Modern Pentathlon may debut new obstacle ‘Ninja Warrior’ event at LA28

The International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) announced in May obstacle course would be tested as a potential replacement for the riding discipline, or even as a new fifth discipline after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Enter the international hit show SASUKE - Ninja Warrior. SASUKE is currently seen in over 160 countries around the world, and local versions are produced in over 20 countries.

Produced by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS), the Japanese company is collaborating with World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO) and the UIPM to test obstacle course this week after the UIPM World Cup Final in Ankara, Turkey.

The President of the UIPM Dr. Klaus Schormann is eager to see how the new discipline will be received.

“UIPM has undertaken a comprehensive and transparent process to transform Modern Pentathlon into one of the most popular, accessible and exciting sports on the Olympic program. The upcoming first Obstacle Discipline Test Event in Ankara will be an important step and we look forward to watching pentathletes and obstacle athletes test themselves on the obstacles provided in collaboration with TBS and FISO.”

Modern pentathlon has been a feature of the Summer Olympic Games since 1912, but the sport is currently not on the LA28 Olympic program. The International Olympic Committee is expected to finalize the program for the 2028 Games sometime next year, and has told the UIPM equestrian cannot be a part of any future modern pentathlon proposals for the Olympic Games.

According to the UIPM, two types of obstacle sports will be tested, one of which is the Ninja Competitions seen on SASUKE, a sport made popular worldwide by the SASUKE/Ninja Warrior programs.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with TBS and the UIPM on the new fifth discipline. Obstacles have a long history in pentathlon, and introducing a new discipline that is practiced and watched by millions of people in over 160 countries in the form of SASUKE/Ninja Warrior shows has the potential to widen the audience for all stakeholders and enhance the appeal of the sport on the Olympic program,” said FISO president Ian Adamson.

Pentathletes and obstacle athletes from around the world will practice today for the competitions this week. The test event in Ankara gives the best pentathletes in the world a chance to compete for the first time along with obstacle course athletes.

Sophia Hernandez a competitor from Guatemala is ready to see what the course has to offer.

“I’m feeling excited to try the Obstacle Discipline, and hoping it will be fun and cool to do. I’m also a bit nervous about the difficulty of it. But I think it will be interesting and a good opportunity for everyone taking part. I have watched Ninja Warrior, I love seeing how they race and it’s always fun. It’s impressive to see how some people manage to get through really tough courses.”

Modern Pentathlon is an Olympic sport consisting of five disciplines: fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting and running.

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