The two Polish pentathletes were neck and neck before an injection of pace saw Pierzchała pull away from Miluch over the last couple of obstacles to clinch victory in 35.30 seconds at the WOSiR Drzonków training centre in Zielona Góra.

Obstacle racing is being trialled by the UIPM as a replacement for horse riding which is being axed after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

With modern pentathlon’s place in the Olympic Games at risk after it was left off the initial list for Los Angeles 2028, Pierzchała believes the introduction of obstacle racing could be key to the sport’s future.

"It was amazing as this is my first attempt in the obstacle course and I think it’s great," said the 19-year-old.

"I prefer this to riding as we have to be in the Olympics and we have to change something.

"I think this is a good change for us.

"I think this is more enjoyable to watch on television as it’s fast and entertaining."

Miluch pushed Pierzchała all the way only to get up the final warped wall to touch the button second in 39.30.

The bronze medal match saw Hungary’s Milan Csak secure the win in 36.10 as Poland’s Hubert Skibiak missed out on a place on the podium after clocking 42.30.

"I am really happy with the medal," said Csak.

"I am starting to enjoy this new format more and more and become more experienced as I was in the last [test event] in Lignano and came second there."

There was a convincing winner in the women’s competition as Poner powered to victory in 1min 15.00sec.

France’s Louison Cazaly led after the first obstacle only to fall at the ring toss as she finished in 1:46.00 for silver.

The final place on the podium went to Hungary’s Laura Walthier after she competed unopposed in the bronze medal match.

"I really enjoyed it, but it was also very difficult," said Walthier.

"I am really sad that we are quitting riding, but I am happy that we are doing this new obstacle racing and happy to get the bronze medal.

"[Horse riding] was one of the reasons [I got into modern pentathlon] and I was in love with horses when I was a child, but I think obstacle racing is also a really good sport and I am looking forward to doing it.

"This morning I would have said I would really love to keep horse riding, but I now think obstacle racing is better."

It was the first time the test event was held indoors after previous trials in Ankara in Turkey, Manila in the Philippines and Lignano in Italy.

Participants in the latest event came from the UIPM Pentathlon Junior Championships which is due to conclude tomorrow.

A total of 66 pentathletes under the age of 22 took part, including 29 women and 37 men, as they tackled sonic steps, double swings, tilting ladders, floating steps, globe grasper, single cat grab, ring toss and the warped wall.

Thirteen competitors failed to finish with 11 of those coming from the women’s event.

The course has been created in collaboration with the Tokyo Broadcasting System Television to resemble the sequences made popular by the Ninja Warrior that is based on Japanese TV series Sasuke.

Further obstacle racing competitions are due to be held tomorrow.