Farmersville Lights 300 x 250

Local man competing as an American Ninja Warrior

by | May 23, 2018 | Latest

Wylie residents may recognize a neighbor, or hear a reference to their community, when the television show American Ninja Warriors airs an episode that was filmed at Fair Park in Dallas. The episode will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, on NBC.

Competing for a chance to advance to the national ANW competition in Las Vegas, Nev., was Elliott Joliette, a 32-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative who lives in Wylie.

Joliette explained that ninja warrior competitions are held all over the country apart from the television show. It is it’s own sport.

“It’s something I wish I had picked up earlier,” the Wylie resident said. “It’s not as easy as it looks. You have to continuously train.”

Growing up in Houston, Joliette played basketball and ran track in high school, and played intramural sports while earning a degree in finance at the University of North Texas. He picked up the ninja warrior sport about four years ago after watching an ANW episode on television.

“I thought, I could do what they were doing,” the athlete recalled.

He started looking for gyms to start training and found one in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that allowed adjusts to participate in ninja specific routines—now there are 10 gyms in the area. Joliette trains at Ninja Nation in Frisco.

Workouts mix tackling obstacles, rock climbing, cardiovascular exercises, calisthenics and anything that helps to build core and grip strength.

“It’s one of the best workouts. You don’t use weights. You use your bodyweight,” he said.

The ANW television show takes place once a year, with episodes filmed across the country airing over several weeks. Jolliette and other athletes in the sport compete more often at a number of gymnasiums.

Joe Reavis • [email protected]

For the full story see the May 23 issue or subscribe online.

Best of 2025 Leaderboard

0 Comments

Subscribe RH Love

Related News

Local pantry to host gala

Local pantry to host gala

Sachse’s 5 Loaves Food Pantry is going “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” to host its annual fundraising gala next month. The event, set for Saturday, March 8, will feature dinner, live music and an auction to support the pantry’s programs and the development of the Beacon...

read more
JROTC cadets perform at annual competition

JROTC cadets perform at annual competition

Wylie High and Wylie East cadets join for a group picture along with other JROTC cadets. Courtesy Wylie ISD AFJROTC Wylie East High School hosted its annual JROTC competition last week, marking 12 years of bringing together cadets from across the region to showcase...

read more
Brown House displays two new exhibits

Brown House displays two new exhibits

Disguises are on display in The Brown House’s new exhibit about the lady detectives of the Pinkerton Agency. The deeds of Kate Warne and other “Lady Pinks” are brought to life through props and posters throughout the room. Visitors can try on costumes and decode...

read more
Order photos