MODERN PENTATHLON EXPLAINED

The modern pentathlon is the successor to the ancient pentathlon, which comprised running, jumping, javelin, discus and wrestling. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, highly appreciated the pentathlon of the ancient Games. He proposed a similar competition that would test the strengths of a “complete” athlete, but involve more modern disciplines. The growing popularity of this sport resulted in the foundation of an international federation, the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), in 1848. It currently has over 120 member nations.

The obstacle discipline in MP replaced riding in 2023 with an American Ninja Warrior type speed course. This is similar to the TV shows Ninja versus Ninja and American Ninja Warrior Junior. The format is being developed with World Obstacle for the Olympic Games starting after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Stand alone events are are also being developed. An example is the World Obstacle Ninja World Cup and World Championships format on a 100 m 2-lane head-to-head speed course with 10 to 12 Ninja Warrior speed obstacles. Watch this video from the 2023 Ninja World Cup USA. More videos here.

Modern pentathlon is made up of four events combining five sports:

• Obstacle race.
• Fencing, which is split into two rounds: a ranking round where each athlete competes against each other athlete in a bout lasting one minute or until the first hit, and a second round based on the results of the first round. The format of the second round is single elimination, with each bout lasting 45 seconds. Points are scored for winning each bout.
• Swimming, with a 200m freestyle event.
• Running and shooting, with a laser-run where athletes alternate between running and shooting at five targets from a distance of 10m.

Athletes score points according to how they rank in the fencing, obstacle race and swimming events, which decide their starting position for the laser run event. During the laser-run, athletes start with a delay corresponding to the number of points between them and the leader. The first athlete to cross the finish line in the laser-run wins the gold medal.

Ages (on 31st December)

10yrs Youth E

11/12yrsY outh D

13/14yrsY outh C

15/16yrs Youth B

17/18yrs Youth A

19-21yrs Juniors

22 yrs and over Seniors

30 yrs+ Masters

The target times and scores depend on your age group and the competition you are competing in. Senior competitions after Paris 2024 will become:

• 200m freestyle swim
• 100m / 10-12 obstacle race, 
• 5x 600 m run with laser shooting (5 hits per lap)

Contact Kevin Montford at USA Pentathlon Multisport if you are interested in a try out and the development team.