110118 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

“With all her upper-body strength,
ninja training was a good fit,” said
Jessica, Long’s mom.
In fact, on the show, Long was
known as the “circus ninja.”
Parks recalled the ratio of boys to
girls in his age category was about
60 percent to 40 percent, and the
girls were just as aggressive as the
boys. Kamaka, Parks and Long did
not know each other before they
became junior ninjas, even though
they trained at the same gyms.
Now they are great friends and so
are their moms.
“Over the last number of years,
we have received an outpouring of
letters asking when is there going
to be a ninja show for kids,” said
Arthur Smith, executive producer
of the American Ninja Warrior
franchise. “People are going to be
amazed at how talented and dedicated
these young ninjas are.”
Young viewers make up the
Emmy-nominated program’s largest
fan base, all waiting to turn 19,
so they can compete on the adult
version of the show.
“American Ninja Warrior Junior
celebrates a kid-centric movement
that everyone can be part of and
enjoy together,” said Deirdre
Brennan, general manager of
Universal Kids. “It will encourage
and inspire kids to push their limits
and not shy away from challenges.”
Training to become ninja warriors
is now the hottest thing in
workout circles, with programs for
both adults and children. There
are two gyms in Orlando that focus
on this kind of endurance training
— Obstacle Ninja Academy
on Lakehurst Drive and NinjaFit
Gym on Orange Blossom Trail. In
addition to general workout equipment,
the gyms are equipped with
rigs set up to duplicate some, but
not all, of the iconic ninja warrior
obstacles. Sonic Swing, Tic Toc,
Spin Cycle and the Warped Wall
are all signature courses on the
program. The gyms train members
to compete on the ninja circuit and
even sent Jason, one of their trainers,
to Los Angeles to work with
Central Florida’s local competitors
during the tapings. Each child was
also assigned a professional, on-set
mentor who provided motivation
and encouragement.
The competitors are not permitted
to divulge the outcome of the
show, which taped 20 episodes.
They and their parents are permitted,
however, to discuss the
upcoming season.
Heather, Kamaka’s mom, recalls
the whirlwind August days in a Los
Angeles studio filled with photo
shoots, taping footage and conducting
interviews in front of green
screens.
“The producers were always
wrangling the kids,” she said.
When asked if she feels like a
celebrity, Long said, “a little bit.”
Kamaka said that classmates at his
school have been seen pointing
and heard saying, “Hey, there’s the
ninja kid.”
It wasn’t just about the competition.
These junior ninjas say the
friendships they made are another
important part of the memorable
experience. Now, the three younger
ninjas train and travel to competitions
together and see others they
met from across the country. They
provide support for each other.
Their moms make sure the preteens
have opportunities to socialize
together, as well.
“We want them also to have fun,”
Heather said. “It’s not just about
competing.”
The tweens all said they look forward
to competing against each
other again in seven years. That
is when they will be old enough to
appear on the original, adult version
of American Ninja Warrior.
The popular competition program,
which was nominated for three
Emmys this year, is based on the
global hit Sasuke, which is now in
its 35th season in Japan.
Although American Ninja Warrior
Junior premiered three weeks ago,
there are still several episodes left.
Viewers can watch the show on
the Universal Kids cable network
Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. Then
watch and cheer for the hometown
junior ninjas!
For more information, visit www.universalkids.com. ª
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