‘Ninja Warrior’ Is Now an Olympic Sport, and It’s Officially Joining the 2028 Olympics

by

Summary

  • Tokyo Broadcasting System has sealed a deal with the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne to incorporate Sasuke/Ninja Warrior obstacle designs into the new Olympic discipline of obstacle racing
  • The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously in 2023 to replace equestrian show jumping with obstacle racing in the Modern Pentathlon, effective from the 2028 Los Angeles Games
  • UIPM held its first Obstacle World Championships in Beijing in 2025, with the LA Olympics marking the discipline’s full Olympic debut

The Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), known for creating the show Sasuke and its spin-off American Ninja Warrior, has partnered with the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) to feature *Sasukestyle obstacle courses at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. UIPM will incorporate obstacles designed by TBS into a new obstacle racing event, which will replace equestrian show jumping as part of the Modern Pentathlon competition beginning with the LA Games.

The agreement is simple: UIPM obtained a license from TBS to use elements of the Sasuke/Ninja Warrior show – specifically, the designs of some of its obstacles – in its new competitive obstacle racing events. UIPM and TBS have been collaborating since 2022, running trial events to refine the obstacle racing format. In 2023, the International Olympic Committee unanimously approved the inclusion of this sport in the Los Angeles Games. UIPM hosted its first World Championships in Beijing in 2025, meaning the 2028 Olympics will be the official introduction of the sport to the world.

The journey to Ninja Warrior becoming an Olympic sport spans three decades. It began in 1997 when TBS first aired Sasuke in Japan, where it quickly became a hit. The show then expanded to over 160 countries, inspiring local versions in more than 25. The American adaptation, American Ninja Warrior, is now in its 18th season, premiering June 8th on NBC, demonstrating how ingrained the show has become in mainstream sports entertainment. Starting as a challenging Japanese TV spectacle, it has grown over 30 years into a globally recognized competition with its own official organization, world championships, and now, Olympic status.

The Modern Pentathlon has consistently changed over time. First appearing at the 1912 Olympics with fencing, swimming, show jumping, running, and shooting, it’s been updated frequently. Previously, running and shooting were combined into a single event called “laser run,” and after the 2024 Paris Olympics, show jumping was removed due to calls for a more modern competition. Obstacle racing now replaces show jumping, appealing to a large international audience – a key reason why the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unanimously approved the change.

According to Variety, UIPM president Rob Stull noted that 30 years ago, TBS transformed obstacle course racing into a popular TV show with the original ‘Sasuke.’ Modern Pentathlon has been a consistent part of the Olympics since 1912 and has continually changed to keep viewers engaged. TBS Holdings executive Katsuaki Setoguchi described the new partnership as a significant achievement, and both organizations plan to collaborate and promote the format leading up to the Los Angeles Games.

Read More

2026-05-27 10:56