Korea paves the way for Modern Pentathlon new era with introduction of Obstacle at National Sports Festival

Korea has taken a pioneering step in Modern Pentathlon by introducing the Obstacle discipline for the first time at the 105th National Sports Festival, held from October 11-16. This innovative change aligns with the UIPM’s global reform efforts and firmly positions Korea as a leader in shaping the future of the sport.

With Riding now officially replaced by Obstacle at all levels of Modern Pentathlon following its swansong at the Paris Olympics, the new discipline is gaining significant international attention as its successor.

In line with this global shift, Korea introduced the Obstacle discipline at its most prestigious national competition, the 105th National Sports Festival, the largest and most important sports event in Korea. This move not only enhances the dynamism and spectator appeal of Modern Pentathlon but also reflects Korea’s commitment to embracing global innovation and adapting to the evolving landscape of the sport.

Several elite athletes from Korea took part. Jinhwa Jung, the 2017 world champion who retired after the competition having won a gold medal, offered valuable advice on the new discipline, noting: “The key to success in Obstacle discipline is staying calm and focused. Even a small mistake can lead to penalties, so maintaining composure is crucial in both training and competition.”

Seungmin Seong, the 2024 world champion who won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is adapting to the new event and shared her thoughts: “Since I’ve never competed in the Obstacle discipline before, my main goal is to become more familiar with it. I’m confident that with hard work, I’ll be ready for success at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.”