Fifteen ninjas from the Obstacle Course Racing School at Tuggerah will compete in the 2024 Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association World Series Championship finals in Anaheim, California, in July.
All 15 athletes train under the experienced guidance of Head Coach Mick Gleeson, who is extremely proud of how much dedication and hard work each ninja has demonstrated in the lead-up to the world championships.
He looks forward to watching them all represent Australia on the world stage, with the championships consisting of five events from July 24-28.
Returning athletes from 2023, Amy Gorton and Skye Warkotz will compete.
Gorton, 18, will be hoping to defend her fifth-place finish in the UNAA World Series finals and Warkotz, 16, will be putting up a fierce fight to uphold her fourth place finish in the FINA World Cup.
Also competing will be Melody O’Donoghue, 11, and Mitchell Townend, 15, returning to the 2024 World Championships after their strong performances in 2023.
Eleven athletes will make their debut appearance in 2024 include oldest competitor Stephen Mortimer, 44, who will be joined on the world stage by daughter Abbie Mortimer, 15.
Also among the competitors will be mother and daughter duo, Sheri Thomson, 41, and Hannah Thomson, 14, plus a sibling trio of Joshua Chown, 15, Malachi Chown, 12, and Amariah Chown, 10.
Young competitors Pippa Miller, 8, Charlotte de Melo, 8, and Zara Waldon, 9, will also make their first appearance along with Ella Salmon, 17, who began her ninja journey just 18 months ago.
The Obstacle Course Racing School at Tuggerah is a safe and fun place for all fitness levels from beginners to elite athletes.
It offers six levels of children’s classes from age three upwards, specialised classes for those with additional needs, adult classes and private training sessions.
Head Coach Gleeson is an obstacle racing specialist with more than 12 years’ experience racing and training in the obstacle course racing world.