More than 2,600 ninja athletes are competing in Greensboro this weekend, with the championship expected to pump $5 million into the economy and support businesses.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Thousands of people are swinging into the Triad this weekend for the World Ninja League Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Complex.
City leaders estimate the event will bring in about $5 million to the local economy. Just ask one local coach who said this tournament is more than medals, it’s a lifeline for her family’s business.
For Jennifer Hohn and her husband Chad, this tournament helps keep their gym afloat during the slow summer months.
“These athletes will look for a place to train before they come here because a lot of these athletes are traveling all over the world … For rent the income that comes in from our gym with all the athletes coming into town, it definitely keeps us alive during the summer months,” said Jennifer Hohn, who co-owns LevelUP Gym.
More than 2,600 athletes from around the world are competing this weekend. Event organizer Julie Gelsinger said this tournament has grown into a global sporting event.
“It’s my biggest event of the year. I sit down and figure out how many pieces I’m gonna make… It’s exciting to see my holds walking through the facility… that’s where it started, and that’s where we are now,” said Julie Gelsinger, event organizer and small business owner.
Kenny Coombs made the six-hour drive from Pennsylvania to cheer on his son and soak up everything Greensboro has to offer.
It’s his family’s fourth time at the tournament, and they’ve made it a tradition to explore the Gate City’s local spots.
“We love, like I said, finding the local spots around here. We run a family owned business back home in Pennsylvania and so we know how important that is to the local economy and to local businesses to to be a part of that and and bring in, you know, what we can and support that too, um, so yeah, really glad to do that and we found some cool, like I said some cool places to do that for,” said Kenny Coombs, visiting from Pennsylvania.
The competition runs through Monday. If you haven’t been yet, there’s still time to see some of the world’s best ninjas right here in Greensboro.