‘Ninja Warrior’ Obstacle Racing Joins 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (EXCLUSIVE)
“Ninja Warrior” is making its way to the Olympics. Tokyo Broadcasting System Television — the producer behind the TV format “Sasuke” (adapted around the world, including in the U.S., as various versions of “Ninja Warrior”) — has sealed a deal with Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne to incorporate the format into the new Modern Pentathlon discipline of “obstacle racing.”
UIPM, the international federation and the world governing body for “a multisports universe spearheaded by Modern Pentathlon,” has worked with TBS since 2022 in creating several test events based on “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” and other obstacle sports elements. That led to the development of UIPM’s obstacle racing.
The Pentathlon was introduced to the Olympics in 1912, consisting of five disciplines: fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, running and shooting. (Running and shooting have more recently been combined as “laser run.”)
The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously in 2023 to include the updated Modern Pentathlon — with obstacle racing — at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. So, after the 2024 Paris Olympics, UIPM replaced equestrian show jumping with obstacle racing at all levels.
Now, under their deal, UIPM – which already held its first Obstacle World Championships in Beijing in 2025 — licensed the right to use some “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” intellectual property and program elements, such as the design of certain obstacles, from TBS for obstacle racing.
“What an incredible honor it is for our Federation to be working closely with TBS, the broadcaster that gave ‘Ninja Warrior’ to the world,” said UIPM prexy Rob Stull in a statement. “It is 30 years since TBS turned obstacle racing into a television phenomenon with the original ‘Sasuke,’ so our two organizations are a great fit in terms of heritage and innovation. Modern Pentathlon has held a continuous place in the Olympic Games since 1912, constantly evolving over the decades to satisfy the viewing preferences of sports fans around the world. Ahead of LA28, this agreement represents a wonderful and unique coming together of primetime entertainment and Olympic sports culture.”
TBS and UIPM also plan to work together to cross-promote “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” and Modern Pentathlon as the Los Angeles Olympics draws near.
TBS broadcast “Sasuke” in 1997, and the franchise immediately turned into a sensation. “Ninja Warriors” has aired in more than 160 countries and regions, with local versions in more than 25 countries. The United States’ version “American Ninja Warrior” is now in its 18th season, which premieres June 8 on NBC.
“Since its launch 30 years ago, ‘Sasuke’/’Ninja Warrior’ has continued to evolve constantly,” said TBS Holdings executive officer Katsuaki Setoguchi. “It is a tremendous honor that our journey has converged in this way with the history of the Modern Pentathlon — a sport beloved around the world which has continued to innovate for more than 100 years — culminating in its establishment as an Olympic sport. This is truly a groundbreaking milestone. Going forward, TBS and the UIPM will work even more closely together to ensure that, on the world’s greatest stage—the Olympic Games — both ‘Sasuke’/’Ninja Warrior and the new Modern Pentathlon continue to grow as sports and entertainment beloved by people all around the world.”
UIPM, the international federation and the world governing body for “a multisports universe spearheaded by Modern Pentathlon,” has worked with TBS since 2022 in creating several test events based on “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” and other obstacle sports elements. That led to the development of UIPM’s obstacle racing.
The Pentathlon was introduced to the Olympics in 1912, consisting of five disciplines: fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, running and shooting. (Running and shooting have more recently been combined as “laser run.”)
The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously in 2023 to include the updated Modern Pentathlon — with obstacle racing — at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. So, after the 2024 Paris Olympics, UIPM replaced equestrian show jumping with obstacle racing at all levels.
Now, under their deal, UIPM – which already held its first Obstacle World Championships in Beijing in 2025 — licensed the right to use some “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” intellectual property and program elements, such as the design of certain obstacles, from TBS for obstacle racing.
“What an incredible honor it is for our Federation to be working closely with TBS, the broadcaster that gave ‘Ninja Warrior’ to the world,” said UIPM prexy Rob Stull in a statement. “It is 30 years since TBS turned obstacle racing into a television phenomenon with the original ‘Sasuke,’ so our two organizations are a great fit in terms of heritage and innovation. Modern Pentathlon has held a continuous place in the Olympic Games since 1912, constantly evolving over the decades to satisfy the viewing preferences of sports fans around the world. Ahead of LA28, this agreement represents a wonderful and unique coming together of primetime entertainment and Olympic sports culture.”
TBS and UIPM also plan to work together to cross-promote “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” and Modern Pentathlon as the Los Angeles Olympics draws near.
TBS broadcast “Sasuke” in 1997, and the franchise immediately turned into a sensation. “Ninja Warriors” has aired in more than 160 countries and regions, with local versions in more than 25 countries. The United States’ version “American Ninja Warrior” is now in its 18th season, which premieres June 8 on NBC.
“Since its launch 30 years ago, ‘Sasuke’/’Ninja Warrior’ has continued to evolve constantly,” said TBS Holdings executive officer Katsuaki Setoguchi. “It is a tremendous honor that our journey has converged in this way with the history of the Modern Pentathlon — a sport beloved around the world which has continued to innovate for more than 100 years — culminating in its establishment as an Olympic sport. This is truly a groundbreaking milestone. Going forward, TBS and the UIPM will work even more closely together to ensure that, on the world’s greatest stage—the Olympic Games — both ‘Sasuke’/’Ninja Warrior and the new Modern Pentathlon continue to grow as sports and entertainment beloved by people all around the world.”