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Joe Choong Adapts to New Obstacle Racing Format in Modern Pentathlon

Joe Choong, known for his remarkable achievement as an Olympic gold medallist in modern pentathlon, now finds himself navigating a new challenge: a ‘Ninja Warrior’ style obstacle racing. This change has recently been introduced as part of the sport, where athletes, including Choong, are adjusting to the modifications that have replaced traditional events.

For the past six weeks, Choong, who clinched gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games, has been training on a new obstacle course designed to test speed and agility. This course spans 80 meters and features a series of eight obstacles, including monkey bars, high rings, and a wall run, which athletes must complete as quickly as they can.

Despite his accolades, Choong is candid about his resistance to this change. “I was against the change; if I could choose I still wouldn’t choose this but there’s nothing we can do,” he expressed during a conversation with BBC Radio Somerset. His sentiments resonate with many who were apprehensive about altering a longtime tradition.

Choong noted that he and several fellow athletes ardently opposed the modifications, striving to maintain the sport’s established format. “I fought as hard as I could to stop it – so did a lot of other athletes – and now we have to accept it or move on,” he emphasized, highlighting the consensus among some competitors who are grappling with the new reality.

While the modern pentathlon has embraced this significant change, it retains three other core disciplines: fencing, swimming, and a combined running and shooting event. These elements remain as fixtures, maintaining a semblance of continuity for athletes transitioning to the revised format.

The push for reform in the sport was largely prompted by a scandal during the Tokyo Olympics, where a German coach faced expulsion for misconduct involving a horse. This incident spurred a broader conversation about the relevance and ethics of the equestrian component in modern pentathlon, leading to the recent updates.

After a brief sabbatical following the Paris Olympics, where he secured a ninth-place finish, the 29-year-old Choong has returned to Team GB’s modern pentathlon training base in Bath. He is now immersing himself in the obstacle course, a pivot that he recognizes could be pivotal for his career. “It just depends what part of your career you’re in, whether you feel it’s a good time to move on or you give the new event a try,” Choong remarked, indicating the personal nature of the decision to adapt.

Although he acknowledges the necessity of engaging with the new format, Choong admits that “relishing” the change may not encapsulate his feelings perfectly. Nonetheless, his commitment to mastering the obstacle course reflects a resilient mindset, one that many athletes in transition must embrace as they adapt to evolving landscapes in their sports.

Source
www.bbc.com