Wellington resident Haven Chizmar, who stands just five feet tall, is a two-time world champion, and she isn’t even a teenager, yet.
From June 17 to June 23, 12-year-old Chizmar — who won the Federation of International Ninja Athletics (FINA) Worlds for Ninja Warrior in 2025 — traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina, to defend her title as the Ninja League Preteen Female champion. She successfully defended her title, and she was also crowned Preteen World’s Strongest Ninja.
Haven, who recently completed the sixth grade at the Score Academy in Wellington, competed against a field of more than 150 preteen girls from around the world.
To earn the title of world champion in her division, Haven had to first compete in a challenging three-stage championship course to earn the title. Then, she completed three additional discipline courses — speed, endurance and technical skills. Her combined performances across all six courses earned her the title of 2026 Preteen World’s Strongest Ninja.
The roots of Haven’s success can be traced back to about five years ago.
According to Haven’s mother Cristina, her daughter began her training in the late fall of 2021 after falling in love with the television show American Ninja Warrior. Another dream of hers is to one day be a competitor on that television show.
These days, Haven trains multiple days a week under her coaches Flip Rodriguez and Megan Budway at the Lab in Boynton Beach. She also does additional speed and strength training with Hunter Macrone at Johnny O’s gymnasium in Boca Raton.
“She is so disciplined that she never misses a day of some sort of motion,” Cristina Chizmar said of her daughter. “Even on off days, she’s playing on her ninja set-up at home or doing a workout she makes up for herself.”
Haven is the youth captain of Team USAOCR (USA Obstacle Course Racing) and will be representing the United States in the 100-meter race and the 400-meter race this August in Ireland.
“That is fantastic cross training and keeps her sharp,” Cristina noted.
In the immediate future, Haven will continue to train and compete at the highest level to defend her title next year. In 2027, she will move up to the next age group, which is the teen category.
Recently, Haven has taken steps to monetize her ninja championship performances. In the last year, Haven and her parents have founded Full Clear Performance. The organization has one main purpose.
“Our one mission is to help athletes chase their dreams,” said Haven and Cristina, in a joint statement. “We provide clean, convenient performance fuel and quality apparel while building a community that inspires confidence, hard work and resilience. More than a brand, we’re committed to supporting athletes and families on every step of their journey.”
Christina is proud of Haven’s goals, both on the course and with this latest business venture.
“She is our little entrepreneur!” Cristina said of Haven.
