Overview:
World over, Modern Pentathlon is a Sport with five disciplines in Swimming, Fencing, Running, Shooting and Obstacle Racing.
Uganda’s three Musketeers in Marshall Miiro, Rashidah Najjuma and Arnold Stephen Kisulo took part in the 2024 UIPM Modern Pentathlon World Cup in Cairo city, Egypt.
The trio competed in the group stages of the championship at the American University of Cairo.
Najjuma, a 27-year-old Ugandan Swimmer was making her second appearance at the World stage, having made the first last year in Cairo.
“It was a challenge this year the competition at the World Cup is always hard because we face the best from the World, but at the same time we can be proud for always doing the best for our country.” Najjuma narrated.
At last years games, Najjuma had a combined score of 631, this time around she fell short and recorded a score of 555 points from the four disciplines of fencing, swimming and laser run which is a combination of both running and shooting.
This was Najjuma’s third appearance for Uganda in general. In August last year, she won Uganda’s first ever Bronze Medal in the mixed relay category at the 2023 Africa/Oceania Pentathlon Championships together with her compatriot Marshall Miiro.
The latter made his second appearance for the country but competed at his first World Cup.
“It was a challenging experience facing the Worlds best, however I managed to set a standard I can now look and work upon once I am home. The next focus for me is to ensure that Uganda can maintain the podium at the Africa Championships in June”, says Miiro who collected 628 points for Uganda.
Debutant Arnold Kisulo a former Dolphins Swimmer who last represented Uganda at the World Stage in the swimming discipline over 8 years ago, was able to find himself in a new challenge as he returned to sports.
Kisulo collected 562 points at his first Pentathlon World Cup. “My performance was average as it was my first competition. My eyes were opened to the work required to improve”, remarked Kisulo.
World over, Pentathlon is a Sport with five disciplines in Swimming, Fencing, Running, Shooting and Obstacle Racing.
The top nations include Egypt, Hungary, Great Britain, France, to mention but a few.
Meanwhile, It continues to grow in Uganda as Kabojja International School, French School and Hill Preparatory School being the first schools to actively practice it at the moment.
