It’s roots in Japan were something American audiences clamored for and eventually made their way west. A sport with growing popularity is seeing youngsters from the Empire State take it to another level.

The closest many will get to seeing the sparks after hitting that big red buzzer on American ninja warrior is watching through the screen.

The title of ninja warrior, however, is something becoming more accessible to younger competitors..

"Ultimately, ninja warrior is growing as a sport," said Warrior Factory Buffalo owner Darren Wojcicki. "These kids behind me are nothing shy of amazing. They've been training since September to the culmination of the season."

There’s almost 100 across New York state; scores of them practicing in gyms like one just outside Buffalo. They are now heading to “worlds” in North Carolina.

"I've been doing ninja for seven years," said 12-year-old Declan Hayward. "I was pretty excited my first time at Worlds because it was a really huge event and I didn't know what was going to happen and I did really good my first year."

While Hayward has five trips to the main stage under his bel and a top 40 finish, others like Amelia Ehrenberger are heading there for their first time.

"I've worked really hard all season and I really liked doing Ninja Warrior because I got to make a ton of new friends," she said.

While the practice and competition builds muscles and good health, there's a focus for most of these ninjas on building social skills and community.

"You get to go to competitions. You have a lot of new friends that love to cheer you on and you get to like celebrate," said fellow ninja warrior Mikayla Hayward.

So while these competitors are heading south for some well-earned recognition and maybe even some hardware..

"It's not me versus you. It's always a self versus self," said Wojcicki. "How quick can I go? How high can I jump? How well can I do this time versus the next time."

The worlds competition is taking place June 23-25 in Greensboro for the 7-15-year-old competitors. Good luck to all of New York’s ninja warriors!