THERE WAS GOOD news for the Irish team on Monday evening, as Olympians Natalya Coyle and Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe secured silver at the Cairo World Cup in modern pentathlon.
The success follows a previous triumph at the Sarasota World Cup in Florida last month, in which they also claimed a silver medal.
Ireland got off to an excellent start to the event by scoring 27 victories in fencing, finishing in fifth place, before a swimming time of 1:57.70 moved them up to third overall.
The duo of Coyle and O’Keefe came second in the ride with only two time faults, which enabled them to start the run/shoot combined event in first place.
Unfortunately for the Irish however, the Mexican team of Ismael Hernandez-Uscanga and Tamara Vega ultimately prevailed, as the sprint finish saw the former edge out O’Keefe, with Ireland ultimately taking silver and Hungary securing bronze.
Afterwards, O’Keefe savoured the triumph.
“I am delighted with the back-to-back silver medal,” he said. “Natalya and I make a great team. I was very tired after yesterday’s men’s finals, but it just goes to prove that the mind is stronger that the body.”
Coyle also expressed her delight, paying tribute to the Irish Sports Council and the Institute of Sport in the process.
“It wouldn’t be possible without them all… I am ecstatic to have won our second medal in a row. I was disappointed not to have made the final, so producing a better performance and winning a medal again makes it all the more sweeter.”
The Irish duo will be looking to maintain their excellent form in Rome in two weeks for World Cup 3.
