This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Warrior Playground, 2415 Wedgewood Ave., will host the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association’s (UNAA) Mountain States Regional Qualifier on Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at their Longmont gym. The event will have around 100 competitors, with Colorado’s own Jake Murray aiming for his 2nd title in the past three years and Warrior Playground’s owner, Sam Banola, aiming for the Championship Title in the Over 40 age group.
The popularity of the TV show American Ninja Warrior has started a grassroots movement that has revolutionized the fitness industry and created the sport Ninja Obstacle Course (NOC). In 2016 Warrior Playground opened, giving fans of the show and local athletes the opportunity to hone their ninja skills.
The Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association is a corporation that promotes and organizes a nationwide series of NOC competitions. They have Area Qualifiers, Regional Qualifiers and an Ultimate Ninja Championship Final with large cash payouts. A Regional Qualifier competition has been held at Warrior Playground the past two years. With the gym and UNAA’s growth and popularity, this year’s Regional Qualifier promises to be bigger and better than ever, and the stakes are high. The National Championship prize money is over $35,000. The top three finishers in each age/gender category at the Mountain States Regional Qualifier will go on to compete at the UNAA National Championship Finals.
The UNAA Mountain States Regional Qualifier is $60 to enter as a competitor. Age categories include: Youth (ages 7-13), Teen (ages 14-17), Adult (ages 18+) and Adult (ages 40+). If you would like to watch all the fun, tickets are just $5 (free for children under 12 and Warrior Playground members). If you are interested in competing in or attending this event, please click here.
Warrior Playground is one of Colorado’s largest and most extensive obstacle course training facilities with a 10,000 square-foot, outdoor, obstacle course offering programs for kids and adults that makes fitness fun for all. Many of the obstacle course features are based on the American Ninja Warrior TV show – they have a Warped Wall, Jumping Spider, Salmon Ladder and many more obstacles where you can test your talent and train to be a warrior.
Warrior Playground, 2415 Wedgewood Ave., offers classes starting at age 6, as well as teen and adult classes, private lessons, customized classes, boot camps, summer camp programs, special events and competitions throughout the year and private/birthday party rentals. The playground is a part of Grit Fitness Center, also at this location. Grit Fitness is a 5,000 square foot facility offering personal training, bootcamp classes and fitness center memberships.
For more information about Warrior Playground and/or the UNAA Mountain States Regional Qualifier competition, call (862) 324-1532 or visit warriorplayground.com.
