Hungary's Bence Demeter topped the men's qualification rankings on the second day of the event ©Getty Images

Hungary's Bence Demeter topped the men's qualification rankings on the second day of the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) World Cup in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old, who represented his country at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, scored a total of 1,134 points to finish at the top of the standings.

Demeter amassed one point more than second-placed athlete Lee Ji-hun of South Korea, who managed 1,133 in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games host city.

Britain's James Cooke achieved the same score as the South Korean at the Fairplex events complex in Pomona in Los Angeles County.

The 36 qualifiers for the final, due to be held on Thursday (March 29), included reigning world champion Jung Jinghwa.

Olympic champion Alexander Lesun was among the qualifiers ©Getty Images
Olympic champion Alexander Lesun was among the qualifiers ©Getty Images

The South Korean, making his first appearance on the World Cup circuit this season, did just about enough to progress to the final as he finished down in 30th place.

Olympic champion Alexander Lesun, winner of the Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016, was 20th with a total of 1,111 points.

France’s Valentin Belaud, a former world champion and silver medallist at the opening event of the World Cup campaign in Cairo, failed to progress.

The event is due to continue tomorrow with the women's final, where Lesun's compatriot and reigning world champion Gulnaz Gubaydullina will be among the main contenders.