WCYB reports:
Hunter Ogden is just 15-years-old, but for years the Hawkins County teenager has been an avid jumper and climber.
Ogden says, "growing up I was always like a monkeyish kid, like climbing on the doorframes."
When he wasn't climbing, he would watch TV with his grandmother, one of their favorite shows was American Ninja Warrior.
"I instantly fell in love with the show," said Hunter.
The show is full of obstacles and challenges, something Hunter's mom Jennifer says he has been used to since he was born.
Jennifer says, "being born with cleft lip and palate, having high high respirations and a heart murmur when he was born. He’s had at least 12 surgeries, he has celiac disease, he also has sleep apnea, so he has been through quite a bit."
"I’ve always known that God has a special plan for my life whether that ends today tomorrow, or in eight years," said Hunter.
So just like everything else he's faced, Hunter wanted to face the show head on. Hunter and his family researched ninja gyms and found Johnson City trainer, John Loobey, who has been on the show multiple times.
Loobey said, "I was really impressed, I had a hard time keeping him challenged. He really wanted to test himself."
The hard work paying off, after Hunter got the call to say he was selected to compete on the next season of American Ninja Warrior. He will be one of the youngest competitors ever on the show.
"The feeling of getting called for the first time, some people apply six to seven years, and never get on," says Hunter.
Jennifer adds, "as a mom I'm incredibly proud of him."
Hunter also says, "you can fulfill your dreams, it takes hard work, but everything does in life."
Hunter one step closer now to becoming an American Ninja Warrior.
https://wcyb.com/news/local/the-good-stuff-becoming-a-ninja-warrior