There are no obstacles in the way of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) Barbados Ninja Throwdown 2025 which has this year attracted more than 220 participants, including some from as far as Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Back for its ninth edition, the intense obstacle race is scheduled for August 16 and 17 at Featherbed Lane in St John.
At Tuesday’s media launch at the Wildey Gymnasium, organisers confirmed that “ninjas” from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong will flock to Barbados for the throwdown which has become a staple on the sports calendar as it continues to grow its reach and attract major sponsors.
Registered competitors, including international athletes, will test their strength and speed in various male and female categories such as Elite, Masters, Adult, Young Adult, Teen, Preteen, Mature Kids and Kids.
Men’s and women’s Elite champions will earn US$5 000 (BDS$10 000) for their exploits, while children as young as six years old will showcase their skills in the kids sections.
Founder of Barbados Ninja Throwdown Delano Hinds and obstacle course designer Perry Oosterlee announced ten “brand new” obstacles including the Star Fish Slider, Tik Tok, Hackleton’s Pole Vault, Palm Tree Swing, and the Green Monkey Trap.
Athletes will not only have to showcase their physical prowess, but also their intelligence and speed as the spoils go to those who complete the course in the fastest times.
Global ninja warriors usually dominate the competition; however, Hinds highlighted the local talent, particularly the athletes he expects to be the strongest local contenders.
“I would probably say Brook Miller. He was training in Canada, and he was training Canadian athletes that would have competed at Canadian Ninja League competitions or other competitions in Canada and the US. He is in the Masters division this year and he coaches, so he has a lot of passion behind it,” said Hinds of Miller, last year’s runner-up in the Young Masters 40+ division.
“There are others that are coming up. We have Shervid Sandiford as well, sisters Leila and Gabrielle Russell, brother and sister Ezra and Addie Sikkens, Mateo Antoine and Taj Gittens as well. We [Barbados] have a range of competitors across the divisions which is great to see.”
Canada will be well represented on the course and High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados Her Excellency Brenda Wills will be in support.
“I am really looking forward to having those 40 Canadian athletes participating and I will be there to cheer them on as they compete in what is going to be an excellent international event next month. It is a very impressive group of Canadians that are coming. We have got world champions, Canadian champions and I wish them the very best, and all the other athletes in their final preparations as they gear up for that August 16th, 17th weekend,” said Wills who became the new High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados last September.
“The growth that you have witnessed over the years is truly incredible, and I hope that the Canadian contingent continues to grow. I look forward to being at the event as a spectator along with my children who are aspiring young little ‘ninjas’.”
BTMI CEO Andrea Franklin underscored her office’s commitment to the development of sports tourism on the island.
“As we continue to diversify our tourism offerings, we remain committed to nurturing a vibrant and sustainable sports tourism sector. This kind of expansion is precisely what demonstrates the tremendous potential of sports tourism to drive economic activity. With a robust sports calendar for 2025, we are seeing more travellers choosing Barbados for our renowned tropical allure, but more importantly for the spirit of sport,” she said.
“In 2024 over 12 140 visitors travelled to Barbados specifically to attend or participate in sporting events and this serves as the resounding affirmation that our strategic investment in this sector is yielding tangible results, and that the future of Barbados as the premier destination for international sporting events is exceptionally promising,” she added.
rohansonnwaithe@barbadostoday.bb
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