South Korea’s Kim Sun-woo won Group A of women's qualification at the UIPM World Cup in Kecskemét ©Getty Images

South Korea’s Kim Sun-woo and Ukraine’s Zinayida Batrak won their respective women’s qualification groups as action got underway today at the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) World Cup in Kecskemét.

Kim scored 1,017 points in the Hungarian city to beat nearest challengers, Germany’s Annika Schleu and Russia’s Ekaterina Khuraskina, by a margin of five points in Group A.

London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Laura Asadauskaite came fourth with 1,009 points. 

In Group B, Batrak finished level with Russia’s Gulnaz Gubaydullina on 1,021 points.

Rounding out the top three was Gubaydullina’s compatriot Uliana Batashova with 1,017 points.

A total of 36 athletes advanced through to the final scheduled for Saturday (May 6). 

Russia's Gulnaz Gubaydullina ranked second in Group B of qualification ©Getty Images
Russia's Gulnaz Gubaydullina ranked second in Group B of qualification ©Getty Images

Action in Kecskemét is due to continue tomorrow with the men's qualification. 

The event is the third World Cup competition of the season.

It is then due to head to Drzonkow in Poland for the penultimate competition of the regular season from May 25 to 29.

Vilnius in Lithuania is set to stage the World Cup Final from June 23 to 25.