UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships: Daolio (RSA) and Kriuchkov (RUS) tough it out for glory in red-hot 3km
Another day, another duo of new world champions as the grass terrain of Universal Resort Beijing took a beating under a hot sun and intense racing.
It was 3km day at the UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships and Sabrina Daolio of South Africa and Igor Kriuchkov of Russia rose to the occasion with dominant wins in Elite category. Competing twice in unforgiving conditions, endurance specialist Daolio (RSA) took control early in the Elite Women's Final and never gave the chasing pack a chance. And that pack was led by two teenagers having the time of their lives here this week.
Farida Khalil of Egypt has now won three silver medals at the sharp end of Pentathlon and Obstacle Racing in the space of six days. The 15-year-old raced with controlled aggression to follow up on her 400m silver medal with a 3km silver - and this time she was good for 400m champion Anna Sedova (RUS), though it was equally astonishing to see a 14-year-old taming the course and some much more experienced Obstacle Racing specialists to collect a bronze.
Ulrike Evensen of Denmark and Signy Karoline of Norway came in 4th and 5th, with 400m bronze medallist Junling Chen leading the China charge and completing the top six.
South Africa harboured hopes of a golden double in the Men's Elite Final but fastest qualifier Brandon Hulley (RSA) was finally unable to resist a high-powered Russian challenge. Kriuchkov (RUS) almost broke 11min with an incredible, seemingly flawless performance, and he was followed across the line by team-mates Evgenii Stoiakin (RUS) and Sergei Gritsak (RUS).
Hulley (RSA) crossed the line 4th having given everything, fending off the charge of Leon Kofoed (DEN) and Yauhen Tryvashkevich of Belarus.
These were the champagne moments but it was really a day to celebrate global progression across all age groups in UIPM's most demanding Obstacle Racing format. Live-streamed on UIPM YouTube for the first time, the athletic requirements of the longer course were clearly exhibited and the energy given was only matched by the relief and joy felt at the finish line.
With the Russians and host nation China dominating many of the youngest age groups, there were also gold medals for Australia, Guatemala, Latvia, Lithuania and Portugal.
How it works
Across five days, athletes will compete over three individual distances. The explosive 100m remains the sport’s pure speed test, while the 400m returns after its successful introduction to the World Championships programme in 2025. The 3km provides a different examination of endurance, obstacle technique and race management.
The 3km will also gain unprecedented international exposure in Beijing as the event is live-streamed for the first time, bringing one of the formats most familiar to the established global short-course Obstacle Racing community to viewers around the world.
Team racing will have an enhanced presence too. The 3km Team Event returns, while a new 4x100m Relay adds another high-speed dimension to the programme.
Away from the elite competition, the World Championships will again demonstrate the broad demographic reach of Obstacle Sports. Racing stretches from the U11 category through to 40+, bringing children, teenagers, elite athletes and masters competitors together at the same global gathering.
There is also significant prize money at stake for the leading elite athletes, with rewards available across the individual 100m, 400m and 3km competitions from $1k for bronze medals to $5k for gold.
Watch and follow
The UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships take place from September 2-6, with live and highlights coverage from major broadcasters around the world including TV Tokyo (Japan), Eurovision Sports (Pan Europe), Jio (India), Polsat Sports (Poland), Stan Sport (Australia), TV Start (Russia), PX Sports (LATAM), SuperSport (Pan Africa).
Livestream is also available free on UIPM YouTube and iQiyi based on the following schedule (TV start times listed in Central European Summer Time):
Saturday September 5
- 100m Finals (14:00 CEST)
Sunday September 6
- 4x100m Relay Finals (09:00 CEST)
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