For many years, Zuri Harrison’s biggest motivators have been the people who have watched her grow and succeed since the very beginning. Her long standing relationships with her supporters have been her source of inspiration and encouragement throughout many challenges along the way. 

Now, with this support, Harrison is moving on to compete at American Junior Ninja Warrior while representing Prosper.

“My biggest inspirations are probably my coaches just because they’ve been there since I was eight,” Harrison said. “I’ve been with them through so many goals.” 

Harrison’s friends have also been supporters of her journey.

“You know, they just kind of, like, really into it for some reason,” Harrison said. “They really like watching videos and stuff.” 

Having supportive friends has been a gift for Harrison throughout her athletic career, and behind her success, the athlete focuses on her sport, taking up most of her time. Although it affects her time and energy, she always wants to stay consistent with her training and progress.

“I have practice that’s over an hour away in Murphy and I have to train from 8 p.m to like 12 a.m.,” Harrison said. “So that, like, makes me really tired the next day. My practice is considered a lot of my time.” 

While Harrison feels Ninja Warrior is her main hobby, she also spends a lot of time competing in track to have a better opportunity for getting a scholarship.

“I would consider Ninja my main sport,” Harrison said. “But also I’d consider track more of a priority sometimes, because that’s what I want — my scholarship. Because you can’t get a scholarship in Ninja.”

Ninja Warrior is not only challenging in a physical way, it can be hard on one’s mental state too. As a solo sport, a lot of pressure on the participant can be put on the participant if they have no support system. Harrison sees Ninja Warrior as an opportunity to grow and develop as a person by challenging herself, both physically and mentally.

“My biggest obstacle has just been, like, mentally,” Harrison said. “Like nothing really  (physical), it’s all mental. Just like having to get over stuff you’re scared of or stuff you don’t want to do. And just, like, losing sometimes, losing so many competitions, you just have to get over it and just be able to overcome the obstacles mentally.” 

Harrison’s track and field coach, Delaney Alford, explains Harrison is a consistent athlete with a good mindset.

“She never gives up,” Alford said. “I mean, she works so hard and I think she never has an excuse. Whatever she’s doing, she’s gonna give her all.”

Leah Lopez, a close friend of Harrison’s, expressed her thoughts on her friend competing in American Ninja Warrior. Leah is a supporter of Harrison and would like to see her go far in the competition.

“Zuri is really good at ninja,” Lopez said. “And it’s fun to see her kind personality come out in what she does.” 

At a young age, Harrison tried multiple different sports, but she was certain that ninja was the right sport for her.

“I did a bunch of sports,” Harrison said. “Before (Ninja Warrior) I did soccer, I did gymnastics, dance, and none of them were for me. And then, like when I found it, I was like, okay, so this is what I’m going to do.”

This article was edited by Emily Logan, Kate Duncan and Landon Byrom