Ricky Vu is Henry County’s own Ninja Warrior.
Vu has competed in the American Ninja Warrior competition for four years, on Seasons 7, 8, 9, and 10. He took a year off in 2018, during Season 11, but is hoping to go back and compete on Season 12 in 2020.
“My sister is a huge fan of the show and she thought of me when she saw it and said she wanted me to try out. I watched a few episodes and was interested,” said Vu. “I started training in a local gym in Atlanta and surprised myself because I was able to do a lot of the things in the competition that people can’t on their first try.”
Training for the competition has not been easy for Vu, as he does not live close to a gym with a lot of the American Ninja Warrior equipment needed to train for the show.
“I have been staying in shape at local gyms, using free weights and pull-up bars,” he said. “The biggest thing to focus on is muscle endurance and to be sure you have enough stamina to do all of the obstacles.”
For those that do not have the necessary equipment to train, Vu suggests using what is lying around.
“You need to work on grip strength, rock climbing, and forearm workouts,” said Vu. “Balance, you can kind of play with by finding rails around the area. Be creative and use what is around you.”
In Season 9, he made it to the City Finals, but fell short in Seasons 7, 8, and 10, coming in just shy of the 30th place position needed to advance to the next rounds of the competition. However, Vu was not discouraged.
“Competing on the show, mentally, you have to stay focused,” he said. “It taught me to not give up, don’t quit, keep on pushing the envelope further and further. Training more for this next season, I can be physically confident that I can make it further this year. The competition has taught me a lot about myself.”
Vu’s favorite experience from the competition has been the camaraderie shown by all of the competitors, even the most experienced.
“Everybody I’ve competed with has said the same thing. The competition is you versus the obstacle course, not you versus another athlete,” said Vu. “[The other athletes] always cheer you on. The [Ninja Warrior] community is tight knit. If you fall, they’re there to help you out, give you advice and motivate you to not give up.”
When Vu is not training for American Ninja Warrior, he can be found acting or auditioning for local films. However, he sees the crossover of his acting on the American Ninja Warrior course.
“As an actor, it is cool to have that stage to yourself. I have until I finish my run to entertain people,” he said. “Being able to entertain people with my athleticism and get through the course is blessing.”
Vu also works at the Chick-fil-A in Lovejoy as the Opening Manager. In his recent American Ninja Warrior audition video, he can be seen vaulting over, hanging from, and balancing on elements of the Chick-fil-A restaurant.
“I made my entry video for next season around the Chick-fil-A persona. I am hoping that will be a way for me to get back on the show,” said Vu. “Every year, each participant has to submit an entry video. In my first year, my Chick-fil-A video worked out. I figured that I would stick with what got me on the show.”
Vu has his hopes set on being on Season 12 of American Ninja Warrior in 2020, as he still believes that he has a lot to prove on the course.
“I’m not in it to win a million dollars. I know I am physically able to make it up the warped wall and the salmon ladder,” said Vu. “Even though I have yet to get there on the actual show, I want to get up the warped wall, and hit that buzzer.”
Announcements will be made in early 2020 as to who has been selected to compete in Season 12 of American Ninja Warrior.
