Jo Muir was on cloud nine after continuing her golden start to 2020 by topping the podium at the modern pentathlon World Cup in Cairo for her second title of the year.
The 25-year-old was locked in an intense battle going into the final 400m of the laser run, with less than a second separating the gold and silver medals, but dug deep to claim victory.
Russian Uliana Batashova had briefly overtaken Muir on the final lap as she attempted to retain the gold she won in the Egyptian capital 12 months ago before the Brit came through to win.
And having already won gold at the Budapest Indoor International in January, Muir was delighted to maintain her good form – especially after being forced to ride with one stirrup earlier in the event.
“It hasn't sunk in yet, I can't quite believe it, to be honest,” said University of Bath-based Muir. “I had a good fence and my swim was OK, but in the riding my stirrup snapped halfway round.
“I couldn't believe it - I thought 'the one day when I fence well and I am going to come off my horse'. I was so relieved to get round.
“In the Laser Run there were lots of quick runners round about me and I tried to stick with them, and not kill myself too early. It could have been anyone's race. I can't believe it. It feels amazing.”
The victory was Muir’s first individual Pentathlon World Cup medal and her two successes in 2020 both count towards qualification for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
With compatriot Kate French securing GB’s first of two available quota places in 2019, Muir is making a strong claim for selection with her composed performances in the heat of battle.
Francesca Summers was also in action in Cairo and picked up another World Cup top ten finish, gradually improving her standing after sitting 23rd after the swimming stage.
With Muir ninth after the swim, the pair continued to rise up the rankings after the fencing with Summers moving up to 15th with a record of 20V/15D compared to Muir’s 21V/14D.
Muir’s record saw her go into the ride in sixth and a score of 286 (17th), despite her stirrup strap snapping, ensured she remained sixth overall going into the run.
Summers settled well after a nervy start to her ride to post a score of 287 (16th) to move up to 10th and she gained one more place in the laser run with a time of 12:31.87.
But it was Muir who stole the show after coming through the battle with Batashova as initial leaders Marie Oteiza of France and Alice Sotero of Italy became stuck on the range. Photo credit: UIPM Sportsbeat 2020