The Russian athlete produced a characteristic final flourish in the combined run/shoot in the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) World Championships to reclaim the title he lifted in Rome two years ago, having already won at this year's World Cup final in Sarasota and the European Championships in Hungary.

Originally from Belarus, Lesun has been a serial world and European medallist since making his breakthrough in the sport in 2010, and he used all his experience in Poland as he put together a consistent performance which sent him into the final event in second place behind Egypt's Amro El Geziry.

The Russian overtook his rival after just 300 metres of the second of the four 800m loops, and eventually finished 14 seconds clear with a total of 1,534 points.

El Geziry took the silver medal with 1,520 points, remaining seven seconds ahead of his nearest challenger, Jan Kuf of the Czech Republic, who took the bronze medal ahead of Hungary's Robert Kasza, by 1,513 to 1,503 points.

"Modern pentathlon is such a great sport," said Lesun.

"I love it and live it."

Russia's Aleksander Lesun returned to the top of the podium at the UIPM Modern Pentathlon World Championships iin Warsaw today, flanked by silver medallist Amro El Geziry of Egypt (left) and the Czech Republic's bronze medallist Jan Kuf  ©UIPM

The 27-year-old silver medallist, meanwhile, was overjoyed.

"Nine years ago I came to Warsaw for my first senior World Championships," El Geziry said.

"And now, nine years later, I am here as silver medallist.

"It's awesome.

"I am very happy, it's one of the best days of my life."

Lesun, who had the frustration of missing the podium by one place at the London 2012 Olympics, made his intentions clear in the first event, the fencing, where he was a narrow winner from El Geziry by 27 wins to 26.

But the Egyptian took over the lead after the swimming event, which he won in a time of 1min 52.31sec, with Lesun - who was originally a competitive swimmer - managing 11th place with 1:59.17.

Both men managed a score of 300 in the riding element, which meant it all came down to the combined event, where Lesun finished 17th overall in 11:11.85, and El Geziry was 28th in 11:40.00.

As the Russian, in yellow top and black shorts, arrived in the final straight he waved and saluted to the spectators before leaping upwards through the finishing ribbon with a flourish of his right fist.

Team gold medallists Hungary, silver medallists France (left) and bronze medallists China line up on the podium at the 54th UIPM Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Warsaw ©UIPM

With only Lesun and fellow Russian Ilia Frolov, who was 10th, counting towards the team score following Oleg Naumov's failure to reach the final, gold in the team event went to Hungary's trio of Kasja, ninth-placed Bence Demeter and Adam Marosi, who was 17th, with silver going to France and bronze to China.

Action at the World Chapionships is due to continue tomorrow with the mixed relay competition.

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