Following his performance in this week’s semifinals, recent Rochester Institute of Technology graduate Kyle Schulze is heading to Las Vegas to compete in the finals of American Ninja Warrior.
Schulze’s semi-final appearance in season 16 of the hit series was broadcast on Monday, August 12. There, the “Deaf Ninja” competed against other semi-finalists after surviving the qualifying round for the first time in his eight-season career.
Here’s what you need to know about Schulze’s continued progress in the competition.
Who is Kyle Schulze?
Schulze was born deaf into a hearing family and grew up in the Chicago area, but spent his final years in Rochester, attending the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Schulze, who describes himself as a “sporty adventurer,” has tried his hand at several sports, but his journey to becoming a ninja began with rock climbing at the age of 19 and evolved into obstacle course racing a few years later. And when he visited his first ninja gym in 2016, it was love at first obstacle course racing.
Schulze, or “The Deaf Ninja” as he is known in the ninja world, made his debut on American Ninja Warrior in 2017 and has competed in every season since, sharing his knowledge of the sport off the field by coaching and training at several ninja gyms, including the Warrior Factory in Henrietta, in addition to his schooling.
He transferred to RIT in 2020 after spending a year at Gallaudet University, a Washington, D.C. college for the deaf made famous by deaf activist Nyle DiMarco’s Netflix show “Deaf U.” After graduating in May with a degree in mechatronics engineering technology, he plans to live and work in the Flower City at least through the end of the year while completing an internship.
RIT graduate attends ANW: “Deaf Ninja” Kyle Schulze reaches the semifinals of American Ninja Warrior
How to watch the finale of American Ninja Warrior
You can watch the final round of American Ninja Warrior starting Monday, August 19 at 8 p.m. on NBC or Peacock.
Emily Barnes is the New York State team’s consumer protection reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Contact us at [email protected].
