Springfield Student To Compete On ‘American Ninja Warrior Junior’

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — It has always been a dream of Springfield local Kira Hoffer to compete on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” since she started watching the show three years ago. Yet due to her age she would have to wait before she was old enough to compete.

“I’ve always wanted to go on the show,” Kira, 12, said. “It was annoying that I would have to wait for so long and have to keep training continue being good at this.”

That changed when the show announced a spin-off “American Ninja Warrior Junior” which airs at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 on the cable station Universal Kids.

This was Hoffer’s chance to shine.

Hoffer’s father, Ben, constructed a course in their backyard with obstacles including the quintuple steps, peg board, cannonball alley, rings and more. He also made a rock wall in their attic.

“I always liked climbing and jumping around and I can’t do it in school or anywhere else so I was excited to be able to do it now,” Kira said.

Kira was among the few accepted as a contestant where almost 200 Junior Ninjas from across the United States faced off on a six-obstacle course, according to the press release from Universal Kids.

She and her family flew to Los Angeles, California to film the show back in July yet she is not allowed to discuss the specifics or the results.

“Being on the show is a great experience for Kira,” Kira’s dad Ben said. “Since we're Modern Orthodox Jews, Kira dresses modestly and competes in a skirt so it's also a great opportunity for other religious young kids to see that you don't have to compromise on your commitment to your religious beliefs in order to compete at an elite level. Ninja warrior is also a fascinating sport where, although it seems like an individual competition, it's much more of a team environment where every competitor wants each other to succeed.”

Kira made lots of friends with similar interests while filming and is continuing to train to get stronger to keep competing.

She also shared that she didn’t expect any of the obstacles that were on the course and had never seen them in real life — only on TV. But she still had fun.

For Saturday, Kira is having a viewing party with family and friends to watch her debut on the show.

Watch Kira practice on a rock wall her dad made for her in their home attic and at a local gym.

(Images and video via Ben Hoffer: Kira Hoffer)

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