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Ninja's popularity in Central Pennsylvania mirrors growth across the country

Ninja Warrior Champion Daniel Gil was in Harrisburg to help grow the sport that's getting ready for the Olympics in 2028.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Lucas Pyne looks around Urban Playground in Harrisburg and reflects on how far he's come in the Ninja Program.

"I remember when I was younger, I could barely do a lot of these things.  When I first started, I didn't try as much.  I tried some things like going up that wall," recalled Pyne.

His experience is like anyone who ventures into a new sport, and what he does usually takes some explaining.

"When I first introduce it, I say, 'Have you ever watched this show American Ninja Warrior,' and then I go on from there," said Pyne.

Thomas Alquist, the co-owner of Urban Playground, led a ninja program at one gym where he watched the number of students go from one to 180.

"After that, I just wanted to do that for myself for the rest of my life.  So, I started looking around different places to open my own facility.  That's when I met my business partner who was doing the same thing.  We're like, 'Hey, let's let's do this together and let's start Urban Playground,'" said Alquist.

And the growth is not just seen in ninja warrior programs in Pennsylvania.

"Going from my humble beginnings of finding just one gym in my hometown, back in Houston that trained people for this sport, to now, seeing that there are almost 300 plus ninja gyms in the United States, part of my life and job is traveling and just building up the sport," said American Ninja Warrior Champion Daniel Gil.

Part of the reason Gil travels all over the world to talk about ninja is that he knows that lessons can be found on a course that can take many twists and turns, much like life.

"You can adapt and overcome any scenario and overcome any obstacle that you might face. Now, whether that's physical obstacles on a course or maybe even the emotional obstacles, like, disappointment or frustration that we all experience on and off the course, or even the mental obstacles," said Gil.  "I think the sport of ninja is a perfect sport for young people to develop, not only physical abilities but also become grounded as humans to have that mindset that whatever challenges they will face no matter how many times they will fall and fail, they can get back up, learn and grow."

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Even those at the highest stage of competition have also seen a future when it comes to obstacle course racing, as it's been added to the modern pentathlon in the 2028 Olympics.

"My first thought was, 'It's about time,'" recalled Gil.  "I mean not only is it one of the most exciting and fun sports to participate in, but also to watch.  It is so thrilling and so much fun for just the audiences that I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."

"I think it's really awesome especially because of the further timeline," added Alquist.  "It's really going to be that younger generation that can really start to prepare for it and go for that. In order to start to strive for something much bigger than it is now."

While their sports goals might grow in the long run, the chance to improve is right in front of them every day.

"We care about helping other people get strong," said Pyne.  "I'm really excited to keep doing this, keep having fun, and getting stronger."

   

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