Each year, young athletes from across Alaska compete in a 3-day sporting event called the Native Youth Olympics.
NYO features a variety of unconventional and challenging events that push athletes to their limits. The techniques that athletes use derive from ancient survival skills passed down by Native Alaskan generations.
- Jeffrey Rivet / KTUU Channel 2 News (2016)
Close-up of an athlete’s shoe reaching toward the suspended Alaskan High Kick target.
An athlete in yellow balances on one hand while extending a leg upward.
An athlete in blue grips one foot while lifting the other leg for the kick.
A competitor in blue balances on one hand beneath the hanging target.
An athlete in blue draws the knees upward during a high-kick attempt.
A competitor in black looks toward the target while preparing on the gym floor.
An athlete in black raises a leg while balancing on one hand.
A competitor in dark clothing prepares a kick with one hand planted on the floor.
An athlete extends a leg upward as officials watch nearby.
A competitor lifts off the floor while holding one foot.
An athlete in black stretches a leg vertically toward the hanging target.
An athlete in red raises a leg during an Alaskan High Kick attempt.
An athlete in a light shirt holds one foot while extending the other leg horizontally.
A competitor in black and yellow lifts both legs during a one-hand balance.
An athlete in a light blue shirt rotates upward during a high-kick attempt.
A competitor in black sits on the gym floor and looks up toward the target.
An athlete in black and red prepares to kick from a seated position.
A competitor raises a leg vertically as spectators watch from the gym floor.
An athlete in dark clothing lifts both feet during the kick.
A competitor rotates sideways above the floor while holding one foot.
An athlete in gray sits beneath the hanging target and looks upward.
An athlete extends a red-soled shoe toward the target.
A competitor in gray prepares for another attempt on the gym floor.
An athlete in dark clothing reaches upward with one leg near the target.
A competitor balances on one hand with a leg extended high above the body.
An athlete in blue lifts a leg vertically toward the suspended target.
An athlete in blue rotates sideways while extending a leg.
An athlete in yellow extends one leg upward while gripping the other foot.
A competitor in black reaches a shoe toward the hanging target.
An athlete in yellow and blue lifts a bright red shoe overhead.
Close portrait of a competitor looking upward toward the target.
An athlete in black rotates sideways with one leg extended.
Close-up of a competitor concentrating on the target overhead.
A competitor balances on one hand with a leg stretched vertically.
An athlete in yellow and a purple head covering watches the target.
Wide view of an athlete balancing on one hand beneath the target.
A seated competitor looks upward with a focused expression.
Close detail of an athlete’s striped clothing and bent leg during preparation.
A competitor in black lifts both legs during a high-kick attempt.
An athlete extends one leg high above the gym floor.
Close portrait of a competitor watching the suspended target.
An athlete in red and black reaches upward with one leg.
An athlete in patterned clothing balances on one hand with a leg fully extended toward the target.
A competitor in gray lifts a leg above the body during a kick.
Close portrait of an athlete looking up from the gym floor.
An athlete in blue reaches one leg upward while holding the other foot.
An athlete in blue lowers toward the floor after a kick.
Close-up of a raised shoe approaching the hanging target.
A competitor’s shoe reaches upward beside the suspended target.
An athlete in black and yellow balances during a high kick.
An athlete in blue rotates sideways while gripping one foot.
An athlete in blue extends a leg diagonally overhead.
An athlete in yellow balances on one hand during a high-kick attempt.