Yuriy Kovalchuk won the gold medal at the European Modern Pentathlon Championship in Madrid.
Representing the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 23-year-old Yuriy Kovalchuk secured the gold medal at the competition held from July 20 to 27 in Madrid, Spain. In the final, which included shooting, fencing, equestrian, swimming, and running, the Lviv native triumphed with 1588 points, ahead of Mikhali Kolezar from Hungary and Jean-Baptiste Mourcia from France.
The new pentathlon format, introduced from 2025, replaces traditional show jumping with an obstacle course, and fencing takes place only in the main round based on the Olympic system.
“This is a historic achievement — not only for Yuriy Kovalchuk but for all of Ukraine. For the first time in history, our athlete wins a gold medal at the European Modern Pentathlon Championship under the new rules,” said Roman Khimiak, director of the Department of Sports, Youth and Tourism of the Lviv Regional State Administration.