Historic day for Egypt as Elgendy wins pentathlon and Ahmed claims weightlifting silver

Elgendy sets world record to become first Arab or African athlete to win Olympic gold in event

Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt reacts after he crosses the finish line during the men's modern pentathlon laser run at the Paris Olympics in Versailles on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Getty Images

Men's modern pentathlon gold medallist Ahmed Elgendy, of Egypt, silver medallist Taishu Sato of Japan and bronze medallist Giorgio Malan of Italy. Reuters

Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt crosses the finish line during the laser run. Getty Images

Egypt's Ahmed Elgendy competes in the men's individual laser run. AFP

France's Valentin Prades competes with Egypt's Ahmed Elgendy, right, in the men's individual fencing. AFP

Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt riding Talisman des Noues in the modern pentathlon. Reuters

Ahmed Elgendy of Team Egypt competes in the 200m freestyle semi-final of the modern pentathlon. Getty Images

Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt looks on during the fencing. Getty Images

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Egypt's Ahmed Elgendy capped a historic day for his nation when he became the first Arab or African athlete to win the Olympic gold medal in the men's modern pentathlon in Paris.

Earlier on Saturday, weightlifter Sara Ahmed clinched silver in the women's 81kg weightlifting.

Elgendy, who also broke new ground by winning silver at Tokyo 2020 three years ago, beat Japan's Taishu Sato and Italy's Giorgio Malan into silver and bronze medal places, respectively.

Elgendy's total score of 1,555 points was a world record.

The 24-year-old said before the start of the Games that he had been inspired by a conversation with Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah, which had given him extra motivation to win gold.

Elgendy had posted a picture of himself with Salah on social media, saying: "Salah is a role model for all of us [Egyptians]. Having a conversation with him, not just taking a photo, is a very big thing.

"We talked about the Olympics and preparations; it was a very good thing."

Elgendy 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 Sato.

The pentathlon event in Paris involved equestrian showjumping, fencing, freestyle swimming, laser pistol shooting and cross-country running.

It is the last time horse riding will be included in the event as it will be replaced by "American Ninja Warrior" themed obstacle courses for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Meanwhile, Ahmed clinched a superb silver medal in the 81kg women's weightlifting final on Saturday. Ahmed achieved a total lift of 268kg, made up of 117kg in the snatch and 151kg in the clean and jerk, surpassing her previous personal best of 148kg set in 2022.

It was also an Olympic record until gold medallist Solfrid Koanda of Norway lifted 154kg to set a new mark and with it secure top spot on the podium. Koanda had earlier lifted a best of 121kg in the snatch.

Ecuador’s Neisi Dajomes secured the bronze with a total lift of 267kg. Ahmed, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, now has a silver for her collection in what was her nation's second medal of these Games after Mohamed El Sayed earlier won a bronze in the men's fencing in the epee category.