DORSET youngsters took part in the world's first virtual laser run competition.
In May, the governing body of modern pentathlon (UIPM) created the world’s first virtual laser run competition aiming to unite the global pentathlon community during the coronavirus pandemic.
The modern pentathlon comprises of five events; fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping and a final combined event of pistol shooting and cross country running. This final event is known as the laser run.
The virtual event invited entrants from across the globe to complete a series of exercises before hitting five green lights with a laser pistol in the fastest possible time. With over 800 individuals registered to compete, Britain boasted a total of 177 athletes registered, including youngsters from Leweston Pentathlon Academy which is a partnership with Leweston School in Sherborne.
Leweston Club had more than 40 athletes taking part in the completion with 11 athletes making the finals.
In the U11 boys Charlie Carman was 4th with Josh Spolton 5th.
In the U15 girls Ginny Bruce took a Silver with team mate Emily Carman 3rd, in the boys event Seb Forrest took silver.
In the U19 girls Amy Northam also gained a silver and in the boys event Sam Cobb was in bronze with younger brother Josh 6th.
In the senior event George case was 4th, in the masters 60 plus Charlie Lane took silver and in masters 40 plus Claire Carman took gold.
Overall, the club took one gold, four silver and two bronze medals which was an excellent achievement.
The athletes had a great build up for the event with weekly Zoom training with Philip Hobbs, the clubs shooting coach, taking weekly laser shooting training and Mick Flaherty running circuits and combined run shoot training, all through Zoom. This gave all those taking part the opportunity for weekly training and to get used to using Zoom.
Mr Flaherty added: "Thank you UIPM - World Pentathlon for hosting a great fun event, which is a first of its type for pentathlon. Congratulations and well done to all the athletes from around the world that were part of this event."
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