Egypt’s Ahmed Elgendy becomes the first athlete from Africa to win Olympic modern pentathlon gold

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VERSAILLES, France (AP) — 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.