Local pentathlon star Kayla Bongers has clinched silver for Australia in Finland at the Hämeenlinna 1952 Trophy.
After an impressive run in the Junior (U22) Division of the 2024 Laserrun World Championships in China, which saw her shave 10 seconds off her 2023 run, Kayla made the pilgrimage to Hämeenlinna – host city of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics’ Modern Pentathlon.
“I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet some of the wider Pentathlon community,” she said.
“They were so welcoming, especially as I’d come all the way from Australia and they had never had an Aussie compete in their comp before. I even got featured in the Local Finnish newspaper.”
The competition was the first full pentathlon for Kayla this season, and the young athlete surprised herself with her podium place, after a mystery injury caused her to retire early from the Australian Tetrathlon just three months ago.
The first event of the competition was the Obstacle Course Race (OCR).
It was only the second time Kayla had competed in the OCR on an international level, but she nailed it, finishing with a personal best time, and the best female time overall.
“I was super stoked – took about 15 seconds off my time,” she said.
“Because it was an adapted course for indoors the times unfortunately can’t count as official times, but it gives a rough idea.”
She continued her dream run with a fantastic fencing effort – placing second overall for female athletes and finishing up only a few points behind the leader.
“I caught up on points in the swim which started me first for the Laser Run,” she said.
“The shooting was quite hard, as the lighting wasn’t the best which made it hard to aim.
“I held the lead for the laser run for about three out of four laps, but got caught on the last shoot, and then couldn’t catch the leader anymore, who finished about 100m in front.”
Despite the initial disappointment of just missing the gold, Kayla said she’s ‘stoked’ about her achievements.
“Considering I’m still dealing with an injury, I’m super happy to take away a silver medal for Australia in an international competition,” she said.
“Thanks to Hillside Sports Therapy for their support and sponsorship in the lead up to the competitions, my coaches, family and supporters.
“Now I’ll be cracking down on some injury recovery and prevention, and get a solid block of training under my belt before the next comps.”
