Kevin Bull

Kevin Bull

Some ninjas are known for their ability to destroy courses systematically. Some sprint through the course like there is a pack of wild dogs chasing after them. Some ninjas are known for wearing costumes. Kevin Bull is known for a different distinctive feature, his complete lack of hair.

At the age of 21, Bull began losing his hair. He was quickly diagnosed with alopecia universalis, which affects hair across his entire body. While the condition may appear harsh, people with alopecia only lose their hair. There are no other physical effects, though there are also negative social effects brought on by the condition.

Bull is not the only elite athlete to be affected by alopecia. Charlie Villanueva, a professional basketball player, has alopecia universalis like Bull. Other professional athletes such as Ryan Shazier and Joshua Dobbs, both Pittsburgh Steelers, suffer from alopecia areata, a less severe version of alopecia. While all of these men faced difficult times due to their medical condition, they have all grown stronger because of alopecia.

While Bull’s condition is distinctive, it has not held him back in competition. Kevin Bull has never been a top ninja, but he consistently makes it to Las Vegas and competes at an extremely high level. What Bull may be best known for is his unique handling of Cannonball Alley.

As a walk-on in ANW6, Bull was managing the Venice City course, hoping to reach Vegas as a rookie. On his way, Kevin was forced to take on Cannonball Alley. Cannonball Alley forces contestants to grip progressively larger “cannonballs” in order to avoid falling into the water below. While most people would move between the cannonballs using only their hands, Kevin Bull did an impression of a trapeze artist. The confidence required to take on an obstacle in this nontraditional way is exceptional, let alone doing so as a walk-on rookie.

With the recognition that his condition and his rendition of Cannonball Alley provided, Bull decided to give back. Kevin used his fame to bring attention to the Children’s Alopecia Project[https://childrensalopeciaproject.org/]. Rather than being selfish with his success, Kevin Bull decided to help children with the same condition as his own.

While he may not be the best ninja, Kevin Bull has left his unique mark on American Ninja Warrior and has proven himself to be one of the best people to have competed in ANW.

<http://dermatologytimes.modernmedicine.com/dermatology-times/news/american-alopecia-ninja-attacks-awareness>