UIPM ready for more obstacle testing at UIPM 2022 Junior World Championships

Obstacle is coming to Poland as junior and senior pentathletes from across the globe will have the opportunity to participate in the fourth official test of obstacle discipline.

The fourth test event of obstacle will be at the WOSiR Drzonkow sports complex in Zielona Gora, Poland on October 7-8 in parallel with the UIPM 2022 Junior World Championships, run by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) and the Polish Modern Pentathlon Association (PMPA).

Previous editions of obstacle test events in the Philippines and Turkey were well received by the athletes. The third test event in Italy will take place this weekend.

UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann said, “The feedback from those who took part in the first two test events underlines that we are on the right track with this testing process, providing a new sporting challenge that excites and inspires youth.”

Indeed, UIPM conducted a survey and found over 90 percent of the pentathletes responded favorably to the enjoyment and look and feel of the obstacle course.

“We are also looking forward next week to the third Test Event in Italy, where an even younger group of athletes will experience a racing concept that promises to transform modern pentathlon into one of the most popular, dynamic and accessible sports in the Olympic Games,” Schormann said.

Modern pentathlon’s place in the Olympic Games is undetermined after Paris 2024. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed they would not accept modern pentathlon for inclusion in the LA28 Games if horse riding was one of the five disciplines.

The obstacle discipline was chosen in May for testing and although the feedback is positive, it has yet to be officially named the new fifth discipline.

The UIPM 2022 Congress will evaluate all feedback and testing later this year, before submitting their plans to the IOC for LA28.

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