Premier Series Recap: Austin Ninjas

The Wild, Wild West held a true showdown.

On August 10 and 11, Austin Ninjas hosted the third qualifier in the second season of the World Ninja League Premier Series. With courses once again created by the legendary Nick Fordney, our athletes were challenged in many ways, with speed and obstacle technique taking the spotlight. Here are some of the incredible feats pulled off by the athletes!

The Sweeps

With 11 divisions represented, 7 of them ended with an athlete winning on both the Placement and Challenge Courses. Those athletes are Kasen Woolard (Kids Male), Samantha Mishkin (Kids Female), Haven Chizmar (Mature Kids Female), Yunoshin Nagahisa (Preteen Male), Grace Schneider (Preteen Female), Savanna Salinas (Teen Female), and Kristen Brickner (Amateur Female).

Mishkin was the only athlete in her division to finish both courses, while the remainder of the field struggled on both courses. Chizmar also earned 2 buzzers, being the only in the Mature Kids Female division to clear the Challenge Course. Nagahisa was the third winner to lock in 2 buzzers, securing the fastest time in both of his runs.

The Back And Forth

Four more winners had a more uphill battle, but clutched up with wins on the Challenge Course when it counted. Among them was Teen Male winner Gunnar Mcclaugherty, who cleared both courses but placed 6th on the Placement Course. He was able to secure first place on the Challenge Course in similar fashion to Elite Male winner Flip Rodriguez, who placed 2nd on the Placement Course and won the Challenge Course.

Amateur Male competitor Ryan Cooper shocked everyone when he placed last on the Placement Course. A short while later, Cooper went on to clean up his moves, leaping all the way to first place on the Challenge Course. And after a 7th place run on the Placement Course, Mature Kids Male winner Tyler Bowers went on to become 1 of only 2 Challenge Course finishers, and did so a whole 24 seconds faster than his runner-up.

This Austin Ninjas showdown has proven that anything is possible in the sport of Ninja, and the best of the best rise under the most amount of pressure. We can’t wait to see which athletes will rise to the occasion next as the Premier Series continues down under in Australia at The Compound! You can view the Premier Series schedule on the WNL Website and watch all divisions compete on the WNL YouTube!

Kane Casillas

Kane Casillas is the Global Facilities Representative for the World Ninja League, working with numerous Ninja communities across the globe. With a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Journalism, Kane is also the Head Reporter for the WNL, as well as the Lead Commentator. You can find Kane on social media, in the gym, or on the mic!