The 2025 Modern Pentathlon World Championships take place in the Zalgiris Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania, from 26-30 August, live on Olympics.com and the official Olympic app.
This is the first World Championships since “Ninja-style obstacle racing”, as described by UIPM President Rob Stull, replaced equestrian jumping. And one Egyptian youngster is dominating the headlines in the new-look sport.
At just 14 years of age, Farida Khalil is the athlete to beat in the women’s competition. Khalil, who made headlines when she won the U17 world title at 12, has won three out of the four World Cup events this season, including last month’s World Cup Final on home soil in Alexandria.
A week later, the teenage sensation teamed up with Malak Ismail to win women’s gold at the Relay World Championships before combining with Mohanad Shaban for glory in the mixed event.
Khalil’s time in Kaunas has already been a successful one, adding the U19 world title to her medal haul, and a win in the senior event would make her the first athlete ever to complete the set.
Her only major defeat this season came in the Budapest World Cup round, where she finished second behind Olympic champion and home favourite Michelle Gulyas.
The 24-year-old Hungarian missed the World Cup Final through injury, but her battle with Khalil – who sports an LA28 wristband – in Kaunas looks set to be the highlight of the week.
Outside of the big two, France’s Rebecca Castaudi will be full of confidence after pipping Emma Whitaker to the European title in Madrid last month. Gulyas’ compatriots Blanka Guzi and Blanka Bauer will also be in the mix, along with reigning world champion and Paris 2024 bronze medallist Seong Seung-min.