1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,473 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:06,506 --> 00:00:08,675 - The first two weeks of "American Ninja Warrior" 3 00:00:08,708 --> 00:00:10,910 have been unprecedented... 4 00:00:10,944 --> 00:00:12,579 They are the future of "Ninja Warrior," 5 00:00:12,612 --> 00:00:14,047 and the future is now. 6 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:15,348 And mind-blowing... 7 00:00:15,382 --> 00:00:16,549 - * Show me what you're made of * 8 00:00:16,583 --> 00:00:18,184 - I'm built different! 9 00:00:18,218 --> 00:00:20,553 - With teenagers shaking up the sport 10 00:00:20,587 --> 00:00:22,822 and dominating the leaderboards. 11 00:00:22,856 --> 00:00:25,992 A new era in "Ninja Warrior." - Come on! 12 00:00:26,026 --> 00:00:28,595 - And pushing some veterans to new heights. 13 00:00:28,628 --> 00:00:32,098 [cheering] 14 00:00:32,132 --> 00:00:35,001 The Weatherman delivers! 15 00:00:35,035 --> 00:00:37,203 With a loaded field of hotshot teens 16 00:00:37,237 --> 00:00:40,006 and "Ninja" superstars... 17 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,676 He did the [indistinct] in 360! 18 00:00:42,709 --> 00:00:45,712 - We're expecting more remarkable moments tonight. 19 00:00:47,380 --> 00:00:49,182 It's week three of qualifying 20 00:00:49,215 --> 00:00:51,551 on "American Ninja Warrior." 21 00:00:51,584 --> 00:00:53,219 Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining us. 22 00:00:53,253 --> 00:00:55,555 I'm Matt Iseman. - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 23 00:00:55,588 --> 00:00:57,490 Matt, the first two weeks have been 24 00:00:57,524 --> 00:00:59,959 some of the most shocking in "Ninja" history. 25 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:02,829 I can't wait for tonight. - Absolutely, big man. 26 00:01:02,862 --> 00:01:04,764 Now, the leaderboards so far this season 27 00:01:04,798 --> 00:01:07,801 have been dominated by teenage rookies. 28 00:01:07,834 --> 00:01:10,203 - But tonight, we've got some big-name veterans 29 00:01:10,236 --> 00:01:12,706 who are ready to show who's boss. 30 00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:14,240 - * I've got that, ooh, speed * 31 00:01:14,274 --> 00:01:16,743 - We've got the speed demon from Orlando, 32 00:01:16,776 --> 00:01:19,212 heavy metal rocker RJ Roman. 33 00:01:19,245 --> 00:01:21,514 - Yeah! 34 00:01:21,548 --> 00:01:23,483 - Along with "Ninja" legend, 35 00:01:23,516 --> 00:01:25,452 Ohio's Michelle Warnky Buurma. 36 00:01:25,485 --> 00:01:26,653 - Wow! 37 00:01:26,686 --> 00:01:28,521 - Plus, the dynamic duo, 38 00:01:28,555 --> 00:01:31,391 Hawaii's Island Ninja Grant McCartney... 39 00:01:31,424 --> 00:01:32,792 - Yeah! - Yeah! 40 00:01:32,826 --> 00:01:34,094 Yeah! 41 00:01:34,094 --> 00:01:35,562 - And the Eskimo Ninja, 42 00:01:35,595 --> 00:01:38,098 Alaska's Nick Hanson. 43 00:01:38,098 --> 00:01:39,232 - Yeah! 44 00:01:39,265 --> 00:01:41,735 - We've also got last year's top rookie, 45 00:01:41,768 --> 00:01:43,803 Vermont's Amir Malik. 46 00:01:43,837 --> 00:01:45,305 - What do you want?! 47 00:01:45,338 --> 00:01:46,473 - Oh, my! 48 00:01:46,506 --> 00:01:48,975 - He broke the buzzer! 49 00:01:49,009 --> 00:01:50,710 - The course our ninjas will face tonight 50 00:01:50,744 --> 00:01:53,279 is filled with new twists and new obstacles. 51 00:01:53,313 --> 00:01:55,482 For more on that, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 52 00:01:55,515 --> 00:01:58,184 - That's right. We've got two brand new obstacles, 53 00:01:58,218 --> 00:02:01,888 including this one, where our ninjas can catch some big air. 54 00:02:02,455 --> 00:02:03,757 Reach the fourth obstacle, 55 00:02:03,790 --> 00:02:05,692 and the competitors will have to fly 56 00:02:05,725 --> 00:02:08,895 with an upside-down snowboard on Air Surfer. 57 00:02:08,928 --> 00:02:10,430 - Oh! 58 00:02:10,463 --> 00:02:12,432 - And then, go right into Puzzle Twist, 59 00:02:12,465 --> 00:02:15,068 which may tie them up in knots. 60 00:02:15,068 --> 00:02:17,303 both: Oh! - Oh, my goodness! 61 00:02:17,337 --> 00:02:19,406 - And did I mention we've got 10Gs, 62 00:02:19,439 --> 00:02:22,075 if you can beat our 18-foot Mega Wall? 63 00:02:22,075 --> 00:02:24,344 So, good luck. Guys? 64 00:02:24,377 --> 00:02:27,380 - Well, we're gonna start off with a real showman. 65 00:02:27,414 --> 00:02:29,282 All the way from Puerto Rico, 66 00:02:29,315 --> 00:02:31,151 this is Hector Gomez, 67 00:02:31,184 --> 00:02:32,952 a professional wrestler known as 68 00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:35,722 Hector Perfecto. 69 00:02:35,755 --> 00:02:37,223 He's pulling out the mirror. 70 00:02:37,257 --> 00:02:39,359 Getting a good look. - Perfecto. 71 00:02:39,392 --> 00:02:42,996 - And as you can see, he is his own biggest fan. 72 00:02:43,096 --> 00:02:44,497 [both grunt] 73 00:02:44,531 --> 00:02:46,933 - I'm smart. [overlapping chatter] 74 00:02:46,966 --> 00:02:48,401 I'm handsome. 75 00:02:48,435 --> 00:02:49,869 [yells] 76 00:02:49,903 --> 00:02:51,705 I'm the best there is. 77 00:02:51,738 --> 00:02:54,607 My name is Hector Perfecto. 78 00:02:54,641 --> 00:02:57,677 [lively Latin music] 79 00:03:01,648 --> 00:03:02,949 I was 14 years old 80 00:03:03,049 --> 00:03:05,051 when I started in professional wrestling. 81 00:03:06,319 --> 00:03:07,687 When I first started wrestling, 82 00:03:07,721 --> 00:03:09,923 my mom was really supportive. 83 00:03:09,956 --> 00:03:11,758 She took me to every show. 84 00:03:11,791 --> 00:03:14,127 She was also my manager. 85 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,529 And I owe everything to Arlene Delgado. 86 00:03:17,931 --> 00:03:20,166 I think my speed, from wrestling, 87 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,469 my grip, and agility 88 00:03:22,502 --> 00:03:25,372 are definitely gonna help me tonight on the "Ninja" course. 89 00:03:25,405 --> 00:03:28,375 * * 90 00:03:28,408 --> 00:03:30,777 I don't think "American Ninja Warrior" 91 00:03:30,810 --> 00:03:34,180 has ever seen anybody like Hector Perfecto. 92 00:03:34,214 --> 00:03:37,550 * * 93 00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:41,354 - I don't know if we're gonna call his run 94 00:03:41,388 --> 00:03:44,391 or just enjoy the view in these mirrors. 95 00:03:44,424 --> 00:03:46,893 Well, enjoying the view from back in Puerto Rico, 96 00:03:46,926 --> 00:03:50,330 that's his mom and manager, Arlene, and two uncles. 97 00:03:50,363 --> 00:03:51,631 [cheering] 98 00:03:51,664 --> 00:03:53,667 - Hey, he is an entertainer, for sure. 99 00:03:53,700 --> 00:03:55,001 - [cheering] Perfecto! 100 00:03:55,101 --> 00:03:56,169 - Some of his ninja friends 101 00:03:56,202 --> 00:03:58,705 cheering down on the sideline. 102 00:03:58,738 --> 00:04:00,640 - Let's go, Hector! 103 00:04:00,674 --> 00:04:01,808 - You can do it! 104 00:04:01,841 --> 00:04:03,777 [countdown clock beeping] 105 00:04:03,810 --> 00:04:05,045 - Perfecto! 106 00:04:05,045 --> 00:04:06,780 - He's doing it in his wrestling trunks. 107 00:04:06,813 --> 00:04:09,049 This is amazing. 108 00:04:09,049 --> 00:04:11,651 - Whoo! 109 00:04:11,685 --> 00:04:14,354 - [chuckles] Look at him, already taunting the course. 110 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:16,856 He is such a showman, Matt. 111 00:04:16,890 --> 00:04:18,425 - Let's go, Hector! - You got this, Hector! 112 00:04:18,458 --> 00:04:20,760 - But now it's the second obstacle, Overpass. 113 00:04:20,794 --> 00:04:23,096 That bar above him will start to roll. 114 00:04:23,129 --> 00:04:25,065 Wants to grab it as it slides by. 115 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:27,967 Look at that, Akbar! - Nice. 116 00:04:28,068 --> 00:04:29,836 - Good timing from the top rope. 117 00:04:29,869 --> 00:04:33,139 This guy knows how to fly, Akbar. 118 00:04:33,173 --> 00:04:35,175 - Yeah, there it is. There it is. 119 00:04:35,208 --> 00:04:36,476 both: Yeah! - Makes the grab. 120 00:04:36,509 --> 00:04:38,678 Now has to slide it to the dismount. 121 00:04:41,381 --> 00:04:42,716 And he's through. 122 00:04:42,749 --> 00:04:45,085 No problem with his first two opponents. 123 00:04:45,085 --> 00:04:47,787 [cheering] 124 00:04:47,821 --> 00:04:49,989 - Look! Perfecto! 125 00:04:51,124 --> 00:04:54,594 - I like it, he's blowing kisses to his hype woman. 126 00:04:54,627 --> 00:04:56,262 - Now Split Decision. 127 00:04:56,296 --> 00:04:58,765 His choices are Spinning Log or Domino Effect. 128 00:04:58,798 --> 00:05:00,133 [coin chimes] 129 00:05:00,166 --> 00:05:03,136 - He's flipping a coin, and it's Domino Effect. 130 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:07,907 - All right, now, this is gonna be equivalent 131 00:05:07,941 --> 00:05:10,377 to running on top of the turnbuckles. 132 00:05:11,478 --> 00:05:13,079 All right, get on top of them turnbuckles. 133 00:05:13,113 --> 00:05:14,247 - Oh! - No! Body slam! 134 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:16,416 - Oh! - But he saved it! 135 00:05:16,449 --> 00:05:18,852 It looked like he was gonna tap out, 136 00:05:18,885 --> 00:05:20,687 but Hector Perfecto... 137 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:22,188 - Oh, perfect! 138 00:05:22,222 --> 00:05:24,524 - Just when you think he's done. 139 00:05:24,557 --> 00:05:26,059 All right, let's check out this replay, 140 00:05:26,059 --> 00:05:27,260 because that was pretty close. 141 00:05:27,293 --> 00:05:28,962 He fell on the last domino, 142 00:05:29,062 --> 00:05:31,231 but he kept his feet out of the water, 143 00:05:31,264 --> 00:05:32,732 climbed to safety, lookit, 144 00:05:32,766 --> 00:05:35,101 and then celebrated like a true champion. 145 00:05:35,135 --> 00:05:37,070 - More than just a pretty face, 146 00:05:37,103 --> 00:05:39,973 Hector Perfecto's showing he's a pretty good ninja. 147 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:42,776 Now facing the fourth obstacle, Air Surfer. 148 00:05:42,809 --> 00:05:44,177 Got to hold on to the snowboard 149 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:46,813 as you jump it across those landing pads. 150 00:05:46,846 --> 00:05:49,683 The top 30 from tonight will move on to the semifinals. 151 00:05:49,716 --> 00:05:51,484 If he can get past this obstacle, 152 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:52,952 he'll have a good shot at it. 153 00:05:52,986 --> 00:05:55,321 - He only weighs 135 pounds. 154 00:05:55,355 --> 00:05:57,223 Should be able to fly easily. 155 00:05:57,257 --> 00:05:58,992 Nice. He's bringing it. 156 00:05:59,092 --> 00:06:03,029 - Hector Perfecto representing for all of Puerto Rico. 157 00:06:04,898 --> 00:06:07,300 Good placement. Great control. 158 00:06:07,334 --> 00:06:09,035 But this is the biggest gap. 159 00:06:09,035 --> 00:06:11,037 4 feet to the next pad. 160 00:06:12,605 --> 00:06:14,074 - Ooh! 161 00:06:14,107 --> 00:06:16,142 - Body slammed on the Air Surfer. 162 00:06:16,176 --> 00:06:19,079 - Drop kicked him! - Not perfecto! 163 00:06:19,112 --> 00:06:21,514 - He didn't have great technique on this. 164 00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:23,083 The board was way behind him, 165 00:06:23,116 --> 00:06:25,785 and he came up short on that fourth pad. 166 00:06:25,819 --> 00:06:27,921 One! Two! Three! 167 00:06:27,954 --> 00:06:29,155 And you're out! 168 00:06:29,189 --> 00:06:31,558 - But you know what, he still looks good. 169 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:35,495 Well, it's an Olympic year, 170 00:06:35,528 --> 00:06:37,230 and we've got lots of Olympians 171 00:06:37,263 --> 00:06:38,965 taking on course this season, 172 00:06:39,065 --> 00:06:40,800 including our next athlete. 173 00:06:40,834 --> 00:06:43,703 This is former speedskater KC Boutiette, 174 00:06:43,737 --> 00:06:46,973 one of our oldest competitors, at 50 years old. 175 00:06:47,073 --> 00:06:49,909 As you can see, he's still got some moves. 176 00:06:49,943 --> 00:06:51,544 [cheering] - Let's go! 177 00:06:51,578 --> 00:06:53,446 - Boutiette represented Team USA 178 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,883 in four different Winter Games, starting in 1994. 179 00:06:56,916 --> 00:06:58,718 And one of his teammates from that year 180 00:06:58,752 --> 00:07:00,020 is gonna be cheering him on. 181 00:07:00,020 --> 00:07:01,021 - Come on, Bootie. 182 00:07:01,021 --> 00:07:02,622 - It's the Olympic legend, 183 00:07:02,655 --> 00:07:06,059 the woman with five gold medals, Bonnie Blair. 184 00:07:06,092 --> 00:07:07,494 She's watching with her husband, 185 00:07:07,527 --> 00:07:10,063 another speed skater, Dave Cruikshank. 186 00:07:10,096 --> 00:07:13,133 And another skating great, gold medalist Derek Parra, 187 00:07:13,166 --> 00:07:15,101 is also supporting KC. 188 00:07:15,135 --> 00:07:17,137 And, oh, yeah, KC's wife and three kids 189 00:07:17,170 --> 00:07:18,371 will be cheering as well. 190 00:07:18,405 --> 00:07:20,473 - You got this. Whoo! 191 00:07:20,507 --> 00:07:21,875 - Let's go! 192 00:07:21,908 --> 00:07:23,543 Come on, KC! - Come on, KC. 193 00:07:23,576 --> 00:07:25,645 - KC's well-known in the "Ninja" community 194 00:07:25,679 --> 00:07:27,881 for creating custom "Ninja" shoes. 195 00:07:27,914 --> 00:07:30,216 Made a pair for his buddy, Adam Rayl, who's watching, 196 00:07:30,250 --> 00:07:33,420 along with Jake Murray, who trains with KC in Colorado. 197 00:07:33,453 --> 00:07:35,755 - He has got an all-star cheering section, 198 00:07:35,789 --> 00:07:38,058 Olympic greats and "Ninja" greats. 199 00:07:38,058 --> 00:07:39,893 - He actually grew up here in Tacoma, 200 00:07:39,926 --> 00:07:41,528 now lives in Colorado, 201 00:07:41,561 --> 00:07:43,496 trying to skate through Overpass. 202 00:07:43,530 --> 00:07:45,065 - Good. He skated competitively 203 00:07:45,065 --> 00:07:46,566 until he was 48 years old. 204 00:07:46,599 --> 00:07:48,068 He's like-- that's like Tom Brady, 205 00:07:48,068 --> 00:07:49,769 and what Tom Brady has done. 206 00:07:49,803 --> 00:07:50,804 Tom Brady would be proud. 207 00:07:50,837 --> 00:07:53,506 [cheering] 208 00:07:53,540 --> 00:07:56,409 - Boutiette looking to show, as this youth invasion comes, 209 00:07:56,443 --> 00:08:00,213 there's still something to be said for old age and wisdom. 210 00:08:00,246 --> 00:08:03,016 - Yeah! There we go. There we go. 211 00:08:03,016 --> 00:08:05,185 - Whoo! Good job. 212 00:08:05,218 --> 00:08:07,921 - He's at Split Decision, and he's made his decision. 213 00:08:08,021 --> 00:08:09,723 He's going with Domino Effect. 214 00:08:09,756 --> 00:08:12,025 - Get your breath in, man. Take your time here. 215 00:08:12,058 --> 00:08:13,893 - Grant McCartney offering advice. 216 00:08:13,927 --> 00:08:15,829 Everybody knows KC. 217 00:08:15,862 --> 00:08:18,498 - You would think the skater should have good balance. 218 00:08:18,531 --> 00:08:20,266 - There you go! Yeah! - Oh! 219 00:08:20,300 --> 00:08:22,736 - Hard fall, but stays alive. - He's good. He's good. 220 00:08:22,769 --> 00:08:24,537 - Boutiette. 221 00:08:24,571 --> 00:08:25,772 Boo-yah! 222 00:08:25,805 --> 00:08:27,240 - Yeah, that's his catch phrase, Matt. 223 00:08:27,273 --> 00:08:28,742 Team Boo-yah. 224 00:08:28,775 --> 00:08:30,243 - Attaboy! - Boo-yah! Let's go! 225 00:08:30,276 --> 00:08:31,578 - There you go. - Let's go! 226 00:08:31,611 --> 00:08:33,113 - The Winter Olympian should be familiar 227 00:08:33,146 --> 00:08:34,514 with a snowboard. 228 00:08:34,547 --> 00:08:36,316 Let's see if he can handle an upside-down one 229 00:08:36,349 --> 00:08:37,317 on Air Surfer. 230 00:08:37,350 --> 00:08:38,618 - Good stuff. Good control. 231 00:08:38,651 --> 00:08:40,053 - Perfect. Perfect. 232 00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:42,188 - Real precise here. Focused in. 233 00:08:42,222 --> 00:08:43,723 - Watch out. Hold that. Wait. 234 00:08:43,757 --> 00:08:45,125 See, now that's great technique. 235 00:08:45,158 --> 00:08:46,493 You see how he came in compact? 236 00:08:46,526 --> 00:08:48,361 That kind of takes a little bit of the weight off. 237 00:08:48,395 --> 00:08:49,929 - Over that front left side. 238 00:08:49,963 --> 00:08:51,831 Good correction. - Oh, my God. 239 00:08:51,865 --> 00:08:54,300 - It allows you to absorb it using all the muscles 240 00:08:54,334 --> 00:08:57,170 rather than testing the grip. - Stay in line here. Nice. 241 00:08:57,203 --> 00:08:58,838 - Little hops. Little. Yeah. 242 00:08:58,872 --> 00:09:02,842 - Boutiette going for the dismount here. 243 00:09:02,876 --> 00:09:04,844 - [grunts] - There it is! 244 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:07,514 - You heard that grown-man grunt. 245 00:09:07,547 --> 00:09:09,883 - 50 years old, and he has made it 246 00:09:09,916 --> 00:09:12,452 to the fifth obstacle, Pretzel Twist. 247 00:09:12,485 --> 00:09:13,920 - This might be a little bit of a grind, 248 00:09:14,020 --> 00:09:16,156 so set your mind to it now. You're gonna make it. 249 00:09:16,189 --> 00:09:19,559 - This one is salty, Matt. 250 00:09:19,592 --> 00:09:22,028 - He's got to twist those pretzels off the hook, 251 00:09:22,062 --> 00:09:23,563 like that. 252 00:09:23,596 --> 00:09:26,132 Now has to lock it in and reach the second pretzel. 253 00:09:26,166 --> 00:09:29,369 He's going reverse now, to try to lock it in. Perfect. 254 00:09:29,402 --> 00:09:31,338 - Nice. But that's a great technique. You know why? 255 00:09:31,371 --> 00:09:34,374 Because he can control that backswing with his biceps. 256 00:09:34,407 --> 00:09:36,643 - And it's making his transfer a little easier too. 257 00:09:36,676 --> 00:09:38,712 - Yeah, that's right, Matt. It's the more efficient way 258 00:09:38,745 --> 00:09:40,180 to go about it. And the same thing here. 259 00:09:40,213 --> 00:09:42,782 - Ooh. That right hand barely hanging on. 260 00:09:42,816 --> 00:09:44,918 - If he gets backwards here, that's the best way to do it, 261 00:09:44,951 --> 00:09:46,453 so he doesn't peel off. 262 00:09:46,486 --> 00:09:48,054 - Now, you have to kip up, 263 00:09:48,088 --> 00:09:50,156 try to create a weightless moment to unhook it. 264 00:09:50,190 --> 00:09:51,524 He's trying to twist it off 265 00:09:51,558 --> 00:09:54,060 so he can swing over to that final pretzel. 266 00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:56,196 - Come on. You can do it, KC You can do it. 267 00:09:56,229 --> 00:09:58,565 - He's got to get that left hand up in the middle. 268 00:09:58,598 --> 00:09:59,666 - Bigger swing. 269 00:09:59,699 --> 00:10:00,967 - No! - Ooh. 270 00:10:01,001 --> 00:10:02,235 all: Oh! 271 00:10:02,268 --> 00:10:04,771 - Can't finish the fifth obstacle, 272 00:10:04,804 --> 00:10:07,540 but an awesome run by the 50-year-old Olympian, 273 00:10:07,574 --> 00:10:08,842 KC Boutiette. 274 00:10:08,875 --> 00:10:10,977 - That was a great grind. That was a great grind. 275 00:10:11,011 --> 00:10:13,079 - And of course, don't forget the Summer Olympics 276 00:10:13,113 --> 00:10:16,182 start July 23, right here on NBC. 277 00:10:18,118 --> 00:10:19,552 Tonight, 278 00:10:19,586 --> 00:10:21,588 it's gonna be a wild ride... 279 00:10:21,621 --> 00:10:24,424 - Take it up the Mega Wall. 280 00:10:24,457 --> 00:10:25,792 both: Oh! 281 00:10:25,825 --> 00:10:27,894 - With fantastic finishes... 282 00:10:27,927 --> 00:10:29,629 - You were walking in the air. 283 00:10:31,197 --> 00:10:33,667 - And heartbreaking falls. 284 00:10:33,700 --> 00:10:35,568 We've got "Ninja" favorites... 285 00:10:35,602 --> 00:10:36,803 - That's what I'm talking about. 286 00:10:36,836 --> 00:10:38,538 - And hotshot rookies, 287 00:10:38,571 --> 00:10:41,574 like "Ninja Junior" champion Vance Walker. 288 00:10:41,608 --> 00:10:43,109 Who's gonna be top gun? 289 00:10:43,143 --> 00:10:45,211 all: Hoo-rah! 290 00:10:45,245 --> 00:10:46,613 - We'll shake it up... 291 00:10:46,646 --> 00:10:48,448 - * One, two, Rochambeau * 292 00:10:48,481 --> 00:10:49,949 - And hop to it. 293 00:10:49,983 --> 00:10:51,785 [frog ribbits] 294 00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:53,820 'Cause we're so money, 295 00:10:53,853 --> 00:10:56,923 on "American Ninja Warrior." 296 00:10:56,956 --> 00:10:58,658 - Can I have this briefcase of money? 297 00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:07,600 - Oh, my. 298 00:11:07,634 --> 00:11:09,569 - Whoo! 299 00:11:09,602 --> 00:11:12,072 - Moments ago, freestyle motocross rider 300 00:11:12,105 --> 00:11:15,775 Zach DiPaolo burned some rubber on his way to the start line. 301 00:11:15,809 --> 00:11:17,977 - Now, that right there is an entrance. 302 00:11:18,078 --> 00:11:19,579 - Once the helmet came off, 303 00:11:19,612 --> 00:11:22,082 the adrenaline junky from Richmond, Virginia 304 00:11:22,082 --> 00:11:24,484 kept the excitement going. 305 00:11:24,517 --> 00:11:27,253 This daredevil performs in motorcycle stunt shows 306 00:11:27,287 --> 00:11:28,388 around the world, 307 00:11:28,421 --> 00:11:30,857 jumping 90 feet in the air. 308 00:11:30,890 --> 00:11:34,094 But he couldn't land the nine-foot jump on Overpass. 309 00:11:34,094 --> 00:11:35,362 - Oh. [buzzer blares] 310 00:11:35,395 --> 00:11:37,130 - That was a short ride. 311 00:11:37,163 --> 00:11:40,100 Competitive salsa dancer Rochambeau Dolcine 312 00:11:40,133 --> 00:11:42,102 had everyone shaking it up. 313 00:11:42,135 --> 00:11:43,803 - * One, two, Rochambeau * 314 00:11:43,837 --> 00:11:45,905 - The dancer from Sunrise, Florida used 315 00:11:45,939 --> 00:11:48,875 some of his impressive moves to survive Domino Effect. 316 00:11:48,908 --> 00:11:50,443 - Is he safe? I think he's safe. 317 00:11:50,477 --> 00:11:52,178 - Yes. Fancy footwork. 318 00:11:52,212 --> 00:11:54,347 - He tried to get back into the swing of things 319 00:11:54,381 --> 00:11:57,350 on Air Surfer, but then hit a wall. 320 00:11:57,384 --> 00:11:58,651 Literally. [buzzer blares] 321 00:11:58,685 --> 00:11:59,953 - No! 322 00:12:00,053 --> 00:12:02,389 - I think Zuri's still dancing down there. 323 00:12:02,422 --> 00:12:05,091 - * This is not the salsa, but I like it * 324 00:12:05,125 --> 00:12:06,826 - Well, we're gonna keep the party going 325 00:12:06,860 --> 00:12:08,361 with our next competitor. 326 00:12:08,395 --> 00:12:11,498 This is fun-loving elementary school music teacher 327 00:12:11,531 --> 00:12:12,832 Megan Budway. 328 00:12:12,866 --> 00:12:16,436 [flute toots] 329 00:12:16,469 --> 00:12:19,506 The 26-year-old from Holly Springs, North Carolina 330 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:21,441 plays a mean recorder, 331 00:12:21,474 --> 00:12:24,744 but wait until you hear her sing. 332 00:12:24,778 --> 00:12:27,947 - [operatic singing] 333 00:12:27,981 --> 00:12:29,716 I am a classically-trained singer, 334 00:12:29,749 --> 00:12:31,351 so I sing a lot of opera. 335 00:12:31,384 --> 00:12:32,886 I have a really big vocal range. 336 00:12:32,919 --> 00:12:36,656 [operatic singing] 337 00:12:36,690 --> 00:12:37,791 And typically in operas, 338 00:12:37,824 --> 00:12:40,460 I sing the really, really high notes. 339 00:12:40,493 --> 00:12:41,594 All right, second-graders, 340 00:12:41,628 --> 00:12:42,796 so your activity this week-- 341 00:12:42,829 --> 00:12:44,130 you're gonna find something 342 00:12:44,164 --> 00:12:45,765 in your house to use as a drum. 343 00:12:45,799 --> 00:12:47,167 You can use anything, 344 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:48,935 with your parents' permission. 345 00:12:48,968 --> 00:12:52,539 [drumming] 346 00:12:52,572 --> 00:12:55,475 I like especially teaching the younger students, 347 00:12:55,508 --> 00:12:57,110 because in elementary school, 348 00:12:57,110 --> 00:12:59,846 it's when they're first discovering music. 349 00:13:01,281 --> 00:13:03,683 My students are so excited 350 00:13:03,717 --> 00:13:06,086 about me being on "American Ninja Warrior." 351 00:13:06,119 --> 00:13:08,288 I've always told them, like, you gotta set your goal, 352 00:13:08,321 --> 00:13:09,622 set your to heart to something, 353 00:13:09,656 --> 00:13:11,358 and you can achieve it, and when I told them 354 00:13:11,391 --> 00:13:13,593 that I made it this year, they were like, 355 00:13:13,626 --> 00:13:16,062 "You said you were gonna do the thing, and you did it!" 356 00:13:16,062 --> 00:13:20,200 I'm gonna hit all the high notes on the course tonight. 357 00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:21,401 [cheering] Whoo! 358 00:13:21,434 --> 00:13:23,370 - She's got some energy, doesn't she? 359 00:13:23,403 --> 00:13:25,705 - Yeah, big man, she's also got plenty of support. 360 00:13:25,739 --> 00:13:27,540 There's her husband and her in-laws 361 00:13:27,574 --> 00:13:28,942 back in North Carolina, 362 00:13:28,975 --> 00:13:30,977 as well as a couple of her students. 363 00:13:31,077 --> 00:13:33,279 And on the sidelines... - Let's go, Megan! 364 00:13:33,313 --> 00:13:34,514 - The ninja she trains with, 365 00:13:34,547 --> 00:13:36,850 Devin Harrelson, AKA Dougie Fresh. 366 00:13:36,883 --> 00:13:39,486 - Play a tune! - Course is all you! 367 00:13:39,519 --> 00:13:41,454 - Come on, Megan! 368 00:13:41,488 --> 00:13:43,690 - I loved my elementary school music teacher, 369 00:13:43,723 --> 00:13:46,426 Ruthanne Steele, Mrs. Steele, but I don't think 370 00:13:46,459 --> 00:13:49,562 she would have competed on "Ninja Warrior." 371 00:13:49,596 --> 00:13:51,331 - Megan Budway representing 372 00:13:51,364 --> 00:13:52,565 for all those teachers out there 373 00:13:52,599 --> 00:13:54,134 who make a difference. 374 00:13:54,167 --> 00:13:55,769 - Get the ball rolling! Come on! 375 00:13:55,802 --> 00:13:57,270 - Let's go. Commit. Trust yourself. 376 00:13:57,303 --> 00:13:59,205 - Power lifter in college. 377 00:13:59,239 --> 00:14:01,508 - Come on, you gotta commit to it. Come on. 378 00:14:01,541 --> 00:14:03,410 - Gotta find the rhythm here, Akbar. 379 00:14:03,443 --> 00:14:06,046 - Wow, that was real smooth. 380 00:14:06,079 --> 00:14:08,415 - And you can imagine, her students are gonna be saying, 381 00:14:08,448 --> 00:14:10,050 "Yeah, that's my teacher." 382 00:14:10,050 --> 00:14:12,285 Mrs. Budway showing the way. 383 00:14:12,318 --> 00:14:14,087 She's good at music, and now she can say, 384 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:15,488 "I'm good at 'Ninja.'" 385 00:14:15,522 --> 00:14:18,291 - Get there, Megan. Yeah. 386 00:14:18,324 --> 00:14:19,959 - Now, it's Split Decision. 387 00:14:20,060 --> 00:14:23,763 She's asking her family and friends for advice. 388 00:14:23,797 --> 00:14:26,733 - All right, looks like she's going with Domino Effect. 389 00:14:26,766 --> 00:14:28,068 - You got this. - All right, girl. 390 00:14:28,068 --> 00:14:29,502 Remember, fast feet. Let's go. 391 00:14:29,536 --> 00:14:30,970 - Here we go. Nice athleticism. 392 00:14:31,071 --> 00:14:32,339 - Right through Domino Effect! 393 00:14:32,372 --> 00:14:34,074 - Let's go! 394 00:14:34,074 --> 00:14:36,076 Let's go! - Look at this! 395 00:14:36,076 --> 00:14:38,378 - I'ma tell you right now, Mrs. Budway's making 396 00:14:38,411 --> 00:14:41,381 a very good case to not only become a music teacher, 397 00:14:41,414 --> 00:14:42,716 but a PE teacher. 398 00:14:42,749 --> 00:14:45,085 She is putting on a physical education. 399 00:14:45,118 --> 00:14:46,586 [cheering] 400 00:14:46,619 --> 00:14:48,254 - This is impressive. 401 00:14:48,288 --> 00:14:50,490 The music teacher, a rookie, 402 00:14:50,523 --> 00:14:53,426 now taking on the fourth obstacle, Air Surfer. 403 00:14:53,460 --> 00:14:55,528 - And check this, these are small landing pads. 404 00:14:55,562 --> 00:14:58,365 So you've got to be careful. 405 00:14:58,398 --> 00:14:59,733 - Oh! - Come on, Megan. 406 00:14:59,766 --> 00:15:01,901 - And look at left side of that surfboard there. 407 00:15:01,935 --> 00:15:04,037 - Watch that. Yep. Relax a little bit. 408 00:15:04,037 --> 00:15:05,505 You got it. - Little uneven, Akbar. 409 00:15:05,538 --> 00:15:07,040 Watch the placement here. - Watch out. 410 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:08,708 It's a little uneven. Remember, margin of error 411 00:15:08,742 --> 00:15:11,144 is thin on that smaller platform. 412 00:15:11,177 --> 00:15:12,612 - Do not hit a wrong note here. 413 00:15:12,645 --> 00:15:13,813 - No! - Oh! 414 00:15:13,847 --> 00:15:15,048 [buzzer blares] 415 00:15:15,081 --> 00:15:17,350 Well, she comes up short on Air Surfer. 416 00:15:17,384 --> 00:15:21,454 But a good run for the music teacher, Mrs. Budway. 417 00:15:21,488 --> 00:15:23,723 - You can see why her kids love her. 418 00:15:23,757 --> 00:15:25,325 Great energy on the course, 419 00:15:25,358 --> 00:15:29,262 but she just didn't get enough distance on Air Surfer. 420 00:15:32,499 --> 00:15:34,334 - But that was so much fun! Oh, my gosh! 421 00:15:34,367 --> 00:15:36,102 I can't believe I'm here. 422 00:15:36,136 --> 00:15:37,570 Thank you, guys. 423 00:15:37,604 --> 00:15:39,706 - Up next, an old friend. 424 00:15:39,739 --> 00:15:42,809 This is Illinois firefighter Brandon Mears. 425 00:15:42,842 --> 00:15:46,246 He's a nine-time veteran who's had success on the course, 426 00:15:46,279 --> 00:15:47,681 but the past few years, 427 00:15:47,714 --> 00:15:50,750 he's been tormented by balance obstacles. 428 00:15:50,784 --> 00:15:53,453 In 2017, it was the Broken Pipes. 429 00:15:53,486 --> 00:15:55,622 - Oh, no! 430 00:15:55,655 --> 00:15:56,990 - Come on! 431 00:15:57,090 --> 00:15:59,859 - In 2018, it was Block Run. 432 00:15:59,893 --> 00:16:01,661 - No! Oh! Oh! Oh! 433 00:16:01,695 --> 00:16:03,063 - No! 434 00:16:03,096 --> 00:16:06,366 In 2019, it was Diving Boards. 435 00:16:06,399 --> 00:16:08,535 - Can he hold on? - No! 436 00:16:08,568 --> 00:16:11,771 Last year, on Spinning Bridge, it happened again. 437 00:16:11,805 --> 00:16:14,174 No! No, no, no! 438 00:16:15,909 --> 00:16:18,144 He's tried all kinds of training methods 439 00:16:18,178 --> 00:16:19,512 to change his luck. 440 00:16:19,546 --> 00:16:21,381 And he'll face another balance test tonight 441 00:16:21,414 --> 00:16:23,049 at Split Decision. 442 00:16:23,049 --> 00:16:26,519 - If I end up making the wrong decision on Split Decision, 443 00:16:26,553 --> 00:16:28,154 it's definitely gonna haunt me, 444 00:16:28,188 --> 00:16:32,058 and I'm gonna really have to think about things after that. 445 00:16:32,092 --> 00:16:34,260 - And Matt, it's really been frustrating for him. 446 00:16:34,294 --> 00:16:36,896 He wants to put balance problems behind him tonight. 447 00:16:36,930 --> 00:16:39,599 - Well, there are the folks who love him no matter what, 448 00:16:39,632 --> 00:16:42,068 his wife, two kids, parents, and grandma, 449 00:16:42,068 --> 00:16:43,570 all back in Illinois. 450 00:16:43,603 --> 00:16:45,372 And on the sidelines, fellow firefighter 451 00:16:45,405 --> 00:16:48,274 and partner in the Towers of Power, Dan Polizzi. 452 00:16:48,308 --> 00:16:50,210 - Let's go, Big Tower! 453 00:16:50,243 --> 00:16:51,444 - Go, Brandon. 454 00:16:51,478 --> 00:16:53,079 [countdown clock beeping] 455 00:16:53,079 --> 00:16:54,514 - Well, he's standing at 6'5", 456 00:16:54,547 --> 00:16:56,082 one of our tallest competitors. 457 00:16:56,116 --> 00:16:59,452 That's why he and Dan Polizzi are the Towers of Power. 458 00:16:59,486 --> 00:17:01,254 - Well, I kind of feel like we're a tower-- 459 00:17:01,287 --> 00:17:03,256 we're towers of power too. - Right? 460 00:17:03,923 --> 00:17:05,558 - You've got this, Brandon. 461 00:17:05,592 --> 00:17:08,595 - See, his timing here. Long wingspan. 462 00:17:08,628 --> 00:17:10,030 - Nice. - Perfect. 463 00:17:10,030 --> 00:17:11,398 Great upper body strength. 464 00:17:11,431 --> 00:17:13,166 Should have no problem with this one. 465 00:17:13,199 --> 00:17:16,603 But he's already thinking about that balance obstacle. 466 00:17:16,636 --> 00:17:18,872 - Oh, boy. You can see a little struggle there. 467 00:17:18,905 --> 00:17:20,573 But he's got it. 468 00:17:20,607 --> 00:17:22,542 Matt, this is it. This is the moment of truth. 469 00:17:22,575 --> 00:17:25,912 - Looking to the family. Which way should he go? 470 00:17:25,945 --> 00:17:27,347 - Ashton. 471 00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:29,549 - Asking his son for advice. 472 00:17:29,582 --> 00:17:31,618 - Pipe, right? Go for the pipe? 473 00:17:31,651 --> 00:17:33,219 - He's 185. 474 00:17:33,253 --> 00:17:35,889 I think the heavier athletes, those dominoes will shift. 475 00:17:35,922 --> 00:17:38,191 You're proportional. You weigh more than those dominoes do. 476 00:17:38,224 --> 00:17:40,727 I think the Spinning Log is a good choice for Mears. 477 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,196 - But it's very similar to an obstacle he fell on 478 00:17:43,229 --> 00:17:44,397 four years ago. 479 00:17:44,431 --> 00:17:46,299 - Everyone holding their breath. 480 00:17:46,332 --> 00:17:49,069 They know how badly he wants to get through this. 481 00:17:49,069 --> 00:17:51,271 - Do it all the time. Do it now. 482 00:17:51,304 --> 00:17:53,073 It's fine. Ashton's gonna help. 483 00:17:53,073 --> 00:17:54,274 - He's gotta get out of his head. 484 00:17:54,307 --> 00:17:55,775 He can't think about his past failures. 485 00:17:55,809 --> 00:17:57,977 He's gotta have his mind focused on future success. 486 00:17:58,078 --> 00:17:59,679 - No! 487 00:17:59,713 --> 00:18:02,015 Not again! - Oh, man! 488 00:18:02,015 --> 00:18:05,685 - The tower brought down by the Spinning Log. 489 00:18:05,719 --> 00:18:09,356 And he cannot believe it has happened. Again. 490 00:18:09,389 --> 00:18:10,690 - Wow. 491 00:18:10,724 --> 00:18:13,159 - You almost had it. 492 00:18:13,193 --> 00:18:15,095 - Matt, that was mental. That wasn't physical. 493 00:18:15,128 --> 00:18:17,864 It was mental, for Brandon Mears. 494 00:18:17,897 --> 00:18:19,232 Watch his second step. 495 00:18:19,265 --> 00:18:21,601 His foot's already on the side of the log. 496 00:18:21,634 --> 00:18:24,270 And by the third step, he's way off. 497 00:18:24,304 --> 00:18:27,574 No way to recover, and it's another nightmare ending 498 00:18:27,607 --> 00:18:30,210 on a balance obstacle for Brandon. 499 00:18:30,243 --> 00:18:32,479 Let's go down to Zuri. 500 00:18:32,512 --> 00:18:35,415 - Brandon, how you feeling right now? 501 00:18:35,448 --> 00:18:37,317 - I feel really let down. 502 00:18:37,350 --> 00:18:39,052 It's--I love this sport so much. 503 00:18:39,052 --> 00:18:41,621 And I'm a little emotional, because I just, 504 00:18:41,654 --> 00:18:43,623 I love the upper body stuff, but I just can't 505 00:18:43,656 --> 00:18:45,925 get this balance locked down, no matter how much I practice. 506 00:18:45,959 --> 00:18:47,594 And I think, with me getting older 507 00:18:47,627 --> 00:18:49,162 and getting more responsibilities 508 00:18:49,195 --> 00:18:52,565 with being a firefighter, I think it might... 509 00:18:52,599 --> 00:18:55,068 - Yeah. Oh. - Be time to pull the plug. 510 00:18:55,101 --> 00:18:58,672 I just think it's time to let... 511 00:18:58,705 --> 00:19:00,640 let the next gen take over. 512 00:19:00,674 --> 00:19:02,475 I just--I hate letting my family down. 513 00:19:02,509 --> 00:19:04,544 I know they're gonna love me no matter what, but... 514 00:19:04,577 --> 00:19:06,446 - I know you're going through a hard time right now, 515 00:19:06,479 --> 00:19:07,547 but I'll tell you right now, 516 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:08,915 your family is beaming behind you. 517 00:19:09,015 --> 00:19:10,383 They are so proud of you. - We love you. 518 00:19:10,417 --> 00:19:11,785 Good job. 519 00:19:11,818 --> 00:19:13,753 - And I hope we see you out here again, you hear me? 520 00:19:13,787 --> 00:19:15,655 - Yeah. Thank you. - All right. 521 00:19:15,689 --> 00:19:18,425 - Wow. An emotional conversation there. 522 00:19:18,458 --> 00:19:21,628 Passing the torch over to the next generation. 523 00:19:21,661 --> 00:19:24,497 - And we're about to see that next generation, 524 00:19:24,531 --> 00:19:28,034 because this week's teenagers are ready to hit the course, 525 00:19:28,034 --> 00:19:30,136 including a flamingo kid. 526 00:19:30,170 --> 00:19:32,105 - Who doesn't like this? 527 00:19:32,138 --> 00:19:34,607 - And could your family live on a boat? 528 00:19:34,641 --> 00:19:36,743 - Ready to go wash the deck? - Yep. 529 00:19:36,776 --> 00:19:39,646 - This ninja mom's taking her crew out to sea... 530 00:19:39,679 --> 00:19:41,047 - Let's go. 531 00:19:41,047 --> 00:19:44,250 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 532 00:19:51,091 --> 00:19:53,693 - Welcome back to the Tacoma Dome for the third night 533 00:19:53,727 --> 00:19:56,930 of qualifying on "American Ninja Warrior." 534 00:19:56,963 --> 00:20:00,133 And while we were out, the doctor was in. 535 00:20:00,166 --> 00:20:01,501 - Oh, he's checked his heartbeat. 536 00:20:01,534 --> 00:20:03,269 - Whoa! - Yep, he's ready. 537 00:20:03,303 --> 00:20:06,306 - Dr. David Daniels is a family medicine specialist 538 00:20:06,339 --> 00:20:07,674 in Atlanta. 539 00:20:07,707 --> 00:20:09,442 And his family was loving it, 540 00:20:09,476 --> 00:20:12,145 as he powered through the first two obstacle. 541 00:20:12,178 --> 00:20:13,380 [cheering] 542 00:20:13,413 --> 00:20:15,081 - Excellent. I see you, big boy. 543 00:20:15,115 --> 00:20:18,752 - Daniels let his biceps make his choice on Split Decision, 544 00:20:18,785 --> 00:20:21,755 but the Domino Effect wasn't what the doctor ordered. 545 00:20:21,788 --> 00:20:22,822 both: Oh! 546 00:20:22,856 --> 00:20:24,057 [buzzer blares] 547 00:20:24,090 --> 00:20:26,426 - He may need a doctor after that. 548 00:20:26,459 --> 00:20:28,895 - Good try. Good try. 549 00:20:28,928 --> 00:20:32,599 - Cara Mack hosts a podcast called "The Ninja Babes," 550 00:20:32,632 --> 00:20:35,869 where she interviews many of our top women competitors. 551 00:20:35,902 --> 00:20:37,237 - Okay, Cara. 552 00:20:37,270 --> 00:20:38,738 - And this three-time "Ninja" veteran 553 00:20:38,772 --> 00:20:41,608 put together one of her best runs ever. 554 00:20:41,641 --> 00:20:43,877 - Keeps it up, she's gonna have to interview herself. 555 00:20:43,910 --> 00:20:46,212 - Though her night ended on the Air Surfer. 556 00:20:46,246 --> 00:20:48,181 - Oh, no! - Oh! 557 00:20:48,214 --> 00:20:50,050 - She's got a good shot at landing 558 00:20:50,083 --> 00:20:51,317 in the women's top five. 559 00:20:51,351 --> 00:20:53,253 - It was awesome. So happy to be here. 560 00:20:53,286 --> 00:20:56,589 - South Carolina's Bob Reese showed off some of the moves 561 00:20:56,623 --> 00:20:58,725 that made him a social media sensation. 562 00:20:58,758 --> 00:21:00,694 - [cackles] 563 00:21:00,727 --> 00:21:03,563 - Reese gets millions of likes for insane videos 564 00:21:03,596 --> 00:21:06,166 that usually end with him failing. 565 00:21:06,199 --> 00:21:08,601 - I knew my feet were gonna slip. I'm fine. 566 00:21:08,635 --> 00:21:10,070 - But on the course tonight, 567 00:21:10,070 --> 00:21:12,806 the 25-year-old rookie had success. 568 00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:14,674 Ooh, nice little flip. 569 00:21:14,708 --> 00:21:16,509 - Oh, my! That was nice. 570 00:21:16,543 --> 00:21:19,312 - The parkour expert flew through Domino Effect... 571 00:21:19,346 --> 00:21:20,947 - It would go viral if he fell. 572 00:21:20,980 --> 00:21:22,782 - And made it to the fifth obstacle, 573 00:21:22,816 --> 00:21:25,852 before getting another fall to add to his collection. 574 00:21:25,885 --> 00:21:27,454 - Ooh! [buzzer blares] 575 00:21:27,487 --> 00:21:29,823 I don't know if that one's gonna go viral. 576 00:21:31,458 --> 00:21:32,859 - Well, if you haven't heard, 577 00:21:32,892 --> 00:21:35,962 we've lowered our age limit this season to 15. 578 00:21:35,995 --> 00:21:38,665 And up next, the first of our teen competitors, 579 00:21:38,698 --> 00:21:42,535 16-year-old Owen Dyer out of Bentonville, Arkansas. 580 00:21:42,569 --> 00:21:44,137 - Was that a flamingo on his head? 581 00:21:44,170 --> 00:21:47,107 - Yeah. The kid from Arkansas is using a flamingo. 582 00:21:47,107 --> 00:21:48,808 That's part of the plan Owen cooked up 583 00:21:48,842 --> 00:21:51,244 with his kid brother. 584 00:21:51,277 --> 00:21:53,179 - "American Ninja Warrior," 585 00:21:53,213 --> 00:21:55,115 my name's Owen Dyer, 586 00:21:55,115 --> 00:21:57,917 and I'm from Bentonville, Arkansas. 587 00:21:57,951 --> 00:21:59,686 For my application for "Ninja Warrior," 588 00:21:59,719 --> 00:22:01,521 I had to bring my homie right here, 589 00:22:01,554 --> 00:22:03,923 Mr. Flamingo. 590 00:22:03,957 --> 00:22:05,425 Who doesn't like this? 591 00:22:05,458 --> 00:22:08,061 I mean, who's gonna be like, "Aww, we don't want this guy"? 592 00:22:08,061 --> 00:22:09,329 [flamingos honk] 593 00:22:09,362 --> 00:22:10,764 Flamingos are pretty good at balance, 594 00:22:10,797 --> 00:22:12,499 because they're always standing on one foot, 595 00:22:12,532 --> 00:22:14,067 so hopefully I can get some lucky powers 596 00:22:14,067 --> 00:22:16,236 from Mr. Flamingo here. 597 00:22:16,269 --> 00:22:18,838 - If you win it all, what are we gonna do with the money? 598 00:22:18,872 --> 00:22:19,973 - "We"? - [laughs] 599 00:22:20,073 --> 00:22:22,075 - What are you talking about, man? 600 00:22:22,075 --> 00:22:23,777 I originally got into "Ninja Warrior" 601 00:22:23,810 --> 00:22:25,545 because of my little brother, Hayes Dyer. 602 00:22:25,578 --> 00:22:27,180 He's the one that pushes and motivates me. 603 00:22:27,213 --> 00:22:29,082 Guys, I can't let my little brother beat me. 604 00:22:29,082 --> 00:22:30,250 That's embarrassing. 605 00:22:30,283 --> 00:22:31,685 - Do you think you're gonna be nervous? 606 00:22:31,718 --> 00:22:34,154 - I'm not gonna really put too much pressure on myself. 607 00:22:34,187 --> 00:22:37,090 I'm just going more for the experience than anything. 608 00:22:37,123 --> 00:22:38,591 - Do you think the water's gonna be cold? 609 00:22:38,625 --> 00:22:40,960 - Why would you think I'm going in the water, man? 610 00:22:40,994 --> 00:22:42,796 I'm gonna go there for a buzzer. 611 00:22:42,829 --> 00:22:44,330 - Well, I think you're gonna hit a buzzer. 612 00:22:44,364 --> 00:22:46,166 - Hey, I appreciate it. 613 00:22:46,199 --> 00:22:48,134 The Dyer Situation Ninja name is not just mine. 614 00:22:48,168 --> 00:22:49,936 It is me and my brother. 615 00:22:53,473 --> 00:22:56,543 - Are there any new obstacles you think they might have? 616 00:22:56,576 --> 00:22:57,577 - I'm not sure. 617 00:22:57,610 --> 00:22:58,978 I'm really hoping there's some type 618 00:22:59,012 --> 00:23:01,348 of really tough grip obstacle. - Yeah. 619 00:23:01,381 --> 00:23:03,116 - I think it's really cool that me and my brother 620 00:23:03,149 --> 00:23:05,919 can bond doing "Ninja Warrior" together. 621 00:23:05,952 --> 00:23:09,055 There's about to be a Dyer Situation on this course. 622 00:23:09,055 --> 00:23:10,790 I'm gonna grab this flamingo by the wings 623 00:23:10,824 --> 00:23:12,125 and fly all the way to the buzzer. 624 00:23:16,129 --> 00:23:18,765 - And Hayes is gonna be watching back in Arkansas, 625 00:23:18,798 --> 00:23:20,767 along with their mom, aunt, 626 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:23,737 and lots of other friends and family members. 627 00:23:23,770 --> 00:23:25,872 - Let's go. You've been waiting for this! Let's go! 628 00:23:25,905 --> 00:23:27,707 - Dad's down on the sideline 629 00:23:27,741 --> 00:23:29,476 with some of our other teenage competitors. 630 00:23:29,509 --> 00:23:30,877 - Yeah! You got this, Owen. 631 00:23:30,910 --> 00:23:32,479 - You can only imagine how nervous 632 00:23:32,512 --> 00:23:34,114 he is right now at the start line. 633 00:23:34,147 --> 00:23:36,383 [countdown clock beeping] 634 00:23:36,416 --> 00:23:38,184 He asked his principal could he take the day 635 00:23:38,218 --> 00:23:40,120 off of school, and his principal was like, 636 00:23:40,153 --> 00:23:42,122 "For 'Ninja Warrior,' of course!" 637 00:23:42,155 --> 00:23:44,190 - And there's his principal right there, 638 00:23:44,224 --> 00:23:46,092 along with his guidance counselor. 639 00:23:46,126 --> 00:23:48,728 A big day for Bentonville West High School. 640 00:23:48,762 --> 00:23:52,365 Let's see if he can pass the test here on Overpass. 641 00:23:52,399 --> 00:23:55,101 Lets the bar go by. Gonna be a long lache here. 642 00:23:55,101 --> 00:23:57,203 Prides himself on his ability to fly. 643 00:23:57,237 --> 00:23:59,673 - Oh, he can fly. You can see by the kick. 644 00:23:59,706 --> 00:24:02,042 You saw the way he kicked. You knew he had it. 645 00:24:02,042 --> 00:24:04,411 5'10", 135. 646 00:24:04,444 --> 00:24:06,846 This kid is all muscle and heart. 647 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:08,648 [cheering] 648 00:24:08,682 --> 00:24:10,383 - His little brother's excited. 649 00:24:10,417 --> 00:24:12,519 He wants that million dollars. - Oh! 650 00:24:12,552 --> 00:24:14,387 - Going for the Spinning Log. 651 00:24:14,421 --> 00:24:16,756 Nobody has completed it here tonight, Akbar. 652 00:24:16,790 --> 00:24:18,858 - Well, you know he's got it. Look. Look, this is nothing. 653 00:24:18,892 --> 00:24:20,293 - Wow! - He just flew through it. 654 00:24:20,326 --> 00:24:21,594 Gone through it. And now, Matt, 655 00:24:21,628 --> 00:24:23,263 he says anything that has to do 656 00:24:23,296 --> 00:24:25,865 with upper body obstacles, he loves. 657 00:24:25,899 --> 00:24:27,767 - Well, this is a new one, the Air Surfer, 658 00:24:27,801 --> 00:24:29,169 and this will test your ability 659 00:24:29,202 --> 00:24:31,538 to control that board and have good placement. 660 00:24:31,571 --> 00:24:34,641 Again, precision is so key here with that board. 661 00:24:36,710 --> 00:24:38,511 - Oh, my, look at the left side! Barely. 662 00:24:38,545 --> 00:24:40,313 - He's got to control that. But that's all right. 663 00:24:40,347 --> 00:24:42,849 You see the height and distance he had on that one? 664 00:24:42,882 --> 00:24:44,417 That was spectacular. 665 00:24:44,451 --> 00:24:47,087 - This kid is flying. [cheering] 666 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:48,154 - Owen Dyer. 667 00:24:48,188 --> 00:24:50,824 Owen is owning this course. 668 00:24:50,857 --> 00:24:53,760 - Yeah! Owen giving us a point. - Okay. 669 00:24:53,793 --> 00:24:55,829 - But now the challenge on Pretzel Twist. 670 00:24:55,862 --> 00:24:57,731 - You can't eat this. 671 00:24:57,764 --> 00:25:00,567 - No one has figured it out thus far. 672 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,369 Lock it in. - Oh, nice. 673 00:25:02,402 --> 00:25:03,903 You gotta watch out for that backswing, 674 00:25:03,937 --> 00:25:06,039 'cause that backswing can throw you off. 675 00:25:06,039 --> 00:25:08,441 - Well, this is as far as anyone has gotten. 676 00:25:08,475 --> 00:25:11,578 No one has been able to unhook this second pretzel. 677 00:25:13,079 --> 00:25:14,447 - Very good. 678 00:25:14,481 --> 00:25:16,449 - Makes it over, but now has to kip up 679 00:25:16,483 --> 00:25:18,485 to get the pretzel off the hook. 680 00:25:19,352 --> 00:25:21,054 And he does it! 681 00:25:21,054 --> 00:25:22,522 Finding his way through. 682 00:25:22,555 --> 00:25:25,091 Has to lock it in. 683 00:25:25,125 --> 00:25:27,827 - There you go! Nice! - And immediately... 684 00:25:27,861 --> 00:25:29,429 - Nice. - Grabs the final pretzel. 685 00:25:29,462 --> 00:25:32,065 And he's now closing in on our first buzzer. 686 00:25:32,065 --> 00:25:34,300 The teenager showing how it's done. 687 00:25:34,334 --> 00:25:35,502 - Look at him. Look at him! 688 00:25:35,535 --> 00:25:37,370 16 years old, just strutting. 689 00:25:37,404 --> 00:25:38,705 - And he's unhooked. 690 00:25:38,738 --> 00:25:41,608 Now just has to fly over that spinning wall. 691 00:25:41,641 --> 00:25:42,976 - Got it! 692 00:25:43,076 --> 00:25:46,079 [cheering] 693 00:25:47,947 --> 00:25:49,949 - In his first time on the course, 694 00:25:49,983 --> 00:25:53,119 the success of young ninjas continues. 695 00:25:54,888 --> 00:25:57,590 - Oh! - A hard misstep. 696 00:25:57,624 --> 00:26:00,126 - Deep breath here. Shake it out. Let's go. 697 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:01,127 - Big strides. Come on. 698 00:26:01,161 --> 00:26:02,662 - Just do it. You got this. 699 00:26:02,696 --> 00:26:04,164 - Get up there! 700 00:26:04,197 --> 00:26:06,099 - Look at Hayes. "Get up that wall!" 701 00:26:06,132 --> 00:26:09,035 [chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 702 00:26:09,035 --> 00:26:12,038 - There he goes. - Owen Dyer! 703 00:26:12,038 --> 00:26:13,707 - Ah! 704 00:26:13,740 --> 00:26:16,409 [dramatic music] 705 00:26:16,443 --> 00:26:19,245 [cheering] 706 00:26:19,279 --> 00:26:21,147 - 16 years old! 707 00:26:21,181 --> 00:26:24,217 [cheering] 708 00:26:25,552 --> 00:26:29,055 Owen Dyer, our first finisher tonight. 709 00:26:29,055 --> 00:26:30,690 - What a moment for this kid 710 00:26:30,724 --> 00:26:32,692 and the folks back in Arkansas. 711 00:26:32,726 --> 00:26:34,427 - What's going through your mind right now? 712 00:26:34,461 --> 00:26:36,463 Your brother's watching you. 713 00:26:36,496 --> 00:26:39,199 Here you are, on the biggest stage. 714 00:26:39,232 --> 00:26:40,967 How's that feel, man? 715 00:26:41,067 --> 00:26:42,135 - I'm in shock. 716 00:26:45,605 --> 00:26:48,742 - Hey, tell me, what's making you so emotional? 717 00:26:48,775 --> 00:26:50,810 - It's a dream come true. 718 00:26:50,844 --> 00:26:52,512 And the three things I love most in life 719 00:26:52,545 --> 00:26:54,314 are here with me right now. 720 00:26:54,347 --> 00:26:56,750 My friends and family... [cheering] 721 00:26:56,783 --> 00:26:58,852 Jesus Christ, and doing "Ninja Warrior." 722 00:26:58,885 --> 00:27:01,688 - Ho! God bless you, man. - Well said. 723 00:27:01,721 --> 00:27:03,323 - Owen, hit that buzzer one more time. 724 00:27:03,356 --> 00:27:05,392 - Hit it again! - Yeah! 725 00:27:05,425 --> 00:27:06,593 - How awesome is it? 726 00:27:06,626 --> 00:27:09,029 A 16-year-old kid, being vulnerable, 727 00:27:09,029 --> 00:27:11,297 being honest, having a real moment there. 728 00:27:11,331 --> 00:27:13,566 - Matt, that was sweet 16. 729 00:27:14,601 --> 00:27:16,936 - You never know what or who you'll see 730 00:27:17,037 --> 00:27:18,405 on "Ninja Warrior." 731 00:27:18,438 --> 00:27:20,240 How 'bout Peyton Manning? 732 00:27:20,273 --> 00:27:22,542 - Hey, Matt, Akbar, and all you "Ninja" fans. 733 00:27:22,575 --> 00:27:23,543 Peyton Manning here. 734 00:27:23,576 --> 00:27:24,844 - The guys from Cheap Trick. 735 00:27:24,878 --> 00:27:26,079 - Go hit that buzzer. 736 00:27:26,112 --> 00:27:27,947 - And Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller. 737 00:27:28,048 --> 00:27:28,948 - All right! 738 00:27:29,049 --> 00:27:30,684 That and more... - [screams] 739 00:27:30,717 --> 00:27:33,253 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 740 00:27:37,957 --> 00:27:41,127 - Our third night of qualifying here in Tacoma 741 00:27:41,161 --> 00:27:43,063 is really delivering. 742 00:27:43,063 --> 00:27:47,233 Minutes ago, South Carolina mail carrier Kristine Karlson 743 00:27:47,267 --> 00:27:49,936 kicked off her run with a postal pep talk. 744 00:27:49,969 --> 00:27:52,939 - I'm gonna treat every obstacle like a mailbox. 745 00:27:52,972 --> 00:27:55,308 Drive up to it, sling the mail, and slam it shut, 746 00:27:55,342 --> 00:27:56,443 and keep it moving. 747 00:27:56,476 --> 00:27:57,977 I'm gonna deliver it. 748 00:27:58,078 --> 00:28:00,246 - Things looked good until the 30-year-old tried 749 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:03,016 to go air mail on Overpass. 750 00:28:03,016 --> 00:28:04,751 No! - Aw! 751 00:28:04,784 --> 00:28:07,187 - Return to sender. 752 00:28:07,220 --> 00:28:10,123 Marine Corps pilot Landon Nagao was ready 753 00:28:10,156 --> 00:28:12,025 to be top gun. 754 00:28:12,058 --> 00:28:16,096 He flies helicopters at Camp Pendleton in California. 755 00:28:16,129 --> 00:28:18,832 And he had his whole squadron cheering him on. 756 00:28:18,865 --> 00:28:21,935 all: Hoo-rah! Let's go, Landon! 757 00:28:22,035 --> 00:28:25,605 - Nagao survived a bumpy ride on Domino Effect. 758 00:28:25,638 --> 00:28:27,207 - Wow. Ooh! 759 00:28:27,240 --> 00:28:29,109 Okay, you see his boys going crazy. 760 00:28:29,142 --> 00:28:30,677 They excited. 761 00:28:30,710 --> 00:28:33,913 - But ironically, the pilot overshot the runway 762 00:28:33,947 --> 00:28:36,149 on Air Surfer. 763 00:28:36,182 --> 00:28:37,417 both: Oh! 764 00:28:37,450 --> 00:28:38,785 - Missed the landing. 765 00:28:38,818 --> 00:28:41,054 My goodness! 766 00:28:41,087 --> 00:28:43,723 - And up next, out of Sugar Hill, Georgia, 767 00:28:43,757 --> 00:28:46,793 is former gymnast Alyssa Varsalona. 768 00:28:46,826 --> 00:28:50,196 - Nice, and she can still stick the landing. 769 00:28:50,230 --> 00:28:53,366 - Varsalona competed two seasons ago and had success. 770 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:55,969 But now the stakes are higher. 771 00:28:56,069 --> 00:28:59,806 This year, she's got to outdo her husband, Cole. 772 00:28:59,839 --> 00:29:02,242 - * Let the games begin * 773 00:29:02,275 --> 00:29:05,412 - I competed on season 11 of "American Ninja Warrior." 774 00:29:05,445 --> 00:29:07,580 - Varsalona. 775 00:29:07,614 --> 00:29:10,583 - Oh! Oh! Did she save it? Yes! 776 00:29:10,617 --> 00:29:12,352 - I made it to the fifth obstacle. 777 00:29:13,787 --> 00:29:15,822 both: Ooh! 778 00:29:15,855 --> 00:29:18,458 - But I fell on the Ferris Wheel. 779 00:29:18,491 --> 00:29:21,094 - What a tremendous debut performance. 780 00:29:21,127 --> 00:29:22,629 - I started training for "Ninja Warrior" 781 00:29:22,662 --> 00:29:23,797 so I could keep up with my wife. 782 00:29:23,830 --> 00:29:26,299 - I'm gonna beat you. - No, you're not. 783 00:29:26,332 --> 00:29:28,735 - * Couldn't help it * 784 00:29:28,768 --> 00:29:30,770 * I was made for this * 785 00:29:30,804 --> 00:29:31,905 - I won. - No, you didn't. 786 00:29:31,938 --> 00:29:33,707 If she beats me, 787 00:29:33,740 --> 00:29:34,908 I'll never live this down. 788 00:29:34,941 --> 00:29:36,276 - I would have lached to that ledge. 789 00:29:36,309 --> 00:29:38,945 He thinks he can beat me after just one year. 790 00:29:40,146 --> 00:29:41,548 There is no way. 791 00:29:41,581 --> 00:29:43,416 You know I'm gonna beat you in Tacoma, right? 792 00:29:43,450 --> 00:29:44,951 - No shot. - I'm gonna go further. 793 00:29:45,051 --> 00:29:46,386 - You have no chance. 794 00:29:46,419 --> 00:29:47,787 - [chuckles] Okay. 795 00:29:47,821 --> 00:29:50,857 - * Let the games begin * 796 00:29:50,890 --> 00:29:52,258 - Whoo! 797 00:29:52,292 --> 00:29:54,494 - Cole will get his chance in a few minutes, 798 00:29:54,527 --> 00:29:55,929 but for now he's cheering. 799 00:29:55,962 --> 00:29:57,530 - Come on, Alyssa. 800 00:29:57,564 --> 00:30:00,400 - And Alyssa's got lots of other family members watching, 801 00:30:00,433 --> 00:30:02,902 and a very special guest supporting her, 802 00:30:02,936 --> 00:30:06,172 fellow gymnast, Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller. 803 00:30:06,206 --> 00:30:07,841 So great to have these Olympians 804 00:30:07,874 --> 00:30:09,409 supporting our ninjas. 805 00:30:09,442 --> 00:30:12,278 And the Olympics now just a few weeks away. 806 00:30:12,312 --> 00:30:14,414 - You got this, Alyssa. You got it. 807 00:30:14,447 --> 00:30:15,749 You worked hard. You could do it. 808 00:30:15,782 --> 00:30:17,784 [countdown clock beeping] 809 00:30:17,817 --> 00:30:20,653 - Yeah. Got Shannon Miller giving you some encouragement. 810 00:30:20,687 --> 00:30:23,189 - Shannon Miller was one of Varsalona's idols 811 00:30:23,223 --> 00:30:24,924 as a gymnast. 812 00:30:24,958 --> 00:30:26,726 - You got this! 813 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:28,495 - 5'7", 140. 814 00:30:28,528 --> 00:30:29,996 Decent wingspan, Akbar. 815 00:30:30,030 --> 00:30:32,465 - And a more methodical approach for Alyssa Varsalona, 816 00:30:32,499 --> 00:30:34,034 not wanting to make a mistake. 817 00:30:34,067 --> 00:30:35,735 Seeing it happen as it goes. - There it is. 818 00:30:35,769 --> 00:30:37,971 - Nice! Yeah. - Timed it perfectly. 819 00:30:38,004 --> 00:30:40,206 - Makes that lache so much easier. 820 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:42,609 - Let's go! - Okay. Here we go. 821 00:30:42,642 --> 00:30:44,244 - Makes it more efficient, Akbar. 822 00:30:44,277 --> 00:30:45,645 Save some of that upper body, 823 00:30:45,679 --> 00:30:47,047 save some of that grip strength. 824 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:49,549 - See, get it evenly. Nice dismount. 825 00:30:49,582 --> 00:30:51,951 All right, here it is, Matt. Split Decision. 826 00:30:51,985 --> 00:30:54,788 - And Varsalona has had five knee surgeries. 827 00:30:54,821 --> 00:30:58,658 So running across any obstacle has to be a little scary. 828 00:30:58,692 --> 00:31:00,760 - Watch every step. You got it, babe. 829 00:31:02,729 --> 00:31:04,064 - Here we go. 830 00:31:04,064 --> 00:31:05,365 - Ooh! - Gold. That was gold. 831 00:31:05,398 --> 00:31:07,100 - A little stumble at the end, 832 00:31:07,133 --> 00:31:09,903 but falls right on to the landing platform. 833 00:31:09,936 --> 00:31:12,972 [cheering] 834 00:31:14,307 --> 00:31:17,277 And here she is on the fourth obstacle, 835 00:31:17,310 --> 00:31:19,145 the Air Surfer. 836 00:31:19,179 --> 00:31:21,348 A gymnast, great body awareness, 837 00:31:21,381 --> 00:31:23,983 but the grip strength gonna be tested here. 838 00:31:24,084 --> 00:31:26,986 No woman has gotten through it so far. 839 00:31:27,087 --> 00:31:29,756 Look at that board. It's uneven already, Akbar. 840 00:31:29,789 --> 00:31:31,691 - All right. And you gotta see it, make that landing. 841 00:31:31,725 --> 00:31:33,493 That's a big landing. Now, the second one 842 00:31:33,526 --> 00:31:35,595 is a small landing pad. 843 00:31:35,628 --> 00:31:36,663 - Stay even. You got this. 844 00:31:39,099 --> 00:31:40,567 - Ah! Nice! 845 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:42,836 - And you could see. barely on on that right side. 846 00:31:42,869 --> 00:31:44,838 The placement hasn't been great, 847 00:31:44,871 --> 00:31:47,173 but still alive. 848 00:31:47,207 --> 00:31:49,109 - Ooh. Barely hanging on there. 849 00:31:49,109 --> 00:31:51,978 - Oh, no. - Oh, she's got it. Uneven. 850 00:31:52,012 --> 00:31:53,413 - Maybe going for the dismount here. 851 00:31:53,446 --> 00:31:55,015 That board can still slide. 852 00:31:55,115 --> 00:31:57,484 Not locked in to place. 853 00:31:57,517 --> 00:31:59,319 Got the power, though. - There you go. 854 00:31:59,352 --> 00:32:00,620 - Varsalona. 855 00:32:00,653 --> 00:32:02,455 - Oh, my God. 856 00:32:02,489 --> 00:32:04,624 - And she's putting pressure on her husband. 857 00:32:04,657 --> 00:32:06,860 How's he gonna top this? - Let's go! 858 00:32:06,893 --> 00:32:09,162 - Now taking on Pretzel Twist. 859 00:32:09,195 --> 00:32:11,798 Getting closer to her first buzzer. 860 00:32:11,831 --> 00:32:13,867 The top five women from tonight will move on 861 00:32:13,900 --> 00:32:16,136 to the semifinals. - Lock it in. 862 00:32:16,169 --> 00:32:18,705 - Alyssa Varsalona putting herself in good position 863 00:32:18,738 --> 00:32:19,839 to be one of them. 864 00:32:19,873 --> 00:32:21,841 - Stay calm. Stay calm. 865 00:32:21,875 --> 00:32:23,443 - Let's go--ooh, no! - No! 866 00:32:23,476 --> 00:32:25,211 - Aw. 867 00:32:25,245 --> 00:32:27,080 - That's okay. Good job, babe. 868 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:28,782 - Can't handle Pretzel Twist. - Good job. 869 00:32:28,815 --> 00:32:31,284 - But it's the best run by a woman tonight. 870 00:32:31,317 --> 00:32:33,353 - Just pulled me off on the backswing. 871 00:32:33,386 --> 00:32:34,921 - Hey, that was an awesome try. 872 00:32:34,954 --> 00:32:36,389 Awesome. 873 00:32:36,423 --> 00:32:38,091 - Her husband runs next. 874 00:32:38,124 --> 00:32:40,160 Let's see if he can do better. 875 00:32:48,535 --> 00:32:51,104 - Before the break, we saw the strong run 876 00:32:51,137 --> 00:32:53,206 of Georgia's Alyssa Varsalona. 877 00:32:53,239 --> 00:32:54,841 - Whoo! 878 00:32:54,874 --> 00:32:57,577 - And minutes ago, her ultra-competitive husband, 879 00:32:57,610 --> 00:32:59,479 Cole Rives, tried to outdo her. 880 00:32:59,512 --> 00:33:01,848 - Whoo! - Come on, babe. 881 00:33:01,881 --> 00:33:05,051 - She said, "Anything you can do, I can do better." 882 00:33:05,085 --> 00:33:06,820 - Babe, you got it. 883 00:33:06,853 --> 00:33:09,289 - Varsalona made it to the fifth obstacle on her run. 884 00:33:09,322 --> 00:33:11,858 But Rives... both: Oh! 885 00:33:11,891 --> 00:33:13,793 - Ran into trouble on the second. 886 00:33:13,827 --> 00:33:16,863 - Anything he does, she can do better! 887 00:33:16,896 --> 00:33:19,432 - You got me. You got me. 888 00:33:19,466 --> 00:33:21,601 - Virginia's Ben Whitlow started his run 889 00:33:21,634 --> 00:33:23,470 by kissing a frog. 890 00:33:23,503 --> 00:33:25,405 - [cackles] Oh, boy. 891 00:33:25,438 --> 00:33:27,073 I think that was a French kiss too. 892 00:33:27,107 --> 00:33:29,476 - Whitlow's known as the Frog Giggin' Ninja, 893 00:33:29,509 --> 00:33:32,746 because he catches frogs with his bare hands. 894 00:33:32,779 --> 00:33:34,381 - Whoo! I got him! 895 00:33:34,414 --> 00:33:36,850 - And he brought us one of his friends, and we made a bet. 896 00:33:36,883 --> 00:33:39,285 If Ben Whitlow, the Frog Giggin' Ninja, 897 00:33:39,319 --> 00:33:41,454 gets to the top of the tower, 898 00:33:41,488 --> 00:33:43,790 one of us is gonna kiss the frog. 899 00:33:43,823 --> 00:33:45,091 - You are. 900 00:33:45,091 --> 00:33:47,327 - The 21-year-old farmer had no problem 901 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:51,097 hopping his way across the early obstacles. 902 00:33:51,131 --> 00:33:53,233 - Come on. Rip it here. Nice! 903 00:33:53,266 --> 00:33:55,101 Look at him. He's puffing up on them. 904 00:33:55,101 --> 00:33:56,903 - Yes! - Causing his little buddy 905 00:33:56,936 --> 00:33:58,371 to swell with pride. 906 00:33:58,405 --> 00:34:00,040 - Look at him puffing up. - It is puffing up. 907 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:01,207 Look at that. - He's puffing up. 908 00:34:01,241 --> 00:34:02,742 He likes having his back rubbed. 909 00:34:02,776 --> 00:34:05,745 - Whitlow bounded all the way to the fifth obstacle 910 00:34:05,779 --> 00:34:08,548 before ending his run in true frog fashion. 911 00:34:08,581 --> 00:34:09,783 - Oh! 912 00:34:09,816 --> 00:34:11,251 - With a splash. 913 00:34:11,284 --> 00:34:12,786 - Ooh. Ooh. Wow. 914 00:34:12,819 --> 00:34:14,921 Cannonball! [buzzer blares] 915 00:34:14,954 --> 00:34:16,489 - [cheers] 916 00:34:16,523 --> 00:34:18,058 [camera shutter clicks] [frog ribbits] 917 00:34:18,058 --> 00:34:20,293 - [cackles] 918 00:34:20,326 --> 00:34:22,062 - Like the Frog Giggin' Ninja, 919 00:34:22,062 --> 00:34:24,064 our next athlete, Brad Giles, 920 00:34:24,064 --> 00:34:25,699 is a lot of fun. 921 00:34:25,732 --> 00:34:27,834 Oh, look at that, Akbar. He's got some moves. 922 00:34:27,867 --> 00:34:29,703 - Some old school moves. 923 00:34:29,736 --> 00:34:31,838 - And besides having smooth moves, 924 00:34:31,871 --> 00:34:34,140 Giles is the very successful CEO 925 00:34:34,174 --> 00:34:35,975 of his own healthcare business, 926 00:34:36,076 --> 00:34:39,179 who's dedicated his life to giving back. 927 00:34:40,413 --> 00:34:42,082 - When you are a Black entrepreneur, 928 00:34:42,082 --> 00:34:43,583 you taking care of your community 929 00:34:43,616 --> 00:34:45,218 and people you know who need help. 930 00:34:45,251 --> 00:34:47,487 Me and my wife and several of my entrepreneur friends 931 00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:48,688 love to give back. 932 00:34:48,722 --> 00:34:50,957 - This video of Atlanta entrepreneurs 933 00:34:50,990 --> 00:34:55,195 paying $40,000 for customers' groceries went viral. 934 00:34:55,228 --> 00:34:57,297 - We all just told everybody, groceries are on us, 935 00:34:57,330 --> 00:34:58,832 so get whatever you need for the holidays 936 00:34:58,865 --> 00:35:00,166 and get you through Thanksgiving, 937 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:01,768 and get your turkeys. 938 00:35:01,801 --> 00:35:03,403 This receipt is saved, bro. 939 00:35:03,436 --> 00:35:05,605 Being able to help people who actually need assistance 940 00:35:05,638 --> 00:35:07,040 was kind of one of our passions. 941 00:35:09,409 --> 00:35:10,910 Look how fast you're going. 942 00:35:10,944 --> 00:35:12,712 Yeah. You're doing awesome. 943 00:35:12,746 --> 00:35:14,581 Me and my wife run a home healthcare business, 944 00:35:14,614 --> 00:35:17,050 where I take care of kids with special needs. 945 00:35:17,083 --> 00:35:18,952 So you're gonna put your elbow back down. 946 00:35:19,052 --> 00:35:20,286 Here we go. 947 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:21,921 These are kids that are wheelchair-bound, 948 00:35:21,955 --> 00:35:23,757 kids that have different disabilities, 949 00:35:23,790 --> 00:35:25,825 and it's just amazing to be able to see them do things 950 00:35:25,859 --> 00:35:27,627 they never thought were possible. 951 00:35:27,660 --> 00:35:28,728 My man. 952 00:35:28,762 --> 00:35:30,563 - Our clients are like our family. 953 00:35:30,597 --> 00:35:33,133 We have over 100 kids that we care for. 954 00:35:33,166 --> 00:35:36,903 Being able to give back like that is so important to us. 955 00:35:36,936 --> 00:35:39,472 - Samari, take a look. Look at that duck. 956 00:35:39,506 --> 00:35:41,341 Watching them overcome their disabilities 957 00:35:41,374 --> 00:35:43,443 makes me want to work even harder at "Ninja," 958 00:35:43,476 --> 00:35:47,313 because I feel like I'm overcoming my own weaknesses 959 00:35:47,347 --> 00:35:49,516 and pushing my body to its absolute limit, 960 00:35:49,549 --> 00:35:51,451 which, let me tell you something, it's hard. 961 00:35:51,484 --> 00:35:52,519 [laughs] 962 00:35:56,256 --> 00:35:58,692 - It's gonna be even better, because I got you there. 963 00:36:00,226 --> 00:36:02,395 Yeah. High five it up. That's what I'm talking about. 964 00:36:07,867 --> 00:36:09,035 - The Give Back Ninja. 965 00:36:09,069 --> 00:36:11,304 This guy walks the walk, Akbar. 966 00:36:11,338 --> 00:36:12,739 - Yeah! 967 00:36:12,772 --> 00:36:15,408 - Matt, you gotta love his passion. 968 00:36:15,442 --> 00:36:17,777 - And he's got lots of family members cheering him on 969 00:36:17,811 --> 00:36:21,381 from back in Atlanta, led by his wife Tronda. 970 00:36:21,414 --> 00:36:22,716 And there's Samari, 971 00:36:22,749 --> 00:36:25,285 one of the many special needs kids he's helped. 972 00:36:25,318 --> 00:36:26,886 - You got it, man! 973 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:29,055 [countdown clock beeping] 974 00:36:29,089 --> 00:36:31,558 - He's one of our older competitors, at 38. 975 00:36:31,591 --> 00:36:33,493 I don't know how this run's gonna go. 976 00:36:33,526 --> 00:36:35,495 - Better not go out like that, homie. Come on, now. 977 00:36:35,528 --> 00:36:38,064 That was a little tricky on that first obstacle. 978 00:36:38,064 --> 00:36:39,966 - Well, he never trained for "Ninja Warrior" 979 00:36:40,066 --> 00:36:41,368 until just a few months ago. 980 00:36:41,401 --> 00:36:42,836 His wife's a trainer, 981 00:36:42,869 --> 00:36:44,938 and he said she was kicking his butt in the gym. 982 00:36:44,971 --> 00:36:46,439 - Yeah, he did not like that. 983 00:36:46,473 --> 00:36:47,907 Oh, nice. - Good reach out. 984 00:36:47,941 --> 00:36:49,576 - That was good. That was a great move too. 985 00:36:49,609 --> 00:36:52,112 great technique for a guy who hasn't done a lot of "Ninja." 986 00:36:52,145 --> 00:36:53,613 But now, it's the lache. 987 00:36:53,646 --> 00:36:55,515 This is a move, if you're not familiar with, 988 00:36:55,548 --> 00:36:56,516 could be a little tricky. 989 00:36:56,549 --> 00:36:57,817 Hold on. Don't peel off. 990 00:36:57,851 --> 00:36:59,452 He almost peeled off. You saw that. 991 00:36:59,486 --> 00:37:01,421 - Absolutely. Might have gone with a switch grip there, 992 00:37:01,454 --> 00:37:04,824 but Brad Giles getting through it. 993 00:37:04,858 --> 00:37:06,292 - Yeah! 994 00:37:06,326 --> 00:37:09,095 - Oh, he is pumped. You gotta love his energy. 995 00:37:09,129 --> 00:37:12,065 [cheering] 996 00:37:12,098 --> 00:37:14,701 He's going for the Domino Effect. 997 00:37:14,734 --> 00:37:16,369 - 5'10", 185 pounds. 998 00:37:16,403 --> 00:37:18,338 If he can just stay on top of the dominoes, 999 00:37:18,371 --> 00:37:20,373 stay in the center of mass, don't get out of sort, 1000 00:37:20,407 --> 00:37:22,742 he'll make it. - Impressive! 1001 00:37:22,776 --> 00:37:26,479 The Give Back Ninja is taking his best shot at this course. 1002 00:37:26,513 --> 00:37:28,214 - Oh, my God! 1003 00:37:28,248 --> 00:37:29,683 - Brad, slow down, man. 1004 00:37:29,716 --> 00:37:31,584 Don't waste all your energy. - Oh, my God. 1005 00:37:31,618 --> 00:37:34,454 - I don't think the Give Back Ninja has an off switch. 1006 00:37:34,487 --> 00:37:36,790 And remember, he's a 38-year-old rookie 1007 00:37:36,823 --> 00:37:39,459 who's got a full-time job running his company. 1008 00:37:39,492 --> 00:37:40,660 Doesn't have nearly as much time 1009 00:37:40,694 --> 00:37:42,162 to train as some other ninjas. 1010 00:37:42,195 --> 00:37:43,663 - All right, now it gets real. 1011 00:37:43,697 --> 00:37:45,865 This is where it starts to-- the cumulative effect 1012 00:37:45,899 --> 00:37:48,501 of the upper body, it starts here at Air Surfer. 1013 00:37:48,535 --> 00:37:51,438 A lot of absorption. 185 pounds coming down like that. 1014 00:37:51,471 --> 00:37:52,772 Here we go. Boom. 1015 00:37:52,806 --> 00:37:54,374 - And just having to be accurate too. 1016 00:37:54,407 --> 00:37:57,410 We've seen people get that board uneven, 1017 00:37:57,444 --> 00:37:59,579 and all of a sudden, splashing down. 1018 00:37:59,612 --> 00:38:02,682 But Brad Giles-- look at this, Akbar. 1019 00:38:02,716 --> 00:38:04,718 Positioned for the dismount. 1020 00:38:04,751 --> 00:38:06,619 - Ooh, a little squeaky. 1021 00:38:06,653 --> 00:38:07,821 Come on. - Yes! 1022 00:38:07,854 --> 00:38:10,890 [cheering] 1023 00:38:10,924 --> 00:38:12,525 - Yes, baby! 1024 00:38:12,559 --> 00:38:13,860 - This is awesome. 1025 00:38:13,893 --> 00:38:15,595 - Well, now, that energy-- 1026 00:38:15,628 --> 00:38:17,764 he may be running a little bit low, Akbar, 1027 00:38:17,797 --> 00:38:19,632 and he's gonna need it here for the Pretzel Twist. 1028 00:38:19,666 --> 00:38:22,302 - I don't know how much he's got left for Pretzel Twist. 1029 00:38:22,335 --> 00:38:25,238 - 16-year-old Owen Dyer, the only athlete 1030 00:38:25,271 --> 00:38:26,773 to get past this tonight. 1031 00:38:26,806 --> 00:38:28,942 - Locking it in that 45-degree position. 1032 00:38:29,042 --> 00:38:30,510 - Just missed it. 1033 00:38:30,543 --> 00:38:32,312 A little more. There it is. 1034 00:38:32,345 --> 00:38:33,913 - You can see there's the steering wheel, 1035 00:38:33,947 --> 00:38:35,048 this twisted pretzel. 1036 00:38:35,081 --> 00:38:36,316 That's the part that makes it 1037 00:38:36,349 --> 00:38:38,051 a little challenging to reach over. 1038 00:38:38,051 --> 00:38:40,887 - And this rotation is so hard. 1039 00:38:40,920 --> 00:38:43,423 - All right. - The handle does not lock. 1040 00:38:43,456 --> 00:38:45,692 - He's got to see where he wants to make that next grab. 1041 00:38:45,725 --> 00:38:48,061 Oh, you see he's kind of in an awkward position there. 1042 00:38:48,094 --> 00:38:50,296 - Oh, boy. both: Oh, no! 1043 00:38:50,330 --> 00:38:52,332 - [screams] 1044 00:38:52,365 --> 00:38:54,868 You did great! - Yes! 1045 00:38:54,901 --> 00:38:57,137 Oh, that was so much fun. - Great job. 1046 00:38:57,170 --> 00:38:59,072 - Well, it was fun to watch too. 1047 00:38:59,105 --> 00:39:01,141 Brad Giles, the Give Back Ninja, 1048 00:39:01,174 --> 00:39:02,609 he gave it his all on the course, Akbar. 1049 00:39:02,642 --> 00:39:04,010 - He absolutely did, Matt. 1050 00:39:04,044 --> 00:39:06,146 And he enjoyed every minute of it. 1051 00:39:06,179 --> 00:39:08,014 And as a 38-year-old rookie, 1052 00:39:08,048 --> 00:39:10,083 he made it to the fifth obstacle. 1053 00:39:10,116 --> 00:39:12,585 The top 30 from tonight move on to the semifinals. 1054 00:39:12,619 --> 00:39:15,455 And Brad Giles may be one of them. 1055 00:39:15,488 --> 00:39:18,792 - Oh, I love "Ninja Warrior." Whoo! 1056 00:39:18,825 --> 00:39:20,694 - Here come the big guns. 1057 00:39:20,727 --> 00:39:21,928 - Oh, yeah! [cheering] 1058 00:39:22,028 --> 00:39:24,097 - Okay, big dog. I see you. 1059 00:39:24,130 --> 00:39:27,600 - As Hawaii's Grand McCartney, Alaska's Nick Hanson, 1060 00:39:27,634 --> 00:39:31,137 and Florida's RJ Roman get ready to run. 1061 00:39:31,171 --> 00:39:35,442 Plus, the teenager who's already a "Ninja" champion. 1062 00:39:35,475 --> 00:39:37,744 - He is the greatest of all time! 1063 00:39:37,777 --> 00:39:41,081 - And who's gonna step up to take down our Mega Wall 1064 00:39:41,114 --> 00:39:42,415 for some mega bucks? 1065 00:39:42,449 --> 00:39:43,717 Stay tuned. 1066 00:39:48,822 --> 00:39:51,124 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior," 1067 00:39:51,157 --> 00:39:52,459 where we're about halfway through 1068 00:39:52,492 --> 00:39:54,094 tonight's qualifying round. 1069 00:39:54,127 --> 00:39:57,664 - And Matt, it's been yet another unpredictable night. 1070 00:39:57,697 --> 00:40:00,934 Split Decision, the choice between balance obstacles, 1071 00:40:00,967 --> 00:40:03,803 has definitely kept rookies... - Oh, my! 1072 00:40:03,837 --> 00:40:05,305 - And veterans off-balance. 1073 00:40:05,338 --> 00:40:07,507 No! [buzzer blares] 1074 00:40:07,540 --> 00:40:10,543 Minutes ago, "Ninja" legend Michelle Warnky Buurma, 1075 00:40:10,577 --> 00:40:12,345 a nine-time veteran, 1076 00:40:12,379 --> 00:40:14,848 made it to Split Decision and chose Domino Effect. 1077 00:40:16,816 --> 00:40:18,018 - No! - What!? 1078 00:40:18,051 --> 00:40:20,220 all: Oh. 1079 00:40:20,253 --> 00:40:21,721 - Well, just a reminder, 1080 00:40:21,755 --> 00:40:24,524 any ninja, any obstacle, any time, Akbar, it can end. 1081 00:40:24,557 --> 00:40:26,092 - [groans] 1082 00:40:26,126 --> 00:40:29,362 - Then it was 17-year-old "Ninja" rookie Elena Borges, 1083 00:40:29,396 --> 00:40:31,331 who also made it to the third obstacle, 1084 00:40:31,364 --> 00:40:34,067 and she, too, decided to go with dominoes. 1085 00:40:34,100 --> 00:40:35,635 both: Oh! - Oh, she's safe. 1086 00:40:35,669 --> 00:40:37,504 - She's still alive! - You can save it. 1087 00:40:37,537 --> 00:40:38,905 - She's still alive! - What? 1088 00:40:38,938 --> 00:40:41,508 The high school junior gave it one last jump, 1089 00:40:41,541 --> 00:40:43,076 but couldn't recover. 1090 00:40:43,109 --> 00:40:44,244 both: Oh! 1091 00:40:44,277 --> 00:40:45,979 - Almost saved it. 1092 00:40:46,012 --> 00:40:48,014 - I--I don't know. 1093 00:40:48,048 --> 00:40:51,084 - Then it was a competitor 35 years older, 1094 00:40:51,117 --> 00:40:53,453 as fan favorite Bootie Cothran started his run 1095 00:40:53,486 --> 00:40:56,189 with a very prophetic tune. 1096 00:40:56,222 --> 00:40:57,457 - * Don't want to fall in the water * 1097 00:40:57,490 --> 00:40:59,359 * Till I hit that buzzer tonight * 1098 00:40:59,392 --> 00:41:03,129 * * 1099 00:41:03,163 --> 00:41:05,799 - When the 52-year-old reached Split Decision, 1100 00:41:05,832 --> 00:41:09,202 the pine tree farmer naturally went with Spinning Log. 1101 00:41:09,235 --> 00:41:11,971 But he twisted his ankle on takeoff, right there, 1102 00:41:12,072 --> 00:41:13,973 before ever hitting the log, 1103 00:41:14,074 --> 00:41:15,775 so he never got good footing. 1104 00:41:15,809 --> 00:41:17,944 - Oh! - What? 1105 00:41:17,977 --> 00:41:20,413 - And Bootie was singing the blues. 1106 00:41:20,447 --> 00:41:22,749 - Oh, I didn't know I'd just fall on that! 1107 00:41:22,782 --> 00:41:25,218 Oh, man! 1108 00:41:25,251 --> 00:41:26,886 - Well, balance shouldn't be a problem 1109 00:41:26,920 --> 00:41:28,254 for our next athlete. 1110 00:41:28,288 --> 00:41:31,391 This is former pro wakeboarder Austin Hair. 1111 00:41:31,424 --> 00:41:33,593 He was inspired to compete by his wife, 1112 00:41:33,626 --> 00:41:35,962 who's also a ninja, despite a disorder 1113 00:41:35,995 --> 00:41:38,465 that sometimes makes it difficult to walk. 1114 00:41:38,498 --> 00:41:39,666 - [cheering] 1115 00:41:39,699 --> 00:41:42,669 [singer vocalizing] 1116 00:41:42,702 --> 00:41:44,304 * * 1117 00:41:44,337 --> 00:41:47,440 * Are you ready? * 1118 00:41:47,474 --> 00:41:49,943 - I was a professional wakeboarder for 12 years. 1119 00:41:49,976 --> 00:41:51,478 I won national championships in that. 1120 00:41:51,511 --> 00:41:55,115 I got third on the overall World Series as well. 1121 00:41:55,115 --> 00:41:57,217 I had retired from wakeboarding in 2017, 1122 00:41:57,250 --> 00:41:58,952 and my wife was the one who turned me on 1123 00:41:58,985 --> 00:42:00,220 to "Ninja" originally. 1124 00:42:00,253 --> 00:42:02,622 How you feeling, babe? How's the pain level? 1125 00:42:02,655 --> 00:42:04,224 - It's super tolerable. 1126 00:42:04,257 --> 00:42:05,392 - Okay. You think you'll be able 1127 00:42:05,425 --> 00:42:06,693 to train? - Yeah. 1128 00:42:06,726 --> 00:42:08,328 - Sometimes it is hard for Lisa, 1129 00:42:08,361 --> 00:42:10,697 because she has ankylosing spondylitis, 1130 00:42:10,730 --> 00:42:14,467 and so it'll just cause flare-ups. 1131 00:42:14,501 --> 00:42:16,636 Any little movement at all just sends shooting pain 1132 00:42:16,670 --> 00:42:18,471 down her spine, down her legs. 1133 00:42:24,944 --> 00:42:27,981 - So, life with AS. 1134 00:42:28,081 --> 00:42:29,649 There's my car. 1135 00:42:29,683 --> 00:42:31,451 I've only made it this far. 1136 00:42:31,484 --> 00:42:33,553 And I can't walk. 1137 00:42:33,586 --> 00:42:36,256 And I have to make it all the way upstairs. 1138 00:42:37,590 --> 00:42:40,460 So incredibly frustrating. 1139 00:42:40,493 --> 00:42:43,596 [solemn music] 1140 00:42:43,630 --> 00:42:45,231 You just kind of get used to it, 1141 00:42:45,265 --> 00:42:48,234 and you just accept that level of pain. 1142 00:42:48,268 --> 00:42:51,471 "Ninja" has taught me that ankylosing spondylitis 1143 00:42:51,504 --> 00:42:53,340 cannot stop me. 1144 00:42:53,373 --> 00:42:55,375 [uplifting music] 1145 00:42:55,408 --> 00:42:56,776 We were supposed to be 1146 00:42:56,810 --> 00:42:58,578 competing this season together, 1147 00:42:58,611 --> 00:43:01,848 and it was not the ankylosing spondylitis 1148 00:43:01,881 --> 00:43:03,683 that stopped me from competing. 1149 00:43:03,717 --> 00:43:04,851 But instead, 1150 00:43:04,884 --> 00:43:07,187 it's that we're having a baby. 1151 00:43:07,220 --> 00:43:09,422 - Good job, Lisa. 1152 00:43:09,456 --> 00:43:11,057 Knowing that we're about to start a family 1153 00:43:11,057 --> 00:43:12,859 is one of the most exciting things in my life, 1154 00:43:12,892 --> 00:43:15,228 and I would love to cap it off by hitting a buzzer tonight. 1155 00:43:21,067 --> 00:43:23,803 - And Lisa will be watching back in Florida, 1156 00:43:23,837 --> 00:43:25,972 along with a big group of family and friends. 1157 00:43:26,072 --> 00:43:27,841 - Let's go! - Come on, Austin! 1158 00:43:27,874 --> 00:43:30,510 [countdown clock beeping] 1159 00:43:30,543 --> 00:43:33,146 - Austin started wakeboarding at 12 1160 00:43:33,179 --> 00:43:35,949 and was a national champion at 13 years old. 1161 00:43:37,450 --> 00:43:39,619 33. 5'10", 174. 1162 00:43:39,652 --> 00:43:41,087 See the ninja skills here. 1163 00:43:41,087 --> 00:43:43,690 - Yep. Trust. - Go. Go. 1164 00:43:43,723 --> 00:43:46,126 - And a nice grab on Overpass. 1165 00:43:46,159 --> 00:43:48,762 He's been training with RJ Roman in Orlando. 1166 00:43:48,795 --> 00:43:50,730 Probably needs to get to the fifth obstacle 1167 00:43:50,764 --> 00:43:53,933 if he wants to move on to the semifinals. 1168 00:43:53,967 --> 00:43:56,403 And he's asking his wife which way to go 1169 00:43:56,436 --> 00:43:57,404 on Split Decision. 1170 00:43:57,437 --> 00:43:58,571 Gonna go dominoes. 1171 00:43:58,605 --> 00:44:00,573 - Let's go! Let's go! 1172 00:44:01,541 --> 00:44:03,643 - You know he's got great balance, as a wakeboarder. 1173 00:44:03,677 --> 00:44:04,911 Nice. - Nice. 1174 00:44:04,944 --> 00:44:06,513 That was perfect. - Let's go! Let's go! 1175 00:44:06,546 --> 00:44:09,049 [cheering] 1176 00:44:09,082 --> 00:44:11,284 - And the wakeboarder now has to grab 1177 00:44:11,317 --> 00:44:15,255 this upside-down snowboard on Air Surfer. 1178 00:44:15,288 --> 00:44:17,557 - You got to apply the skills you have 1179 00:44:17,590 --> 00:44:19,659 to brand new challenges. 1180 00:44:19,693 --> 00:44:21,094 - Let's go! Steady. 1181 00:44:21,127 --> 00:44:22,729 You got it. - Ooh. 1182 00:44:22,762 --> 00:44:24,798 That board--that was not a smooth transition, Akbar. 1183 00:44:24,831 --> 00:44:26,232 - And, you know, it's the jolt too, 1184 00:44:26,266 --> 00:44:27,567 and the amount of pressure. 1185 00:44:27,600 --> 00:44:29,836 He's taking all that weight, 174 pounds. 1186 00:44:29,869 --> 00:44:31,271 - Yeah! Let's go. 1187 00:44:31,304 --> 00:44:33,073 - And you're just feeling it in your forearms. 1188 00:44:33,073 --> 00:44:35,342 It taxes the forearms now, but he should have good grip 1189 00:44:35,375 --> 00:44:37,477 as a wakeboarder. 1190 00:44:37,510 --> 00:44:39,779 - Yeah! - Good dismount there. 1191 00:44:39,813 --> 00:44:42,082 - Let's go! Crushing it! 1192 00:44:42,082 --> 00:44:44,084 - His friends are starting to get excited. 1193 00:44:44,084 --> 00:44:46,219 He's reached the fifth obstacle. 1194 00:44:46,252 --> 00:44:48,488 - Love you, Lisa. Wish you were here. 1195 00:44:48,521 --> 00:44:51,224 - Come on, come on, come on, come on! Hold on tight! 1196 00:44:51,257 --> 00:44:52,592 - Putting himself in good shape 1197 00:44:52,625 --> 00:44:54,294 to move on by reaching this point. 1198 00:44:54,327 --> 00:44:56,229 Teenager Owen Dyer's the only one 1199 00:44:56,262 --> 00:44:58,098 to get through Pretzel Twist so far. 1200 00:44:58,098 --> 00:45:00,166 - All right, nice. Lock it in from back here. 1201 00:45:00,200 --> 00:45:01,634 This allows him to use the bicep. 1202 00:45:01,668 --> 00:45:03,236 Boom. Control the swing. 1203 00:45:03,269 --> 00:45:05,538 - And I like the arms fully extended there on the swing. 1204 00:45:05,572 --> 00:45:07,540 Use the body. Use the lower body. 1205 00:45:07,574 --> 00:45:09,075 - Yeah, he's super efficient though. 1206 00:45:09,109 --> 00:45:11,878 Look at this! Okay, rookie. 1207 00:45:11,911 --> 00:45:14,314 - You got it. You got it. Come on! Nice. Come on. 1208 00:45:14,347 --> 00:45:16,549 - All right, now, watch out for that backswing. 1209 00:45:16,583 --> 00:45:17,817 Nice. - Great job. 1210 00:45:17,851 --> 00:45:19,352 - Hold on. And then use the momentum 1211 00:45:19,386 --> 00:45:21,087 to carry you on to the next side. 1212 00:45:21,121 --> 00:45:22,489 This is great. 1213 00:45:22,522 --> 00:45:25,625 - Just has to unhook the last pretzel. 1214 00:45:25,658 --> 00:45:27,127 That's it. Then dismount. 1215 00:45:27,160 --> 00:45:29,262 - Great--great awareness. - Extra swing. 1216 00:45:29,295 --> 00:45:31,131 - Okay, 33-year-old rookie! - Look at this! 1217 00:45:31,164 --> 00:45:32,565 [cheering] 1218 00:45:32,599 --> 00:45:35,235 Austin Hair looking to be our second finisher. 1219 00:45:35,268 --> 00:45:36,436 [cheering] 1220 00:45:36,469 --> 00:45:38,071 - You got this, Austin! - Whoo! 1221 00:45:38,104 --> 00:45:40,774 - Matt, his wife is going crazy on the screen behind him. 1222 00:45:40,807 --> 00:45:42,275 - You got it! You got it! - Let's go! 1223 00:45:42,308 --> 00:45:43,510 - Here you go. 1224 00:45:43,543 --> 00:45:44,511 [cheering] - Okay! 1225 00:45:44,544 --> 00:45:46,646 - Austin! Great hair day! 1226 00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:49,716 [cheering] 1227 00:45:52,252 --> 00:45:54,220 - Oh, my God! 1228 00:45:54,254 --> 00:45:55,622 - Yeah! 1229 00:45:55,655 --> 00:45:56,890 Yeah! 1230 00:45:56,923 --> 00:45:58,758 - And he is pumped. 1231 00:45:58,792 --> 00:46:00,527 Unbelievable. 1232 00:46:00,560 --> 00:46:02,862 - Whoo! 1233 00:46:02,896 --> 00:46:04,297 - You got a kid on the way. 1234 00:46:04,330 --> 00:46:05,498 What's it gonna be like someday 1235 00:46:05,532 --> 00:46:08,301 having your kid watch this moment? 1236 00:46:08,335 --> 00:46:10,070 - It's gonna be-- it's gonna be crazy, you know? 1237 00:46:10,103 --> 00:46:11,604 I'm doing this for Lisa. 1238 00:46:11,638 --> 00:46:14,174 She still does "Ninja." She still crushes it. 1239 00:46:14,207 --> 00:46:16,576 That's what this is all about. - Yeah, and it's a reminder 1240 00:46:16,609 --> 00:46:18,345 to you to never make excuses, right? 1241 00:46:18,378 --> 00:46:19,379 - I got no excuse. - Yeah. 1242 00:46:19,412 --> 00:46:20,780 - I got no excuse compared to her. 1243 00:46:20,814 --> 00:46:22,449 - Yeah. - She's amazing. 1244 00:46:22,482 --> 00:46:24,150 - Well, did what you had to do, big man. 1245 00:46:24,184 --> 00:46:25,385 - Thank you. - Congratulations. 1246 00:46:25,418 --> 00:46:27,454 Enjoy the moment. - Thank you. 1247 00:46:27,487 --> 00:46:29,089 Thank you. 1248 00:46:29,122 --> 00:46:32,459 - Holy smokes! That was so awesome! 1249 00:46:32,492 --> 00:46:33,793 - Stick around. 1250 00:46:33,827 --> 00:46:35,895 We've got more heartbreaking moments. 1251 00:46:35,929 --> 00:46:37,597 - Oh! Oh, my God. 1252 00:46:37,630 --> 00:46:39,766 - And unexpected twists. 1253 00:46:39,799 --> 00:46:41,401 * * 1254 00:46:41,434 --> 00:46:43,436 And someone's gonna cash in... 1255 00:46:43,470 --> 00:46:44,637 - I'm rich. 1256 00:46:44,671 --> 00:46:47,741 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1257 00:46:52,212 --> 00:46:53,413 - Welcome back. 1258 00:46:53,446 --> 00:46:55,515 Florida landscaper Vinny Tapia 1259 00:46:55,548 --> 00:46:57,484 looked like a man happy to be alive. 1260 00:46:57,517 --> 00:47:00,020 - Yeah! - And no wonder. 1261 00:47:00,020 --> 00:47:03,123 Three years ago, Tapia had a major heart attack. 1262 00:47:03,156 --> 00:47:04,524 But just four months later, 1263 00:47:04,557 --> 00:47:06,893 he ran the ninja course in Cincinnati. 1264 00:47:06,926 --> 00:47:08,595 - Okay! I see you! 1265 00:47:08,628 --> 00:47:10,897 - And tonight, the 45-year-old was back 1266 00:47:10,930 --> 00:47:13,033 for another shot, 1267 00:47:13,066 --> 00:47:15,402 but suffered a heartbreaking early fall. 1268 00:47:15,435 --> 00:47:16,603 - No! 1269 00:47:16,636 --> 00:47:17,671 - Oh. 1270 00:47:19,406 --> 00:47:22,142 - Heather Weissinger actually keeps hearts beating, 1271 00:47:22,175 --> 00:47:25,211 because she specializes in implanting pacemakers. 1272 00:47:25,245 --> 00:47:26,246 - Here we go. 1273 00:47:26,279 --> 00:47:27,547 - Heather's an honorary member 1274 00:47:27,580 --> 00:47:29,282 of the Towers of Power 1275 00:47:29,315 --> 00:47:31,651 with Brandon Mears and her boyfriend, Dan Polizzi. 1276 00:47:31,685 --> 00:47:33,153 - Whoo! 1277 00:47:33,186 --> 00:47:34,387 - And unlike Mears, 1278 00:47:34,421 --> 00:47:36,089 she survived the balance obstacle. 1279 00:47:36,122 --> 00:47:37,357 - Yeah! - Whoo-hoo! 1280 00:47:37,390 --> 00:47:38,658 - She's got the heart of a champion. 1281 00:47:38,692 --> 00:47:39,893 - But one obstacle later, 1282 00:47:39,926 --> 00:47:42,062 her strong run ended on Air Surfer. 1283 00:47:42,095 --> 00:47:44,230 - Oh! She missed it! 1284 00:47:44,264 --> 00:47:45,532 - That was fun. 1285 00:47:45,565 --> 00:47:47,300 I think I kind of blacked out on the balance. 1286 00:47:47,334 --> 00:47:49,069 - Then, it was Dan's turn. 1287 00:47:49,069 --> 00:47:52,072 The Illinois firefighter followed his girlfriend's lead 1288 00:47:52,072 --> 00:47:53,740 and chose Domino Effect. 1289 00:47:53,773 --> 00:47:55,442 - He had that forward lean, going over. 1290 00:47:55,475 --> 00:47:58,078 - And after getting through the first five obstacles, 1291 00:47:58,078 --> 00:48:00,613 he was the first to attempt the Mega Wall tonight. 1292 00:48:00,647 --> 00:48:02,015 - You got this. - And though 1293 00:48:02,015 --> 00:48:04,451 he came up short... - Oh! 1294 00:48:04,484 --> 00:48:07,520 - He still became our third finisher of the night. 1295 00:48:10,757 --> 00:48:12,892 So many of our competitors are inspired 1296 00:48:12,926 --> 00:48:15,028 to run the course by family members. 1297 00:48:15,028 --> 00:48:17,464 And that's certainly the case with our next athlete. 1298 00:48:17,497 --> 00:48:19,499 You can see him pointing to the sky. 1299 00:48:19,532 --> 00:48:21,267 That's for his dad. - Let's go! 1300 00:48:21,301 --> 00:48:23,803 - This is a very emotional Bryce Buckland, 1301 00:48:23,837 --> 00:48:26,172 who's here to pay tribute to his pop. 1302 00:48:30,043 --> 00:48:32,178 [melancholic music] 1303 00:48:32,212 --> 00:48:34,047 - My dad's name was Russell Buckland, 1304 00:48:34,047 --> 00:48:38,184 and simply put, he was my best friend. 1305 00:48:38,218 --> 00:48:40,787 Dad and I's favorite band is Cheap Trick. 1306 00:48:40,820 --> 00:48:42,822 Any time they would come into town, 1307 00:48:42,856 --> 00:48:44,424 we made sure to go see them. 1308 00:48:44,457 --> 00:48:47,160 - * And I feel so * 1309 00:48:47,193 --> 00:48:49,662 * Lonely * 1310 00:48:49,696 --> 00:48:51,631 - My dad was diagnosed with leukemia 1311 00:48:51,664 --> 00:48:54,401 when I was 13 years old. 1312 00:48:54,434 --> 00:48:56,703 That was a big blow. 1313 00:48:56,736 --> 00:48:58,138 Watching him go through treatments 1314 00:48:58,171 --> 00:49:00,674 was a humbling experience. 1315 00:49:00,707 --> 00:49:03,476 But even still in that weakened state, 1316 00:49:03,510 --> 00:49:05,111 the mentality didn't change. 1317 00:49:05,145 --> 00:49:07,013 It was always, "All right, what's next? 1318 00:49:07,013 --> 00:49:08,348 "What do I have to do? Chemo? 1319 00:49:08,381 --> 00:49:11,017 I'm gonna do it, because I want to live." 1320 00:49:11,051 --> 00:49:12,686 * * 1321 00:49:12,719 --> 00:49:15,221 - * Wherever you go * 1322 00:49:15,255 --> 00:49:17,791 * I'll be with you * 1323 00:49:17,824 --> 00:49:20,860 - So, my dad passed away on June 20, 2020. 1324 00:49:23,263 --> 00:49:27,267 I took that day to just be thankful 1325 00:49:27,300 --> 00:49:29,803 and be appreciative of everything 1326 00:49:29,836 --> 00:49:31,638 that he had done for me. 1327 00:49:31,671 --> 00:49:33,406 - * After the fire * 1328 00:49:33,440 --> 00:49:36,509 * After all the rain * 1329 00:49:36,543 --> 00:49:38,778 * I will be * 1330 00:49:38,812 --> 00:49:41,481 * There * 1331 00:49:41,514 --> 00:49:42,916 - I want to go out there and give it 1332 00:49:42,949 --> 00:49:44,417 everything that I have, 1333 00:49:44,451 --> 00:49:46,786 'cause that is always what he has done. 1334 00:49:54,194 --> 00:49:56,563 - And Bryce Buckland's gonna have lots of support 1335 00:49:56,596 --> 00:49:58,498 from his family back in Florida, 1336 00:49:58,531 --> 00:50:00,667 including his mom, who you see there in the middle. 1337 00:50:00,700 --> 00:50:03,470 And we also arranged a special surprise for Bryce. 1338 00:50:03,503 --> 00:50:04,571 Take a look at this. 1339 00:50:04,604 --> 00:50:06,006 - Hey, Bryce. It's Robin. 1340 00:50:06,039 --> 00:50:08,641 - And Rick, from Cheap Trick. Go hit that buzzer. 1341 00:50:08,675 --> 00:50:11,945 - We're sure your dad will be so proud of you. 1342 00:50:11,978 --> 00:50:13,179 - He'll be so proud of you. 1343 00:50:13,213 --> 00:50:15,615 - Just picture Rick's face on the buzzer. 1344 00:50:15,648 --> 00:50:17,751 - Ah! [cheering] 1345 00:50:17,784 --> 00:50:20,186 - Oh, that's really cool. - Talk about a special moment. 1346 00:50:20,220 --> 00:50:22,489 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick, 1347 00:50:22,522 --> 00:50:24,524 the band he and his dad idolized, 1348 00:50:24,557 --> 00:50:26,226 with a personal message. 1349 00:50:26,259 --> 00:50:28,728 Even the other family members are crying. 1350 00:50:28,762 --> 00:50:30,764 They know what that means to him. 1351 00:50:30,797 --> 00:50:33,366 - You can see the relationship he had with his father. 1352 00:50:33,400 --> 00:50:34,768 Emotional. 1353 00:50:34,801 --> 00:50:37,003 [countdown clock beeping] 1354 00:50:37,037 --> 00:50:39,906 - And now he's got to use that emotion on this course. 1355 00:50:39,939 --> 00:50:41,408 - Yeah, you know, big props 1356 00:50:41,441 --> 00:50:43,209 to the guys from Cheap Trick for doing that. 1357 00:50:43,243 --> 00:50:45,111 That's pretty sweet. 1358 00:50:45,145 --> 00:50:46,479 - One obstacle at a time. 1359 00:50:46,513 --> 00:50:47,814 - Bryce Buckland, 1360 00:50:47,847 --> 00:50:50,116 looking to be a rock star himself tonight. 1361 00:50:50,150 --> 00:50:52,919 One thing we know he's not gonna do is surrender. 1362 00:50:52,952 --> 00:50:55,021 Oh. Let that bar go. 1363 00:50:55,055 --> 00:50:57,691 - Come on. Throw it. - Need a big lache. 1364 00:50:57,724 --> 00:51:00,060 Nice. Locked it on. - I love it, Matt. 1365 00:51:00,093 --> 00:51:03,263 He's carrying that never give up attitude from his father. 1366 00:51:03,296 --> 00:51:07,067 - He's got it. Going with that switch grip. 1367 00:51:07,067 --> 00:51:08,802 Here he goes. 1368 00:51:08,835 --> 00:51:09,969 Looking very strong. 1369 00:51:10,070 --> 00:51:11,204 - There you go. 1370 00:51:11,237 --> 00:51:12,739 - And he's through. 1371 00:51:12,772 --> 00:51:14,407 How cool is that, though? 1372 00:51:14,441 --> 00:51:17,911 The band you and your dad loved wishing you good luck. 1373 00:51:17,944 --> 00:51:20,947 - And in a run like this, every obstacle he gets through 1374 00:51:20,980 --> 00:51:23,416 is just gonna be a wave of emotion. 1375 00:51:23,450 --> 00:51:24,851 Good footwork here. - Nice. 1376 00:51:24,884 --> 00:51:26,553 - Yeah! - Right through the dominoes. 1377 00:51:26,586 --> 00:51:29,122 - Whoo! Yes! - He is pumped. 1378 00:51:29,155 --> 00:51:30,724 - He had a little bit of emotion. 1379 00:51:30,757 --> 00:51:32,592 Now, the adrenaline's starting to pump in. 1380 00:51:32,625 --> 00:51:33,626 - Well, he's an athlete. 1381 00:51:33,660 --> 00:51:35,228 He was a drum major 1382 00:51:35,261 --> 00:51:37,364 for the All-America Band, a true honor, 1383 00:51:37,397 --> 00:51:39,265 but also a high-level gymnast, Akbar. 1384 00:51:39,299 --> 00:51:40,934 Good body awareness, good control, 1385 00:51:40,967 --> 00:51:42,869 but this board-- 1386 00:51:42,902 --> 00:51:44,471 easy to make a mistake here, 1387 00:51:44,504 --> 00:51:45,905 get that board off-center. 1388 00:51:45,939 --> 00:51:47,707 - Yeah, it's upper body strength and technique. 1389 00:51:47,741 --> 00:51:49,442 You just gotta be able to see it. It's a rhythm. 1390 00:51:49,476 --> 00:51:51,945 Being able to keep the rhythm on the smaller landing pad, 1391 00:51:51,978 --> 00:51:53,279 making sure you're accurate. - Oh! 1392 00:51:53,313 --> 00:51:55,248 - He almost overshot it on Air Surfer. Ooh. 1393 00:51:55,281 --> 00:51:57,317 - That left side in precarious position. 1394 00:51:57,350 --> 00:51:58,518 - And don't over-correct it. 1395 00:51:58,551 --> 00:51:59,819 You gotta just control your body. 1396 00:51:59,853 --> 00:52:01,354 He's gotta go up and out. 1397 00:52:01,388 --> 00:52:02,889 Not a lot of leverage, though. 1398 00:52:02,922 --> 00:52:04,124 Whoa. Oh! - Oh, no! 1399 00:52:04,157 --> 00:52:06,326 - The grip pulled off. 1400 00:52:06,359 --> 00:52:08,728 [sighs] [cheering] 1401 00:52:08,762 --> 00:52:11,431 - Well, he looks disappointed, but he shouldn't be. 1402 00:52:11,464 --> 00:52:12,899 You know his dad would be proud. 1403 00:52:12,932 --> 00:52:15,301 And Zuri's gonna see how he's doing. 1404 00:52:15,335 --> 00:52:19,205 - Bryce, you and your father loved Cheap Trick, 1405 00:52:19,239 --> 00:52:22,175 and they kicked off that start line run for you. 1406 00:52:22,208 --> 00:52:24,277 How was that? What did that mean to you? 1407 00:52:24,310 --> 00:52:26,279 - The fact that they were willing to go out of their way 1408 00:52:26,312 --> 00:52:28,114 to do that and honor my dad, 1409 00:52:28,148 --> 00:52:29,916 that just--that means the world to me, so... 1410 00:52:29,949 --> 00:52:31,484 - You've certainly honored your father. 1411 00:52:31,518 --> 00:52:33,853 You've had your own performance in the Tacoma Dome. 1412 00:52:33,887 --> 00:52:36,489 And it was a job well done. Good stuff. 1413 00:52:36,523 --> 00:52:38,825 - I'm just--I'm so happy and blessed to be here. 1414 00:52:40,627 --> 00:52:42,562 I got my family. 1415 00:52:42,595 --> 00:52:44,964 I love them all so much. 1416 00:52:44,998 --> 00:52:46,766 You know, I didn't get a buzzer, Dad, 1417 00:52:46,800 --> 00:52:49,002 but I love you. 1418 00:53:00,447 --> 00:53:02,082 - Hey, Matt, Akbar, and all you "Ninja" fans. 1419 00:53:02,115 --> 00:53:04,451 Peyton Manning here. Tune in tomorrow night 1420 00:53:04,484 --> 00:53:07,053 for the premiere of the Capital One College Bowl. 1421 00:53:07,087 --> 00:53:09,055 It's the ultimate academic challenge, 1422 00:53:09,089 --> 00:53:12,225 with life-changing college scholarships on the line. 1423 00:53:12,258 --> 00:53:14,761 Be sure to watch us tomorrow night on NBC. 1424 00:53:14,794 --> 00:53:16,963 Back to you. - Oh, man, thank you, Peyton. 1425 00:53:17,063 --> 00:53:19,432 And a guy who looked like he could play football, 1426 00:53:19,466 --> 00:53:21,401 five-time veteran Michael Johnson, 1427 00:53:21,434 --> 00:53:22,869 just tackled our course. 1428 00:53:22,902 --> 00:53:25,338 - We don't see a lot of swole ninjas like this. 1429 00:53:25,372 --> 00:53:27,907 - And despite being the night's heaviest competitor, 1430 00:53:27,941 --> 00:53:29,476 at 215 pounds, 1431 00:53:29,509 --> 00:53:30,977 he was light on his feet. 1432 00:53:31,077 --> 00:53:33,913 - You can be swole and mobile. This is a mobile ninja. 1433 00:53:33,947 --> 00:53:36,082 - But on Air Surfer, it was his feet 1434 00:53:36,116 --> 00:53:38,151 that turned out to be his downfall. 1435 00:53:38,184 --> 00:53:40,086 - Oh, no! 1436 00:53:40,120 --> 00:53:42,122 - The snowboard hit my foot. 1437 00:53:42,155 --> 00:53:43,523 That's gonna make for a greater slow-mo. 1438 00:53:43,556 --> 00:53:46,659 - His foot did get in the way. 1439 00:53:46,693 --> 00:53:50,430 Then it was another Georgia ninja, The Maker, 1440 00:53:50,463 --> 00:53:52,632 obstacle designer Kevin Carbone. 1441 00:53:52,665 --> 00:53:54,768 - Let's see what he's got. - Carbone created 1442 00:53:54,801 --> 00:53:57,170 some of "Ninja's" most popular obstacles, 1443 00:53:57,203 --> 00:54:00,040 including the Wingnuts and Slingshot. 1444 00:54:00,073 --> 00:54:03,476 And he cruised through the first five obstacles tonight. 1445 00:54:03,510 --> 00:54:05,679 - I feel like Kevin Carbone's about to do something special. 1446 00:54:05,712 --> 00:54:07,480 - The Maker went for the Mega Wall. 1447 00:54:07,514 --> 00:54:09,783 - Kevin Carbone! Oh! - Aw! 1448 00:54:09,816 --> 00:54:11,284 - And though he missed, 1449 00:54:11,317 --> 00:54:14,554 he was still able to cap off his run with a buzzer, 1450 00:54:14,587 --> 00:54:17,424 and the second-fastest time so far. 1451 00:54:17,457 --> 00:54:19,159 Then it was the Dream Chaser, 1452 00:54:19,192 --> 00:54:21,394 Atlanta barista Tyler Gillett, 1453 00:54:21,428 --> 00:54:23,196 who took the opposite approach, 1454 00:54:23,229 --> 00:54:24,931 going much slower than normal. 1455 00:54:24,964 --> 00:54:27,500 - Feel good? - Yeah, bro. I feel good. 1456 00:54:27,534 --> 00:54:30,136 - All because he was saving himself for the Mega Wall. 1457 00:54:30,170 --> 00:54:32,238 - You going for 10K, buddy? 1458 00:54:33,640 --> 00:54:35,742 - Yeah! - Gillett came close. 1459 00:54:35,775 --> 00:54:38,111 - Dream Chaser. - Oh! 1460 00:54:38,144 --> 00:54:39,546 - Just an inch. 1461 00:54:39,579 --> 00:54:41,114 - [groans] 1462 00:54:41,147 --> 00:54:43,149 - And then recovered to join our growing list 1463 00:54:43,183 --> 00:54:44,484 of finishers. 1464 00:54:44,517 --> 00:54:45,952 - Good work! 1465 00:54:47,287 --> 00:54:49,756 - I touched it. 1466 00:54:49,789 --> 00:54:51,725 - Well, we've got another southern ninja 1467 00:54:51,758 --> 00:54:52,992 stepping up to the plate. 1468 00:54:53,093 --> 00:54:55,995 This is Brett Hernandez Strong. 1469 00:54:56,096 --> 00:54:57,664 He's swinging a baseball bat 1470 00:54:57,697 --> 00:54:59,933 because he dreamed of being a big leaguer. 1471 00:55:00,033 --> 00:55:02,736 But he spends his summers as the coolest camp counselor 1472 00:55:02,769 --> 00:55:04,371 in North Carolina. 1473 00:55:06,840 --> 00:55:09,409 - Here we are at Camp Durant. 1474 00:55:09,442 --> 00:55:12,045 Camp Durant has an amazing lake, 1475 00:55:12,078 --> 00:55:14,247 an awesome climbing tower, a grand lodge, 1476 00:55:14,280 --> 00:55:15,615 a huge activity field, 1477 00:55:15,648 --> 00:55:16,716 and most importantly, 1478 00:55:16,750 --> 00:55:18,518 a phenomenal staff. 1479 00:55:19,819 --> 00:55:21,721 - Like myself. 1480 00:55:23,056 --> 00:55:26,393 When I first came here as a 12-year-old Boy Scout, 1481 00:55:26,426 --> 00:55:28,395 and I've been coming here every summer since. 1482 00:55:28,428 --> 00:55:30,864 And now, I am a mountain biking instructor. 1483 00:55:30,897 --> 00:55:32,399 All right, are you guys ready to ride? 1484 00:55:32,432 --> 00:55:34,868 all: Yeah! - All right. Let's do it. 1485 00:55:34,901 --> 00:55:36,536 - * Here I am again * 1486 00:55:36,569 --> 00:55:38,505 * Here I am tonight * 1487 00:55:38,538 --> 00:55:40,607 * Here I am again * 1488 00:55:40,640 --> 00:55:42,909 - On a mountain bike, you need to have good balance, 1489 00:55:42,942 --> 00:55:44,277 you need to anticipate, 1490 00:55:44,310 --> 00:55:46,079 and you need to have visual awareness. 1491 00:55:46,079 --> 00:55:47,447 And I think, on a "Ninja" course, 1492 00:55:47,480 --> 00:55:49,282 having visual awareness and good balance 1493 00:55:49,315 --> 00:55:50,550 is very important. 1494 00:55:52,185 --> 00:55:55,355 Mountain biking and "Ninja" are both passions in my life. 1495 00:55:55,388 --> 00:55:57,257 I've been watching this show since nine years old, 1496 00:55:57,290 --> 00:55:58,658 and now I'm finally getting a shot, 1497 00:55:58,692 --> 00:56:00,260 and it just means the absolute world to me. 1498 00:56:00,293 --> 00:56:02,062 I'm on cloud nine right now. 1499 00:56:03,763 --> 00:56:06,866 I have worked tirelessly for the past 10 years. 1500 00:56:06,900 --> 00:56:09,402 I want to show these campers that they can achieve any goal 1501 00:56:09,436 --> 00:56:11,237 that they set their minds to. 1502 00:56:14,507 --> 00:56:17,310 - He calls himself B.Strong. - Whoo! 1503 00:56:17,344 --> 00:56:18,812 - And he's got a lot of energy. 1504 00:56:18,845 --> 00:56:20,313 - I love you guys! I'm so happy to be here! 1505 00:56:20,347 --> 00:56:22,282 - Come on, Brett! 1506 00:56:22,315 --> 00:56:24,250 - Oh! He is fired up. - Whoo! 1507 00:56:24,284 --> 00:56:25,885 - He's got lots of fans, 1508 00:56:25,919 --> 00:56:28,121 including his mom, sister, and grandpa, 1509 00:56:28,154 --> 00:56:31,057 plus lots of ninjas where he trains in North Carolina. 1510 00:56:31,057 --> 00:56:33,593 [countdown clock beeping] 1511 00:56:33,626 --> 00:56:35,161 - B.Strong, very confident. 1512 00:56:35,195 --> 00:56:36,963 Despite not being that well-known, 1513 00:56:37,063 --> 00:56:39,099 he says he's gonna be Rookie of the Year. 1514 00:56:39,132 --> 00:56:41,067 - Well, with all the impressive teenagers 1515 00:56:41,067 --> 00:56:43,403 we've seen this season, that may be hard to do. 1516 00:56:43,436 --> 00:56:46,072 But this kid's only 19 himself. 1517 00:56:46,072 --> 00:56:48,408 Makes the catch on Overpass. - Nice. 1518 00:56:48,441 --> 00:56:50,877 - B.Strong, a student at Wingate University. 1519 00:56:50,910 --> 00:56:54,481 Said he's trying out for the baseball team in the fall. 1520 00:56:54,514 --> 00:56:57,117 Now, Split Decision. 1521 00:56:57,150 --> 00:56:58,551 - Okay. Looks like he's trying 1522 00:56:58,585 --> 00:57:00,854 to pick off the runner on first base here. 1523 00:57:00,887 --> 00:57:02,288 - Yes, Brett. - He trains back 1524 00:57:02,322 --> 00:57:04,357 in North Carolina with Devin Harrelson. 1525 00:57:04,391 --> 00:57:05,725 Dougie Fresh will get him going. 1526 00:57:05,759 --> 00:57:07,193 - As a mountain biker, you expect him 1527 00:57:07,227 --> 00:57:09,262 to have great balance on these dominoes. 1528 00:57:09,295 --> 00:57:11,264 - Yes! - That was smooth. 1529 00:57:11,297 --> 00:57:13,299 B.Strong has some wheels on him. 1530 00:57:13,333 --> 00:57:16,536 [cheering] 1531 00:57:16,569 --> 00:57:18,238 - And it looks like, if you get through 1532 00:57:18,271 --> 00:57:20,373 this next obstacle, Air Surfer, 1533 00:57:20,407 --> 00:57:22,242 you'll be safely in the top 30 1534 00:57:22,275 --> 00:57:24,110 and move on to the semifinals. 1535 00:57:24,144 --> 00:57:25,412 Four-foot gap here. 1536 00:57:25,445 --> 00:57:28,782 Only 5'6", 140 pounds. - Ooh. 1537 00:57:28,815 --> 00:57:30,817 - You could see, almost overshot it with that board. 1538 00:57:30,850 --> 00:57:32,686 - Yes. And you see, he's starting to get uneven. 1539 00:57:32,719 --> 00:57:34,120 He's gotta watch out there. 1540 00:57:34,154 --> 00:57:35,755 - You can see that bar shifting a little bit. 1541 00:57:35,789 --> 00:57:37,323 - And that's a small platform right there. 1542 00:57:37,357 --> 00:57:39,125 This is a bigger platform. 1543 00:57:39,159 --> 00:57:40,326 Nice. 1544 00:57:42,929 --> 00:57:44,597 - Makes the dismount there. 1545 00:57:44,631 --> 00:57:45,965 [cheering] 1546 00:57:46,066 --> 00:57:47,467 - Matt, he wants to be Rookie of the Year. 1547 00:57:47,500 --> 00:57:50,103 That's his goal. He says he wants to hit that buzzer, 1548 00:57:50,136 --> 00:57:51,905 and he wants to make his mark known. 1549 00:57:51,938 --> 00:57:55,542 - Can Brett Hernandez Strong survive the Pretzel Twist? 1550 00:57:55,575 --> 00:57:58,378 Lots of good ninjas have fallen here tonight already. 1551 00:58:00,046 --> 00:58:02,015 We've seen many of the talented teenagers 1552 00:58:02,048 --> 00:58:04,017 from this season on "Ninja Junior," 1553 00:58:04,017 --> 00:58:06,152 but 19-year-old Brett Hernandez Strong 1554 00:58:06,186 --> 00:58:08,388 wasn't really on our radar. 1555 00:58:08,421 --> 00:58:11,558 But, Akbar, he's putting together a strong run. 1556 00:58:11,591 --> 00:58:14,728 - Matt, I love his confidence. 1557 00:58:14,761 --> 00:58:16,763 - Working his way across Pretzel Twist. 1558 00:58:16,796 --> 00:58:18,398 Only five ninjas have conquered 1559 00:58:18,431 --> 00:58:20,767 this new obstacle tonight. 1560 00:58:21,735 --> 00:58:23,937 - Come on! There it is! - You got it! 1561 00:58:24,037 --> 00:58:25,772 - And you see him. He's grabbing from the inside. 1562 00:58:25,805 --> 00:58:28,908 That's what I call the grandma-steering-wheel hold. 1563 00:58:29,943 --> 00:58:31,077 - It seems to be working for him. 1564 00:58:31,111 --> 00:58:32,312 - Oh! - Oh, my! 1565 00:58:32,345 --> 00:58:34,681 - That was an elite move by B.Strong! 1566 00:58:34,714 --> 00:58:37,050 Okay! Okay! 1567 00:58:37,050 --> 00:58:40,253 - Look at this rookie! - Oh! 1568 00:58:40,286 --> 00:58:41,921 - Oh, man! - Go! 1569 00:58:41,955 --> 00:58:43,923 - Bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded. 1570 00:58:43,957 --> 00:58:45,225 He's going for the Mega Wall! 1571 00:58:45,258 --> 00:58:47,327 - Money. - Mega Wall time. 1572 00:58:47,360 --> 00:58:48,862 [cheering] 1573 00:58:48,895 --> 00:58:50,864 - This is crazy. - B.Strong. 1574 00:58:50,897 --> 00:58:53,733 - Only ninja great Joe Marovsky has made it up 1575 00:58:53,767 --> 00:58:55,602 the 18-foot wall this season. 1576 00:58:55,635 --> 00:58:57,804 Strong would be the shortest person ever 1577 00:58:57,837 --> 00:59:00,006 to beat it, at 5'6". 1578 00:59:00,006 --> 00:59:02,375 - If B.Strong gets this, this would put you 1579 00:59:02,409 --> 00:59:05,412 in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. 1580 00:59:05,445 --> 00:59:07,247 - He's looking to steal home, Akbar. 1581 00:59:07,280 --> 00:59:08,848 - Here he goes. - He's looking to ceiling. 1582 00:59:08,882 --> 00:59:12,185 This is as big as the Green Monster in Fenway! 1583 00:59:12,218 --> 00:59:14,320 - Oh, boy. Here he goes! - Here goes B.Strong! 1584 00:59:14,354 --> 00:59:16,356 both: Oh! - Oh, my! 1585 00:59:16,389 --> 00:59:19,125 - What? - [screams] 1586 00:59:19,159 --> 00:59:20,427 Yes! [buzzer blares] 1587 00:59:20,460 --> 00:59:22,862 Whoo! 1588 00:59:22,896 --> 00:59:24,698 [cheering] 1589 00:59:24,731 --> 00:59:29,035 - A grand slam home run for the rookie. 1590 00:59:29,035 --> 00:59:31,404 You got $10,000, buddy! 1591 00:59:31,438 --> 00:59:33,707 - Where did you come from? 1592 00:59:33,740 --> 00:59:37,444 [cheering] 1593 00:59:37,477 --> 00:59:39,245 - Thank you! 1594 00:59:39,279 --> 00:59:42,349 - Well, you said you wanted to be the Rookie of the Year. 1595 00:59:42,382 --> 00:59:45,051 You just put your name in the conversation. 1596 00:59:45,051 --> 00:59:46,720 You really are B.Strong. 1597 00:59:46,753 --> 00:59:48,722 - I've been watching this show for the last 10 years, 1598 00:59:48,755 --> 00:59:50,690 and I've just been dreaming of this moment 1599 00:59:50,724 --> 00:59:52,959 for nights and nights and nights. 1600 00:59:53,059 --> 00:59:54,728 And finally, we're here. 1601 00:59:54,761 --> 00:59:56,663 And that was just amazing. 1602 00:59:56,696 --> 00:59:59,366 [cheering] 1603 00:59:59,399 --> 01:00:02,969 - His "Ninja" debut was definitely a home run. 1604 01:00:03,003 --> 01:00:06,373 This unknown rookie is just the second athlete all season 1605 01:00:06,406 --> 01:00:08,842 to take down the 18-foot Mega Wall, 1606 01:00:08,875 --> 01:00:11,745 and he's $10,000 richer. 1607 01:00:11,778 --> 01:00:13,279 * * 1608 01:00:13,313 --> 01:00:14,848 - * Show 'em what you're made of * 1609 01:00:14,881 --> 01:00:18,118 - Hit that big buzzer one more time. 1610 01:00:18,151 --> 01:00:20,086 - Whoo! - The unknown rookie, 1611 01:00:20,120 --> 01:00:21,488 Brett Hernandez Strong. 1612 01:00:21,521 --> 01:00:23,790 I guess we could say he is The Natural. 1613 01:00:23,823 --> 01:00:26,159 - Whoo-hoo-hoo! 1614 01:00:26,192 --> 01:00:27,494 - Coming up, 1615 01:00:27,527 --> 01:00:30,530 she took her family off the grid 1616 01:00:30,563 --> 01:00:32,132 and onto a boat. 1617 01:00:34,167 --> 01:00:36,936 This ninja mom's mermaid adventure, 1618 01:00:36,970 --> 01:00:39,939 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1619 01:00:47,013 --> 01:00:49,249 - We are keeping it fresh tonight here 1620 01:00:49,282 --> 01:00:51,084 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1621 01:00:51,117 --> 01:00:52,185 - Get ready. Let's go. 1622 01:00:52,218 --> 01:00:53,987 - Moments ago, Devin Harrelson, 1623 01:00:54,020 --> 01:00:55,855 better known as Dougie Fresh, 1624 01:00:55,889 --> 01:00:59,092 continued his flavorful start line traditions, 1625 01:00:59,125 --> 01:01:00,727 taking a selfie... 1626 01:01:00,760 --> 01:01:02,729 - Oh, there's the start line selfie. 1627 01:01:02,762 --> 01:01:04,664 - And then lighting up his shoes. 1628 01:01:04,698 --> 01:01:06,166 - The whole thing lights up. - Wow. 1629 01:01:06,199 --> 01:01:07,701 - Look at them. Them clean. 1630 01:01:07,734 --> 01:01:09,102 I want some of those. 1631 01:01:09,135 --> 01:01:11,438 - The tattoo artist from North Carolina 1632 01:01:11,471 --> 01:01:13,540 always brings some flair to the course. 1633 01:01:13,573 --> 01:01:15,775 - He's got the swag. He's got the shimmy. 1634 01:01:15,809 --> 01:01:18,378 - And though he didn't get the buzzer he was looking for... 1635 01:01:18,411 --> 01:01:21,081 - Oh, man! Salty on the pretzel. 1636 01:01:21,081 --> 01:01:23,283 - He still made it far enough, fast enough, 1637 01:01:23,316 --> 01:01:25,218 to move on to the semifinals. 1638 01:01:25,251 --> 01:01:27,520 - Are they still lighting up? 1639 01:01:27,554 --> 01:01:31,091 - Max Feinberg is another one of our talented teenagers... 1640 01:01:31,124 --> 01:01:33,593 [playing "William Tell Overture Final"] 1641 01:01:33,626 --> 01:01:36,196 Who's also a member of his school's marching band. 1642 01:01:36,229 --> 01:01:38,198 * * 1643 01:01:38,231 --> 01:01:40,800 This self-proclaimed band geek from Arlington 1644 01:01:40,834 --> 01:01:42,736 marched right through the course. 1645 01:01:42,769 --> 01:01:44,771 - Boy, it's so good to be young. 1646 01:01:44,804 --> 01:01:46,573 - This is so much fun! 1647 01:01:46,606 --> 01:01:48,675 - The 16-year-old wore pink on his shirt 1648 01:01:48,708 --> 01:01:51,411 to honor his mother, who's fighting breast cancer. 1649 01:01:52,679 --> 01:01:55,148 And he made it all the way to the buzzer. 1650 01:01:55,181 --> 01:01:57,150 - That's for you, Mom. That's for you. 1651 01:01:57,183 --> 01:01:58,952 - "That's for you, Mom." 1652 01:01:58,985 --> 01:02:00,520 - What a beautiful moment. 1653 01:02:00,553 --> 01:02:02,122 - You a mama's boy? 1654 01:02:02,155 --> 01:02:03,423 - 100%. 1655 01:02:03,456 --> 01:02:05,925 - I love you, buddy. 1656 01:02:05,959 --> 01:02:08,728 - Well, we are down to the last woman of the night. 1657 01:02:08,762 --> 01:02:11,431 And believe it or not, she's a mermaid. 1658 01:02:11,464 --> 01:02:13,667 This is Charity LeBlanc. 1659 01:02:13,700 --> 01:02:15,602 She's a social media sensation 1660 01:02:15,635 --> 01:02:17,671 with almost a million followers. 1661 01:02:17,704 --> 01:02:19,706 She adopted the mermaid persona 1662 01:02:19,739 --> 01:02:21,708 for her fitness and beauty videos 1663 01:02:21,741 --> 01:02:24,477 and started competing as the Mermaid Ninja. 1664 01:02:24,511 --> 01:02:27,847 And now, she's taking the mermaid life even further. 1665 01:02:27,881 --> 01:02:31,551 She and her family are gonna be spending more time at sea. 1666 01:02:36,222 --> 01:02:38,692 - This year, we decided to sell our house, 1667 01:02:38,725 --> 01:02:40,760 get rid of most of our belongings, 1668 01:02:40,794 --> 01:02:41,995 and live on a boat. 1669 01:02:45,832 --> 01:02:48,101 I think living on a sailboat is the closest I can get 1670 01:02:48,101 --> 01:02:49,569 to being a real-life mermaid. 1671 01:02:53,606 --> 01:02:55,475 You guys ready to sail today? 1672 01:02:55,508 --> 01:02:56,576 - Yeah. - Yeah! 1673 01:02:56,609 --> 01:02:57,877 - Where do you think we should go? 1674 01:02:57,911 --> 01:03:00,313 - Australia. - Ooh, that's a big sail. 1675 01:03:00,347 --> 01:03:02,382 I don't know if we're gonna make that today. 1676 01:03:02,415 --> 01:03:04,784 Me and my husband just wanted to slow down 1677 01:03:04,818 --> 01:03:06,920 and live a little closer to nature, 1678 01:03:06,953 --> 01:03:09,489 and set out on a huge adventure with our family. 1679 01:03:13,393 --> 01:03:15,161 All right, guys, you ready to go wash the deck? 1680 01:03:15,195 --> 01:03:16,496 - Yep. - All right. 1681 01:03:16,529 --> 01:03:17,964 Don't forget to put your life jackets on. 1682 01:03:18,064 --> 01:03:19,632 My kids are really adjusting well to boat life. 1683 01:03:19,666 --> 01:03:21,768 They really like being able to contribute, 1684 01:03:21,801 --> 01:03:24,971 and it teaches them hard work and good work ethic. 1685 01:03:26,406 --> 01:03:28,208 Living on a sailboat has really helped me 1686 01:03:28,241 --> 01:03:29,275 with my "Ninja" training. 1687 01:03:32,178 --> 01:03:34,447 Pulling ropes and hoisting sails 1688 01:03:34,481 --> 01:03:35,715 is a lot of arm strength. 1689 01:03:38,218 --> 01:03:39,686 And I've also figured out 1690 01:03:39,719 --> 01:03:43,189 how to get a little better at balance. 1691 01:03:43,223 --> 01:03:45,458 I really think that a lot of people get into this mindset 1692 01:03:45,492 --> 01:03:47,227 that once you're a mom, you do mom things. 1693 01:03:47,260 --> 01:03:49,462 But I want to show people you could be a mom 1694 01:03:49,496 --> 01:03:50,864 and you can still have fun hair, 1695 01:03:50,897 --> 01:03:52,632 and you can live on a boat, 1696 01:03:52,665 --> 01:03:55,101 you can be a "Ninja" athlete. 1697 01:03:55,101 --> 01:03:56,503 I really hope that people see me 1698 01:03:56,536 --> 01:03:58,471 and feel encouraged to do the same. 1699 01:04:03,843 --> 01:04:05,945 - Lots of family and friends cheering for her 1700 01:04:06,046 --> 01:04:07,247 back in Florida, 1701 01:04:07,280 --> 01:04:09,049 including her sailboat crew, 1702 01:04:09,049 --> 01:04:10,583 her husband and two kids. 1703 01:04:12,052 --> 01:04:13,753 - I miss you guys. 1704 01:04:13,787 --> 01:04:16,823 [countdown clock beeping] 1705 01:04:16,856 --> 01:04:18,858 - It's her third season competing. 1706 01:04:18,892 --> 01:04:21,594 Trying to get beyond qualifying for the first time. 1707 01:04:22,962 --> 01:04:25,532 - It's all you, Charity. Come on. You got it. 1708 01:04:25,565 --> 01:04:28,435 - The top five women advance to the semifinals, 1709 01:04:28,468 --> 01:04:30,303 and if she can reach the fourth obstacle, 1710 01:04:30,337 --> 01:04:32,372 she'll be one of them. 1711 01:04:33,473 --> 01:04:36,076 Let's see if she can catch this moving bar. 1712 01:04:37,310 --> 01:04:39,079 Yes! Timed that perfectly. 1713 01:04:39,112 --> 01:04:42,115 - Ooh, that mermaid can fly! A flying mermaid! 1714 01:04:42,882 --> 01:04:43,950 - You got it. Come on! 1715 01:04:43,983 --> 01:04:46,119 [cheering] 1716 01:04:46,152 --> 01:04:48,855 - Going with a switch grip. Secure that rod. 1717 01:04:48,888 --> 01:04:50,390 Nice. - Here we go. 1718 01:04:50,423 --> 01:04:52,292 - Just needs the dismount. 1719 01:04:53,159 --> 01:04:54,327 - Yes, Charity! 1720 01:04:54,361 --> 01:04:55,395 Got it. 1721 01:04:55,428 --> 01:04:58,932 [cheering] 1722 01:04:58,965 --> 01:05:01,868 And she's reached Split Decision. 1723 01:05:01,901 --> 01:05:03,103 What is she gonna choose? 1724 01:05:03,136 --> 01:05:06,039 - Dominoes. Dominoes. - Left, Charity. 1725 01:05:06,039 --> 01:05:08,408 - Her sister says go with Domino Effect. 1726 01:05:08,441 --> 01:05:10,443 5'2", 115. 1727 01:05:10,477 --> 01:05:12,812 - Yes! Let's go. 1728 01:05:12,846 --> 01:05:14,748 - Maybe not comfortable with her feet. 1729 01:05:14,781 --> 01:05:16,249 A little more comfortable in the water. 1730 01:05:16,282 --> 01:05:17,917 we're gonna see, Akbar. - Here we go. Nice. 1731 01:05:17,951 --> 01:05:20,620 - Oh, there it is! - Yeah. 1732 01:05:20,653 --> 01:05:24,057 Yeah! Okay, Charity! [cheering] 1733 01:05:24,057 --> 01:05:26,626 - And with that, Charity LeBlanc can set sail 1734 01:05:26,659 --> 01:05:28,061 for Los Angeles. 1735 01:05:28,094 --> 01:05:30,163 She's going to the semifinals. 1736 01:05:30,196 --> 01:05:32,899 - All right. Let's see if the mermaid can surf. 1737 01:05:32,932 --> 01:05:34,367 - Well, the Air Surfer has taken out 1738 01:05:34,401 --> 01:05:37,203 more ninjas tonight than any other obstacle. 1739 01:05:37,237 --> 01:05:39,639 [overlapping chatter] - There you go. 1740 01:05:39,673 --> 01:05:42,375 - She's taking nice little measured hops. 1741 01:05:42,409 --> 01:05:44,244 - Only one woman, Alyssa Varsalona, survived it. 1742 01:05:44,277 --> 01:05:46,746 - This is a big jump, Matt. This is a big jump. 1743 01:05:46,780 --> 01:05:47,914 Nice. - Look at that. 1744 01:05:47,947 --> 01:05:49,282 - So, she was able to absorb that. 1745 01:05:49,315 --> 01:05:51,084 - Who knew it? Akbar, this mermaid can fly. 1746 01:05:51,117 --> 01:05:53,219 - Whoa! Okay! - Oh, my! 1747 01:05:53,253 --> 01:05:56,189 - I told you. This is not a fairytale story. 1748 01:05:56,222 --> 01:05:58,725 - Long transition here. - Mermaids really can fly. 1749 01:05:58,758 --> 01:06:01,027 - Oh, my! I'm not sure how she held on. 1750 01:06:01,027 --> 01:06:02,529 That right hand almost slipped off. 1751 01:06:02,562 --> 01:06:06,466 - The left fingers barely having purchase. 1752 01:06:06,499 --> 01:06:08,902 She is eyeing the landing pad. 1753 01:06:08,935 --> 01:06:10,904 But this is gonna be a long dismount. 1754 01:06:12,739 --> 01:06:15,342 - Oh, no! Oh, she's barely hanging on! 1755 01:06:15,375 --> 01:06:16,810 She saves it! 1756 01:06:16,843 --> 01:06:18,611 - [laughs] Unbelievable! - Wow! 1757 01:06:18,645 --> 01:06:20,246 - Okay, Charity! 1758 01:06:20,280 --> 01:06:23,316 [cheering] 1759 01:06:27,454 --> 01:06:29,856 - And now, staring up at the fifth obstacle, 1760 01:06:29,889 --> 01:06:31,191 Pretzel Twist. 1761 01:06:31,224 --> 01:06:32,959 - Oh, that's a big jump. 1762 01:06:33,059 --> 01:06:35,061 - Says that's a big jump. - You got it. 1763 01:06:35,095 --> 01:06:36,463 - You got this. You got this, hon. 1764 01:06:36,496 --> 01:06:37,897 You can do it. You can do it. 1765 01:06:37,931 --> 01:06:39,499 - She's 5'2". 1766 01:06:39,532 --> 01:06:41,534 Needs to really hit the springboard. 1767 01:06:43,069 --> 01:06:44,371 both: Oh! 1768 01:06:44,404 --> 01:06:45,872 [buzzer blares] 1769 01:06:45,905 --> 01:06:48,475 [all groan] 1770 01:06:48,508 --> 01:06:51,077 - Charity LeBlanc comes up short. 1771 01:06:51,111 --> 01:06:53,613 But it's her best run ever. 1772 01:06:53,646 --> 01:06:56,082 And she's going to the semifinals. 1773 01:06:56,082 --> 01:06:58,685 - I thought it was all over on Air Surfer. 1774 01:06:58,718 --> 01:07:00,420 She barely got to the pad. 1775 01:07:00,453 --> 01:07:03,823 But she dug in her fingers and gave it everything she had 1776 01:07:03,857 --> 01:07:05,392 to save herself. 1777 01:07:05,425 --> 01:07:07,761 But at Pretzel Twist, she was spent, 1778 01:07:07,794 --> 01:07:09,596 and just didn't get a good enough jump 1779 01:07:09,629 --> 01:07:11,531 to grab the first handle. 1780 01:07:12,699 --> 01:07:14,401 - I was really hungry and wanted that pretzel, 1781 01:07:14,434 --> 01:07:16,436 but I also really like the water, so 1782 01:07:16,469 --> 01:07:17,904 mermaid problems, I guess. 1783 01:07:19,839 --> 01:07:23,309 - Coming up, they've done some crazy things before... 1784 01:07:23,343 --> 01:07:24,811 - Whoo! 1785 01:07:24,844 --> 01:07:26,813 But wait till you see Grant McCartney 1786 01:07:26,846 --> 01:07:28,581 and Nick Hanson's latest adventure. 1787 01:07:28,615 --> 01:07:29,783 - Know your limits. 1788 01:07:29,816 --> 01:07:32,686 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1789 01:07:37,290 --> 01:07:38,491 - The Tacoma Dome is known 1790 01:07:38,525 --> 01:07:40,427 for epic rock concerts, 1791 01:07:40,460 --> 01:07:43,930 and we just had two runs that brought the house down. 1792 01:07:43,963 --> 01:07:45,899 Vermont's 20-year-old Amir Malik 1793 01:07:45,932 --> 01:07:47,934 was last year's top rookie, 1794 01:07:47,967 --> 01:07:50,236 and he showed he hasn't lost a step. 1795 01:07:50,270 --> 01:07:52,839 - He'll blow the fastest time away. 1796 01:07:52,872 --> 01:07:56,076 - Malik's only 5'6" and 120 pounds. 1797 01:07:56,076 --> 01:07:57,677 - There's no sophomore slump for him, Matt. 1798 01:07:57,711 --> 01:08:00,480 - But he came up big for the second year in a row. 1799 01:08:00,513 --> 01:08:02,048 [cheering] 1800 01:08:02,082 --> 01:08:04,651 - Look at that! He's walking in the air! 1801 01:08:04,684 --> 01:08:07,020 - Last season, Malik broke the buzzer. 1802 01:08:07,020 --> 01:08:08,521 He broke the buzzer! 1803 01:08:08,555 --> 01:08:11,024 So he was extra careful tonight, 1804 01:08:11,024 --> 01:08:14,594 as he put up the fastest time by more than 30 seconds. 1805 01:08:14,627 --> 01:08:16,396 - Come on, baby! 1806 01:08:16,429 --> 01:08:19,599 - Then it was time for RJ Roman to rock the dome. 1807 01:08:19,632 --> 01:08:21,534 - Hello, Tacoma! 1808 01:08:21,568 --> 01:08:24,871 - The heavy metal bass player is known for going fast, 1809 01:08:24,904 --> 01:08:27,307 and he was ready to shred the course once again. 1810 01:08:27,340 --> 01:08:28,842 - It's like a straight sprint. 1811 01:08:28,875 --> 01:08:31,845 - The 24-year-old rocker cut his long hair, 1812 01:08:31,878 --> 01:08:35,115 and he seemed to be even more aerodynamic than last season. 1813 01:08:35,148 --> 01:08:37,350 - This is a head-banging performance. 1814 01:08:37,384 --> 01:08:40,153 - He even had time to attempt the Mega Wall, 1815 01:08:40,186 --> 01:08:43,356 miss it, and still get the fastest time of the night. 1816 01:08:43,390 --> 01:08:46,126 - Thank you, Tacoma! [cheering] 1817 01:08:46,159 --> 01:08:48,661 Let's go! 1818 01:08:48,695 --> 01:08:51,231 - RJ Roman is a tough act to follow. 1819 01:08:51,264 --> 01:08:52,532 But the Island Ninja 1820 01:08:52,565 --> 01:08:55,068 is strutting his way to the start line. 1821 01:08:55,068 --> 01:08:56,736 - Don't tease us, Grant McCartney. 1822 01:08:56,770 --> 01:08:59,506 Let's see the moves. Come on. Ah, ah, ah. 1823 01:08:59,539 --> 01:09:00,907 There we go. Get it, get it. 1824 01:09:01,007 --> 01:09:02,842 - And his buddy from Alaska, Nick Hanson, 1825 01:09:02,876 --> 01:09:04,644 is shaking it on the sideline. 1826 01:09:04,678 --> 01:09:06,680 These two do everything together, 1827 01:09:06,713 --> 01:09:08,682 including going to extremes. 1828 01:09:10,250 --> 01:09:12,018 [energetic music] 1829 01:09:12,018 --> 01:09:14,554 - Grant and I met in our very first season 1830 01:09:14,587 --> 01:09:16,156 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1831 01:09:16,189 --> 01:09:17,557 We just became bros. 1832 01:09:17,590 --> 01:09:19,426 [growls] 1833 01:09:19,459 --> 01:09:22,362 - Me and Nick both believe that you should go 1834 01:09:22,395 --> 01:09:24,464 at your full commitment towards something. 1835 01:09:24,497 --> 01:09:26,399 Going for it, full send. 1836 01:09:26,433 --> 01:09:30,270 - This is what we do in Hawaii, apparently. 1837 01:09:30,303 --> 01:09:34,474 - We have had a ton of adventures together. 1838 01:09:34,507 --> 01:09:36,543 We did cliff jumps. [both scream] 1839 01:09:36,576 --> 01:09:39,646 We swam with sharks. 1840 01:09:39,679 --> 01:09:41,381 Who does that? 1841 01:09:41,414 --> 01:09:43,049 We full-on built an igloo. 1842 01:09:43,049 --> 01:09:45,518 Took four hours, and it was freezing cold. 1843 01:09:45,552 --> 01:09:46,853 Come on in. 1844 01:09:46,886 --> 01:09:48,955 So this last year, I guess I've really decided 1845 01:09:49,055 --> 01:09:50,690 to just take things to the extreme. 1846 01:09:53,393 --> 01:09:55,762 Bro, this is so gnarly. 1847 01:09:55,795 --> 01:09:58,198 Since I was a kid, I've always just had the desire 1848 01:09:58,231 --> 01:10:00,600 to swim under ice. 1849 01:10:00,633 --> 01:10:02,702 - Any Alaskan native, of course, is gonna go, 1850 01:10:02,736 --> 01:10:04,904 "You're an idiot, but I'm gonna watch you do this, 1851 01:10:04,938 --> 01:10:06,272 because I want to see what happens." 1852 01:10:06,306 --> 01:10:08,742 [dramatic music] 1853 01:10:08,775 --> 01:10:10,410 Stay under control. 1854 01:10:10,443 --> 01:10:12,078 Know your breathes. 1855 01:10:12,112 --> 01:10:14,614 Know your breathing. 1856 01:10:14,647 --> 01:10:16,149 Know your limits. 1857 01:10:19,386 --> 01:10:22,255 - I swam down and around, and then I thought, 1858 01:10:22,288 --> 01:10:23,256 "Uh-oh." 1859 01:10:23,289 --> 01:10:26,326 * * 1860 01:10:26,359 --> 01:10:28,161 "Where's the hole I came in from?" 1861 01:10:29,829 --> 01:10:31,631 - It was the longest 30 seconds of my life. 1862 01:10:33,566 --> 01:10:36,136 I'm looking through three feet of water. 1863 01:10:36,169 --> 01:10:37,804 And he comes up, and he looks right at me, 1864 01:10:37,837 --> 01:10:39,339 and he just goes... 1865 01:10:39,372 --> 01:10:40,607 Oh, he's here. 1866 01:10:40,640 --> 01:10:43,009 Yo, what the freak, dude? 1867 01:10:43,043 --> 01:10:45,311 This freaking guy. 1868 01:10:45,345 --> 01:10:48,281 Grant and I push each other to the next level. 1869 01:10:48,314 --> 01:10:50,216 - [shuddering] Whoo. 1870 01:10:50,250 --> 01:10:51,484 Whoo! 1871 01:10:51,518 --> 01:10:54,921 Tonight, me and Nick are gonna go full-send. 1872 01:10:58,692 --> 01:11:00,460 - Yeah, I tried to polar plunge once. 1873 01:11:00,493 --> 01:11:02,195 So I'll pass. - [laughs] Yeah, me too. 1874 01:11:02,228 --> 01:11:04,431 - You got this, boy. - Nick will run next. 1875 01:11:04,464 --> 01:11:05,598 He'll be on the sideline, 1876 01:11:05,632 --> 01:11:07,834 along with Michelle Warnky Buurma. 1877 01:11:07,867 --> 01:11:09,903 And Grant's got his sister and her kids watching. 1878 01:11:09,936 --> 01:11:12,305 - Hi. We love you. - Say, "Go, Uncle Grant." 1879 01:11:12,339 --> 01:11:13,673 - You can do it! 1880 01:11:13,707 --> 01:11:14,974 - Yeah, you can do it! [countdown clock beeping] 1881 01:11:15,075 --> 01:11:16,476 - Oh, here we go! 1882 01:11:16,509 --> 01:11:19,079 - Grant actually spent months preparing for that swim, 1883 01:11:19,079 --> 01:11:23,149 using ice baths to train his body to relax in the cold. 1884 01:11:23,183 --> 01:11:24,684 - Yeah, Matt, and I think he even suffered 1885 01:11:24,718 --> 01:11:25,752 from a little hypothermia. 1886 01:11:25,785 --> 01:11:26,920 - Well, he said he's learning 1887 01:11:26,953 --> 01:11:28,621 to push beyond his limitations. 1888 01:11:28,655 --> 01:11:30,590 - Get it. Go get it. - Nice. 1889 01:11:30,623 --> 01:11:33,526 - And we've seen Grant doesn't have many limitations. 1890 01:11:33,560 --> 01:11:36,296 - You can see he's coming in a little bit more swole. 1891 01:11:36,329 --> 01:11:38,331 He's been doing a lot of power lifting. 1892 01:11:38,365 --> 01:11:40,934 He can deadlift 450 pounds now. 1893 01:11:40,967 --> 01:11:42,369 [cheering] 1894 01:11:42,402 --> 01:11:44,270 - A little dance at Split Decision. 1895 01:11:44,304 --> 01:11:45,739 And he's going with the Domino Effect. 1896 01:11:45,772 --> 01:11:47,474 - Go lightning fast. Lightning fast. 1897 01:11:47,507 --> 01:11:51,011 - He's one of our heaviest competitors, at 205 pounds, 1898 01:11:51,111 --> 01:11:52,812 so really needs to be light on his feet. 1899 01:11:52,846 --> 01:11:55,215 - You go cold-water plunging up in Alaska, 1900 01:11:55,248 --> 01:11:56,783 this should be easy. Nice. 1901 01:11:56,816 --> 01:11:59,019 - That's impressive. He danced across it. 1902 01:11:59,119 --> 01:12:01,321 [cheering] 1903 01:12:01,354 --> 01:12:03,390 - But this is gonna be a challenge, Akbar. 1904 01:12:03,423 --> 01:12:06,559 These next two obstacles-- at 205 pounds, 1905 01:12:06,593 --> 01:12:09,062 he is carrying a lot of mass through the air, 1906 01:12:09,062 --> 01:12:10,964 starting right here, on the Air Surfer. 1907 01:12:11,064 --> 01:12:13,366 - Yeah, there's one thing to push weight around, 1908 01:12:13,400 --> 01:12:14,901 but it's something totally different 1909 01:12:14,934 --> 01:12:16,403 when you got to pull your own weight. 1910 01:12:16,436 --> 01:12:18,371 - Now, granted, the mechanics are different here, 1911 01:12:18,405 --> 01:12:21,274 but he's had problems in the past with the Salmon Ladder, 1912 01:12:21,307 --> 01:12:23,943 using a bar. Here, he's got a bar--oh! 1913 01:12:23,977 --> 01:12:26,446 [buzzer blares] 1914 01:12:26,479 --> 01:12:29,115 He just overshot the landing. 1915 01:12:29,149 --> 01:12:33,119 And this is the shortest run he's ever had in qualifying. 1916 01:12:33,153 --> 01:12:35,588 - Grant, my man, what went wrong here? 1917 01:12:35,622 --> 01:12:36,656 - I think I strong-armed it. 1918 01:12:36,690 --> 01:12:38,425 I think I went a little too hard. 1919 01:12:38,458 --> 01:12:40,093 - Yeah? - I think I went past it. 1920 01:12:40,126 --> 01:12:42,128 - Mm-hmm. - Just too strong. 1921 01:12:42,162 --> 01:12:44,698 I think I over-hopped it. I got to get my finesse back. 1922 01:12:44,731 --> 01:12:46,599 - All right, well, we'll see if you went far enough, 1923 01:12:46,633 --> 01:12:47,801 fast enough. - We'll see. 1924 01:12:47,834 --> 01:12:49,436 - All right, Grant. - Thanks, you guys. 1925 01:12:49,469 --> 01:12:50,670 - And Grant McCartney is in 1926 01:12:50,704 --> 01:12:52,706 real danger of not advancing. 1927 01:12:52,739 --> 01:12:53,707 Right now, 1928 01:12:53,740 --> 01:12:55,408 he's in 28th position, 1929 01:12:55,442 --> 01:12:56,609 with four good athletes 1930 01:12:56,643 --> 01:12:57,844 still to come. 1931 01:12:57,877 --> 01:12:58,845 If he gets pushed out 1932 01:12:58,878 --> 01:12:59,913 of the top 30, 1933 01:12:59,946 --> 01:13:02,449 his season is over. 1934 01:13:02,482 --> 01:13:05,752 And one of those final four is his buddy, Nick Hanson. 1935 01:13:05,785 --> 01:13:07,821 Now, Nick's already had an eventful year. 1936 01:13:07,854 --> 01:13:09,155 He got engaged. 1937 01:13:09,189 --> 01:13:11,591 He's pointing to the ring on his finger. 1938 01:13:11,624 --> 01:13:14,160 Nick popped the question to his longtime girlfriend, 1939 01:13:14,194 --> 01:13:17,263 Joanne, who's watching from up in Alaska. 1940 01:13:17,297 --> 01:13:19,299 - And the irony is, if he does well 1941 01:13:19,332 --> 01:13:21,634 on this run, he's pushing his buddy, Grant, 1942 01:13:21,668 --> 01:13:23,370 further down the leaderboard. 1943 01:13:23,403 --> 01:13:25,105 - One obstacle at a time, bro. 1944 01:13:25,138 --> 01:13:27,073 - But G-Mac already out of the water 1945 01:13:27,073 --> 01:13:29,576 and on the sideline to show support his buddy. 1946 01:13:29,609 --> 01:13:32,445 [countdown clock beeping] 1947 01:13:32,479 --> 01:13:34,581 You know there isn't a second's hesitation. 1948 01:13:34,614 --> 01:13:36,549 G-Mac will be cheering for his friend. 1949 01:13:36,583 --> 01:13:38,518 - Come on, Nick. Attaboy. - You got this, Nick! 1950 01:13:38,551 --> 01:13:39,719 - Quick and smooth. 1951 01:13:39,753 --> 01:13:41,888 - Nick and Grant, fire and ice. 1952 01:13:41,921 --> 01:13:44,958 One from the frozen tundra of Alaska, 1953 01:13:44,991 --> 01:13:47,327 Grant McCartney from Hawaii, the Island Ninja. 1954 01:13:47,360 --> 01:13:49,629 But these two, what a bond they have. 1955 01:13:49,662 --> 01:13:51,297 - Well, Nick trying to shake it off 1956 01:13:51,331 --> 01:13:53,099 after seeing Grant's early exit. 1957 01:13:53,099 --> 01:13:54,768 - Well, we've seen Nick get up the Mega Wall. 1958 01:13:54,801 --> 01:13:56,636 This guy has some great power. 1959 01:13:56,670 --> 01:13:59,172 He competes in a lot of the Native sports up in Alaska, 1960 01:13:59,205 --> 01:14:00,740 and is in the Hall of Fame, 1961 01:14:00,774 --> 01:14:03,043 so this dude is a legit athlete. 1962 01:14:03,076 --> 01:14:05,345 [cheering] 1963 01:14:05,378 --> 01:14:07,714 - Little ice-hopping, bro. Light feet. 1964 01:14:07,747 --> 01:14:09,683 - Matt, he does this all the time in Alaska, 1965 01:14:09,716 --> 01:14:11,484 floating over these little icebergs, 1966 01:14:11,518 --> 01:14:12,852 these mini-icebergs. Look at this. 1967 01:14:12,886 --> 01:14:15,422 - He does ice flow running. Perfect balance. 1968 01:14:15,455 --> 01:14:18,058 [cheering] - There you go, Nick. 1969 01:14:18,091 --> 01:14:19,693 - And now, Air Surfer. 1970 01:14:19,726 --> 01:14:22,462 Conquer this, and he's going to the semifinals. 1971 01:14:22,495 --> 01:14:24,330 both: You got it. - No problem. 1972 01:14:24,364 --> 01:14:26,700 - This one has already taken out nine ninjas tonight, 1973 01:14:26,733 --> 01:14:28,301 including G-Mac. 1974 01:14:28,335 --> 01:14:30,704 - Gonna come down to technique and accuracy. 1975 01:14:30,737 --> 01:14:32,906 - This first drop is where Grant went down. 1976 01:14:34,407 --> 01:14:36,843 Perfect. [cheering] 1977 01:14:36,876 --> 01:14:39,512 - This next one, a smaller target though. 1978 01:14:39,546 --> 01:14:42,882 - That first drop is such--oh, shoot! 1979 01:14:42,916 --> 01:14:45,285 - Nick Hanson missed! - Oh, my goodness! 1980 01:14:45,318 --> 01:14:47,620 - Oh, no. 1981 01:14:47,654 --> 01:14:49,155 - Shoot. 1982 01:14:49,189 --> 01:14:51,091 - Dang it. Too far. 1983 01:14:51,124 --> 01:14:53,226 - And now both of these best friends 1984 01:14:53,259 --> 01:14:54,894 are in danger of going home. 1985 01:14:54,928 --> 01:14:56,596 It would be the first time ever 1986 01:14:56,629 --> 01:14:58,998 they haven't gotten past qualifying. 1987 01:14:59,099 --> 01:15:01,368 - These guys do everything together, 1988 01:15:01,401 --> 01:15:03,636 including falling at the same obstacle. 1989 01:15:03,670 --> 01:15:06,039 First, Grant overshot the first landing pad 1990 01:15:06,039 --> 01:15:07,440 with his left side. 1991 01:15:07,474 --> 01:15:10,377 Then Nick came up and overshot the second pad 1992 01:15:10,410 --> 01:15:11,845 with his left side. 1993 01:15:13,847 --> 01:15:16,816 - You can't be too strong too. - Dude, we went too far, dude. 1994 01:15:16,850 --> 01:15:18,385 - Went too big. - Way too big, bro. 1995 01:15:18,418 --> 01:15:20,120 - We over-sended it. - We full-sended it. 1996 01:15:20,153 --> 01:15:22,055 - We over-sent it. - It's not full. 1997 01:15:22,088 --> 01:15:25,692 It's full-send, not over-send. - It's all good. 1998 01:15:25,725 --> 01:15:28,294 - Dude, here's the deal, okay? - Here's the deal. 1999 01:15:28,328 --> 01:15:29,662 - Here's the deal. - Tell me the deal. 2000 01:15:29,696 --> 01:15:31,097 - Hold on a second. Here's the deal. 2001 01:15:31,131 --> 01:15:33,099 - Should we go to commercial? - I think we're gonna go. 2002 01:15:33,133 --> 01:15:36,102 This-- - This is going on forever. 2003 01:15:36,136 --> 01:15:39,906 - Up next, he won it all twice on "Ninja Junior." 2004 01:15:39,939 --> 01:15:41,741 [dramatic musical sting] - Oh, my goodness. 2005 01:15:41,775 --> 01:15:44,110 He is the greatest of all time. 2006 01:15:44,144 --> 01:15:46,846 - Now it's the moment 16-year-old Vance Walker 2007 01:15:46,880 --> 01:15:49,482 has been dreaming of, as this heralded rookie 2008 01:15:49,516 --> 01:15:52,585 makes his debut, on "American Ninja Warrior." 2009 01:15:52,619 --> 01:15:54,354 - Oh, my God! 2010 01:15:58,792 --> 01:16:01,394 - We're wrapping up our third night of qualifying, 2011 01:16:01,428 --> 01:16:05,031 and the runs continue to be absolutely electric. 2012 01:16:05,031 --> 01:16:07,534 Minutes ago, our youngest competitor ever, 2013 01:16:07,567 --> 01:16:11,604 Enzo Deferrari Wilson, AKA Electric Enzo, 2014 01:16:11,638 --> 01:16:12,806 lit up this course. 2015 01:16:12,839 --> 01:16:15,141 - I like it! [cheering] 2016 01:16:15,175 --> 01:16:17,077 - The high school freshman turned 15 2017 01:16:17,110 --> 01:16:18,611 just a few weeks ago... 2018 01:16:18,645 --> 01:16:19,946 [cheering] 2019 01:16:20,046 --> 01:16:22,115 But didn't look intimidated at all. 2020 01:16:22,148 --> 01:16:23,483 - Whoo! - Yeah! 2021 01:16:23,516 --> 01:16:25,118 - When we first saw him on "Ninja Junior," 2022 01:16:25,151 --> 01:16:26,786 he was only 4'11". 2023 01:16:26,820 --> 01:16:29,956 But he's grown 9 inches taller since then. 2024 01:16:30,056 --> 01:16:32,592 - He's all grown up, making big boy moves. 2025 01:16:32,625 --> 01:16:34,794 - Let's go! - Enzo! 2026 01:16:34,828 --> 01:16:37,497 - And Enzo made it all the way to the Warped Wall. 2027 01:16:37,530 --> 01:16:38,631 [cheering] 2028 01:16:38,665 --> 01:16:40,200 - Yeah, buddy! - Okay! Yeah! 2029 01:16:40,233 --> 01:16:41,668 - You got this, Enzo! 2030 01:16:41,701 --> 01:16:45,472 And at 15 years, 1 month, and 22 days, 2031 01:16:45,505 --> 01:16:47,640 became the youngest to ever hit a buzzer 2032 01:16:47,674 --> 01:16:49,442 on "American Ninja Warrior." 2033 01:16:49,476 --> 01:16:51,845 And it was emotional overload. 2034 01:16:51,878 --> 01:16:53,680 - I've put so much work into this, 2035 01:16:53,713 --> 01:16:57,217 and it's crazy to see it finally come true. 2036 01:16:57,250 --> 01:17:00,420 - Then it was a competitor almost 20 years older, 2037 01:17:00,453 --> 01:17:02,789 South Carolina's Brett Sims. 2038 01:17:02,822 --> 01:17:05,759 He first appeared in "Ninja's" inaugural season, 2039 01:17:05,792 --> 01:17:08,661 and he looked a little different back in those days. 2040 01:17:08,695 --> 01:17:11,031 The 34-year-old had a stripe on his arm 2041 01:17:11,064 --> 01:17:13,500 for each of the 10 seasons he's competed. 2042 01:17:13,533 --> 01:17:16,136 But he certainly didn't move like an old man. 2043 01:17:16,169 --> 01:17:18,605 - Boy, that was really fast. - Yeah. Easy. 2044 01:17:18,638 --> 01:17:22,409 - The 5'6" veteran made a big move to finish Pretzel Twist. 2045 01:17:22,442 --> 01:17:24,144 - Okay! That was a launch. 2046 01:17:24,177 --> 01:17:25,845 My knees would have buckled with that one. 2047 01:17:25,879 --> 01:17:27,647 - And even attempted the Mega Wall. 2048 01:17:27,681 --> 01:17:29,616 - Oh! - Ooh! I thought he had it! 2049 01:17:29,649 --> 01:17:31,251 - Good try. Good try. Good try. 2050 01:17:31,284 --> 01:17:34,387 - Before completing his fifth qualifying course in a row. 2051 01:17:34,421 --> 01:17:36,122 [buzzer blares] - Yeah! 2052 01:17:36,156 --> 01:17:37,924 [cheering] 2053 01:17:37,957 --> 01:17:39,159 - You got what it takes to compete 2054 01:17:39,192 --> 01:17:40,727 against these young cats coming in? 2055 01:17:40,760 --> 01:17:42,362 - You know, I started when some of these guys 2056 01:17:42,395 --> 01:17:44,831 were 1 years old. I'm still keeping up. 2057 01:17:44,864 --> 01:17:47,067 [laughter] 2058 01:17:47,067 --> 01:17:49,235 [buzzer blares] 2059 01:17:51,271 --> 01:17:54,307 - Now it's time for the final athlete of the night. 2060 01:17:54,341 --> 01:17:57,177 And there is a lot of excitement around this kid. 2061 01:17:57,210 --> 01:17:59,579 This is 16-year-old Vance Walker. 2062 01:17:59,612 --> 01:18:01,214 He's a two-time champion 2063 01:18:01,247 --> 01:18:02,849 on "American Ninja Warrior Junior," 2064 01:18:02,882 --> 01:18:04,684 and a lot of people think he's ready 2065 01:18:04,718 --> 01:18:07,053 to dominate at this level too. 2066 01:18:11,324 --> 01:18:13,259 - Vance Walker is one of the strongest people 2067 01:18:13,293 --> 01:18:14,527 I've ever seen. 2068 01:18:14,561 --> 01:18:16,696 - You can do it. You can do it. 2069 01:18:16,730 --> 01:18:19,065 Whoo! 2070 01:18:19,099 --> 01:18:20,467 - Vance has ungodly strength. 2071 01:18:20,500 --> 01:18:23,570 [dramatic music] 2072 01:18:23,603 --> 01:18:26,206 - Vance Walker is absolutely incredible. 2073 01:18:28,541 --> 01:18:29,909 - I think I was around 10 years old 2074 01:18:29,943 --> 01:18:31,778 when I did my first "Ninja" competition. 2075 01:18:35,181 --> 01:18:37,617 [cheering] - Go, Vance. 2076 01:18:37,650 --> 01:18:38,818 - I got the call to compete 2077 01:18:38,852 --> 01:18:40,587 on "American Ninja Warrior Junior." 2078 01:18:40,620 --> 01:18:42,489 - Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. 2079 01:18:42,522 --> 01:18:45,058 He is the greatest of all time. 2080 01:18:45,058 --> 01:18:47,460 - And I did pretty well. 2081 01:18:47,494 --> 01:18:49,396 - He is 13, and, oh, 2082 01:18:49,429 --> 01:18:52,098 he has never lost a race on this course. 2083 01:18:52,132 --> 01:18:53,533 - I won both seasons 2084 01:18:53,566 --> 01:18:55,402 of "American Ninja Warrior Junior." 2085 01:18:55,435 --> 01:18:58,338 - The champ is here. The champ is here. 2086 01:18:58,371 --> 01:19:00,907 - Wow! With authority! - Walker does it again! 2087 01:19:01,007 --> 01:19:03,143 - I am very excited to take on the big course. 2088 01:19:03,176 --> 01:19:04,778 - Yes, Vance. 2089 01:19:04,811 --> 01:19:06,813 - People think that because I'm too young or too short, 2090 01:19:06,846 --> 01:19:09,149 that I can't do things like the Mega Wall. 2091 01:19:09,182 --> 01:19:10,784 And I've done a 23-foot wall in the past, 2092 01:19:10,817 --> 01:19:12,285 so I'm used to big walls. 2093 01:19:12,318 --> 01:19:14,421 - Let's go! [cheering] 2094 01:19:16,690 --> 01:19:18,324 - Of course, I'm going for the Mega Wall. 2095 01:19:20,026 --> 01:19:22,195 I'm here to prove that I'm not just one of the best teens, 2096 01:19:22,228 --> 01:19:24,164 but one of the best ninjas in general. 2097 01:19:28,702 --> 01:19:30,370 - Got a lot of supporters watching him, 2098 01:19:30,403 --> 01:19:33,273 including his dad, watching back in Georgia, 2099 01:19:33,306 --> 01:19:35,442 plus grandparents watching from Texas. 2100 01:19:35,475 --> 01:19:37,177 - Go! - On the sidelines, 2101 01:19:37,210 --> 01:19:39,646 his mom, Stacey, and lots of other ninjas. 2102 01:19:39,679 --> 01:19:41,081 - Let's go. 2103 01:19:41,114 --> 01:19:43,116 - Everyone wants to see what Vance Walker can do. 2104 01:19:43,149 --> 01:19:45,452 - Let's go! [countdown clock beeping] 2105 01:19:45,485 --> 01:19:47,520 - 5'5", 145. 2106 01:19:47,554 --> 01:19:49,589 What an improbable journey for him. 2107 01:19:49,622 --> 01:19:51,157 Born with cerebral palsy. 2108 01:19:51,191 --> 01:19:52,926 Had to have braces on his legs 2109 01:19:52,959 --> 01:19:55,495 from the time he could walk until first grade. 2110 01:19:55,528 --> 01:19:57,931 - Yeah, and he still has to do stretching exercises 2111 01:19:57,964 --> 01:20:00,633 every day, and before every competition. 2112 01:20:00,667 --> 01:20:02,302 - Let that bar go. - He's got it. 2113 01:20:02,335 --> 01:20:03,570 - He was planning for the lache. 2114 01:20:03,603 --> 01:20:04,904 Wasn't even looking for it. 2115 01:20:04,938 --> 01:20:06,973 - Matt, in two seasons of "Ninja Junior," 2116 01:20:07,007 --> 01:20:10,043 he never lost a race, never fell on an obstacle. 2117 01:20:10,076 --> 01:20:12,579 - Well, he's coached by Michael "Greatness" Johnson 2118 01:20:12,612 --> 01:20:15,382 in Atlanta. - Same thing. Spot your feet. 2119 01:20:15,415 --> 01:20:18,618 - Michael says Vance may be a better ninja than him already. 2120 01:20:18,651 --> 01:20:20,720 - Matt, Vance can move, and he can go fast. 2121 01:20:20,754 --> 01:20:22,222 Watch this. He's a speed walker. 2122 01:20:22,255 --> 01:20:23,690 - Wow. - He is a speed walker. 2123 01:20:23,723 --> 01:20:26,126 - And you saw the perfect foot placements. 2124 01:20:26,159 --> 01:20:27,660 Dead center on those dominoes. 2125 01:20:27,694 --> 01:20:30,163 [cheering] - Let's go. 2126 01:20:30,196 --> 01:20:32,665 - He calls himself Walker Texas Ninja, 2127 01:20:32,699 --> 01:20:35,602 because he was born in Texas, and still considers it home. 2128 01:20:35,635 --> 01:20:37,570 Now facing Air Surfer. 2129 01:20:39,239 --> 01:20:41,074 - Ooh. 2130 01:20:41,107 --> 01:20:43,243 - Looked like that right side almost caught, Akbar. 2131 01:20:43,276 --> 01:20:45,111 Watch the placement. Watch the board control. 2132 01:20:45,145 --> 01:20:46,312 - Uh-oh. - That board uneven! 2133 01:20:46,346 --> 01:20:49,282 - Oh, it is uneven. Watch out. 2134 01:20:49,315 --> 01:20:51,551 - Great job correcting it. 2135 01:20:51,584 --> 01:20:54,187 That board still askew. - That's it! 2136 01:20:54,220 --> 01:20:55,555 - Nice. - He's got it. 2137 01:20:55,588 --> 01:20:57,957 Vance Walker, showing some vulnerability here 2138 01:20:57,991 --> 01:21:01,161 on Air Surfer, but going for the dismount. 2139 01:21:01,194 --> 01:21:02,696 - Let's go! - And he's pumped. 2140 01:21:02,729 --> 01:21:04,464 [cheering] 2141 01:21:04,497 --> 01:21:06,866 - So Vance Walker's spot is secure. 2142 01:21:06,900 --> 01:21:08,702 He's moving on to the semifinals. 2143 01:21:08,735 --> 01:21:11,338 But Walker, getting through Air Surfer, 2144 01:21:11,371 --> 01:21:14,174 pushes Grant McCartney out of the top 30. 2145 01:21:14,207 --> 01:21:17,977 Both he and Nick Hanson are not moving on. 2146 01:21:18,078 --> 01:21:20,180 But you know he's not done. 2147 01:21:20,213 --> 01:21:22,682 - He's going all out. He wants it all. 2148 01:21:22,716 --> 01:21:25,251 And I suppose he might even take a shot at that Mega Wall. 2149 01:21:25,285 --> 01:21:26,786 - I am! - Oh! 2150 01:21:26,820 --> 01:21:29,823 He just answered me in the middle of his run! 2151 01:21:29,856 --> 01:21:31,391 - Let's move. Let's move. 2152 01:21:31,424 --> 01:21:32,792 - Are you kidding me!? - Well, we were impressed 2153 01:21:32,826 --> 01:21:33,860 with him in "Ninja Junior." 2154 01:21:33,893 --> 01:21:35,729 - What? - You can see why. 2155 01:21:35,762 --> 01:21:38,198 - Oh, my goodness. - Easy work. 2156 01:21:38,932 --> 01:21:40,233 - Easy. 2157 01:21:40,266 --> 01:21:42,802 - It's amazing he's even thinking about 2158 01:21:42,836 --> 01:21:44,738 an 18-foot Mega Wall. 2159 01:21:44,771 --> 01:21:46,639 He's only 5'5". 2160 01:21:46,673 --> 01:21:49,275 - Come on. Let's go. Keep swinging. 2161 01:21:49,309 --> 01:21:51,711 - He is so focused, so dialed in. 2162 01:21:51,745 --> 01:21:53,446 - Pop and reach. - Come on. 2163 01:21:53,480 --> 01:21:55,181 - Pop and reach. Up and out. 2164 01:21:55,215 --> 01:21:57,450 - I like it, Akbar. He's not risking anything. 2165 01:21:57,484 --> 01:21:59,386 He's being methodical. 2166 01:21:59,419 --> 01:22:01,788 - And we don't have to guess. We know he's going straight 2167 01:22:01,821 --> 01:22:03,656 for it--he's going straight for the Mega Wall. 2168 01:22:03,690 --> 01:22:05,225 - Got it. - Let's go! 2169 01:22:05,258 --> 01:22:06,926 - And he's pumped! 2170 01:22:06,960 --> 01:22:08,595 Is he going for 10K? 2171 01:22:08,628 --> 01:22:10,964 Yes, he is! 2172 01:22:11,064 --> 01:22:13,500 - Let's go. Get that Mega Wall, baby! 2173 01:22:13,533 --> 01:22:15,535 - We saw Brett Hernandez Strong. 2174 01:22:15,568 --> 01:22:19,305 We haven't seen an under-19 athlete get that Mega Wall. 2175 01:22:19,339 --> 01:22:20,974 - Let's go. When you're ready, bro. 2176 01:22:21,074 --> 01:22:22,842 Eat. Long strides, bro. 2177 01:22:22,876 --> 01:22:26,146 - Matt, he'll be the shortest ever to get up the Mega Wall. 2178 01:22:26,179 --> 01:22:27,414 - 5'5". 2179 01:22:27,447 --> 01:22:30,316 Never underestimate this young man. 2180 01:22:30,350 --> 01:22:34,421 Went from wearing braces on his legs as a child to this. 2181 01:22:34,454 --> 01:22:35,689 - Come on! - Ooh, look at him. 2182 01:22:35,722 --> 01:22:36,856 He's going for it. 2183 01:22:36,890 --> 01:22:38,558 - Come on, Vance. - Look at this feet! 2184 01:22:38,591 --> 01:22:40,360 [cheering] - Vance Walker! 2185 01:22:40,393 --> 01:22:41,961 [buzzer blares] - Yo! 2186 01:22:41,995 --> 01:22:44,164 Let's go! Let's go! 2187 01:22:44,197 --> 01:22:45,899 [cheering] 2188 01:22:45,932 --> 01:22:48,001 - Vance Walker! 2189 01:22:48,101 --> 01:22:49,936 This kid is the real deal! 2190 01:22:49,969 --> 01:22:52,339 - Let's go! 2191 01:22:52,372 --> 01:22:54,941 - Oh, my goodness. - Yeah, buddy! 2192 01:22:54,974 --> 01:22:56,576 - You speed walker, you! 2193 01:22:56,609 --> 01:22:59,312 - Yeah, boy! 2194 01:22:59,346 --> 01:23:02,148 - I gotta say, Vance, man, we saw you at "Ninja Junior." 2195 01:23:02,182 --> 01:23:03,850 Not only did you never miss an obstacle, 2196 01:23:03,883 --> 01:23:05,318 you didn't lose a race. 2197 01:23:05,352 --> 01:23:07,620 You were perfect. The perfection continues. 2198 01:23:07,654 --> 01:23:08,755 - Yeah. - Great job, man. 2199 01:23:08,788 --> 01:23:10,323 - Thank you. 2200 01:23:10,357 --> 01:23:13,259 - And at just 5'5" and 16 years old, 2201 01:23:13,293 --> 01:23:15,362 Vance Walker just became the shortest 2202 01:23:15,395 --> 01:23:18,865 and youngest person to conquer the 18-foot Mega Wall 2203 01:23:18,898 --> 01:23:20,967 his very first time on the course. 2204 01:23:21,067 --> 01:23:24,170 - Let's go! 2205 01:23:24,204 --> 01:23:25,805 - Matt, it's gonna be interesting to see him 2206 01:23:25,839 --> 01:23:27,607 in the semifinals and see what he can do. 2207 01:23:27,640 --> 01:23:29,275 - You know what else is gonna be interesting? 2208 01:23:29,309 --> 01:23:32,278 Seeing what a 16-year-old does with $10,000! 2209 01:23:32,312 --> 01:23:33,513 - [laughs] 2210 01:23:33,546 --> 01:23:35,682 - You're so awesome. 2211 01:23:35,715 --> 01:23:37,417 - While we take a look at who's moving on 2212 01:23:37,450 --> 01:23:38,952 to the semifinals, 2213 01:23:38,985 --> 01:23:41,287 check out Akbar's Gbajabia-Moments. 2214 01:23:41,321 --> 01:23:42,789 Number three, 2215 01:23:42,822 --> 01:23:45,392 the Death Metal Ninja, Josh Wag, 2216 01:23:45,425 --> 01:23:46,726 had plenty of swag. 2217 01:23:46,760 --> 01:23:49,262 - I want to see that death metal head-banging. 2218 01:23:49,295 --> 01:23:50,430 Yeah! 2219 01:23:50,463 --> 01:23:52,465 I don't have any hair, but I'll do that. 2220 01:23:52,499 --> 01:23:54,300 And he rocked the course too. 2221 01:23:54,334 --> 01:23:56,269 Made it to the fifth obstacle. 2222 01:23:56,302 --> 01:23:58,371 Oh, no! [buzzer blares] 2223 01:23:58,405 --> 01:23:59,706 Number two, 2224 01:23:59,739 --> 01:24:01,141 Jessica Helmer rescues 2225 01:24:01,174 --> 01:24:02,676 abandoned rabbits. 2226 01:24:02,709 --> 01:24:04,678 And she let Zuri bunny-sit 2227 01:24:04,711 --> 01:24:05,845 during her run. 2228 01:24:05,879 --> 01:24:08,048 - Teeth. Oh, God, help. 2229 01:24:08,048 --> 01:24:09,916 - Turns out, bunnies can bite. 2230 01:24:09,949 --> 01:24:11,451 - Ah! [laughs] 2231 01:24:11,484 --> 01:24:12,952 - And number one, 2232 01:24:13,053 --> 01:24:14,120 professional poker player, 2233 01:24:14,154 --> 01:24:15,388 Tony Miles, 2234 01:24:15,422 --> 01:24:16,956 bet $75,000 2235 01:24:17,057 --> 01:24:18,825 that he'd hit the buzzer, 2236 01:24:18,858 --> 01:24:20,060 and when he didn't, 2237 01:24:20,093 --> 01:24:21,494 we got to make it rain 2238 01:24:21,528 --> 01:24:22,629 with all his cash. 2239 01:24:22,662 --> 01:24:23,730 - I'm rich. 2240 01:24:25,598 --> 01:24:28,401 - So that wraps up another thrilling night of competition. 2241 01:24:28,435 --> 01:24:31,438 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2242 01:24:31,471 --> 01:24:35,408 We'll see you next week on "American Ninja Warrior." 2243 01:24:36,343 --> 01:24:39,312 [dramatic music] 2244 01:24:39,346 --> 01:24:46,386 * *