Ten-year-old Hunter Hollingsworth of Springfield has secured a spot on the Australian team to compete in the Ultimate Ninja Athletic Association World Championships in Orlando, Florida in July.
She trains as part of the Elite Squad at Australian Warrior Fitness at North Gosford and finished in fifth place when she represented NSW at the Australian Ninja Games in January which qualified her for the Australia team at the 2023 World Ninja Championships.
Hunter started doing ninja when she was just six after her mother Sarah discovered that a dedicated ninja gym was opening in the area.
“Ever since Hunter could walk, she was climbing on everything, and for the past four years, she has lived and breathed ninja,” she said.
“Over the past 12 months, we have travelled across the country for her to take part in ninja competitions.
“We are proud of her hard work, perseverance and dedication to the sport and excited to support her at the World Ninja Games.”
Ninja is a growing sport globally and has the potential to be recognised as an official Olympic sport in years to come.
Hunter said her ultimate goal was to represent Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics when ninja could finally be recognised as an official Olympic sport.
“For now, I’m just looking forward to going to the US to compete alongside the best in the world to further develop my skills and represent Australia with absolute pride,” she said.
A fundraising page has been established via the Australian Sports Foundation website to help get Hunter to the US for the World Games in July.
All funds raised will support the Hollingsworth family with the costs of flights, accommodation, uniforms and other expenses.
To make a donation, head to asf.org.au/projects/support-hunter-hollingsworth.
Source:
Media release, Mar 22
Ninja World Cup Media
Congratulations Hunter on all your hard work. Congratulations also to all 16 Athletes from the Central Coast that have qualified to attend the UNAA world series finals in Orlando in July. The central coast dominated the NSW point score at the recent Australia Ninja Games and has amazing talent including three national champions, and several podium finishes. The future of the sport of ninja is bright.