Flores brothers shine in Malaysian ninja event
Guam ninja athletes and teen brothers Nico and Rai Flores showcased their skills in a tough ninja warrior obstacle course championship on Sept. 28 and 29 at the O-Zone Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rai Flores, 15, finished first out of over 100 athletes in the novice division with athletes from Malaysia finishing 2nd and 3rd.
The two-day competition included ninja warrior obstacle course stages.
Sponsored by Malaysian clothing brand Team Joined, the event included ninja athletes from Japan, Russia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Scotland, Brunei, Syria, Philippines, Finland, India and Guam.
Both Flores boys competed in the novice and open competition, which included professional ninja warrior athletes.
Rai Flores stood out and posted the fastest time for stage one, beating out ninja athletes from the professional division.
Guam ninja warrior athlete and the Flores boys' coach, Deren Perez, won the open division at this competition last year but was unable to compete this year because he is competing in and filming the American ninja warrior competition in Las Vegas.
As the Flores boys signed the event banner next to the Guam flag, they placed Deren's name above the flag to honor their coach.
"His presence was missed but he prepared us well, and it was fun meeting people from other countries," Rai Flores said.
Nico Flores, 17, said he enjoyed spending down time with ninjas he has known from previous competitions, and he "enjoyed spending time on the obstacles after the competition with the other athletes."
Their mother, Jorgi Flores, who has accompanied her boys to five international ninja competitions, said the ninja warrior community is the most supportive community.
"It is unbelievable how they support and encourage each other, even though they are competitors," the mother said. "They are all there for the love of the sport."
Both boys will compete in the next Guam Sindalu Siha Ninja Warrior Games in 2025 and plan to compete in the 2025 Ninja Warrior World Championships in Dallas in July 2025.
