SAMANTHA Murray begins the defence of her Modern Pentathlon World Championship title in Berlin today when qualification for Saturday’s final gets under way.

The 25-year-old from Clitheroe, who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Games, goes in the third and final qualification group knowing that a top eight finish will be good enough to secure a spot in the final.

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Modern pentathlon includes swimming, rider and the combined run/shoot event - although qualification does not include riding.

Murray, who is a member of Blackburn Harriers, won the world title for the first time last year in Poland where she set a new modern pentathlon world record in the 200m freestyle which is by far her strongest event.

The former Bowland High School pupil, who also studied at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School sixth form, warmed up for today’s qualification event by taking part in the women’s team relay alongside Eilidh Prise, competing in her first World Championships.

But they had to settle for 12th place overall in a competition won by the Chinese pair, Liang Wanxia and Chen Qian.

Murray and Prise were fifth after the combined swim and then eighth after the riding before slipping outside the top 10 following the combined run/shoot.

Murray may well take part in Sunday’s mixed relay event but a final decision will not be made until after the individual races have been completed.