Gil Marantz Wins Silver at 2026 Ninja World Championship as Coach and Competitor

Gil Marantz, winner of the second season of "Ninja Israel," has achieved a significant international milestone by finishing as the silver medalist in the adult category at the 2026 Ninja World Championship. The event took place last week in the United States, featuring over 2,500 athletes from various countries. Marantz participated both as a competitor and as a coach, guiding numerous athletes to outstanding results.

Marantz co-founded the "Ninja School" with Dekel Ozmo, which sent 36 athletes to the competition, with 19 reaching the podium. Among his trainees is 13-year-old Roi Oved, whom Marantz has coached since he was seven; Oved won the world champion title in the teenage category. Other notable medalists include Sapir Cohen Carmi, a former "Ninja Israel" participant who earned silver in the adult women's category, and Omer Nahmias, also a program graduate, who became the world endurance champion in the adult category. Both Cohen Carmi and Nahmias also served as coaches during the event.

Additional Israeli achievements include Peleg Levi (15) and Lior Weitzman (17), who each secured silver medals in their respective age groups. These athletes are expected to feature prominently in the upcoming new season of "Ninja Israel," which will be hosted by model and presenter Bar Refaeli. The commentary team will include season five winner Yogev Malka and Olympic medalist Peter Felchik alongside Niv Reskin.

The success at the world championship coincides with a historic period for the ninja sport, which recently gained official international recognition and is set to be included in the upcoming Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the sport is also debuting officially at the Maccabiah Games, allowing Israeli athletes to showcase their skills on home soil. Marantz and his athletes are now seen as leading candidates to represent Israel on the global stage in the near future.