MODERN PENTATHLON: Australia's young guns of modern pentathlon Chloe Esposito, 20, and Ed Fernon, 24, have performed admirably on their Olympic debuts finishing 7th and 27th respectively.
The top ten finish for Esposito was the best ever result by an Australian female since the event was opened up to both genders in 2000.
Coached by 1984 Olympian and father Daniel Esposito, Chloe Esposito followed her strong lead up form to the Games where she claimed her first World Cup podium in 2016 Olympic city Rio de Janiero with a top ten finish in London.
The event started at the Copper Box with fencing where each athlete had to compete against every other athlete, with Esposito winning 14 of her 35 bouts to place 28th.
A strong swim and ride saw her sitting in 16th spot leading into the combined run-shoot event, the final leg of the modern pentathlon at Greenwich Park, which saw her start 40 seconds behind the leaders. Her final event saw her make up nine places as she utilised her strongest leg to haul in her rivals.
Sydney's Ed Fernon overcame cramps in his hands and legs in the opening three-hour fencing leg to post one of the fastest final run times for a credible 27th in the gruelling event.
Fernon, ranked 111th in the world after only taking up the sport five years ago, made up ground in the final combined run-shoot event to improve his position in an event involving five disciplines at three venues over an 11-hour period.
Teammate Chloe Esposito, who is coached by 1984 Olympian and father Daniel Esposito, had a strong build up to the Games claiming her first World Cup podium in 2016 Olympic city Rio de Janiero, finishing third.
The event started at the Copper Box with fencing where each athlete had to compete against every other athlete, with Esposito winning 14 of her 35 bouts to place 28th.
A strong swim and ride saw her sitting in 16th spot leading into the combined run-shoot event, the final leg of the modern pentathlon at Greenwich Park, which saw her start 40 seconds behind the leaders.
The pair will be looking to build on their results as they look ahead to the 2013 World Championships in Kaoshiung, Chinese Taipei and eventually build towards the 2016 Rio Games.
Tracie Edmondson in London
Olympics.com.au
