Nick Odgers representing Australia in the 2025 Junior Modern Pentathlon Championships. Photo: Supplied.
An accomplished swimmer and runner, Nick Odgers only became aware of the multi-disciplined sport known as modern pentathlon at the back end of last year.
Having represented Australia at the Junior World Aquathlon Championships in 2023, he was ready for the next challenge.
“I went with a friend to a modern pentathlon introduction course at the AIS at the end of last year. I had a chat with Modern Pentathlon Australia about the transfer of talent from one sport to another. I was a competitive swimmer and did track and field, but I had never done fencing or shooting before.”
The officials Nick spoke to on that day obviously believed he had potential and encouraged him to test himself in a new sport.
His ability as a swimmer with years of training with the Woden Valley Swim Club under his belt, along with plenty of time on the track, obviously held him in good stead. However, there was uncertainty about shooting and fencing, along with the introduction of a new discipline – an 80-metre obstacle course featuring no fewer than eight obstacles, which replaced show jumping.
Nick obviously worked hard to overcome any perceived deficiencies, though, winning the 2025 Australian Junior Pentathlon Championships in April.
In fact, he was first home in both the junior and senior divisions. As a result, he qualified to represent Australia at the World Junior Championships in Hungary in June.
Nick Odgers trained as a swimmer with Woden Valley Swim Club before taking up the sport of modern pentathlon. Photo: Supplied.
The 21-year-old finished towards the back of the field, but it was a remarkable effort to get to this point after only six months in the sport.
It has also given him a taste of what is possible in the sport, which is back in the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028 after it was initially left out.
Then, of course, there is the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, although there’s no indication at this stage whether modern pentathlon will be included.
“Hopefully, it stays in Brisbane. It would be great to compete at a home Olympics,” says Nick.
Nick Odgers representing Australia at the Pentathlon World Junior Championships in Hungary. Photo: Supplied.
Before then, though, Nick is focused on continuing to upskill in shooting and fencing. While the ninja-style obstacle course with ladders, monkey bars, rings, and walls is not as easy to train for, it may be easier than learning show jumping and equestrian from scratch.
Next year will be his first as a senior, although he doesn’t appear to be phased as the challenges continue to line up.
His training schedule, which is already demanding, is just a piece of life’s jigsaw that also includes studying at ANU and working.
It’s a hectic program, but it will be very much worth it if he gets to fulfil his Olympic dream.
