The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are already going to be different from what spectators have seen in the past, thanks to the inclusion of flag football.
Another change to the lineup of events is that, in 2023, obstacle racing was added to the Modern Pentathlon to replace equestrian events.
On Tuesday, it was announced that part of the obstacle course race will mirror obstacles fans have seen on the popular “Ninja Warrior” television series.
The idea originated in Japan as “Sasuke” in 1997 and has been adapted into various versions around the world. The premise remains the same: competitors will start at one end of an obstacle course and race through it, avoiding falling off obstacles or into water hazards.
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The producer behind “Sasuke,” Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), has officially reached a deal with Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) to include the format in the “obstacle racing” event, per an exclusive with Variety.
The Pentathlon event was first introduced to the Olympics in 1912, and originally it included fencing, swimming, running, shooting and equestrian slow jumping. Now, obstacle racing will be replacing the equestrian portion of the event.
According to Variety, “Now, under their deal, UIPM – which already held its first Obstacle World Championships in Beijing in 2025 — licensed the right to use some ‘Sasuke’/’ Ninja Warrior’ intellectual property and program elements, such as the design of certain obstacles, from TBS for obstacle racing.”
Rob Stull, a spokesperson for UIPM, discussed this agreement and its implications for the event.
“What an incredible honor it is for our Federation to be working closely with TBS, the broadcaster that gave ‘Ninja Warrior’ to the world. It is 30 years since TBS turned obstacle racing into a television phenomenon with the original ‘Sasuke,’ so our two organizations are a great fit in terms of heritage and innovation. Modern Pentathlon has held a continuous place in the Olympic Games since 1912, constantly evolving over the decades to satisfy the viewing preferences of sports fans around the world. Ahead of LA28, this agreement represents a wonderful and unique coming together of primetime entertainment and Olympic sports culture.”
TBS Holdings executive officer Katsuaki Setoguchi also discussed the new agreement.
“Since its launch 30 years ago, ‘Sasuke’/’Ninja Warrior’ has continued to evolve constantly. It is a tremendous honor that our journey has converged in this way with the history of the Modern Pentathlon — a sport beloved around the world which has continued to innovate for more than 100 years — culminating in its establishment as an Olympic sport. This is truly a groundbreaking milestone. Going forward, TBS and the UIPM will work even more closely together to ensure that, on the world’s greatest stage—the Olympic Games — both ‘Sasuke’/’Ninja Warrior and the new Modern Pentathlon continue to grow as sports and entertainment beloved by people all around the world.”
More details about the event, including specifics, rules and how it will work, will be released as we get closer to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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