- The Australian-born YOKHA fitness race concept has recently been approved by the International Olympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.
- The format, which will form part of the Pentathlon, involves a killer 100-metre obstacle course designed to test “speed, strength, agility, and mental toughness.”
- At the close of this month, punters will have an opportunity to prove themselves at the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Melbourne’s AusFitness Expo.
For all those absolute specimens out there who’ve always harboured Olympic ambitions, this may be your chance to do Australia proud.
On the current tidal wave of interest surrounding fitness races, which also encompasses the likes of HYROX, our famously athletic nation has given birth to YOKHA – a Ninja Warrior-esque obstacle course concept that’s recently been confirmed as an Olympic sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Games (part of the Pentathlon).
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Effectively, this makes YOKHA the first-ever fitness racing event of its kind to be featured in the Olympics. And it could very well make a reappearance in the Brisbane Summer Games come 2032. The different formats are as follows:
- YOHKA Dynamic Pursuit
Inspired by Urban TAG, enter with a team of four players and compete in this fast-paced game of tag. Participants will engage in 1-1 knockout rounds, where agility, speed, and strategy are key. The arena will be filled with obstacles challenging the participants’ physical abilities and tactical thinking. - YOHKA Stampede
This is a high-energy, short-distance obstacle race that challenges participants to complete a 100-metre course filled with a series of intense and varied obstacles. Designed to test speed, strength, agility, and mental toughness. - YOHKA Classic
A five-kilometre obstacle course designed to challenge participants across various aspects of physical fitness, including strength, endurance, agility, and mental resilience. The course is strategically laid out with a series of diverse and demanding obstacles that require competitors to climb, crawl, jump, balance, and navigate their way through. - YOHKA Challenge
10-kilometre obstacle course. - YOHKA Sprint Series (Olympic Format)
A variation of Stampede, but this course is designed to be similar to that of the Olympic course for LA 2028.
Now here’s how you could parlay your physical prowess into Olympic glory.
From March 29th to 30th, YOKHA will be hosting two competitions – one at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith (Classic, Stampede, Pursuit), and another at Melbourne’s AusFitness Expo (Sprint Series only); the latter of which will pit you against actual Olympian and Ninja Warrior alum Olivia Vivian.
The top three contenders for each day won’t just claim a cash prize, but also potentially place themselves in the Olympic representative conversation.
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“This is probably the toughest 100 metres most people will ever do,” said Todd Liubinskas, Brand Manager, Strength & Conditioning coach, and ex-athlete in his own right.
“100 metres may not sound like much, but with 12 gruelling obstacles designed to test your speed, agility and power, many will be humbled.”
Find out more and register interest to prove yourself below.
