University of Bath student Poppy Clark has continued her impressive ascent in senior modern pentathlon, capturing a remarkable silver medal at the UIPM World Cup held in Budapest, Hungary.
Clark, a biochemistry student and member of Pentathlon GB training at the University’s Sports Training Village, showcased her exceptional talent in just her third World Cup appearance. She was edged out only by Hungary’s Blanka Guzi, who set a record-breaking performance on home ground.
Reflecting on her achievement, Clark told UIPM TV, “Every time I came out of the shooting range, I had a smile on my face because I couldn’t believe I was in the top three – honestly, I would have been happy with a top 10 finish! I used to watch these athletes when I was about 12 and thought they were incredible. Competing alongside them now is indescribable.”
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Clark’s consistent form throughout the competition saw her secure top-three finishes during the qualifying heat and semi-final stages, advancing alongside compatriots Kerenza Bryson and Liv Green into the women’s final.
After the fencing event, Paris 2024 Olympian Bryson led the field, with Clark closely behind in fourth. Clark then took the lead with a strong obstacle course performance. Despite Guzi’s impressive swim which pushed her among the frontrunners, Bryson and Clark remained within nine seconds of the leader entering the thrilling laser run.
In a nail-biting finish, Guzi and Clark stayed neck and neck through their second shooting range visit, until Guzi pulled ahead late, clinching victory with 1,495 points—the highest score since the introduction of the new competition format this year. Clark finished just four seconds behind, celebrating her silver with a beaming smile. Bryson and Green rounded out a strong Pentathlon GB showing by finishing eighth and twelfth respectively.
Meanwhile, fellow University of Bath student and mathematics scholar Sebastian Forrest also delivered a breakthrough performance. In only his second senior World Cup, Forrest qualified for the men’s final and secured an impressive fifth place overall.
The 19-year-old showcased remarkable speed, posting the fastest obstacle course time of the day at 22.22 seconds. He then maintained his momentum with the third-fastest laser-run time, climbing from tenth to fifth place and finishing within eight seconds of the podium trio.
Team GB’s Charlie Brown also made a strong impact, swimming under 56 seconds—one of only two athletes to do so—and finishing 15th overall.
With these outstanding performances, University of Bath’s Pentathlon GB stars have announced their arrival on the world stage, promising exciting prospects ahead.