American Ninja Warrior competitor excited for obstacle course racing on the Olympic stage
Obstacle course racing is coming to the 2028 Summer Olympics, and Stamford’s Joe Moravsky is already thinking about what that could mean for his future.
The longtime American Ninja Warrior competitor said the addition of obstacle racing to the modern pentathlon has opened the door to a dream he never expected to be within reach. The obstacle course discipline will replace horse jumping as one of the pentathlons’ five events at the Los Angeles Games.
Moravsky, manager of Stamford Ninja Academy, has spent more than a decade competing on American Ninja Warrior, where he has become one of the show’s most recognizable athletes.
“It’s kind of like unbelievable, because it almost feels like a dream.”
Moravsky has competed in 12 seasons of the show. While he has never won the grand prize, he has finished as the last ninja standing twice.
At Stamford Ninja Academy, Moravsky now teaches aspiring athletes on obstacle courses similar to those seen on the television competition.
“It’s like the most glorified adult playground you can come up with.”
The obstacle racing discipline rewards more than just strength, Moravsky said. Success often comes down to efficiency, technique and strategy.
“It’s just 30 seconds of pure power and speed and finesse.”
Moravsky said athletes must carefully think through each obstacle rather than simply relying on speed.
“I’m talking to them about how speed is not always about how fast you run, but how smooth you are through the obstacles.”
The possibility of Olympic competition has prompted questions about whether Moravsky could make a run at the Games himself.
Before that can happen, he would need to become proficient in the modern pentathlon’s other disciplines.
“I got to be able to keep up with the swimming and the running and the fencing. I mean, I don’t even know where to start with that.”
Because of his limited experience in those events, Moravsky said the 2028 Olympics may be too soon. However, he has not ruled out pursuing a spot at the 2032 Summer Olympics.
“When you get on a big stage, maybe like the Olympics, right? You’ve got to be able to handle the pressure.”
For now, Moravsky remains focused on coaching the next generation of obstacle course athletes in Stamford. But with obstacle racing set to make its Olympic debut, a path from American Ninja Warrior to the world’s biggest sporting stage suddenly appears more realistic than ever.
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