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Siblings travel to North Carolina for world competition

Ansh (left) and Dia Pungaliya compete in the World Ninja League championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, last month. PHOTO/COURTESY ARUN PUNGALIYA

A pair of Hopkinton siblings recently traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina, to compete in the World Ninja League World Championships.

Ansh and Dia Pungaliya spent a long weekend in late June competing in their respective categories against kids from across the country. Their father, Arun Pungaliya, explained that the siblings had been building up to that moment over the course of many months of training.

“They qualified for the New England regional, which was in Tyngsborough in late May,” said Pungaliya. “If you are within a certain range of ranking, you qualify for the worlds.”

Ninja is a style of obstacle course competition focused on “beating the course, not your competition,” according to the World Ninja League website. The sport was made popular by the reality competition program “American Ninja Warrior.”

Pungaliya explained that his children train at Surge Ninja Gym in Hopkinton, and that athletes from the gym generally do well in competitions. He added that the training protocol can be intense, with the kids taking up to four classes a week.

“It’s even a commitment for the parents,” he joked.

Ansh and Dia faced three tiers of competition at the world championships. Pungaliya remarked that Ansh just missed out on reaching the final stage of his age group, but Dia managed to make it through all levels in the preteen female division.

“She’s [a] top-15 ninja in the world for her age group,” Pungaliya noted.

Both kids enjoyed themselves at the event, according to their father. A highlight he recalled was Ansh and Dia getting to see some of their favorite athletes from “American Ninja Warrior” in person. “Their minds were blown when they saw their favorite ninjas face to face,” he said.

The family now is taking a break and traveling abroad. However, Pungaliya stated that his kids are eager to get back home and train up for their next competitions.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

This week’s Police Log features two arrests, along with reports of capacity issues at Hopkinton State Park, people swimming after hours at Sandy Beach and someone disrupting a church ceremony.

Crews will be out on Main Street throughout the rest of the week performing irrigation work and other tasks.

The Water-Sewer Department will be conducting water main test shutoffs this morning on Hayden Rowe Street and Ash Street.

Edward Fair, 73, passed away July 5. He was a 1972 graduate of Hopkinton High School.

Town meetings tonight include the Charter Review Committee (7) and Open Space Preservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

Lichen grows on a metal trash barrel on the Town Common.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD