By Alan Baldwin
VERSAILLES, France (Reuters) – Britain’s Kerenza Bryson qualified for the women’s Modern Pentathlon final with an Olympic record points haul on Saturday while compatriot and reigning champion Kate French joined her in the 18-strong field at the Paris Games.
Bryson topped semi-final A with 1,402 points while French, who took a break after winning gold in Tokyo, was fifth. Italy’s Elena Micheli was second in that semi-final with compatriot Alice Sotero third.
In semi-final B, France’s Elodie Clouvel finished top with 1,398 points, the same tally as French.
Spain’s Laura Heredia was second and Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas third.
The women’s final is on Sunday.
Modern Pentathlon features fencing, equestrian show jumping, swimming, laser pistols and running in a new 90 minute format all held in the same location – this time the grounds of the 17th century Palace of Versailles.
“The crowd were amazing for the French and for all the athletes,” said Bryson, who had a clear round in the show jumping. “I was really trying to use that energy to help me run faster.”
Lithuania’s Laura Asadauskaite, the London 2012 gold medallist and runner-up in Tokyo three years ago, also qualified for the final in her fifth Games and at the age of 40.
“I think there is no chance for me to be in the top five in the final,” she said. “It would be a miracle, but sometimes miracles happen for me.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Christian Radnedge and Alison Williams)
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