diff --git a/backend/tests/test_belgium_training_loop.py b/backend/tests/test_belgium_training_loop.py
index 18888342..9f5b43d8 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_belgium_training_loop.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_belgium_training_loop.py
@@ -266,3 +266,34 @@ def test_threshold_selection_uses_worst_region_then_aggregate() -> None:
         ]
     }
     assert MODULE.select_calibration_threshold(report)["threshold"] == 0.2
+
+
+def test_rejected_candidate_score_prioritizes_weakest_release_gate() -> None:
+    gates = {
+        "min_aggregate_f1": 0.55,
+        "min_region_f1": 0.45,
+        "min_region_precision": 0.5,
+        "min_region_recall": 0.4,
+    }
+    incumbent = {
+        "gates": gates,
+        "calibration": {
+            "aggregate": {"f1": 0.58},
+            "regions": {
+                "flanders": {"f1": 0.34, "precision": 0.38, "recall": 0.31},
+                "wallonia": {"f1": 0.60, "precision": 0.50, "recall": 0.75},
+            },
+        },
+    }
+    regressed = {
+        "gates": gates,
+        "calibration": {
+            "aggregate": {"f1": 0.60},
+            "regions": {
+                "flanders": {"f1": 0.31, "precision": 0.45, "recall": 0.24},
+                "wallonia": {"f1": 0.62, "precision": 0.52, "recall": 0.77},
+            },
+        },
+    }
+
+    assert MODULE.rejected_candidate_score(incumbent) > MODULE.rejected_candidate_score(regressed)
diff --git a/scripts/run_belgium_building_training_loop.py b/scripts/run_belgium_building_training_loop.py
index e2dcf1eb..5d4619ff 100644
--- a/scripts/run_belgium_building_training_loop.py
+++ b/scripts/run_belgium_building_training_loop.py
@@ -92,6 +92,25 @@ def calibration_failures(
     return failures
 
 
+def rejected_candidate_score(assessment: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[float, ...]:
+    """Rank rejected candidates by the weakest normalized release gate first."""
+    calibration = assessment["calibration"]
+    gates = assessment["gates"]
+    normalized: list[float] = [
+        calibration["aggregate"]["f1"] / gates["min_aggregate_f1"]
+    ]
+    for metrics in calibration["regions"].values():
+        normalized.extend(
+            (
+                metrics["f1"] / gates["min_region_f1"],
+                metrics["precision"] / gates["min_region_precision"],
+                metrics["recall"] / gates["min_region_recall"],
+            )
+        )
+    normalized.sort()
+    return tuple(normalized)
+
+
 def training_command(
     yolo: str,
     *,
@@ -430,7 +449,15 @@ def main() -> int:
             "failures": decision["failures"],
         }
         state["iterations"].append(record)
-        state["next_model"] = str(candidate)
+        score = rejected_candidate_score(decision) if decision["status"] != "training_complete" else ()
+        incumbent_score = tuple(state.get("incumbent_rejected_score", ()))
+        if not incumbent_score or score > incumbent_score:
+            state["incumbent_rejected_model"] = str(candidate)
+            state["incumbent_rejected_score"] = list(score)
+            record["promoted_to_training_incumbent"] = True
+        else:
+            record["promoted_to_training_incumbent"] = False
+        state["next_model"] = state.get("incumbent_rejected_model", str(candidate))
         if decision["status"] == "training_complete":
             state["status"] = "training_complete"
             state["completed_at"] = datetime.now(UTC).isoformat()
@@ -457,7 +484,7 @@ def main() -> int:
         record["failure_driven_sampling_sha256"] = sha256(sampling_evidence)
         record["next_train_yaml"] = str(next_train_yaml)
         state["next_train_yaml"] = str(next_train_yaml)
-        model = candidate
+        model = Path(state["next_model"])
         train_yaml = next_train_yaml
         write_json(state_path, state)