1 00:00:06,339 --> 00:00:09,676 - Tonight on "American Ninja Warrior," 2 00:00:09,709 --> 00:00:11,177 it's a family affair. 3 00:00:11,211 --> 00:00:13,880 [emotional music] 4 00:00:13,913 --> 00:00:16,349 - This might be the most exciting year ever 5 00:00:16,383 --> 00:00:18,318 because I get to compete with my mom. 6 00:00:18,351 --> 00:00:19,619 [laughter] 7 00:00:19,652 --> 00:00:22,622 [cheers and applause] 8 00:00:22,655 --> 00:00:24,290 - Y'all haven't seen me since season 12, 9 00:00:24,324 --> 00:00:27,660 and so much has changed. 10 00:00:27,694 --> 00:00:31,865 I got married to the Cake Ninja. 11 00:00:31,898 --> 00:00:34,668 - I have the best adventure buddy I could ever ask for. 12 00:00:34,701 --> 00:00:37,070 [laughter] 13 00:00:37,103 --> 00:00:39,005 We did it. 14 00:00:39,039 --> 00:00:42,142 - We have overcome a lot together. 15 00:00:42,175 --> 00:00:43,476 - He's a good brother to me. 16 00:00:43,510 --> 00:00:45,311 I'm a good brother to him. 17 00:00:45,345 --> 00:00:47,247 - Family is more than blood. 18 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,316 - To be out there together running the same course, 19 00:00:50,350 --> 00:00:52,018 that would be so awesome. 20 00:00:52,052 --> 00:00:54,087 - Get the photo album ready. 21 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:57,524 It's time to make some memories. 22 00:00:57,557 --> 00:01:01,061 [dramatic music] 23 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:03,630 - Welcome to Universal Studios Hollywood, 24 00:01:03,663 --> 00:01:06,466 our home for qualifying on "American Ninja Warrior." 25 00:01:06,499 --> 00:01:08,301 Hello, everyone. And thanks for joining us. 26 00:01:08,335 --> 00:01:09,302 I'm Matt Iseman. 27 00:01:09,336 --> 00:01:11,071 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 28 00:01:11,071 --> 00:01:13,306 Matt, we're just a few weeks in, 29 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:15,942 but this season has been off the hook. 30 00:01:15,975 --> 00:01:18,878 We've had amazing runs, Mega Walls, 31 00:01:18,912 --> 00:01:21,448 and those head-to-head races at the end. 32 00:01:21,481 --> 00:01:23,917 - And we've got another all-star lineup tonight, 33 00:01:23,950 --> 00:01:26,186 plus some changes to our course. 34 00:01:26,219 --> 00:01:28,455 For a preview, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 35 00:01:28,488 --> 00:01:29,756 - Thanks, guys. 36 00:01:29,789 --> 00:01:31,925 We've had some creative obstacles this season. 37 00:01:31,958 --> 00:01:35,528 And we've got another new one tonight, The Cubes. 38 00:01:35,562 --> 00:01:39,666 It's obstacle number 5, and it will be puzzle for our ninjas. 39 00:01:39,699 --> 00:01:42,702 Each of the three cubes turns a different way with only 40 00:01:42,736 --> 00:01:44,237 tiny slots to grab onto. 41 00:01:44,270 --> 00:01:45,538 - Nice. 42 00:01:45,572 --> 00:01:47,107 - Get through it, and they can run up 43 00:01:47,140 --> 00:01:49,442 the Warped Wall to the buzzer. 44 00:01:49,476 --> 00:01:52,445 If they finish in under a 1:20, 45 00:01:52,479 --> 00:01:55,715 they'll earn a shot at our 18-and-1/2-foot Mega Wall, 46 00:01:55,749 --> 00:01:57,484 which could earn them $10,000 47 00:01:57,517 --> 00:02:03,089 from Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card. 48 00:02:03,123 --> 00:02:05,759 - Only the top 12 men and top 4 women from tonight 49 00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:07,460 move on to the semifinals. 50 00:02:07,494 --> 00:02:10,530 The final spots will be determined in a runoff races 51 00:02:10,563 --> 00:02:11,798 later tonight. 52 00:02:11,831 --> 00:02:14,067 - Last week we saw Gary Weiland make 53 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:17,437 history as the first amputee to reach the semifinals. 54 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:20,240 - Gary Weiland on fire! 55 00:02:20,273 --> 00:02:22,142 Are you kidding me? 56 00:02:22,175 --> 00:02:23,576 - What are we going to see tonight? 57 00:02:23,610 --> 00:02:25,612 [cheers and applause] 58 00:02:25,645 --> 00:02:27,847 - And our first competitor may look familiar, 59 00:02:27,881 --> 00:02:29,082 but she's got a new name. 60 00:02:29,082 --> 00:02:31,384 This is Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright. 61 00:02:31,418 --> 00:02:33,186 That Wright got added because she 62 00:02:33,219 --> 00:02:35,922 married fellow ninja David Bergstrom-Wright, AKA, 63 00:02:35,955 --> 00:02:37,557 the Cake Ninja. 64 00:02:37,590 --> 00:02:39,492 - Oh, it looks like he's going to propose again. 65 00:02:39,526 --> 00:02:41,127 He's giving her a cupcake. 66 00:02:41,161 --> 00:02:42,562 That's his favorite. 67 00:02:42,595 --> 00:02:44,597 - Hearts are melting. 68 00:02:44,631 --> 00:02:46,099 Ohh! 69 00:02:46,099 --> 00:02:48,101 - These two were brought together by Ninja, 70 00:02:48,101 --> 00:02:51,571 and it's a huge part of their life. 71 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:52,972 [soft music] 72 00:02:53,006 --> 00:02:54,841 [laughter] 73 00:02:54,874 --> 00:02:58,111 - David and I met in the 2019 Las Vegas 74 00:02:58,111 --> 00:03:00,046 finals for "Ninja Warrior." 75 00:03:00,046 --> 00:03:03,383 - I had no idea I was going to meet my future wife there. 76 00:03:03,416 --> 00:03:05,185 - When he was in Texas and I was in Florida, 77 00:03:05,218 --> 00:03:07,587 we were texting nonstop, FaceTiming nonstop. 78 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:10,290 And I guess he thought we were already dating. 79 00:03:10,323 --> 00:03:11,758 - I did. 80 00:03:11,791 --> 00:03:15,595 And then I moved to Florida three years ago now. 81 00:03:15,628 --> 00:03:20,066 The day I moved, I knew I was going to propose. 82 00:03:20,066 --> 00:03:22,102 - Our wedding was the storybook wedding 83 00:03:22,135 --> 00:03:23,803 that I've always wanted. 84 00:03:23,837 --> 00:03:25,472 It was just a lot of our ninja friends. 85 00:03:25,505 --> 00:03:28,475 The maid of honor and best man were Caleb, my little brother, 86 00:03:28,508 --> 00:03:31,177 and then Ashley, now my sister-in-law. 87 00:03:31,211 --> 00:03:33,346 - Us four together, we're like the Bergstrom quartet. 88 00:03:33,380 --> 00:03:35,348 You will see us all around each other, 89 00:03:35,382 --> 00:03:37,183 training together, living together, 90 00:03:37,217 --> 00:03:39,452 cooking together, eating together. 91 00:03:39,486 --> 00:03:40,453 - How's your cake? 92 00:03:40,487 --> 00:03:41,688 - I'm dodging all the icing, 93 00:03:41,721 --> 00:03:43,356 so it's perfectly delicious. - Delicious. 94 00:03:43,390 --> 00:03:44,624 - Yum. 95 00:03:44,657 --> 00:03:46,126 - The first time I was on the Ninja course, 96 00:03:46,159 --> 00:03:47,560 I was so nervous. 97 00:03:47,594 --> 00:03:49,763 I was not even sure if I really wanted to be there. 98 00:03:49,796 --> 00:03:52,565 But now I get to with my husband, my little brother, 99 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:54,234 my best friend, and I couldn't be more 100 00:03:54,267 --> 00:03:55,835 grateful for this opportunity. 101 00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:03,376 - Caitlyn's got the whole family on the sideline. 102 00:04:03,410 --> 00:04:04,711 Her husband David. 103 00:04:04,744 --> 00:04:06,579 - Yeah, he's still eating that cupcake. 104 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:08,648 - Plus her brother Caleb and his wife, 105 00:04:08,682 --> 00:04:10,350 Ashley, who will compete in a few weeks, 106 00:04:10,383 --> 00:04:12,118 Mama and Papa Bergstrom there too. 107 00:04:12,152 --> 00:04:15,422 [countdown clock beeping] 108 00:04:15,455 --> 00:04:17,457 First obstacle is Pole Vault. 109 00:04:17,490 --> 00:04:19,693 - She and her brother Caleb exploded onto the scene 110 00:04:19,726 --> 00:04:21,061 back in Season 11. 111 00:04:21,061 --> 00:04:23,063 They became the first brother-sister duo 112 00:04:23,096 --> 00:04:25,832 to make it to Vegas together. 113 00:04:25,865 --> 00:04:28,368 Second obstacle tonight is Greased Lightning, 114 00:04:28,401 --> 00:04:30,637 a wild ride with two jolts in the track. 115 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:31,771 - Squeeze! 116 00:04:31,805 --> 00:04:32,972 Squeeze! 117 00:04:33,073 --> 00:04:34,407 - You really got to hold on to it. 118 00:04:34,441 --> 00:04:36,776 You can see, too, at 5'3" she's really going 119 00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:39,112 to have to engage her core. 120 00:04:39,145 --> 00:04:41,114 And you have to time your dismount. 121 00:04:41,147 --> 00:04:42,482 And she does it. 122 00:04:42,515 --> 00:04:44,084 - Flies right through Greased Lightning. 123 00:04:44,117 --> 00:04:46,252 [cheers and applause] 124 00:04:46,286 --> 00:04:49,656 - Well, she's pumped to get through that one. 125 00:04:49,689 --> 00:04:52,125 - Now has to bring the heart rate down for tonight's 126 00:04:52,158 --> 00:04:53,493 balance obstacle, Log Runner. 127 00:04:53,526 --> 00:04:54,828 - All right. 128 00:04:54,861 --> 00:04:55,929 Keep your feet hot, keep your feet hot. 129 00:04:55,962 --> 00:04:57,630 Nice. - Right through it. 130 00:04:57,664 --> 00:04:59,265 - How sweet is this? 131 00:04:59,299 --> 00:05:02,502 - Halfway to what would be her very first buzzer. 132 00:05:02,535 --> 00:05:03,870 - Right now! 133 00:05:03,903 --> 00:05:05,271 Let's do it. 134 00:05:05,305 --> 00:05:07,140 Come on, baby. 135 00:05:07,173 --> 00:05:09,209 - She hasn't competed in a couple of years, 136 00:05:09,242 --> 00:05:11,678 but when she did was a top athlete. 137 00:05:11,711 --> 00:05:13,813 Made it to Vegas as a rookie. 138 00:05:13,847 --> 00:05:15,648 And now facing Kite Surfer. 139 00:05:15,682 --> 00:05:17,517 She's got to use her grip to work around 140 00:05:17,550 --> 00:05:19,386 the red section of the kites. 141 00:05:19,419 --> 00:05:21,287 This obstacle debuted last week. 142 00:05:21,321 --> 00:05:22,856 - She looks like she's got this. 143 00:05:22,889 --> 00:05:24,057 Nice. 144 00:05:24,090 --> 00:05:25,859 - Now has to jump to that spool, 145 00:05:25,892 --> 00:05:30,096 which is attached to bungees. 146 00:05:30,130 --> 00:05:32,432 - Only 5'3" and 123 pounds. 147 00:05:32,465 --> 00:05:37,270 Gotta generate some bounce to get up to that second kite. 148 00:05:37,303 --> 00:05:38,905 - She taking a few extra swings. 149 00:05:38,938 --> 00:05:41,608 And that can wear you out. 150 00:05:41,641 --> 00:05:43,877 - But makes the transfer to the second kite. 151 00:05:43,910 --> 00:05:46,713 Only the top four women from tonight will move on. 152 00:05:46,746 --> 00:05:49,616 If she gets through this, she'll be in good position. 153 00:05:49,649 --> 00:05:51,084 - Nice grab. 154 00:05:51,084 --> 00:05:53,420 - That's amazing. 155 00:05:53,453 --> 00:05:55,755 At 5'3" and she's flexing. 156 00:05:55,789 --> 00:05:59,659 [cheers and applause] 157 00:05:59,693 --> 00:06:01,027 - Yeah, show you're right. 158 00:06:01,061 --> 00:06:02,362 I see you. Show you're right. 159 00:06:02,395 --> 00:06:03,496 Yeah. 160 00:06:03,530 --> 00:06:05,398 - She goes from flexing to dancing. 161 00:06:05,432 --> 00:06:08,335 [cheers and applause] 162 00:06:08,368 --> 00:06:10,837 - Well, she's smiling, because she's getting closer 163 00:06:10,870 --> 00:06:13,573 to what would be her first-ever buzzer. 164 00:06:13,606 --> 00:06:16,710 But she's got to get past this new obstacle, The Cubes. 165 00:06:16,743 --> 00:06:20,213 Each of these has to be turned in a different direction. 166 00:06:20,246 --> 00:06:22,048 - All right, so this first cube here, you can see it's 167 00:06:22,082 --> 00:06:23,650 got a vertical rotation. 168 00:06:23,683 --> 00:06:25,852 You got to turn that 180 degrees. 169 00:06:25,885 --> 00:06:27,253 Yep, keep going. Keep going. 170 00:06:27,287 --> 00:06:29,255 - Get that front half and get the red face-- 171 00:06:29,289 --> 00:06:30,557 Oh, just missed. 172 00:06:30,590 --> 00:06:31,891 Get that big ol' Rubik's Cube. 173 00:06:31,925 --> 00:06:33,093 Nice. - Oh, she's looking gassed. 174 00:06:33,126 --> 00:06:35,128 both: No! 175 00:06:35,161 --> 00:06:38,064 - Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright makes it to the fifth 176 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:40,066 obstacle, and that may be good enough 177 00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:42,736 to get her to the semifinals. 178 00:06:42,769 --> 00:06:45,572 - She was enjoying every minute of this run. 179 00:06:45,605 --> 00:06:48,108 Bounced her way to the fifth obstacle. 180 00:06:48,141 --> 00:06:50,777 That matches her best run ever, 181 00:06:50,810 --> 00:06:53,146 but just lost her grip on The Cubes. 182 00:06:53,179 --> 00:06:54,581 - Ohh! 183 00:06:54,614 --> 00:06:56,483 - First run as a married woman 184 00:06:56,516 --> 00:06:58,118 turned out pretty well. 185 00:06:58,151 --> 00:07:01,021 And we'll see her husband Cake run in just a bit. 186 00:07:01,021 --> 00:07:02,555 - * I'm bringing the fire * 187 00:07:02,589 --> 00:07:05,258 - Tonight it's a family affair. 188 00:07:05,291 --> 00:07:09,229 We've got mothers, brothers, and even sisters. 189 00:07:09,262 --> 00:07:11,364 - They got all the nuns. 190 00:07:11,398 --> 00:07:16,036 - Plus some favorite members of our ninja family. 191 00:07:16,036 --> 00:07:19,439 Including one making possibly his last run ever. 192 00:07:19,472 --> 00:07:21,474 - Bro pound. - Bro pound. 193 00:07:21,508 --> 00:07:23,043 both: Boom. 194 00:07:23,043 --> 00:07:24,511 - So get fired up... 195 00:07:24,544 --> 00:07:25,512 - Oh! 196 00:07:25,545 --> 00:07:27,047 - Yes! 197 00:07:27,047 --> 00:07:29,816 - For another wild night of qualifying 198 00:07:29,849 --> 00:07:34,220 on "American Ninja Warrior." 199 00:07:34,254 --> 00:07:36,690 [cheers and applause] 200 00:07:40,326 --> 00:07:42,262 - Welcome back to Universal Studios. 201 00:07:42,295 --> 00:07:44,397 - Ohh! [air horn blares] 202 00:07:44,431 --> 00:07:45,832 - Where the wildest ride at the park 203 00:07:45,865 --> 00:07:48,768 is our second obstacle, Greased Lightning. 204 00:07:48,802 --> 00:07:49,769 - Ohh. [air horn blares] 205 00:07:49,803 --> 00:07:51,771 Ohh! 206 00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:53,540 - Brentnol Baker is a detective 207 00:07:53,573 --> 00:07:55,475 in Clayton County, Georgia, 208 00:07:55,508 --> 00:07:58,945 and he had half the police department watching his run. 209 00:07:58,978 --> 00:08:02,549 But the rookie got held up at Greased Lightning. 210 00:08:02,582 --> 00:08:05,118 - Oh, you can't miss that one. 211 00:08:05,151 --> 00:08:08,121 - And though he put up a fight for more than a minute-- 212 00:08:08,154 --> 00:08:10,590 - I might have to read him his rights. 213 00:08:10,623 --> 00:08:14,327 - --ultimately, the cop had to surrender with his hands up. 214 00:08:14,361 --> 00:08:18,098 - Ooh! [air horn blares] 215 00:08:18,131 --> 00:08:22,102 - Missouri's Nikki Zink had several nuns cheering her on. 216 00:08:22,135 --> 00:08:25,905 Including her sister, who's also a sister. 217 00:08:25,939 --> 00:08:28,108 But her dismount didn't have a prayer. 218 00:08:28,141 --> 00:08:29,376 - Oh! 219 00:08:29,409 --> 00:08:31,945 Did a backflip right into the water. 220 00:08:32,045 --> 00:08:34,414 This obstacle is having none of that. 221 00:08:34,447 --> 00:08:37,283 - Evan Perperis is an army special forces 222 00:08:37,317 --> 00:08:39,786 Officer and a top OCR racer. 223 00:08:39,819 --> 00:08:41,187 - Ooh! 224 00:08:41,221 --> 00:08:44,357 - But even he couldn't make it safely across. 225 00:08:44,391 --> 00:08:45,692 - No, you can't go backwards. 226 00:08:45,725 --> 00:08:47,127 You got to go forward. 227 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:49,662 - Glenn Davis turns 60 today, but he can still 228 00:08:49,696 --> 00:08:52,232 do handstands on a skateboard. 229 00:08:52,265 --> 00:08:53,733 - I see you. 230 00:08:53,767 --> 00:08:55,802 - The Georgia gym owner got to celebrate 231 00:08:55,835 --> 00:08:57,704 his birthday on our course. 232 00:08:57,737 --> 00:08:59,239 - You got it. Nice. 233 00:08:59,272 --> 00:09:01,141 - Go fast, Glenn, fast. 234 00:09:01,174 --> 00:09:04,277 - But at Greased Lightning, the party was over. 235 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:06,446 - Oh! - Oh! 236 00:09:06,479 --> 00:09:08,181 - At least he got cake. 237 00:09:08,214 --> 00:09:12,018 - 60 years old and still doing his ninja thing. 238 00:09:12,052 --> 00:09:13,820 - Well, our next two competitors 239 00:09:13,853 --> 00:09:16,489 are half Glenn's age combined. 240 00:09:16,523 --> 00:09:18,024 They're only 15. 241 00:09:18,058 --> 00:09:21,027 These are the Garemore brothers from Ocala, Florida. 242 00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:23,596 That's Roberto on the left and Nacssa on the right. 243 00:09:23,630 --> 00:09:27,500 And they've had quite a journey to get here. 244 00:09:27,534 --> 00:09:28,601 - Take 1 million. 245 00:09:28,635 --> 00:09:29,602 - Action. 246 00:09:29,636 --> 00:09:31,037 [slate snaps] 247 00:09:31,037 --> 00:09:34,407 We are from Africa. 248 00:09:34,441 --> 00:09:36,643 - We were both born in Guinea Bissau 249 00:09:36,676 --> 00:09:38,812 and adopted in the same family. 250 00:09:38,845 --> 00:09:40,747 - Look how little you guys were in that picture. 251 00:09:40,780 --> 00:09:44,517 - Coming to the USA, we did not speak English. 252 00:09:44,551 --> 00:09:47,721 It took us a while to get used to the people, 253 00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:50,056 the air, the cars. 254 00:09:50,056 --> 00:09:51,691 You know, like the foot pedals, 255 00:09:51,725 --> 00:09:53,593 where you open and close the trash can. 256 00:09:53,626 --> 00:09:56,062 Well, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. 257 00:09:56,062 --> 00:09:57,330 [upbeat music] 258 00:09:57,364 --> 00:09:58,498 - There he goes. 259 00:09:58,531 --> 00:10:00,400 "American Ninja Warrior" was just 260 00:10:00,433 --> 00:10:02,936 a great family bonding activity for us 261 00:10:02,969 --> 00:10:04,571 to sit and watch all together. 262 00:10:04,604 --> 00:10:05,905 - Oh, it's Cliffhanger, Nacssa. 263 00:10:05,939 --> 00:10:06,906 You can do that. 264 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:08,441 - Yeah. 265 00:10:08,475 --> 00:10:10,443 - Because you don't have to understand English to actually 266 00:10:10,477 --> 00:10:12,112 see these incredible athletes doing 267 00:10:12,145 --> 00:10:13,346 amazing things on the course. 268 00:10:13,380 --> 00:10:14,748 [buzzer blares] 269 00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:16,216 They're sitting there watching it, and they're like, 270 00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:18,385 "Oh, oh, I can do that." 271 00:10:18,418 --> 00:10:19,652 So we decided to build them a rig 272 00:10:19,686 --> 00:10:21,287 and let them do it as much as they 273 00:10:21,321 --> 00:10:24,157 wanted to in our backyard. 274 00:10:24,190 --> 00:10:26,960 - Nacssa and Roberto Garemore were my first ninja students. 275 00:10:26,993 --> 00:10:29,462 I worked with them when they were like ten years old. 276 00:10:29,496 --> 00:10:31,531 - And Nacssa is on a whole nother level right now. 277 00:10:31,564 --> 00:10:32,699 [buzzer blares] 278 00:10:32,732 --> 00:10:34,334 - "American Ninja Warrior" has been so good 279 00:10:34,367 --> 00:10:37,037 for them, because they found a community 280 00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:38,405 that's accepting of them. 281 00:10:38,438 --> 00:10:40,407 Nobody looks down on them for the fact 282 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,309 that they had to take their time to learn English. 283 00:10:43,343 --> 00:10:47,280 They found this space where they can just go be. 284 00:10:47,313 --> 00:10:48,281 - Easy stuff. 285 00:10:48,314 --> 00:10:49,883 Easy stuff. 286 00:10:49,916 --> 00:10:52,452 - A lot of people have underestimated us. 287 00:10:52,485 --> 00:10:55,288 Once we show them what we can do on the course, 288 00:10:55,321 --> 00:10:58,758 you know, they change their minds. 289 00:10:58,792 --> 00:11:00,393 - I'm so excited that they're getting their shot, 290 00:11:00,427 --> 00:11:02,662 and they're going to amaze everybody. 291 00:11:02,696 --> 00:11:04,898 * * 292 00:11:04,931 --> 00:11:06,332 [cheers and applause] 293 00:11:06,366 --> 00:11:08,335 - So Roberto is going to lead it off. 294 00:11:08,368 --> 00:11:10,070 Nacssa's on the sideline with the parents. 295 00:11:10,070 --> 00:11:11,771 He'll run next. 296 00:11:11,805 --> 00:11:15,075 Back in Florida, two big groups of family and friends 297 00:11:15,108 --> 00:11:16,843 ready to watch the brothers run. 298 00:11:16,876 --> 00:11:20,180 [cheers and applause] 299 00:11:20,213 --> 00:11:22,749 [countdown clock beeping] 300 00:11:22,782 --> 00:11:25,318 - This is a dream come true to be here. 301 00:11:25,352 --> 00:11:26,553 These brothers have been watching 302 00:11:26,586 --> 00:11:28,154 and training for six years. 303 00:11:28,188 --> 00:11:29,155 - Wow. 304 00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:31,624 That was effortless. 305 00:11:31,658 --> 00:11:33,193 - Steps up to Greased Lightning, 306 00:11:33,226 --> 00:11:37,964 which has already knocked out a few ninjas tonight. 307 00:11:37,997 --> 00:11:39,866 - Oh. - Uh-oh. 308 00:11:39,899 --> 00:11:41,234 Uh-oh. 309 00:11:41,267 --> 00:11:42,535 - He didn't release. 310 00:11:42,569 --> 00:11:45,005 And no one has recovered from this so far. 311 00:11:45,105 --> 00:11:49,442 Going to have to generate another big swing. 312 00:11:49,476 --> 00:11:50,744 Oh, my. 313 00:11:50,777 --> 00:11:53,113 He's the first to ever do that. 314 00:11:53,113 --> 00:11:54,948 - Nice. - On to Log Runner. 315 00:11:54,981 --> 00:11:57,317 He just exploded. 316 00:11:57,350 --> 00:11:59,386 - Yeah, I think, Matt, he's trying to make up for the time 317 00:11:59,419 --> 00:12:04,391 that he lost there on Greased Lightning. 318 00:12:04,424 --> 00:12:06,960 - Trying to quickly bounce his way across Kite Surfer. 319 00:12:07,060 --> 00:12:09,829 [cheers and applause] 320 00:12:09,863 --> 00:12:11,264 - Oh. 321 00:12:11,297 --> 00:12:14,634 - Roberto cut down on Kite Surfer. 322 00:12:14,668 --> 00:12:17,303 - Looked like he may have been rushing it. 323 00:12:17,337 --> 00:12:19,572 - It's almost impossible to recover when you 324 00:12:19,606 --> 00:12:22,208 miss the first dismount on Greased Lightning, 325 00:12:22,242 --> 00:12:24,611 but Roberto did it. 326 00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:26,813 He turned it on after that but missed 327 00:12:26,846 --> 00:12:28,415 the grab on Kite Surfer. 328 00:12:28,448 --> 00:12:31,184 Still he's still got a shot at landing in the top 12. 329 00:12:31,217 --> 00:12:32,952 [cheers and applause] 330 00:12:32,986 --> 00:12:37,223 - So now it the other brother Nacssa, who's also 15. 331 00:12:37,257 --> 00:12:39,426 - Both the brothers are quick to say 332 00:12:39,459 --> 00:12:41,461 Nacssa is the better ninja. 333 00:12:41,494 --> 00:12:44,364 - We'll see if that's true. 334 00:12:44,397 --> 00:12:47,133 [countdown clock beeping] 335 00:12:47,167 --> 00:12:50,203 - Both he and his brother great kids 336 00:12:50,236 --> 00:12:51,805 and some amazing ninjas. 337 00:12:51,838 --> 00:12:54,808 - RJ says Nacssa is so fast. 338 00:12:54,841 --> 00:12:57,610 - Roberto's hustled over to support his brother. 339 00:12:57,644 --> 00:12:59,112 - Well, hopefully Nacssa doesn't make 340 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:02,215 the same mistake Roberto did on Greased Lightning. 341 00:13:02,248 --> 00:13:04,250 He's got to release. 342 00:13:04,284 --> 00:13:05,819 And he does. 343 00:13:05,852 --> 00:13:07,620 - OK. 344 00:13:07,654 --> 00:13:08,621 - Now Log Runner. 345 00:13:08,655 --> 00:13:09,889 - Right into it. - Nice. 346 00:13:09,923 --> 00:13:11,324 - Wow. 347 00:13:11,358 --> 00:13:12,692 - And you can see how easy that was for him. 348 00:13:12,726 --> 00:13:15,762 He just floated over the top of Log Runner. 349 00:13:15,795 --> 00:13:18,498 - RJ wasn't kidding when he said this kid is good. 350 00:13:18,531 --> 00:13:20,467 - Yeah, and he's come so far. 351 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:21,935 He and his brother started training 352 00:13:21,968 --> 00:13:24,604 six years ago when they could barely speak English. 353 00:13:24,637 --> 00:13:29,843 At 15, he is looking like an elite ninja. 354 00:13:29,876 --> 00:13:32,112 - He looks so calm, so peaceful, 355 00:13:32,145 --> 00:13:33,880 like this is his playground. 356 00:13:33,913 --> 00:13:37,150 - And he just rode that bungee, rode the momentum. 357 00:13:37,183 --> 00:13:39,085 But this is where his brother fell. 358 00:13:39,119 --> 00:13:40,620 Not a problem for Nacssa. 359 00:13:40,653 --> 00:13:43,890 [cheers and applause] 360 00:13:43,923 --> 00:13:45,258 - This has been a fast run, 361 00:13:45,291 --> 00:13:46,860 but it's been an efficient run. 362 00:13:46,893 --> 00:13:49,929 - And now facing the fifth obstacle, The Cubes. 363 00:13:49,963 --> 00:13:53,633 Got to spin this first one vertically. 364 00:13:53,667 --> 00:13:55,735 - Yeah, he's living up to the hype so far. 365 00:13:55,769 --> 00:13:57,537 This must be a dream to be out here 366 00:13:57,570 --> 00:14:00,874 crushing it after watching the show for so many years. 367 00:14:00,907 --> 00:14:03,610 - And he's mastering The Cubes. 368 00:14:03,643 --> 00:14:04,611 Got to rotate it now. 369 00:14:04,644 --> 00:14:05,712 180 degrees. 370 00:14:05,745 --> 00:14:08,682 Good power out of Nacssa. 371 00:14:08,715 --> 00:14:10,617 - One more cube to go. 372 00:14:10,650 --> 00:14:13,286 This one will rotate as soon as you grab it. 373 00:14:13,319 --> 00:14:14,421 - One more. 374 00:14:14,454 --> 00:14:15,922 Big grab. - Nice! 375 00:14:15,955 --> 00:14:17,490 - Got it! 376 00:14:17,524 --> 00:14:20,493 - Has to hang on one hand while he rotates it around. 377 00:14:20,527 --> 00:14:22,062 Now just the dismount. 378 00:14:22,062 --> 00:14:23,396 Yes! 379 00:14:23,430 --> 00:14:26,566 - He is gonna get his first buzzer. 380 00:14:26,599 --> 00:14:28,368 - Nacssa Garemore delivers. 381 00:14:28,401 --> 00:14:29,836 [buzzer blares] 382 00:14:29,869 --> 00:14:32,205 [upbeat music] 383 00:14:32,238 --> 00:14:36,076 [cheers and applause] 384 00:14:36,076 --> 00:14:38,211 - Nacssa, what's it like being out here 385 00:14:38,244 --> 00:14:40,080 getting the buzzer on the big course? 386 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,849 - It means a lot, you know. 387 00:14:42,882 --> 00:14:45,218 I've been waiting for so long for this moment. 388 00:14:45,251 --> 00:14:46,820 It just means a lot. 389 00:14:46,853 --> 00:14:50,890 - Well, now you get a chance to go to the semifinals. 390 00:14:50,924 --> 00:14:52,525 Are you ready to go racing? 391 00:14:52,559 --> 00:14:53,593 - Yes. - Let's go. 392 00:14:53,626 --> 00:14:55,528 - Nacssa, we'll see in the semis. 393 00:14:55,562 --> 00:14:57,364 Go celebrate with your family. 394 00:14:57,397 --> 00:14:59,299 - Matt, he's come full circle. 395 00:14:59,332 --> 00:15:01,935 He used to watch the top ninjas on TV, 396 00:15:02,035 --> 00:15:05,271 now he's proven that he is a top ninja. 397 00:15:05,305 --> 00:15:08,141 We may be seeing him for years. 398 00:15:08,174 --> 00:15:09,642 - Coming up... 399 00:15:09,676 --> 00:15:12,512 At 71, Ginny MacColl will try to be the oldest 400 00:15:12,545 --> 00:15:15,348 ever complete an obstacle. 401 00:15:15,382 --> 00:15:18,485 And she's got a pretty good coach, her daughter, 402 00:15:18,518 --> 00:15:20,320 ninja great, Jessie Graff. 403 00:15:20,353 --> 00:15:22,422 - Be on the sidelines, cheering my mom on, 404 00:15:22,455 --> 00:15:25,091 I'm going to be so nervous but so excited. 405 00:15:25,125 --> 00:15:29,696 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 406 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:36,102 - Qualifying rolls on here at Universal Studios, 407 00:15:36,136 --> 00:15:39,372 and three ninjas got their shot minutes ago. 408 00:15:39,406 --> 00:15:42,342 Florida's Lain Shahboz is part of a ninja legacy. 409 00:15:42,375 --> 00:15:44,778 [cheers and applause] 410 00:15:44,811 --> 00:15:46,146 Her parents, Joyce and Mark, 411 00:15:46,179 --> 00:15:48,882 competed together way back in season four 412 00:15:48,915 --> 00:15:51,551 with Lain on the sidelines. 413 00:15:51,584 --> 00:15:54,320 Tonight the 20-year-old got her chance. 414 00:15:54,354 --> 00:15:55,321 - Get up, get up, get up. 415 00:15:55,355 --> 00:15:56,790 Ooh. 416 00:15:56,823 --> 00:15:59,559 - But the former college swimmer splashed out early. 417 00:15:59,592 --> 00:16:01,227 [upbeat music] 418 00:16:01,261 --> 00:16:06,533 Social media sensation Johnny Brown likes to get squirrely. 419 00:16:06,566 --> 00:16:08,468 His flying squirrel videos have garnered 420 00:16:08,501 --> 00:16:10,403 over 93 million views 421 00:16:10,437 --> 00:16:14,641 on TikTok, and he had his fans going nuts tonight. 422 00:16:14,674 --> 00:16:17,344 - Squirrels, they just run up everywhere. 423 00:16:17,377 --> 00:16:19,679 - On the course, the parkour coach scurried 424 00:16:19,713 --> 00:16:21,281 his way through the obstacles. 425 00:16:21,314 --> 00:16:23,650 - He gets through this one, give the squirrel a nut. 426 00:16:23,683 --> 00:16:25,352 Whoa! 427 00:16:25,385 --> 00:16:27,454 - But on Kite Runner, the rookie showed 428 00:16:27,487 --> 00:16:29,556 he wasn't a flying squirrel. 429 00:16:29,589 --> 00:16:32,058 - Ooh! 430 00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:34,894 He should've ran it in his suit. 431 00:16:34,928 --> 00:16:37,230 - North Carolina's Brandon Thomas 432 00:16:37,263 --> 00:16:38,865 was fired up for his run. 433 00:16:38,898 --> 00:16:40,700 - Yeah! 434 00:16:40,734 --> 00:16:43,803 - The 18-year-old rookie was born with a rare form 435 00:16:43,837 --> 00:16:47,107 color blindness, so the course doesn't appear 436 00:16:47,140 --> 00:16:48,174 red and blue to him. 437 00:16:48,208 --> 00:16:50,377 - All he sees is that buzzer. 438 00:16:50,410 --> 00:16:52,946 - But that didn't slow him down tonight. 439 00:16:52,979 --> 00:16:57,083 - Brandon Thomas is so pumped up right now. 440 00:16:57,083 --> 00:16:59,252 - He made it to the fifth obstacle. 441 00:16:59,285 --> 00:17:01,121 - No! 442 00:17:01,154 --> 00:17:03,423 - And that could earn him a spot in the semifinal, 443 00:17:03,456 --> 00:17:05,125 where every run is a race. 444 00:17:05,158 --> 00:17:08,228 - That was so much fun. 445 00:17:08,261 --> 00:17:10,330 - And on the course right now the Cake Ninja, 446 00:17:10,363 --> 00:17:12,332 David Bergstrom-Wright. 447 00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:13,333 - Nice. 448 00:17:13,366 --> 00:17:14,901 Ooh! 449 00:17:14,934 --> 00:17:17,837 - We saw his wife, Caitlyn, run earlier. 450 00:17:17,871 --> 00:17:20,607 Balance obstacle ended his season early last year, 451 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,043 but not tonight. - Whoa. 452 00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:24,878 Already on the fourth obstacle. 453 00:17:24,911 --> 00:17:26,446 - I think he wants that Mega Wall. 454 00:17:26,479 --> 00:17:28,615 Would need to finish under a 1:20 455 00:17:28,648 --> 00:17:29,949 to earn a shot at it. 456 00:17:30,050 --> 00:17:31,785 - I love the pace out of the Cake Ninja. 457 00:17:31,818 --> 00:17:34,054 Someone must have told him there's a red velvet 458 00:17:34,054 --> 00:17:35,455 cupcake at the buzzer. 459 00:17:35,488 --> 00:17:38,458 - Yeah, that or $10,000 at the top of the Mega Wall. 460 00:17:38,491 --> 00:17:40,060 - Well, he is an explosive athlete. 461 00:17:40,060 --> 00:17:41,761 You know he got a shot there. 462 00:17:41,795 --> 00:17:44,731 - Tried it back in season 12 but couldn't scale it. 463 00:17:44,764 --> 00:17:48,201 - And this year's Mega Wall is 6 inches taller. 464 00:17:48,234 --> 00:17:50,136 - First needs to figure out The Cubes. 465 00:17:50,170 --> 00:17:54,774 This is where his wife, Caitlyn, fell earlier. 466 00:17:54,808 --> 00:17:56,309 - This obstacle is so difficult. 467 00:17:56,343 --> 00:17:58,311 - This just eats up time. 468 00:17:58,345 --> 00:17:59,479 - Nice. 469 00:17:59,512 --> 00:18:01,014 Oh, he's got great technique, Matt. 470 00:18:01,014 --> 00:18:03,016 And he's got plenty time to have an opportunity 471 00:18:03,016 --> 00:18:04,117 at the Mega Wall. 472 00:18:04,150 --> 00:18:06,920 - Well, still has 20 seconds now. 473 00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:08,288 David Bergstrom-Wright looking strong. 474 00:18:08,321 --> 00:18:09,789 - All right. 475 00:18:09,823 --> 00:18:12,292 Now this one's got 180 degree vertical change here. 476 00:18:12,325 --> 00:18:13,460 - Whoo-hoo-hoo. 477 00:18:13,493 --> 00:18:14,461 - Oh, boy. 478 00:18:14,494 --> 00:18:16,496 He's got about 10 seconds. 479 00:18:16,529 --> 00:18:20,800 Here we go. 480 00:18:20,834 --> 00:18:22,736 - We got action, Matt. 481 00:18:22,769 --> 00:18:23,737 - Oh, hey. 482 00:18:23,770 --> 00:18:25,138 Get it. Get it. Get it. Get it. 483 00:18:25,171 --> 00:18:29,943 - David Bergstrom-Wright 484 00:18:30,043 --> 00:18:32,245 get his fourth career buzzer 485 00:18:32,278 --> 00:18:34,514 and earns a shot at the Mega Wall. 486 00:18:34,547 --> 00:18:37,050 - Let's go! 487 00:18:37,050 --> 00:18:38,451 - That was fast, man. 488 00:18:38,485 --> 00:18:40,420 That was real fast. 489 00:18:40,453 --> 00:18:42,922 And you've earned your shot at the Mega Wall. 490 00:18:42,956 --> 00:18:44,257 You ready for it? 491 00:18:44,290 --> 00:18:45,658 - Yes! 492 00:18:45,692 --> 00:18:49,863 Let's go! 493 00:18:49,896 --> 00:18:50,864 - You ready for it? 494 00:18:50,897 --> 00:18:51,865 - Go do it. 495 00:18:51,898 --> 00:18:53,600 - 18 and 1/2 feet. 496 00:18:53,633 --> 00:18:55,402 $10,000. 497 00:18:55,435 --> 00:18:57,971 - Let's go. 498 00:18:58,071 --> 00:19:00,073 - Trying to be the fourth ninja to take down 499 00:19:00,106 --> 00:19:01,141 the Mega Wall this season. 500 00:19:01,174 --> 00:19:02,375 [together] Mega Wall! 501 00:19:02,409 --> 00:19:03,843 Mega Wall! 502 00:19:03,877 --> 00:19:05,311 - Got to stick to this wall like fondant. 503 00:19:05,345 --> 00:19:06,479 Here we go. Stick. 504 00:19:06,513 --> 00:19:07,781 Got to stick on it like fondant. 505 00:19:07,814 --> 00:19:09,849 Ooh. 506 00:19:09,883 --> 00:19:13,720 - No Mega Wall, but it's the fastest finish so far. 507 00:19:13,753 --> 00:19:17,190 He's moving on to our ninja-versus-ninja semifinals, 508 00:19:17,223 --> 00:19:19,259 where every run is a race. 509 00:19:19,292 --> 00:19:22,862 And his wife, Caitlyn, may be going there with him. 510 00:19:22,896 --> 00:19:26,533 Up next another member of a well-known ninja family. 511 00:19:26,566 --> 00:19:29,035 This is 71-year-old Ginny MacColl. 512 00:19:29,069 --> 00:19:30,337 Yes, 71. 513 00:19:30,370 --> 00:19:32,038 - And she looks awesome. - Yes, she does. 514 00:19:32,038 --> 00:19:33,039 And look at that. 515 00:19:33,073 --> 00:19:35,642 "Never too old, never too late." 516 00:19:35,675 --> 00:19:38,044 - She's the mother of Hollywood stuntwoman and ninja 517 00:19:38,044 --> 00:19:40,046 superstar Jessie Graff. 518 00:19:40,046 --> 00:19:42,082 Ginny's had a long career as an actress. 519 00:19:42,115 --> 00:19:44,050 You may have seen her in some Hallmark movies, 520 00:19:44,050 --> 00:19:48,521 but a few years ago Jesse got her into Ninja. 521 00:19:48,555 --> 00:19:50,056 - I can go up. 522 00:19:50,056 --> 00:19:51,057 - Right. 523 00:19:51,057 --> 00:19:52,158 - But when it's dead-- 524 00:19:52,192 --> 00:19:53,193 - But you went all the way down, yeah. 525 00:19:53,226 --> 00:19:54,594 - It's hard. 526 00:19:54,627 --> 00:19:57,263 - My mom had never done a pull-up in her entire life. 527 00:19:57,297 --> 00:19:59,232 And when she was 61 she started 528 00:19:59,265 --> 00:20:00,667 secretly working on it. 529 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:02,569 - My generation of women were not 530 00:20:02,602 --> 00:20:05,538 encouraged to do any kind of strength training 531 00:20:05,572 --> 00:20:07,040 or to build muscles. 532 00:20:07,073 --> 00:20:08,875 [cheers and applause] 533 00:20:08,908 --> 00:20:11,544 When I saw Jesse on "American Ninja Warrior"-- 534 00:20:11,578 --> 00:20:15,181 - Her story. Her story right there. 535 00:20:15,215 --> 00:20:19,152 - She's so healthy and strong, and I want to get stronger. 536 00:20:19,185 --> 00:20:22,722 I always said Jessie was a mini me 537 00:20:22,756 --> 00:20:24,090 when we were growing up. 538 00:20:24,124 --> 00:20:26,292 Now I feel like I'm a mini Jessie. 539 00:20:26,326 --> 00:20:27,761 [laughs] 540 00:20:27,794 --> 00:20:31,631 - Seeing my mom compete at this level at this age 541 00:20:31,664 --> 00:20:34,334 has just shifted my perception of the world 542 00:20:34,367 --> 00:20:36,536 and the possibilities for me. 543 00:20:36,569 --> 00:20:38,772 There's a whole new generation of kids coming in, 544 00:20:38,805 --> 00:20:40,540 and they have superhuman powers. 545 00:20:40,573 --> 00:20:42,108 Like, how much longer can you do this? 546 00:20:42,142 --> 00:20:44,577 And then I'm like, oh, 30 years. 547 00:20:44,611 --> 00:20:45,979 You're good. 548 00:20:46,012 --> 00:20:48,948 [dramatic music] 549 00:20:48,982 --> 00:20:51,351 [applause] Go, Mama. 550 00:20:51,384 --> 00:20:53,987 - We've had 70-year-olds get through an obstacle, 551 00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:56,489 but Ginny could make history right here 552 00:20:56,523 --> 00:20:58,391 if she does it at 71. 553 00:20:58,425 --> 00:21:02,829 - Remember, you're gonna spot the pole, spot the trampoline. 554 00:21:02,862 --> 00:21:03,830 Punch. 555 00:21:03,863 --> 00:21:05,331 Grab. 556 00:21:05,365 --> 00:21:08,268 [countdown clock beeping] 557 00:21:08,301 --> 00:21:09,803 - All right. There you go. 558 00:21:09,836 --> 00:21:10,804 Nice. Nice. 559 00:21:10,837 --> 00:21:11,838 Get up. 560 00:21:11,871 --> 00:21:12,839 Come on, come on. - Climb! 561 00:21:12,872 --> 00:21:13,840 Climb! - Climb! 562 00:21:13,873 --> 00:21:14,841 Climb! 563 00:21:14,874 --> 00:21:15,842 Keep going. 564 00:21:15,875 --> 00:21:16,976 - And look at this. 565 00:21:17,077 --> 00:21:18,078 Ginny MacColl is going to do it. 566 00:21:18,111 --> 00:21:19,579 - Keep going. Keep going. 567 00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:20,580 Keep going. 568 00:21:20,613 --> 00:21:21,748 Keep going. 569 00:21:21,781 --> 00:21:25,518 - Ginny MacColl has made history. 570 00:21:25,552 --> 00:21:26,986 - Keep going. 571 00:21:27,087 --> 00:21:28,455 - 71 years old. 572 00:21:28,488 --> 00:21:30,390 Never too old, never too late. 573 00:21:30,423 --> 00:21:31,391 - I like it. 574 00:21:31,424 --> 00:21:32,759 Keep going. 575 00:21:32,792 --> 00:21:35,095 - Well, here she is on Greased Lightning. 576 00:21:35,095 --> 00:21:38,465 - Matt, everyone in the crowd is going crazy. 577 00:21:38,498 --> 00:21:41,401 [cheers and applause] 578 00:21:41,434 --> 00:21:43,470 - Greased Lightning is going to be a challenge. 579 00:21:43,503 --> 00:21:46,006 - Hold on, hold on, hold on. 580 00:21:46,106 --> 00:21:47,007 Hold on! 581 00:21:47,107 --> 00:21:48,375 What? 582 00:21:48,408 --> 00:21:49,542 - Didn't dismount. 583 00:21:49,576 --> 00:21:50,877 But how did she hold on? 584 00:21:50,910 --> 00:21:52,312 - She's hung up now. 585 00:21:52,345 --> 00:21:54,714 And we've only seen one ninja make it out of this. 586 00:21:54,748 --> 00:21:57,650 - Grab it forward. [indistinct]. 587 00:21:57,684 --> 00:22:00,220 - She is fighting. Look at the grip strength. 588 00:22:00,253 --> 00:22:03,056 That mama's got some good grip strength. 589 00:22:03,056 --> 00:22:05,925 - Keep going. Keep fighting. 590 00:22:05,959 --> 00:22:08,595 - You have to extend those arms and launch. 591 00:22:08,628 --> 00:22:11,464 This would be a tough save for even an elite ninja, 592 00:22:11,498 --> 00:22:13,800 but Ginny MacColl refusing to give up. 593 00:22:13,833 --> 00:22:15,502 - Look at the fight in her. 594 00:22:15,535 --> 00:22:17,671 - You're winning just by holding on. 595 00:22:17,704 --> 00:22:21,441 - Well she's been training pull-ups with her daughter. 596 00:22:21,474 --> 00:22:22,442 - She's smiling. 597 00:22:22,475 --> 00:22:25,945 [cheers and applause] 598 00:22:25,979 --> 00:22:27,881 - Come on, Ginny. 599 00:22:27,914 --> 00:22:29,816 - She is not-- - Look at this face. 600 00:22:29,849 --> 00:22:31,184 - This is where-- 601 00:22:31,217 --> 00:22:33,219 - This is where Jessie Graff gets it from. 602 00:22:33,253 --> 00:22:34,654 - I love that. 603 00:22:34,688 --> 00:22:36,089 That's my favorite one ever. 604 00:22:36,122 --> 00:22:38,892 - Ginny MacColl just made history 605 00:22:38,925 --> 00:22:40,593 and did it with style. 606 00:22:40,627 --> 00:22:44,464 - Like her shirt says, "never too old, never too late." 607 00:22:44,497 --> 00:22:46,533 And listen to this crowd. 608 00:22:46,566 --> 00:22:50,003 71, the oldest to ever to get through an obstacle 609 00:22:50,103 --> 00:22:53,907 on "American Ninja Warrior." 610 00:22:53,940 --> 00:22:55,942 [cheers and applause] 611 00:22:55,975 --> 00:22:57,811 When we come back, it's Jesse's turn. 612 00:22:57,844 --> 00:22:59,112 - Oh, yes. 613 00:22:59,112 --> 00:23:01,948 Jessie Graff continues to deliver. 614 00:23:02,048 --> 00:23:03,650 - The first woman to conquer stage one 615 00:23:03,683 --> 00:23:07,053 at the National Finals goes for another buzzer. 616 00:23:07,053 --> 00:23:08,421 - Her story. 617 00:23:08,455 --> 00:23:10,223 Her story right there. 618 00:23:10,256 --> 00:23:13,593 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 619 00:23:19,866 --> 00:23:23,570 - A qualifying course can be a danger zone. 620 00:23:23,603 --> 00:23:26,439 And minutes ago, former fighter pilot Joel Neeb, 621 00:23:26,473 --> 00:23:30,276 whose call sign is Thor, came ready to drop the hammer. 622 00:23:30,310 --> 00:23:32,345 - That's a mean call sign. 623 00:23:32,379 --> 00:23:35,849 - Neeb flew more than 2,000 missions for the air force, 624 00:23:35,882 --> 00:23:37,884 and he had some other top guns on his sideline. 625 00:23:37,917 --> 00:23:38,885 - Yeah. 626 00:23:38,918 --> 00:23:40,120 - Let's go, Thor. 627 00:23:40,153 --> 00:23:41,454 - But Thor found himself in a dogfight 628 00:23:41,488 --> 00:23:43,089 on Greased Lightning. - Here we go. 629 00:23:43,089 --> 00:23:44,090 Hammer down. 630 00:23:44,090 --> 00:23:45,291 Ooh! 631 00:23:45,325 --> 00:23:47,994 I said hammer down, not drop down. 632 00:23:48,094 --> 00:23:48,995 - Crash and burn. 633 00:23:49,095 --> 00:23:50,964 It happens. 634 00:23:50,997 --> 00:23:53,166 - Three-time veteran D.C. Banks 635 00:23:53,199 --> 00:23:54,434 was ready for his-close up. 636 00:23:54,467 --> 00:23:55,435 - OK. 637 00:23:55,468 --> 00:23:56,936 I see you. 638 00:23:56,970 --> 00:23:58,505 - He did get past Greased Lightning. 639 00:23:58,538 --> 00:24:01,041 And then the former college football player 640 00:24:01,041 --> 00:24:03,743 sprinted past Log Runner. 641 00:24:03,777 --> 00:24:08,415 But in Kite Surfer, the Banks collapsed. 642 00:24:08,448 --> 00:24:12,686 And the dreads got wet. 643 00:24:12,719 --> 00:24:16,489 Former pro wakeboarder Austin Hair did get past Kite Surfer. 644 00:24:16,523 --> 00:24:18,925 - OK, Austin Hair. 645 00:24:18,958 --> 00:24:21,361 - With his wife Lisa and daughter, Lena Rose, 646 00:24:21,394 --> 00:24:23,763 cheering him on, the two-time veteran 647 00:24:23,797 --> 00:24:26,099 put his own spin on The Cubes. 648 00:24:26,132 --> 00:24:27,600 - Ooh! 649 00:24:27,634 --> 00:24:30,070 He did like a little pirouette or something like that. 650 00:24:30,070 --> 00:24:31,371 OK. 651 00:24:31,404 --> 00:24:33,306 - He just needed to solve the final one 652 00:24:33,340 --> 00:24:35,375 and he'd have a shot at the buzzer. 653 00:24:35,408 --> 00:24:38,211 - Ooh! 654 00:24:38,244 --> 00:24:39,679 He was so close. 655 00:24:39,713 --> 00:24:40,914 - Daddy. 656 00:24:40,947 --> 00:24:42,482 - But no need to cry, Lena Rose. 657 00:24:42,515 --> 00:24:45,618 That's good enough to get Daddy into the semifinals. 658 00:24:45,652 --> 00:24:47,487 [cheers and applause] 659 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:48,755 On the course now-- 660 00:24:48,788 --> 00:24:50,090 - Oh, a little stumble-- 661 00:24:50,123 --> 00:24:52,826 - Tennessee teenager Elijah Browning. 662 00:24:52,859 --> 00:24:55,095 His nickname is "The Boss" and for good reason. 663 00:24:55,128 --> 00:24:58,098 Only 18 but runs several businesses. 664 00:24:58,131 --> 00:25:01,234 Sells sports cards, builds ninja rigs, 665 00:25:01,267 --> 00:25:04,104 and now has a successful modeling career too. 666 00:25:04,137 --> 00:25:06,039 - Matt, it's crazy to think that he didn't make it 667 00:25:06,039 --> 00:25:07,874 to Vegas last year. - Wow. 668 00:25:07,907 --> 00:25:09,609 - Oh, my goodness. 669 00:25:09,642 --> 00:25:12,178 - And he is coming out with a vengeance tonight. 670 00:25:12,212 --> 00:25:13,947 - He's just flying through the fourth obstacle. 671 00:25:14,047 --> 00:25:15,382 - Boom. Nice. 672 00:25:15,415 --> 00:25:17,150 - And he's got the whole extended family 673 00:25:17,183 --> 00:25:22,088 on the sideline, led by his biggest fan, his mom, Renee. 674 00:25:22,122 --> 00:25:24,591 Trying to get his third straight qualifying buzzer 675 00:25:24,624 --> 00:25:26,926 but first has to get past The Cubes. 676 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:29,896 Only two ninjas have survived it tonight. 677 00:25:29,929 --> 00:25:33,366 - At 6'1" he's got some long arms for this. 678 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:34,668 - Mom can barely watch. 679 00:25:34,701 --> 00:25:36,369 - You got this, buddy. 680 00:25:36,403 --> 00:25:39,439 - Makes it the second cube. 681 00:25:39,472 --> 00:25:41,508 - He's got them long limbs. 682 00:25:41,541 --> 00:25:43,109 - Rotate it. - Nice. 683 00:25:43,143 --> 00:25:44,210 - Good power. 684 00:25:44,244 --> 00:25:45,278 - Nice. 685 00:25:45,311 --> 00:25:48,348 - This third one is the toughest. 686 00:25:48,381 --> 00:25:49,349 He lands it. 687 00:25:49,382 --> 00:25:50,517 - Ooh! 688 00:25:50,550 --> 00:25:54,821 - Hanging on. 689 00:25:54,854 --> 00:25:56,322 - Come on, big fella. 690 00:25:56,356 --> 00:25:59,893 - "The Boss" fighting for the dismount, and he's got it. 691 00:25:59,926 --> 00:26:02,262 And "The Boss" is going to complete 692 00:26:02,295 --> 00:26:04,664 his third qualifying course in a row. 693 00:26:04,698 --> 00:26:07,801 - Let's go! 694 00:26:07,834 --> 00:26:09,769 [cheers and applause] 695 00:26:09,803 --> 00:26:10,937 [upbeat music] 696 00:26:11,037 --> 00:26:12,138 Let's go! 697 00:26:12,172 --> 00:26:17,477 * * 698 00:26:17,510 --> 00:26:18,645 - Same as the old Boss. 699 00:26:18,678 --> 00:26:20,146 - Let's go, boys. 700 00:26:20,180 --> 00:26:21,614 - [laughs] 701 00:26:21,648 --> 00:26:24,150 - Man, are you ready to go racing in the semifinals? 702 00:26:24,184 --> 00:26:25,285 - Dude, I'm so stoked about racing. 703 00:26:25,318 --> 00:26:26,653 Let's go. 704 00:26:26,686 --> 00:26:28,755 - Go down and celebrate with your family, Boss. 705 00:26:28,788 --> 00:26:30,724 I think your mom needs a hug. 706 00:26:30,757 --> 00:26:32,726 Akbar, he is a star. 707 00:26:32,759 --> 00:26:34,227 [cheers and applause] 708 00:26:34,260 --> 00:26:35,729 - And when you talk about stars, 709 00:26:35,762 --> 00:26:38,431 there's none bigger than our next ninja. 710 00:26:38,465 --> 00:26:41,134 If there were a Mount Rushmore for ninja athletes, 711 00:26:41,167 --> 00:26:43,370 this next woman would definitely be on it. 712 00:26:43,403 --> 00:26:46,406 I am talking about one of the all-time greats, Jessie Graff. 713 00:26:46,439 --> 00:26:48,975 Wearing her signature superhero outfit, 714 00:26:49,075 --> 00:26:50,577 the stuntwoman has been busy working 715 00:26:50,610 --> 00:26:53,546 on TV shows and movies, including 716 00:26:53,580 --> 00:26:55,215 the "Wonder Woman" films. 717 00:26:55,248 --> 00:26:58,084 And she is, of course, an icon of "Ninja." 718 00:26:58,118 --> 00:27:01,388 The nine-time veteran was the first woman to hit a buzzer 719 00:27:01,421 --> 00:27:04,424 on Stage One in Vegas. 720 00:27:04,457 --> 00:27:07,427 - You saw Jessie's mom, Ginny MacColl, run earlier. 721 00:27:07,460 --> 00:27:09,496 - Come on, Jessie. - Now Ginny's on the sideline 722 00:27:09,529 --> 00:27:12,732 along with friends, including ninja great, Barclay Stockett. 723 00:27:12,766 --> 00:27:14,834 She'll be right at home on this first obstacle. 724 00:27:14,868 --> 00:27:17,937 Jessie was a pole vaulter at the University of Nebraska. 725 00:27:18,038 --> 00:27:20,306 Held the school record at one point. 726 00:27:20,340 --> 00:27:21,841 - You can tell she's a pole vaulter. 727 00:27:21,875 --> 00:27:23,510 You see that? She got two feet on there. 728 00:27:23,543 --> 00:27:25,512 [together] Jessie! Jessie! Jessie! 729 00:27:25,545 --> 00:27:28,682 - She doubled Gal Gadot in "Wonder Woman '84." 730 00:27:28,715 --> 00:27:31,051 Wants to summon that superhero strength 731 00:27:31,051 --> 00:27:32,585 here on Greased Lightning. 732 00:27:32,619 --> 00:27:35,055 - All right, let's see if she learned from her mom. 733 00:27:35,055 --> 00:27:37,190 You got to release right at bottom. 734 00:27:37,223 --> 00:27:38,391 - Nice timing. 735 00:27:38,425 --> 00:27:39,559 She did. - Oh. 736 00:27:39,592 --> 00:27:41,161 - Nice. - A good save. 737 00:27:41,194 --> 00:27:42,762 - Yes! 738 00:27:42,796 --> 00:27:45,365 - Well, up next is Log Runner, and she fell on a balance 739 00:27:45,398 --> 00:27:47,400 obstacle last season. 740 00:27:47,434 --> 00:27:48,768 - Let's go, Jessie! 741 00:27:48,802 --> 00:27:50,070 - She's not overthinking it. 742 00:27:50,103 --> 00:27:51,905 In the past, we've seen her overthink. 743 00:27:51,938 --> 00:27:53,106 She's just going for it. 744 00:27:53,139 --> 00:27:54,407 Just go, go, go, go, go. 745 00:27:54,441 --> 00:27:55,408 - Great job. 746 00:27:55,442 --> 00:27:56,710 - You go, girl. 747 00:27:56,743 --> 00:27:57,844 - Yes! 748 00:27:57,877 --> 00:28:01,548 - Mama, there go your daughter. 749 00:28:01,581 --> 00:28:03,883 - Takes a breath before starting the fourth obstacle, 750 00:28:03,917 --> 00:28:05,485 Kite Surfer. 751 00:28:05,518 --> 00:28:08,321 - Yeah, she's really big on being your own superhero. 752 00:28:08,355 --> 00:28:10,023 She's motivated. 753 00:28:10,023 --> 00:28:14,427 So many ninjas, boys and girls alike, they look up to her. 754 00:28:14,461 --> 00:28:15,795 - Got that wide wingspan. 755 00:28:15,829 --> 00:28:17,430 5'8". Good power. 756 00:28:17,464 --> 00:28:18,431 - Perfect! 757 00:28:18,465 --> 00:28:20,033 - Nice. 758 00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:22,102 - Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright is the only woman 759 00:28:22,135 --> 00:28:23,803 who's bested the Kite Surfer. 760 00:28:23,837 --> 00:28:26,306 - She's been battling injuries the past few years, 761 00:28:26,339 --> 00:28:28,041 but she looks healthy. 762 00:28:28,041 --> 00:28:30,276 - Matt, I know we're only on the fourth obstacle, 763 00:28:30,310 --> 00:28:31,311 but I'm so excited. 764 00:28:31,344 --> 00:28:32,645 I got to say it. 765 00:28:32,679 --> 00:28:34,948 She's back. 766 00:28:35,048 --> 00:28:36,616 - Oh, Jessie [indistinct]. 767 00:28:36,649 --> 00:28:37,617 - Yeah. 768 00:28:37,650 --> 00:28:38,618 Nice. 769 00:28:38,651 --> 00:28:40,053 - Jessie Graff. 770 00:28:40,086 --> 00:28:41,054 - I see you. 771 00:28:41,087 --> 00:28:43,056 I see you, Jessie Graff. 772 00:28:43,056 --> 00:28:44,090 - And she's at The Cubes. 773 00:28:44,124 --> 00:28:46,059 [together] Jessie! Jessie! Jessie! 774 00:28:46,059 --> 00:28:48,461 - Hasn't hit a buzzer since season 12. 775 00:28:48,495 --> 00:28:50,430 - Oh, she's about to get this one. 776 00:28:50,463 --> 00:28:52,098 She's about to get that buzzer. 777 00:28:52,132 --> 00:28:54,134 - You can see she's figuring it out, looking at the cubes. 778 00:28:54,167 --> 00:28:57,337 - Jessie plots out every move she makes on the course. 779 00:28:57,370 --> 00:28:58,805 Putting a lot of thought into this one. 780 00:28:58,838 --> 00:29:02,175 [together] Jessie! Jessie! Jessie! 781 00:29:02,208 --> 00:29:05,111 - Ooh! 782 00:29:05,145 --> 00:29:06,179 - She had a plan. 783 00:29:06,212 --> 00:29:07,847 Just couldn't execute it. 784 00:29:07,881 --> 00:29:13,053 Wonder Woman splashes down on the Cubes. 785 00:29:13,086 --> 00:29:17,023 - This was classic Jessie Graff crushing obstacles 786 00:29:17,023 --> 00:29:19,926 and having fun, but on the first cube 787 00:29:20,026 --> 00:29:22,762 just couldn't find the right spot for her hand 788 00:29:22,796 --> 00:29:26,533 and spun right off. 789 00:29:26,566 --> 00:29:27,734 - Ah! 790 00:29:27,767 --> 00:29:29,369 - The good news is, she's moving on. 791 00:29:29,402 --> 00:29:33,173 We're going to see her racing in the semifinals. 792 00:29:33,206 --> 00:29:36,543 - The Cubes knocked out Jessie and some other ninjas tonight. 793 00:29:36,576 --> 00:29:40,046 And this obstacle came from our obstacle design challenge 794 00:29:40,046 --> 00:29:41,748 submitted by ten-year-old ninja fan 795 00:29:41,781 --> 00:29:44,651 Grace Quagliata of Ithaca, New York. 796 00:29:44,684 --> 00:29:47,053 If you've got an idea to test our ninjas, 797 00:29:47,087 --> 00:29:50,657 send it to... 798 00:29:50,690 --> 00:29:54,828 And we might see your idea on the course next season. 799 00:29:54,861 --> 00:29:57,597 - When we come back, buckle up. 800 00:29:57,630 --> 00:30:00,000 Rock and roll speed demon RJ Roman 801 00:30:00,033 --> 00:30:01,901 is going to go for broke. 802 00:30:01,935 --> 00:30:04,904 Plus, a fan favorite says goodbye. 803 00:30:04,938 --> 00:30:07,307 - It's time to hang it up. 804 00:30:07,340 --> 00:30:10,377 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 805 00:30:16,716 --> 00:30:18,685 - What is "American Ninja Warrior"? 806 00:30:18,718 --> 00:30:20,086 You're looking at it. 807 00:30:20,120 --> 00:30:22,355 - His submission tapes were always explosive. 808 00:30:22,389 --> 00:30:23,757 - Bro pound. 809 00:30:23,790 --> 00:30:26,693 - Bro pound. both: Boom. 810 00:30:26,726 --> 00:30:29,496 - And so were his performances on the course. 811 00:30:29,529 --> 00:30:32,465 - Ah! Ah! 812 00:30:32,499 --> 00:30:35,402 Ah! 813 00:30:35,435 --> 00:30:37,904 - Firefighter Brandon Mears is best known 814 00:30:37,937 --> 00:30:41,641 as 1/2 of the Towers of Power alongside fellow Chicago 815 00:30:41,675 --> 00:30:42,942 firefighter Dan Polizzi. 816 00:30:42,976 --> 00:30:44,210 - Let's go, baby. 817 00:30:44,244 --> 00:30:46,179 Towers of Power once more. 818 00:30:46,212 --> 00:30:48,381 - And tonight will be the final run 819 00:30:48,415 --> 00:30:49,816 of his storied career. 820 00:30:49,849 --> 00:30:52,252 - I have had a long run on this show, 821 00:30:52,285 --> 00:30:53,853 and I've loved every second of it. 822 00:30:53,887 --> 00:30:55,388 Tonight, when I go out on the course, 823 00:30:55,422 --> 00:30:57,757 I'm doing it for myself and my family. 824 00:30:57,791 --> 00:30:59,125 This is a big one for me. 825 00:30:59,159 --> 00:31:02,362 I want to still know I can still hit a buzzer. 826 00:31:02,395 --> 00:31:04,297 - And there are his biggest fans. 827 00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:08,301 That's his wife and son and dad back in Illinois. 828 00:31:08,335 --> 00:31:09,769 - Let's go. 829 00:31:09,803 --> 00:31:11,538 - Other ninjas, including fellow firefighters 830 00:31:11,571 --> 00:31:13,840 Mike Bernardo and Selena Laniel 831 00:31:13,873 --> 00:31:15,575 came to see this run. 832 00:31:15,608 --> 00:31:18,912 Folks in the crowd wearing fire hats as a tribute. 833 00:31:18,945 --> 00:31:21,348 - Brandon Mears one last ride. 834 00:31:21,381 --> 00:31:24,217 [countdown clock beeping] 835 00:31:24,250 --> 00:31:25,885 - Matt, he's 6'5". 836 00:31:25,919 --> 00:31:29,189 He was one of the first really big guys to try Ninja. 837 00:31:29,222 --> 00:31:30,523 He showed it could be done. 838 00:31:30,557 --> 00:31:31,991 - Yeah, come on. That's one. 839 00:31:32,092 --> 00:31:33,226 That's one. 840 00:31:33,259 --> 00:31:34,427 - His Towers of Power partner Polizzi 841 00:31:34,461 --> 00:31:35,729 is definitely going to miss him. 842 00:31:35,762 --> 00:31:37,530 They've been a team for years. 843 00:31:37,564 --> 00:31:39,566 Brandon now facing Greased Lightning. 844 00:31:39,599 --> 00:31:41,201 - Bigger frame here, Akbar. 845 00:31:41,234 --> 00:31:43,003 These drops could be jarring. 846 00:31:43,103 --> 00:31:44,371 - He's so tall. 847 00:31:44,404 --> 00:31:46,373 He's got to squat down to get in position. 848 00:31:46,406 --> 00:31:48,808 All right, hold on. 849 00:31:48,842 --> 00:31:50,677 - He didn't let go. 850 00:31:50,710 --> 00:31:52,012 - Oh, no. 851 00:31:52,112 --> 00:31:53,713 - And he's going to wind up in no-man's land. 852 00:31:53,747 --> 00:31:56,583 - Only Roberto Garemore has saved it from this position. 853 00:31:56,616 --> 00:31:58,151 You can see he's grimacing. 854 00:31:58,184 --> 00:31:59,953 - Oh, boy, that's a lot of weight. 855 00:32:00,053 --> 00:32:02,055 185 pounds. He's trained so hard. 856 00:32:02,088 --> 00:32:03,523 - Oh, look at the frustration. 857 00:32:03,556 --> 00:32:05,058 - Oh, his hands are starting to get uneven, Matt. 858 00:32:05,058 --> 00:32:06,393 His hands are starting to get uneven. 859 00:32:06,426 --> 00:32:07,394 - Oh, no. 860 00:32:07,427 --> 00:32:08,561 - Come one, Dad. 861 00:32:08,595 --> 00:32:10,196 - Get a big pull through forward. 862 00:32:10,230 --> 00:32:12,565 Pull through forward. 863 00:32:12,599 --> 00:32:13,566 - Come on! 864 00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:14,668 - Come on! 865 00:32:14,701 --> 00:32:16,403 - [indistinct] to the bro zone. 866 00:32:16,436 --> 00:32:18,471 - Come on. Everything you got! 867 00:32:18,505 --> 00:32:19,472 both: No! 868 00:32:19,506 --> 00:32:20,840 [buzzer blares] 869 00:32:20,874 --> 00:32:22,175 - Ah! 870 00:32:22,208 --> 00:32:24,077 - Couldn't make the dismount. 871 00:32:24,110 --> 00:32:26,513 And after a decade in the sport, 872 00:32:26,546 --> 00:32:29,883 a heartbreaking end for Brandon Mears. 873 00:32:29,916 --> 00:32:31,885 - So much success through the years, 874 00:32:31,918 --> 00:32:36,189 but that is not the way he wanted to end his career. 875 00:32:36,222 --> 00:32:38,091 - I got a lot of great memories, a lot of highs, 876 00:32:38,091 --> 00:32:39,492 a lot of lows. 877 00:32:39,526 --> 00:32:41,094 I love this show and everything it's taught me 878 00:32:41,094 --> 00:32:43,096 and where it's brought me. 879 00:32:43,096 --> 00:32:45,231 So... 880 00:32:45,265 --> 00:32:48,201 - He's been a tremendous competitor for a long time 881 00:32:48,234 --> 00:32:49,836 and one of the most loved. 882 00:32:49,869 --> 00:32:52,672 [cheers and applause] 883 00:32:52,706 --> 00:32:56,343 - Our next athlete made it all the way to stage 4 last year, 884 00:32:56,376 --> 00:32:59,179 and he's a favorite to get back there again. 885 00:32:59,212 --> 00:33:02,615 It's the rock-and-roller from Orlando, RJ Roman. 886 00:33:02,649 --> 00:33:04,584 He's become one of Ninjas biggest stars. 887 00:33:04,617 --> 00:33:06,619 And a few months ago he was part 888 00:33:06,653 --> 00:33:08,421 of an all-star team of Americans 889 00:33:08,455 --> 00:33:12,592 that competed on "Ninja Warrior Germany." 890 00:33:12,625 --> 00:33:14,894 - I've never been out of the country before. 891 00:33:14,928 --> 00:33:16,363 It was an absolute blast. 892 00:33:16,396 --> 00:33:17,964 [together] We are team USA, 893 00:33:18,064 --> 00:33:20,333 and we will beat them all. 894 00:33:20,367 --> 00:33:22,369 - We had an all-star team of ninjas. 895 00:33:22,402 --> 00:33:25,271 We had Jesse Labreck and Chris DiGangi, 896 00:33:25,305 --> 00:33:28,575 Jay "Lache" Lewis, Lance Pekus, Barclay, 897 00:33:28,608 --> 00:33:30,076 myself, and Austin Gray. 898 00:33:30,076 --> 00:33:31,811 Whew. It was so much fun. 899 00:33:31,845 --> 00:33:33,380 [rock music] 900 00:33:33,413 --> 00:33:36,216 I had the fastest time on stage one. 901 00:33:36,249 --> 00:33:37,650 - Nein! 902 00:33:37,684 --> 00:33:40,787 - And I cleared stage three sub three minutes. 903 00:33:40,820 --> 00:33:43,356 Stayed out of the water. 904 00:33:43,390 --> 00:33:45,692 Coming back with the win was great momentum 905 00:33:45,725 --> 00:33:46,726 for this season. 906 00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:48,094 [buzzer blares] 907 00:33:48,094 --> 00:33:49,462 I haven't hit the water in over a year, 908 00:33:49,496 --> 00:33:51,097 and I'm not going to start tonight. 909 00:33:51,097 --> 00:33:54,734 * * 910 00:33:54,768 --> 00:33:56,136 [cheers and applause] 911 00:33:56,169 --> 00:33:57,270 - His family is going to be cheering 912 00:33:57,303 --> 00:33:59,239 him on from back in Florida. 913 00:33:59,272 --> 00:34:01,808 Lots of his training partners on the sideline. 914 00:34:01,841 --> 00:34:03,743 [countdown clock beeping] 915 00:34:03,777 --> 00:34:06,212 - And RJ has one speed, fast. 916 00:34:06,246 --> 00:34:07,814 - Whoa! 917 00:34:07,847 --> 00:34:09,449 Did you see him get two feet on the pole vault like that? 918 00:34:09,482 --> 00:34:10,650 - Oh, my God. Wow. 919 00:34:10,684 --> 00:34:12,252 You know he wants a Mega Wall. 920 00:34:12,285 --> 00:34:13,953 He got it last year. 921 00:34:14,054 --> 00:34:16,222 Will need to finish under 1:20. 922 00:34:16,256 --> 00:34:18,058 - I don't think that's going to be an issue. 923 00:34:18,058 --> 00:34:19,526 - Come on. Nice. 924 00:34:19,559 --> 00:34:21,094 Got through it. 925 00:34:21,127 --> 00:34:22,429 - He's a heavy metal musician, 926 00:34:22,462 --> 00:34:24,297 and he is shredding this course. 927 00:34:24,330 --> 00:34:25,865 - Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo. 928 00:34:25,899 --> 00:34:27,367 - Oh, my goodness. 929 00:34:27,400 --> 00:34:30,203 - He's on the fourth obstacle in under 30 seconds. 930 00:34:30,236 --> 00:34:33,473 - RJ Roman looks even stronger than he did last year. 931 00:34:33,506 --> 00:34:34,541 - Five buzzers last year. 932 00:34:34,574 --> 00:34:35,742 - Wow. 933 00:34:35,775 --> 00:34:38,078 He is just sending it here by far 934 00:34:38,111 --> 00:34:40,313 the fastest through the course to this point. 935 00:34:40,347 --> 00:34:43,350 The Cubes can eat up some time, but this has been 936 00:34:43,383 --> 00:34:45,719 an unbelievable pace so far. 937 00:34:45,752 --> 00:34:47,520 - Matt, and I don't even think he's tired to be 938 00:34:47,554 --> 00:34:48,888 quite honest with you. 939 00:34:48,922 --> 00:34:51,825 - RJ Roman is truly shredding this course. 940 00:34:51,858 --> 00:34:53,626 - Whoo! 941 00:34:53,660 --> 00:34:56,396 - Hard to believe, but he wasn't an athlete growing up. 942 00:34:56,429 --> 00:34:59,165 He was into music, but he is now one of the best 943 00:34:59,199 --> 00:35:00,367 ninjas in the world. 944 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:01,601 - Well, Matt, he's in his prime. 945 00:35:01,634 --> 00:35:02,769 25 years old. - Oh, my gosh. 946 00:35:02,802 --> 00:35:05,038 - 5'6", 145 pounds. 947 00:35:05,038 --> 00:35:07,040 - And he's going easily get a buzzer 948 00:35:07,073 --> 00:35:09,175 and have a shot at the Mega Wall. 949 00:35:09,209 --> 00:35:11,945 One of the fastest time we've seen all season. 950 00:35:12,045 --> 00:35:13,947 RJ Roman. 951 00:35:14,047 --> 00:35:16,950 [rock music] 952 00:35:17,050 --> 00:35:18,485 * * 953 00:35:18,518 --> 00:35:20,954 - I knew it. That's how we do it. 954 00:35:21,054 --> 00:35:22,956 [cheers and applause] 955 00:35:23,056 --> 00:35:25,658 - Hey, RJ, slow your butt down. 956 00:35:25,692 --> 00:35:27,527 You're going to get a ticket moving that fast. 957 00:35:27,560 --> 00:35:29,195 - God, you're going to give me another ticket. 958 00:35:29,229 --> 00:35:31,064 Dude, that's where all my 10K went to last year. 959 00:35:31,097 --> 00:35:32,399 [laughing] 960 00:35:32,432 --> 00:35:34,868 - RJ, last year you were seconds 961 00:35:34,901 --> 00:35:36,636 away from a perfect season. 962 00:35:36,670 --> 00:35:38,538 You look stronger this year. 963 00:35:38,571 --> 00:35:41,141 Is this the year you get that million dollars, buddy? 964 00:35:41,174 --> 00:35:45,879 - Man, every year I feel like it is. 965 00:35:45,912 --> 00:35:47,480 But most importantly, the community 966 00:35:47,514 --> 00:35:50,083 that we're building here, that's what it's all about. 967 00:35:50,083 --> 00:35:52,118 [cheers and applause] 968 00:35:52,152 --> 00:35:54,954 - Well, you went fast enough to take a shot at the Mega Wall. 969 00:35:54,988 --> 00:35:56,089 - Let's see it, RJ. 970 00:35:56,089 --> 00:35:57,657 Get down there. 971 00:35:57,691 --> 00:35:59,426 - He made it up the Mega Wall last year, 972 00:35:59,459 --> 00:36:00,660 but it's now six inches higher. 973 00:36:00,694 --> 00:36:03,029 [together] Mega Wall! Mega Wall! 974 00:36:03,029 --> 00:36:04,931 - Well, he's got his community cheering him on. 975 00:36:05,031 --> 00:36:10,370 18 and 1/2 feet away from another $10,000 for RJ Roman. 976 00:36:10,403 --> 00:36:11,938 - Here we go. 977 00:36:12,038 --> 00:36:13,373 All right. Walk it up. 978 00:36:13,406 --> 00:36:14,908 - Shred it. - Walk up! 979 00:36:14,941 --> 00:36:16,509 Ohh! 980 00:36:16,543 --> 00:36:17,510 - Whoo! 981 00:36:17,544 --> 00:36:19,946 - So close. - Wow. 982 00:36:20,046 --> 00:36:22,949 - That extra six inches we added made a difference. 983 00:36:23,049 --> 00:36:25,051 He got his fingers to the top but not 984 00:36:25,051 --> 00:36:27,153 enough to pull himself up. 985 00:36:27,187 --> 00:36:30,390 - But he still gets his fifth straight qualifying buzzer 986 00:36:30,423 --> 00:36:33,093 and the fastest finish tonight. 987 00:36:33,126 --> 00:36:34,828 He leads the pack of those moving on 988 00:36:34,861 --> 00:36:36,396 from tonight's group. 989 00:36:36,429 --> 00:36:38,898 We had four ninjas in all hit buzzers. 990 00:36:38,932 --> 00:36:41,434 Non-finishers will fill out our top 11, 991 00:36:41,468 --> 00:36:43,937 who are guaranteed to move on to the semifinals, 992 00:36:43,970 --> 00:36:46,139 where they'll race for a spot in Vegas. 993 00:36:46,172 --> 00:36:48,675 And our 12th and 13th place competitor's are 994 00:36:48,708 --> 00:36:50,610 about to face off for the final spot 995 00:36:50,643 --> 00:36:53,980 in the semis in the runoffs, a head-to-head race 996 00:36:54,080 --> 00:36:55,949 on our two-lane course. 997 00:36:55,982 --> 00:36:59,753 - Man, if it's anything like last week, we got action. 998 00:36:59,786 --> 00:37:02,355 - It's next on "American Ninja Warrior." 999 00:37:08,762 --> 00:37:09,729 - Moments ago, we had our first 1000 00:37:09,763 --> 00:37:11,831 runoff race of the night. 1001 00:37:11,865 --> 00:37:15,235 Jason Grossman, a medical sales manager from LA 1002 00:37:15,268 --> 00:37:17,704 who landed in 12th place among the men, 1003 00:37:17,737 --> 00:37:20,507 stepped up to take on 37-year-old Virginia 1004 00:37:20,540 --> 00:37:24,244 shipyard worker Nyjle Henry, who was in 13th place. 1005 00:37:24,277 --> 00:37:27,681 Grossman, who's 11 years younger and 30 pounds lighter, 1006 00:37:27,714 --> 00:37:29,215 got off to a quick start. 1007 00:37:29,249 --> 00:37:31,117 - You got to hit it hard and fast. 1008 00:37:31,151 --> 00:37:33,086 - Henry stayed within striking distance. 1009 00:37:33,119 --> 00:37:36,556 - Matt, I think Nyjle Henry is playing it too safe. 1010 00:37:36,589 --> 00:37:38,658 - But he got hung up on Bee Hive. 1011 00:37:38,692 --> 00:37:39,659 - That's a long time. 1012 00:37:39,693 --> 00:37:41,127 Oh, he couldn't even make it. 1013 00:37:41,161 --> 00:37:43,596 - And that gave the two-time veteran 1014 00:37:43,630 --> 00:37:45,598 Jason Grossman the win. 1015 00:37:45,632 --> 00:37:47,434 Though he splashed down on Sideways, 1016 00:37:47,467 --> 00:37:48,968 it doesn't matter. 1017 00:37:49,069 --> 00:37:52,172 He's moving on to our ninja-versus-ninja semifinals. 1018 00:37:52,205 --> 00:37:54,374 - Yeah, Let's go. 1019 00:37:54,407 --> 00:37:56,609 [cheers and applause] 1020 00:37:56,643 --> 00:37:59,079 - For the women tonight it's veterans at the top 1021 00:37:59,079 --> 00:38:01,915 as Jessie Graff, Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright, 1022 00:38:02,015 --> 00:38:05,018 and army jag corps officer Jeri D'Aurelio finished one, 1023 00:38:05,018 --> 00:38:07,654 two, three. 1024 00:38:07,687 --> 00:38:11,024 Our runoff race is between two teenage rookies. 1025 00:38:11,057 --> 00:38:14,828 In fourth place is Colorado's 15-year-old Jaleesa Himka. 1026 00:38:14,861 --> 00:38:16,629 And she'll be facing fifth place 1027 00:38:16,663 --> 00:38:19,165 Amelia Leonardi, a 17-year-old 1028 00:38:19,199 --> 00:38:21,134 with a lot of spirit. 1029 00:38:21,167 --> 00:38:23,937 all: Let's go, Amelia! 1030 00:38:24,037 --> 00:38:26,206 - Leonardi is a cheerleader at Clearwater 1031 00:38:26,239 --> 00:38:28,141 Central Catholic High School. 1032 00:38:28,174 --> 00:38:30,744 - Oh, boy. - Here we go. 1033 00:38:30,777 --> 00:38:32,912 - Earlier tonight, she even fired up 1034 00:38:32,946 --> 00:38:35,315 our crowd from the start line. 1035 00:38:35,348 --> 00:38:37,417 - I would say the key to being a good cheerleader 1036 00:38:37,450 --> 00:38:40,720 is just being super positive and having great energy. 1037 00:38:40,754 --> 00:38:42,255 Let's get fired up. 1038 00:38:42,288 --> 00:38:44,124 Hey, get fired up. 1039 00:38:44,157 --> 00:38:47,293 I want to cheer for the Dallas Cowboys when I get older, 1040 00:38:47,327 --> 00:38:49,129 but then I also want to cheer, hopefully, 1041 00:38:49,162 --> 00:38:50,530 at Alabama for college. 1042 00:38:50,563 --> 00:38:51,865 [upbeat music] 1043 00:38:51,898 --> 00:38:52,866 Ready. 1044 00:38:52,899 --> 00:38:53,867 OK. 1045 00:38:53,900 --> 00:38:55,969 Let's go, ninja. 1046 00:38:56,069 --> 00:38:57,203 * * 1047 00:38:57,237 --> 00:38:59,472 - The other competitor, Jaleesa Himka, 1048 00:38:59,506 --> 00:39:01,841 has been training Ninja her whole life. 1049 00:39:01,875 --> 00:39:03,843 Her mom was an elite athlete who 1050 00:39:03,877 --> 00:39:08,348 now runs an outdoor ninja gym Jaleesa trains at every day. 1051 00:39:08,381 --> 00:39:10,316 - Athletic talent definitely runs in our family. 1052 00:39:10,350 --> 00:39:11,317 - Yes! 1053 00:39:11,351 --> 00:39:12,318 Best time yet! 1054 00:39:12,352 --> 00:39:14,421 Good job! 1055 00:39:14,454 --> 00:39:17,057 - She gets her muscles from me. 1056 00:39:17,090 --> 00:39:18,858 I was a gymnast since the age of five. 1057 00:39:18,892 --> 00:39:21,861 Went on to get a scholarship for gymnastics in college. 1058 00:39:21,895 --> 00:39:23,430 I got the call saying, "Hey, do you want to be 1059 00:39:23,463 --> 00:39:24,431 on 'American Gladiators'"? 1060 00:39:24,464 --> 00:39:26,366 And I was like, "Yes." 1061 00:39:26,399 --> 00:39:28,568 Ended up winning that show. 1062 00:39:28,601 --> 00:39:30,437 - My mom was an American Gladiator 1063 00:39:30,470 --> 00:39:32,772 but I'm an American Ninja Warrior. 1064 00:39:32,806 --> 00:39:34,040 * * 1065 00:39:34,040 --> 00:39:36,343 [cheers and applause] 1066 00:39:36,376 --> 00:39:38,111 - You can hear Jaleesa's mom already. 1067 00:39:38,144 --> 00:39:39,913 - Let's go! Get it! 1068 00:39:39,946 --> 00:39:40,914 - Come on, Amelia! 1069 00:39:40,947 --> 00:39:43,283 - These are two fun teenagers. 1070 00:39:43,316 --> 00:39:46,052 - Ah, got a little dance going on here. 1071 00:39:46,052 --> 00:39:48,455 - Definitely don't look like their feeling pressure. 1072 00:39:48,488 --> 00:39:51,291 Amelia's got her own cheerleaders on the sideline. 1073 00:39:51,324 --> 00:39:53,593 - They've got pom-poms and the whole thing. 1074 00:39:53,626 --> 00:39:55,395 - You can see Leonardi badly injured 1075 00:39:55,428 --> 00:39:58,131 that knee in cheerleading about a year ago, 1076 00:39:58,164 --> 00:39:59,699 but she's out here. 1077 00:39:59,733 --> 00:40:02,202 Going to be tested on this first obstacle, Home Run. 1078 00:40:02,235 --> 00:40:06,206 [countdown clock beeping] 1079 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:08,274 - Four obstacles to the buzzer 1080 00:40:08,308 --> 00:40:10,443 or whoever gets farthest the fastest. 1081 00:40:10,477 --> 00:40:12,645 Himka has a five-inch height advantage. 1082 00:40:12,679 --> 00:40:13,780 Use those long limbs. 1083 00:40:13,813 --> 00:40:15,682 And has a slight lead. 1084 00:40:15,715 --> 00:40:17,117 - Yeah, but you know the cheerleader's 1085 00:40:17,150 --> 00:40:19,786 going to be aggressive, be, be aggressive. 1086 00:40:19,819 --> 00:40:21,755 - Leonardi's a flyer as a cheerleader. 1087 00:40:21,788 --> 00:40:23,757 Should been able to launch herself pretty well here. 1088 00:40:23,790 --> 00:40:25,525 - Both of them rookies. 1089 00:40:25,558 --> 00:40:26,793 Only one will move on. 1090 00:40:26,826 --> 00:40:29,295 [cheers and applause] 1091 00:40:29,329 --> 00:40:31,031 - And Himka staying ahead. 1092 00:40:31,064 --> 00:40:32,365 Onto Bee Hive. 1093 00:40:32,399 --> 00:40:34,634 - Leonardi's pausing to catch her breath. 1094 00:40:34,668 --> 00:40:36,836 Remember, it's not who starts an obstacle first. 1095 00:40:36,870 --> 00:40:38,271 It's who finishes first. 1096 00:40:38,304 --> 00:40:41,007 And Jaleesa doing a good job just staying one 1097 00:40:41,041 --> 00:40:43,943 move ahead, keeping the pressure on Leonardi. 1098 00:40:43,977 --> 00:40:45,645 But Leonardi's closing it. 1099 00:40:45,679 --> 00:40:48,982 - Matt, these two teams are in a battle. 1100 00:40:49,015 --> 00:40:51,418 - Himka is first off the Bee Hive. 1101 00:40:51,451 --> 00:40:52,986 That could be key if they don't finish. 1102 00:40:53,019 --> 00:40:54,854 - Yeah! Let's go! 1103 00:40:54,888 --> 00:40:58,091 - One more obstacle to a buzzer for Jaleesa Himka. 1104 00:40:58,124 --> 00:41:00,660 But here comes Amelia Leonardi. 1105 00:41:00,694 --> 00:41:03,797 - She's got spirit, but can she catch Himka? 1106 00:41:03,830 --> 00:41:05,065 - Well, this is when 1107 00:41:05,065 --> 00:41:06,066 when you're on this fourth obstacle, 1108 00:41:06,099 --> 00:41:07,434 you got to get competitive. 1109 00:41:07,467 --> 00:41:08,468 And Amelia has got to go. 1110 00:41:08,501 --> 00:41:09,669 - She's only 5'1". 1111 00:41:09,703 --> 00:41:11,371 You can see the challenge getting 1112 00:41:11,404 --> 00:41:14,074 up and reaching that lead arm around, but she's doing it. 1113 00:41:14,074 --> 00:41:15,108 - Jaleesa's getting away. 1114 00:41:15,141 --> 00:41:17,544 Amelia needs to catch up. 1115 00:41:17,577 --> 00:41:19,279 Look at Himka. 1116 00:41:19,312 --> 00:41:22,482 - Jaleesa Himka one move away. 1117 00:41:22,515 --> 00:41:25,985 She can hit her first ever buzzer, and she does it. 1118 00:41:26,086 --> 00:41:27,454 [cheers and applause] 1119 00:41:27,487 --> 00:41:30,757 The 15-year-old delivers. 1120 00:41:30,790 --> 00:41:32,759 - Wow. 1121 00:41:32,792 --> 00:41:35,729 [cheers and applause] 1122 00:41:35,762 --> 00:41:38,198 - I love the fight in Leonardi, though. 1123 00:41:38,231 --> 00:41:39,666 Not giving up. 1124 00:41:39,699 --> 00:41:42,669 She is not. I like-- both: Oh! 1125 00:41:42,702 --> 00:41:45,171 - A great effort from both the teenagers, 1126 00:41:45,205 --> 00:41:49,275 but ultimately it's Himka who has the most to cheer about. 1127 00:41:49,309 --> 00:41:52,112 We're going to see her in a few weeks in the semifinals 1128 00:41:52,145 --> 00:41:53,947 where every run is a race. 1129 00:41:53,980 --> 00:41:55,448 - That wraps it up for tonight. 1130 00:41:55,482 --> 00:41:57,817 From Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 1131 00:41:57,851 --> 00:42:02,088 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior."