Modern Pentathlon to Feature 'Ninja Warrior' Obstacle Racing at 2028 Olympics
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The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has signed a deal with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) to incorporate the 'Sasuke'/'Ninja Warrior' format into its new obstacle racing discipline. This follows the IOC's unanimous 2023 vote to include the updated Modern Pentathlon, which replaced equestrian show jumping with obstacle racing, at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. TBS and UIPM plan to cross-promote the formats leading up to the Games.
Facts First
- UIPM licenses 'Ninja Warrior' IP from TBS for its new obstacle racing discipline.
- The updated Modern Pentathlon is confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, following a 2023 IOC vote.
- Obstacle racing replaces equestrian show jumping in the sport's format.
- UIPM held its first Obstacle World Championships in Beijing in 2025, building on test events since 2022.
- 'Ninja Warrior' is a globally recognized format aired in over 160 countries.
What Happened
The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has signed a licensing deal with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) to use certain 'Sasuke'/'Ninja Warrior' intellectual property and program elements, including specific obstacle designs. This formalizes a partnership that began in 2022 to create test events. The collaboration aims to integrate the popular obstacle course format into UIPM's new discipline of obstacle racing, which has replaced equestrian show jumping in the Modern Pentathlon. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted unanimously in 2023 to include this updated version of the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Why this Matters to You
You are likely to see a new, highly televised sport at the 2028 Olympics that blends traditional athletic tests with the dramatic, viewer-friendly format of obstacle course racing. This change could make the Modern Pentathlon more accessible and exciting to a global audience familiar with 'Ninja Warrior'. The cross-promotion between the Olympic sport and the entertainment franchise may create new sporting heroes and increase engagement with the Games.
What's Next
TBS and UIPM plan to cross-promote 'Sasuke'/'Ninja Warrior' and Modern Pentathlon in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics. The sport's governing body will continue to develop the obstacle racing discipline, having already held its first Obstacle World Championships in 2025. The integration of a globally recognized entertainment format may serve as a model for other sports seeking to refresh their appeal for Olympic audiences.