Modern Pentathlon Duo Seong and Seo Clinch World Championship Mixed Relay Gold

South Korean modern pentathletes Seong Seung-min and Seo Chang-wan have captured the mixed relay gold medal at the World Championships, signaling a strong performance ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The duo dominated the event in Guiyang, China, finishing 18 seconds ahead of Belarus, with Hungary taking third place.

Seong and Seo established their lead early in the competition, maintaining their top position through the fencing and laser-run segments. The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) praised the Korean team's stable performance in the laser-run, noting their ability to hold the lead without faltering.

The mixed relay requires strong individual skills as well as trust and coordination between partners. Seong and Seo showcased this by maintaining their focus until the end, comfortably outpacing their Belarusian rivals. This victory is particularly meaningful for Seong, currently ranked second in the world among women. She has solidified her status as a top-tier athlete with a win at the 2024 World Championships and a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

"I am happy to achieve good results at the World Championships before the Asian Games," Seong stated through her agency, 700 Creators. "The mixed relay is not a solo event, so I believe that trusting each other and concentrating until the end led to this good outcome." She added, "There is still an individual event left, so I want to concentrate and show a good performance, and continue this good momentum into the Asian Games."

Seo Chang-wan is also a prominent figure in South Korean men's modern pentathlon, having proven his world-class abilities by winning the individual event at this year's UIPM World Cup in Pazardzhik. Together, he and Seong have delivered the team's first gold medal at this World Championship. The mixed relay gold medalists will now focus on their individual events, with the men's competition starting on May 26 and the women's on May 27, followed by the finals on May 30, before turning their attention to the Asian Games.