Two Stonewall teenagers pushed themselves through the ultimate strength, balance and speed competition on Nov. 17.
Maiya Krahn (14) and Shiloh Steyn-Nagorski (13) recently attended the Ninja Warrior Stage 1 Qualifier at Serratus Movement Centre (SMC) in Winnipeg, and they both did exceptionally well.
Krahn and Steyn-Nagorski placed second and third in the 13/14 Level 4 Ninja division.
The young ninjas both trained at SMC and were thrilled to attend the first competition of the season.
“The competition went really well,” said Krahn. “I placed second overall in the whole competition and first in the strength course and second in the speed course.”
After discovering the SMC online, Krahn fell in love with Ninja Warrior four years ago. “Ever since I was young, I always enjoyed climbing on stuff. When I found out that there was a gym that offers this kind of sport, I just instantly fell in love.”
She now trains five to six hours a week, explaining that the training time varies depending on how sore her muscles are after each practice.
“I normally start with a warm up and some stretches. Then my coaches will put out some challenges for me to try and get. Sometimes I get them really easily, and others I have to work harder for. But that’s what I really like about ninja. You can push yourself to the limits and you can make everything as difficult or as easy as you want. It is a really competitive environment to be the best, but at the same some everyone is just one big team.”
Tribune Photos Submitted
Both girls like to focus their training sessions on strength exercises, but they acknowledge the importance of balance in ninja training.
“Balance is one of the key things most people forget about in the sport,” said Krahn.
Steyn-Nagorski added that parkour also requires a lot of balance.
After seeing American Ninja Warrior on television, she started her ninja training at SMC almost five years ago.
“I was always watching the show when I was younger on T.V. and I always thought it was really cool. I then had my birthday party at SMC and have been in love with the sport ever since.”
At her first competition of the year, Steyn-Nagorski had a great time. “SMC competitions are always wonderful. I got third place and I love how everyone there is just like one great big family. My highlight of the competition was probably in the strength course. I failed the first attempt, but in the redemption round I got it first try.”
It was at this moment that Steyn-Nagorski learned a lesson.
“If you fail, get up and try again. You are not a bad ninja if you don’t get it on your first try.”
At the Ninja Warrior Stage 1 Qualifier, ninjas tried to qualify for Canada Ninja League Regionals in Quebec and British Columbia. The top five competitors from Stage 1 move on to Stage 2, and then the top three ninjas at Stage 2 qualify for Regionals.
“At Regionals, the top 10 qualify for Nationals, and then from Nationals the top 15 qualify for the World Ninja League Worlds,” explained Steyn-Nagorski.
She also explained that a typical ninja competition is pretty straightforward. “You start with a walk through of the course. This is the first time that you will see the obstacles and you do not get trial run so you only have one chance. You only have a couple of minutes to visualize the course before it is your turn to compete.”
She also added that competitors are grouped by age, gender, and skill level. “There are five levels with five being the most advanced level. I am currently in level four working towards level five. There is no one currently at SMC in level five. It requires a lot more commitment, dedication, and at home strength conditioning.”
When the girls are up on the ninja stage, they both feel a sense of excitement and nerves.
“I am very nervous when I get up there, but as soon as I start doing the obstacles the nerves just go away because really, the worth thing that could happen is failing an obstacle. But, that is okay because sometimes you just have a bad day,” said Steyn-Nagorski.
Stonewall’s young ninjas’ goal is to qualify for the Ninja World Championships for the second time after qualifying in 2023.
Krahn hopes to improve her ninja skills by qualifying for the Premier Ninja Series. “The Premier Series is one level higher than worlds,” she added.
The next competition for the Stonewall ninjas is set for the end of February. They will compete in Stage 2 of the Ninja Warrior Qualifier.
In the meantime, they will both dedicate a lot of their time to training and coaching other junior ninjas.
