SEE WHY YOHKA IS THE HOTTEST NEW EVENT IN FITNESS RACING

Amelia Taylor
Sep 8
2 min read

When Ninja Warrior first hit our screens, it didn’t just crown TV champions, it inspired a wave of Aussies to try their hand at obstacle racing.

Back then, unless you signed up at a Ninja Gym, there weren’t many short-course events to sink your teeth into.

Fast-forward to 2025 and the sport is back in a big way, thanks largely to one organiser: YOHKA. And the timing couldn’t be sweeter.

With a short obstacle race now locked in for the LA 2028 Olympics as part of the Modern Pentathlon, the buzz has gone global, and Australia is riding the wave.

YOHKA’s events have drawn everyone from teenagers to seventy-somethings, all chasing that mix of physical challenge and festival-style fun.

Here’s why obstacle racing has suddenly become the sport to watch (and try.)

What is a short obstacle course?

Short obstacle courses tend to be around 80-100 metres in length, so they are short, sharp and fast, often consisting of 10-12 obstacles. You may face rope swings, balance beams, monkey bars, cargo nets, and, of course, no short course is complete without the warped wall.

This is a fun event that will work your coordination, speed, agility and problem-solving skills. It is also one you can do multiple times to try and beat your time, adding an element of “gamification”.

A chance to travel

YOHKA offers a variety of events, from short courses to a 5K Trail Series and School holiday programs, and they often host these events at interesting destinations. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming dates, distances and destinations.

Additionally, Ninja and OCR Champs are hosted all around the world, and you may be surprised by how many Australians travel internationally to participate. From the beaches in Croatia to picturesque venues in Sweden, the OCR community can be found all over the world, with numerous events you can try.

Short courses are headed to the Olympics

The OCR community was thrilled when obstacle racing was announced as part of the Modern Pentathlon for the LA Olympics in 2028. While not confirmed for any other Olympic Games as yet, the community is hoping that the sport will make it into the Brisbane Olympics, both as part of the Modern Pentathlon and as a standalone sport.

It’s part of the fitness racing boom

Fitness racing is huge in Australia, with so many options to choose from. From YOHKA to Hyrox, DEKA Strong, Marathons and fun runs and of course, trail running events on location, there is no doubt that they are popular, instagrammable, community focused and lots of fun.