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WNBA legend Tamika Catchings brings Ninja Warrior to basketball fans

She organized a Ninja night at a recent Indiana Fever game.

Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images

When WNBA legend and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings decided to try out American Ninja Warrior, she took the training and the experience seriously. Catchings ran the course at the Baltimore Qualifiers earlier this year, where she made it the Dangerous Curves.

But her love of the Ninja Warrior sport didn’t end with that run. Catchings played with the Indiana Fever for 15 seasons and is now the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the team. At their August 20 game against New York Liberty, she brought Ninja Warrior to the WNBA fans.

Catchings herself described setting up the Ninja night right on the court!

“In the 1st ever WNBA Indiana Fever Ninja night, the crowd that came to cheer for the home team also came ready to brave the Ninja courses set up by Train Yard 317 and Ninja Zone. Before tip off and at half time, a few hundred kids and some brave adults tested their skills on the courses and were able to come out victorious, whether through the obstacles or the mats below, at the end. Both courses set up tested the agility, upper body strength and balance through some super fun challenges.

It was an amazing time for me to share the courses with our future Ninjas. With the footage of my American Ninja Run playing on the big screen before the game, you could feel the anticipation and excitement. What an AWESOME night and an opportunity for us all to be ‘Ninjas’ for a night at a basketball game : ) I got to marry my love for basketball and my journey to a new sport under the same roof. I don’t know if many people can say that.”

As you can see from the picture above, the team’s mascot, Freddy, learned first hand that the course isn’t as easy as it looks sometimes. But check out all the little Ninjas who got to work conquering the obstacles!

Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images
Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images
Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images
Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images
Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images

The Indiana Fever did not win that night, but it was certainly a win for the fans. The event was such a great example of how Ninja Warrior transcends age and even sports. We LOVE that Catchings has the Ninja Warrior bug and it doesn’t seem to be just a passing fad for her. Let’s hope we see Catchings back on the course in season 12!

Also, if you need a little inspiration today, check out Catchings’ TED talk, which she also shared at the Ninja event.