Sydney's Ninja Warrior Adventure

Mensa member Sydney Yee’s eyes light up when asked about ninja training.

She discovered the evolving sport at the tender age of 4, and by age 8, her fascination had blossomed into a full-blown passion. Training locally at Movement Lab Ohio, she has emerged as one of the top ninja competitors in her age group. At 15, she stands as one of the youngest female athletes invited to compete on American Ninja Warrior, which airs on NBC and Peacock.

For Sydney, every obstacle in ninja training is a lesson in resilience and determination. The sport has been a powerful teacher, instilling in her the drive to push through challenges. These lessons, learned on the course, have a ripple effect, empowering her in other areas of her life.

Qualifying rounds continue in Los Angeles on the world’s most challenging obstacle course. The competition is bigger than ever with two different qualifying courses and the return of the epic 18.5-foot Mega Warped Wall.

Balancing Training, School, and More

Time management is key for Sydney. She strategically completes her schoolwork during or immediately after school, leaving afternoons free for ninja warrior training and other enjoyable activities like reading. That way, she can excel in both her academic and athletic pursuits without feeling overwhelmed.

When not training or studying, Sydney loves to get creative with Canva, designing T-shirts focusing on her love for ninja training. It’s a creative and personal connection to her passion for the sport.

The Excitement of Filming

For Sydney, being on set with American Ninja Warrior was a significant step in her journey. The NBC crew visited her hometown in September, and she had the opportunity to showcase her daily life, from ninja training to orchestra practice to track and field to scouts. (Sydney was the first female scout in their local Boy Scout chapter.)

Sydney's not alone on her ninja quest. She and her brother Dylan train together, inspiring each other to reach new heights. It's a supportive and fun dynamic. “Whenever Dylan completes a part of the course I haven’t, it makes me work harder to get it, too,” Sydney says.

Mom: ‘Have fun!’

Mom Christina Yee’s motto is simple: "Run the course and have fun." She believes in kids staying true to themselves and enjoying the journey. “We feel so blessed and are super grateful for these amazing opportunities,” Christina says.

Her advice to parents: Let your kids be authentic and pursue what they love.

Sydney's journey reflects that approach. It’s about balancing her training with school and other interests, and staying true to herself and learning from every challenge. As she continues to chase her dreams, she hopes to inspire other young athletes to do the same.

Sydney and Dylan are members of Columbus Area Mensa and of the Mensa Honor Society.

The Mensa Honor Society is open to Young Mensans grades 10–12. The ideals of the Mensa Honor Society are integrity, intellectual curiosity, academic commitment, and service.