The "A True Ninja Warrior" Story

Kevin Kabakjian performing on American Ninja Warrior.

It was an ordinary day.  There on the entire top-half of the Lancaster Newspaper's Trending section was a full color photo of Manheim Township intermediate school teacher Kevin Kabakjian attempting to maneuver through the obstacle course on the hit TV show "American Ninja Warrior".  It was two years ago during one of his gym classes, while I was talking to him while waiting to take a photo of the school orchestra for the yearbook, when he grabbed a bass fiddle and began to balance it on his chin.  

Gym teacher Mr. Kabakjian performs
during gym class.

Talk about getting the attention of the entire class!  He is an amazing individual who the kids love.  It was two years ago that he had to weather cancer diagnoses for his wife and older son.  After all his family went through, his youngest son asked him if he could become a ninja warrior like the warriors from the TV show the family enjoyed watching.  He felt he needed something positive in the life of his family so he agreed to give it a try.  He went on a strict diet and with the help of a physical therapist, who helped him overcome some past injuries, he began his training.  Naturally his kids had to be part of his routine and they trained with him.  Using some of the discarded physical education equipment from the school he built an obstacle course in his basement.  It featured a climbing wall, hipline and tilted, swiveling beam.  

Yearbook photo of Mr. Kabakjian.

The TV show selects approximately 100 people at each qualifying round so Kevin submitted his life's story and a video of his talents.  The video featured fire juggling and climbing up telephone poles.  All this from a 53-year old ball of fire.  After sending the video and letter about himself and his family, he had to wait for the reply.  That came one afternoon during the middle of a track meet which he was coaching.  He competed in May in Pittsburgh, but the show didn't air until June 29.  He reported on his Facebook page that: "What a great show it was. -some awesome competitors!!  We had a blast watching the great folks in Pittsburgh.  For all those of you who were watching for me, I placed around 34 out of the 120 contestants.  

Another photo from American Ninja Warrior.

I made it past the snake.  I made it all the way through the chimes, and as I went to dismount off of the chimes I slipped off the last one into the water.  I would love to fill you in with more details and all the excitement of the filming, but I need to get these children off to bed to our campsite where we have no reception."  What a true warrior Kevin has become.  Not only for his family, but for his admirers, friends and the entire school community where he works and teaches the minds that are absorbent of both good and bad.  His positive influence will go a long way for those who know and love him and will now be able to call him Mr. Kabakjian, American Ninja Warrior.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.