NYO 2025

Tune in to the RIVR this week as we bring you the energy from the 2025 Native Youth Olympics! The RIVR will have special news coverage Thursday through Saturday that includes daily recaps and social media commentary. Join us for Alaska’s Native Voice and hear from athletes, coaches and more voices from the NYO games.

Day 001:

The 2025 Senior Native Youth Olympics kicked off today, April 24, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage with a powerful mix of competition and culture. Here’s a recap of Day 1:

The Toe Kick event made its long-awaited return after a decade-long hiatus. Athletes showed off their agility and precision with impressive results:

• Girls’ Gold: Jordan Klejka from Bethel with 54 inches
• Boys’ Gold: Sean Moonin from Nanwalek with a standout 80 inches

Next came the Wrist Carry, a true test of strength, endurance, and mental resilience. In this event, athletes are carried across the floor suspended by just one wrist.

• Girls’ Gold: Eulalia Roman from Mat-Su with 370 feet, 6.5 inches
• Boys’ Gold: Nick Luois Amora from Unalaska with 472 feet

The day wrapped up with the Alaskan High Kick, where athletes kicked high for new heights.

• The Girls’ Gold went to Caelyn Carter of Mat-Su, who soared to 74 inches
• In the boys’ event, Matthew Chagluak of thrilled the crowd by connecting at 92 inches—just one inch shy of the all-time record. Officials raised the mark to 93 inches, but he came up just short.

The Native Youth Olympics continue Friday with four exciting events: the Scissor Broad Jump—which saw a record broken last year—along with the Eskimo Stick Pull, One-Hand Reach, and Two-Foot High Kick.