Ninja Warriors in Malta

Photos provided.

MALTA — If you are a fan of the NBC hit television show, American Ninja Warrior, The Saratoga Ninja Lab was the place to be this past weekend.

Athletes young and old, from as far away as Canada, descended on a warehouse in Malta, NY in their quest to reach the winner’s podium and earn a spot at the National Ninja League World Championships in February. More than 150 competitors swung, climbed, jumped and hung their way through a series of challenging obstacles which tested their strength, agility and balance.

This was the first National Ninja League (NNL) competition to take place in our region. 

“It was a big honor for the Saratoga Ninja Lab to be a designated NNL gym” said Ninja Lab co-owner Dan Kirchner. 

“We put a lot of work into the gym, and this competition, and it paid off,” Kirchner continued.

While competition was at the forefront, comradery and teamwork stood out throughout the entire weekend. 

“The kids and the adults really support each other” said Bryce Bouchard, team coach at the Saratoga Ninja Lab.

 “We’ve created a really positive atmosphere at the Lab, and the Ninja community as a whole is a tightknit group. I am really proud of the growth, both personally and physically of all the kids on the competition team,” Bouchard stated.

The Saratoga Ninja Lab opened to local fanfare in August 2018. Building on their initial success, the Ninja Lab team opened their second location this past summer in Crossgate Commons in Albany. Both gyms offer classes, birthday parties, team training, theme nights, open gyms, competitions and private events.

To learn more, go to: SaratogaNinjaLab.com