Local Ninja Set to Take on World

9-year old Sebastian Robotin qualified for the World Finals, set for April, in the National Ninja League

 Sebastian Robotin, a nine-year-old who attends Gildersleeve Elementary, is a fast rising Ninja Warrior who recently qualified for the World Finals in the National Ninja League (NNL). 
           
The young ninja competed at the Regional Championships at Centercourt in Lawrence, New Jersey on Feb. 13. His performance qualified him for the World Finals in North Carolina this spring. He is currently the #13 ranked ninja in the New England region and #15 ranked in the world in his age group (9-10 years old). 
           
Last year, while competing in the 6-8 age division, he was #1 Ninja in the World, according to the points standing. He also competed in the FINA (Federation of International Ninja Athletics) World Finals in October 2021 in Buffalo, NY, coming in 2nd in the world for speed and 3rd for endurance in his age group.
           
Robotin is also a climber and competed in the USA Climbing Region 91 regionals in New York City, finishing 8th overall in a deep field, featuring kids 6-11 years old. 
           
Climbing is a major aspect of competing in the NNL, which combines strength, flexibility, agility, and speed as participants navigate through a series of obstacles. The sport was made famous by the American Ninja Warrior, which has been broadcast on NBC television since 2012.      
           
Robotin became immediately attracted to the exhilarating sport while watching the show and began to train in Windsor. Once he started competing, he quickly moved up the ranks thanks to his background in rock climbing and additional training in gymnastics and parkour.
           
He now trains at a state-of-the-art gym in Danbury and constantly works on his craft at home. The family home in Portland has a training gym inside and an outside training course, equipped with many of the challenges he faces on professional courses. 
           
His mom, Monica Robotin, said that he son would practice all day if he could, adding, “the ninja life is his life.” 
               
​The World Games are slated to take place at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC on the first weekend in April, 1-3.