Taishu Sato made history by becoming the first Japanese ever to earn an Olympic medal in the modern pentathlon when he claimed the silver on Saturday, August 10 at the Chateau de Versailles.
Egypt's Ahmed Elgendy won the gold with a world-record score of 1,555 points, while Sato finished at 1,542. Italy's Giorgio Malan picked up the bronze on 1,536.
Modern pentathlon combines horseback riding (equestrian show jumping), fencing (one-touch epee), swimming (200-meter freestyle) and running/shooting (including a 600-meter run after each round of laser pistol shooting), with the athletes competing for points in each category.
Elgendy racked up 300 points in riding, 245 in fencing, 312 in swimming, and 698 in the laser run (which includes pistol shooting). Sato also earned 300 in riding, 230 in fencing, 302 in swimming and 708 in the laser run.
The Egyptian took a 23-point lead over Sato into the laser run (the final event) and held on for the victory in Versailles, France.
Giorgio's tally in third place was 300 in riding, 215 in fencing, 312 in swimming and 709 in the laser run.
A Happy Occasion Following the Modern Pentathlon Competition
"I will celebrate first of all with family," Sato commented. "It will be a great change in my life because it is the first time in Japanese history that we have won a modern pentathlon medal."
Added Sato, "My laser run was the best, but the riding was very good today as well."
A 30-year-old from Aomori Prefecture, Sato became the first Japanese man ever to make the podium at a World Cup event when he captured the silver medal in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2023. And he has an interesting backstory.
Determination and Dedication
Sato joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force after high school, but dealt with repeated seasickness during his two-month training period and decided to join the JSDF Physical Training School, which prepares athletes for modern pentathlon.
After a rigorous six months of training, Sato made the cut and started competing in modern pentathlon in 2013. He said he stuck with the intensive preparation required because he "believed the sport would be an opportunity to change his life."
His results progressively improved in World Cup competition over the years, from finishing 21st in 2017 in Poland, to coming in second in Bulgaria in 2023.
Sato hopes that he can one day top the podium at the Olympics.
"I will do my very best," Sato declared. "I will keep training and trying. Then we will see."
Elgendy's accomplishment was also historic, as he became the first Egyptian to win Olympic gold in the event.
"It's the only gold medal [for Egypt] in this Olympic Games," Elgendy remarked. "We had one bronze earlier, and one silver today in weightlifting. I'm so proud to get this medal for Egypt."
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
