PEREZ WINS NINJA WORLD TITLE, FLORES TAKES SILVER

PRESS RELEASE – Katrina Perez, Guam Ninja Association President, announced that Guahan Ninja Warrior, Deren Perez, dominated the Master’s Division at the Obstacle Sports Expo 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 11-16 July. The annual event combines 3 ninja/obstacle course racing championships into a large expo and draws the world’s best ninja athletes. Twenty Guam and Guma i Sindalu Siha Ninja Gym athletes competed in this year’s expo, making this contingent the largest ever sent.  

Perez won a gold medal at the Federation of International Ninja Athletics (FINA) World Championships in the Ninja Speed Course, placed 4^th in the Ninja Endurance Course, earned silver medals in the Ninja vs Ninja Race Course and Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) course, and a bronze medal in the USA Ninja World Cup speed course. Perez was also awarded the FINA silver medal for overall Masters performance. 

Perez, who is also the team’s coach, had 6 of his athletes earn world-finals qualifying spots, a marked improvement from last year’s championships when 2 athletes earned spots in the world finals.  

American Ninja Warrior athlete, Rai “King Rai” Flores, earned a silver medal in the Amateur Division of the UNAA world championship course, taking Guam’s medal count to  7. Flores, who was 10^th going into the world finals, knew he had to put his foot on the accelerator to earn a medal, “My brother, Luca, told me that I needed to go big to get on the podium, and I really went for it during the finals.” Flores was also a finalist in the USA Ninja World Cup speed course.  

Up and coming ninja athlete, competing in the U13 age group, Malakai Graniel, earned a coveted spot in the UNAA world finals for the first time.  Graniel was extremely excited to meet celebrity Ninja athletes, like the world-famous Ninja Kidz and world champion Luke Beckstrand. “I really enjoyed competing and meeting all of these famous ninja athletes. I was so happy to make the world finals, and I can’t wait to come back next year and get on the podium!”

Dylan Baker also competed in the UNAA Amateur Division and was among the top 15 to advance to the world championship final round.  Baker said: “I really love our Guam Ninja community. We trained hard for this year’s championships, and I could not have pushed myself as hard if I was not surrounded by my friends and family. I owe so much to Guam and this team and I cannot wait to continue training and competing in this awesome sport.”  

Former American Ninja Warrior competitor, Dr. Sarah Chang advanced to the world finals championship round in the UNAA course and USA Ninja World Cup speed course. Dr. Chang appeared on Season 13 of the show and is working to return to the show next season.

One of the team’s youngest competitors, 7-year old Eileen Kelly, competed in 6 different events, earning world championship finals spots in the UNAA Course and the USA Ninja World Cup speed course.  An exhausted Kelly stated, “I love Ninja and had so much fun, but I am really tired!”          

The team contingent also included:

Xzavia Espina

Luca Flores

Nico Flores

Aaron Goldan

Amelia Goldan

Wyatt Goldan

Tate Huynh

Jordan Kelly

Sidika Kelly

Sebastien Leddy 

John Reyes

Joann Salas

Jacob Schwalbach

Zell Umagat

Perez, a pioneer for Ninja sport in the region brought the sport to Guam 4 years ago and opened the first ninja gym, Guma i Sindalu Siha, with his wife Katrina last year.   

Perez’s daughter, Joann “Joann the Man” Salas who is an athlete and coach as well, said, “I am so proud of how much our ninja community has grown!  I am proud of all the athletes and how far they have come.”