The men's qualification round of the opening UIPM World Cup took place in Los Angeles ©UIPM

The 2017 International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) World Cup season got underway today with the qualification round of the men’s individual competition in Los Angeles.

Action started at the Fairplex events complex in the city of Pomona, located in Los Angeles County, with 63 men participating for one of the 36 spots in Friday’s (February 24) final.

Coming through the qualification unscathed was Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Alexander Lesun of Russia, who finished third today.

He will be joined by Ukrainian Pavlo Tymoshchenko, silver medallist from Rio, after he came fifth.

Reigning World Cup Final champion James Cooke of Great Britain also progressed to the final courtesy of a seventh place finish in qualification.

Reigning Olympic champion Alexander Lesun of Russia made it through to Friday's final ©Getty Images
Reigning Olympic champion Alexander Lesun of Russia made it through to Friday's final ©Getty Images

Among the other men making it through to the final were London 2012 Olympic champion David Svoboda of the Czech Republic and the United States’ Logan Storie, who was the best pentathlete of the day.

The women will start their qualification process tomorrow before their final which takes place on Saturday (February 25).

A mixed relay event will complete proceedings in LA on Sunday (February 26).