POSTED: Sunday August 22nd 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Moya Lopez Storms to Victory in Modern Pentathlon Event at the Youth Olympic Games

Leydi Laura Moya Lopez (CUB) has won the gold medal in the women's individual Modern Pentathlon at the first ever Youth Olympic Games,

Leydi Laura Moya Lopez (CUB) has won the gold medal in the women's individual Modern Pentathlon at the first ever Youth Olympic Games, coming from nowhere to overhaul the pre-event favourite, Youth World Champion Szofia Foldhazi (HUN) who held on for the Silver. Anastasiya Spa (UKR) held off a fast finishing Anna Olesinski (USA) for the Bronze.
The Cuban Moya Lopez created history by not only becoming the first Modern Pentathlon Gold Medallist at the Youth Olympic Games, but also winning the first Modern Pentathlon Event with Laser Shooting. She has also become the first Cuban to win a Modern Pentathlon Gold Medal on the International stage.

Moya Lopez was never considered to be a chance for a medal, finishing in 10th position in the fencing, 4 victories behind the winner of the event, which was Bronze medallist Spas. Moya Lopez finished a credible 7th in the swimming event, a massive 13 seconds behind the Silver medallist Foldhazi. This meant that the 18-year-old was in ninth place and was handicapped 1 min 19 secs behind Foldhazi who started in first place. By the last shoot, she had moved her way up to 4th position, still behind the top 3 athletes. It was her final run where she overtook all her opponents to the crowd's amazement to grab her dream gold medal.

Moya Lopez said on her amazing last lap of the Combined Event " I saw my competitors in front of me, and that gave me the wings to carry on and beat them, this makes me very happy. I didn't think it was possible."

UIPM President Dr h.c. Klaus Schormann stated "I would like to underline what you have seen today. It’s a historical moment where we have changed from shooting with traditional air guns to laser shooting. As you all could see, it was successful. We will have laser shooting for the 2012 Olympics."

"Based on this new technology, all countries in the world, all 205 NOCs can compete in our sport. This is such a big message to all over the world that our sport is not just a European sport but a sport practised all over the world."

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Keywords · Leydi Laura Moya Lopez · Buba · Modern Pentathlon · UIPM · Singapore · Youth Olympic Games · Laser Shooting

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Name: Matt Pound
Organization: Union Internationale De Pentathlon Moderne - UIPM
Email:
Phone: +377 9777 8555
URL: http://www.pentathlon.org

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