Intro:

Britain's Mhairi Spence was crowned the new Modern Pentathlon World Champion after winning in Rome on Saturday (12 May).

Spence held off the challenge of the newcomer Qian Chen of China with her British compatriot Samantha Murray holding on for a well-deserved bronze.

Script:

Rome hosted the 52nd Modern Pentathlon World Champs on Saturday with three Olympic qualifying places up for grabs.

Amelie Caze of France set a world fencing record to win, while Britain's Mhairi Spence finished third.

In the 200 metre swim - France's Elodie Clouvel took the honours ahead of Britain's Samantha Murray. 

It was in the equestrian that Spence really excelled. She came into the event in fifth overall but produced a fantastic ride to take fourth place.

Caze held a 31 second lead heading into the combined event which consisted of shooting and a run.

But the Frenchwoman was slow and Spence knocked down her targets in a stunning 14.72 seconds to set up a suspense filled finish.

The Brit managed to out sprint triple World Champion Caze, who dropped back to fourth with China's Qian Chen coming from nowhere to snatch silver and Britain's Samantha Murray holding on to bronze.

Spence and Murray earned themselves an Olympic spot with their performance while seventh placed Anastaysia Prokopenko of Belarus grabbed the third place at London after all the competitors in front of her had already qualified for the Games.