DOHA: German pentathlete Annika Schleu yesterday topped the field at Al Shaqab Arena, winning the Champion of Champions title with an impressive overall tally of 1327 points.
The German star finished second in fencing competition before clinching the issue in riding class to bag the gold medal in the women’s competitions.
Australia’s Chloe Esposito finished a creditable second position with an overall score of 1321 points. Esposito finished second in swimming before securing top position in the combined running and shooting categories.
Lithuania’s Gintare Venckauskaite picked up the bronze medal with a score of 1305 points from the five disciplines. Venckauskaite’s best score was produced in the combined running and shooting class in which she finished second. Schleu, 25, said she was surprised to have stitched a powerful performance with Olympic Games only nine months away.
“I am really, really happy since my last season did not go according to plan. I am so happy to start the season with such a result,” Schleu said.
“The competition was great. I was here two years ago. I had finished fourth then and this time I proved that I can win,” Schleu added.
“Actually my strong points today were fencing and riding. I am just happy that fencing works really well for me.
“I didn’t expect to win when I came here because we are still training hard and yet to hit peak form. My iron was not too good but I am so happy that I still came here and did so well.
“We trained a lot before coming here. We are not having a break. We came straight here after training. I have a qualification event in Germany at the end of December and this was good practice for that.
“I am still training until shortly before Christmas and the New Year when we have a short qualification event. Then I hope I can qualify for Rio. I have no ticket yet but I have enough time to be there at the Games. That’s the main goal for all the athletes here,” Schleu said.
Esposito, 24, said she doesn’t put herself under pressure of winning medals, allowing her training to take over during competitions.
“When I go to competitions, I don’t expect myself to do well. I know I train really hard. But it all depends on the day of the competition. I had done the training and I know I can do it and it just depends on the day,” Esposito said.
“Yes, I was surprised because my fencing wasn’t quite good today. It was up and down. I was so down the bottom. The swimming was okay and then I had a good ride.
“And then I didn’t expect to move up so many positions in the combine. I know I have been training really hard. I am not as fit as I am in the training. I am very happy where I am now.
“The running and shooting were my strong points today. I just have to focus on the Olympic Games because I have already qualified,” the Australian said. Venckauskaite, 23, said she was targeting to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.
“I am happy but my fencing was not that good. I could have scored more points if I had run better. Running and shooting were my strong points. Now I want to focus on qualifying for the Olympic Games,” the Lithuanian added.
Today the men’s competitions will take place at Al Shaqab Arena.
THE PENINSULA
