General News
1 March, 2024
Teen heads to world titles
WITH a background in gymnastics and a seemingly natural ability to conquer obstacles, Alexander Cox looks set to compete in this year’s Ultimate Ninja World Series Championship Finals.
The Warrnambool teen will head to Anaheim, California in July to test his skills against some of the world’s best ‘warriors’ in the 2024 UNAA (Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association) World Series.
Having spent years training and competing as a gymnast, the transition to a Ninja athlete was a natural one for the Warrnambool College student.
Alexander has built his own course in the backyard of his family home and also has regular gym sessions to maintain his fitness.
“For years I’d been doing gymnastics before I went to an open play session at Hit Nation in Warrnambool and immediately I was hooked on it,” Alexander said.
“Being a Ninja athlete is challenging and that’s one thing I like about it; it’s fun to try new things and once you conquer an obstacle it’s pretty amazing.
“Some courses have eight obstacles and others have up to 16. For me, the most difficult one is the slack line which is pretty much a long, narrow ratchet strap that you have to run or walk across. That’s tricky.”
No new-comer to the big stage, Alexander last year travelled to Orlando where he competed in the FINA (Federation of International Ninja Athletics) world finals.
He performed extremely well and was placed 16th.
“It was head-to-head racing at Orlando which means you compete in pairs to see who can reach the furthest obstacle.
“That was an amazing experience and I’m hoping to improve on my results when I go to California.”
