What is Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)?
Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a sport in which a competitor, traveling on foot, must overcome various physical challenges in the form of obstacles. Races vary in length from courses with obstacles close together to events of several kilometers.
The Sport of OCR is governed by World Obstacle (Fédération Internationale de Sport d’Obstacles - FISO), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. World Obstacle is a non-profit and member-based sporting organization and the sole world governing body for Obstacle Course Racing. As of 2022, World Obstacle had national member federations in 115 countries in four continental regions (Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe), the largest number being in Europe. World Obstacle applied for membership of Global Association of International Sport Federations (GAISF)in 2017, with a goal of having obstacle course racing and related disciplines recognized as an international sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
What is Ninja Warrior?
The sport discipline of Ninja (modeled after the Japanese television series Sasuke and international adaptations such as American Ninja Warrior) and OCR became self-governing sub-sports of World Obstacle in 2020 in a model similar to Aquatics.
Albeit fitting the definition of OCR, Ninja is a much more technical, faster and explosive version of the sport. Using Athletics as a comparison, traditional OCR athletes would be similar to those that run the 3K Steeplechase, whereas Ninja athletes would be comparable to a 110m Hurdler.
