New Partnership Aims to Transform Obstacle Sports and Modern Pentathlon

MONACO / LAUSANNE: May 8, 2023 – UIPM and World Obstacle have joined forces to rebrand two major Obstacle competitions, marking a groundbreaking collaboration between the two International Federations (IFs). The partnership aims to create a more accessible Modern Pentathlon with Obstacle, merging a new, TV-friendly, and mass participation sport with the prestige and heritage of the Olympic Games.

The rebranded competitions are:

1. World Obstacle / UIPM 2023 OCR World Championships in Genk (BEL) from September 14-17: This flagship annual Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) event features a 100m sprint category similar to the format being introduced in Modern Pentathlon, as well as 3km and 15km endurance events. There are age categories, from Youth (age 10-15) through Masters to 65+, including para categories. The Belgian Obstacle Course Racing Association (BOCRA) and the City of Genk will host the 2023 Championships in the 12,000-hectare Thor Park.
2. World Obstacle / UIPM 2023 Ninja World Cup USA in Orlando (USA) from July 27-30: The North American leg of the 2023 Ninja World Cup follows the opening Asian event which took place in Manila (PHI) in April and the European leg in Poland in May. Produced by World Obstacle and The ATS Team, Ninja World Cup USA will be hosted at the Orange County Convention Centre alongside the International Obstacle Sports Expo. The format is a 100m head-to-head sprint familiar to viewers of the popular Ninja Warrior television shows like Ninja versus Ninja and American Ninja Warrior Junior. World Cup USA will be held in conjunction with the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) World Series Finals, World Ninja Athlete Games (WNAG) Championships, and Federation of International Ninja Athletics (FINA) World Finals.

This alliance supports the collaboration between athlete communities and follows the decision of the UIPM 2022 Congress to add Obstacle as a new discipline of Modern Pentathlon. This historic change provides a pathway for obstacle athletes around the world to realize their Olympic dreams.

UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann said: “UIPM’s partnership with World Obstacle in the naming of two major Obstacle racing competitions in 2023 is a significant step. Through this partnership, we can demonstrate that UIPM is getting actively involved in the existing Obstacle racing scene and creating pathways for athletes who are ready to transfer their skills to a new challenge and join our multi-sports movement.”

World Obstacle President Ian Adamson said: “Obstacle athletes and national federations are collaborating with their Pentathlete colleagues in many countries, putting into practice sport solidarity and the power of the unity of multi-sports. Obstacle athletes young and old are excited for the possibilities the collaboration presents.”

Through this collaboration, UIPM and World Obstacle will work together to grow the Obstacle sports community and showcase the synergy between Modern Pentathlon and Obstacle disciplines. By partnering on these rebranded competitions, both federations are committed to promoting inclusivity, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence among athletes globally.

The partnership will also focus on fostering talent and creating opportunities for athletes to compete in both UIPM and World Obstacle events, providing more pathways to success on the international stage. The new combined disciplines will not only expand the reach and appeal of the sports but also create a more engaging and diverse competition for athletes and spectators alike.

About UIPM:

UIPM (the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne) has governed the core Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon since its formation in 1948. Today it oversees a range of multi-discipline sports (Tetrathlon, Triathle, Biathle, Laser Run, and Obstacle Laser Run) which form a development pyramid with Modern Pentathlon at the top. In November 2022, UIPM Congress voted to introduce Obstacle to the UIPM Statutes and Competition Rules, creating a new discipline alongside the established disciplines of Fencing, Riding, Swimming, Laser Shooting, and Running (the last two of which are combined to form Laser Run).

About World Obstacle:

World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), is a Swiss-based not-for-profit independent international sports organization made up of volunteers to develop obstacle sports and events worldwide. FISO provides governance, systems, and structure to represent the needs of its member national federations and their athlete communities in over 110 countries.

For more information about the UIPM and World Obstacle collaboration and the rebranded competitions, visit the UIPM website at www.uipmworld.org and the World Obstacle website at www.worldobstacle.org.