The Premier Series went overseas for the first time.
The WNL Premier Series decided to take its success internationally and hosted a qualifier in Australia. The host gym, Ninja Academy Perth, is known for hosting many large Australian Ninja events, including the finals of the WNL’s partner the Ninja Challenge League. Once again, the gym was set for a big stage, and the athletes delivered when it counted. Read on for our recap!
The Sweeps
The smaller field of competitors didn’t stop big showings from our Ninjas. It all kicked off with Dion Joyce, who swept both the Placement and Challenge Courses in the Kids Male Division. Joyce was followed by Nico Zandona in the Mature Kids Male Division, Joshua Joyce in the Teen Male Division and Millie Baker in the Teen Female Division.
The Whitbys Take The W
The other two sweeps in the event were by siblings Jai and Kahri Whitby. Jai took the Preteen Male Division by storm, beating out second place in the Placement Course by ten seconds. Not long after, Jai claimed the fastest time on the Challenge Course by a commanding thirty seconds. Those strong runs cemented his spot in the Finals.
Kahri also swept the Amateur Female Division. After clinching the fastest time to the fifth obstacle on the Placement Course, Kahri made a strong showing on the Challenge Course. Towards the final three obstacles, Kahri was running out of steam. Nevertheless, Kahri fought her way to the buzzer to become the only finisher in her division on the Challenge Course.
The War On The Course
There were a few divisions that did not have four competitors in them. This changed the rules of qualification for Finals. In order to qualify for the Finals, athletes would have to beat the first three obstacles on the Challenge Course.
The Challenge Course, however, provided many shocks. While the sole Kids Female competitor Lilla Bovari clinched her spot in Finals, Elite Female competitor Claire Butterfield did not share the same fate. Angelina Carey of the Preteen Female Division was the only athlete in her division to qualify, while the other two of her fellow competitors did not join her. And while Elite Male Daniel Watermann dominated the Challenge Course, the same could not be said for Amateur Male competitor Darren Baker, who made a shocking exit and will not be advancing to Finals.
With incredible action across the globe, the Premier Series will now return to the United States for their fourth qualifier at Austin Ninjas. Congratulations to all of our athletes who qualified for Finals!
