to the swimming afterwards and I think
00:43:19 after time athletes sort of found their way. I mean in the beginning when the format changed
00:43:24 you sort of experimented methods maybe putting a racing suit on before sort of when you're fencing
00:43:31 with your fencing clothes and yeah I think by now athletes have their groove, have their routine.
00:43:50 Yeah it's an interesting point in the competition this isn't it because
00:43:53 obviously putting on the fencing attire is it's time consuming it's probably
00:44:00 a little bit frustrating for some athletes because they might put on their fencing gear
00:44:05 and be on the fencing. So you'll see some bouts last two seconds.
00:44:08 Yeah so some athletes will have put on their fencing gear for literally two seconds.
00:44:14 And yeah especially with all the layers on with the fencing clothes.
00:44:19 But for now we will be waiting for the start of Xiong Ming Xiong and Laura Heredia.
00:44:26 So just been informed that Yeva Tselipiniete will not compete in the fencing. That's an
00:44:42 interesting decision from Yeva because there are still points up for grabs because obviously we did
00:44:51 have three athletes eliminated so there's still an opportunity to finish above
00:45:00 Rinaldo and Permakina but I guess Tselipiniete is devastated. I think it is mentally
00:45:09 challenging and just I think I mean you were there you were there in the fourth position and
00:45:15 you know you could qualify so I really feel for her but if that's her decision then that's okay.
00:45:22 I think all athletes should really just control their I think emotions throughout the competitions
00:45:28 and it's really that's one of the hardest asks in this sport. Yeah it's a tough
00:45:37 tough day in the office for Yeva Tselipiniete. I really do feel for her. She's a lovely person
00:45:48 and a fantastic athlete and she will be obviously devastated.
00:46:06 So confirmation Tselipiniete has withdrawn from the competition.
00:46:11 It's been a long week for these athletes. It's their third day competing with all the disciplines
00:46:26 so these are the top 18 athletes throughout the whole competition and they'll be showing us
00:46:32 their best performances. We saw Laura Heredia storm away through with a laser run to get
00:46:42 her spot in the final. It'll be interesting to see her performance today.
00:46:46 Heredia on your left, Xiangmen Xiong on your right.
00:46:56 So Heredia is now on the offensive bonus round piece.
00:47:03 Flash attack from Xiangmen Xiong really well executed.
00:47:07 So just hearing from the stadium announced Bryn Lucas that it was Whittaker's birthday
00:47:26 the other day. Yeah so happy birthday to Emma. She picked up 16 victories
00:47:33 from the fencing ranking round but did manage to secure a score of 292.
00:47:39 Will Xiangmen Xiong show her attack again? She seems awake and ready for this day.
00:47:54 So Emma is going to be ready for the attack and Xiangmen Xiong gets the point.
00:47:58 Xiong really commits to those attacks and does not hesitate.
00:48:19 There had to be a riposte or delayed attack there as we now welcome Rita Erdos of Hungary.
00:48:29 Erdos with priority so Xiangmen Xiong will be looking for that attack again.
00:48:35 But she seems ready to execute it. Very light on the feet there, light footwork.
00:48:46 Just preparing and waiting for that attack as she does so once again.
00:48:58 Very speedy work here from Xiangmen Xiong.
00:49:02 Three victories then from Xiang who is starting this fencing bonus round well but sadly for Xiang
00:49:14 it won't really make much of a difference to her competition.
00:49:18 There's only one place that she can gain over which is Valeria Permikina.
00:49:24 Every point counts in Olympic years.
00:49:27 Now welcome Malk Ismail from Team Egypt.
00:49:40 So Malk Ismail was probably one of the headline stories from the riding. She went
00:49:47 for the 296 and Xiangmen Xiong showing that without pressure
00:49:51 fencing suddenly feels a bit easier doesn't it?
00:49:55 It's a fourth consecutive victory now for Xiang.
00:50:08 Now Blanka Guzi is an interesting athlete at this point of competition. She secured a 286
00:50:15 in the riding but she's such a good laser runner. I think if Blanka Guzi is in the top 10
00:50:22 you would say yeah definitely has a chance for a medal. I think from this point it's probably about
00:50:27 points for Guzi as she looks to try and qualify alongside Michelle Gulyas in this Hungarian team.
00:50:34 Rita Olos Blanka Bauer would probably like to say maybe it would be one of them that gets in.
00:50:40 Xiang looking to make it double figures. Guzi with a priority. Xiangmen Xiong will
00:50:48 use her attack but it's for Blanka Guzi waiting for that attack for Xiangmen Xiong.
00:50:55 Really well executed there from Guzi. She stops the streak for Xiang. I think it was a four points
00:51:02 was it? Well we say about Guzi it was four for Xiang. We say for Guzi she is in the top 10.
00:51:08 She's now closing in on Whittaker. I think the gap is probably going to be too big for her to climb but
00:51:18 strange things have happened. Gintela Van Karskaite is up next. Van Karskaite got a 279 in
00:51:26 the ride. It wasn't too bad in the context of this competition. Not at all but we know Van Karskaite
00:51:34 can also be a killer in the run. So Van Karskaite is knocking the door of the top 10 as well. The
00:51:40 issue these athletes have is the top three went so well in the riding that it's going to be
00:51:47 difficult to climb. Van Karskaite and Guzi now. These extra bonus round points are important
00:51:54 and Van Karskaite gets the touch. Moving her score onto 286.
00:52:01 So in terms of which of the Lithuanian athletes make World Cup final it currently looks like
00:52:11 it will be Adamatiti Van Karskaite and I think Laris Tarskaitis qualified as well.
00:52:24 Now welcoming Klunikova of Ukraine. We had a really decent ride. Points of 293.
00:52:35 Yeah, all her Klunikova made a good showing of herself in the riding and put herself in a
00:52:42 very good position as a consequence of that. Van Karskaite looking to try and claw some points
00:52:47 back from the ride. If she can go on a little run here it will only help her cause but Klunikova
00:52:53 gets the touch. Yeah, really good applying of pressure there from Klunikova just waiting for
00:52:59 Van Karskaite to attack and do her classic defense there.
00:53:06 Now welcome her teammate Permakina of Ukraine.
00:53:13 Permakina was eliminated from the ride. It's a story of two different tales from the riding.
00:53:23 And here we go. Klunikova versus Permakina. Klunikova with a victory turn. These two will
00:53:36 know each other's styles very well. Two Ukrainian athletes going toe-to-toe.
00:53:42 Double touch, no surprise. Both attack at the same time.
00:53:52 And it is Permakina who picks up the extra points. So Permakina is in a battle with
00:54:00 Alita Ulyanova.
00:54:03 And Alika Zilikins who got a 2.56. Did well to get around in the riding, didn't she Zilikins?
00:54:14 It was more for a recovery mission, wasn't it? Yeah, it was a rough start but as we saw the
00:54:20 horse she was riding was keen to jump and really found her way throughout the course.
00:54:24 Zilikins also well known for a laser run though. Will be fighting for those positions.
00:54:32 Permakina with the priority. Sorry, Zilikins with a priority there.
00:54:41 Permakina looking for that point.
00:54:46 A bit of searching for the blade there from Permakina. Just finding that right disengage
00:54:56 of the blade there. Only nine seconds left. So Permakina will need to look for that point.
00:55:05 If not, Zilikins will get the point in priority. Five to go. Permakina is attacking and Zilikins
00:55:13 does get the touch. What do you think Zilikins can hopefully look to do from here Alita?
00:55:19 I mean in regards to the riding scores we are looking, I think it just all comes down to
00:55:27 the riding scores. If Zilikin could try make it to top five. I mean top three are spaced out by
00:55:36 about 10 points already. So four possibly are spoken for. Top four, five or six. I think top
00:55:43 four because as well Vali is a very good laser runner. I think, I actually think Vali is a good
00:55:49 definitely good shot for a medal here. We have to keep an eye on Cluvel shooting later as well.
00:55:55 She's struggled this year without this. Yeah. Welcome French on our right with priority and
00:56:02 gets the touch. French is looking to try and finish as high as she can.
00:56:08 Yeah French is very accurate with her point control there just on the top of the hand.
00:56:16 She's very happy with that clinch of the hand.
00:56:20 Now welcome Elice Rinaldo who was
00:56:28 eliminated in the riding.
00:56:35 So Rinaldo as I mentioned was eliminated. So
00:56:55 it's a battle of pride here and now gets the touch.
00:57:00 Lovely touch there from Rinaldo. Just touch there on the hand.
00:57:21 Now welcome Salma Abdelmaksoud of Egypt who will have priority over Rinaldo. So
00:57:28 we'll probably be seeing a bit more attack and pressure from Rinaldo's side.
00:57:46 Rinaldo is left-handed so a different approach that right-handed fencers will take here in
00:57:52 regards to where you position your blade, where you position yourself. But Rinaldo is just looking
00:57:59 for that extension of the hand of Salma Abdelmaksoud but it's double and no point.
00:58:04 Rinaldo executes that cut attack there.
00:58:27 So up next it is Jessica Varley and Jessica Varley was
00:58:32 in very good form in the riding, wasn't she? It's really helped her cause.
00:58:40 We're inside the top five now.
00:58:44 Varley would benefit from these points here for sure. Two wins for Rinaldo. Varley looking to pick
00:58:56 up a couple of extra points here if possible. She looks focused, Varley, doesn't she?
00:59:01 Very large on her feet. Yeah, ready for that attack from Rinaldo. There it is,
00:59:06 the touch from Rinaldo. It's the third consecutive victory for the Italian.
00:59:12 And it's good to see Varley in such good form when she is competing at her best.
00:59:24 She is one of the best in the world and Olympic year is all about getting that momentum at the
00:59:30 right time of the year. Adam Attiti up next. She's really turning out to be quite an exciting final
00:59:37 this, isn't it? Yeah, definitely. And I think it's just going to be an interesting fight
00:59:43 for the medals. It'll be interesting to see what Clément could do in that position. And
00:59:48 I mean Adam Attiti is also a really strong runner. Could she potentially be in it for the gold?
00:59:55 That's a good question. That's a very good question. Adam Attiti I think is slow in the
01:00:01 pool. That's the only thing I think she might struggle with but it's not impossible.
01:00:07 Rinaldo tries to get down low. Adam Attiti. It's a bit left-handed fences. Clever that.
01:00:13 Good touch there from Adam Attiti just underneath the hand.
01:00:21 So Adam Attiti in second place opens up a four-point gap over Jawid. It's a good little run
01:00:28 that there from Rinaldo. We've still got to mention our MVP. It's confirmed now as
01:00:37 Xiangming Xiang, our most valuable pentathlete. Yeah, so MVP now is looking... Yeah, Xiangming Xiang.
01:00:45 I don't think we'll have another athlete to be able to get more than Xiangming Xiang. So Xiangming Xiang,
01:00:50 our MVP today. Both left-handed fences.
01:00:55 Alina Jawid too. Battle of the lefties. Jawid versus Adam Attiti. Both these athletes
01:01:03 now battling for the medals. Let's make no mistake about it. Jawid and Adam Attiti. And there comes
01:01:10 a touch from Jawid who calls back those two points that she lost to Adam Attiti when Adam Attiti
01:01:17 was victorious against Wiley. Just a reminder Serapinete has withdrawn from the competition.
01:01:26 It means now we are in a battle between our two highest ranked fencers. Cluvel who got 26 in the
01:01:33 ranking round. Brilliant score that from Cluvel. And then Jawid who picked up the two... Sorry,
01:01:42 the 25 points. It's one victory trying to make it two. This would be worth four points if Jawid
01:01:47 is defeated by Cluvel because the highest ranked athletes gets four points. So useful points up for
01:01:53 grabs here. Will Jawid double her score or will Cluvel pick up four points? We'll find out in a moment's time.
01:02:01 And double touch. Worth reminding you as well that the World Cup final last year Wiley and Cluvel
01:02:09 had a very good battle. I think it was the year before then. But regardless of that... 2022. Yeah, 2022 wasn't it?
01:02:16 And Cluvel did win that. Jawid really searching for that attack there. She knows she needs to go
01:02:23 for the point as Cluvel has priority. Double touches. I love their double touches here. Both athletes going for this.
01:02:31 Cluvel is at the end of the piece so she'll have to be careful with that back line. And it's Cluvel
01:02:36 for the point there really while they execute. And Cluvel happy with that. That's an extra four points to
01:02:42 her name. She's just like extending her lead here and we know how far she is in the pool.
01:02:48 It's all down to the shooting and laser run. It is. If Cluvel can get herself fixed with the
01:02:56 shooting this is, I would say, nailed on goal. Yeah. She'll be unstoppable.
01:03:01 It's a shame that Sarah Pignot is not in this battle because she's a good swimmer.
01:03:09 Let's take a look at the scores. And Cluvel has now opened up a 12 point gap over Adam Attiti.
01:03:16 Jawid is a further 14 points back. Vali is there or thereabouts. Again not the fastest swimmer but
01:03:23 be interesting to see if Cluvel does struggle in the pool. Whether Vali can push through.
01:03:28 Klinicova in fifth place. Abdul Maksoud in sixth. But that drop off between fourth and fifth
01:03:33 is significant isn't it? Malakesh Mil, Whittaker in eighth place. Blanca Guzzi in ninth place.
01:03:39 But again Blanca Guzzi not the fastest swimmer. Adria is slowly going about her business here.
01:03:45 She's moved up seven positions to tenth place. Van Kaskieti could be dangerous from eleventh.
01:03:50 We've got Oerdos in twelfth and Zillikants in thirteenth. French in fourteenth.
01:03:53 Xiong in fifteenth. Rinaldo in seventeenth place.
01:03:58 Permakina in eighteenth actually. They're sixteenth and seventeenth respectively.
01:04:03 Serapinete has withdrawn from the competition. Right that's it folks. We're done with the
01:04:07 fencing. Time to build up to the swimming. But let's just take a look back at the fencing highlights first.
01:04:11 [Music]
01:04:22 [Music]
01:04:35 [Music]
01:04:45 [Music]
01:04:55 Welcome back to Sofia Bulgaria as we build up to the start of the swimming discipline fencing
01:05:04 penalty round. Undusted riding. Undusted. It's now time to build up to the swimming. 200 meter freestyle.
01:05:10 Two and a half minutes gets you 250 points. We will also have some interviews with some athletes
01:05:19 as we take a look at the pool. There it is. And I think now we can throw pool slides to an
01:05:28 interview with one of our athletes which we did in all honesty record a couple of days ago. But
01:05:33 I think now we can hear from Sofia Cabrera of Guatemala to hear her thoughts on what it takes
01:05:41 to participate in this transition.
01:05:44 Well Sofia we're here in Sofia just outside the pool just discussing obviously the transition
01:06:03 from fencing to swimming. As an athlete just talk to us about the challenges of getting yourself
01:06:08 from the fencing hall out of your fencing gear and ready for swimming. Is it something that's a
01:06:13 difficult part of the competition? Yeah it's more difficult during the semi-finals because
01:06:18 you have to do it really fast. Also during the qualifications it's hard because it's really,
01:06:24 fencing it's really a physical sport. Like maybe it doesn't seem like it but it's very physical
01:06:29 and you have to use a lot of power in your legs. And then coming for the swimming and you have to
01:06:34 use a lot of power in your legs and your arms so it's really it's hard. And then also of course you
01:06:38 have laser on to consider as well so it's a lot of physical exertion on your body and something
01:06:44 you have to manage as an athlete. Yeah I have to manage it depends on how well I do on the fencing.
01:06:48 I can manage my swimming like I would say okay I will not do as fast the last 50 so I can like
01:06:54 save power in my legs but if I don't do so well in the fencing I have to swim really hard and then I
01:07:00 have to run really hard so yeah it's hard to manage. Interesting so you will actually the
01:07:05 pace in which you swim is dictated by how the competition has gone. Yeah. So just to sort of
01:07:11 recap on that if you've not fenced as well then you will have to make up some time in the pool
01:07:16 so you look at that as an opportunity to make up some time. Yeah yeah yeah so I have to make a lot
01:07:20 of effort so I can like I cannot lose two or three seconds in the swimming so I need to push there.
01:07:27 And it depends on which part of the race you're in as well because you mentioned there the final
01:07:31 50 meters might be where you hold back a little bit so you will save a bit of energy towards the
01:07:35 end of the swim looking ahead to laser run is that is that right? Yeah yeah so the last three
01:07:40 the first three 50s like it's not so hard on the legs the last 50 for me personally it's super hard
01:07:47 on the legs because I have to kick more so if I'm good in the fencing I don't have to kick as much
01:07:52 just the arms because in the laser run I don't use the arms as much so I try to use my arms during
01:07:59 the last 50 and then I consider using my legs or not. So whilst you're in the pool your brain is
01:08:05 calculating effectively which part of the swim you need to be giving it extra energy so there's a lot
01:08:10 of thought process involved in pentathlon. Yeah actually I do it before like I prepare my my
01:08:16 swimming race before yeah like in the transition like the 10 minutes we have or like the hour we
01:08:21 have yeah I try to to make my plan my swimming plan before. And you sit down with your coach
01:08:26 as well and you have a discussion? Yeah we used to do it more often now now that I'm like an older
01:08:32 athlete and more professional I like I can choose like we don't talk so much about my plan anymore
01:08:38 just like when I do really bad and we need to adjust some things there. So that 10 minute
01:08:43 transition it's more than just getting yourself ready. Yeah it's mentally. It's mentally preparing
01:08:48 yourself as well. Yeah it's not just changing it's like changing your focus and remembering your plan
01:08:54 and knowing what you have to do. Yeah super interesting stuff thank you for your time
01:08:57 good luck for the rest of your competition. Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you, bye.
01:08:59 Sofia Corbera with one of the most interesting insights into the swimming transition that we've
01:09:06 heard before. Another athlete with a good insight is Switzerland's Anna Yurt and we can hear from her now.
01:09:12 Well Anna Yurt good to speak to you. Here we are in Sofia obviously discussing the transition
01:09:19 between fencing and swimming. What's it like for you as an athlete you know getting yourself ready
01:09:24 for the pool getting yourself in the right mind frame. How does that all work for you? Well I think
01:09:29 you said it right it's all about the mindset you have to switch very quickly and also with the
01:09:34 swimming 200 meters is full of black tape so you have to shake out and get yourself ready and also
01:09:39 I think it's quite different to what it's usually to be like shooting with all the lactate in your
01:09:45 arms so it's all about like getting yourself ready and shake out the lactate and then go to
01:09:51 the shooting range and like even though you will maybe miss one or two don't get nervous and like
01:09:58 try to do it again and then with the right mindset I think it's totally you're totally able to do it
01:10:03 but it's all about like yeah seeing where you came from and then yeah being ready for the rides.
01:10:10 I think this is an interesting topic of conversation it's the the mental aspect of getting yourself
01:10:15 ready for different disciplines and it's not something I think people watching at home
01:10:19 necessarily will be aware of they'll just see athletes changing and warming up and running and
01:10:23 you know stretching ahead of the swimming but actually it's about switching your brain from
01:10:28 one sport to the other. Yeah exactly I think that's kind of like the the most important thing
01:10:34 to do in pentathlon also for example I'm not the best swimmer so I cannot be like depressed after
01:10:40 swimming because I haven't done my best or I know that I'm like not in front after swimming so it's
01:10:46 really about okay switching your mind and then be ready and be like take like give it your like your
01:10:51 best and as you said before in the previous competition pentathlon in pentathlon you never
01:10:56 know so it's finished when it's finished and yeah you have to be ready to fight. Yeah it's an
01:11:02 interesting point isn't it and you mentioned yourself you know swimming's not your strongest
01:11:05 discipline does that mean then that you are able to sacrifice a bit of time in the pool which you
01:11:11 can then make up from laser run or from fencing or from another discipline do you do you sacrifice a
01:11:16 bit of time in the pool? Yeah well I think like people think because I'm not that fast it's not
01:11:21 as hard but it's like it's very hard for me as well and I'm longer swimming so it's even harder
01:11:28 no but like really I don't think it's like easier if you're swimming slower and but I think because
01:11:35 I know I have a good running and shooting it's maybe helping me a little bit in swimming because
01:11:40 I know I even with a bad swimming I can make it up in running so yeah it's all about mindset and
01:11:46 getting yourself ready anyways yeah. And here in Sofia it's a 50 meter pool does that change how
01:11:53 you prepare or is it much much the same? I think it changed a little bit because you no more have
01:11:59 those many turns and the turns they make it like more dynamic the whole race but like well it's 200
01:12:06 meters you have to swim the same distance anyways but I think it's more about like getting in that
01:12:13 rhythm even though there are no more that many turns so I think like it's more difficult maybe
01:12:21 to stay in the rhythm to stay high but if you have this like good mindset it's good like you can do
01:12:27 it anyways. Cool well listen thank you very much for your time I appreciate it. Thank you.
01:12:30 Ania from Switzerland giving us her thoughts about the transition so we are building up to
01:12:40 the start of the swimming discipline we will have three swimming disciplines three swimming heats
01:12:47 so bring your coverage of live here from Sofia as Lala Eladir just puts on the finishing touches
01:12:54 her goggles going over her swimming hat most athletes wear two swimming hats do you ever get
01:12:59 over the uncomfortableness of wearing a swimming hat? Not really you sort of get used to it after a while but
01:13:06 yeah you sort of don't really notice it towards the end. Isabella Abrao there she's
01:13:11 already qualified for the Olympics after her performance at the Pan American Games
01:13:16 she's not through to the final here. Yeah I ran into her at the hotel and she mentioned how she
01:13:23 was injured last year so she is sort of also maintaining that injury and just getting back
01:13:28 into it but here we see Matiti just getting ready for that competition and surely gonna see a
01:13:35 fight from her today. Here we go then the five athletes that will be competing in
01:13:41 heat one because Zeeba has withdrawn. Zillikens, French, Song, Ronaldo and Perma Kina.
01:13:49 So this isn't a traditional setup with the heats as in normal swimming is so we will be starting
01:13:56 with the lowest ranked fences of the competition in the first heat and then the highest ranked
01:14:02 fences in the last heat. They won't be set up in their fastest lane so
01:14:07 we will see some leaders maybe on the outside lanes but we now welcome Zillikens of Germany.
01:14:17 Yeah Annika Zillikens multiple world cup medalist and Olympian from Tokyo 2020. Up next it is
01:14:26 Kate French from Great Britain. There's the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion. Then it's Xiang Mengxiang
01:14:36 four cups silver medalist from Ankara earlier this year. We did say Ronaldo
01:14:42 alongside the Italian is Valeria Perma Kina. Ronaldo and Perma Kina with eliminations
01:14:51 from the riding as was Xiang Mengxiang.
01:14:56 So from the semi-finals day we have seen a fastest time of two was it 18 from the women's
01:15:07 competition so we will see times about just under 220. I think Clivelle held back a little bit.
01:15:15 Yeah swimming heat three of her semi-finals so will be interesting to see but it would have
01:15:22 been Yeva Serepinieta would have been the quickest swimmer in this heat but instead it's going to be
01:15:27 a pretty close battle I think it's between most of these athletes. They're all within
01:15:31 four or five seconds of each other and their best times so.
01:15:34 What do you see from this swimming heat as being the ones to look out for French and Zillikens
01:15:42 maybe? I think Eliezer Ronaldo actually. Just in terms of who can make an impact on the competition
01:15:49 though. Oh yeah no I think yeah as you said Kate and Kate French and Zillikens all definitely wants
01:15:55 to look out for. But it seems as Xiang Mengxiang is really setting the pace here with the first lap.
01:16:05 It is 200 meters so athletes will be finding that 50 meter pace for this race.
01:16:12 Athletes have just finished horse riding and fencing and have now started swimming discipline
01:16:24 so some mats are off. Seeing how they use the energy as we heard from a few athletes before
01:16:31 this and Xiang Mengxiang turns on 106. She's picking up the pace now from the third lap
01:16:39 which we know gets tough from here on.
01:16:42 Interesting weather forecast for later in the day. Could be that there's
01:16:51 rain and even thunderstorms ahead of the men's final.
01:16:57 But it should stay dry for the women as we make our way through the later stages of
01:17:04 swimming heat one. Athletes turn for the final time. I think we're looking at a time of around
01:17:09 2.22 perhaps for these athletes in this final 50 meters here in swimming heat one.
01:17:16 I can see French is just trying to keep up with Ronaldo there. Will help to push her to
01:17:24 for that time that she wants to swim. So final 25 meters of this first swimming heat. You can
01:17:36 see the athletes making their way towards the finish line and there we go. It is Xiang Mengxiang
01:17:45 with the fastest time. French in second place. It's a good swim lap from French. Really good
01:17:49 swim lap from French and Ronaldo in third place. So Zillikens has lost more ground.
01:17:58 Really has her work cut out if she is to progress through the field.
01:18:17 I think despite having Xiang Mengxiang being eliminated from the riding she's just now doing
01:18:21 her own thing. Doing a good swim here and as we see there in the bonus round it did not put her down.
01:18:27 Did not put her emotions and spirits down. So comes back and touches the wall there. Xiang Mengxiang
01:18:39 to take the quickest time and unfortunately for Xiang Mengxiang she did get a 2.44 in the ride. So
01:18:47 I think it's competition done really. Let's take a look at the standings. MK French is on a 7.41.
01:18:58 Zillikens on a 7.37. These are the standings after swimming and you might be wondering where the rest
01:19:04 of the athletes are. They're a little bit further down because they were eliminated
01:19:07 from the riding. So athletes from fourth place below. The athletes a little bit further below
01:19:19 still have to swim. Let's take a look at Swimming Heat 2. Ishmael, Wisk, Guzi, Eladier, Van Karsgate
01:19:26 and Erdos are the six athletes to take part in Swimming Heat 2.
01:19:36 Malakishmael out first. Malakishmael had a decent ride with one of the best scores
01:19:42 of 2.96. Ishmael is a medalist already this year. Emma Whitaker makes her way up.
01:19:51 This will make things interesting for the rankings there. Blanket Guzi. Guzi will also be looking to
01:20:01 qualify for the World Cup final with her teammates. That's true. Laila Eladier, big smile on her face.
01:20:10 She can relax a little bit. She's already secured her spot at the Olympics. Shintari Van Karsgate
01:20:16 with work to do. Shintari is not the quickest swimmer as well so she's really gonna have to
01:20:23 hope everything goes her way in the later one. Rita Erdos is having a good competition here in
01:20:30 Sofia and that internal battle with the Hungarian female team. So those are your six athletes for
01:20:37 Swimming Heat 2. Blanket Guzi and Malakishmael are the two fastest swimmers in this heat
01:20:45 in lanes two and four.
01:20:58 And in we go. Athletes in the pool. Now the thing worth pointing out about swimming is the athletes
01:21:06 aren't competing against each other. They are effectively swimming their own race, aren't they?
01:21:11 You could have in essence have 18 separate swimming pools because it's not a case of
01:21:15 winning a heat. You don't get any points for coming first, second or third. It's all about
01:21:19 getting as quick a time as you possibly can, isn't it? Yeah and I feel like everyone is limited by
01:21:24 their own swimming capability here but it really I think it just adds another challenge to the laser
01:21:31 run. Having to spend your energy into the swimming and then having to start laser run after spending
01:21:36 your swimming in because swimming and running are the two most physically demanding sports.
01:21:42 So I think it's just all it is really is adding that challenge to the laser run start and I mean
01:21:47 athletes here today will be competing like we said for the third day. Their bodies are tired
01:21:52 but they know what to do to recover and restart but it's all the top of the top athletes that
01:21:58 they've qualified for the final day. It seems like Malik Ismail is turning first there.
01:22:03 Yeah this is what we heard from Sofia Cabrera about how physically difficult it is to go
01:22:10 from swimming to running and how actually she holds back in the final 50 meters. Might give
01:22:16 you know everything for those first 150 and then just potentially saves a bit of energy for that
01:22:23 final 50 because the transition time is so quick. When you think about it the athletes especially
01:22:28 in Swimming Heat 3 have 15 minutes to get themselves from the pool to the laser run. It's a
01:22:33 five minute walk and that has to encompass getting changed as well. It's not a lot of time at all for
01:22:39 the athletes is it? Yeah we do make a joke around saying the sixth discipline is changing. The hidden
01:22:45 sixth discipline is just getting itself changed isn't it? Right into the final 25 meters or so
01:22:53 in this second Swimming Heat. A bit quicker this Swimming Heat from the first one.
01:22:57 Guzi is trying to keep up there with Malik Ismail. Good internal battle there.
01:23:12 It seems Ismail will take the win there for 2.17. Fastest time of the day. So Ismail Guzi and
01:23:20 Whiskey making up those top three positions and that's a good time that for Malik Ismail.
01:23:25 And you can see Guzi looks delighted with that time. Just over 2.17. So Guzi has knocked a couple
01:23:35 of seconds off of qualification time which was 2.19.61. Picked up probably four extra points
01:23:42 from that. So Guzi looks really pleased with herself. Yeah and I'm sure that's going to lift
01:23:46 her spirits up for the start of the laser run. I think Guzi's dangerous from that position.
01:23:50 100%. I just think because those top three are so far ahead that becomes an internal battle
01:23:56 between them. But you just don't know. A lot can change in laser run and who knows who is gonna
01:24:04 win. Hold their nerve in the laser run and take those medals. So there you can see the standings
01:24:13 after the swimming. That means that Ismail and Guzi will start seventh and eighth at least
01:24:19 respectively after the third swimming heat. And Whiskey will start at least ninth. Whiskey is
01:24:26 having a good competition here. Quietly going about her business. Yeah she really is and she's
01:24:32 a good laser runner. Whiskey as well. So I think she could be dangerous. We still have six athletes
01:24:38 still to compete. Cluvel, Adamatiti, Marlene Jouade, Olher, Klunikova and Sam Abdel Maksoud.
01:24:47 And these are those athletes. Cluvel in lane two, Adamatiti in lane three,
01:24:56 Jouade in lane four, Vali in lane five, Klunikova in lane six and Abdel Maksoud in lane seven.
01:25:02 Klunikova is having a good competition as well. I feel she's uh gonna be very pleased with how
01:25:08 things are going so far. Olympic silver medalist and fastest swimmer out of the three heats,
01:25:14 Elodie Cluvel. Very confident and relaxed as she starts.
01:25:22 Elzbieta Adamatiti having the competition of her life so far. Runs to her start.
01:25:29 Marlene Jouade having a very good competition as well.
01:25:35 Jessica Vali. These are the four stars of this competition right here. They will be the four
01:25:43 athletes I think vying for those medals. Olher, Klunikova is having a really good competition as
01:25:51 well. Sam Abdel Maksoud, despite getting a 2.79 in the ride, has managed to maintain her position
01:26:00 and keep herself inside that top six. Very good points potentially for grabs for Sam Abdel Maksoud.
01:26:05 He is one of the more consistent shooters so Sam would have got herself a perfect score in the
01:26:12 in the uh
01:26:18 riding. She would have been I think a threat for a medal. I think it may be tricky for her
01:26:22 from this position. Well here we go. Swimming heat three. The final of the three swimming heats
01:26:28 is underway. These are the highest ranked athletes so far in this competition. So we do have our top
01:26:37 three athletes which are a bit further ahead than the rest of the field. Which is Elodie Cluvel,
01:26:45 Marlena Jawid and Elzabieta Ademititi. So just making their way now towards that first turn
01:26:53 and no surprises to see Elodie Cluvel at the top of your shots, the bottom of your shots should I
01:26:59 say. Just pacing her way through the pool. Sam Abdel Maksoud is a quick swimmer as well. I think
01:27:06 Sam Abdel Maksoud could maybe make up a little bit of time on Ademititi here because actually
01:27:11 you know what Ademititi is 15 seconds slower than Cluvel. That's 30 points. I think Cluvel
01:27:18 is looking in a good place potentially for a medal here. She's had a fantastic
01:27:22 competition so far. Just has to get a grip of her shooting because it was a 36 second shoot
01:27:28 in her semi-final. So Abdel Maksoud is gonna I think maybe even close up on Ademititi a little
01:27:39 bit here. She could bring herself back into medal contention here.
01:27:41 Jessica Valle and Jawid are the other athletes in those top three, top four positions.
01:27:49 Yeah, we really have been seeing a shift of positions all the way from the riding and
01:27:54 I mean Klenikova started in 11th and is now in the top
01:27:59 batch already. So it will be an exciting laser run later on today. Yeah, we're in the final
01:28:08 50 meters of swimming and athletes have already started to arrive at the shooting range to get
01:28:15 themselves warmed up for the laser run. We're looking forward to this one. It could be a really
01:28:20 exciting race into the final few meters then. 25 or so to go for Cluvel. She looks to bring it home
01:28:28 as quickly as she can. Abdel Maksoud is keeping pace with Cluvel. This is a good battle between
01:28:32 the mid-lanes two and seven. Elodie Cluvel and Samra Abdel Maksoud. I think it's gonna be Cluvel
01:28:37 who just about edges it but it's gonna be tight. It is Cluvel with a great time 2.15.73.
01:28:43 Very consistent swim from Cluvel. I think she did a similar time in the semi-finals and
01:28:49 she's maybe clocked it that she knows that that's the pace she needs to go to conserve
01:28:54 her energy throughout the competition. So lots of questions still to be asked. Can Jessica Valle
01:29:02 get in front of Elodie Cluvel? The battle from the 2020 World Cup final which Cluvel won
01:29:08 is on the back of our minds. Cluvel swung quick there.
01:29:14 And we're entering the business end of this competition folks. Things are about to get
01:29:26 very exciting as we will begin our build up to the start of the Laser Run.
01:29:34 Just there at the moment Cluvel and Abdel Maksoud touched the wall.
01:29:50 And let's take a look at those scores. Cluvel with a big lead there. It is over 30 points, 33 points
01:30:02 above Zhaouid. Adama Titi has lost a bit of ground but still in with a good chance of a medal there.
01:30:07 She's now nine points behind Zhaouid. Valle a further four points. I think that gap now that
01:30:13 Cluvel has got gives her a very good chance of picking up gold here. Malakishmil is climbing,
01:30:20 climbing, climbing. Abdel Maksoud that battle between the two Egyptians is very interesting.
01:30:24 Blanka Guzi could be dangerous from there. She's now I think a medal prospect. Blanka Guzi
01:30:30 out of Zemmou Itika. Her clean nick of her drops four places down to ninth.
01:30:39 Lara Eredir in 10th place in Van Karskatie in 11th. Erdos in 12th. Kate French climbs a place
01:30:46 in 13th place. Zillikens drops down to 14th. Chongming Xiong in 15th. Rinaldo in 16th place.
01:30:52 Permakina in 17th and Serapiniete in 18th. So that concludes the swimming. Let's now
01:31:00 catch up on the swimming highlights before moving on to put up to the laser run.
01:31:16 So
01:31:26 so continuing our coverage here in Sofia Bulgaria building up to the start of the ever exciting
01:31:54 laser run. Athletes are on track and warming up here as we look to get sighted ahead of what
01:32:01 promises to be a very exciting laser run. Five 600 meter laps of the laser run. The first lap is
01:32:06 the formation lap. It's a handicapped start. For example if you have a thousand points in the first
01:32:09 and second place has 980 you have a 20 point advantage over them. Four shooting series,
01:32:14 10 meter distance. The time of around 10 seconds is a very good shoot. Less than that is a brilliant
01:32:19 shoot. More than that and it starts to get expensive. I think anything under 15 most athletes
01:32:24 would be happy with but we've just seen the shooting times get quicker and quicker in this
01:32:29 Olympic year. First over the finish line as always is the winner. It's fast, it's frantic.
01:32:34 It's modern pentathlon 2024. Cape French Olympic champion in the back of your shot there just coming
01:32:41 in behind Lara Eredia. And it's a lot sunnier than it was a couple of days ago but we can take a look
01:32:50 at what it looks like from an athlete's point of view with our course preview. We put a GoPro
01:32:54 on the head of Penelope Nika of Greece who is the laser run world champion and you'll see why
01:33:01 when you see her shooting here which is pretty much perfect. And this is why I love this shot
01:33:07 here where she starts to turn her head ahead of the fifth target. There we go it starts to turn
01:33:13 and away she goes. So we've had a couple of withdrawals from the competition. Valeria
01:33:20 Pernomakina and Yeva Terepignete will not be competing in this final. So that's an interesting
01:33:28 decision from both of them to not compete. Terepignete was so disappointed earlier. But anyway we
01:33:36 take a look at this running course and it's a lot drier than it was. So you'll see some muddy patches
01:33:42 over the course of this running course and they're not like they were the other day. They're a bit
01:33:49 dry. Right I'm going to leave you in the commentary box, Lida, and we're going to try and get an interview.
01:33:54 But we'll be back with an interview with Nathalie building up to the start of the laser run.
01:34:00 Yep so we are now in the position with Elodie Cléval ahead with about 33 points. Just behind
01:34:09 is Marlena Jowet, Elizabeth Adematiti and Jessica Varley. Jessica Varley is a really
01:34:17 really well-known athlete for doing a stunning laser run performance. So she's one to be lookout for.
01:34:24 And right after her is Malik Ismail and Salma Abdel-Maksoud who are only one second apart
01:34:31 from each other. They are teammates and both representing Team Egypt. Blanca Cusi will also
01:34:38 be one to look out for. Blanca Cusi has been known also to win the gold medal in the 2023
01:34:46 and the Budapest 2019 Laser Run World Championship. So we know her for her strong laser run.
01:34:53 We now see Emma Witzkidia on your left and Laura Heredia just getting ready and doing the final
01:34:59 touches for the start of the laser run. Laura Heredia has confirmed a spot for the Olympic
01:35:04 Games so she's not too under pressure to get those points for the qualifications for the Olympics.
01:35:12 And just there on your screen there we have Annika Zetikens also did a really great run to get
01:35:19 herself into the final for today. Eliezer Rinaldo very unfortunate with her elimination with the
01:35:28 riding but she is still in the competition, still in for the fight to get those valuable points in
01:35:34 her ranking. Eliezer Rinaldo was 15th in Ankara so will be looking to try get a position today.
01:35:46 Marlena Jauer has found herself in a really comfortable position as in second place who
01:35:52 will be starting 33 seconds behind Elodie Claval. Rita Erdos in your screen there who is in currently
01:36:02 12th position and only a few seconds away from 10th position so she really can climb herself up
01:36:11 there. Athletes are just getting their numbers on their vests before the start of the laser run.
01:36:18 Athletes are managing their transitions between disciplines. It is hard, it is tough,
01:36:24 it is mentally challenging and just sort of changing your thinking from different disciplines.
01:36:33 Touches from French of Great Britain, our 2020 Olympic champion.
01:36:39 We also want to look out but she's starting in 13th position today.
01:36:45 The riding did cost her a few points.
01:36:48 Nevertheless she is still fighting for those valuable points in her ranking.
01:36:56 We have another GB athlete of Whittaker who will be fighting for those points too.
01:37:04 Marlena Jauer just getting mentally ready for the start of this competition. It will
01:37:14 potentially be, if she can hold that position, she could get a medal today
01:37:20 and that will be her first World Cup medal. But for now we're going to go to James for a live
01:37:29 interview. Rebecca Lange, good to see you again as we build up to the start of the laser run. What
01:37:35 promises to be an exciting laser run. All eyes on Elodie Claval. She has a good head start
01:37:40 and could be in with a chance of getting herself back on the podium and even taking a gold here
01:37:44 today. Yes, I really hope for her that this is going to be her competition and I just keep my
01:37:49 fingers crossed that the shooting will be very good for her and then the running she's good in
01:37:54 form. Talking about good shooters, Blanca Guzzi is in a very good position. She obviously won
01:37:58 gold in Budapest last year. How much of a threat do you think she could be? I think she can come
01:38:04 up very close. She's a super fast runner, her laser run is her best discipline so I think the podium
01:38:11 is something she's aiming for. LSBS Adam Matiti looking for her first World Cup medal. Finding
01:38:16 form at the right part of the season is important as a pentathlete. She's had a great competition
01:38:19 so far. How impressed by her have you been? I have no idea how much pressure she will have now but
01:38:26 I really hope she's making a good competition as well. I love all these girls, they are so nice so
01:38:30 I'm really just hoping they're having a good race and having fun, enjoying this beautiful weather and
01:38:36 yeah, do the best they can. And just finally, Marlena Zhaouid, I mean she's obviously had a
01:38:41 tough couple of years but she's got herself back into a final and now is in second place and a
01:38:45 great opportunity for her from there. Yeah, I also for her hope that it's going to be a good race.
01:38:50 I think running is not her best discipline so I just hope that she made the most gap for her to
01:38:58 keep in this position and can keep up to the top six podium. All still to play for,
01:39:03 promises to be a great final. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you so much, thank you.
01:39:08 There you have it, words from Rebecca Lange of Germany, also Olympic athlete from the 2020
01:39:15 Olympic Games who is supporting her teammate Annika Zillikens in this race. We just got
01:39:21 confirmation of Permakina Valeria from Ukraine who has been withdrawed due to medical reasons
01:39:28 so she will not be starting in this race. But yes, very kind words there from Rebecca Lange,
01:39:34 hoping the best for her teammates here on the field.
01:39:39 So building up to the start of the laser run, Rebecca Lange giving us
01:39:53 her predictions. You can see Jessica Valle just about in the shooting range, there she is. Jessica
01:39:58 Valle is someone we've got our eyes on in this competition. 48 seconds behind Clavel. Clavel has
01:40:06 a massive lead here, 33 second head start. But let's take a look at some of Jessica Valle's
01:40:10 previous competition. She's won a few medals, hasn't she? Some of them coming at youth level,
01:40:16 some of them coming at senior level. World Cup final silver medalist in 2022 when she battled
01:40:22 with Cluvel. Could those two be about to go toe-to-toe again in this competition? She's above
01:40:27 average in venting by five percent, she's above average in swimming by one percent, but it's a
01:40:32 laser run really where Jessica Valle excels. She is nine percent above average compared to the other
01:40:37 athletes. And what about with the
01:40:43 handicap analysis? And you'll see Valle often going in one direction. 10th to 9th in Cairo,
01:40:52 12th to 10th in Ankara, 14th to 5th in Sofia last year. Great laser run down there for Valle. 11th
01:40:59 to 9th in Bath. And what about here in Sofia? She starts in fourth and I think we will potentially
01:41:04 see Valle on the podium here. Yeah, I think we shouldn't forget her performance. I think 2022
01:41:10 in the World Cup in Ankara, first in the World Cup and then a week, two weeks later, I think in
01:41:15 the World Cup final she got silver place there. So we know her for her strong laser run.
01:41:21 Elodie Cluvel is our next athlete we're going to focus on here. We know just how good an athlete
01:41:28 Elodie Cluvel is. She is one of the greats of this sport. She's won multiple medals across her
01:41:34 luscious career, including an Olympic silver medal in 2016. And she lives to qualify for Paris
01:41:42 2024 Olympic Games. In terms of how she competes against other athletes, she's 8% above average
01:41:51 in the fencing, 6% above average in the swimming. But it's laser run where she suffers and you'll
01:41:59 see her handicap analysis here. She is dropping positions over the last year. Shooting has been
01:42:05 a real issue. There's no escaping it. Second to sixth in Ankara, fourth to 11th in Ankara,
01:42:11 seventh in Ankara World Cup final, fifth to 13th in Cairo earlier this year, third to seventh in
01:42:16 Budapest. I think she's a lot happier with her performance in Budapest. Starts in first place
01:42:20 and we do hope for Elodie Cluvel to see her on the podium here in Sofia, where she is looking
01:42:27 to get herself qualified for her home Olympic Games. So will this be redemption for Cluvel?
01:42:34 Will she put the ghosts of previous competitions behind her? We're two minutes away from the start
01:42:39 of the laser run. Cluvel will have a 33 second head start. Just a note, two semifinals. Cluvel
01:42:46 I think had a 42 second head start in her semifinal and then in the end was caught up by
01:42:53 the other athletes. So it's all down to her and the mental aspect of the sport, which is
01:43:00 the pressure that athletes face in the shooting range. Yeah, but I mean in the semifinal we saw
01:43:05 what she could do. Maybe in the first three shooting series and it goes to plan, but that
01:43:10 fourth one she got them 12 seconds. So we know what she did. We know she can do it. Let's just
01:43:15 take a look at the start list then. Cluvel is 33 seconds ahead of Zhaouid, who is 11 seconds ahead
01:43:24 of Adem Atiti. But Rebecca Lange mentioned that Zhaouid's running is something that is possibly
01:43:30 a little bit slower than those around her. Vali is in fourth place. Malakishmel in fifth.
01:43:39 Salmahatimukdud in sixth. There is a bit of a gap opening up between those athletes. Blanka Guzi,
01:43:44 she could be dangerous from there. Emma Whiskey could be dangerous as well. They need their
01:43:48 shoots to go pretty perfectly. Oherklinikov in ninth place. Eredea in tenth place.
01:43:54 Venkauskati could be dangerous from there. Then you've got Erdos, French, Zillikens, Tsion, Renaudot,
01:44:01 Pernamikina and Felipiniete. But this is where things get a bit confusing because there is
01:44:07 obviously the cap of 1 minute 30 for the handicap start. So if for example Venkauskati does come on
01:44:14 the podium we're gonna have to wait to confirm that. But anyway, we are just moments away from
01:44:20 the start of the women's final. It has been a long and taxing day for these athletes.
01:44:28 Five sports in the space of 90 minutes and it all comes down to this. It's the final here
01:44:36 and we are up and running in
01:44:39 Sofia for one final time here in the women's final at El Dikluvel. He's a lonely figure out
01:44:49 there as things stand and she would be very happy if things stay that way over the course of this
01:44:55 race. Because of course she has a sizable lead that she will want to keep through the course
01:45:02 of this race. We're gonna have a focus on her shooting. We will see where she is shooting and
01:45:07 where those targets are hitting. Valencia Ued is away in second place. Off she goes. So we're having
01:45:13 a great competition here. The Swedish athlete makes her way past the shooting range. And what's
01:45:19 difficult about shooting here by the way, one thing athletes always flag, is to go from the
01:45:24 sunshine to the dark. It takes your eyes a few moments to adjust and it can be a little bit
01:45:28 tricky for the athletes to adjust. So it can be hard to shoot here. One famous example that was
01:45:36 Jamie Cook in 2021. She really struggled with the shooting here. So athletes have one lap before
01:45:46 they start their shooting series and we always say that this really just get the nerves out but
01:45:52 this could be such an interesting race here. I mean I was under my tee to really good runner
01:45:57 Jess Varlier also good runner. They're really starting to set the pace together
01:46:01 and we'll see what happens. At the end of the day it always comes down to the shooting
01:46:06 but they are making their way. Well look at this Jessica Varlier has already got past
01:46:11 Elzbieta Adamantiti. That was a four second gap. So Jessica Varlier has moved into those medal
01:46:19 positions. Adamantiti is saying no you're not running off. I'm going to try and keep touch
01:46:23 with you. But the battle will be in the shooting range a little bit later on. So Varlier moves up
01:46:28 into a medal position. I think Varlier is getting a medal here. I'm convinced it's going to be at
01:46:33 least silver. She could even push Cluvel for the gold. Varlier is back to her best here and then
01:46:40 we have the likes of Whittaker and Guzzi fighting a little bit further back down. Abtomach Sud's not
01:46:45 too far behind. But here we go. Elodie Cluvel arriving at the shooting range and look in your
01:46:51 top left hand corner because we should see the graphics of her shooting. No we don't have. There
01:46:57 they are. So Cluvel missing bottom left. You can see they're just missing a target there.
01:47:03 Just missing a target. That's just so close isn't it. It's two from the five for Cluvel. Three from
01:47:11 the five for Cluvel. So she hits the 20 second mark and it's off to this fifth shoot. There we
01:47:19 go. 24 second shoot for Cluvel. So if Zhuid now can shoot a 10 second shoot that will already make
01:47:28 up 15 seconds in the range. Zhuid is at the range now. One from five, two from five for Zhuid. Misses
01:47:36 the third. Three from five for Zhuid. Varlier and Adelatiti are at the range now as well. Zhuid
01:47:43 hits the 10 second mark and still hasn't made it to four. So what else is going on? We've got
01:47:50 Varlier who's shooting pretty quickly here and Varlier is an 11.41. So she has made up 15 seconds
01:47:58 on Elodie Cluvel. Adelatiti is a 20 second shoot. So the battle for third now you feel possibly is
01:48:08 going to be Adelatiti. Although Malakishmil and Salma Abdul-Muqsud have really closed in. What
01:48:13 about Blanca Guzi? Guzi shooting slow here. It has to be said a 17 second shoot for Guzi. It's not too
01:48:19 bad. Whiskey struggling a little bit as well. Elodie could bring herself back into the battle. Elodie is
01:48:23 away. So the pack chasing is closing in on those front three. You can see the two Egyptians starting
01:48:29 to catch now Adelatiti. Jessica Varley has finally some pace. She's now 34 seconds behind Cluvel.
01:48:37 And for context it was 48. So she's made up 14 seconds on Cluvel. Jessica Varley is chasing down
01:48:44 the Olympic silver medalist from 2016. Yeah I mean I feel Jessica Varley and Elodie Cluvel have been
01:48:50 in this position before in World Cup final in Ankara where Cluvel got the gold medal in that competition
01:48:56 but today is a bit of a different situation. So it will be an interesting finish here from
01:49:00 Jessica Varley. But athletes are making their way through throughout the field. I mean
01:49:04 Laura Heredia is pushing her way up who is now I think currently in eighth position.
01:49:10 And Blanca Guzi as well had a slow shoot. So Guzi needs the next three shoots to go perfectly if she
01:49:17 is to make her way to a challenge for the medal positions. Elodie is ninth. Whiskey is in ninth.
01:49:22 But it's that battle for the top three that is really heating up. As you can see Cluvel once
01:49:29 again at the range. Misses her first shot and misses her second. Misses her third. So you can see in the
01:49:37 top left the shooting graphics of Cluvel. And she's missing consistently just off. There we go.
01:49:45 Right in the middle for target number two. There's a bit of consistency there. She makes it three. Just
01:49:50 misses on four. This is really interesting and insightful. Is it going to be another 30 second
01:49:55 shoot? It's 25 seconds. So Cluvel is averaging a 25 second shoot as Varley arrives at the range. A
01:50:02 good shoot from Varley now could really put the pressure on Cluvel. Three out of the five for
01:50:07 Varley. Four out of the five for Varley. Jessica Varley with an 8.57. Game on for that gold medal
01:50:14 as Varley closes in on Cluvel. Zhaouide shooting a bit better here. Although she's stuck a little bit
01:50:20 on that third one. What about? There we go. It's a 12 second shoot for Zhaouide. That's decent.
01:50:26 Adam Attiti, Abdelmaksoud, Ismail and Guzi. Abdelmaksoud with a 6.97 shoot. Guzi with a
01:50:34 massive shoot there as well. Game on folks. We have a really good battle for gold, silver and bronze.
01:50:41 And look at that. Varley is now just 15 seconds behind Cluvel. Can Jessica Varley get in front
01:50:50 of Elodie Cluvel? That battle for third has heated up as well. Zhaouide, Abdelmaksoud, Guzi,
01:50:56 Eredeer, Whitaker. They're all there or thereabouts. Cluvel is holding on to that lead but
01:51:03 Varley is about, I would say, 20 seconds behind her. She's about 15, it's 16 seconds the gap between Cluvel and Varley.
01:51:11 Cluvel is digging deep but Varley's such a quick runner as well. We're seeing a repeat of that
01:51:18 battle from 2022 World Cup Final where Cluvel beats Varley. Now just as a little reminder from
01:51:27 earlier in this competition in semi-finals, Cluvel saved her best shooting for the final shooting
01:51:32 routine where she nailed it with a 10 second shoot. Just one 10 second shoot could be enough for Cluvel
01:51:38 to take gold but Varley is closing down. Zhaouide is still at that front of that pack but you can see
01:51:46 Blanka Guzi is putting pressure on Marlene Zhaouide as she looks to get herself back on
01:51:52 the podium for the first time since Budapest 2023. Whitaker and Eredeer are having a nice battle a
01:52:00 bit further back as well. Adem Atiti is looking to try and get herself back into that battle and
01:52:05 there is an overtake. So Blanka Guzi is up into third but Cluvel is back in the range and this is
01:52:10 better shooting from Cluvel. It's three for three for Cluvel, misses her fourth and now starting
01:52:17 perhaps to feel a bit of the pressure. Those first three were bang on target and now you can see
01:52:23 Cluvel starting to suffer. What about Varley? Two for two from Varley. It's three for three for Jessica
01:52:30 Varley. Four for four. Varley now struggling on her fifth shot here. Oh my goodness me this is
01:52:38 what pressure does to you. Jessica Varley takes the race lead after the third shooting routine.
01:52:44 Cluvel is still at the range. It's still just three shots for Eredee Cluvel. She finally makes
01:52:50 her fourth but she's dropped now down to third place and Cluvel it's all coming unstuck here.
01:52:56 Eredee Cluvel who has timed out. Oh my goodness me. Well she made her first three targets and
01:53:03 she's now dropped down to third place. It's come back to haunt her again and she's now in a battle
01:53:10 just to stay on the podium. My goodness me. No honestly out of breath here just keeping up with
01:53:16 the drama but Guzi has found her place into second position. It will be a fight for that
01:53:22 bronze medal. Unbelievable. Maliki Ismail and Laura Heredia is just clawing back behind Eredee
01:53:29 Cluvel. So the question now is can Cluvel get on the podium. She made her first three targets
01:53:33 perfectly by the way. I can't believe that three targets within eight seconds and then
01:53:38 timed out. It's just so unfortunate. Eredee and Ismail are putting in this battle. Rita Erdos
01:53:45 then you've got Marlene Zsiewied is now coming back at Maliki Ismail. There's battles all across
01:53:51 the field. A gripping final here in Super Sunday Sofia underneath the sunshine but the headlines
01:53:59 is Jessica Varley has now opened up a 10 second lead over Blanka Guzi and these two are two of
01:54:06 the best laser runners out there. Blanka Guzi coming from seventh place. She was one minute
01:54:11 and 10 seconds off the lead and if Varley shoots another 15-16 second shoot in the final shoot
01:54:19 Blanka Guzi could end up winning this. What a story that would be. Guzi is gaining by the way on Varley.
01:54:26 So this is anyone's guess as to what happens here. Jessica Varley is making her way to the
01:54:34 shooting range for one final time. Battles across the field but we have to focus on this battle for
01:54:40 gold and silver. Jessica Varley arriving at the shooting range for one last time. Guzi arrives
01:54:49 at pretty much the same time. Varley makes her first shots, makes her second. It's one out of five
01:54:54 for Guzi. Two out of five for Guzi. It's going to be decided on the track you feel this maybe.
01:54:59 Three out of five for Jessica Varley. Leader Vandermerve has her hand on her head. It's five
01:55:04 out of five for Jessica Varley and Blanka Guzi gets away as well. It now becomes a battle for
01:55:11 gold and silver but this battle for third as well. We'll keep an eye on that whilst you follow the
01:55:16 pictures of Jessica Varley and Blanka Guzi. So I can tell you by the way that Clouvel has not made
01:55:23 one of her targets yet. I like this battle in for the bronze middle position so far.
01:55:30 But Rita Erdos is chasing her down. Emma Whittaker is making a real fight of this as well.
01:55:36 What about further back? Eredir is away. Abdul Maksud is away. Jawid is away and Jawid is now
01:55:43 battling with Clouvel for a top 10 position but Jessica Varley and Blanka Guzi are now just
01:55:53 four seconds apart. Blanka Guzi is giving this absolutely everything. The gold medalist from
01:56:00 Budapest last year is closing in on Jessica Varley in the last few stages of this race. She got past
01:56:06 Michelle Goullas in the last few stages of the final in Budapest last year and she is closing
01:56:12 in on Jessica Varley. Is Jessica Varley running out of energy? There's still a fair bit of this
01:56:18 lap to go and Blanka Guzi is now all over the back of Jessica Varley. These two are former
01:56:25 World Cup gold medalists going at it in this Olympic qualification year. Blanka Guzi around
01:56:31 the outside and she storms into the race lead. Absolutely sensational from Blanka Guzi who's
01:56:39 left it late to take the race lead but it's now a flat out sprint. This is reminiscent of Budapest
01:56:45 2023. Blanka Guzi has been absolutely superb here in Sofia and she takes an absolutely glorious
01:56:55 gold medal. It's silver for Varley who surely must be delighted with that but look at this battle
01:57:01 for bronze. It is Malek Ismail currently leading that battle with Rita Ordos and Emma Whittaker
01:57:08 all over the back but Malek Ismail continues her sensational 2024 and it's a bronze for Ismail.
01:57:17 Ordos has to settle for fourth place. A brilliant laser run for Emma Whittaker who comes home in
01:57:23 fifth place. And looking further down then, Clouvel in the end has to settle for seventh place. It's
01:57:32 still important points with Marlena Jawid coming home in eighth place. Great laser run that there
01:57:39 from Anna Kazilikans and a strong finish from Juntari Vankauskaiti. Abdul Maksud is there or
01:57:46 thereabouts as well. Oh my goodness me it's like a race. What a stunning race. Goosebumps all over.
01:57:52 I mean, I mean Laura Haredia was in for it for the bronze medal but just that last shooting cost
01:57:58 her but in the end Elzbieta Adamatiti coming home in 13th place. It's not going to be a first
01:58:07 world cup medal for Adamatiti. Kate French finishing in 14th place. Varley and Whittaker
01:58:17 embrace each other. I mean good luck to the British team for choosing which athletes they
01:58:22 sent the Olympics because they have got some absolute superstars on their hands there.
01:58:27 It will be a tough decision but I know that I think we all know that the athletes are top of the
01:58:32 top of the range. Right we're going to go and get some uh post-race interviews. We'll leave it with
01:58:38 you Elida to describe through the action and we'll be back in a moment with the uh
01:58:42 post-race interviews. My goodness me what a race leader. Yeah no honestly that was a race full of
01:58:50 many excitement and many changes in between. We had Elodie Clouvel who started out first but
01:58:55 unfortunate with the shooting there. Our winner of this race had been Blanca Guzzi who started up
01:59:02 in seventh position who pulled her way through and overtook Jessica Varley just on the last lap
01:59:10 there. Jessica Varley who took silver. Malik Ismail who took bronze medal with a just a
01:59:18 just a speedy shoot there in the last bit. Laura Heredia was in it for the mix of the bronze medal
01:59:26 but just that last shooting series really got got to her. I mean it is Olympic season and all
01:59:35 athletes are looking for those valuable points so every point counts, every position counts in
01:59:41 these races. We will be catching some live interviews with the athletes on field so stay
01:59:51 in tune for that action. As you can see some of the highlights from the shooting series of this
02:00:00 race. Just very unfortunate with shooting of some of these athletes but as you can see Jessica
02:00:09 Varley just striding her way through as she got that silver medal. Marilena Javer was also in
02:00:16 second position but she cannot be disappointed with this performance. She did an absolute
02:00:22 great effort from the start to the end.
02:00:33 Some great shots there from the race.
02:00:37 Blanka Guzzi will honestly be so happy with that.
02:00:42 Even the Hungarian team is just a whole set of strong athletes. I mean you have Michelle Gullias
02:00:51 who has won a couple of medals in the World Cups and her teammate now Blanka Guzzi is also
02:00:59 looking to make those points for the World Cup final. Malek Ismail has been having a season of
02:01:10 her lifetime. She's now picked up a bronze medal here in Sofia. She's picked up a bronze in Ankara
02:01:17 and there's just so much potential for this girl ahead of her career. Very excited for that.
02:01:26 So we're just getting the last few exciting points there. That's where Blanka Guzzi overtook
02:01:31 Jessica Varley to win her gold medal here in Sofia. You can see how pleased she is with that
02:01:37 victory for Blanka Guzzi.
02:01:41 Malek Ismail just striding her way through to win that bronze medal. Not
02:01:49 very far after was Rita Eros in fourth position and then Emma Whittaker right afterwards.
02:01:56 It's been a long week for these athletes. Qualifications one day then after that fencing
02:02:02 ranking round. They get scored on that ranking round and then they get in their ranking position
02:02:08 throughout the semi-final and final which they then did two days ago. But here we are the final
02:02:14 results of today's final. Blanka Guzzi in gold, Jessica Varley silver, Malek Ismail in third.
02:02:23 We will still have Emma Whittaker in fourth position and Rita Eros in fifth position.
02:02:30 This is just confirmation after the start list that we had. And in sixth position Laura Heredia.
02:02:37 Thereafter seventh in Elodie Clivel, Marlene Ajoued and Azubia Tademititi.
02:02:46 Salma Abaksood in 10th position, Annika Zillikens 11, Azubia Tademititi, Kate French,
02:02:53 Tina Kova, Shang Mengxiong, Alice Rinaldo and Per McKenna has not started. But yeah we are now
02:03:01 ready for a live interview with James which will be in a few minutes. It will be with
02:03:10 one of the athletes on the field just after the competition.
02:03:17 There you have it folks, we will now be in touch with the bronze medalist of today's women's final.
02:03:23 Malek, absolutely sensational from you. Talk to us about that battle because it was a really really
02:03:31 tough race for you and was not easy for you to get into third place. Yeah it wasn't easy at all.
02:03:37 In the first I started with not very good fencing, just 205 with 16 victories. I didn't expect that I
02:03:45 can qualify to the final and here I am now in the bronze medalist in the final.
02:03:51 In the swimming I did my best, this was my personal best for this year. And in the laser one
02:03:58 it was really hard. But in the shooting I was totally in a mentally good condition.
02:04:06 I shoot very well. In the last lap I went out with Rita Erdos from Hungary. I know she's a
02:04:14 very strong runner. I know I would have a very strong battle with her but I did it till the end.
02:04:22 Congratulations, you were sensational. It's now your second medal of this year as well. Just talk
02:04:28 to us about how good that feels. Yeah that feels really really different from every year.
02:04:34 Especially as this year is an Olympic year. It's the hardest from the last Olympics.
02:04:40 I'm very proud that this is the second medal for me for this season. And just finally a word in
02:04:47 Arabic for your many friends and family watching back home. Thank you to all the people who helped me.
02:04:52 My mother, my girlfriend, my fingerprint and my sword. May God keep you safe. Well done Malak, enjoy it. You've been brilliant.
02:04:58 Well done. Thank you James, thank you. And there you have it, our bronze medalist of today's
02:05:05 women's final. Mabrook Malak Ismail. Well done, congratulations. She has a career ahead of her.
02:05:14 She's making a statement here, winning a few of these. She's picked up a couple of these
02:05:19 World Cup medals. But we will now be back with James with an interview with one of the athletes.
02:05:24 Well Jess, an absolutely sensational laser run from you. You mentioned a second ago you might cry.
02:05:30 The emotions of Pentathlon are there for all to see. Just talk to us about the race because that
02:05:34 was honestly incredible to watch. I don't think I've ever started a laser run so high up. So I knew
02:05:40 I was absolutely capable of getting a medal today. And yeah I'm just so happy that I could come out
02:05:46 and do it. Yeah I've had a rocky couple of years so I'm back on the podium. But yeah. It's been a rough
02:05:53 route back to, I mean, the top effectively isn't it? You're back on the podium. Just talk to us about
02:05:58 that journey and how much it means to be here once again. So I fell off a horse just before World Cup
02:06:03 final last year, just in training, but fractured a transverse process in my spine. Which meant I
02:06:10 just wasn't at full fitness for World Champs for the second half of last year. And then all the
02:06:16 British girls obviously it's so competitive. We only have two World Cups this year. And at the
02:06:20 first World Cup I had a migraine in the laser run in the qualities and didn't qualify. I had an
02:06:25 absolute disaster. So this was sort of my last shot. I had to come and get a medal and I can't
02:06:31 believe I've done it. I mean obviously there's still a couple events to go but you've done
02:06:36 everything you can now to get yourself in with a chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games.
02:06:40 There was a lot of emotions going on I know but I think good emotions at the minute right? Yeah
02:06:45 definitely good emotions at the minute. Yeah I'm just keeping everything crossed. Hopefully I've
02:06:49 done enough to qualify for World Cup final. That'll be the next thing that I'm waiting to see.
02:06:53 But yeah I couldn't have done any more today. Really happy. You're a fantastic athlete amongst
02:06:57 a fantastic team. Well done Jess. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
02:07:00 And there you have it. Our silver medalist of today's women's final.
02:07:06 Pressure makes diamonds and that is what Jess Volley has done today. She had a comeback
02:07:11 performance after her injury. Taking that silver medal and she's really happy with that.
02:07:17 It is a tough ranking position for the GB athletes. I mean you have the likes of
02:07:23 Corinna Bryson has already got a position there. You have Kate French, Emma Whittaker and now
02:07:27 Jessica Volley and Olivia Green too. But ecstatic performance there from Jessica Volley.
02:07:32 We will now be in the interview with our gold medalist of today's final.
02:07:37 Well Blanka it's another gold medal for you. I mean that was very similar to your gold medal
02:07:44 in Budapest. Talk to us about the race because you really had to work hard for that one.
02:07:48 Yeah I don't know what to say because I didn't expect this result. Because there were really
02:07:55 tough weeks behind me and due to my fencing in the World Cup Budapest and Cairo I was really
02:08:05 disappointed. But in this competition my hard work came out. So I'm extremely happy because
02:08:14 God always helps me and I think my whole life is a wonder and this station.
02:08:21 You're a very popular athlete. When you looked at the start list you were one minute ten seconds
02:08:28 off the lead. At that point did you think I can win this race? No I just thought okay Blanka let's
02:08:34 do a correct laser run. But I didn't expect the podium. I mean one, two, third position.
02:08:42 I hoped that I could stand in the podium between the six athletes but that first one
02:08:50 it's a wonder. Just talk to us finally about that race with Jessica Varley because it all came down
02:08:56 to the last lap. You like leaving it to the last lap don't you? Just how intense was that?
02:08:59 I knew Jessica is a really good runner and I saw in front of me oh I said the happiest second
02:09:10 position in the world. Okay it's mine and then oh I could run faster I could run faster and then
02:09:17 the first position so yeah I enjoyed the whole day. Just a word in Hungarian to your many friends
02:09:23 and family I'm sure watching back home.
02:09:24 Blanka congratulations well done. Thank you.
02:09:38 And there you have it our gold medallist of today's women's world cup in Sofia Bulgaria
02:09:45 Blanka Guzi. She has shown a promising performance I mean she only started today in 13th position.
02:09:51 She just went through the motions went through all the things and she just picked up that gold
02:09:57 medal at the end of the day and yeah well done again to Blanka Guzi. And we will have a look at
02:10:06 the final results of today's world cup. Let us never forget that it is Olympic season so
02:10:13 every point is really important.
02:10:16 And there you have it the last few results of the athletes.
02:10:33 So wonderful to hear the thoughts of the athletes on the podium
02:10:36 as we now get ready for the ceremony.
02:10:41 So you will cast your eyes back to
02:10:57 the stories of this competition and Elodie Cluvel is despairing. She's talking to the
02:11:06 French team there and it's tough scenes for Elodie Cluvel. No I must say I think everyone
02:11:13 here on the field that does feel for her we know how important this competition was for her and you
02:11:18 can see a coach also trying to we can't really hear what he's saying but we know that it is not
02:11:25 the result that they wanted. It is Olympic year these athletes want to qualify for the
02:11:31 Paris Olympic Games especially in Cluvel's home country.
02:11:34 Let's take a look back at the road to the top then and these athletes obviously having to work hard
02:11:48 to get themselves into this position.
02:11:49 [Music]
02:11:51 [Music]
02:11:53 [Music]
02:11:55 [Music]
02:11:57 [Music]
02:11:59 [Music]
02:12:01 [Music]
02:12:03 [Music]
02:12:05 [Music]
02:12:07 (upbeat music)
02:12:11 (upbeat music)
02:12:13 (upbeat music)
02:12:16 (upbeat music)
02:12:18 (upbeat music)
02:12:21 (upbeat music)
02:12:26 (upbeat music)
02:12:33 (upbeat music)
02:12:38 (upbeat music)
02:12:45 (upbeat music)
02:12:47 (upbeat music)
02:12:53 (upbeat music)
02:12:58 (upbeat music)
02:13:04 - So that's the story of the road to the top
02:13:12 and the need of the athletes on top of the podium,
02:13:15 starting with sixth, fifth, and fourth.
02:13:18 Lera Eredzija, Rita Erdos, and Emma Whittaker
02:13:23 taking sixth, fifth, and fourth place.
02:13:26 Brilliant result this, for those athletes
02:13:29 who are great competition for Hungary.
02:13:32 We've got a first and a fifth,
02:13:34 and this has just really made this Olympic year
02:13:38 even more interesting, who goes to the Olympics
02:13:42 in the Hungarian women's team,
02:13:43 and who goes to the Olympics in the British women's team.
02:13:48 We know Lera Eredzija has booked her ticket,
02:13:51 but there's still a lot of different battles
02:13:56 to be decided here in the rest of this year.
02:14:01 It's very intriguing, very curious.
02:14:06 Malakishmael, though, takes bronze for Egypt,
02:14:09 a fantastic result for her.
02:14:11 (whistle blows)
02:14:14 Brilliant stuff that there from Malakishmael,
02:14:23 and she was delighted.
02:14:26 I think we've got a few athletes a little bit surprised
02:14:29 about not getting themselves on the podium,
02:14:32 about getting themselves on the podium, should I say.
02:14:34 Malakishmael, one of them.
02:14:36 Silver goes to Jessica Vali,
02:14:38 who is delighted with that result.
02:14:41 Wasn't expecting necessarily to get a medal today,
02:14:44 and she's done it in style.
02:14:46 It's a silver medal for Jessica Vali.
02:14:49 And to Chani Fang, the Secretary General of the Olympic Committee.
02:15:03 (crowd applauds)
02:15:07 Awards.
02:15:08 The medal then to Jessica Vali, who was delighted.
02:15:12 It's been a very difficult time for Jessica.
02:15:15 You heard in her interview,
02:15:16 she's had various injuries she's had to deal with.
02:15:18 But gold goes to Blanka Guzi of Hungary.
02:15:22 It's her second gold in just over 12 months.
02:15:25 She picked up gold in Budapest last year,
02:15:27 her first World Cup medal,
02:15:29 and she's won gold again here in Sofia.
02:15:34 Sensational final.
02:15:36 And the EIPM President, Dr. Klaus Schumann,
02:15:39 shaking the hands of the athletes.
02:15:44 Gold for Blanka Guzi.
02:15:57 And we wait now for the Hungarian national anthem.
02:16:01 (announcers chanting)
02:16:04 - Now there's gonna be a stand
02:16:11 for the national anthem.
02:16:13 (orchestral music)
02:16:17 (orchestral music)
02:16:20 (orchestral music)
02:16:23 (orchestral music)
02:16:26 (orchestral music)
02:16:29 (orchestral music)
02:16:32 (orchestral music)
02:16:35 (orchestral music)
02:16:38 (orchestral music)
02:16:41 (orchestral music)
02:17:03 (orchestral music)
02:17:06 (orchestral music)
02:17:17 (orchestral music)
02:17:31 (orchestral music)
02:17:34 - So the national anthem of Hungary played out here.
02:17:50 As Blanka Guzi celebrates another gold medal.
02:17:55 Silver for Jessica Vali, bronze for Ismail Malik,
02:17:59 Emma Whittaker taking fourth place,
02:18:01 Rita Erdos taking fifth place,
02:18:03 and Laura Eredia on the extender podium taking sixth.
02:18:07 So a wonderful scene here for those athletes
02:18:11 who have once again delivered
02:18:12 an absolutely exhilarating final.
02:18:15 Many congratulations to Blanka Guzi,
02:18:17 who takes yet another gold medal here in modern pentathlon.
02:18:22 Well, we are gonna do it all over again
02:18:24 with the men's final.
02:18:26 That will of course take place a little bit later today
02:18:29 at around four o'clock local time.
02:18:31 (announcers speaking in foreign language)
02:18:36 (audience applauding)
02:18:54 - Fantastic competition.
02:18:56 - And that's it folks.
02:18:58 We have those results for the women's final
02:19:01 in World Cup in Sofia.
02:19:03 But don't go too far because we will be seeing
02:19:06 the men's World Cup final here in Sofia,
02:19:09 and which will be definitely an exciting race.
02:19:12 So there you have it, the results from the women's final.
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