One of the first lessons most kids learn is to never run with a sharp object.
Unless you’re a Ninja kid, in which case you’re taught how to run, jump and swing an axe!
Felicity Martin is St. Albert’s resident ninja kid, and she runs with axes and so much more!
Her journey into the world of Ninja training began at an astonishingly young age.
Felicity’s mother, Jonina, shares stories about how her daughter’s Ninja spirit emerged at nine months old when she somehow managed to escape from her caged-in crib.
At age three, her aspirations became crystal clear when Felicity formally declared she would become a Ninja.
Now, at just nine years old, no one can say she hasn’t achieved her goal.
Nine-Year-Old Ninja
At the Edmonton Expo Centre, Martin took home gold during the 2023 Canadian Ninja League National Finals at the end of November.
Felicity triumphed by conquering all eleven Ninja obstacles.
With infectious enthusiasm, she told the St. Albert Gazette, “I was like, oh my God, I actually did the whole course.”
Her excitement was warranted; Felicity was the only competitor from the Girls 6-8 category that successfully completed the gruelling challenge, which required hanging, jumping, swinging, climbing and running through the challenging course.
Most adults would have failed to do even one of these intense tasks, let alone eleven!
Martin’s preparation for this year’s Nationals involved hard work. She practiced and focused on skill development, “balancing” her after-school time between Ninja training and her regular soccer games.
On the day of the competition, Felicity, alongside her father, Jonathan, meticulously studied the course layout to better prepare for the competition.
The course featured a distinctive Canadian flavour, with maple leaves, hockey pucks, and hockey-stick-shaped swinging bars challenging the participants.
Ziplines, trapezes, midair ledge grabs, and an axe added complexity to the obstacles.
Martin completed the entire course in just four minutes!
“After hanging for so long, my hands were just done,” she said
The supportive community spirit within the sport shone during all the athletes’ performances.
Participants cheered loudly to keep each other going, even during the toughest hang-ups!
Felicity’s first-place finish earned her a trophy and the opportunity to compete in the 2024 World Ninja League Championships next summer. Wow!
While her plans for the upcoming world championship remain uncertain, Felicity expressed her aspiration to someday compete in American Ninja Warrior, the TV show that inspired the sport.
So, in a few years, you might see this girl from St Albert swinging across your TV!
Regardless, she represented the province superbly nationally, and we can’t wait to see where she heads next!
