Ninja Warrior Could Feature At The 2028 Olympics

A new obstacle series inspired by Ninja Warrior may be coming to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

There was nothing like coming home from school to stick on a bit of Total Wipeout or Ninja Warrior.

You'd scoff and scorn when someone fell victim to the big red balls or warped wall, confident that if you signed up to be a contestant, the variety of obstacles would be no match for you. In reality, it was simply all talk.

However, now there could be even more of an incentive to get your obstacle course practice in, after Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) revealed the possibility of Sasuke (a.k.a. Ninja Warrior) getting a feature in one of the upcoming Olympic Games.

The Japanese sports entertainment reality show television series first aired in 1997.

It started as Sasuke, and developed into Shin-Sasuke, Sasuke Rising and later became known as Sasuke Ninja Warrior.

The challenge consists of a four-stage obstacle course, with 100 competitors battling to complete it.

Another version, known simply as Ninja Warrior, has also been screened in over 18 other countries.

The modern pentathlon currently includes equestrian show jumping, fencing, laser pistol shooting, running and swimming.

UIPM has previously hinted a Sasuke-inspired competition could be featured. Earlier this year in May, it announced it would be removing equestrian from the modern pentathlon and introducing a type of obstacle course.

It also revealed it would be tested by TBS, which has partnered with World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO) and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After the 2022 Pentathlon World Cup, UIPM and FISO are set to hold the first test competitions in Ankara, Turkey on 27 and 28 June.

The obstacle course is being supplied by one of TBS' European versions of Sasuke and will include obstacles such as the 'Parallel Pipes' and 'Wall Flip'.

Five pentathletes will take part in the test competitions, with Sophia Hernandez from Guatemala reflecting how she is feeling 'excited' to try the 'Obstacle Discipline' but also a 'bit nervous'.

"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," she said.

In a statement, FISO president Ian Adamson said: "We are thrilled to be collaborating with TBS and the UIPM on the new 5th 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."