Gothenburg, Sweden became the global stage for grit, endurance, and athletic heart at the 2025 Obstacle Course Racing World Championships. Among the world’s strongest competitors stood a dedicated crew of New Zealand athletes, representing the New Zealand Obstacle Sports Association (NZOSA). Taking on every challenge with pride, purpose, and unmistakable Kiwi spirit.
Website: www.nzosa.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NZObstacleSports/
100 m Race: Speed and Precision
Fast, fierce, and over in seconds.
This event tested precision and speed. Our Kiwi athletes rose to the challenge, showcasing adaptability and grit against the world’s best in a highly technical, crowd-filled arena.
Short Course: Agility and Strategy
The short course was a showcase of athleticism and strategy.
Obstacles came thick and fast, demanding strength, agility, and focus. Several NZ athletes completed clean runs, and showing that our small nation can punch above its weight
Standard Course: The Ultimate Test
The iconic long course pushed every competitor to their limit.
A 12 km grind through mud, forest, and technical obstacles. Merrell’s trail footwear proved its worth here, providing grip and confidence on every slippery, uneven surface. For many, this was the true test of endurance; and New Zealand delivered.
Team Race: Spirit in Action
A highlight for the NZ crew.
Teamwork, spirit, and laughter carried us through. Watching athletes support one another through each rig, wall, and carry reflected everything OCR is about; resilience, connection, and shared challenge.
Proudly Flying the Silver Fern
Across all events, the NZOSA athletes carried the silver fern with pride and professionalism. Competing on a world stage highlighted not only how far obstacle sports in New Zealand have come, but also the immense potential ahead.
A special thank-you to Rhys Cunningham, our main point of contact and an incredible ambassador for the sport. Rhys provided this recap and shared some truly stunning photos from Gothenburg.
Looking Ahead
We’re honoured to support Kiwi athletes who embody adventure, grit, and a love for the outdoors. Here’s to more milestones, more mud, and more New Zealand athletes stepping confidently onto the world stage.
Merrell provided the team with performance footwear built for the world’s most demanding terrain, including the Agility Peak 5, Long Sky 2, and Sky Fire 2. From explosive sprints to long-course endurance, our gear was with them across every step, climb, carry, and muddy scramble.
Explore the footwear that powered NZOSA through the world champs:
Agility Peak 5 → Agility Peak 5 – Merrell NZ
Long Sky 2 → MTL Long Sky 2 – Merrell NZ
Sky Fire 2 → MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx Men's | Merrell NZ
