VERSAILLES, France: Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt became the first athlete from Africa to win the Olympic gold medal in modern pentathlon on Saturday at the Paris Games.
Elgendy, the silver medalist in Tokyo three years ago, had a 17-second head start for the laser run — the final event combining distance running and shooting — after his earlier strong showings in the horse-riding, fencing and swimming events.
Elgendy’s lead was never seriously threatened on the laser run, where he won by 13 seconds over Taishu Sato of Japan. Giorgio Milan of Italy captured the bronze. Elgendy’s total score of 1,555 points was a world record.
The Paris Olympics are the last time modern pentathlon will include horse riding as part of its program before it brings in “American Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle courses for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The decision to drop horse riding and bring in obstacle courses was made after a coach on the German team struck a horse during the Tokyo competition, prompting an outcry over animal welfare.
The women’s finals are Sunday.
Egypt’s Ahmed Elgendy becomes the first athlete from Africa to win Olympic modern pentathlon gold
https://arab.news/2kwj3
Egypt’s Ahmed Elgendy becomes the first athlete from Africa to win Olympic modern pentathlon gold
- Elgendy’s lead was never seriously threatened on the laser run
- The Paris Olympics are the last time modern pentathlon will include horse riding
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
