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The 2017 Rockford Ninja Warrior event is underway in Grand Rapids, MI at the DeltaPlex. The huge annual gathering features many of the American Ninja Warrior competitors and gives them a chance to train little Ninjas and compete for prize money in a professional competition.
Judging by Grant McCartney’s Instagram post, it seems like the Ninja Warriors are pretty excited about the event. But, you know, they’re keeping it subtle.
The event kicked off on Tuesday, August 8 with the youth camps. Adults will have their shot at training with elite Ninjas on Thursday. Then, things really heat up over the weekend with the amateur and professional competitions.
So far, it looks like it’s a pretty incredible experience for those attending. Here’s Drew Drechsel just casually flipping around.
These little Ninjas are pumped for some one on one time with Ryan Stratis!
It’s got the vibe of a Ninja Warrior family reunion.
Day one is in the bag already and everyone is having a great time learning directly from their heroes.
Over the weekend, the competitions will get started. The list of American Ninja Warriors tackling the professional competition is serious business. Here are just some of the names of who’ll be running. (You can find the full list of competitors here.)
- Adam Rayl
- Allyssa Beird
- Daniel Gil
- Drew Drechsel
- Ethan Swanson
- Evan Dollard
- Grant McCartney
- Ian Dory
- Jake Murray
- James McGrath
- Jamie Rahn
- Jesse Labreck
- Joe Moravsky
- Karsten Williams
- Kevin Bull
- Michelle Warnky
- Nick Hanson
- Ryan Stratis
If you’re in the area, you can still get tickets to watch the competition live, which sounds pretty darn cool to us.
Here’s the official info about the event:
“The Fourth Annual Rockford Ninja Warrior brings the power of the global Ninja Community together in West Michigan with one power-packed event of overcoming obstacles and giving back. This family-friendly, six-day event beginning Tuesday, August 8 brings in 30+ professional ninjas from the popular television show American Ninja Warrior to connect people of all ages with youth resources, fitness training and competitions for improved wellness. This year's activities take place at the DeltaPlex Arena & Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. As a nonprofit organization, Rockford Ninja Warrior donates all event proceeds toward local to global youth development programs.”