Naval pentathlon obstacle relay: Finnish pair elated with making history

WUHAN (CHN) - Jenna SAKKINEN and Mari LINDSTROM (FIN) celebrated being the first silver medallists in the obstacle relay in the Military World Games as the naval pentathlon concluded at Mulan Lake on Saturday.

Chinese pair LI Shun and XIE Ronghua were clear winners in  one minute, 36.68secs with SAKKINEN and LINDSTROM taking silver in 1:48.31.

It was SAKKINEN’s first medal of the competition after she finished fifth in the individual naval pentathlon and fourth in the team event with LINDSTROM.

Wuhan 2019 was the first staging of the event at the Military World Games and SAKKINEN welcomed making a piece of history as the women's competition concluded ahead of the men's.

She said: “It means so much of course, it’s great. We are there.”

The Swedish pair of Cecilia SJOEHOLM and Melina WESTERBERG were third as the former claimed her third medal of the event, adding to her individual bronze and team silver.

China won the men’s competition in 1:34.51 ahead of Brazil (1:45.0) and Spain (1:46.6).

Brazil’s silver medal, which replicated their finish in the team event, was especially notable given they were forced to change their team after Felicio CARRICO suffered an injury to his left knee during his semi-final run.

CARRICO had strapping on his left leg and had to be helped away but his injury was not serious.

Edyta KORCZAK (POL) also had to be assessed after falling awkwardly following the jump from the Irish table immediately preceding the changeover.

(Source: Xinhua Info)