The world No.1 arrived in Guiyang with a season of records behind her. Blanka Guzi of Hungary left with the women's individual world title, scoring 1,485 points on the final Sunday of the 2026 UIPM Pentathlon World Championships.
A 34-second chase through the humidity
Guzi began the concluding Laser Run in third place, carrying a 34-second deficit to defending champion Farida Khalil of Egypt. The 15-year-old had controlled much of the competition, but the Hungarian stayed within reach through the early shooting series.
The gap closed lap by lap in the humid Chinese air. Both athletes arrived at the final shoot knowing the world title would be decided on the range.
One hesitation, one decisive surge
Guzi hit her five targets first and turned to run, then stuttered on the fifth light as she tried to accelerate away. Khalil delivered a clean 12-second shoot and left the range ahead, but the sight of her rival in front proved a psychological weight the teenager could not carry.
The Hungarian summoned a final push, overtook the Egyptian, and crossed the line with an 11-second winning margin. Khalil took silver on 1,474 points, while Britain's Kerenza Bryson repeated her 2023 bronze with 1,464 points.
Guzi's score fell only 10 points short of the overall world record of 1,495 she had set weeks earlier at the Budapest World Cup. She had already broken the Laser Run world record in Cairo that spring, clocking 10 minutes 54.93 seconds for a then-record 1,488 points.
Three World Cup titles, a world record, and now a world championship — the Hungarian's grip on the new era tightens.
