Russia’s Alexandr Lesun, who already had two world championships to his credit in the modern pentathlon, took gold in the Olympic competition Saturday.
Lesun compiled a total of 1479 points, just seven more than silver medalist Pavlo Tymoshchenko of Ukraine. The gold medal represents a bounce-back for Lesun, who four years ago finished 25th in the modern pentathlon. Entering the running/shooting portion of the competition with a slight lead over Tymoshchenko, Lesun posted a time seven seconds better than that of the Ukrainian to take gold.
With his silver medal Tymoshchenko is the first Ukrainian male to win an Olympic medal in the modern pentathlon. Taking bronze was Mexico’s Ismael Hernandez Uscanga, who won his nation’s first Olympic medal in either men’s or women’s modern pentathlon.
American Nathan Schrimsher finished 11th with a total of 1450 points.