A Coweta County athlete has taken gold at the USA Ninja Challenge National Championship, proving that dedication, grit, and a weekly drive across counties can lead to big victories.
Daniel Sullivan of Senoia trains at USA Ninja Challenge in Carrollton. Each week, his family makes the trip so he can practice, building the strength and skill needed to compete at a national level. That commitment paid off in a major way when he traveled to Houston, Texas, to compete in the 14U Beginner division at nationals and returned home as champion.
The Texas competition was unlike anything he had experienced locally. Smaller gyms and fewer obstacles had marked earlier events, but nationals featured a much larger and more complex course. Athletes competed in a points based format, earning one point for each completed obstacle, with some obstacles worth two points, one for reaching the halfway mark and one for full completion. The course total was a maximum of 16 possible points and included a mix of balance, jumping, swinging, and traversing elements. Final rankings were determined by total points, with fastest time serving as the tiebreaker.
Daniel did more than just finish. He was the only competitor in his division to Flash the course, meaning he earned a perfect 16 out of 16 points and recorded the fastest time. In his age group, there were three athletes competing, and Daniel was the only one representing Georgia.
Even more impressive, his score and time would have earned him first place in the 17U division as well. In that older group, the first place finisher completed 15 obstacles in 2:08. Daniel completed all 16 obstacles in 2:04, a performance that showcased not only precision but speed under pressure.
The course demanded both upper body strength and technical precision. Obstacles included a swinging ladder traverse, a fingertip ledge traverse, a ring slide, multiple Lache moves, and technical transitions from ropes to rings to ledges, all culminating in a 14 foot rope climb. By the time athletes reached the rope, their arms were already fatigued.
One of the most challenging sections featured off center rings that caused trouble for several competitors. Daniel made a bold choice. Rather than taking the standard approach, he attempted a long distance Lache to a trapeze bar, followed immediately by another Lache to a large Texas star. He completed both successfully, saving precious time and leaving only the rope climb between him and a perfect score.
His mother, Dena Sullivan, described just how emotional the experience was. “Daniel was so nervous, and I’m so proud of him,” she said. “He told me, ‘I’ve never done some of these obstacles before.’ I told him, just do your best. That’s all you can do. And he did, and he nailed it.”
The rope climb proved to be one of the toughest moments of the run. Daniel later admitted just how demanding that final obstacle felt. “Once I finished the whole thing, I was so glad for those knots on the rope,” Dena Sullivan said, recalling his reaction. At first he worried the knots might slow him down, but by the end they were a welcome relief. “My arms were like jelly.”
Daniel’s journey into ninja training began with a love of climbing, running, and pushing limits. After watching Ninja Warrior on television, he became eager to try it himself. His family searched for local options and found USA Ninja Challenge in Carrollton shortly after it opened. A free trial class sealed the deal.
“My child has always liked to climb, run, and jump, and just do things that scared me half to death,” Dena Sullivan shared.
Though he trains once a week, the focused sessions emphasize upper body strength, grip endurance, agility, and technique. That consistent work, along with the support of coaches Robby and Millie Adams, prepared him for the national stage. The night before competition, Robby met with the athletes to review course footage and walk them through strategies step by step.
“Robby was so kind the night before,” Dena Sullivan said. “They all watched the video together, and he walked them through it step by step, giving them tips. It was very helpful.”
USA Ninja Challenge Carrollton is part of a national program that offers structured ninja training for kids and teens, focusing on obstacle skills, confidence building, and overall athletic development in a fun and supportive environment. The Carrollton gym shares updates, athlete highlights, and program information on Facebook and Instagram, and families can learn more about classes, camps, and competitions through the gym’s official website.
From weekly drives between Senoia and Carrollton to a flawless performance in Houston, Daniel Sullivan’s gold medal finish highlights the power of perseverance, smart decision making, and strong community support. For one Coweta County family, the miles traveled were more than worth it.
USA Ninja Challenge Carrollton is located at 1561 Highway 27 South Unit B-1.
