LIBERTY – Eighth grader Zackary Alvord competed in the World Ninja League again this year, popularized by the American Ninja Warrior television program. His years of dedication and training led him to a first place finish in the New England region and a 18th place finish at Worlds.

Zack’s love for the sport began when he was just five years old when he watched the show and tried to emulate it by climbing on anything and everything that he could. From “spider climbing” down the hallway to monkey bars on the playground and even an especially climbable tree in his grandma’s yard.

In his first competition back in 2017, Zack finished in third place and qualified for nationals, which he would go on to finish 4th in the nation at just eight years old.

“We called him a ‘lone ninja’ because by that point many of the other competitors had gyms and trained with coaches, but we had nothing.”

 After a while, the Alvord family found the High Exposure gym in New Jersey, where he received an invitation to train and be part of a team at a gym in Northvale, NJ, just over an hour from home.

On top of the World Ninja League, Zack is also a three-sport athlete in Liberty as well as a 97 average student. Despite the traveling around the northeast and the time commitment of school sports, being able to keep a near-perfect average is no small feat.

However for Zack, he enjoys the challenge.

“Sometimes going to practice can be challenging. I play three sports and travel baseball. I’m very busy so sometimes I just want to relax but my mom reminds me about Ninja practice. I’m glad she does, because every time I go I remember how much I love the sport and wish I could go more often,” Zack explained. “Many of my competitors and teammates are practicing multiple times a week, so I have to work extra hard to keep up.”

That hard work and determination has landed him in the top spot of the New England region and 18th in the Teen Boys division at worlds.

“Ninja is fun and has been a part of my life for so long,” Zack said. “I can’t remember a time without it, and I cannot imagine it not being a part of my life.”