Qian crowned at modern pentathlon worlds
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-08-07 20:16

Qian Zhenhua of China claimed the first-ever world champion for Asia in the 2005 World Modern Pentathlon Championship which was held at Warsaw, Poland on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Qian first won the shooting with 191 target points to establish a early lead.

Qian continued his winning streak in the fencing and maintain a joint lead with Andrzej Stefanek, both achieving 23 victories against only 8 defeats.

Qian finished fifth in the 200m swimming event to ensure his lead at the top after three events, 152 points ahead of Russian Alexie Tourkine.

In the equestrian competition, Qian again received perfect 1200 scores and sealed his final win in the 3,000m cross-country race in which he started to run about 45 seconds ahead of Alexie Tourkine.

Qian, who finished 4th in 2005 World Championship and 16th in 2004 Athens Olympics, maintained his lead in the race to become Modern Pentathlon's first ever world champion from Asia.

Alexei Tourkine kept his second place to take silver ahead of his teammmate Andrei Moiseev.

Olympic Champion Andrei Moiseev from Russia was influenced by his wrist sustain and finished fourth.

Team gold went to Russia, silver to Czech Republic and bronze to Germany.