A medal on home soil is not on the cards for Medway pentathlete James Myatt.

The 18-year-old finished 23rd in his semi-final at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup, which started on Thursday at Medway Park in Gillingham.

Myatt, from High Halstow, would only have qualified if he was among the top 12 finishers.

The only Team GB male among the 36 finalists is 23-year-old Nick Woodbridge, who took part in the Beijing Olympics. He is ranked 26th in the world.

A record eight women from Team GB will be competing in the women's final tomorrow.

Among them is 19-year-old Kate French from Meopham, who is taking part in her first world cup.

The modern pentathlon consists of fencing, swimming and riding and concludes with a combined run/shoot.

During the finals competitors will take part in all five events in one day.

More than 1,000 spectators are expected to attend each day of the finals event on Saturday and Sunday.

On Wednesday the athletes spoke about their hopes.

Myatt was born and raised in Medway and first swam for a club at the Black Lion Leisure Centre, the old name for Medway Park, but now goes to university in Bath.

He said: “I am really looking forward to it, primarily because it’s my first World Cup and I haven’t been home since Christmas.

“ It would be amazing to be in the final but I would have to have the competition of a lifetime . I’m looking to this really as a stepping stone.”

For live coverage from the Modern Pentathlon World Cup click here.