Modern Pentathlon-Pentathletes embracing obstacle course challenge at World Championships

Modern pentathletes are optimistic about the prospect of tackling obstacle course racing (OCR) for the first time at the World Championships in Lithuania this week, as the sport looks to reinvent itself and move on from horse riding.

Modern pentathlon, previously comprised of fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, pistol shooting and cross-country running, found itself at the centre of controversy at the 2021 Tokyo Games when a German coach struck a horse.

The five-discipline sport was dropped from the initial programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but was reinstated after its governing body (UIPM) replaced horse riding with OCR.

OCR has already been integrated into the World Cup series this year and will be held for the first time at the August 26-30 World Championships, which featured equestrian events from 1949-2024.

"It's been fun and challenging to incorporate OCR into my training. It's been going well and I'm looking forward to putting all that training into effect," American Tyler Evans told Reuters.

"Obviously for everybody that's been in the senior level, OCR training and riding are totally different muscles. Getting my hands used to having a lot of blisters, and being sore in different areas has been a change.

"I have enjoyed the switch. I enjoy doing obstacle course, I do miss riding, but it's been a positive change."

The OCR event takes place over a 70 metre course with eight obstacles including monkey bars and rings, much like the competition TV show "American Ninja Warrior".

Evans' teammate Madison Gonzalez said it had brought a touch of glamour to the sport, adding: "We're all getting into this new thing. It's nice and it looks like a television show for me.

"It's a new feeling to have all the lights,