The idiom “Hard work pays off” is one that holds true for Amador freshman Emerson Muise (‘25). Muise will be competing on American Ninja Warrior Junior, the parkour racing competition for ages 9-14 streaming on Peacock.

 “It was an amazing experience because … it’s something that I’ve wanted since I was little. I definitely was there just to do my best and have fun, because I had made it there and I think that was a huge accomplishment in itself,” said Muise.

Friends and family will be able to tune in and watch Muise compete on September 30.

“I’m so excited to see Emerson on the 30th. She has such a vibrant and determined personality, I know she’s going to be amazing,” said Muise’s English teacher Mrs. Boe.

The show offered Muise the opportunity to head to Los Angeles and rub elbows with American Ninja Warrior stars.

“It was filmed in downtown Los Angeles, and I met a lot of bigger name ninjas because they were there coaching the kids who were also in my age group. I also got to meet Najee Richardson and Jessie Lebrec, who were our ninja mentors for this season of American Ninja Warrior Junior,” said Muise.

Despite finding herself in the competition at a young age, Muise was not an overnight success. Her time to shine on the show has been years in the making.

“I’ve been training at a gym in the Bay Area for two years now, and my friend sent me the application saying that you [should] submit. I was kind of debating about it, but then my coach was like, you really should submit, this is your last season to [do it now that] you’re 14. So I did, and now I’m here,” said Muise.

In her episode, Muise will be racing other ninjas in her age group on obstacle courses testing the competitors’ agility, strength, and more. 

“For the show, it’s different than just training in general. I’ve been in [general training] for about two years, but training for the show was much different in the way that when you’re on the show, you’re racing another person. I trained a lot of speed courses, going through obstacles very quickly. For the show I only had two official months to train,” said Muise.

 

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The chance to compete on American Ninja Warrior Junior was a dream come true that took lots of hard work and dedication. For Muise, the competition was about more than winning.

[It was] also carrying on a legacy and reflection of my coach, who was just on the past season of American Ninja warrior and did very well. I really wanted to reflect her and her coaching through the competition,” said Muise.

With more time and training, Muise hopes to take her talent to the next level. The original American Ninja Warrior recently lowered its age requirement to 15 years old, and with her birthday just around the corner, she plans to continue her career as a ninja.

“I’m really hoping that maybe next year, or in years to come, that that’s where I’ll be. By the time that the season starts next year, I will be of age to compete. It’s still crazy, like I said, sometimes I still say it out loud and I still can’t even believe it’s real. But I think it’s just a reflection of [how] I really wanted something and I had a dream and I achieved that, and now it’s just stepping from here and seeing where I can take it,” said Muise.