Ninja Warrior Course Could Be Included As A Sport For The 2028 Summer Olympics

The iconic Ninja Warrior obstacle course could be set to feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) revealed they are working with several partners to test whether the course would be a fit for the fifth discipline of the Modern Pentathlon at the games, according to Deadline. 

The regular folk who compete on Ninja Warrior are already impressive enough; imagine having some world-class Olympians swinging from obstacle to obstacle as well.

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is working with TBHS, World Obstacle, and the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO) on the proposal.

There are two obstacle sports being tested for inclusion in 2028, with the ninja competition being one of those. 

The Modern Pentathlon format includes fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting, and running. However, the UIPM announced in May they would be looking at replacing the riding disciple. 

The test competition is currently taking place in Ankara, Turkey, following the conclusion of the UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Final. 

The course that competitors will be using is currently used to film the local version of Ninja Warrior in France, Poland, and other European countries. 

UIPM President Klaus Schormann said in a statement: “UIPM has undertaken a comprehensive and transparent process to transform Modern Pentathlon into one of the most popular, accessible and exciting sports on the Olympic programme.

“The first Obstacle Discipline Test Event in Ankara will be an important step and we look forward to watching pentathletes and obstacle athletes test themselves on the obstacles provided in collaboration with TBS and FISO.

“On behalf of the UIPM Executive Board I extend a warm welcome to all athletes, coaches and observers and other interested parties gathering here in Turkey for this historic moment, which is so important to the future of Modern Pentathlon in the Olympic Games.”

Olympic bronze medalist, Woongtae Jun, along with 2017 world champion, Jinhwa Jung, have been confirmed to be competing for Korea in the test event. 

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Olivia Vivian, who reached the grand final of Ninja Warrior Australia twice, will also be participating. 

There are 20 international versions of the show at the moment, with the sixth season of the Australian series premiering last night (27 June). 

The original Ninja Warrior series, which was called Sasuke, aired in Japan in 1997 and was picked up in the United States in 2009 and has since aired 14 seasons.