1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,072 [upbeat music] 2 00:00:06,106 --> 00:00:08,141 - We're about to double down in Vegas. 3 00:00:08,174 --> 00:00:10,377 It's night two of the National Finals 4 00:00:10,410 --> 00:00:12,579 on "American Ninja Warrior." 5 00:00:12,612 --> 00:00:14,014 Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining us. 6 00:00:14,047 --> 00:00:15,015 I'm Matt Iseman. 7 00:00:15,048 --> 00:00:16,316 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 8 00:00:16,349 --> 00:00:18,785 Matt, the goal tonight is simple. 9 00:00:18,818 --> 00:00:22,288 Survive stage one so you can move on to race on stage two. 10 00:00:22,322 --> 00:00:23,623 - Well, it's not easy, big man. 11 00:00:23,656 --> 00:00:25,658 This stage one course is challenging 12 00:00:25,692 --> 00:00:27,060 as we saw last week. 13 00:00:27,093 --> 00:00:28,862 For a preview of what we'll see tonight, 14 00:00:28,895 --> 00:00:30,630 let's go down to Zuri Hall. 15 00:00:30,663 --> 00:00:33,099 - Guys, the ninjas who faced stage one last week 16 00:00:33,133 --> 00:00:36,503 found out just how tough this course can be. 17 00:00:36,536 --> 00:00:41,341 Whether it was Slide Surfer, Barrel Roll... 18 00:00:41,374 --> 00:00:42,742 - No. 19 00:00:42,776 --> 00:00:44,611 - Giant Rollercoaster... 20 00:00:44,644 --> 00:00:45,979 - Ooh. 21 00:00:46,012 --> 00:00:47,547 - Or Jumping Spider... 22 00:00:47,580 --> 00:00:49,916 - Get in there. Oh! 23 00:00:49,949 --> 00:00:53,153 - Every obstacle was a factor last week. 24 00:00:53,186 --> 00:00:57,724 The Gambler knocked out more ninjas than any other. 25 00:00:57,757 --> 00:01:00,527 And those who survived had to get past 26 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:05,065 the Warped Wall, Dipping Birds, and Thread the Needle. 27 00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:06,933 - Yes. Yes. 28 00:01:06,966 --> 00:01:07,934 No. 29 00:01:07,967 --> 00:01:10,103 [buzzer blares] 30 00:01:10,136 --> 00:01:13,273 In all, 13 ninjas did hit the buzzer. 31 00:01:13,306 --> 00:01:15,408 They'll be joining tonight's finishers to race 32 00:01:15,442 --> 00:01:17,844 next week on stage two to keep their 33 00:01:17,877 --> 00:01:20,213 million-dollar dreams alive. 34 00:01:20,246 --> 00:01:21,281 It is going to be nuts. 35 00:01:21,314 --> 00:01:22,382 Guys. 36 00:01:22,415 --> 00:01:23,783 - And there are many in this field 37 00:01:23,817 --> 00:01:26,753 capable of winning that million-dollar grand prize. 38 00:01:26,786 --> 00:01:28,822 - Take a look at some of the top contenders 39 00:01:28,855 --> 00:01:30,156 we'll see tonight. 40 00:01:30,190 --> 00:01:32,392 - How about the ninja with more buzzers 41 00:01:32,425 --> 00:01:35,795 than anyone in history, The Weatherman, Joe Moravsky? 42 00:01:35,829 --> 00:01:38,465 And the young ninja who's already climbed 43 00:01:38,498 --> 00:01:42,002 stage four twice, Kaden Lebsack. 44 00:01:42,102 --> 00:01:44,471 Plus, teen sensation Taylor Greene 45 00:01:44,504 --> 00:01:46,573 will try to become just the fourth woman 46 00:01:46,606 --> 00:01:49,109 ever to finish stage one. 47 00:01:49,142 --> 00:01:50,443 - We're going to start with something new. 48 00:01:50,477 --> 00:01:52,946 Our very first legacy invite, allowing 49 00:01:52,979 --> 00:01:55,782 a ninja favorite to run here at the National Finals. 50 00:01:55,815 --> 00:01:57,917 And we can't think of anyone more deserving 51 00:01:57,951 --> 00:02:00,353 than the legend, Ryan Stratis. 52 00:02:00,387 --> 00:02:03,323 - Look who's back, baby. 53 00:02:03,356 --> 00:02:04,791 Strat's back, baby. 54 00:02:04,824 --> 00:02:06,626 - And now he'll be the first recipient 55 00:02:06,659 --> 00:02:10,196 of this special honor. 56 00:02:10,230 --> 00:02:11,865 - Next up from Kennesaw, Georgia, 57 00:02:11,898 --> 00:02:15,068 National Guard communications officer, Ryan Stratis. 58 00:02:15,068 --> 00:02:17,637 - He's one of the pioneers of the sport... 59 00:02:17,671 --> 00:02:19,873 - One hand, two hands up, pulling himself up 60 00:02:19,906 --> 00:02:22,075 to the buzzer, and he does it. 61 00:02:22,075 --> 00:02:26,079 - With 24 buzzers in his 13 seasons. 62 00:02:26,079 --> 00:02:32,218 - Ryan Stratis getting another buzzer in his storied career. 63 00:02:32,252 --> 00:02:35,121 - Ahh! 64 00:02:35,155 --> 00:02:38,324 - And a burgeoning career as a commentator. 65 00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:39,559 - Move. Come on. 66 00:02:39,592 --> 00:02:43,563 Not quite able to make the transition. 67 00:02:43,596 --> 00:02:46,599 - And in recognition of his dedication to ninja, 68 00:02:46,633 --> 00:02:51,571 now he's the very first legacy invite in finals history. 69 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:53,707 - What a cool thing. A legacy wild card. 70 00:02:53,740 --> 00:02:56,543 I've been doing this a long time, 13 seasons in. 71 00:02:56,576 --> 00:02:58,778 Ahh! 72 00:02:58,812 --> 00:02:59,879 You know, it's kind of an honor. 73 00:02:59,913 --> 00:03:01,348 Ahh! 74 00:03:01,381 --> 00:03:03,650 It is getting more and more difficult to keep up 75 00:03:03,683 --> 00:03:05,552 with these athletes year in and year out. 76 00:03:05,585 --> 00:03:07,487 So I'm going to put it all on red and let it ride. 77 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,489 Let's see what happens. We're in Vegas, man. 78 00:03:09,522 --> 00:03:12,225 We got-- we gotta get crazy. 79 00:03:12,258 --> 00:03:15,528 - Strat's always been popular, and he's got some ninja 80 00:03:15,562 --> 00:03:17,097 legends on his sideline. 81 00:03:17,130 --> 00:03:20,834 Joe Moravsky, Daniel Gil, and our other legacy invite 82 00:03:20,867 --> 00:03:22,335 for tonight, Flex Labreck. 83 00:03:22,369 --> 00:03:24,771 - Let's go, Strat. 84 00:03:24,804 --> 00:03:27,841 - That clock will count down from 2:50. 85 00:03:27,874 --> 00:03:29,676 [countdown clock beeping] 86 00:03:29,709 --> 00:03:31,511 - Let's go! 87 00:03:31,544 --> 00:03:32,912 - 40 years old. 88 00:03:32,946 --> 00:03:35,115 Got to get those legs across Striding Steps. 89 00:03:35,148 --> 00:03:38,818 Now heads up to Barrel Roll. 90 00:03:38,852 --> 00:03:41,287 Spends most of his time these days as commentator 91 00:03:41,321 --> 00:03:43,957 for Ninja Sport Network on YouTube. 92 00:03:43,990 --> 00:03:45,091 What a career he's had. 93 00:03:45,091 --> 00:03:46,826 Started 16 years ago. 94 00:03:46,860 --> 00:03:48,361 - Yes, he has. 95 00:03:48,395 --> 00:03:50,597 And he's rolled with the punches throughout his career. 96 00:03:50,630 --> 00:03:52,232 - Well, he has had so many injuries, 97 00:03:52,265 --> 00:03:53,967 particularly in that upper body. 98 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:57,504 Will he have the endurance to last all eight 99 00:03:57,537 --> 00:03:59,305 obstacles of stage one? 100 00:03:59,339 --> 00:04:01,541 Get ready to go for a ride, Strat, 101 00:04:01,574 --> 00:04:05,745 here on the third obstacle, Giant Rollercoaster. 102 00:04:05,779 --> 00:04:07,681 So much experience. 103 00:04:07,714 --> 00:04:08,682 - Nice. 104 00:04:08,715 --> 00:04:10,684 - This guy has seen it all. 105 00:04:10,717 --> 00:04:14,220 Been to Japan to compete on the show that inspired 106 00:04:14,254 --> 00:04:17,424 "Ninja Warrior," "Sasuke." 107 00:04:17,457 --> 00:04:20,894 Now the Jumping Spider, this longest staple of the sport, 108 00:04:20,927 --> 00:04:22,429 faced it many times. 109 00:04:22,462 --> 00:04:24,064 He knows the dangers. 110 00:04:24,064 --> 00:04:25,365 - Let's see the flexibility. 111 00:04:25,398 --> 00:04:27,067 You know, as you get a little older, 112 00:04:27,067 --> 00:04:29,903 them hips get a little tighter. 113 00:04:29,936 --> 00:04:31,404 - Breathe right now. 114 00:04:31,438 --> 00:04:32,739 - Keep breathing, Stratis. 115 00:04:32,772 --> 00:04:34,107 Keep moving. 116 00:04:34,140 --> 00:04:36,743 - Oh, his flexibility looks perfect to me. 117 00:04:36,776 --> 00:04:38,545 - But taking his time here, Akbar. 118 00:04:38,578 --> 00:04:41,081 That clock is ticking down. 119 00:04:41,081 --> 00:04:42,849 - This is the challenge of stage one. 120 00:04:42,882 --> 00:04:47,687 You can't take too much time to rest. 121 00:04:47,721 --> 00:04:50,523 - And you could just see him trying to gather his breath. 122 00:04:50,557 --> 00:04:51,858 He ain't a spring chicken anymore. 123 00:04:51,891 --> 00:04:52,859 - Let's go. 124 00:04:52,892 --> 00:04:54,327 Push yourself. 125 00:04:54,361 --> 00:04:56,296 - And Matt, don't be fooled by the legacy title. 126 00:04:56,329 --> 00:05:00,033 He might be a little older, but this dude can ninja. 127 00:05:00,033 --> 00:05:02,635 But because of the slower pace through the first five 128 00:05:02,669 --> 00:05:06,106 obstacles, he will have to sprint on the back half. 129 00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:08,842 - Good spin, controlling it. 130 00:05:08,875 --> 00:05:10,443 - Ooh, OK. 131 00:05:10,477 --> 00:05:12,045 Nice focus. 132 00:05:12,045 --> 00:05:14,180 - You can see the hands wobble that makes that transfer hard. 133 00:05:14,214 --> 00:05:17,350 Just over a minute left for Strat. 134 00:05:17,384 --> 00:05:18,785 - Got to get going, big man. 135 00:05:18,818 --> 00:05:19,786 - Nice. 136 00:05:19,819 --> 00:05:20,787 There he goes. 137 00:05:20,820 --> 00:05:22,122 - He's lined up. 138 00:05:22,155 --> 00:05:23,623 - You would think because he's a veteran, 139 00:05:23,656 --> 00:05:25,125 his plan is make sure he doesn't 140 00:05:25,158 --> 00:05:27,427 go out here on The Gambler and then sprint like crazy. 141 00:05:27,460 --> 00:05:28,428 Whoa. 142 00:05:28,461 --> 00:05:31,464 both: Whoa! 143 00:05:31,498 --> 00:05:34,734 - He went all in, lost his footing. 144 00:05:34,768 --> 00:05:37,504 - But always great to see Strat on the course. 145 00:05:37,537 --> 00:05:39,305 - I see you, OG. 146 00:05:39,339 --> 00:05:42,776 Hey, he was making 40 look good on the early obstacles. 147 00:05:42,809 --> 00:05:45,211 But with the clock ticking, he rushed across the roulette 148 00:05:45,245 --> 00:05:50,183 wheel and just came up short. 149 00:05:50,216 --> 00:05:53,153 - That's how the cookie crumbles. 150 00:05:53,186 --> 00:05:55,355 - Believe it or not, when Stratis first 151 00:05:55,388 --> 00:05:57,924 competed on "Ninja Warrior," our next competitor 152 00:05:57,957 --> 00:05:59,426 was in diapers. 153 00:05:59,459 --> 00:06:02,362 It's Florida teenager Nacssa Garemore. 154 00:06:02,395 --> 00:06:04,431 Flipping is just one of his talents. 155 00:06:04,464 --> 00:06:06,232 He's been a revelation. 156 00:06:06,266 --> 00:06:09,035 Made it to stage 4 as a rookie last year. 157 00:06:09,035 --> 00:06:11,338 And what a journey it's been for him. 158 00:06:11,371 --> 00:06:13,139 [upbeat music] 159 00:06:13,173 --> 00:06:15,442 - We were born in Africa. 160 00:06:15,475 --> 00:06:19,512 And coming to the USA it was very challenging, 161 00:06:19,546 --> 00:06:22,382 because everything was new to us. 162 00:06:22,415 --> 00:06:24,351 I want to touch him. 163 00:06:24,384 --> 00:06:26,519 - Our parents, they wanted us to be 164 00:06:26,553 --> 00:06:28,788 involved in some kind of sport, because we 165 00:06:28,822 --> 00:06:30,256 were rowdy children. 166 00:06:30,290 --> 00:06:32,058 - Go jump on the rocks. - Oh. 167 00:06:32,058 --> 00:06:34,060 - They would be the kids at the playground that were climbing 168 00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:35,762 up the fireman's pole instead of sliding 169 00:06:35,795 --> 00:06:37,330 down the fireman's pole. 170 00:06:37,364 --> 00:06:39,833 So we decided to build a few obstacles in the backyard, 171 00:06:39,866 --> 00:06:41,835 and that was the beginning. 172 00:06:44,371 --> 00:06:46,339 We looked like actual ninjas. 173 00:06:46,373 --> 00:06:48,575 Trying to make quick work of it. 174 00:06:48,608 --> 00:06:51,111 - But we would also pretend we were Matt and Akbar. 175 00:06:51,144 --> 00:06:52,645 We would narrate. 176 00:06:52,679 --> 00:06:54,781 - We still do it actually. 177 00:06:54,814 --> 00:06:57,617 We do it at the gym, you know. 178 00:06:57,650 --> 00:07:01,788 Welcome back to another season of "American Ninja Warrior." 179 00:07:01,821 --> 00:07:04,591 And then like we'd be jumping up and down, freaking out. 180 00:07:04,624 --> 00:07:05,658 - [grunts] 181 00:07:05,692 --> 00:07:07,494 [both screaming] 182 00:07:07,527 --> 00:07:11,631 - What a save by RJ Roman. 183 00:07:11,664 --> 00:07:13,833 - I'd be spinning around. 184 00:07:13,867 --> 00:07:14,934 Yeah. 185 00:07:15,035 --> 00:07:16,403 Well, guess where you're going. 186 00:07:16,436 --> 00:07:17,937 Vegas, my guy. 187 00:07:18,038 --> 00:07:19,072 - Yeah! - Whoo! 188 00:07:19,105 --> 00:07:21,207 All these ninjas we grew up watching, 189 00:07:21,241 --> 00:07:25,478 getting to compete with them, like, that's pretty cool. 190 00:07:25,512 --> 00:07:32,252 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior." 191 00:07:32,285 --> 00:07:35,555 I think that is good. 192 00:07:35,588 --> 00:07:38,391 - Oh, man, they're coming for our jobs, Matt. 193 00:07:38,425 --> 00:07:40,527 - His announcing partner, his brother Roberto, 194 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:42,128 is watching back in Florida. 195 00:07:42,162 --> 00:07:44,197 That's him on the far left. 196 00:07:44,230 --> 00:07:46,232 And their mom Angela is leading the cheers 197 00:07:46,266 --> 00:07:47,500 down on the sideline. 198 00:07:47,534 --> 00:07:48,802 - Here we go. 199 00:07:48,835 --> 00:07:50,670 He won the Safety Pass race in semis. 200 00:07:50,704 --> 00:07:52,439 You see that patch that he's got on. 201 00:07:52,472 --> 00:07:54,274 That gives him a second chance if he falls. 202 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:57,210 [countdown clock beeping] 203 00:07:57,243 --> 00:07:59,145 - The odds are he won't need it. 204 00:07:59,179 --> 00:08:02,782 In a season and a half, he's never touched the water. 205 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:04,417 Had an amazing first year. 206 00:08:04,451 --> 00:08:07,454 Made it to stage four, climbed for a million dollars 207 00:08:07,487 --> 00:08:08,688 as a middle schooler. 208 00:08:08,722 --> 00:08:10,190 - This kid can go fast. 209 00:08:10,223 --> 00:08:12,492 - He won the fastest time in semis and won 210 00:08:12,525 --> 00:08:14,060 his Safety Pass race. 211 00:08:14,094 --> 00:08:16,863 - Well, RJ Roman has trained him and just said, 212 00:08:16,896 --> 00:08:19,866 the kid goes fast, but the kid is so strong 213 00:08:19,899 --> 00:08:21,935 physically and mentally. 214 00:08:22,035 --> 00:08:23,870 What a journey he's been on, Akbar. 215 00:08:23,903 --> 00:08:25,505 You were talking to him about this. 216 00:08:25,538 --> 00:08:27,040 Adopted from Guinea Bissau. 217 00:08:27,073 --> 00:08:30,677 - What an American dream he is living, Matt. 218 00:08:30,710 --> 00:08:32,679 - Let's go, Nacssa. 219 00:08:32,712 --> 00:08:35,048 - Started ninja training when he was eight. 220 00:08:35,048 --> 00:08:38,251 First saw him on "Ninja Junior" a few years ago. 221 00:08:38,284 --> 00:08:40,286 - It looks so easy for him. 222 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,222 - Oh my god, he's so powerful. 223 00:08:42,255 --> 00:08:44,124 We know that he can do stage four. 224 00:08:44,157 --> 00:08:46,393 Wouldn't be a surprise if this season 225 00:08:46,426 --> 00:08:50,163 he became the new American Ninja Warrior. 226 00:08:50,196 --> 00:08:52,265 - Come on, dude, you got it. 227 00:08:52,298 --> 00:08:53,767 - Well, he's been training for "Ninja" 228 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,169 over half his life. 229 00:08:56,202 --> 00:08:57,170 - You got it. 230 00:08:57,203 --> 00:08:59,506 - You got it, Nacssa. Let's go. 231 00:08:59,539 --> 00:09:01,341 - Has some experience on The Gambler. 232 00:09:01,374 --> 00:09:02,676 - Nice. 233 00:09:02,709 --> 00:09:04,277 - But even the good ones can get tripped up. 234 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:08,348 This is such a challenging, unforgiving obstacle. 235 00:09:08,381 --> 00:09:10,216 - He's sporting that Safety Pass, 236 00:09:10,250 --> 00:09:12,185 but you know he ain't even thinking about it. 237 00:09:12,218 --> 00:09:13,486 - Come on, Nacssa. 238 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:15,188 Come on, honey. - Come on, dude. 239 00:09:15,221 --> 00:09:17,624 - This is the only stage where you can use that Safety Pass. 240 00:09:17,657 --> 00:09:19,859 - Makes the grab onto the Ace of Spades, 241 00:09:19,893 --> 00:09:21,928 making stage one look easy. 242 00:09:22,028 --> 00:09:22,929 - Come on, Nacssa. 243 00:09:23,029 --> 00:09:24,230 - There we go. 244 00:09:24,264 --> 00:09:25,532 - Great control of the Ace of Spades. 245 00:09:25,565 --> 00:09:28,034 OK, I see you out there being an ace. 246 00:09:28,034 --> 00:09:29,736 - 1:15 left. 247 00:09:29,769 --> 00:09:31,905 And, Akbar, this is one of the rare ninjas 248 00:09:31,938 --> 00:09:33,873 who still doesn't look like he's breathing heavy. 249 00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:34,874 - Yeah. 250 00:09:34,908 --> 00:09:35,875 No, he doesn't. 251 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:37,077 - What strength. 252 00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:39,279 What a motor this kid has. 253 00:09:39,312 --> 00:09:41,147 - Last year, he was a little winded, 254 00:09:41,181 --> 00:09:42,916 but he's in better shape this year. 255 00:09:42,949 --> 00:09:44,184 Nice. 256 00:09:44,217 --> 00:09:46,419 - And look at that, a minute left 257 00:09:46,453 --> 00:09:48,054 here on Thread the Needle. 258 00:09:48,054 --> 00:09:49,255 - All right, here we go. 259 00:09:49,289 --> 00:09:51,658 Up and over. 260 00:09:51,691 --> 00:09:52,892 - Little hung up. 261 00:09:52,926 --> 00:09:54,928 - Well, he knows he's got enough time. 262 00:09:54,961 --> 00:09:55,929 Whoo! 263 00:09:55,962 --> 00:09:57,764 - Speed is important. 264 00:09:57,797 --> 00:10:00,166 The faster finishers will race against the slower 265 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:01,668 ones on stage two. 266 00:10:01,701 --> 00:10:03,003 No one wants to go head-to-head 267 00:10:03,036 --> 00:10:04,471 against Nacssa Garemore. 268 00:10:04,504 --> 00:10:05,905 - Nice. 269 00:10:05,939 --> 00:10:08,441 - And how high up he got on the cargo net. 270 00:10:08,475 --> 00:10:09,976 - Nice. 271 00:10:10,010 --> 00:10:12,946 - And Nacssa Garemore is going to get his eighth buzzer 272 00:10:12,979 --> 00:10:14,781 in just two seasons. 273 00:10:14,814 --> 00:10:16,616 He's going back to stage two. 274 00:10:16,649 --> 00:10:18,785 [crowd cheering] 275 00:10:18,818 --> 00:10:20,854 - [laughs] Look at this. 276 00:10:20,887 --> 00:10:23,089 - He's looking like John Travolta at the disco. 277 00:10:23,123 --> 00:10:28,228 * Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha * 278 00:10:28,261 --> 00:10:29,462 You see that? 279 00:10:29,496 --> 00:10:30,563 - That was incredible, folks. - You like that? 280 00:10:30,597 --> 00:10:31,765 Yeah, you like that? 281 00:10:31,798 --> 00:10:33,633 - I felt like I was back in the '70s. 282 00:10:33,667 --> 00:10:36,636 - Well, Nacssa Garemore is staying alive 283 00:10:36,670 --> 00:10:38,438 here in the National Finals. 284 00:10:38,471 --> 00:10:40,473 He's a dancing man, no time to talk, 285 00:10:40,507 --> 00:10:44,344 because he's going racing on stage two. 286 00:10:44,377 --> 00:10:47,647 - Tonight the stakes are high in Vegas. 287 00:10:47,681 --> 00:10:51,418 Hit a buzzer or your season's over. 288 00:10:51,451 --> 00:10:54,287 And only the best are left. 289 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:57,123 Can teenager Taylor Greene become just the fourth woman 290 00:10:57,157 --> 00:11:00,060 ever to take down stage one? 291 00:11:00,060 --> 00:11:02,595 - I'm ready to make more history tonight. 292 00:11:02,629 --> 00:11:06,299 - And Joe Moravsky's done almost everything in "Ninja," 293 00:11:06,332 --> 00:11:09,135 except win the million dollars. 294 00:11:09,169 --> 00:11:11,738 - I would be lying to you if I said I was 295 00:11:11,771 --> 00:11:13,373 not thinking of retiring. 296 00:11:13,406 --> 00:11:16,576 - Is this finally the year for The Weatherman? 297 00:11:16,609 --> 00:11:19,179 And one thing's for sure, in two weeks, 298 00:11:19,212 --> 00:11:22,148 someone's going to cash in for a million 299 00:11:22,182 --> 00:11:26,986 dollars on the National Finals of "American Ninja Warrior." 300 00:11:31,691 --> 00:11:33,193 - Welcome back to Vegas, where three ninjas got their shot 301 00:11:33,226 --> 00:11:35,595 at stage one minutes ago. 302 00:11:35,628 --> 00:11:37,530 California high school student Jonah Maningo 303 00:11:37,564 --> 00:11:39,699 is one of seven rookies competing 304 00:11:39,733 --> 00:11:41,468 in the National Finals. 305 00:11:41,501 --> 00:11:43,370 With his family cheering him on, 306 00:11:43,403 --> 00:11:46,139 this 16-year-old from Chino Hills looked confident early. 307 00:11:46,172 --> 00:11:47,140 - I like that. 308 00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:48,875 Now ride that momentum. 309 00:11:48,908 --> 00:11:51,244 - Until he reached the Jumping Spider. 310 00:11:51,277 --> 00:11:54,481 - Oh, he lost it. 311 00:11:54,514 --> 00:11:56,649 - Pennsylvania's Matt Bradley has 312 00:11:56,683 --> 00:11:58,585 his friends wear silly hats when 313 00:11:58,618 --> 00:12:00,754 he runs to ease his anxiety. 314 00:12:00,787 --> 00:12:03,590 The 22-year-old is a talented young ninja 315 00:12:03,623 --> 00:12:06,226 making his second trip to the National Finals. 316 00:12:06,259 --> 00:12:07,594 - He is moving, Matt. 317 00:12:07,627 --> 00:12:09,729 - He's already hit two buzzers this season 318 00:12:09,763 --> 00:12:11,698 and looked like he was on his way to a third. 319 00:12:11,731 --> 00:12:12,932 - Oh! 320 00:12:12,966 --> 00:12:14,834 - The Dipping Birds ended his run. 321 00:12:14,868 --> 00:12:16,436 - Oh, no. 322 00:12:16,469 --> 00:12:19,272 - In his first trip to the National Finals in five years, 323 00:12:19,305 --> 00:12:22,609 37-year-old Julius Ferguson had one of the gutsiest 324 00:12:22,642 --> 00:12:23,910 performances of the year. 325 00:12:23,943 --> 00:12:24,911 - Oh, come on. 326 00:12:24,944 --> 00:12:25,979 Hold on. 327 00:12:26,079 --> 00:12:27,714 - After landing in the chute, 328 00:12:27,747 --> 00:12:29,549 he struggled to maintain traction 329 00:12:29,582 --> 00:12:32,085 and fought for almost a minute to get through. 330 00:12:32,085 --> 00:12:34,921 - Oh my goodness, just sapping up time, energy-- oh. 331 00:12:34,954 --> 00:12:37,957 - Despite re-aggravating a shoulder injury, 332 00:12:37,991 --> 00:12:40,560 the seven-time "Ninja" veteran kept going. 333 00:12:40,593 --> 00:12:43,596 - Oh my goodness, he is fighting through the pain. 334 00:12:43,630 --> 00:12:46,132 - With time running out, Ferguson refused to give up 335 00:12:46,166 --> 00:12:48,168 and just kept fighting. 336 00:12:48,201 --> 00:12:50,570 - Oh my goodness, are you kidding me? 337 00:12:50,603 --> 00:12:53,606 - Though he timed out, he showed incredible grit. 338 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:54,708 - Man, he did that. 339 00:12:54,741 --> 00:12:56,409 He did his thing. 340 00:12:56,443 --> 00:12:59,479 - Our next competitor is wearing leis to the start line 341 00:12:59,512 --> 00:13:01,514 to honor her Hawaiian heritage. 342 00:13:01,548 --> 00:13:04,351 This is 16-year-old Violet Kepo'o. 343 00:13:04,384 --> 00:13:07,721 She's our lightest competitor at just 95 pounds. 344 00:13:07,754 --> 00:13:11,257 But competing on Ninja Warrior has given her new strength. 345 00:13:11,291 --> 00:13:13,893 [upbeat music] 346 00:13:13,927 --> 00:13:16,730 - Look at the fight in Violet Kepo'o. 347 00:13:16,763 --> 00:13:19,099 - She is strong. 348 00:13:19,132 --> 00:13:20,900 - Doing "Ninja Warrior" has really 349 00:13:20,934 --> 00:13:22,635 helped build my confidence. 350 00:13:22,669 --> 00:13:24,437 - She does not give up. 351 00:13:24,471 --> 00:13:26,306 Yes! 352 00:13:26,339 --> 00:13:28,408 - Before, I was like really shy. 353 00:13:28,441 --> 00:13:31,911 And now I feel like I've been able to be more outgoing. 354 00:13:31,945 --> 00:13:35,815 - Whoo-hoo! Whoo-hoo! 355 00:13:35,849 --> 00:13:40,387 - I've even been able to start coaching other kids in ninja. 356 00:13:40,420 --> 00:13:41,955 Two hands, two hands. 357 00:13:41,988 --> 00:13:43,156 Nice. 358 00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:45,825 And I could be a great example to others. 359 00:13:45,859 --> 00:13:47,193 [laughs] 360 00:13:47,227 --> 00:13:48,194 Yeah. 361 00:13:48,228 --> 00:13:50,096 [applause] 362 00:13:50,130 --> 00:13:54,200 I have come up with a new nickname for myself. 363 00:13:54,234 --> 00:13:57,904 The Ultraviolet Ninja. 364 00:13:57,937 --> 00:13:59,773 I think it's kind of representing 365 00:13:59,806 --> 00:14:02,108 how I can be the light to other girls 366 00:14:02,142 --> 00:14:04,377 who want to do hard things. 367 00:14:04,411 --> 00:14:06,946 [all cheering] 368 00:14:07,047 --> 00:14:10,050 Ultraviolet is going to shine bright on stage one tonight. 369 00:14:10,050 --> 00:14:13,053 * * 370 00:14:13,053 --> 00:14:14,854 [crowd cheering] 371 00:14:14,888 --> 00:14:17,624 - Violet's got her parents, siblings, and a big group 372 00:14:17,657 --> 00:14:19,059 of friends here from Utah. 373 00:14:19,059 --> 00:14:22,462 [countdown clock beeping] 374 00:14:22,495 --> 00:14:24,764 - Just 5'1", 95 pounds. 375 00:14:24,798 --> 00:14:28,068 Got to at least be in the top women in her semifinals. 376 00:14:28,101 --> 00:14:29,936 - Oh, man, did you see that little celebration 377 00:14:29,969 --> 00:14:30,937 right there? 378 00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:32,172 Yay, I did it. 379 00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:33,640 - Just remember how nervous she weas 380 00:14:33,673 --> 00:14:35,375 the first time she competed. 381 00:14:35,408 --> 00:14:37,977 But look at her now. 382 00:14:38,078 --> 00:14:40,080 - Little celebration, onto Barrel Roll. 383 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,248 - Smooth. 384 00:14:42,282 --> 00:14:44,117 Well, let's see if she can generate the power here, 385 00:14:44,150 --> 00:14:45,452 just 95 pounds. 386 00:14:45,485 --> 00:14:47,520 And look at that, using the whole body, 387 00:14:47,554 --> 00:14:49,856 launching herself real good. - Nice. 388 00:14:49,889 --> 00:14:54,127 She is moving with some fluidity. 389 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:55,595 - Really been training hard. 390 00:14:55,628 --> 00:14:57,163 - Whoa. 391 00:14:57,197 --> 00:14:58,898 - She's used to get so nervous before a competition, 392 00:14:58,932 --> 00:15:00,066 she would cry. 393 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:01,334 But look at her out here smiling. 394 00:15:01,368 --> 00:15:03,036 How beautiful is this? 395 00:15:03,036 --> 00:15:05,438 - Oh, Matt, she threw all 95 pounds of herself, 396 00:15:05,472 --> 00:15:07,407 and she was air walking there. 397 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:09,576 - Now onto Giant Rollercoaster. 398 00:15:09,609 --> 00:15:11,544 - Teenagers love rollercoasters, 399 00:15:11,578 --> 00:15:13,113 but not this one. 400 00:15:13,146 --> 00:15:15,648 It's taken out a lot of good ninjas over the years. 401 00:15:15,682 --> 00:15:16,649 - Got it. 402 00:15:16,683 --> 00:15:18,785 Hold on. 403 00:15:18,818 --> 00:15:19,786 - Nice. 404 00:15:19,819 --> 00:15:21,054 - She's got it. 405 00:15:21,087 --> 00:15:22,355 If you read lips, 406 00:15:22,389 --> 00:15:24,124 she just said, oh my gosh. 407 00:15:24,157 --> 00:15:27,394 She surprised herself. 408 00:15:27,427 --> 00:15:29,562 - Well, with her size, the Jumping Spider 409 00:15:29,596 --> 00:15:31,197 may be a challenge. 410 00:15:31,231 --> 00:15:33,433 - Really going to have to hammer that trampoline. 411 00:15:33,466 --> 00:15:34,434 - Get in there. 412 00:15:34,467 --> 00:15:35,468 Get in there deep. 413 00:15:35,502 --> 00:15:37,470 Get it. Get it. 414 00:15:37,504 --> 00:15:40,473 No! - Oh! 415 00:15:40,507 --> 00:15:42,442 - Comes up short on the Jumping Spider, 416 00:15:42,475 --> 00:15:45,645 but still a great season for this teenager. 417 00:15:45,679 --> 00:15:48,248 - Matt, I loved seeing her reaction on the course. 418 00:15:48,281 --> 00:15:50,817 She even surprised herself. 419 00:15:50,850 --> 00:15:53,353 Didn't get a big enough bounce on Jumping Spider, 420 00:15:53,386 --> 00:15:57,357 but a good Vegas debut for Violet Kepo'o. 421 00:15:57,390 --> 00:15:59,826 - It's like so crazy and so fun. 422 00:15:59,859 --> 00:16:01,494 - Yeah? 423 00:16:01,528 --> 00:16:04,197 - Our next athlete is going to get this crowd charged up. 424 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:06,299 It's Electric Enzo. 425 00:16:06,332 --> 00:16:08,868 Florida teenager Enzo DeFerrari Wilson. 426 00:16:08,902 --> 00:16:09,869 - Yeah, let's go. 427 00:16:09,903 --> 00:16:10,870 Make some noise. 428 00:16:10,904 --> 00:16:12,339 - Now in his fourth season. 429 00:16:12,372 --> 00:16:15,175 And he's established himself as a top competitor. 430 00:16:15,208 --> 00:16:16,943 He's made it to the National Finals 431 00:16:17,043 --> 00:16:18,678 every season he's competed. 432 00:16:18,712 --> 00:16:22,749 And last year, made it all the way to stage three. 433 00:16:22,782 --> 00:16:26,252 - Enzo's always got an energetic sideline, including 434 00:16:26,286 --> 00:16:29,756 his very nervous mom. 435 00:16:29,789 --> 00:16:33,693 [countdown clock beeping] 436 00:16:33,727 --> 00:16:37,697 - 5'9", 145 pounds, Enzo has looked so strong this year. 437 00:16:37,731 --> 00:16:40,200 Put up one of the fastest times in qualifying 438 00:16:40,233 --> 00:16:41,701 and semifinals. 439 00:16:41,735 --> 00:16:44,504 He came close to stage four last season. 440 00:16:44,537 --> 00:16:46,873 He really believes he can get there this time. 441 00:16:46,906 --> 00:16:48,842 - Lives down in Florida, gets to train 442 00:16:48,875 --> 00:16:52,779 with all those great ninjas from the Sunshine State. 443 00:16:52,812 --> 00:16:54,547 - Keep moving. Keep moving. 444 00:16:54,581 --> 00:16:56,683 - He likes to go fast and jumps up 445 00:16:56,716 --> 00:16:58,985 to start Giant Rollercoaster. 446 00:16:59,085 --> 00:17:01,488 - Remember when we first saw him on "Ninja Junior"? 447 00:17:01,521 --> 00:17:03,790 Look at him all grown up out there. 448 00:17:03,823 --> 00:17:06,326 - And he's quickly through the first three obstacles. 449 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,895 Mom I'm still worried as Enzo goes 450 00:17:08,928 --> 00:17:10,430 right into Jumping Spider. 451 00:17:10,463 --> 00:17:12,065 He is moving. 452 00:17:12,098 --> 00:17:14,501 Well, it's his fourth season in "Ninja Warrior." 453 00:17:14,534 --> 00:17:16,870 His fourth straight trip to Vegas. 454 00:17:16,903 --> 00:17:18,738 - Three years ago, Matt, he was the youngest 455 00:17:18,772 --> 00:17:20,674 to ever clear stage one. 456 00:17:20,707 --> 00:17:23,710 - And last season was within one obstacle of making 457 00:17:23,743 --> 00:17:25,378 that stage four climb. 458 00:17:25,412 --> 00:17:27,814 - You know he wants it badly. 459 00:17:27,847 --> 00:17:30,050 - Plenty of time still on the clock as he 460 00:17:30,050 --> 00:17:31,618 takes on The Gambler. 461 00:17:31,651 --> 00:17:33,753 - Good body control. 462 00:17:33,787 --> 00:17:36,089 - Well, this kid is so-- - Oh. Oh! 463 00:17:36,122 --> 00:17:39,926 - Oh my goodness. 464 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:41,961 I did not see that one coming. 465 00:17:42,062 --> 00:17:43,363 Wow. 466 00:17:43,396 --> 00:17:45,732 - A shocking early exit. 467 00:17:45,765 --> 00:17:48,301 He can't believe it. 468 00:17:48,335 --> 00:17:49,736 - Let's look at what happened. 469 00:17:49,769 --> 00:17:52,238 As he goes to the craps table, his right hand 470 00:17:52,272 --> 00:17:56,076 hits the support structure, and he just missed the bar. 471 00:18:00,180 --> 00:18:01,581 - Proud of you, dude. 472 00:18:01,614 --> 00:18:04,317 - Not the way Enzo expected to end his season 473 00:18:04,351 --> 00:18:07,754 but gonna get hugs from his always supportive family. 474 00:18:07,787 --> 00:18:09,122 - Coming up... 475 00:18:09,155 --> 00:18:11,725 - Houston's Jody Avila has had lots of success 476 00:18:11,758 --> 00:18:13,893 in his nine years of "Ninja." 477 00:18:13,927 --> 00:18:16,363 Just not at the National Finals. 478 00:18:16,396 --> 00:18:18,031 - Oh. Oh! 479 00:18:18,031 --> 00:18:19,866 No, it crushed him. 480 00:18:19,899 --> 00:18:22,802 - And get out of there. Oh, no, rejected. 481 00:18:22,836 --> 00:18:25,071 - The Big Dog tries to change his luck 482 00:18:25,105 --> 00:18:27,574 in Vegas when we come back. 483 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:34,581 - Megan Johnson and Kyle Soderman 484 00:18:34,614 --> 00:18:36,883 won our very first Couples Championship, 485 00:18:36,916 --> 00:18:39,686 and both made it to the National Finals this year. 486 00:18:39,719 --> 00:18:41,121 Megan was first to hit the course 487 00:18:41,154 --> 00:18:44,157 minutes ago with Kyle cheering her on. 488 00:18:44,190 --> 00:18:46,059 - You got this, Megan. 489 00:18:46,059 --> 00:18:48,061 - Johnson's a doctor for the U.S. Army, 490 00:18:48,061 --> 00:18:50,730 and she marched across the first obstacle, 491 00:18:50,764 --> 00:18:52,499 then went airborne on the second. 492 00:18:52,532 --> 00:18:54,434 - Let's take this one out for a spin. 493 00:18:54,467 --> 00:18:55,835 Whoa. 494 00:18:55,869 --> 00:18:57,671 Wow. 495 00:18:57,704 --> 00:18:59,572 - And she became the night's first victim 496 00:18:59,606 --> 00:19:01,007 of the Barrel Roll. 497 00:19:01,007 --> 00:19:02,308 [buzzer blares] 498 00:19:02,342 --> 00:19:04,744 Then it was her fiancé Kyle's turn. 499 00:19:04,778 --> 00:19:06,846 The stuntman is known for going fast 500 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:08,682 and living dangerously. 501 00:19:08,715 --> 00:19:11,651 He was flying through the first half of the course. 502 00:19:11,685 --> 00:19:13,219 - Oh, right on the edge. 503 00:19:13,253 --> 00:19:14,688 - On the toes. 504 00:19:14,721 --> 00:19:16,322 - Yeah, I know, very close. - He just gave us a smile. 505 00:19:16,356 --> 00:19:17,323 - Very close. 506 00:19:17,357 --> 00:19:18,892 He realized how lucky he is. 507 00:19:18,925 --> 00:19:21,027 - The five-time "Ninja" veteran cruised through 508 00:19:21,027 --> 00:19:23,329 the back half and earned a trip to stage two 509 00:19:23,363 --> 00:19:25,165 for the fourth year in a row. 510 00:19:25,198 --> 00:19:27,400 - Let's go! 511 00:19:27,434 --> 00:19:29,869 Whoo! 512 00:19:29,903 --> 00:19:32,806 - Up next is one of "Ninja's" biggest stars. 513 00:19:32,839 --> 00:19:37,410 It's 6'6" Jody Avila, AKA The Big Dog. 514 00:19:37,444 --> 00:19:39,579 The 38-year-old from Houston has had lots 515 00:19:39,612 --> 00:19:41,214 of success over the years. 516 00:19:41,247 --> 00:19:43,416 But not on stage one. 517 00:19:43,450 --> 00:19:46,252 [crowd cheering] 518 00:19:46,286 --> 00:19:48,088 - The very first time I made it to Vegas, 519 00:19:48,121 --> 00:19:49,656 I hit a stage one buzzer. 520 00:19:49,689 --> 00:19:51,124 - Yeah, Big Dog. 521 00:19:51,157 --> 00:19:52,859 - Well, howl, Big Dog. 522 00:19:52,892 --> 00:19:54,361 - Whoo! 523 00:19:54,394 --> 00:19:56,296 Ever since then, I've never hit another buzzer in Vegas. 524 00:19:56,329 --> 00:19:57,797 - Oh, no. 525 00:19:57,831 --> 00:19:59,232 - Oh! 526 00:19:59,265 --> 00:20:00,700 - He's got the long legs-- no. 527 00:20:00,734 --> 00:20:02,836 It crushed him. 528 00:20:02,869 --> 00:20:03,837 Oh my goodness. 529 00:20:03,870 --> 00:20:04,838 [buzzer blares] 530 00:20:04,871 --> 00:20:07,140 - The Big Dog timed out. 531 00:20:07,173 --> 00:20:09,909 - The time aspect of stage one is really what gets me. 532 00:20:09,943 --> 00:20:11,211 I always feel under pressure. 533 00:20:11,244 --> 00:20:12,645 I always feel like I'm rushing. 534 00:20:12,679 --> 00:20:13,646 - All right, Matt, he's got to go fast here. 535 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,082 He's got to go-- oh, no. 536 00:20:16,116 --> 00:20:18,651 - Beating stage one means so much because I'm 537 00:20:18,685 --> 00:20:20,153 starting to get older. 538 00:20:20,186 --> 00:20:21,921 I'm starting to kind of lose a little pep in my step. 539 00:20:21,955 --> 00:20:23,690 So if I don't do it pretty soon, 540 00:20:23,723 --> 00:20:25,959 I don't know if I'll ever be able to do it again. 541 00:20:25,992 --> 00:20:28,395 [dramatic music] 542 00:20:28,428 --> 00:20:29,763 [crowd cheering] 543 00:20:29,796 --> 00:20:32,165 - Jody's wife and sons watching from back home. 544 00:20:32,198 --> 00:20:33,366 - Let's go, babe. 545 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:34,901 You got this. 546 00:20:34,934 --> 00:20:36,436 - Got a big group of ninjas on the sideline. 547 00:20:36,469 --> 00:20:37,437 [crowd cheering] 548 00:20:37,470 --> 00:20:40,874 [countdown clock beeping] 549 00:20:40,907 --> 00:20:44,844 - 210 pounds, the biggest out here tonight. 550 00:20:44,878 --> 00:20:47,447 That's a lot when you're sprinting through this course. 551 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:50,817 Them long arms will help you in some places, though. 552 00:20:50,850 --> 00:20:54,087 - Nice to have that wingspan there. 553 00:20:54,120 --> 00:20:57,123 He says, he's really been working on endurance. 554 00:20:57,157 --> 00:20:59,426 Especially for the bigger ninjas, for any ninja 555 00:20:59,459 --> 00:21:02,262 stage one is just an exhausting gauntlet. 556 00:21:02,295 --> 00:21:03,263 - Yeah. 557 00:21:03,296 --> 00:21:04,698 Let's go, baby. 558 00:21:04,731 --> 00:21:07,867 - Now, onto Giant Rollercoaster. 559 00:21:07,901 --> 00:21:09,636 Using those arms as shock absorbers. 560 00:21:09,669 --> 00:21:11,504 Watch the transition. - Whoo. 561 00:21:11,538 --> 00:21:13,707 That's a lot of weight landing on that bar. 562 00:21:13,740 --> 00:21:16,876 But he's very agile for a big guy. 563 00:21:16,910 --> 00:21:19,412 [crowd cheering] 564 00:21:19,446 --> 00:21:21,081 - You can see for the bigger ninjas, sometimes 565 00:21:21,081 --> 00:21:22,816 the flexibility can be a challenge 566 00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:24,417 in the Jumping Spider. 567 00:21:24,451 --> 00:21:25,919 - Well, this one Jody Avila feels 568 00:21:25,952 --> 00:21:27,354 pretty comfortable with. 569 00:21:27,387 --> 00:21:28,388 - Nice. 570 00:21:28,421 --> 00:21:29,823 - He's locked in. 571 00:21:29,856 --> 00:21:30,957 - 38 years old. 572 00:21:30,990 --> 00:21:32,826 He doesn't even move like it. 573 00:21:32,859 --> 00:21:35,228 - Got to move fast, because he just does not 574 00:21:35,261 --> 00:21:37,497 want a repeat of timing out. 575 00:21:37,530 --> 00:21:41,401 [crowd cheering] 576 00:21:41,434 --> 00:21:42,836 - He's under two minutes. 577 00:21:42,869 --> 00:21:45,538 - And The Gambler can eat up a lot of time. 578 00:21:45,572 --> 00:21:47,741 - Oh, almost slipped on the course there. 579 00:21:47,774 --> 00:21:50,844 - And just controlling it by going for a little ride here. 580 00:21:50,877 --> 00:21:52,112 Good transfer. - Nice. Nice. 581 00:21:52,112 --> 00:21:54,547 - That was an aggressive move. 582 00:21:54,581 --> 00:21:56,449 Rolling the dice on The Gambler. 583 00:21:56,483 --> 00:22:00,053 - The Big Dog is manhandling the craps table. 584 00:22:00,053 --> 00:22:01,054 - Got the long wings. 585 00:22:01,087 --> 00:22:02,655 Can he make that dance? - Nice. 586 00:22:02,689 --> 00:22:03,656 - Got it. 587 00:22:03,690 --> 00:22:07,494 - Boy, it is good to be 6'6". 588 00:22:07,527 --> 00:22:08,728 - Gotta control this spin, though. 589 00:22:08,762 --> 00:22:10,697 - Uh-oh. Uh-oh. 590 00:22:10,730 --> 00:22:12,465 - And this is-- - At 210 pounds, 591 00:22:12,499 --> 00:22:14,267 you don't wanna be spinning too long on that. 592 00:22:14,300 --> 00:22:17,437 - Well, it's not just the seconds, it's the strength too. 593 00:22:17,470 --> 00:22:19,472 - Now, Matt, this is where the endurance is 594 00:22:19,506 --> 00:22:20,974 gonna have to kick in because he's 595 00:22:21,074 --> 00:22:22,742 already wasted some time here. 596 00:22:22,776 --> 00:22:25,845 - Get going, Big Dog. - Ooh, boy. 597 00:22:25,879 --> 00:22:30,083 - This is looking like a mirror of last season. 598 00:22:30,116 --> 00:22:31,618 - He's got to go. - You got this. 599 00:22:31,651 --> 00:22:32,619 Move, baby. 600 00:22:32,652 --> 00:22:34,487 Come on. 601 00:22:34,521 --> 00:22:35,989 - You got to get your rest on the other side 602 00:22:36,089 --> 00:22:37,323 of the Dipping Birds. 603 00:22:37,357 --> 00:22:39,492 - Even with the long legs, he fell on Dipping 604 00:22:39,526 --> 00:22:40,994 Birds two years ago. 605 00:22:41,094 --> 00:22:44,397 That's got to be in his head. 606 00:22:44,431 --> 00:22:45,832 But gets through it this time. 607 00:22:45,865 --> 00:22:47,467 - Yes! - Let's go. 608 00:22:47,500 --> 00:22:48,935 - Let's go, babe. 609 00:22:48,968 --> 00:22:50,804 - Well, this is it, a rematch. 610 00:22:50,837 --> 00:22:53,340 - Come on, get on that before 35 seconds. 611 00:22:53,373 --> 00:22:54,974 - Well, the key is going to be at 210, 612 00:22:55,008 --> 00:22:56,576 does he have the strength to get 613 00:22:56,609 --> 00:22:58,678 the cane up and off the hook? 614 00:22:58,712 --> 00:23:01,047 - All right, he's got good leverage. 615 00:23:01,047 --> 00:23:02,782 Nice up and over. 616 00:23:02,816 --> 00:23:03,783 Ooh. 617 00:23:03,817 --> 00:23:05,452 Ay-yi-yi. 618 00:23:05,485 --> 00:23:06,453 Mama Carilla. 619 00:23:06,486 --> 00:23:07,854 both: Oh. 620 00:23:07,887 --> 00:23:09,789 - And now that ring is moving. 621 00:23:09,823 --> 00:23:10,957 - No. 622 00:23:11,057 --> 00:23:12,325 - He kicked it. - Oh, my goodness. 623 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:16,496 - And this is shaping up just like last season. 624 00:23:16,529 --> 00:23:20,734 - Ohh. 625 00:23:20,767 --> 00:23:23,103 - History repeats itself. 626 00:23:23,136 --> 00:23:26,506 The Big Dog did not learn new tricks. 627 00:23:26,539 --> 00:23:27,507 - Wow. 628 00:23:27,540 --> 00:23:31,077 Déjà vu. 629 00:23:31,111 --> 00:23:33,980 - He used a lot of time and energy on The Gambler 630 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:36,883 and look tired as he took on Thread the Needle. 631 00:23:36,916 --> 00:23:38,551 With that big body, just couldn't 632 00:23:38,585 --> 00:23:41,321 get the cane off the hook. 633 00:23:41,354 --> 00:23:43,556 - Jody, I know you're disappointed right now. 634 00:23:43,590 --> 00:23:45,325 Same spot you went down last year. 635 00:23:45,358 --> 00:23:46,793 What went wrong there? 636 00:23:46,826 --> 00:23:50,997 - Just couldn't figure out how to unhook it. 637 00:23:51,097 --> 00:23:53,667 Seven seasons since I last beat this stage. 638 00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:55,802 And, yeah, this one-- 639 00:23:55,835 --> 00:23:57,704 this one today hurts the worst, for sure. 640 00:23:57,737 --> 00:23:59,172 - Well, I'm so sorry that it didn't 641 00:23:59,205 --> 00:24:00,573 end the way that you wanted. 642 00:24:00,607 --> 00:24:03,410 But tell me we'll see you next season trying it again, 643 00:24:03,443 --> 00:24:04,611 aiming for stage one buzzer. 644 00:24:04,644 --> 00:24:06,479 - Yeah, I'd love to do it. - There it is. 645 00:24:06,513 --> 00:24:07,681 Thank you, Jody. Good job. 646 00:24:07,714 --> 00:24:08,682 Incredible season. 647 00:24:08,715 --> 00:24:10,316 Matt, Akbar, back to you. 648 00:24:10,350 --> 00:24:11,951 - Coming up... 649 00:24:12,052 --> 00:24:15,555 Rene Browning's always been there for her son, Elijah. 650 00:24:15,588 --> 00:24:19,793 But now he's there for her as she faces cancer. 651 00:24:19,826 --> 00:24:21,761 - She is battling it like a champ. 652 00:24:21,795 --> 00:24:25,899 - Their story's next on "American Ninja Warrior." 653 00:24:31,504 --> 00:24:32,972 - We had pink all round the course minutes ago. 654 00:24:33,073 --> 00:24:34,441 - Let's go, Max. 655 00:24:34,474 --> 00:24:37,577 - As Colorado's Max Feinberg took on stage one. 656 00:24:37,610 --> 00:24:39,079 - Matt, that man is on a mission. 657 00:24:39,112 --> 00:24:41,147 - The college student at the University of Denver 658 00:24:41,181 --> 00:24:43,850 runs to raise awareness for breast cancer. 659 00:24:43,883 --> 00:24:47,687 His mom Debbie is a breast cancer survivor. 660 00:24:47,721 --> 00:24:50,090 The four-time "Ninja" veteran fell on The Gambler 661 00:24:50,090 --> 00:24:52,492 last season, but he had no trouble tonight. 662 00:24:52,525 --> 00:24:53,493 - Now drop. 663 00:24:53,526 --> 00:24:54,494 There you go. 664 00:24:54,527 --> 00:24:56,096 Get it. 665 00:24:56,096 --> 00:24:59,099 - He cruised to the end, got his third buzzer 666 00:24:59,099 --> 00:25:03,870 of the season, and brought attention to breast cancer. 667 00:25:03,903 --> 00:25:05,939 - And that's what it's all about for him, 668 00:25:06,039 --> 00:25:07,340 doing it for his mama. 669 00:25:07,374 --> 00:25:10,410 [crowd cheering] 670 00:25:10,443 --> 00:25:13,913 - That message certainly hits home for our next athlete, 671 00:25:13,947 --> 00:25:16,483 Tennessee teenager, Elijah Browning, 672 00:25:16,516 --> 00:25:19,052 who's been supporting his mother Renee, 673 00:25:19,052 --> 00:25:21,621 who's in the middle of her own battle with breast cancer. 674 00:25:21,654 --> 00:25:26,159 - One obstacle at a time. 675 00:25:26,192 --> 00:25:27,293 Thanks, friends. 676 00:25:27,327 --> 00:25:29,162 Thanks for bringing all the food. 677 00:25:29,195 --> 00:25:30,730 Oh, I love it. 678 00:25:30,764 --> 00:25:32,665 - Recently, my mom told me that she was 679 00:25:32,699 --> 00:25:34,601 diagnosed with breast cancer. 680 00:25:34,634 --> 00:25:37,537 - Thank you guys so much for being here today. 681 00:25:37,570 --> 00:25:40,740 - It was a really shocking diagnosis. 682 00:25:40,774 --> 00:25:44,511 I did not have breast cancer in my family. 683 00:25:44,544 --> 00:25:47,380 - We're just so thankful for the ninja community, 684 00:25:47,414 --> 00:25:50,250 especially for the prayers for my daughter here 685 00:25:50,283 --> 00:25:53,653 during her breast cancer treatments and all. 686 00:25:53,687 --> 00:25:56,189 - When she first told me, I was super upset, 687 00:25:56,222 --> 00:25:58,191 and I thought there was going to be so much sadness 688 00:25:58,224 --> 00:26:00,093 surrounded by this. 689 00:26:00,126 --> 00:26:03,396 But she is battling it like a champ. 690 00:26:03,430 --> 00:26:06,766 - * See the sun * 691 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:09,602 * Watch it rising up * 692 00:26:09,636 --> 00:26:11,571 - We are walking this journey with joy 693 00:26:11,604 --> 00:26:13,606 and with happiness and in victory 694 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:15,642 and in complete healing. 695 00:26:15,675 --> 00:26:18,878 - * It's our moment, we are stronger * 696 00:26:18,912 --> 00:26:22,515 * Together we are not afraid * 697 00:26:22,549 --> 00:26:24,551 - She's always had a big smile on her face, 698 00:26:24,584 --> 00:26:27,320 even when I know she's in pain or I know she's struggling. 699 00:26:27,354 --> 00:26:29,556 And I was honestly super excited to be there 700 00:26:29,589 --> 00:26:31,458 for anything that she needs because she 701 00:26:31,491 --> 00:26:32,792 was always there for me. 702 00:26:32,826 --> 00:26:34,627 Here you go, made it just how you like it. 703 00:26:34,661 --> 00:26:35,628 - Ooh, thank you. 704 00:26:35,662 --> 00:26:36,629 - Yeah. - Perfect. 705 00:26:36,663 --> 00:26:37,630 - Come on, Jay. 706 00:26:37,664 --> 00:26:40,600 Yeah, that was it. 707 00:26:40,633 --> 00:26:42,669 - * Hold on * 708 00:26:42,702 --> 00:26:45,505 - Elijah has been so incredibly supportive. 709 00:26:45,538 --> 00:26:47,574 And that encouragement from all of my family 710 00:26:47,607 --> 00:26:49,209 has been so crucial. 711 00:26:49,242 --> 00:26:51,978 - * Just hold on * 712 00:26:52,078 --> 00:26:52,979 - Love you, Mom. 713 00:26:53,079 --> 00:26:55,348 - Love you, buddy, so much. 714 00:26:55,382 --> 00:26:57,417 - Everyone always sees me as the ninja warrior, 715 00:26:57,450 --> 00:26:59,853 but the real warrior here is my mom. 716 00:27:02,889 --> 00:27:04,691 [crowd cheering] 717 00:27:04,724 --> 00:27:06,793 - Our thoughts certainly with Renee Browning. 718 00:27:06,826 --> 00:27:08,628 As always, she'll be on the sideline 719 00:27:08,661 --> 00:27:10,563 cheering her heart out for Elijah. 720 00:27:10,597 --> 00:27:13,500 [countdown clock beeping] 721 00:27:13,533 --> 00:27:15,468 - Oh, you know he would love to give 722 00:27:15,502 --> 00:27:17,437 her something to smile about. 723 00:27:17,470 --> 00:27:19,406 - So important to get that buzzer. 724 00:27:19,439 --> 00:27:21,508 - What a season he had last year. 725 00:27:21,541 --> 00:27:25,745 One obstacle away from getting that stage four climb. 726 00:27:25,779 --> 00:27:27,047 - You got it. 727 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:28,615 - He knows stage one. 728 00:27:28,648 --> 00:27:30,884 He's run this course twice before. 729 00:27:30,917 --> 00:27:33,286 And he can go fast when he needs to. 730 00:27:33,319 --> 00:27:36,322 - Come on, buddy. 731 00:27:36,356 --> 00:27:40,326 [crowd cheering] 732 00:27:40,360 --> 00:27:42,162 - Has the nickname "The Boss" because he 733 00:27:42,195 --> 00:27:43,797 runs several businesses, 734 00:27:43,830 --> 00:27:47,467 collects sports cards and builds ninja rigs. 735 00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:50,437 - 6'1", 170, on the bigger side for a ninja. 736 00:27:50,470 --> 00:27:52,372 We've seen some of the bigger ninjas 737 00:27:52,405 --> 00:27:55,175 have a little awkwardness here in the Jumping Spider. 738 00:27:55,208 --> 00:27:56,409 - Ooh. 739 00:27:56,443 --> 00:27:58,578 OK, got it, good hip flexibility. 740 00:27:58,611 --> 00:28:01,014 Nice four points of contact 741 00:28:01,014 --> 00:28:03,016 really pressing against those walls. 742 00:28:03,016 --> 00:28:04,551 - And the Jumping Spider is that obstacle 743 00:28:04,584 --> 00:28:06,019 that just drains your energy. 744 00:28:06,019 --> 00:28:07,821 But The Boss looked very efficient there. 745 00:28:07,854 --> 00:28:10,623 [crowd cheering] 746 00:28:10,657 --> 00:28:13,026 This guy, not a gambler. 747 00:28:13,026 --> 00:28:14,561 He's an entrepreneur. 748 00:28:14,594 --> 00:28:16,162 But he's all about making money. 749 00:28:16,196 --> 00:28:17,564 - Matt, he can make a lot of money 750 00:28:17,597 --> 00:28:19,532 if he continues hitting buzzers. 751 00:28:19,566 --> 00:28:21,167 - A million dollars up for grabs 752 00:28:21,201 --> 00:28:25,305 if he makes it to the end. 753 00:28:25,338 --> 00:28:27,674 A little over a minute and a half left. 754 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:32,879 Gotta be careful here going across the roulette wheel. 755 00:28:32,912 --> 00:28:35,281 - And he's got it. 756 00:28:35,315 --> 00:28:41,588 - Big spin on the Ace. 757 00:28:41,621 --> 00:28:43,723 And he is through. 758 00:28:43,757 --> 00:28:46,659 Mama Renee beside herself. - [laughs] 759 00:28:46,693 --> 00:28:51,064 - He's got three more obstacles to go. 760 00:28:51,064 --> 00:28:53,400 - OK, Boss. 761 00:28:53,433 --> 00:28:54,467 - Come on, buddy. 762 00:28:54,501 --> 00:28:57,404 - And just looking in control. 763 00:28:57,437 --> 00:28:59,072 The Boss is in charge. 764 00:28:59,105 --> 00:29:00,674 - Well, Matt, that's the name of the game 765 00:29:00,707 --> 00:29:02,342 here in the National Finals. 766 00:29:02,375 --> 00:29:04,044 The Boss has got to own this course. 767 00:29:04,077 --> 00:29:07,380 [crowd cheering] 768 00:29:07,414 --> 00:29:10,216 - A little under a minute left for Thread the Needle, 769 00:29:10,250 --> 00:29:13,620 buy easy to eat up time here. 770 00:29:13,653 --> 00:29:15,155 And when you're 170, it can be 771 00:29:15,188 --> 00:29:18,291 a little more challenging to get that cane off. 772 00:29:18,324 --> 00:29:21,227 - Ooh. - But not for him. 773 00:29:21,261 --> 00:29:23,196 And that's a big move. 774 00:29:23,229 --> 00:29:25,632 - Matt, Tony Danza better watch out. 775 00:29:25,665 --> 00:29:27,567 - Bruce Springsteen too. 776 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:31,905 - Nice. 777 00:29:31,938 --> 00:29:34,307 - Cargo Net is going to soak up some seconds, 778 00:29:34,341 --> 00:29:36,343 but Boss is gonna do it. 779 00:29:36,376 --> 00:29:37,544 - Nice, get it. 780 00:29:37,577 --> 00:29:39,846 - He's going back to stage two. 781 00:29:39,879 --> 00:29:41,848 - Oh boy, I can't wait. 782 00:29:41,881 --> 00:29:42,849 I can't wait. 783 00:29:42,882 --> 00:29:45,819 [buzzer blares] 784 00:29:45,852 --> 00:29:47,320 - Let's go! 785 00:29:47,354 --> 00:29:48,788 [crowd cheering] 786 00:29:48,822 --> 00:29:53,793 - * So much to see if you believe in me * 787 00:29:53,827 --> 00:29:56,763 - * And just hold on * 788 00:29:56,796 --> 00:29:59,265 - And Mama Renee can finally breathe. 789 00:29:59,299 --> 00:30:01,334 - Let's get it. 790 00:30:01,368 --> 00:30:03,937 [crowd cheering] 791 00:30:03,970 --> 00:30:07,240 - Boss, I've got to say, the only thing more entertaining 792 00:30:07,273 --> 00:30:09,976 than watching you on the course is watching 793 00:30:10,010 --> 00:30:12,746 your mom on the sidelines. 794 00:30:12,779 --> 00:30:16,483 - I know you had her on your mind every second of this run. 795 00:30:16,516 --> 00:30:19,319 - What did she say before you competed tonight? 796 00:30:19,352 --> 00:30:21,087 - Dude, she was so encouraging. 797 00:30:21,121 --> 00:30:22,155 She's so amazing. 798 00:30:22,188 --> 00:30:23,390 I love her so much. 799 00:30:23,423 --> 00:30:24,657 She just said go out there and kill it. 800 00:30:24,691 --> 00:30:25,759 And here we are. - I love you, buddy! 801 00:30:25,792 --> 00:30:28,795 - I love you too. 802 00:30:28,828 --> 00:30:31,398 - Well, we're gonna give fans unlimited access 803 00:30:31,431 --> 00:30:34,601 to the emotions your mom goes through during a run 804 00:30:34,634 --> 00:30:37,737 presented by the Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card. 805 00:30:37,771 --> 00:30:39,372 - One obstacle at a time, buddy. 806 00:30:39,406 --> 00:30:41,007 One obstacle at a time. 807 00:30:41,041 --> 00:30:42,008 Let's go, Elijah. 808 00:30:42,042 --> 00:30:43,910 Let's go, buddy. 809 00:30:43,943 --> 00:30:45,111 Cargo net. 810 00:30:45,145 --> 00:30:47,080 Get on the cargo net. 811 00:30:47,113 --> 00:30:52,852 [crowd cheering] 812 00:30:52,886 --> 00:30:53,853 - Yes! 813 00:30:53,887 --> 00:30:57,590 [crowd cheering] 814 00:30:57,624 --> 00:31:00,060 - So great to see him put a smile on her face 815 00:31:00,060 --> 00:31:01,428 with what she's going through. 816 00:31:01,461 --> 00:31:04,297 - * Just hold on * 817 00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:06,132 - What a moment. 818 00:31:06,166 --> 00:31:07,867 And we've got a lot more to come, including 819 00:31:07,901 --> 00:31:11,905 ninja legends Jesse "Flex" Labreck and The Weatherman 820 00:31:11,938 --> 00:31:13,873 Joe Moravsky. 821 00:31:17,811 --> 00:31:19,112 - They're two rowdy ninjas from Iowa 822 00:31:19,145 --> 00:31:20,947 who like to have fun. 823 00:31:20,980 --> 00:31:23,583 Whether it's protein shakes or noggin buzzers, 824 00:31:23,616 --> 00:31:25,618 Chris Behrends and Levi Enright 825 00:31:25,652 --> 00:31:27,721 are always entertaining. 826 00:31:27,754 --> 00:31:30,523 And now they're going to try to hit a buzzer on stage one. 827 00:31:30,557 --> 00:31:31,891 Chris will run first. 828 00:31:31,925 --> 00:31:33,827 - Got some corncobs with him. 829 00:31:33,860 --> 00:31:35,195 Passing it out to the crowd. 830 00:31:35,228 --> 00:31:37,297 - Well, he and Levi do everything together. 831 00:31:37,330 --> 00:31:39,499 And that includes falling on the same place 832 00:31:39,532 --> 00:31:42,335 the last time they were here. 833 00:31:42,369 --> 00:31:45,538 [upbeat music] 834 00:31:45,572 --> 00:31:48,575 - Season 14 was a great time, felt amazing. 835 00:31:48,608 --> 00:31:52,846 Until, you know, the Dipping Birds. 836 00:31:52,879 --> 00:31:54,581 - Onto the Dipping Birds. - Ohh. 837 00:31:54,614 --> 00:31:56,816 Oh... both: No. 838 00:31:56,850 --> 00:31:59,919 - Levi Enright over thumped and got dumped. 839 00:31:59,953 --> 00:32:01,254 Keep your feet hot. Keep your feet hot. 840 00:32:01,287 --> 00:32:02,255 Keep your feet hot. 841 00:32:02,288 --> 00:32:05,458 - Oh, no. - Oh, no. 842 00:32:05,492 --> 00:32:09,929 - The Dipping Birds taking out both of the ninja teens. 843 00:32:09,963 --> 00:32:11,865 [birds squawking] 844 00:32:11,898 --> 00:32:13,967 - We actually get nightmares from the Dipping Birds. 845 00:32:14,067 --> 00:32:15,468 - Yeah. Yeah. 846 00:32:15,502 --> 00:32:20,807 - And sometimes we wake up in a cold sweat super scared. 847 00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:22,976 But luckily, we're there for each other. 848 00:32:23,076 --> 00:32:25,145 - Dipping Birds, huh? 849 00:32:25,178 --> 00:32:27,514 I get those nightmares too, Chris. 850 00:32:27,547 --> 00:32:29,516 They can't get you here. 851 00:32:29,549 --> 00:32:31,084 - It's OK. It's just nightmares. 852 00:32:31,084 --> 00:32:32,085 It's just the past. 853 00:32:32,085 --> 00:32:33,687 Let's focus about the now. 854 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:35,722 - [yelling] 855 00:32:35,755 --> 00:32:37,090 - But we're different people. 856 00:32:37,123 --> 00:32:38,458 We're more mature. 857 00:32:38,491 --> 00:32:39,826 - We actually train for balance this year. 858 00:32:39,859 --> 00:32:41,561 So we're both coming in very prepared. 859 00:32:41,594 --> 00:32:43,863 - We're gonna get another noggin buzzer. 860 00:32:43,897 --> 00:32:44,864 [buzzer blares] 861 00:32:44,898 --> 00:32:46,099 Boom. 862 00:32:46,099 --> 00:32:47,500 - Whoo! 863 00:32:47,534 --> 00:32:50,103 - I mean, this year so far, we both have qualifiers, 864 00:32:50,103 --> 00:32:51,504 semifinal buzzers. - Yeah. 865 00:32:51,538 --> 00:32:53,006 - Noggin. 866 00:32:53,106 --> 00:32:55,375 - So stage one buzzers for both of us. 867 00:32:55,408 --> 00:32:56,376 It only makes sense. 868 00:32:56,409 --> 00:32:58,578 - I mean, yeah. 869 00:32:58,611 --> 00:33:00,246 - So those birds are going to go down this year. 870 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:01,314 - Yeah. 871 00:33:01,348 --> 00:33:02,816 - But they're not coming back up. 872 00:33:02,849 --> 00:33:07,253 - Not at all. 873 00:33:07,287 --> 00:33:08,922 - Levi will run next. 874 00:33:08,955 --> 00:33:11,257 He's on the sideline with Jackson Twait 875 00:33:11,291 --> 00:33:14,828 along with a big group of family and other Iowa ninjas. 876 00:33:14,861 --> 00:33:17,430 [countdown clock beeping] 877 00:33:17,464 --> 00:33:20,367 - No doubt, Chris and Levi are a couple of goofballs. 878 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:22,602 But they are serious ninja athletes. 879 00:33:22,635 --> 00:33:26,639 This season, both hit buzzers in qualifying and semifinals 880 00:33:26,673 --> 00:33:29,809 hoping to change their luck in Vegas tonight. 881 00:33:29,843 --> 00:33:34,748 - He'd love to get that noggin buzzer on stage one. 882 00:33:34,781 --> 00:33:37,317 - Come on, Chris. You got it. 883 00:33:37,350 --> 00:33:39,552 - Iowa's become a ninja hotbed. 884 00:33:39,586 --> 00:33:43,990 Chris and Levi a big part of it. 885 00:33:44,090 --> 00:33:46,159 Their other good friend from Iowa, Jackson Twait, 886 00:33:46,192 --> 00:33:47,427 hit a buzzer last week. 887 00:33:47,460 --> 00:33:49,095 He's going to stage two. 888 00:33:49,095 --> 00:33:51,865 Can Chris and Levi join him? 889 00:33:51,898 --> 00:33:54,167 Sails through the Giant Rollercoaster. 890 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:57,904 He's 5'9", 140, heading into Jumping Spider. 891 00:33:57,937 --> 00:34:00,206 - Come on. 892 00:34:00,240 --> 00:34:01,441 - Oh. 893 00:34:01,474 --> 00:34:03,476 - Having trouble holding himself up. 894 00:34:03,510 --> 00:34:05,245 - Come on, Chris. 895 00:34:05,278 --> 00:34:06,379 - Come on, Chris. - Come on. 896 00:34:06,413 --> 00:34:07,447 - You got it. - Come on, Chris. 897 00:34:07,480 --> 00:34:08,948 - And watch this, Akbar. 898 00:34:09,049 --> 00:34:10,750 This is where a run can end. 899 00:34:10,784 --> 00:34:12,919 Even if you survive it, that is just 900 00:34:12,952 --> 00:34:15,755 eating up energy in the legs and the upper body. 901 00:34:15,789 --> 00:34:17,590 - Well, you can see he's really pushing 902 00:34:17,624 --> 00:34:19,325 against the walls, Matt. 903 00:34:19,359 --> 00:34:22,629 And that is very difficult. 904 00:34:22,662 --> 00:34:25,665 Matt, I don't think he's going to make it. 905 00:34:25,699 --> 00:34:28,501 - Chris Behrends giving it all he's got. 906 00:34:28,535 --> 00:34:29,669 - Matt, he's going to gas out. 907 00:34:29,703 --> 00:34:31,504 He's changing his position to get 908 00:34:31,538 --> 00:34:32,939 a little bit more leverage. 909 00:34:32,972 --> 00:34:35,975 He's fighting for his ever-loving life. 910 00:34:36,076 --> 00:34:39,913 - And he got through it, but what does he have left? 911 00:34:39,946 --> 00:34:41,648 You know he wants to take a moment to rest, 912 00:34:41,681 --> 00:34:43,216 but the clock is ticking. 913 00:34:43,249 --> 00:34:44,851 So he's got to gamble. 914 00:34:44,884 --> 00:34:47,420 - Let's go. - Come on, Chris. 915 00:34:47,454 --> 00:34:51,725 - His arms, his upper body must be taxed. 916 00:34:51,758 --> 00:34:54,494 - This course is so challenging. 917 00:34:54,527 --> 00:34:59,099 The obstacles add up, taking everything you got. 918 00:34:59,132 --> 00:35:02,102 - It's a good thing this country boy is corn-fed. 919 00:35:02,135 --> 00:35:03,103 Co'n-fed. 920 00:35:03,136 --> 00:35:06,539 Not corn-fed, co'n-fed. 921 00:35:06,573 --> 00:35:07,707 - He's got to get going. 922 00:35:07,741 --> 00:35:09,209 Needs to make this transfer perfect. 923 00:35:09,242 --> 00:35:10,210 - Nice. 924 00:35:10,243 --> 00:35:11,544 - Got it. 925 00:35:11,578 --> 00:35:14,948 Under a minute-- both: Oh. 926 00:35:15,048 --> 00:35:16,049 - Oh. 927 00:35:16,082 --> 00:35:18,118 The card played tricks on him. 928 00:35:18,151 --> 00:35:19,119 What? 929 00:35:19,152 --> 00:35:21,388 - We love you, Chris. 930 00:35:21,421 --> 00:35:24,057 - He spent a lot of time and a lot of energy 931 00:35:24,057 --> 00:35:27,894 on Jumping Spider, so he was rushing on The Gambler. 932 00:35:27,927 --> 00:35:30,196 He almost got through, but his fingers 933 00:35:30,230 --> 00:35:34,668 just slipped off the card. 934 00:35:34,701 --> 00:35:37,604 - So now it's Levi's turn. 935 00:35:37,637 --> 00:35:40,607 And he's saying, not this time to the Dipping Birds. 936 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:43,443 His buddy Chris didn't make it far enough to get redemption. 937 00:35:43,476 --> 00:35:46,346 Levi hoping he can do better. 938 00:35:46,379 --> 00:35:50,517 His wife's on the sideline with all the Iowa ninjas. 939 00:35:50,550 --> 00:35:53,586 [countdown clock beeping] 940 00:35:53,620 --> 00:35:55,855 Levi actually fell twice on the Dipping Birds 941 00:35:55,889 --> 00:35:57,223 in season 14. 942 00:35:57,257 --> 00:36:00,060 Had the Safety Pass, but the balance obstacle 943 00:36:00,093 --> 00:36:01,895 took him out on both runs. 944 00:36:01,928 --> 00:36:04,097 - He's going bird hunting tonight, big man. 945 00:36:04,130 --> 00:36:05,432 - Yeah, he said it. 946 00:36:05,465 --> 00:36:08,335 Those birds wake him up in a cold sweat. 947 00:36:08,368 --> 00:36:11,538 The first ninja ever to go out on the same obstacle 948 00:36:11,571 --> 00:36:13,406 twice in the same night. 949 00:36:13,440 --> 00:36:15,842 Not the kind of history you necessarily want to make. 950 00:36:15,875 --> 00:36:18,311 - But it's still history. 951 00:36:18,345 --> 00:36:20,113 - Wants to give himself plenty of time 952 00:36:20,146 --> 00:36:22,682 so he's not rushing at the end. 953 00:36:22,716 --> 00:36:25,652 Moved quickly on Giant Rollercoaster. 954 00:36:25,685 --> 00:36:28,088 Levi looking confident so far. 955 00:36:28,121 --> 00:36:31,257 [crowd cheering] 956 00:36:31,291 --> 00:36:33,827 Hoping to have a smoother trip across Jumping Spider 957 00:36:33,860 --> 00:36:34,828 than Chris did. 958 00:36:34,861 --> 00:36:36,796 - Levi's got to get in right. 959 00:36:36,830 --> 00:36:38,698 Nice. 960 00:36:38,732 --> 00:36:41,401 - Levi got that relax fit there. 961 00:36:41,434 --> 00:36:43,069 - He may have learned from watching his buddy. 962 00:36:43,103 --> 00:36:47,741 He's getting through this a lot faster. 963 00:36:47,774 --> 00:36:49,142 - Long drop down. 964 00:36:49,175 --> 00:36:54,080 Onto The Gambler. 965 00:36:54,114 --> 00:36:56,249 - This was fifth obstacle, two away. 966 00:36:56,282 --> 00:37:02,722 - Levi part of these Iowa ninjas. 967 00:37:02,756 --> 00:37:07,027 Doesn't want to suffer the same fate here as Chris. 968 00:37:07,027 --> 00:37:10,230 - All right. 969 00:37:10,263 --> 00:37:11,398 Nice. 970 00:37:11,431 --> 00:37:12,932 Use that body weight. 971 00:37:13,033 --> 00:37:13,933 - Gut it out. 972 00:37:14,034 --> 00:37:15,335 - Nice. 973 00:37:15,368 --> 00:37:18,705 - Let's see the balance here on the roulette wheel. 974 00:37:18,738 --> 00:37:21,408 - Ooh, he's kind of shifting to the left there. 975 00:37:21,441 --> 00:37:22,509 Oh. 976 00:37:22,542 --> 00:37:24,844 He was out of line. 977 00:37:24,878 --> 00:37:26,546 - And it's happened again. 978 00:37:26,579 --> 00:37:29,082 He falls on the same obstacle as his buddy 979 00:37:29,115 --> 00:37:30,817 for the second time. 980 00:37:30,850 --> 00:37:33,319 - No! 981 00:37:33,353 --> 00:37:36,189 - Well, Levi had a much smoother run on the early part 982 00:37:36,222 --> 00:37:38,525 of the course, but he didn't get a good jump 983 00:37:38,558 --> 00:37:40,060 off the roulette wheel. 984 00:37:40,060 --> 00:37:43,296 And just like Chris, he goes down on The Gambler. 985 00:37:43,329 --> 00:37:45,265 What are the odds? 986 00:37:45,298 --> 00:37:47,334 - They wanted revenge on the Dipping Birds, 987 00:37:47,367 --> 00:37:51,971 but now it's The Gambler that will give them nightmares. 988 00:37:52,072 --> 00:37:54,708 Up next, one of our top women competitors, 989 00:37:54,741 --> 00:37:57,711 seven-time "Ninja" veteran Abby Clark. 990 00:37:57,744 --> 00:38:02,015 And this Jersey girl is having one of her best seasons ever. 991 00:38:02,015 --> 00:38:04,417 In qualifying, Abby scaled the wall 992 00:38:04,451 --> 00:38:06,820 and hit her first buzzer in six years. 993 00:38:06,853 --> 00:38:07,821 - Get it. 994 00:38:07,854 --> 00:38:09,222 - Yes. - Yes. 995 00:38:09,255 --> 00:38:10,924 - [screams] 996 00:38:11,024 --> 00:38:16,029 - Then went to new heights to train for stage one. 997 00:38:16,029 --> 00:38:17,030 - Nice. 998 00:38:17,030 --> 00:38:18,331 - Nice one. 999 00:38:18,365 --> 00:38:20,033 - She traveled all the way to Switzerland 1000 00:38:20,033 --> 00:38:22,035 to train on a course that is almost 1001 00:38:22,068 --> 00:38:26,806 600 feet above the ground. 1002 00:38:26,840 --> 00:38:29,909 - Come on. 1003 00:38:29,943 --> 00:38:33,046 Whoo! 1004 00:38:33,046 --> 00:38:34,914 - Oh, no, that looks crazy. 1005 00:38:34,948 --> 00:38:36,049 No, thank you. 1006 00:38:36,049 --> 00:38:37,450 I'm good. - Let's go, Abby. 1007 00:38:37,484 --> 00:38:40,320 - Her boyfriend Joe Capo did that course with her. 1008 00:38:40,353 --> 00:38:43,356 He's on her sideline along with fellow Jersey girl 1009 00:38:43,390 --> 00:38:44,391 Rachel Degutz. 1010 00:38:44,424 --> 00:38:45,792 [countdown clock beeping] 1011 00:38:45,825 --> 00:38:47,460 - You got this, Abby. 1012 00:38:47,494 --> 00:38:50,096 - Well, Abby Clark feels like she has unfinished business 1013 00:38:50,130 --> 00:38:51,931 here on stage one. 1014 00:38:51,965 --> 00:38:53,900 Ran out of time just before the seventh obstacle 1015 00:38:53,933 --> 00:38:56,136 in season 14, and last year, 1016 00:38:56,169 --> 00:38:58,338 didn't get a chance because her best friend right 1017 00:38:58,371 --> 00:39:01,007 there, Rachel Degutz, beat her in the semis. 1018 00:39:01,041 --> 00:39:05,278 But Abby is back and ready to go. 1019 00:39:05,311 --> 00:39:07,080 - That buzzer she got in qualifying 1020 00:39:07,113 --> 00:39:09,082 has given her some new confidence. 1021 00:39:09,115 --> 00:39:11,051 Getting up that wall this year was huge. 1022 00:39:11,084 --> 00:39:12,318 - Let's go, Ab. 1023 00:39:12,352 --> 00:39:14,020 - Keep breathing. 1024 00:39:14,020 --> 00:39:15,622 - Well, the last three times she'd reached it before that, 1025 00:39:15,655 --> 00:39:17,157 she'd come up short. 1026 00:39:17,190 --> 00:39:20,193 That changed this year. 1027 00:39:20,226 --> 00:39:21,928 5'3", 125. 1028 00:39:22,028 --> 00:39:23,830 Super high-level gymnast. 1029 00:39:23,863 --> 00:39:26,299 Was actually a national champion on the balance 1030 00:39:26,332 --> 00:39:27,567 beam in college. - Ooh. 1031 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:28,568 OK. 1032 00:39:28,601 --> 00:39:30,036 - She also did the bars. 1033 00:39:30,036 --> 00:39:31,771 So she looks right at home flying 1034 00:39:31,805 --> 00:39:34,808 through Giant Rollercoaster. 1035 00:39:34,841 --> 00:39:36,142 - Let's go. Good job. 1036 00:39:36,176 --> 00:39:37,711 - The Jumping Spider's always a challenge 1037 00:39:37,744 --> 00:39:39,145 for the smaller ninjas. 1038 00:39:39,179 --> 00:39:41,147 You've got to get a good jump on this trampoline, 1039 00:39:41,181 --> 00:39:42,816 especially at just 5'3". 1040 00:39:42,849 --> 00:39:45,518 Locked in. - Ooh. OK, very comfortable. 1041 00:39:45,552 --> 00:39:48,054 How great would it be to hit that buzzer, 1042 00:39:48,054 --> 00:39:50,690 add her name to the list of strong ninja women? 1043 00:39:50,724 --> 00:39:53,760 - Jesse Graff, Alyssa Beird, Flex Labreck, 1044 00:39:53,793 --> 00:39:56,730 the only women to take down this course. 1045 00:39:56,763 --> 00:39:59,499 Well, it's been a long time, season 13, when Flex Labreck 1046 00:39:59,532 --> 00:40:01,034 got that stage one buzzer. 1047 00:40:01,067 --> 00:40:03,970 Could Abby Clark add her name to that elite list? 1048 00:40:04,004 --> 00:40:05,372 - And paying attention to the time, 1049 00:40:05,405 --> 00:40:07,040 she's in a good position. 1050 00:40:07,073 --> 00:40:08,608 - She'll have to beat The Gambler first, 1051 00:40:08,641 --> 00:40:10,910 then she'll get a chance to attack the back half. 1052 00:40:10,944 --> 00:40:12,712 - She's gone deep before on stage one. 1053 00:40:12,746 --> 00:40:14,080 We know she's got it. 1054 00:40:14,114 --> 00:40:15,448 I think she's getting that buzzer tonight. 1055 00:40:15,482 --> 00:40:18,018 - Oh, this is where so many ninjas get hung up. 1056 00:40:18,051 --> 00:40:21,621 Even if they don't fall, it just eats up time and energy. 1057 00:40:21,654 --> 00:40:22,722 - Nice. Nice. - Good transfer. 1058 00:40:22,756 --> 00:40:24,190 - Nice and explosive too. 1059 00:40:24,224 --> 00:40:26,192 Good positioning. 1060 00:40:26,226 --> 00:40:27,494 - Hips up and push. 1061 00:40:27,527 --> 00:40:29,062 - Well, we know her balance is strong. 1062 00:40:29,095 --> 00:40:31,798 - Well, Matt, she is putting on a clinic. 1063 00:40:31,831 --> 00:40:34,000 - Let's see her dance over this roulette wheel. 1064 00:40:34,034 --> 00:40:35,835 - All right, she's going to have to get going now. 1065 00:40:35,869 --> 00:40:36,836 - Just a minute left. 1066 00:40:36,870 --> 00:40:37,837 - Come on, Ab. - Come on, Ab. 1067 00:40:37,871 --> 00:40:39,005 - Come on, Abby. You got it. 1068 00:40:39,039 --> 00:40:40,573 - Line it up. 1069 00:40:40,607 --> 00:40:42,375 - Got it. Got it. Got it. - Nice. 1070 00:40:42,409 --> 00:40:44,244 She's got to control the card here. 1071 00:40:44,277 --> 00:40:46,446 - Find your hands, turn, and go. 1072 00:40:46,479 --> 00:40:49,683 - All right, you got to show your hand on this one. 1073 00:40:49,716 --> 00:40:53,119 - She's got a chance to finish but needs to get going. 1074 00:40:53,153 --> 00:40:54,621 Gets through. 1075 00:40:54,654 --> 00:40:57,257 But keep in mind the Warped Wall has been a big challenge 1076 00:40:57,290 --> 00:40:58,591 for her in the past. 1077 00:40:58,625 --> 00:41:00,226 - 37 seconds. 1078 00:41:00,260 --> 00:41:01,394 - OK, come on now, Abby. 1079 00:41:01,428 --> 00:41:02,862 You got to hustle. 1080 00:41:02,896 --> 00:41:05,565 - Last time she was here, it took her multiple 1081 00:41:05,598 --> 00:41:06,599 tries to get past it. 1082 00:41:06,633 --> 00:41:08,568 - Come on. 1083 00:41:08,601 --> 00:41:11,504 Ooh. - Ugh. 1084 00:41:11,538 --> 00:41:13,473 - And that's got to be so frustrating. 1085 00:41:13,506 --> 00:41:16,142 She has trained so hard on the Warped Wall, 1086 00:41:16,176 --> 00:41:17,877 but it's just so hard to simulate 1087 00:41:17,911 --> 00:41:19,813 the fatigue that those previous five 1088 00:41:19,846 --> 00:41:20,814 obstacles causes. 1089 00:41:20,847 --> 00:41:22,148 - Yeah. 1090 00:41:22,182 --> 00:41:23,917 The fatigue and the nerves, because that 1091 00:41:23,950 --> 00:41:26,086 also tires you out. 1092 00:41:26,086 --> 00:41:27,420 - Well, this would be a victory just getting 1093 00:41:27,454 --> 00:41:29,556 the Warped Wall, and she does. 1094 00:41:29,589 --> 00:41:30,557 - Nice. Nice. 1095 00:41:30,590 --> 00:41:32,225 - Abby Clark. 1096 00:41:32,258 --> 00:41:35,729 Time's going to run out, but a great effort by Abby Clark. 1097 00:41:35,762 --> 00:41:37,430 [buzzer blares] 1098 00:41:37,464 --> 00:41:39,432 - Yes! 1099 00:41:39,466 --> 00:41:42,836 - Stays dry, and she's smiling as she should be. 1100 00:41:42,869 --> 00:41:46,806 [crowd cheering] 1101 00:41:46,840 --> 00:41:49,209 - She flew through the early obstacles, 1102 00:41:49,242 --> 00:41:51,911 then spent a little too much time on The Gambler. 1103 00:41:51,945 --> 00:41:53,813 Though it took her two tries, 1104 00:41:53,847 --> 00:41:56,216 she did get past the Warped Wall. 1105 00:41:56,249 --> 00:41:59,419 And she made it as far as any woman this season 1106 00:41:59,452 --> 00:42:00,954 on stage one. 1107 00:42:01,054 --> 00:42:02,322 Still to come... 1108 00:42:02,355 --> 00:42:05,925 He's already climbed for a million dollars twice. 1109 00:42:05,959 --> 00:42:09,462 Can Kaden Lebsack get back to stage four once again? 1110 00:42:09,496 --> 00:42:12,198 And up next, she's one of only three women 1111 00:42:12,232 --> 00:42:14,401 ever to finish stage one. 1112 00:42:14,434 --> 00:42:17,437 Jesse "Flex" Labreck will try to do it again 1113 00:42:17,470 --> 00:42:20,974 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1114 00:42:25,578 --> 00:42:26,613 - Welcome back to Vegas, where we've just had 1115 00:42:26,646 --> 00:42:29,115 three of a kind on stage one. 1116 00:42:29,149 --> 00:42:31,117 College softball player Karen Potts 1117 00:42:31,151 --> 00:42:32,552 was making her second appearance 1118 00:42:32,585 --> 00:42:34,087 at the National Finals. 1119 00:42:34,087 --> 00:42:35,689 - She's got to knock this one out the park. 1120 00:42:35,722 --> 00:42:37,590 - At 5'11", she's the tallest 1121 00:42:37,624 --> 00:42:40,126 woman competing tonight, but came up 1122 00:42:40,160 --> 00:42:41,861 short on the Jumping Spider. 1123 00:42:41,895 --> 00:42:44,497 - Oh, she was so close. 1124 00:42:44,531 --> 00:42:47,434 - At 6'2", Colorado's David Tomassoni 1125 00:42:47,467 --> 00:42:50,603 is one of the tallest male ninjas running tonight. 1126 00:42:50,637 --> 00:42:51,871 - I see you, big boy. 1127 00:42:51,905 --> 00:42:53,239 - The 20-year-old was able to stick 1128 00:42:53,273 --> 00:42:54,574 the landing on Jumping Spider. 1129 00:42:54,607 --> 00:42:56,109 - Does he have the hip flexibility 1130 00:42:56,109 --> 00:42:57,110 to squeeze in there? 1131 00:42:57,110 --> 00:42:58,111 Nice. 1132 00:42:58,111 --> 00:42:59,279 - But he couldn't hold on. 1133 00:42:59,312 --> 00:43:02,749 - Oh, no. - Oh, no. 1134 00:43:02,782 --> 00:43:05,652 - Then it was Florida plumber Vinnie Castranova, 1135 00:43:05,685 --> 00:43:07,454 who's had good success on the course 1136 00:43:07,487 --> 00:43:09,255 in the past few years. 1137 00:43:09,289 --> 00:43:13,059 But last year, his stage one run ended at Jumping Spider. 1138 00:43:13,059 --> 00:43:15,061 - Oh. 1139 00:43:15,061 --> 00:43:16,529 And he just missed it. 1140 00:43:16,563 --> 00:43:19,599 - So the 5'7" father was looking for redemption when he 1141 00:43:19,632 --> 00:43:21,301 took on the obstacle tonight. 1142 00:43:21,334 --> 00:43:23,269 - Oh, no. 1143 00:43:23,303 --> 00:43:26,539 - So three of a kind was unlucky for this trio. 1144 00:43:26,573 --> 00:43:28,775 Better luck next time. 1145 00:43:28,808 --> 00:43:32,512 Well, now it's time for the second of our legacy invites, 1146 00:43:32,545 --> 00:43:36,082 a true legend, Jesse "Flex" Labreck. 1147 00:43:36,082 --> 00:43:38,618 She missed the last couple seasons for health reasons, 1148 00:43:38,651 --> 00:43:40,553 but she's making a return tonight. 1149 00:43:40,587 --> 00:43:44,691 And boy, have we missed her. 1150 00:43:44,724 --> 00:43:46,593 She's the most accomplished woman 1151 00:43:46,626 --> 00:43:49,129 in "American Ninja Warrior" history... 1152 00:43:49,162 --> 00:43:52,365 Her tenth buzzer, making history yet again. 1153 00:43:52,399 --> 00:43:54,868 With more buzzers than any other woman. 1154 00:43:54,901 --> 00:43:57,704 Perfect season continues. 1155 00:43:57,737 --> 00:44:00,907 Helped Team USA say win a title and took home the 1156 00:44:00,940 --> 00:44:02,575 second Women's Championship. 1157 00:44:02,609 --> 00:44:05,912 But her biggest impact is felt off the course. 1158 00:44:05,945 --> 00:44:07,313 - I've heard from a lot of young girls 1159 00:44:07,347 --> 00:44:08,581 that I'm an inspiration to them. 1160 00:44:08,615 --> 00:44:10,483 And honestly, I just want to keep 1161 00:44:10,517 --> 00:44:15,422 inspiring them to be strong or just set goals for themselves. 1162 00:44:15,455 --> 00:44:16,723 So I love it. 1163 00:44:16,756 --> 00:44:18,258 It holds myself to a higher standard. 1164 00:44:18,291 --> 00:44:21,294 And I feel so honored to be a legacy wild card 1165 00:44:21,327 --> 00:44:22,595 chosen athlete. 1166 00:44:22,629 --> 00:44:24,464 I think it's super cool, and I'm just really 1167 00:44:24,497 --> 00:44:30,170 grateful for the opportunity. 1168 00:44:30,203 --> 00:44:32,672 - She has been such a trailblazer for women. 1169 00:44:32,706 --> 00:44:35,809 Got many of her fellow ninjas on the sidelines 1170 00:44:35,842 --> 00:44:38,511 and so many fans in the stands. 1171 00:44:38,545 --> 00:44:42,082 But her biggest fan is her fiancé, Chris DiGangi, 1172 00:44:42,082 --> 00:44:43,283 who's back home with the dogs. 1173 00:44:43,316 --> 00:44:45,085 - Let's go. 1174 00:44:45,085 --> 00:44:46,386 You're going to do so great. 1175 00:44:46,419 --> 00:44:48,521 Come on, keep moving, focus. 1176 00:44:48,555 --> 00:44:50,423 You got this. 1177 00:44:50,457 --> 00:44:53,326 [countdown clock beeping] 1178 00:44:53,360 --> 00:44:55,161 - This is a legend right here. 1179 00:44:55,195 --> 00:44:57,297 - I just love watching her compete. 1180 00:44:57,330 --> 00:44:58,398 She's such a good athlete. 1181 00:44:58,431 --> 00:45:02,335 But mentally, she is so tough. 1182 00:45:02,369 --> 00:45:03,570 - That is exactly right. 1183 00:45:03,603 --> 00:45:08,308 She has no quit in her bones. 1184 00:45:08,341 --> 00:45:10,643 - She's one of only three women to have completed 1185 00:45:10,677 --> 00:45:12,112 this stage one course. 1186 00:45:12,145 --> 00:45:13,646 Did it three years ago. 1187 00:45:13,680 --> 00:45:17,450 And no woman has been able to do it since. 1188 00:45:17,484 --> 00:45:18,718 - Ooh. 1189 00:45:18,752 --> 00:45:21,054 - Well, Flex not missing a beat. 1190 00:45:21,054 --> 00:45:22,088 - You know what to do. 1191 00:45:22,122 --> 00:45:23,623 Trust yourself. 1192 00:45:23,656 --> 00:45:24,858 - She's taken some time off the last couple of years 1193 00:45:24,891 --> 00:45:27,293 as she and Chris try to start a family. 1194 00:45:27,327 --> 00:45:29,763 Hasn't been training quite as much. 1195 00:45:29,796 --> 00:45:31,364 - Oh. - Oh, no. 1196 00:45:31,398 --> 00:45:33,633 - Oh! 1197 00:45:33,667 --> 00:45:34,634 - Wow. 1198 00:45:34,668 --> 00:45:36,903 - Just missed the transfer. 1199 00:45:36,936 --> 00:45:41,207 Flex Labreck splashing down, but always great to see 1200 00:45:41,241 --> 00:45:42,942 that woman compete. 1201 00:45:42,976 --> 00:45:44,811 - Matt, she looked like the Flex of old 1202 00:45:44,844 --> 00:45:46,246 on the first two obstacles. 1203 00:45:46,279 --> 00:45:48,615 But on Giant Rollercoaster, an obstacle 1204 00:45:48,648 --> 00:45:50,950 she's conquered many times before, 1205 00:45:50,984 --> 00:45:55,088 she flew to the second bar but just couldn't hang on. 1206 00:45:55,088 --> 00:45:56,556 - Jesse, this is the first year that we've 1207 00:45:56,589 --> 00:45:58,191 extended these legacy invites. 1208 00:45:58,224 --> 00:46:00,427 What did it mean to you to be out here in Vegas tonight 1209 00:46:00,460 --> 00:46:01,761 because of that? 1210 00:46:01,795 --> 00:46:03,863 - I was so thankful to be chosen for that, to get 1211 00:46:03,897 --> 00:46:05,498 a chance to run the course. 1212 00:46:05,532 --> 00:46:07,534 It was amazing. 1213 00:46:07,567 --> 00:46:10,070 I just wish I had done a little bit better with it. 1214 00:46:10,103 --> 00:46:11,738 - It was incredible to see you out here. 1215 00:46:11,771 --> 00:46:14,040 Awesome job, and I hope we'll see you back next season. 1216 00:46:14,040 --> 00:46:15,475 - Thank you. Yes, for sure. 1217 00:46:15,508 --> 00:46:17,243 - All right, there we go. Give it up for Flex, y'all. 1218 00:46:17,277 --> 00:46:20,113 Matt, Akbar, back to you. 1219 00:46:20,146 --> 00:46:22,816 - Well, up next is another one of the greats. 1220 00:46:22,849 --> 00:46:25,385 It's Colorado's Kaden Lebsack. 1221 00:46:25,418 --> 00:46:28,321 Still a teenager, but he's already climbed stage four 1222 00:46:28,355 --> 00:46:31,925 for a million dollars twice and was the last ninja 1223 00:46:31,958 --> 00:46:33,526 standing those two seasons. 1224 00:46:33,560 --> 00:46:35,528 He's one of the best ever. 1225 00:46:35,562 --> 00:46:38,732 - So we thought it only fitting to bring up a legend up here 1226 00:46:38,765 --> 00:46:40,433 to call his run, Ryan Stratis. 1227 00:46:40,467 --> 00:46:41,668 - Hey, guys. 1228 00:46:41,701 --> 00:46:43,069 It's an honor to be up here with you all 1229 00:46:43,069 --> 00:46:44,971 and to see one of the best in the sport 1230 00:46:45,071 --> 00:46:46,840 about to run the course and call the shots up here. 1231 00:46:46,873 --> 00:46:48,475 I'm excited to see how he's going to do today. 1232 00:46:48,508 --> 00:46:49,709 - Well, you've been doing play-by-play 1233 00:46:49,743 --> 00:46:51,644 at other "Ninja" competitions, and you 1234 00:46:51,678 --> 00:46:53,079 ran the course earlier. 1235 00:46:53,079 --> 00:46:54,280 - What are you thinking when you're sitting 1236 00:46:54,314 --> 00:46:55,949 up there at the start line? 1237 00:46:55,982 --> 00:46:57,417 - You know, the butterflies are flying all over the place. 1238 00:46:57,450 --> 00:46:59,185 You want them to fly in formation to help you 1239 00:46:59,219 --> 00:47:01,054 float across those obstacles. 1240 00:47:01,087 --> 00:47:03,490 But man, let's-- let's see if Kaden's got it in the 1241 00:47:03,523 --> 00:47:04,724 tank, man. 1242 00:47:04,758 --> 00:47:06,092 - I love that. 1243 00:47:06,126 --> 00:47:07,594 - Well, this kid, he's been such a stud. 1244 00:47:07,627 --> 00:47:09,029 Perfect. 1245 00:47:09,029 --> 00:47:10,363 Last season was the first time in three 1246 00:47:10,397 --> 00:47:12,165 years he touched the water. 1247 00:47:12,198 --> 00:47:15,502 Twice been to the top of the mountain at stage four. 1248 00:47:15,535 --> 00:47:17,837 Came up just seconds away from it. 1249 00:47:17,871 --> 00:47:20,640 Could this be his year? 1250 00:47:20,674 --> 00:47:22,609 He's got a big group of supporters on his sideline, 1251 00:47:22,642 --> 00:47:25,245 including his parents. 1252 00:47:25,278 --> 00:47:27,047 Strat, you've been on this course. 1253 00:47:27,080 --> 00:47:28,715 2:50. 1254 00:47:28,748 --> 00:47:29,816 The thing we're seeing, though, 1255 00:47:29,849 --> 00:47:31,051 it's not just the time. 1256 00:47:31,051 --> 00:47:32,686 It's how it saps your energy. 1257 00:47:32,719 --> 00:47:34,587 Where did you feel this course is most challenging? 1258 00:47:34,621 --> 00:47:36,156 - Yeah, I mean, 1259 00:47:36,189 --> 00:47:37,857 the wind really starts to get taken out of you right 1260 00:47:37,891 --> 00:47:39,059 after the Jumping Spider. 1261 00:47:39,092 --> 00:47:40,493 Let's see if he sticks this jump. 1262 00:47:40,527 --> 00:47:42,062 - All right, here we go. Get in there, get in deep. 1263 00:47:42,062 --> 00:47:43,063 Nice. Stick it. 1264 00:47:43,063 --> 00:47:44,698 Whoo. - OK. 1265 00:47:44,731 --> 00:47:46,466 - And you can see Kaden Lebsack, 1266 00:47:46,499 --> 00:47:48,535 this guy says, I don't like speed, 1267 00:47:48,568 --> 00:47:50,537 and yet he moves so fluidly. 1268 00:47:50,570 --> 00:47:52,605 But The Gambler, a real challenging obstacle. 1269 00:47:52,639 --> 00:47:55,475 A lot of opportunities to get screwed up here. 1270 00:47:55,508 --> 00:47:57,110 - All right, here, grab on to that poker chip. 1271 00:47:57,143 --> 00:47:58,578 You ever played poker? 1272 00:47:58,611 --> 00:48:00,246 - Oh, man, I lost it to the house one too many times, 1273 00:48:00,280 --> 00:48:01,915 my friend. 1274 00:48:02,015 --> 00:48:03,049 - Wow. 1275 00:48:03,083 --> 00:48:06,753 Just threw a 360 there. 1276 00:48:06,786 --> 00:48:09,155 - Come on, that thing can hang them up a little bit. 1277 00:48:09,189 --> 00:48:10,290 Lining up this transfer. 1278 00:48:10,323 --> 00:48:11,491 Come on, Kaden. 1279 00:48:11,524 --> 00:48:12,492 - Nice. 1280 00:48:12,525 --> 00:48:13,660 - Bingo. Textbook. 1281 00:48:13,693 --> 00:48:16,262 - He lined that up real nice. - Whew. 1282 00:48:16,296 --> 00:48:18,431 - Just looking effortless. 1283 00:48:18,465 --> 00:48:19,432 - House not winning today. 1284 00:48:19,466 --> 00:48:20,700 He's taking that money with him. 1285 00:48:20,734 --> 00:48:21,801 Come on, Kaden. Let's go. 1286 00:48:21,835 --> 00:48:23,570 - He wants that money. Go get it. 1287 00:48:23,603 --> 00:48:24,637 - How do you keep your focus? 1288 00:48:24,671 --> 00:48:25,705 He's getting deeper. 1289 00:48:25,739 --> 00:48:26,940 You've been on stage one. 1290 00:48:27,040 --> 00:48:28,541 What do you do on these final obstacles? 1291 00:48:28,575 --> 00:48:30,043 - Dude, he's probably glancing at the time 1292 00:48:30,043 --> 00:48:31,578 right now, seeing where he's at. 1293 00:48:31,611 --> 00:48:33,279 But he's going to take a second here to just catch his breath 1294 00:48:33,313 --> 00:48:34,781 and keep driving forward. 1295 00:48:34,814 --> 00:48:37,283 - And right now, he's got a shot at the fastest 1296 00:48:37,317 --> 00:48:39,452 time that's currently held by Noah Meunier. 1297 00:48:39,486 --> 00:48:41,921 But this run should give Kaden a high seed 1298 00:48:41,955 --> 00:48:44,190 for racing on stage two. 1299 00:48:44,224 --> 00:48:45,658 This is remarkable, Strat. 1300 00:48:45,692 --> 00:48:48,161 I mean, again, we're seeing him run controlled. 1301 00:48:48,194 --> 00:48:50,964 - It's such consistency out of Kaden and such a high grab. 1302 00:48:51,064 --> 00:48:52,332 - Oh, boy. 1303 00:48:52,365 --> 00:48:53,733 You think he's going to get the fastest time? 1304 00:48:53,767 --> 00:48:55,101 - He's digging for it. Come on. Get up there. 1305 00:48:55,135 --> 00:48:56,136 - Oh, he's about to get the fastest time. 1306 00:48:56,169 --> 00:48:57,370 - Oh, my. - Oh, my. 1307 00:48:57,404 --> 00:48:59,439 Go, go, go, go. - It's gonna be close. 1308 00:48:59,472 --> 00:49:00,440 - Oh. 1309 00:49:00,473 --> 00:49:01,675 - Let's go. 1310 00:49:01,708 --> 00:49:04,310 - Just misses by 0.3 of a second. 1311 00:49:04,344 --> 00:49:07,747 [crowd cheering] 1312 00:49:07,781 --> 00:49:09,015 - Great run from Kaden. 1313 00:49:09,015 --> 00:49:10,316 More than just the last ninja standing, 1314 00:49:10,350 --> 00:49:11,551 he's going for the top of that tower. 1315 00:49:11,584 --> 00:49:12,852 - OK. 1316 00:49:12,886 --> 00:49:15,388 - Kaden looks exhausted after that sprint. 1317 00:49:15,422 --> 00:49:17,390 But we know he's excited to move on. 1318 00:49:17,424 --> 00:49:19,325 Strat, let's send him off to stage two 1319 00:49:19,359 --> 00:49:21,494 with your famous battle cry. 1320 00:49:21,528 --> 00:49:27,167 [together] Ahh! 1321 00:49:27,200 --> 00:49:30,036 - We've got more "Ninja" favorites coming up, 1322 00:49:30,070 --> 00:49:32,238 including James "The Beast" McGrath, 1323 00:49:32,272 --> 00:49:34,708 teen phenom Taylor Greene, 1324 00:49:34,741 --> 00:49:38,545 and The Weatherman Joe Marovsky. 1325 00:49:38,578 --> 00:49:41,648 Plus, they've already got a big ninja family. 1326 00:49:41,681 --> 00:49:44,484 But now, the Bergstrom bunch is getting bigger. 1327 00:49:44,517 --> 00:49:48,321 There's a baby Bergie on the way. 1328 00:49:48,355 --> 00:49:52,092 Details when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1329 00:49:58,264 --> 00:49:59,899 - Welcome back to Vegas. 1330 00:50:00,066 --> 00:50:03,036 Minutes ago, more finalists took their shot at stage one. 1331 00:50:03,069 --> 00:50:06,373 South Dakota teenager Josh Miller has already had 1332 00:50:06,406 --> 00:50:08,842 an impressive rookie season. 1333 00:50:08,875 --> 00:50:11,177 The mild-mannered high schooler from Sioux Falls 1334 00:50:11,211 --> 00:50:13,980 hit a buzzer in qualifying and had one of the fastest 1335 00:50:14,014 --> 00:50:15,849 times in semifinals. 1336 00:50:15,882 --> 00:50:17,150 - That's a big one. 1337 00:50:17,183 --> 00:50:18,985 That's a talented kid right there. 1338 00:50:19,019 --> 00:50:21,821 - But the high schooler wasn't ready for the Jumping Spider. 1339 00:50:21,855 --> 00:50:23,123 - Go, go, go. 1340 00:50:23,156 --> 00:50:25,625 Oh. 1341 00:50:25,658 --> 00:50:27,527 - Tennessee's Benjamin Drake was back 1342 00:50:27,560 --> 00:50:29,796 for his second appearance on stage one. 1343 00:50:29,829 --> 00:50:32,532 - Benjamin Drake looking like Draco Malfoy. 1344 00:50:32,565 --> 00:50:34,668 - Last season, he had a memorable exit 1345 00:50:34,701 --> 00:50:35,935 on the third obstacle. 1346 00:50:35,969 --> 00:50:38,905 - Oh my goodness, what an epic flip. 1347 00:50:38,938 --> 00:50:41,441 - So tonight he was extra careful as he 1348 00:50:41,474 --> 00:50:43,009 came down Giant Rollercoaster. 1349 00:50:43,043 --> 00:50:45,645 - He said, I ain't going out like that again. 1350 00:50:45,679 --> 00:50:47,781 - The 20-year-old had a much-improved run 1351 00:50:47,814 --> 00:50:50,116 making it to the back half of the course. 1352 00:50:50,150 --> 00:50:51,418 - Time is ticking. - Ooh. 1353 00:50:51,451 --> 00:50:52,419 - Get up. 1354 00:50:52,452 --> 00:50:53,853 Get up. 1355 00:50:53,887 --> 00:50:55,488 - But the fast-food worker wasn't fast enough, 1356 00:50:55,522 --> 00:50:59,259 and time ran out with him swinging on Thread the Needle. 1357 00:50:59,292 --> 00:51:01,561 - Oh, no. 1358 00:51:01,594 --> 00:51:03,697 [buzzer blares] 1359 00:51:03,730 --> 00:51:05,532 - Well, our next ninja certainly has reason 1360 00:51:05,565 --> 00:51:06,833 to celebrate. 1361 00:51:06,866 --> 00:51:08,401 Caleb Bergstrom is one of the favorites 1362 00:51:08,435 --> 00:51:09,969 to win the million dollars. 1363 00:51:10,070 --> 00:51:13,239 And he recently found out he's going to be a dad. 1364 00:51:13,273 --> 00:51:16,910 His wife Ashley is expecting. 1365 00:51:16,943 --> 00:51:19,612 The Bergstrom bunch is getting bigger. 1366 00:51:19,646 --> 00:51:22,849 [countdown clock beeping] 1367 00:51:22,882 --> 00:51:25,285 - Last season Caleb and Ashley became the first 1368 00:51:25,318 --> 00:51:28,221 married couple to qualify for Vegas. 1369 00:51:28,254 --> 00:51:31,524 This season, Caleb's sister Caitlin and her husband, David 1370 00:51:31,558 --> 00:51:34,594 became the second married couple to do it. 1371 00:51:34,627 --> 00:51:37,397 - That baby's gonna have a lot of good ninja genes, Matt. 1372 00:51:37,430 --> 00:51:38,865 [crowd cheering] 1373 00:51:38,898 --> 00:51:41,368 - You got this, babe. Come on. 1374 00:51:41,401 --> 00:51:46,172 - Gym owner, the Jungle Gym in Seminole, Florida. 1375 00:51:46,206 --> 00:51:48,108 - Straight-up this is a guy that could be the next 1376 00:51:48,108 --> 00:51:49,209 "Ninja Warrior" champion. 1377 00:51:49,242 --> 00:51:53,546 [crowd cheering] 1378 00:51:53,580 --> 00:51:55,482 - He's having another great season. 1379 00:51:55,515 --> 00:51:57,951 Got the Mega Wall back in qualifying. 1380 00:51:57,984 --> 00:52:00,453 Followed that with an impressive win in semifinals. 1381 00:52:00,487 --> 00:52:02,389 Nearly won it all last year. 1382 00:52:02,422 --> 00:52:07,827 Climbed stage four for a million dollars. 1383 00:52:07,861 --> 00:52:11,831 - And he looks poised to continue his march back there. 1384 00:52:11,865 --> 00:52:14,434 - Well, he didn't have much trouble with this last year. 1385 00:52:14,467 --> 00:52:16,636 - So you could see how calm keeping his body, 1386 00:52:16,670 --> 00:52:18,571 keeping that chip from rotating. 1387 00:52:18,605 --> 00:52:21,207 - The only thing he doesn't have is a Safety Pass. 1388 00:52:21,241 --> 00:52:23,910 He lost his race a few weeks ago to knock Nacssa Garemore. 1389 00:52:23,943 --> 00:52:26,746 So no room for error. 1390 00:52:26,780 --> 00:52:30,150 - Trying to get that craps table fully extended. 1391 00:52:30,183 --> 00:52:31,584 And he two-steps it. 1392 00:52:31,618 --> 00:52:33,920 He is absolutely flying through the course. 1393 00:52:33,953 --> 00:52:34,921 - Yes, he is. 1394 00:52:34,954 --> 00:52:35,922 Nice. 1395 00:52:35,955 --> 00:52:37,290 Efficient is what it is. 1396 00:52:37,323 --> 00:52:39,159 When you're efficient, you save a lot of time. 1397 00:52:39,192 --> 00:52:42,162 - Well, his brother-in-law, David "The Caped Ninja" 1398 00:52:42,195 --> 00:52:44,898 wasn't efficient enough last week and timed out. 1399 00:52:44,931 --> 00:52:47,133 But Caleb's in good shape on the clock. 1400 00:52:47,167 --> 00:52:49,169 If he hits the buzzer, he'll be in good position 1401 00:52:49,202 --> 00:52:51,237 to have a good matchup on stage two. 1402 00:52:51,271 --> 00:52:54,474 But what a loaded field it's shaping up to be. 1403 00:52:54,507 --> 00:52:57,844 Noah Meunier's still got the fastest time on stage one. 1404 00:52:57,877 --> 00:52:59,646 Don't know if Caleb can top that, 1405 00:52:59,679 --> 00:53:02,115 but he's going to put up a great time. 1406 00:53:02,148 --> 00:53:05,185 And he can do it because of his efficiency. 1407 00:53:05,218 --> 00:53:06,686 Get high up on that net. 1408 00:53:06,720 --> 00:53:07,921 - Nice. 1409 00:53:07,954 --> 00:53:09,923 - He won't have the fastest time. 1410 00:53:09,956 --> 00:53:11,391 - But he'll be up there. 1411 00:53:11,424 --> 00:53:12,726 - He really will. 1412 00:53:12,759 --> 00:53:16,363 - He'll be top six for sure. 1413 00:53:16,396 --> 00:53:18,798 [buzzer blares] 1414 00:53:18,832 --> 00:53:21,835 - The father to-be puts together another 1415 00:53:21,868 --> 00:53:24,270 great run on stage one. 1416 00:53:24,304 --> 00:53:28,975 [crowd cheering] 1417 00:53:29,075 --> 00:53:30,510 - He's going to be an outstanding dad, 1418 00:53:30,543 --> 00:53:32,812 and he's already an outstanding ninja. 1419 00:53:32,846 --> 00:53:35,215 He looked strong through the entire run, 1420 00:53:35,248 --> 00:53:37,117 and he has got to be considered 1421 00:53:37,150 --> 00:53:39,753 one of the favorites to win it all this year. 1422 00:53:39,786 --> 00:53:43,089 - Another thing for he and Ashley to celebrate. 1423 00:53:43,089 --> 00:53:46,559 And we'll see Caleb racing next week on stage two. 1424 00:53:46,593 --> 00:53:49,629 Well, our next athlete knows all about fatherhood. 1425 00:53:49,662 --> 00:53:51,965 This is Pittsburgh's Barry Boyd. 1426 00:53:51,998 --> 00:53:55,602 After growing up foster care, he's now a stay-at-home dad 1427 00:53:55,635 --> 00:53:59,339 to two young sons. 1428 00:53:59,372 --> 00:54:01,107 - He needs to stand up. 1429 00:54:01,141 --> 00:54:02,342 Yep, stand him up. 1430 00:54:02,375 --> 00:54:04,644 I absolutely love being a dad. 1431 00:54:04,678 --> 00:54:06,646 - Ahh! - Ahh! 1432 00:54:06,680 --> 00:54:07,947 Should I eat the dinosaur? 1433 00:54:08,048 --> 00:54:10,884 Every moment of it is a learning experience. 1434 00:54:10,917 --> 00:54:13,053 Every moment of it is so much fun. 1435 00:54:13,086 --> 00:54:15,321 It's exciting, it's rewarding seeing 1436 00:54:15,355 --> 00:54:16,956 them become their own person. 1437 00:54:17,057 --> 00:54:17,957 Go, go. 1438 00:54:18,058 --> 00:54:19,592 Big step. 1439 00:54:19,626 --> 00:54:22,762 - * Rise up and rise up * 1440 00:54:22,796 --> 00:54:27,334 - We are going to be looking to adopt kids into our home. 1441 00:54:27,367 --> 00:54:33,106 I feel like that's my way of giving back. 1442 00:54:33,139 --> 00:54:35,742 When I was in foster care, I felt like I had to become 1443 00:54:35,775 --> 00:54:38,311 like an adult really quick. 1444 00:54:38,345 --> 00:54:39,946 - * Never on our own * 1445 00:54:39,979 --> 00:54:41,748 * Never on our own * 1446 00:54:41,781 --> 00:54:43,183 * No, not alone * 1447 00:54:43,216 --> 00:54:44,451 - But now that I have Ninja, I feel 1448 00:54:44,484 --> 00:54:46,252 like I can be a kid again. 1449 00:54:46,286 --> 00:54:49,422 So I get to just play on a giant playground. 1450 00:54:49,456 --> 00:54:52,926 - * No, we're not alone * 1451 00:54:52,959 --> 00:54:53,927 - Ready? 1452 00:54:53,960 --> 00:54:55,929 both: 1, 2, 3. 1453 00:54:55,962 --> 00:54:57,597 - This little guy is my inspiration. 1454 00:54:57,630 --> 00:55:00,066 And I will be hitting the buzzer for him tonight. 1455 00:55:04,437 --> 00:55:06,373 - Barry's son, Isaiah, is in bed, 1456 00:55:06,406 --> 00:55:09,409 but his wife and youngest son are watching with other family 1457 00:55:09,442 --> 00:55:10,443 back in Pittsburgh. 1458 00:55:10,477 --> 00:55:12,312 [crowd cheering] 1459 00:55:12,345 --> 00:55:15,081 [countdown clock beeping] 1460 00:55:15,115 --> 00:55:18,318 - Barry Boyd made a big impression last season. 1461 00:55:18,351 --> 00:55:20,954 Came out as an unknown 27-year-old rookie, 1462 00:55:21,054 --> 00:55:22,522 and he looked strong. 1463 00:55:22,555 --> 00:55:25,358 Got buzzers in qualifying and semifinals, 1464 00:55:25,392 --> 00:55:27,060 made it to the National Finals. 1465 00:55:27,060 --> 00:55:30,196 Now, he's back for his second run at stage one. 1466 00:55:30,230 --> 00:55:32,599 - He has a year of experience under his belt. 1467 00:55:32,632 --> 00:55:36,069 And he's got a lot more confidence this time. 1468 00:55:36,069 --> 00:55:38,171 - 5'7", 155 pounds. 1469 00:55:38,204 --> 00:55:42,342 Wasn't an athlete growing up, but he's moving like one now. 1470 00:55:42,375 --> 00:55:45,945 He got big air on the Barrel Roll. 1471 00:55:45,979 --> 00:55:49,949 - Barry Boyd has got some giddyup to him this year. 1472 00:55:49,983 --> 00:55:51,985 [crowd cheering] 1473 00:55:52,085 --> 00:55:53,186 Wow. 1474 00:55:53,219 --> 00:55:55,221 Boy, he is dialed in, ain't he? 1475 00:55:55,255 --> 00:55:56,823 - He just looks so relaxed. 1476 00:55:56,856 --> 00:56:00,927 And he's through three. 1477 00:56:01,027 --> 00:56:03,930 - And now, Akbar, rematch with the the Jumping Spider 1478 00:56:04,030 --> 00:56:06,266 that ended his season last year. 1479 00:56:06,299 --> 00:56:08,401 - All right, put this spider out of its misery. 1480 00:56:08,435 --> 00:56:09,469 Come on; come on. 1481 00:56:09,502 --> 00:56:10,470 Stomp that spider out. 1482 00:56:10,503 --> 00:56:11,938 Nice. 1483 00:56:12,038 --> 00:56:15,175 Ooh, a little awkward inside of the spider, 1484 00:56:15,208 --> 00:56:16,810 the Jumping Spider. 1485 00:56:16,843 --> 00:56:18,578 - Well, he wasn't going to let it happen twice in a row. 1486 00:56:18,611 --> 00:56:19,579 - No. 1487 00:56:19,612 --> 00:56:21,781 He said, nuh-uh, not me. 1488 00:56:21,815 --> 00:56:24,050 He worked too hard to get back to this point, Matt. 1489 00:56:24,050 --> 00:56:26,519 It is not easy to get to the National Finals. 1490 00:56:26,553 --> 00:56:30,056 Barry Boyd, uh-oh, very close to getting out of there. 1491 00:56:30,090 --> 00:56:31,291 Come on. 1492 00:56:31,324 --> 00:56:35,862 [crowd cheering] 1493 00:56:35,895 --> 00:56:37,864 - That Jumping Spider eats up energy. 1494 00:56:37,897 --> 00:56:39,299 Gotta get going. 1495 00:56:39,332 --> 00:56:40,934 Right now, into The Gambler. 1496 00:56:40,967 --> 00:56:42,369 Gonna need to be perfect on here. 1497 00:56:42,402 --> 00:56:43,670 - Yeah. 1498 00:56:43,703 --> 00:56:45,071 From the slot machine to the cards. 1499 00:56:45,071 --> 00:56:49,542 [crowd cheering] 1500 00:56:49,576 --> 00:56:52,412 - It's so hard to control the momentum with this poker 1501 00:56:52,445 --> 00:56:54,614 chip spinning, but got it. 1502 00:56:54,647 --> 00:56:56,082 Real smooth. 1503 00:56:56,116 --> 00:56:59,319 - It's so crazy to think just five years ago, 1504 00:56:59,352 --> 00:57:02,155 started "Ninja Warrior," and look at him. 1505 00:57:02,188 --> 00:57:04,124 - But he's struggling to get it extended. 1506 00:57:04,157 --> 00:57:05,125 - Uh-oh. 1507 00:57:05,158 --> 00:57:06,426 Get the right leverage. 1508 00:57:06,459 --> 00:57:07,761 - He's just going to have to go for it. 1509 00:57:07,794 --> 00:57:08,762 - Yeah. 1510 00:57:08,795 --> 00:57:10,163 - Not going to be lined up. 1511 00:57:10,196 --> 00:57:12,032 This is going to be some athleticism here. 1512 00:57:12,032 --> 00:57:13,333 - Oh, boy. 1513 00:57:13,366 --> 00:57:15,235 You saw he had an awkward landing. 1514 00:57:15,268 --> 00:57:17,737 He was back on his heel instead of being forward. 1515 00:57:17,771 --> 00:57:19,372 And now he's eating up some time. 1516 00:57:19,406 --> 00:57:20,740 - And this is no-man's-land. 1517 00:57:20,774 --> 00:57:22,242 This wheel keeps spinning. 1518 00:57:22,275 --> 00:57:23,276 - Oh, man, he is all-- 1519 00:57:23,309 --> 00:57:24,678 oh, he is discombobulated. 1520 00:57:24,711 --> 00:57:26,880 He's all over the place, fumbling and bumbling. 1521 00:57:26,913 --> 00:57:29,749 - It's so easy to lose it all gambling in Vegas. 1522 00:57:29,783 --> 00:57:32,218 And Boyd just spinning. 1523 00:57:32,252 --> 00:57:33,620 - Oh. [buzzer blares] 1524 00:57:33,653 --> 00:57:35,855 [together] Ohh! 1525 00:57:35,889 --> 00:57:38,725 - And you could see it spun out as he went. 1526 00:57:38,758 --> 00:57:41,695 The house wins again. 1527 00:57:41,728 --> 00:57:43,329 Coming up... 1528 00:57:43,363 --> 00:57:46,933 It was a devastating fire that shook the ninja community. 1529 00:57:46,966 --> 00:57:50,070 Now, from the ashes, Sam Folsom tries 1530 00:57:50,103 --> 00:57:53,440 to rise up and keep his "Ninja" dreams alive 1531 00:57:53,473 --> 00:57:56,142 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1532 00:58:01,881 --> 00:58:03,717 - Welcome back to Vegas, where we just had two nail-biting 1533 00:58:03,750 --> 00:58:05,485 runs on stage one. 1534 00:58:05,518 --> 00:58:07,487 San Diego photographer Alex Nye 1535 00:58:07,520 --> 00:58:09,289 was looking picture perfect 1536 00:58:09,322 --> 00:58:12,592 for his first trip to Vegas, until he reached The Gambler. 1537 00:58:12,625 --> 00:58:13,593 - Yeah. 1538 00:58:13,626 --> 00:58:15,028 Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi, 1539 00:58:15,028 --> 00:58:16,162 Whoo. 1540 00:58:16,196 --> 00:58:19,032 Wow, that looked scary from up here. 1541 00:58:19,032 --> 00:58:21,234 - After barely grabbing the craps table, 1542 00:58:21,267 --> 00:58:23,336 he stalled out on the roulette wheel 1543 00:58:23,370 --> 00:58:26,072 and then spun out on the Ace of Spades. 1544 00:58:26,106 --> 00:58:27,207 - He's got to make a move. 1545 00:58:27,240 --> 00:58:28,742 He can't think about it. 1546 00:58:28,775 --> 00:58:31,044 - That left him with less than 30 seconds 1547 00:58:31,044 --> 00:58:32,679 for the final three obstacles. 1548 00:58:32,712 --> 00:58:34,514 - He has no time. He has no time. 1549 00:58:34,547 --> 00:58:35,949 He's got to go. Hustle. 1550 00:58:36,049 --> 00:58:37,617 - Go, Alex, go. 1551 00:58:37,650 --> 00:58:40,487 - And he timed out just a few feet away from the Cargo Net. 1552 00:58:40,520 --> 00:58:41,755 [buzzer blares] 1553 00:58:41,788 --> 00:58:43,823 - So close. So close. 1554 00:58:43,857 --> 00:58:46,092 - New Jersey college student Joe Meissner 1555 00:58:46,126 --> 00:58:47,627 gave us another thriller. 1556 00:58:47,660 --> 00:58:50,930 His first appearance in Vegas was going smoothly, 1557 00:58:50,964 --> 00:58:52,165 until the final obstacles. 1558 00:58:52,198 --> 00:58:53,166 - Uh-oh. 1559 00:58:53,199 --> 00:58:54,434 Uh-oh. 1560 00:58:54,467 --> 00:58:55,468 Little tripped up. 1561 00:58:55,502 --> 00:58:56,469 Explode up. 1562 00:58:56,503 --> 00:58:57,837 Nice. 1563 00:58:57,871 --> 00:58:59,305 - Out of breath and running out of time, 1564 00:58:59,339 --> 00:59:01,508 he stumbled across Dipping Birds. 1565 00:59:01,541 --> 00:59:02,909 - All right, he's got to get going now. 1566 00:59:03,009 --> 00:59:04,277 He's got to get going. 1567 00:59:04,310 --> 00:59:06,780 - Then the 21-year-old had to take extra swings 1568 00:59:06,813 --> 00:59:08,148 on Thread the Needle. 1569 00:59:08,181 --> 00:59:09,282 - Oh my goodness. 1570 00:59:09,315 --> 00:59:10,283 Oh my goodness. 1571 00:59:10,316 --> 00:59:11,885 Climb, climb, climb. 1572 00:59:11,918 --> 00:59:14,020 - It came down to the closest finish of the season. 1573 00:59:14,020 --> 00:59:15,155 - Reach out for it. 1574 00:59:15,188 --> 00:59:16,623 Oh my goodness. 1575 00:59:16,656 --> 00:59:18,091 Oh, my. 1576 00:59:18,124 --> 00:59:20,727 - He got the buzzer with less than a second to spare. 1577 00:59:20,760 --> 00:59:23,396 - Whoo! 1578 00:59:23,430 --> 00:59:26,032 - Up next is one of the top young ninjas, 1579 00:59:26,032 --> 00:59:28,668 21-year-old Sam Folsom. 1580 00:59:28,702 --> 00:59:31,204 And he is coming into Vegas with a heavy heart. 1581 00:59:31,237 --> 00:59:34,207 His family recently suffered a devastating loss. 1582 00:59:34,240 --> 00:59:37,811 But the ninja community has rallied around him. 1583 00:59:37,844 --> 00:59:41,715 [rock music] 1584 00:59:41,748 --> 00:59:43,483 - When I started "Ninja Warrior," I started 1585 00:59:43,516 --> 00:59:45,185 building obstacles at my barn. 1586 00:59:45,218 --> 00:59:48,154 Welcome to the Danger Zone. 1587 00:59:48,188 --> 00:59:49,756 Then eventually, it grew to be called 1588 00:59:49,789 --> 00:59:52,559 and known as the Danger Zone. 1589 00:59:52,592 --> 00:59:57,130 Ninjas came from all over the country to train there. 1590 00:59:57,163 --> 00:59:59,232 - Nice. 1591 00:59:59,265 --> 01:00:01,267 - I don't even know how many obstacles were in 1592 01:00:01,301 --> 01:00:03,470 the Danger Zone, because every time I went there, 1593 01:00:03,503 --> 01:00:05,138 everything was completely different. 1594 01:00:05,171 --> 01:00:07,107 It was the coolest place ever. 1595 01:00:07,140 --> 01:00:08,908 * * 1596 01:00:08,942 --> 01:00:11,211 - Recently, the barn had a fire, and it 1597 01:00:11,244 --> 01:00:14,114 was a total loss of everything in it and around it. 1598 01:00:16,783 --> 01:00:19,419 We were just super happy that nobody was injured or harmed. 1599 01:00:19,452 --> 01:00:21,554 We had so many events there in the barn. 1600 01:00:21,588 --> 01:00:23,056 Just a really emotional journey. 1601 01:00:23,089 --> 01:00:25,158 We also could not have expected the support 1602 01:00:25,191 --> 01:00:27,794 we got back from the ninja community after the fire. 1603 01:00:27,827 --> 01:00:30,463 [gentle music] 1604 01:00:30,497 --> 01:00:33,633 - Hearing that the barn burned down was a devastating loss. 1605 01:00:33,667 --> 01:00:35,468 But there was actually a fundraiser 1606 01:00:35,502 --> 01:00:37,771 set for $10,000 that was started the day 1607 01:00:37,804 --> 01:00:39,005 that everybody found out. 1608 01:00:39,039 --> 01:00:40,974 And it's way surpassed that goal already. 1609 01:00:41,007 --> 01:00:43,410 The ninja community has came through in a big way. 1610 01:00:43,443 --> 01:00:45,211 [saw whirring] 1611 01:00:45,245 --> 01:00:47,147 - Coming into Vegas is super exciting, 1612 01:00:47,180 --> 01:00:49,115 because a lot of construction could 1613 01:00:49,149 --> 01:00:51,084 be planned bigger and better with a 1614 01:00:51,117 --> 01:00:53,286 million-dollar cash prize. 1615 01:00:56,990 --> 01:00:59,025 - So great to see the ninja community 1616 01:00:59,059 --> 01:01:01,161 supporting Sam and his family. 1617 01:01:01,194 --> 01:01:02,796 - His parents on the sideline, 1618 01:01:02,829 --> 01:01:06,399 along with Sam's girlfriend, fellow ninja Isabella Wakeham. 1619 01:01:06,433 --> 01:01:08,368 Those two won the Couples Championship 1620 01:01:08,401 --> 01:01:10,103 earlier this year. 1621 01:01:10,136 --> 01:01:12,238 - And Sam will be running with a Safety Pass. 1622 01:01:12,272 --> 01:01:15,475 If he falls, he'll get another shot at the course. 1623 01:01:15,508 --> 01:01:17,944 [countdown clock beeping] 1624 01:01:17,977 --> 01:01:20,613 - Folsom faced a couple of big ninjas to get here. 1625 01:01:20,647 --> 01:01:24,184 He beat 6'6" Jody Avila in the semifinals race 1626 01:01:24,217 --> 01:01:28,188 and then outran 6'5" John Mack in the Safety Pass race. 1627 01:01:28,221 --> 01:01:29,189 - He's 5'9". 1628 01:01:29,222 --> 01:01:31,658 He's the giant slayer, huh? 1629 01:01:31,691 --> 01:01:33,993 - He's looked very strong all season. 1630 01:01:34,094 --> 01:01:36,629 Started off by winning the Couples Championship, 1631 01:01:36,663 --> 01:01:40,133 had a blazing-fast time to get a buzzer during semifinals. 1632 01:01:40,166 --> 01:01:41,634 - But when you have a Safety Pass, 1633 01:01:41,668 --> 01:01:43,970 you sure don't want to have to use it. 1634 01:01:44,004 --> 01:01:46,740 But stage one is diabolical. 1635 01:01:46,773 --> 01:01:48,742 - This Giant Rollercoaster is the highway 1636 01:01:48,775 --> 01:01:50,176 to the danger zone. 1637 01:01:50,210 --> 01:01:51,711 Nice. 1638 01:01:51,745 --> 01:01:53,813 - I'm sure his girlfriend has given him some advice. 1639 01:01:53,847 --> 01:01:55,715 She's gone deep on stage one before. 1640 01:01:55,749 --> 01:01:57,984 - Let's go. Come on, Sam. 1641 01:01:58,018 --> 01:02:00,053 - Well, this kid is a beast. 1642 01:02:00,053 --> 01:02:02,422 Just an explosive athlete. 1643 01:02:02,455 --> 01:02:04,224 Locked in on Jumping Spider. 1644 01:02:04,257 --> 01:02:05,759 - It's his first time on stage one, 1645 01:02:05,792 --> 01:02:07,327 and he's not flying through the course 1646 01:02:07,360 --> 01:02:08,695 like he normally does. 1647 01:02:08,728 --> 01:02:10,864 He's got to really be mindful of the time. 1648 01:02:10,897 --> 01:02:14,200 [crowd cheering] 1649 01:02:14,234 --> 01:02:15,602 - Gets through. 1650 01:02:15,635 --> 01:02:18,672 - Let's go. Let's go. You got it. You got it, Sam. 1651 01:02:18,705 --> 01:02:20,073 - Taking his time here. 1652 01:02:20,073 --> 01:02:21,841 - He's comfortable being in the danger zone, 1653 01:02:21,875 --> 01:02:25,412 and that's certainly gambling in Vegas. 1654 01:02:25,445 --> 01:02:27,480 - This obstacle can eat up a lot of time 1655 01:02:27,514 --> 01:02:28,581 if you're not careful. 1656 01:02:28,615 --> 01:02:30,617 - You got it, Sam. - You got this. 1657 01:02:30,650 --> 01:02:32,919 - This poker chip spins and makes 1658 01:02:32,952 --> 01:02:35,088 it so challenging to control your momentum, 1659 01:02:35,088 --> 01:02:36,990 but Folsom looking dialed in. 1660 01:02:37,090 --> 01:02:40,694 - Nice. 1661 01:02:40,727 --> 01:02:43,563 - He's now old enough to place a bet at the craps table. 1662 01:02:43,596 --> 01:02:45,632 But struggling to get it extended, 1663 01:02:45,665 --> 01:02:47,400 and that impacts your angle. 1664 01:02:47,434 --> 01:02:49,135 Here, dancing across the roulette wheel. 1665 01:02:49,169 --> 01:02:50,136 - Here we go. 1666 01:02:50,170 --> 01:02:52,105 Nice-- oh. - Oh. 1667 01:02:52,105 --> 01:02:53,606 - Very close. 1668 01:02:53,640 --> 01:02:55,742 Very close to slipping. 1669 01:02:55,775 --> 01:02:57,844 - But he said, I'm all right. 1670 01:02:57,877 --> 01:02:59,212 - He's 21. 1671 01:02:59,245 --> 01:03:02,682 That's a good number in Vegas. 1672 01:03:02,716 --> 01:03:04,617 - Well, just under a minute. 1673 01:03:04,651 --> 01:03:06,152 - Keep moving. 1674 01:03:06,186 --> 01:03:08,555 - And you can't let off the accelerator 1675 01:03:08,588 --> 01:03:12,125 here, Akbar, because Thread the Needle can eat up time. 1676 01:03:12,158 --> 01:03:13,360 - This is where he's got to go. 1677 01:03:13,393 --> 01:03:18,832 No resting here before Dipping Birds. 1678 01:03:18,865 --> 01:03:20,233 - Let's go. Let's move, Sam. 1679 01:03:20,266 --> 01:03:21,301 - Go straight through, dude. 1680 01:03:21,334 --> 01:03:23,770 Let's go. 1681 01:03:23,803 --> 01:03:25,071 - Gets through. 1682 01:03:25,105 --> 01:03:29,175 But only about 30 seconds left. 1683 01:03:29,209 --> 01:03:30,510 - He's got to get going, Akbar. 1684 01:03:30,543 --> 01:03:31,511 - Here we go. 1685 01:03:31,544 --> 01:03:33,279 - No extra swings here. 1686 01:03:33,313 --> 01:03:34,581 - Up and over. Nice. 1687 01:03:34,614 --> 01:03:35,815 - Got it. 1688 01:03:35,849 --> 01:03:39,686 Get on to that Cargo Net, get high. 1689 01:03:39,719 --> 01:03:43,590 And an extra swing. 1690 01:03:43,623 --> 01:03:45,959 - Whoa. - But a high transfer. 1691 01:03:45,992 --> 01:03:49,362 - Oh, boy. Oh, boy. - He felt the need, 1692 01:03:49,396 --> 01:03:51,097 the need for speed. 1693 01:03:51,097 --> 01:03:52,766 - Hurry, hurry, hurry. Get there. 1694 01:03:52,799 --> 01:03:54,367 [buzzer blares] 1695 01:03:54,401 --> 01:03:59,139 - Gets the buzzer with just over two seconds to spare. 1696 01:03:59,172 --> 01:04:02,509 - He looks exhausted, but he's moving on. 1697 01:04:02,542 --> 01:04:04,377 And how great for his family to have something 1698 01:04:04,411 --> 01:04:07,113 to celebrate after that fire? 1699 01:04:07,147 --> 01:04:09,249 We'll see Sam in the semis. 1700 01:04:09,282 --> 01:04:10,850 Coming up... 1701 01:04:10,884 --> 01:04:12,519 No one gets a crowd fired up 1702 01:04:12,552 --> 01:04:14,421 like "The Beast" James McGrath. 1703 01:04:14,454 --> 01:04:15,889 We'll see him next... 1704 01:04:15,922 --> 01:04:16,890 - Let's go. 1705 01:04:16,923 --> 01:04:19,693 - On "American Ninja Warrior." 1706 01:04:25,732 --> 01:04:26,833 - Three more ninjas tried to keep their season 1707 01:04:26,866 --> 01:04:28,401 alive while we were away. 1708 01:04:28,435 --> 01:04:30,737 New Jersey's Brandon Singletary was 1709 01:04:30,770 --> 01:04:33,273 excited for his first attempt at stage one. 1710 01:04:33,306 --> 01:04:35,342 - He's having way too much fun here. 1711 01:04:35,375 --> 01:04:37,577 - The two-time "Ninja" veteran got his first-ever 1712 01:04:37,610 --> 01:04:39,679 buzzer back in qualifying, and he 1713 01:04:39,713 --> 01:04:41,481 looked confident tonight. 1714 01:04:41,514 --> 01:04:43,750 With his family cheering him on, the waiter from New Jersey 1715 01:04:43,783 --> 01:04:45,885 rolled through the first three obstacles, 1716 01:04:45,919 --> 01:04:48,722 but then faced Jumping Spider. 1717 01:04:48,755 --> 01:04:50,890 - No. 1718 01:04:50,924 --> 01:04:52,392 - Oh. 1719 01:04:52,425 --> 01:04:54,928 - Connecticut's Conor Galvin was back in Vegas for 1720 01:04:54,961 --> 01:04:56,663 the first time in five years. 1721 01:04:56,696 --> 01:04:58,631 And his cheering section was led by girlfriend 1722 01:04:58,665 --> 01:05:01,301 Hailey and his dog, Sadie. 1723 01:05:01,334 --> 01:05:04,137 - Very nice and steady. Nice. 1724 01:05:04,170 --> 01:05:06,172 - The physical therapist fell on the fifth obstacle 1725 01:05:06,206 --> 01:05:08,274 the last time he was on stage one. 1726 01:05:08,308 --> 01:05:10,877 And number five got him again tonight. 1727 01:05:10,910 --> 01:05:12,779 - Oh. 1728 01:05:12,812 --> 01:05:16,116 That was a lot of heat on that swing. 1729 01:05:16,149 --> 01:05:17,350 - Say hi to Daddy. 1730 01:05:17,384 --> 01:05:18,852 Say hi to Daddy. 1731 01:05:18,885 --> 01:05:20,854 - Hi, Sadie. - Ohh. 1732 01:05:20,887 --> 01:05:23,356 - Pennsylvania teenager Cal Plohoros 1733 01:05:23,390 --> 01:05:26,459 was making his third straight appearance on stage one. 1734 01:05:26,493 --> 01:05:29,429 And ninja Cal was able to dance across The Gambler. 1735 01:05:29,462 --> 01:05:30,830 - Dance, dance, dance. Nice. 1736 01:05:30,864 --> 01:05:31,831 Good, good. 1737 01:05:31,865 --> 01:05:33,166 Good movement. 1738 01:05:33,199 --> 01:05:34,668 Whoa. 1739 01:05:34,701 --> 01:05:37,737 - The budding actor fell on Dipping Birds last year. 1740 01:05:37,771 --> 01:05:38,872 - Don't overthink it. Just do it. 1741 01:05:38,905 --> 01:05:39,873 You got it, man. 1742 01:05:39,906 --> 01:05:41,574 Nice. 1743 01:05:41,608 --> 01:05:43,410 - And the four-time "Ninja" veteran got his first buzzer 1744 01:05:43,443 --> 01:05:44,644 in Vegas. 1745 01:05:44,678 --> 01:05:47,080 [buzzer blares] 1746 01:05:47,113 --> 01:05:48,548 - Let's go! 1747 01:05:48,581 --> 01:05:51,151 Let's go! 1748 01:05:51,184 --> 01:05:53,420 - Well, we've got a true legend of the sport 1749 01:05:53,453 --> 01:05:55,088 coming to the start line now. 1750 01:05:55,121 --> 01:05:57,757 It's James "The Beast" McGrath. 1751 01:05:57,791 --> 01:06:01,027 He started competing 15 years ago in season 2. 1752 01:06:01,027 --> 01:06:03,563 And while he's hit plenty of buzzers over the years, 1753 01:06:03,596 --> 01:06:07,767 stage one has not been his friend. 1754 01:06:07,801 --> 01:06:12,172 - The last time I hit a buzzer on stage one was season five. 1755 01:06:12,205 --> 01:06:15,408 - Look at him, beasting the course. 1756 01:06:15,442 --> 01:06:20,046 - Since season five, James has failed stage one five times. 1757 01:06:20,080 --> 01:06:21,881 - Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 1758 01:06:21,915 --> 01:06:25,518 - Including three times in a row on the Jumping Spider. 1759 01:06:25,552 --> 01:06:29,122 - No, H2O. 1760 01:06:29,155 --> 01:06:31,157 - No. - Oh my goodness. 1761 01:06:31,191 --> 01:06:33,059 - You know, part of it I thought like maybe 1762 01:06:33,059 --> 01:06:34,427 I'm just getting old. 1763 01:06:34,461 --> 01:06:36,229 Maybe this is just how things are. 1764 01:06:36,262 --> 01:06:38,398 Maybe I'm never going to be as strong as I used to be. 1765 01:06:38,431 --> 01:06:40,633 - Last year, he timed out after getting 1766 01:06:40,667 --> 01:06:42,335 hung up on The Gambler. 1767 01:06:42,369 --> 01:06:43,536 Oh, no. - Oh, no. 1768 01:06:43,570 --> 01:06:45,739 - That hesitation could be costly 1769 01:06:45,772 --> 01:06:49,142 as the roulette wheel spins and the clock ticks down. 1770 01:06:49,175 --> 01:06:52,746 - He surrendered way too much time there on The Gambler. 1771 01:06:52,779 --> 01:06:56,082 - At the very least, making it to the end of stage one 1772 01:06:56,082 --> 01:06:59,753 was gratifying in and of itself just knowing 1773 01:06:59,786 --> 01:07:01,388 like, yeah, I still got it. 1774 01:07:01,421 --> 01:07:02,756 And this season, I'm just going to come 1775 01:07:02,789 --> 01:07:04,057 in with more confidence. 1776 01:07:04,090 --> 01:07:08,094 The Beast isn't done yet. 1777 01:07:08,128 --> 01:07:09,863 - His fiancée, Allyssa Beird, 1778 01:07:09,896 --> 01:07:12,565 is one of the three women who finished stage one. 1779 01:07:12,599 --> 01:07:15,268 She's injured and watching from back in Massachusetts. 1780 01:07:15,301 --> 01:07:17,203 - All you. You got this. 1781 01:07:17,237 --> 01:07:18,505 - He's got a big sideline group. 1782 01:07:18,538 --> 01:07:19,773 Some of those guys have been competing 1783 01:07:19,806 --> 01:07:21,641 with him for 15 years. 1784 01:07:21,675 --> 01:07:23,043 And some were just toddlers 1785 01:07:23,043 --> 01:07:25,145 when "The Beast" started "Ninja." 1786 01:07:25,178 --> 01:07:26,179 - Come on, James. You got this. 1787 01:07:26,212 --> 01:07:28,915 [countdown clock beeping] 1788 01:07:28,948 --> 01:07:31,317 - At 37, one of the oldest athletes 1789 01:07:31,351 --> 01:07:33,219 to make it to the National Finals. 1790 01:07:33,253 --> 01:07:35,655 He's had some serious shoulder injuries that kept 1791 01:07:35,689 --> 01:07:37,624 him from competing for years. 1792 01:07:37,657 --> 01:07:40,794 But since he's come back he's had a career resurgence. 1793 01:07:40,827 --> 01:07:43,596 - Her's racked up a remarkable 23 buzzers 1794 01:07:43,630 --> 01:07:45,565 in his career, but he really wants 1795 01:07:45,598 --> 01:07:47,801 to get one here tonight on stage one. 1796 01:07:47,834 --> 01:07:49,969 - No problems through the first two obstacles. 1797 01:07:50,070 --> 01:07:52,105 But we say it all the time, you have 1798 01:07:52,138 --> 01:07:54,107 to pace yourself on stage one. 1799 01:07:54,140 --> 01:07:56,242 So easy to run out of gas when you 1800 01:07:56,276 --> 01:07:59,179 reach those final obstacles. 1801 01:07:59,212 --> 01:08:01,681 - OK, Beast, no problem. 1802 01:08:01,715 --> 01:08:03,249 - Well, after timing out last season, 1803 01:08:03,283 --> 01:08:05,418 you can see The Beast is on a mission 1804 01:08:05,452 --> 01:08:07,520 not to suffer the same fate. 1805 01:08:07,554 --> 01:08:09,122 But he's had injuries right here on the Jumping 1806 01:08:09,155 --> 01:08:10,724 Spider before. 1807 01:08:10,757 --> 01:08:12,592 - Not now. - Locked in. 1808 01:08:12,625 --> 01:08:13,927 - He's got a little giddyup to him. 1809 01:08:14,027 --> 01:08:15,695 Looks like he's a little lighter as well. 1810 01:08:15,729 --> 01:08:17,731 Looks like he's shed about 5 to 7 pounds. 1811 01:08:17,764 --> 01:08:19,165 - Good job. 1812 01:08:19,199 --> 01:08:21,067 That's always a confidence boost for an athlete 1813 01:08:21,101 --> 01:08:24,571 to best an obstacle that caused you to have surgery. 1814 01:08:24,604 --> 01:08:26,840 But slow progress there, Akbar, and that's 1815 01:08:26,873 --> 01:08:28,241 reminiscent of last year. 1816 01:08:28,274 --> 01:08:30,343 That eats up energy and time. 1817 01:08:30,377 --> 01:08:31,344 - Uh-oh. 1818 01:08:31,378 --> 01:08:32,512 Uh-oh. Uh-oh. 1819 01:08:32,545 --> 01:08:33,646 - And he's already breathing heavy. 1820 01:08:33,680 --> 01:08:34,814 - Yeah. You see him. 1821 01:08:34,848 --> 01:08:36,049 He says, those legs get pumped up. 1822 01:08:36,082 --> 01:08:37,584 - Don't sleep on the Jumping Spider. 1823 01:08:37,617 --> 01:08:38,885 [indistinct]. 1824 01:08:38,918 --> 01:08:40,220 But the good thing is, he's not going to have 1825 01:08:40,253 --> 01:08:41,654 to use a lot of his legs. 1826 01:08:41,688 --> 01:08:43,623 - Well, that is the challenge on this course, 1827 01:08:43,656 --> 01:08:46,192 the eight obstacles add up, and the Jumping Spider 1828 01:08:46,226 --> 01:08:49,062 just took a big bite out of The Beast. 1829 01:08:49,062 --> 01:08:50,764 - And a big bite out of on time. 1830 01:08:54,934 --> 01:09:00,073 - 6'2", 160, plenty of leverage, plenty of length. 1831 01:09:00,106 --> 01:09:04,344 Let's see how he dances with the roulette wheel. 1832 01:09:04,377 --> 01:09:05,645 - Nice move. - Uh-oh. 1833 01:09:05,679 --> 01:09:06,746 Uh-oh. 1834 01:09:06,780 --> 01:09:08,114 - Oh, good save. 1835 01:09:08,148 --> 01:09:10,717 - Wow, he avoided disaster right there. 1836 01:09:10,750 --> 01:09:11,718 - You know what he did? 1837 01:09:11,751 --> 01:09:13,687 He just beasted it there. 1838 01:09:13,720 --> 01:09:17,057 But down to minute, Akbar. - All right. 1839 01:09:17,090 --> 01:09:18,058 - Gotta get going. - Ooh. 1840 01:09:18,091 --> 01:09:19,059 - Ooh. 1841 01:09:19,092 --> 01:09:20,527 Lost his step but recovered. 1842 01:09:20,560 --> 01:09:22,162 - You can see those legs are tired. 1843 01:09:22,195 --> 01:09:23,463 - Oh, legs are toast. Those legs are toast. 1844 01:09:23,496 --> 01:09:24,464 - Oh, my. 1845 01:09:24,497 --> 01:09:26,399 You got it, Beast. Go. - I know. 1846 01:09:26,433 --> 01:09:27,400 Breathe, buddy, breathe. 1847 01:09:27,434 --> 01:09:28,435 - And he just nodded at us. 1848 01:09:28,468 --> 01:09:29,436 He's feeling it. 1849 01:09:29,469 --> 01:09:32,272 Go, Beast, go. 1850 01:09:32,305 --> 01:09:33,673 Oh, Akbar. 1851 01:09:33,707 --> 01:09:35,575 - Ooh, boy. I don't care. 1852 01:09:35,608 --> 01:09:36,576 Suck it up, man. 1853 01:09:36,609 --> 01:09:38,044 Suck it up. 1854 01:09:38,044 --> 01:09:39,245 Nice. 1855 01:09:39,279 --> 01:09:41,848 - When you're tired, will he have the energy 1856 01:09:41,881 --> 01:09:43,316 to get the cane off the hook. 1857 01:09:43,350 --> 01:09:44,918 - Come on. 1858 01:09:44,951 --> 01:09:46,586 - Matt, he's got to get on that cane before 30 seconds. 1859 01:09:46,619 --> 01:09:49,856 - This is looking exactly like last season. 1860 01:09:49,889 --> 01:09:53,360 Will he be able to best it? 1861 01:09:53,393 --> 01:09:54,828 Got it. - Yes! 1862 01:09:54,861 --> 01:09:56,563 - He's gonna have to climb up the net 1863 01:09:56,596 --> 01:09:57,797 with those tired legs. 1864 01:09:57,831 --> 01:09:58,798 - Get on that net. 1865 01:09:58,832 --> 01:09:59,799 - Oh, boy. 1866 01:09:59,833 --> 01:10:01,301 - Go, man, go. 1867 01:10:01,334 --> 01:10:02,769 - Well, let's see. 1868 01:10:02,802 --> 01:10:05,238 Oh. Oh. 1869 01:10:05,271 --> 01:10:06,740 - 10 seconds. 1870 01:10:06,773 --> 01:10:08,241 - And that is incredible. 1871 01:10:08,274 --> 01:10:10,710 The Beast will do it this year. 1872 01:10:10,744 --> 01:10:11,711 [buzzer blares] 1873 01:10:11,745 --> 01:10:13,313 [crowd cheering] 1874 01:10:13,346 --> 01:10:15,682 - Yeah! 1875 01:10:15,715 --> 01:10:18,651 - And that had to feel good. 1876 01:10:18,685 --> 01:10:21,121 - Yeah! 1877 01:10:21,154 --> 01:10:25,358 Come on. 1878 01:10:25,392 --> 01:10:27,060 - Beast, you had us nervous. 1879 01:10:27,093 --> 01:10:30,463 This was looking like a repeat of last season. 1880 01:10:30,497 --> 01:10:31,464 You got through it. 1881 01:10:31,498 --> 01:10:33,400 What was the difference? 1882 01:10:33,433 --> 01:10:35,468 - Everything I've been through to get here, 1883 01:10:35,502 --> 01:10:37,070 all the surgeries and all the times you guys 1884 01:10:37,103 --> 01:10:38,905 have said The Beast is back. 1885 01:10:38,938 --> 01:10:41,675 Tonight, tonight The Beast is back. 1886 01:10:41,708 --> 01:10:42,976 - Yes. - Yeah, buddy. 1887 01:10:43,009 --> 01:10:44,277 - I love it. 1888 01:10:44,310 --> 01:10:45,645 - Well, The Beast is gonna go racing. 1889 01:10:45,679 --> 01:10:49,215 We'll see you on stage two, buddy. 1890 01:10:49,249 --> 01:10:50,750 Coming up... 1891 01:10:50,784 --> 01:10:54,087 She nearly took down stage one in her rookie season. 1892 01:10:54,120 --> 01:10:55,455 - Oh, she's rolling now. 1893 01:10:55,488 --> 01:10:57,791 - Can teen sensation Taylor Greene get 1894 01:10:57,824 --> 01:10:59,626 a buzzer on her second try? 1895 01:10:59,659 --> 01:11:03,363 She's next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1896 01:11:07,967 --> 01:11:10,203 - Welcome back to Vegas in the start of our National Finals. 1897 01:11:10,236 --> 01:11:11,938 5-foot-tall Anna McArthur 1898 01:11:11,971 --> 01:11:13,673 is the night's smallest competitor, 1899 01:11:13,707 --> 01:11:16,443 but she had one of the biggest cheering sections 1900 01:11:16,476 --> 01:11:19,112 with friends watching from Utah and her family 1901 01:11:19,145 --> 01:11:20,113 on the sideline. 1902 01:11:20,146 --> 01:11:22,115 - Let's go, Anna Lee! 1903 01:11:22,148 --> 01:11:25,585 - But unfortunately, the high schooler had a short run. 1904 01:11:25,618 --> 01:11:28,088 - Oh no. 1905 01:11:28,088 --> 01:11:29,222 That's a tough one, Matt. 1906 01:11:29,255 --> 01:11:32,225 It's a tough one. 1907 01:11:32,258 --> 01:11:34,561 - Colorado's Austin Gray made it all the way 1908 01:11:34,594 --> 01:11:36,663 to stage three last year, so he was 1909 01:11:36,696 --> 01:11:38,098 running with confidence. 1910 01:11:38,098 --> 01:11:39,099 - That's what he does best. 1911 01:11:39,099 --> 01:11:40,900 He stays calm, stays focused. 1912 01:11:40,934 --> 01:11:43,837 - He turned on the jets on the back half of the course 1913 01:11:43,870 --> 01:11:45,939 and made quick work of Thread the Needle. 1914 01:11:45,972 --> 01:11:47,107 - Oh, and going right for it. 1915 01:11:47,107 --> 01:11:48,675 OK, good. 1916 01:11:48,708 --> 01:11:50,844 - The seven-time veteran put up the third-fastest time 1917 01:11:50,877 --> 01:11:52,712 on stage one to that point. 1918 01:11:52,746 --> 01:11:55,482 - Man, I can't wait to see you on stage two. 1919 01:11:55,515 --> 01:11:56,683 - Thank you. 1920 01:11:56,716 --> 01:11:58,885 - Then New Jersey teenage Josiah 1921 01:11:58,918 --> 01:12:01,187 Pippel came out even faster. 1922 01:12:01,221 --> 01:12:02,522 - He is not messing around. 1923 01:12:02,555 --> 01:12:04,657 - The four-time "Ninja" veteran has made it 1924 01:12:04,691 --> 01:12:07,060 as far as stage four, and he's never 1925 01:12:07,060 --> 01:12:08,595 failed to finish stage one. 1926 01:12:08,628 --> 01:12:11,297 - Lost his grip but was able to hold himself up 1927 01:12:11,331 --> 01:12:12,499 with one hand! 1928 01:12:12,532 --> 01:12:13,867 That was impressive. 1929 01:12:13,900 --> 01:12:15,935 - He sailed through all eight obstacles 1930 01:12:15,969 --> 01:12:18,838 and moved ahead of Austin Gray for the third fastest 1931 01:12:18,872 --> 01:12:20,306 finish on stage one. 1932 01:12:20,340 --> 01:12:21,741 - He'll be one of the top seeds 1933 01:12:21,775 --> 01:12:25,812 when we start head-to-head racing on stage two. 1934 01:12:25,845 --> 01:12:28,615 - Guys, Taylor Greene almost finished stage one 1935 01:12:28,648 --> 01:12:30,784 last year as a rookie, and she is coming 1936 01:12:30,817 --> 01:12:32,218 in with a lot of confidence. 1937 01:12:32,252 --> 01:12:36,122 Though only 16, she's been a "Ninja" star for years 1938 01:12:36,156 --> 01:12:38,358 with tens of thousands of followers, 1939 01:12:38,391 --> 01:12:44,097 and she takes that responsibility seriously. 1940 01:12:44,130 --> 01:12:47,300 - I had this viral video when I was, I think, 10 or 11 1941 01:12:47,334 --> 01:12:50,270 of me racing this guy on a course, 1942 01:12:50,303 --> 01:12:52,872 and it got over 100 million views. 1943 01:12:52,906 --> 01:12:54,641 - Strong, strong, strong, quick. 1944 01:12:54,674 --> 01:12:58,111 - And that's when my mom decided to start an Instagram. 1945 01:12:58,111 --> 01:13:00,914 As I started to get that following on social media 1946 01:13:00,947 --> 01:13:03,416 and people started following my journey through "Ninja," 1947 01:13:03,450 --> 01:13:05,452 people started messaging me saying, 1948 01:13:05,485 --> 01:13:07,954 "Hey, my little girl watches you, 1949 01:13:08,054 --> 01:13:10,323 and she really, really loves you, and she's so inspired." 1950 01:13:10,357 --> 01:13:13,526 And that was so cool because I used to be that little girl. 1951 01:13:13,560 --> 01:13:16,363 Jessie Graff or Jesse Labreck, I was so inspired by them 1952 01:13:16,396 --> 01:13:17,464 and what they could do. 1953 01:13:17,497 --> 01:13:19,265 - Taylor's the one who inspired me 1954 01:13:19,299 --> 01:13:21,868 to stop watching "Ninja" on YouTube and to go out 1955 01:13:21,901 --> 01:13:23,436 and actually do it. 1956 01:13:23,470 --> 01:13:25,672 - The first time a little girl dressed up as me for Halloween 1957 01:13:25,705 --> 01:13:27,874 was so cool because dressing up for Halloween 1958 01:13:27,907 --> 01:13:29,676 is so important to little kids, and for them 1959 01:13:29,709 --> 01:13:33,146 to choose to be like me was incredible. 1960 01:13:33,179 --> 01:13:36,883 I'm sure lots of my followers would be very excited to see 1961 01:13:36,916 --> 01:13:41,654 me hit another buzzer. 1962 01:13:41,688 --> 01:13:43,156 - Yes! 1963 01:13:43,189 --> 01:13:44,391 - And there's some of the kids she's inspired-- 1964 01:13:44,424 --> 01:13:46,092 - You got this. 1965 01:13:46,092 --> 01:13:48,094 - --including Jaelyn who we saw in that Halloween costume. 1966 01:13:48,094 --> 01:13:49,396 - You got it. 1967 01:13:49,429 --> 01:13:51,131 - Taylor's got supporters on the sideline, 1968 01:13:51,164 --> 01:13:54,200 including her parents and brothers. 1969 01:13:54,234 --> 01:13:56,803 [countdown clock beeping] 1970 01:13:56,836 --> 01:14:00,073 She almost finished stage one last season. 1971 01:14:00,106 --> 01:14:02,542 - Went out on that seventh obstacle, Dipping Birds. 1972 01:14:02,575 --> 01:14:04,077 Will this be her year? 1973 01:14:04,110 --> 01:14:06,546 Only three women have ever hit that stage one buzzer. 1974 01:14:06,579 --> 01:14:09,482 How impressive would it be if a 16-year-old 1975 01:14:09,516 --> 01:14:10,850 added her name to that list? 1976 01:14:10,884 --> 01:14:12,752 - She remembers seeing Jessie Graff and Allyssa 1977 01:14:12,786 --> 01:14:14,054 Beird and Flex Labreck. 1978 01:14:14,054 --> 01:14:15,055 And she wants that. 1979 01:14:15,055 --> 01:14:17,057 She wants that badly. 1980 01:14:17,057 --> 01:14:19,259 - Well, they were coaching her on "Ninja Junior." 1981 01:14:19,292 --> 01:14:21,461 - And now they're all competing together. 1982 01:14:21,494 --> 01:14:23,430 - How cool would it be for mean Taylor 1983 01:14:23,463 --> 01:14:26,366 Greene to join the ranks of those great ninjas? 1984 01:14:26,399 --> 01:14:27,534 - Yeah. 1985 01:14:27,567 --> 01:14:30,070 - There you go. 1986 01:14:30,070 --> 01:14:36,743 - She is so strong, but she works so hard day in, day out. 1987 01:14:36,776 --> 01:14:38,978 Great body control there. - Nice. 1988 01:14:39,079 --> 01:14:40,080 - Yeah, she's really good now. 1989 01:14:40,113 --> 01:14:41,348 - She is good. 1990 01:14:41,381 --> 01:14:42,849 She's from your home state. 1991 01:14:42,882 --> 01:14:43,850 - Colorado. 1992 01:14:43,883 --> 01:14:44,851 Proud. 1993 01:14:44,884 --> 01:14:46,553 [cheers and applause] 1994 01:14:46,586 --> 01:14:48,788 - And you can see, she's used to training at altitude, 1995 01:14:48,822 --> 01:14:51,324 so she's doing OK with Vegas so far. 1996 01:14:51,358 --> 01:14:52,325 Locked in. 1997 01:14:52,359 --> 01:14:53,760 Wow! 1998 01:14:53,793 --> 01:14:55,195 - It can be hard to breathe in the Mile High, 1999 01:14:55,228 --> 01:14:57,664 but here we're only about 2,000 feet. 2000 01:14:57,697 --> 01:14:59,332 - And Akbar, she's looking locked in. 2001 01:14:59,366 --> 01:15:02,769 And that's key because she's expending less energy here. 2002 01:15:02,802 --> 01:15:05,305 - She's got upper-body strength for days. 2003 01:15:05,338 --> 01:15:07,440 And now back to The Gambler. 2004 01:15:07,474 --> 01:15:09,442 - Whoo. Good job. 2005 01:15:09,476 --> 01:15:11,244 - She's in great position, Akbar. 2006 01:15:11,277 --> 01:15:12,479 - Yes, she is, Matt. 2007 01:15:12,512 --> 01:15:14,814 This obstacle is the difference maker. 2008 01:15:14,848 --> 01:15:16,149 If she can get through it quickly, 2009 01:15:16,182 --> 01:15:18,852 she's got a shot. 2010 01:15:18,885 --> 01:15:22,288 - This obstacle has been the separator for so many runs. 2011 01:15:22,322 --> 01:15:23,289 Gets a little turned around. 2012 01:15:23,323 --> 01:15:24,357 Corrects it. 2013 01:15:24,391 --> 01:15:25,358 Got it. 2014 01:15:25,392 --> 01:15:27,327 - Nice and focused. 2015 01:15:27,360 --> 01:15:31,464 And just arm over arm, so efficient, no wasted movement. 2016 01:15:31,498 --> 01:15:32,665 - Here we go. Here we go. 2017 01:15:32,699 --> 01:15:34,934 Come on. One-two push. - Push it. 2018 01:15:34,968 --> 01:15:36,302 - Send it. Get it. 2019 01:15:36,336 --> 01:15:37,871 - Nice. Nice! - Got it. 2020 01:15:37,904 --> 01:15:39,873 - Wow, she is dialed in. 2021 01:15:39,906 --> 01:15:43,276 This high school track star is gonna need to sprint. 2022 01:15:43,309 --> 01:15:45,211 But I think she can do it, Matt. 2023 01:15:45,245 --> 01:15:48,848 - By far, the fastest woman to this point. 2024 01:15:48,882 --> 01:15:51,384 We saw Mady Howard and Abby Clark 2025 01:15:51,418 --> 01:15:52,952 get to the Dipping Birds. 2026 01:15:52,986 --> 01:15:54,521 Last year she made it here. 2027 01:15:54,554 --> 01:15:57,223 Can she get through the seventh obstacle? 2028 01:15:57,257 --> 01:15:58,591 - All right, here we go. 2029 01:15:58,625 --> 01:16:02,095 - Akbar, she's got a shot at a buzzer here. 2030 01:16:02,128 --> 01:16:04,264 - You got this. You got this. 2031 01:16:04,297 --> 01:16:05,732 - Got to get going. 2032 01:16:05,765 --> 01:16:06,733 - All right, here we go. 2033 01:16:06,766 --> 01:16:08,301 Come on. 2034 01:16:08,335 --> 01:16:10,870 You got to be lean, mean, and Taylor Greene got it! 2035 01:16:10,904 --> 01:16:12,572 - Now get right into it, Taylor. 2036 01:16:12,605 --> 01:16:13,773 You got 30 seconds! 2037 01:16:13,807 --> 01:16:14,774 - Yeah, Matt. 2038 01:16:14,808 --> 01:16:15,775 It's like she heard you. 2039 01:16:15,809 --> 01:16:17,077 Oh! Get up high on the cane. 2040 01:16:17,110 --> 01:16:18,578 Oh, she got to readjust. 2041 01:16:18,611 --> 01:16:20,046 Nice! 2042 01:16:20,046 --> 01:16:21,514 - Only three women have ever hit the buzzer here! 2043 01:16:21,548 --> 01:16:23,416 both: Oh! 2044 01:16:23,450 --> 01:16:25,185 - Sha na na. 2045 01:16:25,218 --> 01:16:26,553 - No. 2046 01:16:26,586 --> 01:16:29,356 - Peeled off on the transfer! - Ohh. 2047 01:16:29,389 --> 01:16:31,925 - The best run we've seen out of a woman. 2048 01:16:31,958 --> 01:16:36,730 And Taylor Greene once again proving she is a stud. 2049 01:16:36,763 --> 01:16:38,198 - Wow! 2050 01:16:38,231 --> 01:16:39,933 - Dang it. 2051 01:16:39,966 --> 01:16:41,668 - She came so close. 2052 01:16:41,701 --> 01:16:43,536 And it's because she was efficient 2053 01:16:43,570 --> 01:16:45,138 on all the obstacles. 2054 01:16:45,171 --> 01:16:48,408 Made it across Dipping Birds, which got her last season. 2055 01:16:48,441 --> 01:16:50,910 But as she made the move on Thread the Needle, 2056 01:16:50,944 --> 01:16:54,280 her hands just slipped off. 2057 01:16:54,314 --> 01:16:57,150 - Taylor, what a run that was. 2058 01:16:57,183 --> 01:16:59,886 We saw a little smile you cracked after Dipping Birds. 2059 01:16:59,919 --> 01:17:01,388 And then did you realize, you know what? 2060 01:17:01,421 --> 01:17:02,489 I think I got to lock back in. 2061 01:17:02,522 --> 01:17:03,623 I got to focus on this clock here. 2062 01:17:03,656 --> 01:17:04,924 - Absolutely. 2063 01:17:05,025 --> 01:17:06,026 I was, like, super excited to, like, 2064 01:17:06,026 --> 01:17:07,394 clear those and do it well. 2065 01:17:07,427 --> 01:17:08,495 And then I was like, oh my gosh, 2066 01:17:08,528 --> 01:17:09,763 I have one more obstacle. 2067 01:17:09,796 --> 01:17:11,031 I have to do, like, I'm so close. 2068 01:17:11,064 --> 01:17:12,732 And I think that, like, how close 2069 01:17:12,766 --> 01:17:13,800 I was just kind of got in there, 2070 01:17:13,833 --> 01:17:15,368 and I just didn't hold on. 2071 01:17:15,402 --> 01:17:16,503 - Hey, it happens. 2072 01:17:16,536 --> 01:17:17,671 Well, incredible job out here. 2073 01:17:17,704 --> 01:17:18,672 - Thank you. 2074 01:17:18,705 --> 01:17:19,673 - Great work. 2075 01:17:19,706 --> 01:17:21,207 Guys, back to you. 2076 01:17:21,241 --> 01:17:24,044 - Up next, he's Super Dad around 2077 01:17:24,044 --> 01:17:27,147 the house but a record-breaker on the course. 2078 01:17:27,180 --> 01:17:29,582 One of the all-time greats, Joe Moravsky, 2079 01:17:29,616 --> 01:17:33,553 is up next on "American Ninja Warrior." 2080 01:17:38,958 --> 01:17:41,928 - Next week, the National Finals go into overdrive with 2081 01:17:41,961 --> 01:17:44,097 head-to-head racing on stage two 2082 01:17:44,130 --> 01:17:47,567 as our remaining ninjas try to keep their million-dollar 2083 01:17:47,600 --> 01:17:50,070 dreams alive. 2084 01:17:50,103 --> 01:17:53,573 - He's done it! 2085 01:17:53,606 --> 01:17:55,308 - But we're not done tonight. 2086 01:17:55,342 --> 01:17:57,644 And these fans know who's up next. 2087 01:17:57,677 --> 01:17:59,145 It's The Weatherman. 2088 01:17:59,179 --> 01:18:02,282 Joe Moravsky has more buzzers than any ninja in history, 2089 01:18:02,315 --> 01:18:04,684 but he's had some heartbreak in Vegas. 2090 01:18:04,718 --> 01:18:07,454 And as a 35-year-old father of three, 2091 01:18:07,487 --> 01:18:10,423 he's the first to admit that time may be running out 2092 01:18:10,457 --> 01:18:14,060 on achieving total victory. 2093 01:18:14,094 --> 01:18:18,231 - Joe Moravsky is a climb away from advancing to stage two. 2094 01:18:18,264 --> 01:18:22,068 - He has a record-setting eight stage-one buzzers-- 2095 01:18:22,102 --> 01:18:26,072 - Moravsky gets another buzzer! 2096 01:18:26,106 --> 01:18:29,409 His record-breaking total continues. 2097 01:18:29,442 --> 01:18:33,513 - --and more stage-two buzzers than anyone else with five. 2098 01:18:33,546 --> 01:18:37,250 - Moravsky is going back to stage three. 2099 01:18:40,053 --> 01:18:41,054 - Go Dad! - You got it. 2100 01:18:41,087 --> 01:18:42,255 Come on. 2101 01:18:42,288 --> 01:18:45,091 - But he's never reached stage four. 2102 01:18:45,125 --> 01:18:46,459 - Almost there. 2103 01:18:46,493 --> 01:18:48,762 - And the competition to win the million dollars 2104 01:18:48,795 --> 01:18:51,297 gets stiffer every season. 2105 01:18:51,331 --> 01:18:52,565 - Yeah! - Yay! 2106 01:18:52,599 --> 01:18:55,602 - Whoo! 2107 01:18:55,635 --> 01:18:58,138 - I would be lying to you if I said I 2108 01:18:58,171 --> 01:19:00,006 was not thinking of retiring. 2109 01:19:00,040 --> 01:19:01,808 It's just the sacrifice that it takes. 2110 01:19:01,841 --> 01:19:03,476 My family means so much more to me 2111 01:19:03,510 --> 01:19:04,711 than anything else in the world. 2112 01:19:04,744 --> 01:19:05,712 - [screams] 2113 01:19:05,745 --> 01:19:07,347 I got you. 2114 01:19:07,380 --> 01:19:12,485 - I just want to not miss the moments of them growing up. 2115 01:19:12,519 --> 01:19:14,287 To compete on "American Ninja Warrior" 2116 01:19:14,320 --> 01:19:17,524 is a full-time job in itself, the amount of training 2117 01:19:17,557 --> 01:19:20,560 needed, sacrifice needed. 2118 01:19:20,593 --> 01:19:24,464 I have experienced the closest of victories-- 2119 01:19:24,497 --> 01:19:25,465 Let's go! 2120 01:19:25,498 --> 01:19:29,269 - And Joe Moravsky does it! 2121 01:19:29,302 --> 01:19:30,270 - --the worst fails. 2122 01:19:30,303 --> 01:19:31,271 - No! 2123 01:19:31,304 --> 01:19:32,472 - Oh my gosh! 2124 01:19:32,505 --> 01:19:34,374 - No! 2125 01:19:34,407 --> 01:19:38,411 - And I've sacrificed more than anybody else, anybody. 2126 01:19:38,445 --> 01:19:40,380 So it's my time. 2127 01:19:40,413 --> 01:19:42,449 - Yeah, you got this! 2128 01:19:42,482 --> 01:19:44,384 - The kids are back home, but Joe's wife, 2129 01:19:44,417 --> 01:19:47,654 Stephanie, is here leading the cheers on the sideline. 2130 01:19:47,687 --> 01:19:49,889 [countdown clock beeping] 2131 01:19:49,923 --> 01:19:51,891 - Well, Joe's been close to winning it all, 2132 01:19:51,925 --> 01:19:54,828 last ninja standing twice in his career. 2133 01:19:54,861 --> 01:19:58,198 - Coming into this season hitting back-to-back buzzers 2134 01:19:58,231 --> 01:19:59,666 in the qualifying semis. 2135 01:19:59,699 --> 01:20:03,069 Many believe this could be Joe Moravsky's year. 2136 01:20:03,103 --> 01:20:05,805 Season 16, how sweet would it be? 2137 01:20:05,839 --> 01:20:09,275 - Just a remarkable record of consistency. 2138 01:20:09,309 --> 01:20:11,611 But never made that stage four climb, 2139 01:20:11,644 --> 01:20:14,481 and that has haunted him, and that's motivated 2140 01:20:14,514 --> 01:20:16,649 him to keep coming back. 2141 01:20:16,683 --> 01:20:18,018 You see him go to that switch grip 2142 01:20:18,051 --> 01:20:20,220 there, making it look effortless. 2143 01:20:20,253 --> 01:20:22,088 [cheers and applause] 2144 01:20:22,122 --> 01:20:23,523 - Let's go! 2145 01:20:23,556 --> 01:20:26,259 - He's seen teenagers who are half his age come in 2146 01:20:26,292 --> 01:20:27,694 and do very well. 2147 01:20:27,727 --> 01:20:30,196 But Joe's managed to keep pace with them. 2148 01:20:30,230 --> 01:20:35,568 - 35 years old with an incredible 32 buzzers. 2149 01:20:35,602 --> 01:20:37,971 [cheers and applause] 2150 01:20:38,004 --> 01:20:42,342 - Let's see if The Weatherman likes to gamble. 2151 01:20:42,375 --> 01:20:44,511 - More than any other obstacle, this one 2152 01:20:44,544 --> 01:20:46,379 can make you or break you. 2153 01:20:46,413 --> 01:20:49,683 It's easy to get hung up and lose a lot of time. 2154 01:20:49,716 --> 01:20:51,017 And there it is. 2155 01:20:51,051 --> 01:20:53,787 35 years old, this father of three really 2156 01:20:53,820 --> 01:20:56,022 showing that he still got it. 2157 01:20:56,056 --> 01:20:57,390 - Take your time. Come on. 2158 01:20:57,424 --> 01:20:58,658 - You can see him shaking his head there 2159 01:20:58,692 --> 01:21:00,860 getting a little hung up on that poker chip. 2160 01:21:00,894 --> 01:21:03,930 - Every second matters because how fast you finish 2161 01:21:03,963 --> 01:21:07,867 determines who you'll be racing against on stage two. 2162 01:21:07,901 --> 01:21:12,706 Dancing on the roulette wheel, got the Ace of Spades. 2163 01:21:12,739 --> 01:21:13,907 Controlling it. 2164 01:21:13,940 --> 01:21:17,477 And Joe Moravsky looking strong as ever. 2165 01:21:17,510 --> 01:21:19,913 [cheers and applause] 2166 01:21:19,946 --> 01:21:22,916 Akbar, he is a man on a mission. 2167 01:21:22,949 --> 01:21:24,317 - He's on a mission. 2168 01:21:24,351 --> 01:21:26,453 But the thing is, if he gets to stage two, 2169 01:21:26,486 --> 01:21:29,923 will he be able keep up with these young ninjas? 2170 01:21:29,956 --> 01:21:32,959 - Well, no one has hit more stage two buzzers than Joe. 2171 01:21:32,992 --> 01:21:34,194 And you know he'll be motivated. 2172 01:21:34,227 --> 01:21:35,195 [together] Go, Joe! 2173 01:21:35,228 --> 01:21:37,364 - About a minute left. 2174 01:21:37,397 --> 01:21:39,099 Real smooth and right into it. 2175 01:21:39,099 --> 01:21:40,333 - Ooh. - Oh, Akbar, he's conscious. 2176 01:21:40,367 --> 01:21:43,303 He wants to have a good matchup. 2177 01:21:43,336 --> 01:21:45,472 He wants to get this buzzer fast. 2178 01:21:45,505 --> 01:21:48,108 - Nice. Oh, he wants to make sure he gets it good seeding. 2179 01:21:48,108 --> 01:21:50,610 - Well, it is a loaded field, Akbar. 2180 01:21:50,643 --> 01:21:53,613 There are going to be no easy races on stage two. 2181 01:21:53,646 --> 01:21:56,449 [cheers and applause] 2182 01:21:56,483 --> 01:22:02,589 - And Joe Moravsky, a remarkable 33rd buzzer. 2183 01:22:02,622 --> 01:22:03,923 [buzzer blares] 2184 01:22:03,957 --> 01:22:07,060 - There we go again, baby. 2185 01:22:07,060 --> 01:22:11,398 - Joe Moravsky making it rain in Vegas. 2186 01:22:11,431 --> 01:22:13,366 [cheers and applause] 2187 01:22:13,400 --> 01:22:15,301 - Whoo! 2188 01:22:15,335 --> 01:22:17,303 Always feels good. 2189 01:22:17,337 --> 01:22:18,705 - Get over here, man. 2190 01:22:18,738 --> 01:22:21,574 Joe Moravsky, man, it's season 16. 2191 01:22:21,608 --> 01:22:22,842 Are we going to get a stage four out of you? 2192 01:22:22,876 --> 01:22:23,910 - Yeah. 2193 01:22:23,943 --> 01:22:24,978 This is the year, I'm telling you. 2194 01:22:25,078 --> 01:22:27,480 I got three down, three to go. 2195 01:22:27,514 --> 01:22:28,481 - All right. - I love it, Joe. 2196 01:22:28,515 --> 01:22:29,683 - All right. 2197 01:22:29,716 --> 01:22:31,584 - Listen, you've got 33 buzzers. 2198 01:22:31,618 --> 01:22:34,387 Every time you hit one, you break your own record. 2199 01:22:34,421 --> 01:22:36,156 You're going to stage two! 2200 01:22:36,189 --> 01:22:38,224 Hit the buzzer one more time! 2201 01:22:38,258 --> 01:22:41,094 - Let's go! 2202 01:22:41,094 --> 01:22:43,096 - What a way to end the night. 2203 01:22:43,096 --> 01:22:47,133 In all, we had 26 ninjas hit the buzzer on stage one, 2204 01:22:47,167 --> 01:22:49,336 so our matchups are set for next week's races 2205 01:22:49,369 --> 01:22:50,870 on stage two. 2206 01:22:50,904 --> 01:22:54,341 Our fastest finisher, Noah Meunier, is our top seed. 2207 01:22:54,374 --> 01:22:56,376 He'll be racing Joe Meissner. 2208 01:22:56,409 --> 01:22:58,712 Kaden Lebsack is the number two seed. 2209 01:22:58,745 --> 01:23:01,448 He'll have a tough matchup going against Sam Folsom. 2210 01:23:01,481 --> 01:23:04,384 New Jersey's Josiah Pippel will go head-to-head 2211 01:23:04,417 --> 01:23:07,220 against Cam "The Bomb" Baumgartner. 2212 01:23:07,253 --> 01:23:09,055 In a battle of "Ninja" veterans, 2213 01:23:09,055 --> 01:23:10,957 Austin Gray will face off against 2214 01:23:11,057 --> 01:23:12,459 James "The Beast" McGrath. 2215 01:23:12,492 --> 01:23:15,328 The five seed, Caleb Bergstrom, is up against 2216 01:23:15,362 --> 01:23:17,864 Colorado's Max Feinberg. 2217 01:23:17,897 --> 01:23:20,233 "Cat Daddy" Jackson Twait will try to hold 2218 01:23:20,266 --> 01:23:22,635 off teenager Cal Plohoros. 2219 01:23:22,669 --> 01:23:26,840 Speedster Kai Beckstrand faces the "Papal Ninja" Sean Bryan. 2220 01:23:26,873 --> 01:23:30,477 Kyle Soderman will try to outrun John Mack. 2221 01:23:30,510 --> 01:23:32,645 And a marquee matchup pits defending 2222 01:23:32,679 --> 01:23:37,083 champ Vance Walker against fan favorite Flip Rodriguez. 2223 01:23:37,083 --> 01:23:40,086 That run by Joe Moravsky makes him a ten seed. 2224 01:23:40,086 --> 01:23:42,756 He'll face Rhode Island's Kevin Rodriguez. 2225 01:23:42,789 --> 01:23:46,092 Nacssa Garemore is up against Luke Beckstrand. 2226 01:23:46,092 --> 01:23:48,561 "The Flyboy" Isaiah Thomas faces 2227 01:23:48,595 --> 01:23:51,197 a tough test against "The Boss" Elijah Browning. 2228 01:23:51,231 --> 01:23:53,199 And one of the best, Daniel Gil, 2229 01:23:53,233 --> 01:23:56,302 will be racing college student Colton Skuster. 2230 01:23:56,336 --> 01:23:59,439 - For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2231 01:23:59,472 --> 01:24:03,610 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior." 2232 01:24:03,643 --> 01:24:07,280 [dramatic music]