New Pentathlon Discipline: Youth athletes share their views on Obstacle

The next generation has spoken – again.

Following the success of the third of four New Pentathlon Discipline Test Events in 2022, which enabled Youth athletes from around the world to get their first experience of Obstacle, 495 athletes aged 19 and under have now competed in the new-look Modern Pentathlon at world and continental level.

UIPM has interviewed numerous athletes to find out more about their experience of Obstacle as an integrated component of a five-discipline sport, and their feedback can be read below.

UIPM 2023 U19 World Championships

Istanbul (TUR) | July 25-30

“I’m so happy, we gave everything to win. I love the new discipline, I liked Riding but the change is really great. I think my dream is the same as all other athletes – we want to go to the Olympics and do our best.” – Florina Jurt (SUI), Women’s Relay gold medallist

“I love the change, too. We have ridden for a long time, since we were little, and we liked Riding but Obstacle is good for us because we are great in the discipline. We trained hard to get that far in the discipline. To win the Olympics in Los Angeles is a great goal for us, and together it will be a long and cool journey.”  – Katharina Jurt (SUI), Women’s Relay gold medallist

“The Obstacle discipline was very exciting, although hard. It was our first time competing in Obstacle, we trained a little in Korea. Our dream is the Olympic gold medal, in Los Angeles.” – Juchan Lee and Hanseo Cho (KOR), Men’s Relay gold medallists

“I think the Obstacle is good, it’s amazing to compete on. It’s good to see so many young athletes now and they’re happy with the Obstacle discipline. It’s an adventure game! I’m trying to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. It’s a dream for me but I hope to do it and then go to the Los Angeles Olympics after that!” – Malak Ismail (EGY), Women’s Individual & Team gold medallist

“The Obstacle discipline is new this year and we could train as the federation found a way to train so we came well prepared. I have a good feeling about the Obstacle discipline and I think it will be interesting. Obstacle is a very nice discipline, there is a lot of complexity but we can train for it and be better next time and all the time. My dream is to be Olympic champion one day, and it’s a good start, I think, in this competition.” – Etienne Clergeau (FRA), Men’s Individual, Team & Mixed Relay gold medallist

“I think Obstacle is a good discipline. It’s so hard and difficult, and I like this.” – Coline Flavin (FRA), Mixed Relay gold medallist

UIPM 2023 U17 World Championships

Alexandria (EGY) | July 11-16

“Obstacle is really cool, and not too hard, but really intense, really fun. Our dream is to join the Olympic Games, maybe make a medal in 2028 in Los Angeles.” – Amaya El-Masri (GER), Women’s Relay gold medallist

“It was our first championships with the five disciplines, and we won the race. The Obstacle discipline was so fun.” – Mohamed Hassan (EGY), Men’s Relay gold medallist

“I am very thankful for the inclusion of Obstacle. I love Riding, I love horses, but I think with Riding I would have a very long way to prepare for it and train for it. Obstacle is very easy and quick for me to adapt, and I feel that having five disciplines at this age gave me an advantage.” – Farida Khalil (EGY), Women’s Individual & Team gold medallist

“In Germany we used to go to a hall to train for Obstacle, but we didn’t do it so many times and we will learn it more.” – Nadja Farmand (GER), Women’s Individual & Team silver medallist

“I like the Obstacle discipline, I think I can improve but I like the course. Obviously, my dream is to compete in the Olympic Games but for now I just want to keep doing what I am doing and have fun.” – Annachiara Allara (ITA), Women’s Individual bronze medallist

“During the Obstacle discipline, I felt stressed because we don’t know it very well and I couldn’t work it a lot. I find it fun but we didn’t master it yet and I like to master all the disciplines. My dream is to get a gold medal at the Olympic Games.” – Mathis Issaka Idelarge (FRA), Men’s Individual gold medallist

“My dream is to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Obstacle was so much fun, and it felt so good to be competing.” – Tareq Sadek (EGY), Men’s Team gold medallist, Men’s Individual bronze medallist

“The Obstacle discipline was brilliant, we really like that. It’s more inclusive and more people are able to do it. It’s really fun!” – Sebastian Forrest (GBR), Mixed Relay gold medallist

2023 European Junior Championships

Istanbul (TUR) | June 14-19

“It’s nice to see that hard work pays off. I really like the new discipline because it makes a lot of fun to challenge yourself and to improve your abilities. There were many supportive and cheering spectators, which made me want to push myself even more. I really enjoyed the adrenaline kick it gave me. Looking forward to test out new obstacle courses.” – Florina Jurt (SUI)

“I loved the inclusion of the exciting new fifth discipline. The new format of competition kept us all on our toes, and competing with a live crowd so close to the course was exhilarating.” – Ross Charlton (GBR), Men’s Relay bronze medallist

2023 European U19/U17 Championships

Druskininkai (LTU) | June 1-9

“In my opinion, the Obstacle was nice, I didn’t have problems with it. It’s like a showcase and it’s quite fun if you’re good at it, but showjumping will always beat it. The only minuses are, as I saw in other athletes, the hand injuries with the skin cuts. But if you take care of them, they are not that bad.” – Nojus Chmieliauskas (LTU), Men’s Relay gold medallist.