1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,272 [upbeat music] 2 00:00:06,306 --> 00:00:07,807 - Welcome to Los Angeles and the back lot 3 00:00:07,841 --> 00:00:09,943 at Universal Studios Hollywood. 4 00:00:09,976 --> 00:00:12,178 We're lighting up New York Street for qualifying 5 00:00:12,212 --> 00:00:14,647 on "American Ninja Warrior." 6 00:00:14,681 --> 00:00:16,082 Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining us. 7 00:00:16,116 --> 00:00:17,083 I'm Matt Iseman. 8 00:00:17,117 --> 00:00:18,651 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 9 00:00:18,685 --> 00:00:22,489 Matt, we're only two weeks away from the start of semi-finals. 10 00:00:22,522 --> 00:00:24,357 If these ninjas want to be there, 11 00:00:24,391 --> 00:00:25,492 they need to bring it tonight. 12 00:00:25,525 --> 00:00:26,926 - You know it, big man. 13 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:29,362 Only the top 12 men and top 4 women will move on. 14 00:00:29,396 --> 00:00:31,398 And we've got a strong field ready to take on 15 00:00:31,431 --> 00:00:32,766 this qualifying course. 16 00:00:32,799 --> 00:00:34,768 For a preview, let's go down to Zuri. 17 00:00:34,801 --> 00:00:36,703 - Yeah, guys, we've got some fan favorites 18 00:00:36,736 --> 00:00:38,338 among our group of ninjas tonight. 19 00:00:38,371 --> 00:00:42,042 "American Ninja Warrior" champion Vance Walker is back. 20 00:00:42,075 --> 00:00:44,778 When we last saw him, he was making history 21 00:00:44,811 --> 00:00:48,415 as our youngest champion and only the third ninja ever 22 00:00:48,448 --> 00:00:50,050 to win the million dollar grand prize. 23 00:00:50,083 --> 00:00:53,453 - Vance Walker has done it! 24 00:00:53,486 --> 00:00:56,723 - Now he's got his sights set on another million. 25 00:00:56,756 --> 00:00:59,492 - I'm coming for stage four again and that title. 26 00:00:59,526 --> 00:01:02,829 - We'll also see the Big Cat, Karsten Williams 27 00:01:02,862 --> 00:01:05,665 back for his 10th season. 28 00:01:05,699 --> 00:01:08,301 Plus, we've got an Olympian on our course. 29 00:01:08,335 --> 00:01:10,370 Chris Mazdzer won a silver medal 30 00:01:10,403 --> 00:01:13,073 in the 2018 Olympics in luge. 31 00:01:13,073 --> 00:01:16,443 Now he'll try to slide past our obstacles. 32 00:01:16,476 --> 00:01:18,812 All right, guys, let's get to it. 33 00:01:18,845 --> 00:01:20,180 - Well, we're going to kick things off 34 00:01:20,213 --> 00:01:21,715 with this season's oldest competitor. 35 00:01:21,748 --> 00:01:24,718 This is Santa Fe, New Mexico's Tom Simek. 36 00:01:24,751 --> 00:01:26,653 He's 70 years old, 37 00:01:26,686 --> 00:01:29,356 and as you can see, he's still flexing. 38 00:01:29,389 --> 00:01:31,091 This Vietnam veteran is a remarkable 39 00:01:31,091 --> 00:01:32,425 all-around athlete. 40 00:01:32,459 --> 00:01:34,294 And he's here because his granddaughter 41 00:01:34,327 --> 00:01:36,996 convinced him to try the course. 42 00:01:37,097 --> 00:01:37,997 [soft dramatic music] 43 00:01:38,098 --> 00:01:39,199 - Let's get warmed up. 44 00:01:39,232 --> 00:01:40,200 - OK, you're going to warm me up? 45 00:01:40,233 --> 00:01:42,502 - Yes. - Come on. 46 00:01:42,535 --> 00:01:45,138 - OK, sprint. 47 00:01:45,171 --> 00:01:47,707 - I'm not your average 70-year-old. 48 00:01:48,975 --> 00:01:52,178 In Masters track and field, I am ranked in the top five 49 00:01:52,212 --> 00:01:55,648 in the country in the 50-meter and the long jump. 50 00:01:55,682 --> 00:01:57,917 - Set. [gunshot] 51 00:01:57,951 --> 00:01:59,819 - Let's go, Papa! - OK! 52 00:01:59,853 --> 00:02:01,321 [cheers and applause] - Come on. 53 00:02:01,354 --> 00:02:02,555 - Let's go, Dad! 54 00:02:02,589 --> 00:02:05,258 Go, Dad! Go, go! - Go, Papa! 55 00:02:05,291 --> 00:02:08,261 [cheers and applause] 56 00:02:08,294 --> 00:02:09,696 - It's fun, 57 00:02:09,729 --> 00:02:11,398 I feel like a kid when I do it, 58 00:02:11,431 --> 00:02:13,700 and it keeps me going. 59 00:02:13,733 --> 00:02:16,670 Come on, hon, you got it. You got it. 60 00:02:16,703 --> 00:02:18,371 * * 61 00:02:18,405 --> 00:02:21,307 I discovered Ninja through my granddaughter. 62 00:02:21,341 --> 00:02:22,842 She was doing gymnastics. 63 00:02:22,876 --> 00:02:25,478 Ready? Come on, hon. You can do it. 64 00:02:25,512 --> 00:02:28,648 I'd go and watch her and I'd see these kids 65 00:02:28,682 --> 00:02:31,084 climbing a rope or playing on the bars, 66 00:02:31,117 --> 00:02:34,688 and it looked like a big playground. 67 00:02:34,721 --> 00:02:38,091 I'm coming. - Come on, Papa. 68 00:02:38,091 --> 00:02:39,926 It's really cool having a grandpa 69 00:02:39,959 --> 00:02:43,363 that you could do so much stuff with. 70 00:02:43,396 --> 00:02:44,798 - All right. 71 00:02:44,831 --> 00:02:47,467 - And it's really inspiring seeing him being able 72 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:50,303 to do this at such an older age. 73 00:02:50,337 --> 00:02:51,871 * * 74 00:02:51,905 --> 00:02:53,573 - Hey! 75 00:02:53,606 --> 00:02:56,142 I'm going to show her what her papa can do. 76 00:02:56,176 --> 00:03:00,280 * * 77 00:03:00,313 --> 00:03:01,781 [cheers and applause] 78 00:03:01,815 --> 00:03:04,317 - You know Tom's granddaughter Mika wouldn't miss this. 79 00:03:04,351 --> 00:03:07,053 She's on the sideline with her mom, Tom's daughter, 80 00:03:07,087 --> 00:03:08,888 to cheer him on. 81 00:03:08,922 --> 00:03:10,623 He's got his nickname on his shirt, 82 00:03:10,657 --> 00:03:14,394 the Silver Czech to honor his Czechoslovakian heritage. 83 00:03:14,427 --> 00:03:16,596 Can the track star handle the Pole Vault? 84 00:03:16,629 --> 00:03:17,897 [countdown clock beeping] 85 00:03:17,931 --> 00:03:19,232 - All right. Get on there. 86 00:03:19,265 --> 00:03:20,533 Get up. Get up high. 87 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:21,568 - Oh, no, he slid down. Gotta get up. 88 00:03:21,601 --> 00:03:22,836 - Well, come on. Come on. 89 00:03:22,869 --> 00:03:24,104 - Lock that body in. 90 00:03:24,137 --> 00:03:25,372 Come on, Tom. - Nice! 91 00:03:25,405 --> 00:03:26,573 Nice-- - Oh, my goodness! 92 00:03:26,606 --> 00:03:28,074 - Oh, my goodness. 93 00:03:28,108 --> 00:03:29,909 Did you see that core strength on that 70-year-old? 94 00:03:29,943 --> 00:03:31,311 [cheers and applause] 95 00:03:31,344 --> 00:03:32,779 - Come on! 96 00:03:32,812 --> 00:03:36,282 - This Czech got through one, and look at that. 97 00:03:36,316 --> 00:03:38,785 - Oh, his granddaughter is crying. 98 00:03:38,818 --> 00:03:40,720 - But this is a big ask, 99 00:03:40,754 --> 00:03:42,555 facing Reel to Reel. 100 00:03:42,589 --> 00:03:44,457 He's going to be 18 feet high, 101 00:03:44,491 --> 00:03:46,726 and he'll have to swing over to that second reel. 102 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:50,163 - 70 years old, he's already a legend in my book. 103 00:03:50,196 --> 00:03:52,532 Big transfer. - Come on. 104 00:03:52,565 --> 00:03:54,801 [crowd exclaims] - Oh! 105 00:03:54,834 --> 00:03:56,736 Tom Simek. - [groans] 106 00:03:56,770 --> 00:03:57,937 [cheers and applause] 107 00:03:57,971 --> 00:04:00,040 - The 70-year-old grandpa almost 108 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,775 pulled off that big move. 109 00:04:01,808 --> 00:04:04,044 But he did get through one obstacle, 110 00:04:04,044 --> 00:04:06,212 and that put a smile on everyone's face. 111 00:04:06,246 --> 00:04:09,382 This crowd is showing their appreciation. 112 00:04:09,416 --> 00:04:10,950 He flexed on this course, 113 00:04:11,051 --> 00:04:13,887 and his granddaughter's got to be so proud. 114 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,389 - Matt, he didn't get a good jump on Pole Vault, 115 00:04:16,423 --> 00:04:19,292 but he scrambled his way up and saved it. 116 00:04:19,325 --> 00:04:22,095 And then on Reel to Reel, look at this. 117 00:04:22,128 --> 00:04:24,464 He had both hands on the second one 118 00:04:24,497 --> 00:04:26,533 but just couldn't hang on. 119 00:04:26,566 --> 00:04:28,635 - Oh, it's OK. I did great. 120 00:04:30,603 --> 00:04:32,072 - I did great. 121 00:04:34,140 --> 00:04:35,375 - Aw. 122 00:04:35,408 --> 00:04:36,576 - It was an awesome ride. 123 00:04:36,609 --> 00:04:38,545 [cheers and applause] 124 00:04:38,578 --> 00:04:42,082 - Well our next ninja knows all about awesome rides. 125 00:04:42,082 --> 00:04:43,683 Chynna Hart is a mechanical engineer 126 00:04:43,717 --> 00:04:46,886 from Texas who knows how to shift into overdrive. 127 00:04:48,722 --> 00:04:50,490 * * 128 00:04:50,523 --> 00:04:52,392 - I'm no stranger to speed. 129 00:04:52,425 --> 00:04:55,662 One of my favorite things to do is to drift cars. 130 00:04:55,695 --> 00:04:57,731 - Kick it. [tires screeching] 131 00:04:57,764 --> 00:05:00,200 - Drifting is controlled chaos. 132 00:05:00,233 --> 00:05:02,402 You're going to see lots of smoke, 133 00:05:02,435 --> 00:05:05,705 tires burning on the pavement, whipping from side to side. 134 00:05:05,739 --> 00:05:07,607 - Yeah, there you go. Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig. 135 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,377 - And just that speed and that little bit of fear, 136 00:05:10,410 --> 00:05:13,446 it's so much fun. - Whoo! 137 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,148 - I think this is the best I've ever done. 138 00:05:15,181 --> 00:05:16,416 - [chuckles] 139 00:05:16,449 --> 00:05:18,184 [drill whirring] 140 00:05:18,218 --> 00:05:19,486 * * 141 00:05:19,519 --> 00:05:21,521 Drifting helps me with Ninja because 142 00:05:21,554 --> 00:05:25,158 it's very good at teaching me to control the fear. 143 00:05:25,191 --> 00:05:28,495 Confidence plays a huge role in drifting. 144 00:05:28,528 --> 00:05:31,164 You've really just got to go for it and trust yourself. 145 00:05:31,197 --> 00:05:32,766 [tires screeching] 146 00:05:32,799 --> 00:05:35,235 I'm going to be burning rubber all the way to the buzzer. 147 00:05:35,268 --> 00:05:37,404 * * 148 00:05:37,437 --> 00:05:39,739 - As Chynna drifts through the course tonight, 149 00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:41,174 she'll have friends and her boyfriend 150 00:05:41,207 --> 00:05:43,443 watching back home. - Good luck. 151 00:05:43,476 --> 00:05:44,844 [cheers] 152 00:05:44,878 --> 00:05:46,446 - Go Chynna! 153 00:05:46,479 --> 00:05:48,982 - And some of her Texas ninja friends on the sideline. 154 00:05:49,082 --> 00:05:50,316 - You got it. 155 00:05:50,350 --> 00:05:53,186 [countdown clock beeping] 156 00:05:53,219 --> 00:05:54,688 - 5'7". 157 00:05:54,721 --> 00:05:56,623 Oh, slammed into the pole. 158 00:05:56,656 --> 00:05:57,857 - Oh, hit it with her face. 159 00:05:57,891 --> 00:05:59,159 - Well, she's a driver. 160 00:05:59,192 --> 00:06:01,194 She won't let a crash stop her down. 161 00:06:01,227 --> 00:06:04,064 - Universal is home to the "Fast and Furious" franchise. 162 00:06:04,097 --> 00:06:05,832 Let's see what kind of moves Chynna's gonna work here 163 00:06:05,865 --> 00:06:07,200 on Reel to Reel. 164 00:06:07,233 --> 00:06:08,535 - She needs to hit the gas 165 00:06:08,568 --> 00:06:10,437 as she goes down the 18-foot track. 166 00:06:10,470 --> 00:06:12,172 - All right, hit it. 167 00:06:12,205 --> 00:06:14,140 OK! 168 00:06:14,174 --> 00:06:15,809 She grabbed that like she was gripping 169 00:06:15,842 --> 00:06:17,944 the steering wheel or something. 170 00:06:18,044 --> 00:06:19,646 Chynna is cruising now, Matt. 171 00:06:19,679 --> 00:06:21,815 - Come on. Chynna! - You got it! 172 00:06:21,848 --> 00:06:23,149 [cheering] 173 00:06:23,183 --> 00:06:24,484 - And she's through. 174 00:06:24,517 --> 00:06:26,753 [cheers and applause] 175 00:06:26,786 --> 00:06:28,621 But in five seasons, Chynna's never 176 00:06:28,655 --> 00:06:30,790 made it past the third obstacle 177 00:06:30,824 --> 00:06:32,792 and has fallen on balance obstacles 178 00:06:32,826 --> 00:06:36,563 her last two times on the course. 179 00:06:36,596 --> 00:06:39,299 The third obstacle tonight is Dangerous Waters. 180 00:06:39,332 --> 00:06:40,700 - Nice. 181 00:06:40,734 --> 00:06:42,769 - And Chynna continues to rise. 182 00:06:42,802 --> 00:06:44,637 [cheers and applause] 183 00:06:44,671 --> 00:06:47,073 A clutch move by the drifter. 184 00:06:47,107 --> 00:06:49,075 - Yeah, nice! - Let's go. 185 00:06:49,075 --> 00:06:51,644 - It's her best run ever, and she now faces 186 00:06:51,678 --> 00:06:53,113 Duck Duck Goose. 187 00:06:53,146 --> 00:06:55,348 Has to swing across and grab the flapping wings 188 00:06:55,382 --> 00:06:58,084 on these three birds. Two ducks, then the goose. 189 00:06:58,084 --> 00:07:00,020 [crowd chanting] Duck Duck Goose. 190 00:07:00,020 --> 00:07:02,088 - You can hear the crowd chanting Duck Duck Goose. 191 00:07:02,122 --> 00:07:03,923 They really want her to get through this one. 192 00:07:04,024 --> 00:07:05,558 - And you can see the drop on those handles 193 00:07:05,592 --> 00:07:08,628 makes it so difficult if you don't really 194 00:07:08,661 --> 00:07:10,130 anticipate and absorb it. 195 00:07:10,163 --> 00:07:11,931 - Nice. - Oh! 196 00:07:12,032 --> 00:07:13,566 She had it. 197 00:07:16,036 --> 00:07:18,304 - [screams] - Well, she's fired up. 198 00:07:18,338 --> 00:07:20,540 Was so close to finishing the fourth obstacle. 199 00:07:20,573 --> 00:07:22,776 - She got balance. 200 00:07:22,809 --> 00:07:25,378 - Balance obstacles have been a problem, 201 00:07:25,412 --> 00:07:28,048 but she sped across Dangerous Waters. 202 00:07:28,081 --> 00:07:32,185 Almost got through four, but spun off the Goose. 203 00:07:32,218 --> 00:07:34,187 We'll wait and see if that's far enough, 204 00:07:34,220 --> 00:07:36,790 fast enough to move on. 205 00:07:36,823 --> 00:07:38,358 - Well, you know she loves speed. 206 00:07:38,391 --> 00:07:40,360 It would be great to see her racing in the semi-finals. 207 00:07:40,393 --> 00:07:42,495 [cheers and applause] 208 00:07:42,529 --> 00:07:45,498 Tonight, Vance Walker is riding high 209 00:07:45,532 --> 00:07:48,968 as the reigning "American Ninja Warrior" Champion. 210 00:07:49,069 --> 00:07:52,072 But what did the teenager do with that million dollars? 211 00:07:52,072 --> 00:07:53,940 We'll show you. 212 00:07:53,973 --> 00:07:57,677 Plus, Karen Potts is a big hit in college softball. 213 00:07:57,711 --> 00:08:00,046 Now she'll try to knock it out of the park 214 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,048 on the qualifying course. 215 00:08:02,082 --> 00:08:05,018 And we've got a WWE legend. 216 00:08:05,051 --> 00:08:06,720 - Let's go. 217 00:08:06,753 --> 00:08:09,723 - Plus a lot more... - Oh! 218 00:08:09,756 --> 00:08:12,726 - On "American Ninja Warrior." 219 00:08:18,598 --> 00:08:20,300 - Welcome back to LA where three Ninjas made a statement 220 00:08:20,333 --> 00:08:22,869 at the start line minutes ago. 221 00:08:22,902 --> 00:08:25,705 - Alaska's Isaiah Waghiyi is a member 222 00:08:25,739 --> 00:08:27,540 of the Siberian Yupik tribe 223 00:08:27,574 --> 00:08:29,442 and performed a traditional dance 224 00:08:29,476 --> 00:08:31,311 along with drum beats from his dad. 225 00:08:31,344 --> 00:08:33,046 - [vocalizing] 226 00:08:33,046 --> 00:08:35,582 - Waghiyi is a fisherman who lives on a remote island 227 00:08:35,615 --> 00:08:38,952 in the Bering Sea with fewer than 1,000 people 228 00:08:39,052 --> 00:08:40,186 many of whom who were watching. 229 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:41,721 [cheers and applause] 230 00:08:41,755 --> 00:08:43,857 He had to take four different planes 231 00:08:43,890 --> 00:08:45,792 just to get to LA to compete, 232 00:08:45,825 --> 00:08:48,328 but his flight on Reel to Reel was a short one. 233 00:08:48,361 --> 00:08:50,230 - Ride it. Ride it. Nice. 234 00:08:50,263 --> 00:08:52,132 Oh! 235 00:08:52,165 --> 00:08:53,833 [air horn blares] 236 00:08:53,867 --> 00:08:55,935 - Utah's Ally Tippetts Wootton 237 00:08:55,969 --> 00:08:57,737 calls herself the Flipper Ninja. 238 00:08:57,771 --> 00:08:59,406 - OK, OK. 239 00:08:59,439 --> 00:09:00,907 - Whoo! 240 00:09:01,007 --> 00:09:03,243 - The former gymnast and current physician assistant 241 00:09:03,276 --> 00:09:06,513 had no problem flying past the first two obstacles. 242 00:09:06,546 --> 00:09:09,049 - Yeah, get excited! Get excited! 243 00:09:09,082 --> 00:09:11,317 [cheers and applause] 244 00:09:11,351 --> 00:09:14,287 - But Dangerous Waters lived up to its name. 245 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,489 - Oh! Wow. 246 00:09:16,523 --> 00:09:18,658 That was a hard impact. 247 00:09:18,692 --> 00:09:21,127 - Despite the fall, she was OK. 248 00:09:21,161 --> 00:09:24,297 Michael Eckert's in the Marine Corps Reserve 249 00:09:24,330 --> 00:09:27,334 and showed off his pull-up skills before his run. 250 00:09:27,367 --> 00:09:29,035 - Live above the bar. 251 00:09:29,069 --> 00:09:30,470 Go, Mike. 252 00:09:30,503 --> 00:09:33,440 - The 32-year-old once held the world record 253 00:09:33,473 --> 00:09:36,042 by doing 58 pull-ups in one minute. 254 00:09:36,042 --> 00:09:38,144 The Staff Sergeant marched through the first half 255 00:09:38,178 --> 00:09:39,379 of the course. 256 00:09:39,412 --> 00:09:42,415 - 1, 2, 3, 4, I love Marine Corps. 257 00:09:42,449 --> 00:09:43,950 - Let's go. 258 00:09:44,050 --> 00:09:46,653 - Eckert then launched an assault on Duck Duck Goose, 259 00:09:46,686 --> 00:09:48,888 but the pull-up king came up short. 260 00:09:48,922 --> 00:09:50,490 - It's going to come down to mechanics. 261 00:09:50,523 --> 00:09:52,359 No! 262 00:09:52,392 --> 00:09:54,527 - And his run led to a challenge from Akbar. 263 00:09:54,561 --> 00:09:58,531 - All right, two pull-ups and I'll give you $100. 264 00:09:58,565 --> 00:10:00,900 One. 265 00:10:00,934 --> 00:10:03,203 Two. Oh! 266 00:10:03,236 --> 00:10:06,239 Three. Oh! 267 00:10:06,272 --> 00:10:08,541 Oh! 268 00:10:08,575 --> 00:10:11,845 I apologize. 269 00:10:11,878 --> 00:10:13,213 You did five. 270 00:10:13,246 --> 00:10:17,417 You truly are an American Ninja Warrior. 271 00:10:17,450 --> 00:10:19,953 - Never underestimate me, Akbar. 272 00:10:19,986 --> 00:10:22,322 And never underestimate our next ninja. 273 00:10:22,355 --> 00:10:24,657 He can do one-armed pull-ups. 274 00:10:24,691 --> 00:10:26,893 This is South Dakota's Josh Miller. 275 00:10:26,926 --> 00:10:30,063 He may look like a nerdy, mild-mannered teenager, 276 00:10:30,096 --> 00:10:33,400 but get him on a Ninja course and watch out. 277 00:10:33,433 --> 00:10:35,702 [mysterious music] 278 00:10:35,735 --> 00:10:38,571 - I almost feel like I'm two people sometimes. 279 00:10:38,605 --> 00:10:39,706 Off the course, I would definitely 280 00:10:39,739 --> 00:10:41,541 describe myself as a little bit quieter, 281 00:10:41,574 --> 00:10:44,110 a little bit more shy. 282 00:10:44,144 --> 00:10:47,213 I've never been one of the really popular kids at school. 283 00:10:47,247 --> 00:10:48,882 I've always felt a little bit excluded 284 00:10:48,915 --> 00:10:50,817 from that cool kids group. 285 00:10:50,850 --> 00:10:53,586 But other half of me, my secret identity 286 00:10:53,620 --> 00:10:55,622 is I go train some Ninja. 287 00:10:55,655 --> 00:11:00,060 [stirring music] 288 00:11:00,060 --> 00:11:01,528 A little bit of Clark Kent 289 00:11:01,561 --> 00:11:03,830 and that kind of vibe. 290 00:11:03,863 --> 00:11:06,166 My main strength is crazy feats of strength 291 00:11:06,199 --> 00:11:08,068 that I can do, like one-armed pull-ups 292 00:11:08,068 --> 00:11:09,202 and fly through the air. 293 00:11:09,235 --> 00:11:11,071 * * 294 00:11:11,104 --> 00:11:12,706 - Oh! [laughs] 295 00:11:12,739 --> 00:11:15,141 - The glasses are definitely not a disguise. 296 00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:17,110 I can see absolutely nothing with them off. 297 00:11:17,143 --> 00:11:20,080 I definitely feel like an underdog this season, 298 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:22,082 since it's my first season and everything, 299 00:11:22,082 --> 00:11:23,950 but I'm really happy to try my best 300 00:11:23,983 --> 00:11:25,652 and try to get my name out there. 301 00:11:25,685 --> 00:11:27,587 I'm going to fly through this course. 302 00:11:27,620 --> 00:11:30,323 Actually, wait. I need these still. 303 00:11:30,357 --> 00:11:33,560 * * 304 00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:34,794 [cheers and applause] 305 00:11:34,828 --> 00:11:36,930 - Let's go! 306 00:11:36,963 --> 00:11:38,365 - Many of those ninjas he trains with 307 00:11:38,398 --> 00:11:40,133 are watching back in Sioux Falls. 308 00:11:40,166 --> 00:11:41,568 - Be confident! 309 00:11:41,601 --> 00:11:43,003 Confience, Josh! 310 00:11:43,103 --> 00:11:44,704 - Come on, buddy. Whoo! 311 00:11:44,738 --> 00:11:46,706 - And down on the sidelines are his parents 312 00:11:46,740 --> 00:11:48,274 along with some of his coaches. 313 00:11:48,308 --> 00:11:51,011 - Let's go, Josh! You got it! 314 00:11:51,111 --> 00:11:52,345 - Come on, Josh. Let's go. 315 00:11:52,379 --> 00:11:53,847 [countdown clock beeping] 316 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:55,281 - All right, here we go. 317 00:11:55,315 --> 00:11:57,884 - Josh goes to Lincoln School in Sioux Falls. 318 00:11:57,917 --> 00:12:00,854 Though he's super strong, says he's also very shy, 319 00:12:00,887 --> 00:12:03,490 but Ninja's giving him a lot of confidence. 320 00:12:03,523 --> 00:12:05,658 [cheering] 321 00:12:05,692 --> 00:12:07,727 - All right, here comes Miller, the thriller. 322 00:12:07,761 --> 00:12:10,397 This one should be a thriller on Reel to Reel. 323 00:12:10,430 --> 00:12:12,098 [cheering] 324 00:12:12,132 --> 00:12:14,868 And this rookie has some real skills, Matt. 325 00:12:14,901 --> 00:12:16,803 - He's not afraid to go fast. 326 00:12:16,836 --> 00:12:18,505 He's on the high school track team. 327 00:12:18,538 --> 00:12:20,173 Well, he loves muscle cars. 328 00:12:20,206 --> 00:12:22,175 Let's see if he has the traction control 329 00:12:22,208 --> 00:12:24,144 to survive Dangerous Waters. 330 00:12:24,177 --> 00:12:25,879 - Ooh, nice, nice. 331 00:12:25,912 --> 00:12:27,247 - No problem. 332 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:28,615 Look at the athleticism out of Josh Miller. 333 00:12:28,648 --> 00:12:30,350 - Good job. Let's go. 334 00:12:30,383 --> 00:12:32,152 - Let's go! 335 00:12:32,185 --> 00:12:34,521 - This kid an absolute stud. 336 00:12:34,554 --> 00:12:37,624 A level two black belt in taekwondo. 337 00:12:37,657 --> 00:12:40,193 - That means he can kick your butt and this course's butt. 338 00:12:40,226 --> 00:12:42,629 - Yeah, absolutely. - Here we go, Duck Duck Goose. 339 00:12:42,662 --> 00:12:43,930 Nice. 340 00:12:43,963 --> 00:12:45,799 - It's this goose though with the 90-degree 341 00:12:45,832 --> 00:12:47,100 drop on those wings. 342 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:48,568 - We all know Superman can fly. 343 00:12:48,601 --> 00:12:50,103 - Wow! - Bam! 344 00:12:50,103 --> 00:12:51,237 Just like that. 345 00:12:51,271 --> 00:12:52,706 - No problem for Miller. 346 00:12:52,739 --> 00:12:55,375 This kid continues to impress. 347 00:12:55,408 --> 00:12:57,177 - You're crushing it, Miller! 348 00:12:57,210 --> 00:12:59,679 - He's making the folks in South Dakota proud. 349 00:12:59,713 --> 00:13:00,747 - They're going to have to carve 350 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:03,350 his face on Mount Rushmore. 351 00:13:03,383 --> 00:13:06,419 He'll be the first tonight to attempt Jawbreakers. 352 00:13:06,453 --> 00:13:08,355 - Take your time! Big swings! 353 00:13:08,388 --> 00:13:09,723 - A little flex. 354 00:13:09,756 --> 00:13:11,057 [cheers and applause] 355 00:13:11,091 --> 00:13:13,059 Clark Kent is doing just fine 356 00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:14,761 with the glasses on, Akbar. 357 00:13:14,794 --> 00:13:16,096 - Well, Matt, he said don't be fooled 358 00:13:16,129 --> 00:13:17,530 by the glasses. 359 00:13:17,564 --> 00:13:20,266 He's got an S on his chest underneath that T-shirt. 360 00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:21,601 - Look at the power. 361 00:13:21,634 --> 00:13:23,503 That's that upper body power, 362 00:13:23,536 --> 00:13:25,739 serving him so well here. 363 00:13:25,772 --> 00:13:27,240 - Nice. Here we go. - But this is a tricky move. 364 00:13:27,273 --> 00:13:29,576 You got to go horizontal and then shoot that bar up. 365 00:13:29,609 --> 00:13:31,878 - Yeah, it's almost like doing a curl in there. 366 00:13:31,911 --> 00:13:34,347 Yes! OK, Josh Miller. 367 00:13:34,381 --> 00:13:37,317 - And even he acknowledges it. Are you kidding me? 368 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,085 [cheers and applause] 369 00:13:39,085 --> 00:13:40,954 I gotta say, all the kids at his school 370 00:13:40,987 --> 00:13:42,522 must think he's a pretty cool dude. 371 00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:43,523 [cheering] 372 00:13:43,556 --> 00:13:45,091 - Let's go, Miller! 373 00:13:45,125 --> 00:13:47,994 - And he's closing in on our first buzzer tonight. 374 00:13:48,094 --> 00:13:50,096 What a rookie debut. 375 00:13:50,096 --> 00:13:52,732 - Miller, the thriller about to do the killer. 376 00:13:52,766 --> 00:13:55,101 - And Superman doesn't need his cape! 377 00:13:55,101 --> 00:13:57,437 [cheers and applause] 378 00:13:57,470 --> 00:13:59,105 [upbeat music] 379 00:13:59,105 --> 00:14:01,307 - Come on, Josh Miller. 380 00:14:03,209 --> 00:14:04,644 - Let's go! 381 00:14:04,678 --> 00:14:07,213 - Yeah! 382 00:14:07,247 --> 00:14:09,616 - Josh, what was it like coming out here, 383 00:14:09,649 --> 00:14:12,952 buddy, in your very first try, hitting a buzzer? 384 00:14:13,053 --> 00:14:14,621 - It was crazy. 385 00:14:14,654 --> 00:14:16,056 I've been waiting for this moment 386 00:14:16,056 --> 00:14:17,957 literally half of my life, 387 00:14:18,058 --> 00:14:20,060 and just to be here just feels insane. 388 00:14:20,093 --> 00:14:21,394 - Does it live up to it? 389 00:14:21,428 --> 00:14:24,064 - Oh, yeah, let's go. - OK, man. Great job. 390 00:14:24,064 --> 00:14:26,232 Now take off those glasses so I can see the real Superman. 391 00:14:26,266 --> 00:14:27,600 There he is. - Oh, there it is. 392 00:14:27,634 --> 00:14:28,802 - That's Superman. 393 00:14:28,835 --> 00:14:30,603 Let me see your muscles. - Forget Clark Kent. 394 00:14:30,637 --> 00:14:33,807 - Let me see the muscles. He's got real muscles. 395 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:35,475 [cheering] 396 00:14:35,508 --> 00:14:37,644 - Josh Miller, you're an absolute stud. 397 00:14:37,677 --> 00:14:39,612 We'll see you racing in the semis, pal. 398 00:14:39,646 --> 00:14:41,848 - Thank you. 399 00:14:41,881 --> 00:14:44,250 - Akbar, just goes to show you, you should never 400 00:14:44,284 --> 00:14:46,386 judge a book by its cover. 401 00:14:46,419 --> 00:14:49,622 - Superman just left the course. 402 00:14:51,558 --> 00:14:54,227 - Coming up, Olympic Silver Medalist 403 00:14:54,260 --> 00:14:56,663 Chris Mazdzer can go 90 miles per hour 404 00:14:56,696 --> 00:14:59,099 on a luge track. 405 00:14:59,099 --> 00:15:01,201 What can he do on a Ninja course? 406 00:15:01,234 --> 00:15:04,571 we'll find out next on "American Ninja Warrior." 407 00:15:09,042 --> 00:15:10,143 - We've said it for years... 408 00:15:10,176 --> 00:15:11,611 - Oh! 409 00:15:11,644 --> 00:15:14,314 - You can't take any obstacle for granted. 410 00:15:14,347 --> 00:15:15,782 - Oh! 411 00:15:15,815 --> 00:15:18,618 - And that includes our first one, Pole Vault. 412 00:15:18,651 --> 00:15:21,254 Minutes ago, Arizona physician assistant, 413 00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:23,490 Sydney Berger came out with a stethoscope... 414 00:15:23,523 --> 00:15:24,924 [cheers and applause] 415 00:15:24,958 --> 00:15:27,660 But her attempt at Pole Vault flatlined. 416 00:15:27,694 --> 00:15:30,096 - That run is DOA. 417 00:15:30,130 --> 00:15:31,731 - Jayden White's a theater kid 418 00:15:31,765 --> 00:15:33,266 from Austin, Texas. 419 00:15:33,299 --> 00:15:36,069 However, his debut season was over on opening night. 420 00:15:36,102 --> 00:15:39,572 - Start climbing, young fella. Ooh. 421 00:15:39,606 --> 00:15:41,875 - Iowa's Christi Marie climbed quickly 422 00:15:41,908 --> 00:15:44,477 and looked like she would clear the water easily, 423 00:15:44,511 --> 00:15:48,882 but while one foot reached the pad, the other didn't. 424 00:15:48,915 --> 00:15:51,851 - Oh, are you kidding me? That was so dumb. 425 00:15:51,885 --> 00:15:55,088 - After those falls, we added some muscle. 426 00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:57,357 Celebrity personal trainer Eric Small 427 00:15:57,390 --> 00:16:00,160 who's known as Mr. Core because of his abs 428 00:16:00,193 --> 00:16:02,128 got a shout out from one of his clients, 429 00:16:02,162 --> 00:16:03,930 Actress Niecy Nash. 430 00:16:04,030 --> 00:16:06,132 - Eric, I am rooting for you this season. 431 00:16:06,166 --> 00:16:08,301 I know you got this. 432 00:16:08,335 --> 00:16:11,037 - Small works with top TV and movie stars, 433 00:16:11,071 --> 00:16:13,707 so he should have been right at home on Reel to Reel. 434 00:16:13,740 --> 00:16:15,942 - Oh! - But he wasn't. 435 00:16:16,042 --> 00:16:17,711 - Got to use more core strength. 436 00:16:17,744 --> 00:16:19,245 [rock music] 437 00:16:19,279 --> 00:16:22,182 - Clarisa Morris AKA the Bicep Babe 438 00:16:22,215 --> 00:16:25,151 was also ready to flex on the course. 439 00:16:25,185 --> 00:16:28,288 - Bicep, chest, traps, she got it all. 440 00:16:28,321 --> 00:16:30,657 - With her daughters watching back in Spokane, 441 00:16:30,690 --> 00:16:32,359 the mother of two muscled her way through 442 00:16:32,392 --> 00:16:34,828 the first two obstacles with ease. 443 00:16:34,861 --> 00:16:36,730 - She is fit. 444 00:16:36,763 --> 00:16:38,898 - Morris reached the National Finals last season. 445 00:16:38,932 --> 00:16:40,533 - Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go. 446 00:16:40,567 --> 00:16:43,203 Oh, she's too cautious. What! What! 447 00:16:43,236 --> 00:16:45,138 - But her fall on Dangerous Waters 448 00:16:45,171 --> 00:16:46,473 means she'll have to wait and see 449 00:16:46,506 --> 00:16:49,342 if she advances tonight. 450 00:16:49,376 --> 00:16:51,778 - Well, we are excited for our next athlete. 451 00:16:51,811 --> 00:16:54,080 It's Utah's Chris Mazdzer. 452 00:16:54,114 --> 00:16:56,883 He's the only American man to have ever won 453 00:16:56,916 --> 00:16:59,085 an Olympic medal in the sport of luge. 454 00:16:59,119 --> 00:17:00,854 And though he's a "Ninja" rookie, 455 00:17:00,887 --> 00:17:03,123 he definitely knows how to go fast. 456 00:17:03,156 --> 00:17:04,924 [dramatic music] 457 00:17:05,025 --> 00:17:08,895 - With luge, there's always an element of danger. 458 00:17:08,928 --> 00:17:12,032 I lay down on my back, 459 00:17:12,032 --> 00:17:13,466 and I go 90 miles an hour 460 00:17:13,500 --> 00:17:15,168 down some ice tracks. 461 00:17:15,201 --> 00:17:17,303 * * 462 00:17:17,337 --> 00:17:19,039 Our suit is paper thin. 463 00:17:19,039 --> 00:17:21,174 We get bruises, some ice burn. 464 00:17:21,207 --> 00:17:23,543 I definitely have some scars on my arm from hitting walls. 465 00:17:23,576 --> 00:17:25,578 * * 466 00:17:25,612 --> 00:17:27,380 But it's an awesome ride. 467 00:17:27,414 --> 00:17:30,750 * * 468 00:17:30,784 --> 00:17:32,318 I've been to four Olympics, 469 00:17:32,352 --> 00:17:35,822 and I'm incredibly proud to be a four-time Olympian 470 00:17:35,855 --> 00:17:37,624 representing the United States. 471 00:17:37,657 --> 00:17:40,060 And after tonight, I'll be able to say, 472 00:17:40,060 --> 00:17:43,129 I am really proud to also be an American Ninja Warrior. 473 00:17:43,163 --> 00:17:44,731 [cheers and applause] 474 00:17:44,764 --> 00:17:46,399 Wow, what's up, guys? 475 00:17:46,433 --> 00:17:48,568 - He'll have a lot of family watching tonight, 476 00:17:48,601 --> 00:17:50,804 including his wife and his son Nico. 477 00:17:50,837 --> 00:17:52,605 - Wave to Daddy. Say hi. 478 00:17:52,639 --> 00:17:54,674 - Nico, what's up, dude? [cheering] 479 00:17:54,708 --> 00:17:56,076 All right, I got to go run the course, Nico. 480 00:17:56,109 --> 00:17:57,310 Come on. Come on with me. 481 00:17:57,344 --> 00:17:58,812 Let's go. 482 00:17:58,845 --> 00:18:00,814 - And some of the Utah ninjas he's been training with 483 00:18:00,847 --> 00:18:02,482 are on the sideline. - All you, Chris. 484 00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:05,318 All you. [countdown clock beeping] 485 00:18:05,352 --> 00:18:08,188 - The aerodynamic suit should help him get some altitude 486 00:18:08,221 --> 00:18:10,090 here on the Pole Vault. - Nice. Get up there. 487 00:18:10,123 --> 00:18:12,792 I hope his fit is not too slippery. Nice. 488 00:18:12,826 --> 00:18:15,495 - He started training for luge when he was eight years old 489 00:18:15,528 --> 00:18:19,299 and he plans to compete in the next Winter Olympics in 2026. 490 00:18:19,332 --> 00:18:20,300 - Luge. - Luge. 491 00:18:20,333 --> 00:18:21,601 - Luge. 492 00:18:21,634 --> 00:18:23,203 - He's used to going 90 miles per hour 493 00:18:23,236 --> 00:18:25,372 on that tiny sled for luge. 494 00:18:25,405 --> 00:18:26,706 Can he handle this track? 495 00:18:26,740 --> 00:18:28,475 - This is a different technique. 496 00:18:28,508 --> 00:18:29,476 Oh, no! 497 00:18:29,509 --> 00:18:30,543 [air horn blares] 498 00:18:32,045 --> 00:18:34,814 - Can't make the grab on Reel to Reel, 499 00:18:34,848 --> 00:18:37,517 but you got to give him credit for trying Ninja 500 00:18:37,550 --> 00:18:39,686 after just a few months of training. 501 00:18:39,719 --> 00:18:43,056 - Chris held on tight but released too late 502 00:18:43,056 --> 00:18:45,525 and got iced on the transfer. 503 00:18:47,594 --> 00:18:49,429 But his buddies are going to bring him his sled 504 00:18:49,462 --> 00:18:51,698 so he can go out in style. 505 00:18:51,731 --> 00:18:53,333 - We still salute Chris for coming out 506 00:18:53,366 --> 00:18:55,101 and giving it his all. 507 00:18:55,135 --> 00:18:57,404 - And don't forget, the Paris Olympics 508 00:18:57,437 --> 00:19:02,108 start July 26th, right here on NBC and Peacock. 509 00:19:02,142 --> 00:19:04,611 We might someday see our next ninja 510 00:19:04,644 --> 00:19:05,879 in the Olympics for Softball. 511 00:19:05,912 --> 00:19:07,180 [cheers and applause] 512 00:19:07,213 --> 00:19:09,049 - Whoo, that's a strike right there, Matt. 513 00:19:09,082 --> 00:19:12,052 - This is college athlete Karen Potts. 514 00:19:12,085 --> 00:19:15,088 She is capable of doing big things on the course 515 00:19:15,121 --> 00:19:16,723 and on the diamond. 516 00:19:16,756 --> 00:19:18,291 [upbeat music] 517 00:19:18,324 --> 00:19:20,627 - I started playing baseball when I was probably three 518 00:19:20,660 --> 00:19:22,028 or four, until I was eight. 519 00:19:22,028 --> 00:19:23,863 And then I made the switch to softball, 520 00:19:23,897 --> 00:19:26,900 and I've been playing that ever since. 521 00:19:26,933 --> 00:19:27,901 - Yeah, Karen. 522 00:19:27,934 --> 00:19:30,837 [cheering] 523 00:19:30,870 --> 00:19:32,372 - I'm now a first-year student 524 00:19:32,405 --> 00:19:34,174 at Case Western Reserve University, 525 00:19:34,207 --> 00:19:35,375 and a proud member 526 00:19:35,408 --> 00:19:37,277 of the Spartans softball team here. 527 00:19:37,310 --> 00:19:40,046 - Karen Potts at shortstop. [cheering] 528 00:19:40,046 --> 00:19:42,182 - We practice four times a week 529 00:19:42,215 --> 00:19:44,150 and lift three times a week. 530 00:19:44,184 --> 00:19:46,286 * * 531 00:19:46,319 --> 00:19:47,520 And it's awesome to see the results 532 00:19:47,554 --> 00:19:48,922 of that on the field, see the camaraderie 533 00:19:48,955 --> 00:19:50,056 that we have. 534 00:19:50,090 --> 00:19:51,925 [together] BISC, BISC, kick, kick, kick. 535 00:19:51,958 --> 00:19:53,727 [clapping] - 1, 2, 3. 536 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:55,595 - This is Sparta! 537 00:19:55,628 --> 00:19:58,131 * * 538 00:19:58,164 --> 00:20:00,800 - I don't have as much access to a Ninja gym while I'm here 539 00:20:00,834 --> 00:20:03,136 but I've still been going once in a while. 540 00:20:03,169 --> 00:20:05,005 So training looks a little different, 541 00:20:05,038 --> 00:20:06,706 but I still think it's going to pay off. 542 00:20:06,740 --> 00:20:08,808 * * 543 00:20:08,842 --> 00:20:11,277 I'm hoping to knock it out of the park on this run. 544 00:20:11,311 --> 00:20:14,347 [cheering] 545 00:20:16,616 --> 00:20:18,852 - Her friends call her KJP. 546 00:20:18,885 --> 00:20:20,587 And she's got lots of them watching 547 00:20:20,620 --> 00:20:23,023 back on the East Coast. 548 00:20:23,056 --> 00:20:24,724 Her parents are on the sidelines, 549 00:20:24,758 --> 00:20:26,226 along with a big group of ninjas 550 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:29,262 led by the always energetic Lilah Nathison. 551 00:20:29,295 --> 00:20:33,333 - Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen. 552 00:20:33,366 --> 00:20:35,702 - Well, she is a tremendous all-around athlete. 553 00:20:35,735 --> 00:20:37,170 In addition to softball, 554 00:20:37,203 --> 00:20:39,706 she played basketball and soccer in high school 555 00:20:39,739 --> 00:20:41,841 and was recruited by dozens of colleges. 556 00:20:41,875 --> 00:20:43,843 - And probably could have done track too 557 00:20:43,877 --> 00:20:46,146 the way she handled Pole Vault. 558 00:20:46,179 --> 00:20:47,914 - Well, she's also pretty good at Ninja. 559 00:20:47,947 --> 00:20:49,616 Made it to Vegas her rookie season 560 00:20:49,649 --> 00:20:51,051 two years ago. - Nice. 561 00:20:51,084 --> 00:20:54,120 [cheering] 562 00:20:55,121 --> 00:20:57,090 I see you. She can do it all. 563 00:20:57,123 --> 00:20:58,658 [cheering] 564 00:20:58,692 --> 00:21:00,493 - Now we're going to see her footwork. 565 00:21:00,527 --> 00:21:01,661 Can she steal the bases, 566 00:21:01,695 --> 00:21:03,396 stay alive in Dangerous Waters? 567 00:21:03,430 --> 00:21:04,464 - Ooh, get it there. 568 00:21:04,497 --> 00:21:06,566 She's safe on that one. 569 00:21:06,599 --> 00:21:08,835 [cheering] 570 00:21:08,868 --> 00:21:10,203 - Karen plays shortstop, 571 00:21:10,236 --> 00:21:12,505 so we know she's going to have good hands. 572 00:21:12,539 --> 00:21:15,141 Let's see what she does here on Duck Duck Goose. 573 00:21:15,175 --> 00:21:16,276 - She's our tallest woman tonight. 574 00:21:16,309 --> 00:21:17,577 She's 5'11", 575 00:21:17,610 --> 00:21:19,946 and she can use her wingspan on this one. 576 00:21:19,979 --> 00:21:22,816 - Can she turn two here on Duck Duck Goose? 577 00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:24,484 - Get it, get it. Nice. 578 00:21:24,517 --> 00:21:26,753 Did you see how she came in compact, tight, 579 00:21:26,786 --> 00:21:29,222 and it was kind of gliding in the air. 580 00:21:29,255 --> 00:21:30,657 - But these handles have a big drop. 581 00:21:30,690 --> 00:21:31,858 You can see it. 582 00:21:31,891 --> 00:21:33,693 - Glide, glide. Find it, hold it, nice. 583 00:21:33,727 --> 00:21:35,295 Oh! - Oh, my! 584 00:21:35,328 --> 00:21:37,931 - Oh! Oh! 585 00:21:37,964 --> 00:21:39,566 [cheering] 586 00:21:39,599 --> 00:21:42,635 - Well, so far, she's hitting a home run. 587 00:21:42,669 --> 00:21:44,537 Rounding third. 588 00:21:44,571 --> 00:21:47,374 - Just really owning this course. 589 00:21:47,407 --> 00:21:49,009 I see you, KJP. 590 00:21:49,109 --> 00:21:51,945 - Staring down this fifth obstacle. 591 00:21:51,978 --> 00:21:54,748 Swings the bat, good grip strength. 592 00:21:54,781 --> 00:21:56,483 Going to be tested here on Jawbreakers. 593 00:21:56,516 --> 00:21:58,318 Got to be precise with the bar. 594 00:21:58,351 --> 00:22:00,387 - Come on, get a swing, power from the hips. 595 00:22:00,420 --> 00:22:02,589 Nice, nice. 596 00:22:02,622 --> 00:22:06,092 Yeah, now, that right there comes from softball, Matt. 597 00:22:06,126 --> 00:22:08,595 Nice. 598 00:22:08,628 --> 00:22:09,863 - That good bat control. 599 00:22:09,896 --> 00:22:11,698 Got to go opposite field here. 600 00:22:11,731 --> 00:22:13,600 You can see the handle start angling down. 601 00:22:13,633 --> 00:22:14,768 - Get it. 602 00:22:14,801 --> 00:22:16,603 - Oh! - Oh! 603 00:22:16,636 --> 00:22:19,773 - Just couldn't get the left side down. 604 00:22:19,806 --> 00:22:22,709 KJP strikes out on Jawbreakers, 605 00:22:22,742 --> 00:22:24,944 but not before a very solid run. 606 00:22:24,978 --> 00:22:27,180 She has now assured herself of moving on. 607 00:22:27,213 --> 00:22:30,283 We'll see her racing in the semi-finals. 608 00:22:30,316 --> 00:22:32,452 [upbeat music] 609 00:22:32,485 --> 00:22:35,722 - Coming up, Karson Voiles was once a top ninja, 610 00:22:35,755 --> 00:22:38,825 but he's been sidelined by serious health issues. 611 00:22:38,858 --> 00:22:42,629 Now after five seasons, he's making a comeback 612 00:22:42,662 --> 00:22:46,232 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 613 00:22:51,471 --> 00:22:53,373 - Last year, Kyle Soderman and Megan Johnson 614 00:22:53,406 --> 00:22:55,909 won our very first couples championship. 615 00:22:55,942 --> 00:22:58,144 And love was in the air minutes ago 616 00:22:58,178 --> 00:23:00,046 as they both hit the course. 617 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:02,882 Megan, the Army captain and doctor in Texas 618 00:23:02,916 --> 00:23:05,185 led it off. - OK, Captain. 619 00:23:05,218 --> 00:23:06,319 - Whoo-hoo! 620 00:23:06,353 --> 00:23:08,188 - Matt, that was dope. 621 00:23:08,221 --> 00:23:10,123 - The six-time veteran had struggled 622 00:23:10,156 --> 00:23:12,258 with balance obstacles in the past. 623 00:23:12,292 --> 00:23:13,326 [cheering] 624 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:15,395 But not tonight. 625 00:23:15,428 --> 00:23:18,498 She looked like she might get through Duck Duck Goose. 626 00:23:18,531 --> 00:23:20,500 - Oh! 627 00:23:20,533 --> 00:23:22,936 - Despite the fall, that run was good enough 628 00:23:22,969 --> 00:23:24,571 to send her to the semi-finals. 629 00:23:24,604 --> 00:23:26,539 - It was so good. - [chuckles] 630 00:23:26,573 --> 00:23:28,975 - Then it was Kyle's turn. 631 00:23:29,075 --> 00:23:31,411 And the stuntman lived up to his reputation 632 00:23:31,444 --> 00:23:33,747 as one of the fastest ninjas. 633 00:23:33,780 --> 00:23:34,948 - He's got a great pace. 634 00:23:34,981 --> 00:23:36,216 If he can keep this up, he might 635 00:23:36,249 --> 00:23:37,450 have a shot at that Mega Wall. - Yes! 636 00:23:37,484 --> 00:23:38,952 [cheering] 637 00:23:38,985 --> 00:23:41,087 - With Megan and Kyle's enthusiastic mom 638 00:23:41,087 --> 00:23:44,157 cheering him on, the five-time "Ninja" veteran 639 00:23:44,190 --> 00:23:46,993 kept up the quick pace all the way to the buzzer. 640 00:23:47,093 --> 00:23:49,662 - Let's go, baby! 641 00:23:49,696 --> 00:23:51,765 - But he missed the Mega Wall by just a few seconds. 642 00:23:51,798 --> 00:23:54,701 - No. - Let him do it! 643 00:23:54,734 --> 00:23:56,102 Let him do it! 644 00:23:56,102 --> 00:23:58,204 - We let him take a shot for fun anyway. 645 00:23:58,238 --> 00:24:00,040 - This one's a freebie here. 646 00:24:02,275 --> 00:24:04,944 Oh, no. Wow. 647 00:24:05,045 --> 00:24:07,414 [buzzer blares] 648 00:24:07,447 --> 00:24:10,050 - He doesn't get the 20 grand, but he and Megan 649 00:24:10,050 --> 00:24:11,785 are both moving on to the semis. 650 00:24:11,818 --> 00:24:14,821 - That felt so good. 651 00:24:14,854 --> 00:24:17,323 - We've got another ninja already on the course. 652 00:24:17,357 --> 00:24:19,859 It's the Big Cat, Karsten Williams, 653 00:24:19,893 --> 00:24:23,763 the 10-time "Ninja" veteran now 43 years old. 654 00:24:23,797 --> 00:24:25,398 He's quickly made his way through the first part 655 00:24:25,432 --> 00:24:28,068 of the course and is onto Duck Duck Goose. 656 00:24:28,068 --> 00:24:29,636 - Get that second one, nice. 657 00:24:29,669 --> 00:24:32,305 - Well, you can just see he's generating so much power. 658 00:24:32,339 --> 00:24:34,074 Giving his upper body plenty of time 659 00:24:34,074 --> 00:24:35,375 to absorb those handles. 660 00:24:35,408 --> 00:24:37,077 - Matt, he barely got that second duck. 661 00:24:37,077 --> 00:24:38,912 This goose could be a little challenging. 662 00:24:38,945 --> 00:24:40,180 He's got it. 663 00:24:40,213 --> 00:24:41,881 - You thought his goose was cooked... 664 00:24:41,915 --> 00:24:43,683 - Ooh. - But the Big Cat rolls on. 665 00:24:43,717 --> 00:24:44,951 [cheers and applause] 666 00:24:44,984 --> 00:24:46,519 - And if it's Karsten on the course, 667 00:24:46,553 --> 00:24:49,255 you know his mom Linda will be on the sideline. 668 00:24:49,289 --> 00:24:51,658 - Karsten's also a popular Ninja coach 669 00:24:51,691 --> 00:24:53,093 back in the Dallas area. 670 00:24:53,093 --> 00:24:55,695 Some of his students are watching this run. 671 00:24:55,729 --> 00:24:57,430 If he can get a buzzer, he'd be the oldest 672 00:24:57,464 --> 00:24:59,099 this season to do it. 673 00:24:59,099 --> 00:25:01,868 And at 43, he'd be the oldest to hit a qualifying buzzer 674 00:25:01,901 --> 00:25:04,904 in two years, but has to survive Jawbreakers. 675 00:25:04,938 --> 00:25:06,206 - Good power. 676 00:25:06,239 --> 00:25:09,109 Jawbreakers' so difficult. 677 00:25:09,142 --> 00:25:11,778 - Especially at 175 pounds. 678 00:25:11,811 --> 00:25:13,480 - But if he can use that weight 679 00:25:13,513 --> 00:25:15,515 to push it up in there, that gives him 680 00:25:15,548 --> 00:25:17,050 the opportunity to lock it. 681 00:25:17,050 --> 00:25:18,718 - And just when it's coming back down, 682 00:25:18,752 --> 00:25:20,754 hard for the hands not to peel off. 683 00:25:20,787 --> 00:25:23,590 But Karsten got those cat claws in there. 684 00:25:23,623 --> 00:25:25,759 - You can see him really-- nice. 685 00:25:25,792 --> 00:25:29,062 OK, Karsten! - Come on, Big Cat. 686 00:25:29,062 --> 00:25:31,064 This dude's in his 40s, Akbar. 687 00:25:31,064 --> 00:25:34,267 And he'll be the oldest so far this season to hit a buzzer. 688 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:35,769 [buzzer blares] 689 00:25:35,802 --> 00:25:38,772 [cheers and applause] 690 00:25:38,805 --> 00:25:41,775 [upbeat music] 691 00:25:41,808 --> 00:25:45,845 * * 692 00:25:45,879 --> 00:25:49,349 - I'm back. - Yes, you are back, baby. 693 00:25:49,382 --> 00:25:51,151 - Let's go, baby. 694 00:25:52,485 --> 00:25:55,188 - Hey, Karsten, we talk a lot about teenagers, 695 00:25:55,221 --> 00:25:57,757 but you're hitting buzzers at 43. 696 00:25:57,791 --> 00:25:59,325 - Go celebrate with mama Linda, man. 697 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:01,494 - Oh, you go do it. - Congrats. 698 00:26:01,528 --> 00:26:03,063 - Thank you. [cheers and applause] 699 00:26:03,096 --> 00:26:04,764 - The Big Cat's going to be racing in the semi-finals 700 00:26:04,798 --> 00:26:07,434 which get started in two weeks. 701 00:26:07,467 --> 00:26:08,902 [cheering] 702 00:26:08,935 --> 00:26:11,171 - Up next is another "Ninja" veteran 703 00:26:11,204 --> 00:26:12,772 who's gone far in Vegas, 704 00:26:12,806 --> 00:26:15,775 but we haven't seen much of Utah's Karson Voiles lately. 705 00:26:15,809 --> 00:26:18,044 That's because he's been battling health issues 706 00:26:18,044 --> 00:26:19,779 and is lucky to be alive. 707 00:26:19,813 --> 00:26:21,781 - [screams] 708 00:26:21,815 --> 00:26:25,618 - That's his Karsonic boom, showing he's still fighting 709 00:26:25,652 --> 00:26:27,887 despite some rough years. 710 00:26:27,921 --> 00:26:29,889 [soft dramatic music] 711 00:26:29,923 --> 00:26:32,192 - I'm super excited for season 16, 712 00:26:32,225 --> 00:26:34,194 but at the same time, my health 713 00:26:34,227 --> 00:26:35,428 hasn't been the best. 714 00:26:35,462 --> 00:26:37,063 [device beeping] 715 00:26:37,063 --> 00:26:38,898 I've struggled with this super rare 716 00:26:38,932 --> 00:26:40,333 stomach condition where the exit of my stomach 717 00:26:40,367 --> 00:26:42,969 seals off, and I can't get any food through. 718 00:26:43,069 --> 00:26:45,505 So I have to go in almost daily 719 00:26:45,538 --> 00:26:48,108 and get nutrition via IVs. 720 00:26:48,141 --> 00:26:52,145 I mean, I went from 175 pounds all the way down to 119. 721 00:26:52,178 --> 00:26:54,614 My body literally eating the muscle to survive. 722 00:26:54,647 --> 00:26:56,349 * * 723 00:26:56,383 --> 00:26:58,551 Kensley's going to the moon. 724 00:26:58,585 --> 00:27:00,820 But overall, like, I'm the luckiest guy 725 00:27:00,854 --> 00:27:02,022 in the world. 726 00:27:02,055 --> 00:27:04,024 I mean, I have a beautiful wife, 727 00:27:04,024 --> 00:27:05,892 my two beautiful daughters. 728 00:27:05,925 --> 00:27:08,695 [grunts] The cross back straddle. 729 00:27:08,728 --> 00:27:12,432 The fact that I can even do any of this is just amazing. 730 00:27:12,465 --> 00:27:15,235 I'm very blessed, and it's easy to keep going 731 00:27:15,268 --> 00:27:16,870 when you feel that way. 732 00:27:18,371 --> 00:27:19,839 [cheers and applause] 733 00:27:19,873 --> 00:27:22,275 - Just so great to see Karson back out here. 734 00:27:22,308 --> 00:27:25,311 His family will be watching from back in Utah. 735 00:27:25,345 --> 00:27:28,048 [countdown clock beeping] 736 00:27:28,081 --> 00:27:29,482 Well, the last time we saw Karson, 737 00:27:29,516 --> 00:27:31,084 he made it all the way to stage three. 738 00:27:31,117 --> 00:27:33,420 When he is healthy, he is an absolute beast. 739 00:27:33,453 --> 00:27:35,188 We'll see what kind of condition he's in. 740 00:27:35,221 --> 00:27:37,057 - Yeah, Matt, and we already know this course is 741 00:27:37,057 --> 00:27:39,259 hard enough when you're at full strength. 742 00:27:39,292 --> 00:27:43,563 Karson right now, 5'10" and weighs less 130 pounds. 743 00:27:43,596 --> 00:27:46,066 - Karson's father recently passed away, 744 00:27:46,099 --> 00:27:48,068 and his wife, Kami, is facing 745 00:27:48,068 --> 00:27:49,869 the same health issue as his dad, 746 00:27:49,903 --> 00:27:52,572 a pituitary brain tumor. 747 00:27:52,605 --> 00:27:55,275 I just love seeing Karson out here doing something 748 00:27:55,308 --> 00:27:57,510 that makes him so happy. 749 00:27:57,544 --> 00:27:59,713 [cheering] 750 00:27:59,746 --> 00:28:01,715 - We weren't sure how far he could go, 751 00:28:01,748 --> 00:28:04,484 but look at him taking on the third obstacle. 752 00:28:04,517 --> 00:28:06,252 Go, go, go! 753 00:28:06,286 --> 00:28:07,854 - He gets through. 754 00:28:07,887 --> 00:28:10,790 And he is savoring every moment out here. 755 00:28:10,824 --> 00:28:12,058 [cheers and applause] 756 00:28:12,092 --> 00:28:14,661 - Go. Go, go, go. 757 00:28:14,694 --> 00:28:16,696 - This is so impressive. 758 00:28:16,730 --> 00:28:19,099 He hasn't competed in five seasons, 759 00:28:19,132 --> 00:28:21,034 battling all of his health conditions 760 00:28:21,034 --> 00:28:23,570 and now look at him, at the fourth obstacle. 761 00:28:23,603 --> 00:28:25,739 - Well, he was a top ninja when he was healthy, 762 00:28:25,772 --> 00:28:27,774 made it to the National Finals five times. 763 00:28:27,807 --> 00:28:29,275 - Nice. 764 00:28:29,309 --> 00:28:31,111 - All things considered, this may be one 765 00:28:31,144 --> 00:28:33,113 of his best performances ever. 766 00:28:33,146 --> 00:28:34,814 - Let's go, get that goose, baby. 767 00:28:34,848 --> 00:28:37,217 - This goose is anything but a silly goose. 768 00:28:37,250 --> 00:28:39,319 It fights back. - Nice! 769 00:28:39,352 --> 00:28:41,621 - Karson Voiles. - OK, Matt, all he's done-- 770 00:28:41,654 --> 00:28:43,256 you talked about in his personal life, 771 00:28:43,289 --> 00:28:45,658 fighting here on the course. He's fighting. 772 00:28:45,692 --> 00:28:48,661 [cheering] 773 00:28:48,695 --> 00:28:51,531 - I absolutely love seeing this run. 774 00:28:51,564 --> 00:28:52,899 - I see you, baby. - Karson Voiles! 775 00:28:52,932 --> 00:28:54,668 - I see you, Karson. 776 00:28:54,701 --> 00:28:58,171 - Just a huge victory to be here on the fifth obstacle 777 00:28:58,204 --> 00:29:00,573 given everything he's been going through. 778 00:29:00,607 --> 00:29:03,209 - Still a few more runners to go but he's put himself 779 00:29:03,243 --> 00:29:04,711 in good position to move on. 780 00:29:04,744 --> 00:29:05,712 - I'm gonna tell you right now, 781 00:29:05,745 --> 00:29:07,080 he gets through Jawbreakers, 782 00:29:07,113 --> 00:29:08,481 this crowd's going nuts. 783 00:29:08,515 --> 00:29:10,083 - Locked it in on the first one, 784 00:29:10,116 --> 00:29:12,652 but the next two are more difficult angles. 785 00:29:12,686 --> 00:29:13,653 Launching it up here. 786 00:29:13,687 --> 00:29:15,155 These jaws rotate down. 787 00:29:15,188 --> 00:29:17,023 Oh! - Oh! 788 00:29:17,023 --> 00:29:19,426 - No! 789 00:29:19,459 --> 00:29:22,062 - Peels off, just couldn't maintain the grip. 790 00:29:22,095 --> 00:29:24,497 But he went far enough that he's still in good position 791 00:29:24,531 --> 00:29:27,734 to move on. 792 00:29:27,767 --> 00:29:30,070 - I loved seeing his expression 793 00:29:30,103 --> 00:29:32,072 after every obstacle he got through. 794 00:29:32,105 --> 00:29:35,408 He's just happy to be out here and competing again. 795 00:29:35,442 --> 00:29:37,744 And he delivered a great run. 796 00:29:40,246 --> 00:29:42,449 - Karson, great to see you out on the course again. 797 00:29:42,482 --> 00:29:44,217 - So much fun. 798 00:29:44,250 --> 00:29:45,585 - We could tell you were having a great time. 799 00:29:45,618 --> 00:29:46,853 Look, it's been quite a while since 800 00:29:46,886 --> 00:29:48,288 we saw you at that starting line. 801 00:29:48,321 --> 00:29:50,657 What did it feel like for you to be back after so long? 802 00:29:50,690 --> 00:29:52,459 - It feels so good to be back on the course. 803 00:29:52,492 --> 00:29:53,760 It just-- there's just nothing like it. 804 00:29:53,793 --> 00:29:55,195 There's no feeling like-- 805 00:29:55,228 --> 00:29:56,763 I don't know, it gets your heart going, 806 00:29:56,796 --> 00:30:00,100 and you just got to dig deep and fight as best you can. 807 00:30:00,133 --> 00:30:02,402 - Yeah. Great work out here. 808 00:30:02,435 --> 00:30:05,305 Can you give us Karsonic boom? - Oh, are you ready for this? 809 00:30:05,338 --> 00:30:07,173 - I'm so ready. - All right. 810 00:30:07,207 --> 00:30:08,975 [shouts] 811 00:30:09,009 --> 00:30:11,244 [cheers and applause] 812 00:30:11,277 --> 00:30:13,580 - That was very impressive. OK, give it up for him. 813 00:30:13,613 --> 00:30:15,148 [upbeat music] 814 00:30:15,181 --> 00:30:16,883 - Coming up... 815 00:30:16,916 --> 00:30:18,752 Last year, he climbed stage four 816 00:30:18,785 --> 00:30:20,553 and won the million dollars. 817 00:30:20,587 --> 00:30:22,756 - Can you even express what you're feeling? 818 00:30:22,789 --> 00:30:24,224 - Not really. 819 00:30:24,257 --> 00:30:26,459 - What's Vance Walker going to do for an encore? 820 00:30:26,493 --> 00:30:28,294 He starts a new season 821 00:30:28,328 --> 00:30:31,531 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 822 00:30:35,702 --> 00:30:38,438 - A big night of qualifying was even bigger minutes ago 823 00:30:38,471 --> 00:30:40,373 when our tallest competitor, 824 00:30:40,407 --> 00:30:42,475 6'5" John Mack hit the course. 825 00:30:42,509 --> 00:30:44,611 [cheers and applause] 826 00:30:44,644 --> 00:30:46,479 - Watch your head, big fella. 827 00:30:46,513 --> 00:30:49,382 - The long-armed college student is known as the Reach. 828 00:30:49,416 --> 00:30:51,651 [crowd chanting] Reach, Reach, Reach-- 829 00:30:51,685 --> 00:30:53,186 - With his mentor Karson Voiles 830 00:30:53,219 --> 00:30:54,888 leading the Reach chants, 831 00:30:54,921 --> 00:30:57,190 Mack barreled through the early obstacles. 832 00:30:57,223 --> 00:30:58,858 - Ooh! 833 00:30:58,892 --> 00:31:00,360 - But Mack's extra wingspan 834 00:31:00,393 --> 00:31:02,228 didn't help him on Duck Duck Goose. 835 00:31:02,262 --> 00:31:05,665 - Ooh, peeled right off. 836 00:31:05,699 --> 00:31:07,167 [dramatic music] 837 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:10,403 - Francisco Barajas is a budding professional wrestler, 838 00:31:10,437 --> 00:31:14,441 and he got a shout out from WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. 839 00:31:14,474 --> 00:31:16,776 - This message from the Scottish Warrior 840 00:31:16,810 --> 00:31:19,212 to an American Ninja Warrior. 841 00:31:19,245 --> 00:31:23,083 Go out there, fella, and claymore that buzzer. 842 00:31:23,083 --> 00:31:25,251 Let's go. - Let's go. 843 00:31:25,285 --> 00:31:26,619 [bell rings] 844 00:31:26,653 --> 00:31:28,788 - That seemed to inspire Barajas, 845 00:31:28,822 --> 00:31:30,090 who was able to wrestle 846 00:31:30,123 --> 00:31:32,225 the first three obstacles into submission. 847 00:31:32,258 --> 00:31:33,426 - All right, nice. 848 00:31:33,460 --> 00:31:35,328 He ain't tapping out on this one. 849 00:31:35,362 --> 00:31:38,631 - But on the fourth obstacle, he went down for the count. 850 00:31:38,665 --> 00:31:41,368 - Body slammed by the Goose. 851 00:31:41,401 --> 00:31:42,702 [upbeat music] 852 00:31:42,736 --> 00:31:45,405 - Houston's Josh Salinas, AKA Iron Josh, 853 00:31:45,438 --> 00:31:48,008 got a superhero's welcome for his return 854 00:31:48,108 --> 00:31:49,275 to the course. 855 00:31:49,309 --> 00:31:51,945 - Last time we saw him, five years ago. 856 00:31:51,978 --> 00:31:53,813 - Salinas was once an elite Ninja, 857 00:31:53,847 --> 00:31:56,816 but took time off after the birth of his daughter 858 00:31:56,850 --> 00:31:58,885 who was watching back in Texas. 859 00:31:58,918 --> 00:32:00,086 * * 860 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:01,955 - Doesn't look like he lost a step. 861 00:32:02,055 --> 00:32:03,957 - The 32-year-old made it to Vegas 862 00:32:04,057 --> 00:32:05,859 every season he's competed. 863 00:32:05,892 --> 00:32:08,061 And he looked strong in his return, 864 00:32:08,094 --> 00:32:10,096 making it to the fifth obstacle. 865 00:32:10,130 --> 00:32:12,499 - Ooh, he missed it. 866 00:32:12,532 --> 00:32:16,069 - Despite the fall, Zuri got to give him some good news. 867 00:32:16,102 --> 00:32:17,537 - You went far enough, fast enough, 868 00:32:17,570 --> 00:32:19,172 so we will see you in the semi-finals. 869 00:32:19,205 --> 00:32:20,340 Congratulations. 870 00:32:20,373 --> 00:32:21,541 Your daughter's got more to watch. 871 00:32:21,574 --> 00:32:22,642 - Thank you. Thank you. 872 00:32:22,676 --> 00:32:23,843 [cheers and applause] 873 00:32:23,877 --> 00:32:25,845 - This crowd knows who's up next. 874 00:32:25,879 --> 00:32:28,148 It's the reigning King of Ninja, 875 00:32:28,181 --> 00:32:30,250 and Zuri is going to get him started. 876 00:32:30,283 --> 00:32:33,219 - Guys, Vance Walker is a two-time Champion 877 00:32:33,253 --> 00:32:35,388 of "American Ninja Warrior Junior." 878 00:32:35,422 --> 00:32:38,391 And last year, he won it all on the big show 879 00:32:38,425 --> 00:32:41,094 taking home the million dollar grand prize, 880 00:32:41,094 --> 00:32:45,532 but he hasn't let success go to his head. 881 00:32:45,565 --> 00:32:47,667 - The clock is ticking! - Oh, my goodness. 882 00:32:47,701 --> 00:32:49,369 - He is slowing down. - Oh, my goodness. 883 00:32:49,402 --> 00:32:51,104 He's right there. 884 00:32:51,104 --> 00:32:54,240 - Vance Walker has done it! 885 00:32:54,274 --> 00:32:55,942 - It really hasn't sunk in 886 00:32:55,975 --> 00:32:57,377 that I've won a million dollars. 887 00:32:57,410 --> 00:33:00,113 - Born with cerebral palsy and now, 888 00:33:00,146 --> 00:33:03,116 Vance Walker reigns supreme. 889 00:33:03,149 --> 00:33:04,517 - I was literally told I wouldn't be able 890 00:33:04,551 --> 00:33:06,353 to walk when I was a kid. 891 00:33:06,386 --> 00:33:07,687 If you keep working on your dreams, 892 00:33:07,721 --> 00:33:09,723 there's nothing holding you back. 893 00:33:09,756 --> 00:33:11,057 I've been watching "American Ninja Warrior" 894 00:33:11,091 --> 00:33:12,959 for almost 10 years now. 895 00:33:13,059 --> 00:33:14,861 To finally climb Mount Midoriyama, 896 00:33:14,894 --> 00:33:17,497 to say it's a dream come true would be an understatement. 897 00:33:17,530 --> 00:33:19,666 Winning the million dollars was huge for me, 898 00:33:19,699 --> 00:33:21,534 but my life is pretty much the same. 899 00:33:21,568 --> 00:33:23,636 I've always been a big saver and investor. 900 00:33:23,670 --> 00:33:26,206 So I haven't had any really big purchases just yet. 901 00:33:26,239 --> 00:33:28,208 I'm still living in my studio apartment in Tampa, 902 00:33:28,241 --> 00:33:30,276 and so I'm living a pretty humble life right now. 903 00:33:30,310 --> 00:33:31,678 I don't want to be a one and done 904 00:33:31,711 --> 00:33:33,213 "American Ninja Warrior" Champion. 905 00:33:33,246 --> 00:33:35,448 I won two seasons of "American Ninja Warrior" Junior 906 00:33:35,482 --> 00:33:37,183 and then won it all last year. 907 00:33:37,217 --> 00:33:39,886 I'm trying to get that double victory back. 908 00:33:39,919 --> 00:33:42,122 I am very excited to get another shot 909 00:33:42,155 --> 00:33:43,590 at that tower in season 16. 910 00:33:43,623 --> 00:33:46,092 I'm here to have fun, but I know I can win it too. 911 00:33:46,092 --> 00:33:48,428 [upbeat music] 912 00:33:48,461 --> 00:33:50,830 [cheers and applause] 913 00:33:50,864 --> 00:33:54,134 - Oh, it was so great watching his journey last year. 914 00:33:54,167 --> 00:33:56,636 Overcoming so much to win it all. 915 00:33:56,670 --> 00:33:58,204 - Let's go! 916 00:33:58,238 --> 00:33:59,806 - And always there to support him 917 00:33:59,839 --> 00:34:03,243 are his parents, along with a big group of other ninjas. 918 00:34:05,512 --> 00:34:07,781 - Calls himself Walker Texas Ninja. 919 00:34:07,814 --> 00:34:09,449 That's where he was born, even though 920 00:34:09,482 --> 00:34:10,617 he now lives in Florida. 921 00:34:10,650 --> 00:34:12,118 [countdown clock beeping] 922 00:34:12,152 --> 00:34:14,054 - Vance is feeling a lot of pressure 923 00:34:14,054 --> 00:34:16,222 this season as the returning champ. 924 00:34:16,256 --> 00:34:18,525 - Well, we almost expect him to hit a buzzer. 925 00:34:18,558 --> 00:34:21,194 Knowing him, he's probably got his eyes on the Mega Wall. 926 00:34:21,227 --> 00:34:23,129 Didn't get a shot at the Mega Wall last year, 927 00:34:23,163 --> 00:34:25,131 but got it back in season 13. 928 00:34:25,165 --> 00:34:26,933 He did it when he was 5'5", 929 00:34:26,966 --> 00:34:28,735 the shortest ever to conquer it. 930 00:34:28,768 --> 00:34:30,570 That was 18 feet. 931 00:34:30,603 --> 00:34:32,906 - Nice big throw there on Reel to Reel. 932 00:34:32,939 --> 00:34:34,374 - You got it. - Let's go. Let's go. 933 00:34:34,407 --> 00:34:37,644 - Now let's see how he handles Dangerous Waters. 934 00:34:37,677 --> 00:34:39,546 - Ooh, wow. 935 00:34:39,579 --> 00:34:41,948 - A little stumble but pops right back up. 936 00:34:41,981 --> 00:34:45,251 [cheers and applause] 937 00:34:45,285 --> 00:34:46,920 Dangerous Waters almost got him. 938 00:34:46,953 --> 00:34:47,921 - Just amazing. 939 00:34:47,954 --> 00:34:49,489 Born with cerebral palsy. 940 00:34:49,522 --> 00:34:51,758 Primarily impacted the leg muscles, 941 00:34:51,791 --> 00:34:53,493 and look at that agility. 942 00:34:53,526 --> 00:34:54,494 - Nice, OK. 943 00:34:54,527 --> 00:34:56,096 - And look at this strength. 944 00:34:56,096 --> 00:34:58,164 - Now watch the drop off this one. 945 00:34:58,198 --> 00:35:00,266 Got to come in really tight. 946 00:35:00,300 --> 00:35:02,435 - Launch up. - Come in compact. 947 00:35:02,469 --> 00:35:04,537 Nice. - Got it. 948 00:35:04,571 --> 00:35:06,906 - He has a chance to get the fastest time of the night 949 00:35:06,940 --> 00:35:08,775 and earn a shot at the Mega Wall. 950 00:35:08,808 --> 00:35:11,611 But Jawbreakers can eat up time. 951 00:35:11,644 --> 00:35:13,046 - Yes, it can, Matt. 952 00:35:13,046 --> 00:35:14,447 And you want to be careful not to get 953 00:35:14,481 --> 00:35:16,149 too many back swings if you're going for speed. 954 00:35:16,182 --> 00:35:18,451 - The good news is he's already in the semis. 955 00:35:18,485 --> 00:35:19,919 He's got a spot. 956 00:35:19,953 --> 00:35:22,255 - He wants that money bag. Go get that bag then. 957 00:35:22,288 --> 00:35:25,325 [cheers and applause] 958 00:35:26,593 --> 00:35:30,063 - Down to 10 seconds, Akbar. 959 00:35:30,063 --> 00:35:31,898 - Nice. - Got it. 960 00:35:31,931 --> 00:35:33,233 - Got five seconds. 961 00:35:33,266 --> 00:35:34,634 - Four, three... - Come on, Vance! 962 00:35:34,668 --> 00:35:35,902 Oh, it's going to be close. 963 00:35:35,935 --> 00:35:38,605 - It's going to be super close. - Oh! 964 00:35:38,638 --> 00:35:41,074 - Misses for the Mega Wall, but still gets 965 00:35:41,074 --> 00:35:43,176 the fastest time of the night. 966 00:35:43,209 --> 00:35:46,179 [cheers and applause] 967 00:35:46,212 --> 00:35:50,517 - Vance Walker, another buzzer. 968 00:35:50,550 --> 00:35:54,320 Vance, man, you continue to impress. 969 00:35:54,354 --> 00:35:55,889 But I do have some news. 970 00:35:55,922 --> 00:35:58,558 By less than two seconds, you just missed 971 00:35:58,591 --> 00:36:00,727 your chance at the Mega Wall. - Dang it. 972 00:36:00,760 --> 00:36:02,495 - Hey, but the brighter side of this 973 00:36:02,529 --> 00:36:05,031 is you made it back to the semis, baby. 974 00:36:05,065 --> 00:36:06,066 You're going racing. 975 00:36:06,099 --> 00:36:07,300 [cheers and applause] 976 00:36:07,334 --> 00:36:09,269 - And Vance, you didn't get the Mega Wall, 977 00:36:09,302 --> 00:36:11,471 but you did have the fastest time of the night, buddy. 978 00:36:11,504 --> 00:36:12,839 - Let's go. Sweet. 979 00:36:12,872 --> 00:36:16,276 - Vance Walker, he's our reigning champion. 980 00:36:16,309 --> 00:36:19,779 Off to a great start for this season. 981 00:36:19,813 --> 00:36:22,782 He had one small stumble on Dangerous Waters, 982 00:36:22,816 --> 00:36:25,118 but otherwise, an impressive start 983 00:36:25,151 --> 00:36:27,587 to the season for our defending champ 984 00:36:27,620 --> 00:36:30,056 as he starts his quest for another million. 985 00:36:30,090 --> 00:36:33,460 [cheers and applause] 986 00:36:33,493 --> 00:36:36,596 - When we come back, we're going racing 987 00:36:36,629 --> 00:36:38,164 in the Runoffs. 988 00:36:38,198 --> 00:36:41,267 It's side by side across four tough obstacles 989 00:36:41,301 --> 00:36:43,470 for the finals spots in the semi-finals. 990 00:36:43,503 --> 00:36:45,305 - Oh. - My gosh! 991 00:36:45,338 --> 00:36:47,073 - Oh! - Oh! 992 00:36:47,073 --> 00:36:50,110 - You'll see it next on "American Ninja Warrior." 993 00:36:54,447 --> 00:36:56,616 - Welcome back to LA where our final runners 994 00:36:56,649 --> 00:36:58,651 gave us a thrill minutes ago. 995 00:36:58,685 --> 00:37:01,855 First it was North Carolina teenager Isaiah Lee, 996 00:37:01,888 --> 00:37:03,590 known as The One-eyed Warrior 997 00:37:03,623 --> 00:37:05,558 because he's blind in his right eye. 998 00:37:05,592 --> 00:37:07,861 The high schooler had his sights set 999 00:37:07,894 --> 00:37:10,263 on his second straight trip to the semi-finals. 1000 00:37:10,296 --> 00:37:12,732 - Yeah! Get excited. Get excited! 1001 00:37:12,766 --> 00:37:14,300 - He needed to reach Duck Duck Goose 1002 00:37:14,334 --> 00:37:17,070 to get into the top 12. - No! 1003 00:37:17,103 --> 00:37:18,938 - And his fall on Dangerous Waters 1004 00:37:19,039 --> 00:37:21,474 left him on the bubble in 13th place. 1005 00:37:21,508 --> 00:37:24,811 Then Georgia's Ricky Vu danced to the start line 1006 00:37:24,844 --> 00:37:27,313 for the first time in six years. 1007 00:37:27,347 --> 00:37:29,115 The 30-year-old works as an accountant 1008 00:37:29,149 --> 00:37:31,051 for Marvel in Atlanta, 1009 00:37:31,051 --> 00:37:33,553 and he flew like a superhero on Reel to Reel. 1010 00:37:33,586 --> 00:37:35,422 - Oh, nice! 1011 00:37:35,455 --> 00:37:37,590 - And powered his way across Dangerous Waters. 1012 00:37:37,624 --> 00:37:40,694 - Oh, hey. He's happy. He's excited. 1013 00:37:40,727 --> 00:37:44,464 - His fall on Duck Duck Goose vaulted him into 13th place 1014 00:37:44,497 --> 00:37:46,666 knocking out Isaiah Lee. 1015 00:37:46,700 --> 00:37:48,968 So Vu moved on to the Runoff Race 1016 00:37:49,069 --> 00:37:51,805 for the final spot in semi-finals. 1017 00:37:51,838 --> 00:37:53,907 He faced 12th place Michael Eckert, 1018 00:37:53,940 --> 00:37:56,543 the Marine Corps Reservist and pull-up champ 1019 00:37:56,576 --> 00:37:59,212 we saw earlier tonight. Winner moves on. 1020 00:37:59,245 --> 00:38:02,015 For the loser, the season's over. 1021 00:38:02,048 --> 00:38:04,250 Vu danced his way across Home Run first 1022 00:38:04,284 --> 00:38:06,820 and kept his lead on Spring Forward. 1023 00:38:06,853 --> 00:38:09,022 But Eckert, the Marine, kept fighting 1024 00:38:09,022 --> 00:38:12,459 and was first up on the third obstacle, Wingnuts. 1025 00:38:12,492 --> 00:38:14,728 But it didn't last. - Oh! 1026 00:38:14,761 --> 00:38:16,363 And Eckert is down. 1027 00:38:16,396 --> 00:38:18,765 - His fall opened the door for Ricky Vu 1028 00:38:18,798 --> 00:38:21,267 who just had to complete the obstacle to win. 1029 00:38:21,301 --> 00:38:24,671 - OK. - And he did. 1030 00:38:24,704 --> 00:38:27,474 So here are all the men advancing. 1031 00:38:27,507 --> 00:38:30,276 Vance Walker leads the way as the fastest of the four 1032 00:38:30,310 --> 00:38:31,478 who hit a buzzer. 1033 00:38:31,511 --> 00:38:33,046 Among the non-finishers moving on, 1034 00:38:33,079 --> 00:38:35,315 Utah's Karson Voiles. 1035 00:38:35,348 --> 00:38:38,051 Ricky Vu got the final spot with that win. 1036 00:38:38,051 --> 00:38:41,154 All 12 men will be racing in the semi-finals. 1037 00:38:41,187 --> 00:38:43,923 On the women's side, softball slugger Karen Potts 1038 00:38:43,957 --> 00:38:45,358 leads the way. 1039 00:38:45,392 --> 00:38:47,460 Followed by hard driving Chynna Hart 1040 00:38:47,494 --> 00:38:50,130 and Army doctor Megan Johnson. 1041 00:38:50,163 --> 00:38:52,432 The fourth and final spot will come down 1042 00:38:52,465 --> 00:38:54,401 to a runoff between 21-year-old 1043 00:38:54,434 --> 00:38:56,736 Tennessee security guard Rachel Brown 1044 00:38:56,770 --> 00:38:58,538 and Utah physician assistant 1045 00:38:58,571 --> 00:39:00,674 Ally Tippetts Wootton who calls herself 1046 00:39:00,707 --> 00:39:02,242 the Flipper Ninja. 1047 00:39:02,275 --> 00:39:04,244 - Hey, now, they're both flipping out. 1048 00:39:04,277 --> 00:39:05,745 [upbeat music] 1049 00:39:05,779 --> 00:39:07,614 - Ally had to win a Runoff race last season, 1050 00:39:07,647 --> 00:39:09,115 hitting the buzzer 1051 00:39:09,149 --> 00:39:11,351 and doing her signature flip before losing 1052 00:39:11,384 --> 00:39:15,321 a close race to fellow Utah mom Mady Howard in semis. 1053 00:39:15,355 --> 00:39:17,123 * * 1054 00:39:17,157 --> 00:39:20,160 Her opponent tonight, Rachel "No brakes" Brown 1055 00:39:20,193 --> 00:39:23,029 was once the top female teen ninja in the country. 1056 00:39:23,029 --> 00:39:26,599 Now, she's a motorcycle riding security guard. 1057 00:39:26,633 --> 00:39:28,702 Brown advanced to the semi-finals 1058 00:39:28,735 --> 00:39:31,137 last season where she lost a close race 1059 00:39:31,171 --> 00:39:33,473 to her ninja idol, Barclay Stockett. 1060 00:39:33,506 --> 00:39:35,041 - Oh! - Oh! 1061 00:39:35,041 --> 00:39:37,043 - Oh! Brown is down. 1062 00:39:37,077 --> 00:39:39,112 - Last season, I barely missed out on Vegas 1063 00:39:39,145 --> 00:39:40,747 and I'm not going to let that happen again. 1064 00:39:40,780 --> 00:39:42,782 I'm going to treat it just like the racetrack 1065 00:39:42,816 --> 00:39:45,051 and pedal to the metal all the way to the buzzer. 1066 00:39:45,051 --> 00:39:49,656 * * 1067 00:39:49,689 --> 00:39:53,059 - Rachel's family is watching back in Tennessee. 1068 00:39:53,059 --> 00:39:55,061 And Ally's got her husband and young son 1069 00:39:55,095 --> 00:39:56,896 leading the cheers on her sideline. 1070 00:39:56,930 --> 00:39:58,631 - These two are similar in size, 1071 00:39:58,665 --> 00:40:01,334 but Ally is more than ten years older than Rachel. 1072 00:40:01,368 --> 00:40:03,837 [countdown clock beeping] 1073 00:40:03,870 --> 00:40:05,405 [cheers and applause] 1074 00:40:05,438 --> 00:40:07,707 - There are a lot of nerves when it comes to a Runoff. 1075 00:40:07,741 --> 00:40:10,577 - Bounding out, pretty evenly matched. 1076 00:40:11,978 --> 00:40:13,913 - Nice, and this one, Spring Forward, Matt, 1077 00:40:13,947 --> 00:40:16,049 you just got to literally spring forward. 1078 00:40:16,082 --> 00:40:18,485 You can't take the extra swing if you want to get ahead. 1079 00:40:18,518 --> 00:40:19,819 This is a great opportunity. 1080 00:40:19,853 --> 00:40:21,488 - And Wooton. - Just like that! 1081 00:40:21,521 --> 00:40:24,257 - Ally Tippetts Wootton, that was a good leap there. 1082 00:40:24,290 --> 00:40:25,959 Gave her an edge. - All right. 1083 00:40:25,992 --> 00:40:27,894 She's got some power now. - Here comes Rachel. 1084 00:40:27,927 --> 00:40:29,362 [cheers and applause] 1085 00:40:29,396 --> 00:40:31,264 - Wingnuts is so-- 1086 00:40:31,297 --> 00:40:33,133 so difficult. 1087 00:40:33,166 --> 00:40:36,269 Of course you can get-- and peel off on that edge. 1088 00:40:36,302 --> 00:40:39,873 - And you have to be so directed with your flight. 1089 00:40:39,906 --> 00:40:42,409 Not pull away from the wing nut. 1090 00:40:42,442 --> 00:40:43,610 - Ideally, you want to grab it 1091 00:40:43,643 --> 00:40:45,378 just like Ally did right there. 1092 00:40:45,412 --> 00:40:47,313 You want to get two hands on it. 1093 00:40:47,347 --> 00:40:51,885 - Rachel Brown, though, keeping it so close, oh! 1094 00:40:51,918 --> 00:40:53,186 - Boy, I love the technique 1095 00:40:53,219 --> 00:40:54,954 out of both of them there on Wingnuts. 1096 00:40:54,988 --> 00:40:57,357 - Well, the only way Rachel Brown can win 1097 00:40:57,390 --> 00:41:00,527 is get a buzzer and get there before Ally does. 1098 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:03,063 - And Hopscotch is so taxing on the upper body, 1099 00:41:03,096 --> 00:41:05,065 on the grip strength. 1100 00:41:05,065 --> 00:41:06,733 - Well, we know Rachel Brown is strong. 1101 00:41:06,766 --> 00:41:09,469 I'm impressed with Ally. 1102 00:41:09,502 --> 00:41:11,237 She is looking locked-in, Akbar. 1103 00:41:11,271 --> 00:41:12,572 - Oh, you can see it. 1104 00:41:12,605 --> 00:41:14,974 Ally is already feeling the victory. 1105 00:41:15,075 --> 00:41:16,376 She's shocked-- 1106 00:41:16,409 --> 00:41:18,745 - She's doing such a good job kicking, 1107 00:41:18,778 --> 00:41:20,313 making those grabs easy. - Keep on--hold it. 1108 00:41:20,347 --> 00:41:22,282 Hold on. 1109 00:41:22,315 --> 00:41:24,818 - Oh, wow! - Ally does it. 1110 00:41:24,851 --> 00:41:28,655 - A close race, but Ally gets the win, 1111 00:41:28,688 --> 00:41:30,390 and she's flipping out about it. 1112 00:41:30,423 --> 00:41:32,425 Rachel Brown's also going to finish. 1113 00:41:32,459 --> 00:41:34,461 - [laughs] - Oh, boy. 1114 00:41:34,494 --> 00:41:36,563 - Well, a good run by both, but Ally 1115 00:41:36,596 --> 00:41:38,365 is moving on to the semis. 1116 00:41:38,398 --> 00:41:40,600 - It started with a flip, 1117 00:41:40,633 --> 00:41:43,136 and then these two gave us a very close race. 1118 00:41:43,169 --> 00:41:45,271 Ally got to the buzzer first, 1119 00:41:45,305 --> 00:41:47,674 and she celebrated with another flip. 1120 00:41:47,707 --> 00:41:50,443 But a great run for both these women. 1121 00:41:50,477 --> 00:41:52,379 - That wraps up another night of qualifying. 1122 00:41:52,412 --> 00:41:54,581 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, 1123 00:41:54,614 --> 00:41:55,982 I'm Matt Iseman. 1124 00:41:56,016 --> 00:41:59,719 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior." 1125 00:41:59,753 --> 00:42:02,055 [dramatic music] 1126 00:42:02,088 --> 00:42:09,129 * *