Columbus-Area Teen Tackles the American Ninja Warrior Stage

While most 14-year-olds were getting into the groove of high school and worrying about their next test, Sydney Yee was preparing to film season 16 of American Ninja Warrior.

“The last couple of years, they've been starting to accept 15 year olds, so I've just been counting my time until I was 15 and able to apply, and then it turns out that last year I was able to,” Sydney said. “So, I sent in my application and then it got chosen.”

The show, which airs on NBC, is a competition built to push competitors' limits in every area including strength, stamina and focus. And getting accepted is no easy feat, especially when applying at the minimum age requirement.

“I would say the ninja community is probably one of the best communities out there. Everyone is just there to support you. They want you to get better and everyone's just so nice and kind. You get to meet so many great people through this sport. It's amazing,” Sydney said.

However, becoming a ninja did not happen overnight. Sydney and her brother Dylan have been fascinated by the show for as long as they can remember. Their mom is on the pharmacy team at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.

“They watched American Ninja Warrior when they were really young, and so they were trying to imitate the show and just climbing on the wall and just like on the banister and the doorways,” said Christina, Sydney’s mother.

Attempting to salvage their home from any collateral damage, Christina took both her kids to Movement Lab Ohio, where they could train in a dedicated and safe environment. Christina compared the gym community to her work family at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

“The most supportive and with cowbells and all,” she said. “You just can't describe the love that is in this group. This is a special, special group just like my work family. It's a special, special group."

After all the work, it's time for the big stage in California and Sydney taking on the ninja course. Sydney said this experience was very surreal and much different than training in one's home gym.

“It didn't really kick in yet that I was there until I stepped foot on the stage when I competed,” Sydney said. “That's when I was like ‘Oh, I'm actually gonna be the one competing. I’m not just there watching.’”

Not only did the S.L.Y. Ninja, S.L.Y. based on Sydney's initials, get through the qualifying round, she also moved through the semis and into the finals in Las Vegas, August 19 at 8pm on NBC. She shared words of gratitude for her parents helping her and her brother getting her this far. However, it was evident the hours spent driving her children to competitions was not a burden as Christina glowed with pride talking about her kids.

“I'm just so proud. She was beaming. She just loves it,” Christina said. “To see my daughter and hopefully my son, Dylan, going to run like that. Just that speaks more volume than anything. Because they're enjoying it, they're doing the moment. It is their dream come true. It is her dream come true.”

To keep up with Sydney's American Ninja Warrior journey, visit @the.sly.ninja on Instagram.

To listen to the full interview on The Wellness Conversation - An OhioHealth Podcast, click here.