The 2017 World Biathle-Triathle Championships were hailed as a triumph for the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne, commonly known as UIPM, the international governing body of modern pentathlon. UIPM as more than 500 athletes from 30 countries took part in the thrilling four-day tournament in Viveiro, Spain. Athletes ranging in age from seven to 76 competed for medals in the Galicia beach resort across individual, team and mixed relay categories in both the biathle and triathle. The biathle is a sub-sport of the modern pentathlon and is composed of a run, swim and run course. The triathle is similar to the triathlon in which athletes compete in three different events as a part of a single race: shooting, swimming and running. World Biathle-Triathle Championships South Africa's all-conquering team won an exceptional 42 gold medals across the four days including 16 on day 4, confirming their emergence as a powerful force in UIPM development sports in recent years. Noteworthy, there was a poignant moment of recognition on day 4 for the 76-year-old Bob Garden of South Africa who was the oldest competitor taking part. He was given a special presentation from Shiny Fang, UIPM secretary-general. There were strong performances from other nations including Great Britain, France, Egypt and host nation Spain. Russia also proved to be a force to reckon with. The Egyptians claimed a total of 27 medals: six gold, nine silver and 12 bronze medals in the events that ranged from eight to 21 years old. There was gold for the biathle U-8 mixed relay, bronze for the U-10 mixed relay team and a silver for the same age group in the triathle. The U-12 mixed team also claimed two bronze medals in both the biathle and triathle. The U-14 mixed team won two bronze medals in both the biathle and triathle. The U-16 mixed team took a bronze in the biathle whereas the U-18 mixed team was the most victorious with two gold medals in the biathle and the triathle. In the individual events, Egypt won 16 medals – two gold, three silver and three bronze medals in the biathle and four silver and four bronze medals in the triathle. The Egyptians took part with a massive delegation which included 33 male and female athletes. UIPM Executive Board member for Development Viacheslav Malishev was very excited with the high-level performance and results of the athletes. “I want to congratulate the athletes who came from five continents and 21 countries to take part in these wonderful championships. They all had a great experience in this unique place here in Galicia. The weather was great and they enjoyed competing with each other. The local organisers together with the UIPM organisers did a fantastic job,” Malishev said. In the junior (under-23) classification there was success for Kazakhstan as Ayan Beisenbayev won the individual race and led his country to team gold, while host nation Spain picked up another title thanks to Paula Herrero Aguirre. In other categories on the final day there were gold medals for Egypt, Great Britain, France and Portugal and more for Kazakhstan and Spain, while other countries such as India made the podium, making the UIPM 2017 Biathle-Triathle Championships a truly global success story. The next major event on the 2017 calendar is the third UIPM Laser-Run World Championships, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 13-15 October.
