Officials Development

The World Obstacle judge certification framework applies across 3 technical pathways:

• OCR Cross Country
• OCR Track
• Ninja

Each level from 1-3 requires an exam and all requisite experiences.

Judge certification for Pentathlon obstacle disciplines is included in the World Pentathlon Judge Certification Program (JCP), details here.

Level 1 – Assistant Judge (AJ): Holders of a Level 1 License are Technical Officials (TO) who are eligible to officiate at national competitions according to the national local regulations. In international competitions, they are allowed to perform the role of Obstacle and Arrival Judges. This level is common for all technical pathways.

Level 2 – Judge (J): Holders of a Level 2 Licence are National Technical Officials (NTO) who are eligible to officiate international competitions as the Timekeeper, the Secretary, the Lane/Sector Judge (Assistant CTO/Head Official), the Clerk of Course, and the Starter. There are 3 technical pathways: OCR Cross Country, OCR Track, and Ninja.

Level 3 – International Judge (IJ): Holders of a Level 3 License are International technical officials (ITOs) who are eligible to officiate international competitions under the Race Director. There are 3 technical pathways: OCR Cross Country, OCR Track, and Ninja.

Senior International Judge (SIJ): FISO SIJs are Senior International technical officials (SITOs) who are nominated under technical parameters and annually selected from the best Level 3 IJs based upon the previous two seasons. The selected judges will be part of a list prepared by the FISO Technical Officials Committee

FISO Technical Delegates (TD): FISO TDs are Senior Technical Officials (SIJs) who may be appointed by the Event Competition Director for managing TOs at international competitions.

World Obstacle supports and facilitates training for judges in compliance with international sport and Games requirements. World Obstacle has judges on all continents, first developed for obstacle medal events at the 2019 Southeast Asia Games, recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

We train educators so national federations can implement the programme, certify and manage judges and officials in their country. Certified judges can work at Continental and World Championship, World Cups and World Series events to develop experience towards becoming International Judges.

The World Obstacle Judge Certification Framework originated at the 2017 OCR European Championships and was further developed by Henriette Nguyen (DEN) for the 2018 OCREC. This was expanded and refined to meet international sport practice and Games criteria for ITOs at the 2019 SEA Games (recognized by the IOC), by Nguyen, Thumbie Remigio (PHI), and Ian Adamson (AUS) using their experience as officials at world championships in Triathlon, Pentathlon, and Canoe sports. Dilyara Sadikova (RUS) provided essential input having developed ITOs for the 2019 Ninja World Championships. Shaun Wilde (GBR) and Adamson refined the program in 2021, and then again in 2023 in order to meet the evolving needs of Obstacle Sports and provide alignment with the UIPM Judge Certification Programme.