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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - The South Africa Modern Pentathlon Association (Sampa) recently won the award for best emerging organiser at the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) 2025 Annual Awards.
This prestigious award follows the association’s successful hosting of the UIPM Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run World Championships in Santos, Mossel Bay, from 8 to 11 December.
The championship welcomed 1 600 entries from 32 countries, including 600 South Africans, making it one of the most widely represented editions of the event to date.
“This moment belongs to all of us. To every volunteer, team manager, parent and athlete: thank you for the heart, the hours, the belief. We are proud of this achievement, and even prouder of the team behind it,” said Sampa’s president, Frans van Niekerk.
VIDEO: Sampa announced best emerging organiser
Video: Supplied/Sampa
Kate Vos, the assocation’s media liaison, said: “The emerging organiser award was selected from more than 10 international event organisers and is determined solely by the executive board’s decision, highlighting the exceptional standard of delivery, organisation and global impact Sampa has achieved.”
Other organisers who received recognition at the awards include Kaunas, Lithuania, (best overall competition) for hosting the UIPM 2025 Pentathlon World Championships, and Budapest, Hungary, (best innovative competition) for the UIPM 2025 Pentathlon World Cup.
Vos said the awards ceremony was hosted online on 7 February in recognition of the sport’s extensive global footprint and the large number of countries represented. The actual awards will be presented to the recipients during major international events hosted in their respective countries throughout 2026.
The organising team at the world champs held on Santos Beach, Mossel Bay. Photo: SuppliedBuilding momentum
South Africa continues to strengthen its presence on the global pentathlon stage. This year, Sampa plans to host the UIPM Para World Championships as well as the UIPM Masters Pentathlon World Championships in the City of Cape Town from 28 September to 3 October, further cementing the country’s reputation as a premier international host.
On the domestic front, the first interprovincial pentathlon event of the season was hosted by the Eden Modern Pentathlon Association (Eden MPA), the local district pentathlon federation, at Glenwood House School in George on 15 February, reflecting growing grassroots participation across the country.
Introducing obstacle laser
A major highlight of the new season is the expansion of obstacle laser, an innovative UIPM initiative spearheaded in South Africa by the Eden MPA.
Obstacle laser combines a structured obstacle course (inspired by the rapidly growing global obstacle course racing movement), including internationally recognised formats such as ninja style courses and competitive obstacle course racing (OCR) leagues, and a laser run (running segments interspersed with laser pistol shooting using electronic simulators, with distances adapted by age group).
With obstacle racing gaining international traction through global OCR championships and professional leagues, Sampa aims to expand this discipline locally and internationally.
By investing in obstacle and obstacle laser development, the Eden MPA seeks to increase youth and grassroots participation, broaden competitive opportunities, align Eden athletes with evolving UIPM formats and strengthen international athlete representation.
The season ahead
The next Eden Modern Pentathlon League events will take place at Glenwood House School on 15 March, featuring biathle, triathle and laser run competitions. Additional obstacle laser events will be announced to the public in due course.
Laser run is an exciting combination of running and laser shooting, during which the athletes alternate between fast-paced runs and precision target shooting using a laser pistol.
Biathle is a dynamic two-discipline race that blends running and swimming into one continuous high-energy event.
Triathle adds another layer of challenge, combining running, swimming and laser shooting into a fast-moving, action-packed competition.
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