Gulyas had occupied fourth place in the women’s event heading into the laser-run in the Hungarian capital.

The 21-year-old had placed third in swimming, fifth in fencing and 11th in riding to remain in medal contention in the event.

The world number one performed strongly in the early stages of the laser-run to overtake Salma Abdelmaksoud of Egypt and claim the lead.

Gulyas was followed by Elena Micheli, setting up a rematch of the season-opening event in Cairo, which saw the Italian triumph.

The positions were reversed in Budapest, with Gulyas crossing first, completing her laser-run in 11min 44.30sec.

The result gave Gulyas an overall score of 1,420, which was enough to top the podium at her home event.

Micheli and Abdelmaksoud completed the podium places, ending with totals of 1,406 and 1,405, respectively.

Vlach triumphed in the men’s competition after finishing the competition on a winning tally of 1,510 points.

The Czech athlete had starred in the riding and laser-run sections of the event, topping the standings in both disciplines.

Vlach ended the laser-run in 9:58.00 to secure victory, having started the discipline in 13th place.

Italy’s Mattia Parisi and Germany’s Christian Zillekens completed the podium places, ending on totals of 1,498 and 1,495, respectively.

The hosts were denied a podium finish, with Hungary’s Bence Demeter, Csaba Bohm and Richard Bereczki following in the top six.

The day had seen Japan’s Taishu Sato display a t-shirt decorated with the message "Keep Riding & Change the Rules".

Sato's actions coincided with a Fifth Discipline Working Group meeting, which is taking place at the World Cup event in Hungary.

UIPM President Klaus Schormann - who was at the heart of the decision to remove riding from modern pentathlon following the Paris 2024 Olympics - chairs the Fifth Discipline Working Group and was in attendance at the World Cup leg.

Schormann did not reference the protest in his traditional post-event remarks.

"In the morning we had a very exciting men’s final and the same in the afternoon for the Women’s final," Schormann said.

"For the host country it’s fantastic that they won first place and you could see in the laser-run, like in the morning for the men, the positions changed at different times.

"Also, it’s wonderful to see that all athletes in the places behind always gave their best to achieve points for the UIPM Pentathlon World Cup Final.

"There were so many spectators here giving great support to the host country and creating a wonderful atmosphere on a glory day here in Budapest.

"We are looking forward tomorrow to a great mixed relay, and we are focusing too on UIPM Pentathlon World Cup Albena very soon.

"Thanks again to our organisers, sponsors, media people and volunteers and I wish all athletes competing tomorrow a great mixed relay competition."