The obstacle course that’s featured on the popular reality show Ninja Warrior may end up in the Olympics…
We’ve all watched Ninja Warrior and thought about how much we’d love to attempt the insane obstacle course, even though there’s no way we’d be able to conquer it the same way the elite athletes that appear on the show do.
For this reason, as well as the fact that it’s just satisfying to watch ultra-fit people make their way across the Ninja Warrior course, the reality series is extremely enjoyable and popular. But who would have ever thought Ninja Warrior would ever become an Olympic sport?!
Yes, you read that correctly. According to Variety, the Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) announced that their signature Ninja Warrior (which is actually called ‘Sasuke’; ‘Ninja Warrior’ is the name of the US & Australian versions of the show) obstacle course may inspire a new event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Currently, the plan is for the Sasuke/Ninja Warrior obstacle course to become a part of the existing Olympic sport, the modern pentathlon, which currently consists of fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting and cross country running.
In fact, the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is considering replacing the modern pentathlon’s horseback discipline with the Sasuke obstacle course once the 2024 Paris Olympics have finished.
Ian Adamson, the president of he Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), said in a statement:
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with TBS and the UIPM on the [modern pentathlon’s] new fifth discipline. Obstacles have a long history in pentathlon, and introducing a new discipline that is practised and watched by millions of people in over 160 countries in the form of Sasuke shows has the potential to widen the audience for all stakeholders and enhance the appeal of the sport on the Olympic program.”
Ian Adamson, FISO President
To anyone who’s ever appeared on Ninja Warrior or plans to try out for the show, maybe you should now consider becoming an Olympic athlete…
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