The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has announced that the Chinese capital of Beijing will host the first four editions of its new UIPM Obstacle World Championships, running from 2025 to 2028.
Set to launch in October, the new event will represent UIPM’s first step into the organisation of standalone obstacle competitions.
Its creation follows the full integration of obstacle as a discipline of modern pentathlon, supported by the creation of the UIPM Obstacle Commission and an Obstacle Taskforce that was approved as of Thursday this week by the UIPM Executive Board.
This move came after the 73rd UIPM Congress voted in November 2024 to make statutory changes that established UIPM as the sole IOC-recognised Olympic International Federation governing obstacle sport worldwide.
UIPM President, Rob Stull explained “the creation of the UIPM Obstacle World Championships (OCR) is an important step in the ongoing integration of this popular urban sport into our movement.
“Having successfully introduced obstacle as a new pentathlon discipline, it is key that we also provide exciting opportunities for existing OCR athletes to test their skills in a high-quality competitive environment. It’s going to be amazing to see how pentathletes measure up against their OCR specialist counterparts in October.
“As one of the world’s most populated cities with more than 22 million residents, we could hardly conceive a better venue than Beijing to start the UIPM Obstacle World Championships journey. Obstacle racing is all about universality and bringing sport to urban communities. The OCR scene in Asia is buzzing and it’s going to be a fascinating four years.”
Set to run annually, October’s first OCR event will be staged within the Beijing 2008 sports complex, and is expected to attract hundreds of athletes from the obstacle and pentathlon communities to test their skills in courses spanning 100m, 400m and 3km.
Looking forward to hosting the event, Bin Zhang, President of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Association (CMPA), noted “we are honoured to welcome the world to Beijing for the UIPM 2025 Obstacle World Championships and proud to begin a four-year journey as hosts.
“Obstacle sports such as OCR are already hugely popular in China, especially among young people, and we believe this World Championships will serve as a powerful catalyst for the development of Modern Pentathlon across the country.
“This agreement reflects China’s strong commitment to innovation in sport and our shared vision with UIPM to grow this dynamic discipline worldwide.”
Los Angeles 2028 is now set to feature the debut of the obstacle course event as part of modern pentathlon, along with fencing, swimming, and laser run.
Images courtesy of UIPM.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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