From July 26 to 31, Kaunas will become the center of modern pentathlon in Europe, as it hosts the U15 and U19 Championships, where around 200 young athletes from 21 countries are expected to compete.
From Saturday to Thursday, high-level competitions between Europe’s most talented young pentathletes will take place in the heart of Lithuania. They will compete in relays, individual events, and mixed teams—in fencing, swimming, obstacle course, and the combined running and shooting event.
The first U15 individual events will begin on Sunday at 10:00 a.m., and the U19 events will start at 9:00 a.m. on the same day. U15 competitions do not yet include fencing; their program begins with the obstacle course, followed by swimming and the combined running and shooting event. U19 athletes, however, will compete in fencing as well. This division is important because pentathlon is a very complex sport that requires skills to be developed gradually.
The competitions in Kaunas will take place near the Lithuanian Sports University (LSU)—in a part of the city that blends history and modernity. The swimming event will be held in the LSU pool, located in the functionalist-style Physical Education Palace. The fencing and obstacle course events will take place in the multifunctional sports and leisure complex next to LSU. Spectators will be able to watch the combined running and shooting event in the open area near the LSU stadium, in the athletics training zone along the banks of the Nemunas River.
Among the 21 participating countries, Lithuania will be represented by one of the largest delegations—with 34 athletes competing on home soil. Great Britain will bring 20 athletes, while Hungary is sending a team of 19. These three countries will field the largest teams of the championship.
“These are very important competitions for young athletes—this is where the European champions will be decided. And for our team, it’s also a great dress rehearsal for the World Championships, which will take place in just a month—from August 26 to 30 at Žalgiris Arena,” says Lithuanian Modern Pentathlon Federation president Aistis Baronas.
You can follow all the news on the Lithuanian Modern Pentathlon Federation’s social media channels and the official website:
👉 https://pentathloncompetitons.lt/u15-u19-ech-kaunas/