1 00:00:05,772 --> 00:00:06,940 - Whoa, whoa. 2 00:00:06,973 --> 00:00:08,341 You don't have your driver's license yet. 3 00:00:08,375 --> 00:00:10,310 Hand 'em over. - All right. 4 00:00:10,343 --> 00:00:11,711 - All right, scoot over. 5 00:00:11,745 --> 00:00:14,814 - Conquering obstacles is never easy, 6 00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:17,250 but it helps to have a mentor. 7 00:00:17,283 --> 00:00:19,786 - Do you know what you want to wear on the show? 8 00:00:19,819 --> 00:00:21,154 - See, I bought some of my leggings. 9 00:00:21,187 --> 00:00:22,322 - Oh, awesome. 10 00:00:22,355 --> 00:00:23,690 - Someone who's been there before 11 00:00:23,723 --> 00:00:24,824 and can guide the way. 12 00:00:24,858 --> 00:00:27,560 - * I'll be by your side * 13 00:00:27,594 --> 00:00:30,230 * I'll be by your side * 14 00:00:30,263 --> 00:00:32,732 - I have been training Maggie for 3 1/2 years... 15 00:00:32,766 --> 00:00:34,000 Oh! 16 00:00:34,034 --> 00:00:35,368 And she has gotten so much stronger, 17 00:00:35,402 --> 00:00:36,736 especially in this past year. 18 00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:38,138 When I'm on the obstacles I think, "Okay, like, 19 00:00:38,171 --> 00:00:39,439 you really have to want this." 20 00:00:39,472 --> 00:00:41,541 - I'm really grateful to have this friendship 21 00:00:41,574 --> 00:00:42,776 and relationship with Jesse. 22 00:00:42,809 --> 00:00:43,777 - Now turn around. 23 00:00:43,810 --> 00:00:45,045 - She's taught me so much. 24 00:00:45,078 --> 00:00:47,814 - * I'll be by your side * - Nice. 25 00:00:47,847 --> 00:00:48,815 - Yay. - There you go. 26 00:00:48,848 --> 00:00:50,850 - And sometimes over time... 27 00:00:50,884 --> 00:00:52,686 - We gotta keep up. That's how it's done. 28 00:00:52,719 --> 00:00:54,788 - The apprentice becomes the teacher. 29 00:00:54,821 --> 00:00:56,222 - You gotta follow after me now. 30 00:00:56,256 --> 00:00:58,158 - Okay. - * I'll be by your side * 31 00:00:58,191 --> 00:01:00,960 - Tonight on "American Ninja Warrior"... 32 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:02,362 - 'Sup, baby? 33 00:01:02,395 --> 00:01:05,131 - Students and teachers competing together. 34 00:01:05,165 --> 00:01:06,733 - I got my work cut out for me. 35 00:01:06,766 --> 00:01:09,636 - I'm competing with someone who was my idol 36 00:01:09,669 --> 00:01:10,937 when I was a little kid. 37 00:01:10,970 --> 00:01:13,206 - * I'll be by your side * 38 00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:15,241 - Show them how it's done, Cal. Let's go. 39 00:01:15,275 --> 00:01:17,777 If we're not bringing the youth to be better than us, 40 00:01:17,811 --> 00:01:19,546 then we're really wasting our time. 41 00:01:19,579 --> 00:01:23,083 - * I'll be by your side * 42 00:01:26,152 --> 00:01:28,788 [cheers and applause] 43 00:01:28,822 --> 00:01:31,925 - It's our final night in the historic Tacoma Dome 44 00:01:31,958 --> 00:01:34,761 as we wrap up the qualifying round here 45 00:01:34,794 --> 00:01:36,696 on "American Ninja Warrior." 46 00:01:36,730 --> 00:01:38,231 Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining us. 47 00:01:38,264 --> 00:01:39,499 I'm Matt Iseman. 48 00:01:39,532 --> 00:01:42,102 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. This is it, Matt, 49 00:01:42,135 --> 00:01:45,505 the last chance to earn a spot in next week's semifinals. 50 00:01:45,538 --> 00:01:46,973 - Well, this has been the most 51 00:01:47,007 --> 00:01:49,509 topsy-turvy season in our history. 52 00:01:49,542 --> 00:01:51,778 The teenagers have been absolutely dominant, 53 00:01:51,811 --> 00:01:54,347 but the veterans made a comeback last week. 54 00:01:54,381 --> 00:01:55,515 - And tonight we've got 55 00:01:55,548 --> 00:01:58,785 a stacked field of ninja all-stars 56 00:01:58,818 --> 00:02:01,087 like Jesse "Flex" Labreck. 57 00:02:01,121 --> 00:02:04,491 - One of the greatest runs we've ever seen! 58 00:02:04,524 --> 00:02:07,360 - Plus another top Windy City Ninja, 59 00:02:07,394 --> 00:02:09,162 Michael Torres. 60 00:02:09,195 --> 00:02:11,264 - Whoo! 61 00:02:11,297 --> 00:02:14,567 - And we've got a new crop of talented teens, 62 00:02:14,601 --> 00:02:17,370 including one of the "Ninja Junior" champions 63 00:02:17,404 --> 00:02:20,306 Utah's 15-year-old Kai Beckstrand. 64 00:02:20,340 --> 00:02:24,077 - Kai does it! - Oh! 65 00:02:24,077 --> 00:02:27,113 - The competitors will be facing a six-obstacle course, 66 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:29,082 including one brand new obstacle. 67 00:02:29,115 --> 00:02:31,651 For all the details, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 68 00:02:31,685 --> 00:02:33,753 - The course tonight is gonna be a thrill ride 69 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:35,488 and that's because this fourth obstacle, 70 00:02:35,522 --> 00:02:37,357 it's gonna make their heads spin. 71 00:02:37,390 --> 00:02:39,959 This new one, Tilt-A-Whirl, requires precision 72 00:02:39,993 --> 00:02:43,096 as you hop the bar across the rotating triangles. 73 00:02:43,129 --> 00:02:44,964 Before that, on Split Decision, 74 00:02:44,998 --> 00:02:46,433 it's a choice between Log Runner... 75 00:02:46,466 --> 00:02:47,934 - Go, go, go, go, go! 76 00:02:47,967 --> 00:02:49,969 - Which had some memorable falls last week... 77 00:02:50,003 --> 00:02:51,571 - Oh, my goodness! 78 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:53,673 - Or Block Run which was the choice 79 00:02:53,707 --> 00:02:56,409 for only two ninjas. - Nice! 80 00:02:56,443 --> 00:02:59,579 - The run ends at the 14 1/2-foot Warped Wall, 81 00:02:59,612 --> 00:03:02,549 or you can go up the 18-foot Mega Wall 82 00:03:02,582 --> 00:03:04,918 for a chance at 10,000 bucks. 83 00:03:04,951 --> 00:03:06,486 Guys. 84 00:03:06,519 --> 00:03:07,887 - Well, we're gonna get off to a quick start 85 00:03:07,921 --> 00:03:09,222 because leading it off-- 86 00:03:09,255 --> 00:03:11,725 one of the fastest ninjas on the planet. 87 00:03:11,758 --> 00:03:14,294 The Swedish Ninja, Leif Sundberg. 88 00:03:14,327 --> 00:03:16,329 And the physician assistant from Minnesota 89 00:03:16,363 --> 00:03:18,631 owns the track record in this building. 90 00:03:18,665 --> 00:03:20,533 [cheers and applause] 91 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:21,534 - Two years ago, 92 00:03:21,568 --> 00:03:23,403 I competed in Tacoma. 93 00:03:23,436 --> 00:03:24,604 - Right through it. 94 00:03:24,637 --> 00:03:26,506 This big body is really cooking. 95 00:03:26,539 --> 00:03:28,074 - I was the only ninja to complete 96 00:03:28,108 --> 00:03:30,143 the qualifying course in under one minute. 97 00:03:30,176 --> 00:03:31,511 [cheers and applause] 98 00:03:31,544 --> 00:03:33,813 - And he's through. Look at this! 99 00:03:33,847 --> 00:03:35,448 Oh, no! 100 00:03:35,482 --> 00:03:38,551 - Oh, oh, oh, oh! Oh, my gosh! 101 00:03:38,585 --> 00:03:40,353 - The first ninja to break a minute! 102 00:03:40,387 --> 00:03:42,689 [upbeat music] 103 00:03:42,722 --> 00:03:44,224 - I was just going at my normal pace, 104 00:03:44,257 --> 00:03:46,860 and apparently I was going super fast. 105 00:03:46,893 --> 00:03:49,095 * * 106 00:03:49,095 --> 00:03:50,363 - Go, go, go! 107 00:03:50,397 --> 00:03:53,299 - I'm a heavyweight ninja. 195 pounds. 108 00:03:53,333 --> 00:03:54,768 And the more time I spend on the obstacles, 109 00:03:54,801 --> 00:03:56,302 the more tired I become. 110 00:03:56,336 --> 00:03:58,238 So if I can get through it quickly, 111 00:03:58,271 --> 00:03:59,606 I actually save energy. 112 00:03:59,639 --> 00:04:01,041 * * 113 00:04:01,041 --> 00:04:03,343 Go fast, be confident, 114 00:04:03,376 --> 00:04:04,911 and that's what I like to do. 115 00:04:04,944 --> 00:04:06,813 Brace yourself for the Swedish Ninja. 116 00:04:06,846 --> 00:04:09,282 * * 117 00:04:09,315 --> 00:04:11,651 - One big change for the physician assistant... 118 00:04:11,685 --> 00:04:13,253 He's a new dad. 119 00:04:13,286 --> 00:04:15,855 There's his wife Victoria with their one-month-old son, 120 00:04:15,889 --> 00:04:18,058 Linus, who's rocking the Swedish Ninja onesie. 121 00:04:18,058 --> 00:04:19,926 - We love you. Good luck! 122 00:04:19,959 --> 00:04:22,796 - Oh, look at that. Oh, yeah. 123 00:04:22,829 --> 00:04:24,564 - Love you guys so much! 124 00:04:24,597 --> 00:04:25,899 - He's gonna wake up and see daddy. 125 00:04:25,932 --> 00:04:28,101 Daddy's about to run the course. 126 00:04:28,134 --> 00:04:30,470 [countdown clock beeping] 127 00:04:30,503 --> 00:04:32,138 - Calls himself the Swedish Ninja 128 00:04:32,172 --> 00:04:34,607 because his family came to America from Sweden. 129 00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:36,876 - But be careful on this second obstacle. 130 00:04:36,910 --> 00:04:40,080 Double Down knocked out 25 ninjas last week. 131 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,549 - You have to crank it up, then slide down. 132 00:04:42,582 --> 00:04:46,319 Leif, 6'2'', 195 pounds. Can he fly here? 133 00:04:46,353 --> 00:04:47,487 - Nice. - Good job. 134 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:48,788 Pretty efficient. 135 00:04:48,822 --> 00:04:50,824 He has really got his pedal to the metal. 136 00:04:50,857 --> 00:04:53,093 - Come on, keep it smooth! 137 00:04:53,126 --> 00:04:54,527 - Uh-oh, he's a little hung up right here. 138 00:04:54,561 --> 00:04:55,995 - Well, he's struggling to get the bar out 139 00:04:56,096 --> 00:04:58,164 of the cradle, but right out. - Nice. 140 00:04:58,198 --> 00:05:00,033 - Now he's reached Split Decision. 141 00:05:00,033 --> 00:05:02,135 Has to pick his balance obstacle. 142 00:05:02,168 --> 00:05:04,938 Block Run on the right. Log Runner on the left. 143 00:05:05,038 --> 00:05:06,606 And he's going to the logs. 144 00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:09,242 Got some Minnesota ninjas-- Roo Yori, Hunter Guerard-- 145 00:05:09,275 --> 00:05:10,610 giving him advice. 146 00:05:10,643 --> 00:05:13,580 - He can use his height here. Here we go. 147 00:05:13,613 --> 00:05:14,881 - Oh, no! - Ooh! 148 00:05:14,914 --> 00:05:16,182 - Hard impact. Gonna be... 149 00:05:16,216 --> 00:05:18,051 - Uh-oh. - Tough to get back up. 150 00:05:18,084 --> 00:05:20,186 - Don't go backwards! Stay on top! 151 00:05:20,220 --> 00:05:21,354 - You can't-- - Stay on top! 152 00:05:21,388 --> 00:05:22,622 - He could reach his legs back. 153 00:05:22,655 --> 00:05:24,057 - Come on, Daddy, stay on top. 154 00:05:24,090 --> 00:05:26,860 - At 6'2'', you can see the struggle here, Akbar. 155 00:05:26,893 --> 00:05:28,828 - Oh, Matt, he's-- oh, he's in trouble. 156 00:05:28,862 --> 00:05:30,430 He's in trouble. 157 00:05:30,463 --> 00:05:32,599 He's 6'2'' so, you know, his feet can touch the water, 158 00:05:32,632 --> 00:05:34,434 so he's gotta--he's trying to keep his feet up. 159 00:05:34,467 --> 00:05:36,703 That's gonna stress the lower ab. 160 00:05:36,736 --> 00:05:38,705 - Can't get his momentum up over. 161 00:05:38,738 --> 00:05:41,808 - Ooh, oh, Leif Sundberg is in trouble. 162 00:05:41,841 --> 00:05:43,076 - Come on! - Come on! 163 00:05:43,109 --> 00:05:44,077 - Fight it! Fight it! 164 00:05:44,110 --> 00:05:45,512 - He cannot advance 165 00:05:45,545 --> 00:05:47,514 while hanging on the log to the landing platform. 166 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:49,649 He must go backwards and stand up. 167 00:05:49,683 --> 00:05:51,251 Sway back. - Uh-oh! 168 00:05:51,284 --> 00:05:52,986 - Okay, okay. 169 00:05:53,086 --> 00:05:55,355 - And there's new hope, all right. 170 00:05:55,388 --> 00:05:56,756 Has to somehow get upright. 171 00:05:56,790 --> 00:05:58,324 - Come on, brother! Yeah! 172 00:05:58,358 --> 00:05:59,559 - Oh, yeah. - Nice! 173 00:05:59,592 --> 00:06:01,494 - Do you know how hard this is? 174 00:06:01,528 --> 00:06:03,363 Most folks would have given up at this point. 175 00:06:03,396 --> 00:06:05,031 This man's still fighting. 176 00:06:05,031 --> 00:06:07,667 - Well, this is a challenge. Both of them will rotate. 177 00:06:07,701 --> 00:06:09,235 - Oh, boy. - Oh, my. 178 00:06:09,269 --> 00:06:11,771 The core strength! - Hold on. 179 00:06:11,805 --> 00:06:13,673 - Yes! - Oh! 180 00:06:13,707 --> 00:06:16,042 Yes! - Give him credit! 181 00:06:16,042 --> 00:06:18,445 He couldn't use his hands to advance, 182 00:06:18,478 --> 00:06:20,947 so he had to find a way, and he did. 183 00:06:21,047 --> 00:06:22,382 - What? - Yeah! 184 00:06:22,415 --> 00:06:23,817 - I wanna see that one again. 185 00:06:23,850 --> 00:06:25,218 [cheers and applause] 186 00:06:25,251 --> 00:06:28,088 - Look, he got beat up. Ooh! 187 00:06:28,121 --> 00:06:30,790 I mean, he was using all of his energy, 188 00:06:30,824 --> 00:06:33,760 and then when he finally took that foot up forward 189 00:06:33,793 --> 00:06:36,596 and jumped through, I mean, a hard impact. 190 00:06:36,629 --> 00:06:37,931 My goodness. 191 00:06:37,964 --> 00:06:39,666 Knees going everywhere. 192 00:06:39,699 --> 00:06:42,335 - A remarkable save, but he used up 193 00:06:42,369 --> 00:06:44,204 a lot of time and a lot of energy. 194 00:06:44,237 --> 00:06:45,939 - I'm gonna need a break after that. 195 00:06:47,073 --> 00:06:48,441 - He's gassed. [chuckles] 196 00:06:48,475 --> 00:06:51,911 - Remember, he's a big boy. 195 pounds. 197 00:06:51,945 --> 00:06:54,614 And his strategy he talked about of going fast 198 00:06:54,647 --> 00:06:57,917 to save energy? Not an option at this point. 199 00:06:57,951 --> 00:07:00,453 Has to jump the bar to each triangle 200 00:07:00,487 --> 00:07:02,222 and rotate it around. 201 00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:04,758 He's a Salmon Ladder specialist, 202 00:07:04,791 --> 00:07:06,693 comfortable with a bar in his hands, 203 00:07:06,726 --> 00:07:09,729 but his whole body has to be completely exhausted. 204 00:07:09,763 --> 00:07:11,798 - Come on. Nice. 205 00:07:11,831 --> 00:07:14,934 - Remarkable fortitude out of the Swedish Ninja. 206 00:07:15,035 --> 00:07:17,837 - This is definitely not gonna be his fastest run, 207 00:07:17,871 --> 00:07:20,140 but it is his gutsiest. - Got it! 208 00:07:20,173 --> 00:07:22,042 Just needs to make the dismount. 209 00:07:22,042 --> 00:07:23,510 And he's going backwards. 210 00:07:23,543 --> 00:07:26,946 He's going reverse, Akbar. He's going reverse. 211 00:07:27,047 --> 00:07:30,517 Leif Sundberg, finding a way! 212 00:07:30,550 --> 00:07:32,318 - Oh, my! 213 00:07:32,352 --> 00:07:34,788 - Looks like he's been in a war, this guy. 214 00:07:34,821 --> 00:07:37,257 - This is like a boxing match You good, Leif? 215 00:07:37,290 --> 00:07:38,958 You all right? 216 00:07:39,059 --> 00:07:40,093 - I'm good! 217 00:07:40,126 --> 00:07:41,294 - It's like a boxing match, huh? 218 00:07:41,327 --> 00:07:42,762 This thing beating you up. - I'm feeling it! 219 00:07:42,796 --> 00:07:44,330 - You are! - You know what though? 220 00:07:44,364 --> 00:07:47,267 This guy, he wouldn't have it any other way, Akbar. 221 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:49,936 Gonna try to survive the fifth obstacle Sideways. 222 00:07:49,969 --> 00:07:52,906 This is just a heroic effort out of Leif. 223 00:07:52,939 --> 00:07:55,975 - Sideways is so difficult on tired arms. 224 00:07:56,076 --> 00:07:59,212 You gotta swing yourself up and grab those boards. 225 00:07:59,245 --> 00:08:01,081 - Oh! Oh! 226 00:08:01,114 --> 00:08:02,882 - Leif Sundberg knocked out! 227 00:08:02,916 --> 00:08:06,019 [cheers and applause] 228 00:08:06,820 --> 00:08:08,021 - What an effort. 229 00:08:08,021 --> 00:08:09,556 What a save. Will it be enough? 230 00:08:09,589 --> 00:08:11,257 I don't know, but still a remarkable run. 231 00:08:11,291 --> 00:08:12,859 - Matt, that was fun to watch. 232 00:08:12,892 --> 00:08:15,295 - That was a crazy ride on that balance obstacle. 233 00:08:15,328 --> 00:08:17,797 Holy cow. [cheers and applause] 234 00:08:17,831 --> 00:08:21,368 - Well, our next athlete is a force of nature. 235 00:08:21,401 --> 00:08:22,702 Out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, 236 00:08:22,736 --> 00:08:24,938 this is the fun-loving Megan Rowe. 237 00:08:25,038 --> 00:08:28,375 And, yes, that's a real ax she's twirling around. 238 00:08:28,408 --> 00:08:31,945 Ax throwing is just one of her many talents. 239 00:08:32,045 --> 00:08:34,881 * * 240 00:08:34,914 --> 00:08:38,184 - I got way too many hobbies. I'm a ninja, a rock climber. 241 00:08:38,218 --> 00:08:41,454 I make earrings and, oh, yeah... 242 00:08:41,488 --> 00:08:42,722 I throw axes. 243 00:08:42,756 --> 00:08:46,059 * * 244 00:08:46,092 --> 00:08:48,361 I started throwing axes in college. 245 00:08:48,395 --> 00:08:49,662 I have a friend 246 00:08:49,696 --> 00:08:50,964 who was in a professional lumberjack show. 247 00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:52,065 Went to his house one day. 248 00:08:52,065 --> 00:08:53,466 He's like, "You gotta try this." 249 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:56,102 I was like, "You want to give me an ax?" 250 00:08:56,136 --> 00:08:58,071 * * 251 00:08:58,104 --> 00:09:00,674 So I gave it a shot. Such a cool rush. 252 00:09:00,707 --> 00:09:03,176 You feel like, "ugh, let's get it!" 253 00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:04,444 * * 254 00:09:04,477 --> 00:09:06,579 There is a science to ax throwing, 255 00:09:06,613 --> 00:09:08,915 and it's very helpful on the ninja course, 256 00:09:09,015 --> 00:09:09,916 let me tell you. 257 00:09:10,016 --> 00:09:11,084 * * 258 00:09:11,117 --> 00:09:13,453 You need focus, you need precision, 259 00:09:13,486 --> 00:09:16,322 and you need to have an eye for what you're doing 260 00:09:16,356 --> 00:09:17,524 in order to hit the target. 261 00:09:17,557 --> 00:09:18,858 * * 262 00:09:18,892 --> 00:09:20,827 Tonight I plan to chop down 263 00:09:20,860 --> 00:09:23,396 every obstacle that comes in my way. 264 00:09:23,430 --> 00:09:26,132 * * 265 00:09:26,166 --> 00:09:27,867 [cheers and applause] 266 00:09:27,901 --> 00:09:29,269 - Matt, she's a barista, 267 00:09:29,302 --> 00:09:31,338 and get this-- she doesn't drink decaf. 268 00:09:31,371 --> 00:09:32,939 - She's got family, 269 00:09:33,039 --> 00:09:35,208 including her parents watching back in the Midwest. 270 00:09:35,241 --> 00:09:36,943 - Oh! 271 00:09:37,043 --> 00:09:39,446 - And on the sideline, her boyfriend, 272 00:09:39,479 --> 00:09:41,381 fellow competitor Dalton Knapp. 273 00:09:41,414 --> 00:09:44,050 [countdown clock beeping] 274 00:09:44,084 --> 00:09:46,219 She ran the course here in Tacoma two years ago. 275 00:09:46,252 --> 00:09:48,788 Made it to the fifth obstacle as a rookie. 276 00:09:48,822 --> 00:09:50,290 [cheers and applause] 277 00:09:50,323 --> 00:09:54,060 - And other ninjas tell us she's even better now. 278 00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:57,831 - Now at Double Down. 5'4'' and 135 pounds. 279 00:09:59,466 --> 00:10:02,168 - Whoa, Matt, she cranked to the top in one move! 280 00:10:02,202 --> 00:10:05,338 - Well, she was a gymnast for ten years. 281 00:10:05,372 --> 00:10:06,973 Great body awareness. 282 00:10:07,007 --> 00:10:09,943 Oh, and did you see that drop. 283 00:10:09,976 --> 00:10:12,946 It's a challenge to widen out and keep that momentum going. 284 00:10:12,979 --> 00:10:14,280 Yes! - Whoo! 285 00:10:14,314 --> 00:10:16,149 Flies into the throw, but she's cool. 286 00:10:16,182 --> 00:10:18,184 - There's that gymnastics background. 287 00:10:18,218 --> 00:10:20,854 Now just needs to slide down once again. 288 00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:24,357 - Nice, I like that. Veteran move, though, Matt. 289 00:10:24,391 --> 00:10:26,226 - Wow, are you looking at the power? 290 00:10:26,259 --> 00:10:27,494 That lower body-- 291 00:10:27,527 --> 00:10:29,396 her legs went past parallel, Akbar. 292 00:10:29,429 --> 00:10:31,498 [cheers and applause] But now, Split Decision. 293 00:10:31,531 --> 00:10:33,400 Gets to choose her balance obstacle, 294 00:10:33,433 --> 00:10:34,868 and she's going to Log Runner. 295 00:10:34,901 --> 00:10:36,970 - And this is where Leif Sundberg struggled 296 00:10:37,003 --> 00:10:39,139 minutes ago, but she's gonna go through it anyway. 297 00:10:39,172 --> 00:10:41,408 - Hey, Megan! Powerful! 298 00:10:41,441 --> 00:10:43,576 - It's so easy to get a foot placement 299 00:10:43,610 --> 00:10:44,878 just a little bit off. 300 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:46,212 Oh, a spinout, but great job... 301 00:10:46,246 --> 00:10:47,814 - Nice. - Keeping her pose. 302 00:10:47,847 --> 00:10:49,983 [cheers and applause] 303 00:10:50,016 --> 00:10:51,551 Now, the Tilt-A-Whirl. 304 00:10:51,584 --> 00:10:53,486 The top five women from tonight 305 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:55,088 advance to the semifinals. 306 00:10:55,121 --> 00:10:58,725 If she gets through this, she'll have a good shot at it. 307 00:10:58,758 --> 00:11:00,527 But you know she wants a buzzer. 308 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:03,096 - She can be the second woman in qualifying 309 00:11:03,129 --> 00:11:04,397 to get to the buzzer. 310 00:11:04,431 --> 00:11:05,665 - Well, wouldn't it be amazing? 311 00:11:05,699 --> 00:11:07,767 Meagan Martin the only one thus far. 312 00:11:07,801 --> 00:11:10,070 Could Megan Rowe do it her sophomore effort? 313 00:11:10,103 --> 00:11:11,271 - That's it! That's it! 314 00:11:12,972 --> 00:11:15,809 - Nice. - Watch that bar though. 315 00:11:15,842 --> 00:11:17,444 - Yeah, I'm watching the bar. - Cambering one side. 316 00:11:17,477 --> 00:11:18,812 - And on top of that, her hands 317 00:11:18,845 --> 00:11:20,513 are pretty wide apart. 318 00:11:20,547 --> 00:11:22,148 - The right side of that bar-- the far side 319 00:11:22,182 --> 00:11:24,451 of that bar barely in the cradle, Akbar. 320 00:11:24,484 --> 00:11:25,952 Ooh, that is close. 321 00:11:25,985 --> 00:11:28,154 - Very close. She's gotta watch it. 322 00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:30,523 - Come on. Let's go! 323 00:11:30,557 --> 00:11:31,524 - Come on, Megan! - Come on. 324 00:11:31,558 --> 00:11:32,659 - Yes! - Yeah! 325 00:11:32,692 --> 00:11:33,893 - Got it. - Nice adjustment. 326 00:11:33,927 --> 00:11:35,295 She made the adjustment in the air. 327 00:11:35,328 --> 00:11:36,596 - Wow. - Great job. 328 00:11:36,629 --> 00:11:39,366 Okay, okay. - Just needs the dismount. 329 00:11:39,399 --> 00:11:41,201 - There it is! - Come on! 330 00:11:41,234 --> 00:11:44,237 - Megan is rolling now. - Oh, she's gassed, Akbar. 331 00:11:44,270 --> 00:11:47,474 Those excellent arms, do they have one big move left? 332 00:11:47,507 --> 00:11:49,743 - Come on, come on, get out of there. 333 00:11:49,776 --> 00:11:51,111 - Ooh! 334 00:11:51,144 --> 00:11:54,514 - Oh, got it as the bar flies into the water! 335 00:11:54,547 --> 00:11:55,982 - She looks back like, "Are you kidding me?" 336 00:11:56,016 --> 00:11:57,384 - You see that? 337 00:11:57,417 --> 00:11:59,252 [cheers and applause] 338 00:11:59,285 --> 00:12:00,453 - Now gonna step up 339 00:12:00,487 --> 00:12:02,922 to the fifth obstacle, Sideways. 340 00:12:02,956 --> 00:12:04,457 - Hey, you got this. 341 00:12:04,491 --> 00:12:06,893 - Has to go across those rotating boards. 342 00:12:06,926 --> 00:12:09,262 Gotta grab onto both sides at the same time. 343 00:12:09,295 --> 00:12:12,265 - There, right away! Yes! 344 00:12:12,298 --> 00:12:14,701 - She's generating a lot of power with her hips 345 00:12:14,734 --> 00:12:16,202 to get it up, to give her time-- 346 00:12:16,236 --> 00:12:17,937 - Whoo, come on! Did you see that, man? 347 00:12:17,971 --> 00:12:20,807 - Great save. - Has to jump to this slider. 348 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:22,275 - That was a nice landing. 349 00:12:22,308 --> 00:12:24,444 - She's doing a phenomenal job. 350 00:12:24,477 --> 00:12:26,479 Giving herself a chance to get those hands in place 351 00:12:26,513 --> 00:12:28,214 by that lower body power. 352 00:12:28,248 --> 00:12:29,716 - Oh! - Oh! 353 00:12:29,749 --> 00:12:31,885 - So close. 354 00:12:31,918 --> 00:12:34,087 - Great job, Megan! - Hey, great job! 355 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,290 - The Ax-Throwing Ninja chopped down on Sideways, 356 00:12:37,323 --> 00:12:39,826 but a fast run to the fifth obstacle. 357 00:12:39,859 --> 00:12:43,496 Got a good chance of moving onto the semifinals. 358 00:12:43,530 --> 00:12:46,733 - Matt, Megan came ready to cut the course down to size, 359 00:12:46,766 --> 00:12:49,002 but watch her left foot on Sideways. 360 00:12:49,102 --> 00:12:50,570 She kicked the structure. 361 00:12:50,603 --> 00:12:52,005 That sent her tumbling 362 00:12:52,105 --> 00:12:55,442 before she could reach out and grab the handle. 363 00:12:55,475 --> 00:12:59,012 - It's gonna be one of our wildest nights ever. 364 00:12:59,112 --> 00:13:02,615 - American Ninja Warrior is about to lift off. 365 00:13:02,649 --> 00:13:03,850 Wow. 366 00:13:03,883 --> 00:13:05,852 - We've got heartbreaking moments. 367 00:13:05,885 --> 00:13:07,454 - I don't believe what I'm watching. 368 00:13:07,487 --> 00:13:09,055 - Heart-stopping action. 369 00:13:09,055 --> 00:13:10,957 - You got it. You got it! 370 00:13:11,057 --> 00:13:12,325 both: No! 371 00:13:12,359 --> 00:13:15,328 - And runs you have to see to believe. 372 00:13:15,362 --> 00:13:16,529 - What? Oh, my goodness! 373 00:13:16,563 --> 00:13:18,665 - What a save! - Did you see that save? 374 00:13:18,698 --> 00:13:23,136 - We've got big stars, Bigfoot... 375 00:13:23,169 --> 00:13:25,105 - One big leap for an ape! 376 00:13:25,138 --> 00:13:27,407 - And a Super Bowl MVP. 377 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,075 - Now, listen. Don't slip. 378 00:13:29,075 --> 00:13:30,577 Don't trip. Don't fall. 379 00:13:30,610 --> 00:13:32,679 - We're moving... - I like this. 380 00:13:32,712 --> 00:13:34,881 - And grooving. - How sweet is that? 381 00:13:34,914 --> 00:13:37,317 On the final night of qualifying 382 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:40,820 on "American Ninja Warrior." 383 00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:46,092 - Welcome back. 384 00:13:46,092 --> 00:13:47,360 While we were away, 385 00:13:47,394 --> 00:13:49,396 Bowling Green, Kentucky's Nick Woodard 386 00:13:49,429 --> 00:13:51,931 got the joint jumping. - He's pumped now! 387 00:13:51,965 --> 00:13:54,334 - Woodard's a competitive jump roper and coach, 388 00:13:54,367 --> 00:13:56,403 and he had some of our teenage competitors 389 00:13:56,436 --> 00:13:58,271 watching his run. 390 00:13:58,304 --> 00:14:00,440 Woodard is a world champion in double Dutch, 391 00:14:00,473 --> 00:14:02,509 but he couldn't make the grab on Double Down. 392 00:14:02,542 --> 00:14:03,510 - [grunts] 393 00:14:03,543 --> 00:14:04,511 [buzzer blares] 394 00:14:04,544 --> 00:14:06,079 [upbeat music] 395 00:14:06,112 --> 00:14:07,681 - Ohio's Sophia Oster 396 00:14:07,714 --> 00:14:09,883 looked more like Annie than a ninja. 397 00:14:09,916 --> 00:14:12,385 Instead of athletic gear for her run, 398 00:14:12,419 --> 00:14:14,054 she wore a red dress! 399 00:14:14,054 --> 00:14:16,489 - It's a hard knock life on Double Down. 400 00:14:16,523 --> 00:14:18,058 [cheers and applause] 401 00:14:18,058 --> 00:14:20,060 - At Split Decision, she struggled 402 00:14:20,060 --> 00:14:21,327 with the choice, 403 00:14:21,361 --> 00:14:23,396 ultimately opting for Block Run. 404 00:14:23,430 --> 00:14:25,298 - Well, Matt, she's dressed for a block party. 405 00:14:25,331 --> 00:14:27,534 Of course, she's ready to do Block Run. 406 00:14:27,567 --> 00:14:29,502 - Oh! - Oh, oh, my goodness! 407 00:14:29,536 --> 00:14:31,171 Right in her hip bone. 408 00:14:31,204 --> 00:14:34,341 - But the party ended before it even got started. 409 00:14:35,408 --> 00:14:38,578 We've met some inspirational ninja families over the years, 410 00:14:38,611 --> 00:14:40,246 and here comes another one. 411 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:41,681 This is Abbey Steffl, 412 00:14:41,715 --> 00:14:44,317 one of the most positive people you will ever meet. 413 00:14:44,351 --> 00:14:47,954 And she gets her motivation from her amazing kids. 414 00:14:47,987 --> 00:14:49,089 [cheers and applause] 415 00:14:49,122 --> 00:14:50,457 - You're gonna say "mark." 416 00:14:50,490 --> 00:14:52,092 Then it's gonna hit, okay? 417 00:14:52,125 --> 00:14:53,526 - Yeah, no problem. 418 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:55,595 Molly Steffl and Haven Steffl. 419 00:14:55,628 --> 00:14:57,097 Mark. 420 00:14:57,097 --> 00:15:00,433 - * I fight my way through the darkness * 421 00:15:00,467 --> 00:15:01,768 [soft pop music] 422 00:15:01,801 --> 00:15:04,838 * I battle hard, that's how I'm made * 423 00:15:04,871 --> 00:15:06,539 - My daughter Molly 424 00:15:06,573 --> 00:15:09,876 was born with a cleft lip and palate. 425 00:15:09,909 --> 00:15:13,146 She's been through multiple surgeries, 426 00:15:13,179 --> 00:15:15,548 and then when she was five years old, 427 00:15:15,582 --> 00:15:18,451 she developed alopecia. 428 00:15:18,485 --> 00:15:20,620 - All my hair came out, 429 00:15:20,653 --> 00:15:23,656 and it was in five weeks, 430 00:15:23,690 --> 00:15:26,459 but you can't choose what happens in life. 431 00:15:26,493 --> 00:15:29,496 You can always choose how to react. 432 00:15:29,529 --> 00:15:33,500 - * You gotta take it day by day * 433 00:15:33,533 --> 00:15:37,470 * Keep moving forward no matter what they say * 434 00:15:37,504 --> 00:15:41,441 - My son Haven is on the autistic spectrum. 435 00:15:41,474 --> 00:15:45,612 He has unique challenges that he also deals with. 436 00:15:45,645 --> 00:15:47,981 - You just have to embrace it. 437 00:15:48,081 --> 00:15:50,450 I mean, you can't change it. There's no cure for it. 438 00:15:50,483 --> 00:15:52,085 Look at what you're great at 439 00:15:52,085 --> 00:15:53,753 'cause usually everybody with autism 440 00:15:53,787 --> 00:15:56,089 has something that they're really, really good at. 441 00:15:56,122 --> 00:15:58,091 - * If you wanna get stronger * 442 00:15:58,091 --> 00:15:59,459 * * 443 00:15:59,492 --> 00:16:02,862 - What "Ninja Warrior" has done for my family 444 00:16:02,896 --> 00:16:04,698 is unreal to look back on. 445 00:16:04,731 --> 00:16:07,067 - Here she comes! 446 00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:10,570 - We are so proud of our mom 447 00:16:10,603 --> 00:16:14,941 for showing us that we can do so much. 448 00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:16,376 - Yes! 449 00:16:16,409 --> 00:16:19,646 - Seeing my kids not get an obstacle 450 00:16:19,679 --> 00:16:23,316 but not giving up, and seeing their excitement 451 00:16:23,350 --> 00:16:25,251 when they get that obstacle... 452 00:16:25,285 --> 00:16:26,820 Yes! 453 00:16:26,853 --> 00:16:29,923 It is so inspiring to me. 454 00:16:29,956 --> 00:16:32,058 And when I hit that buzzer, 455 00:16:32,092 --> 00:16:34,661 I know that we did it together. 456 00:16:34,694 --> 00:16:37,197 - * If you wanna get stronger * 457 00:16:37,230 --> 00:16:38,765 [cheers and applause] 458 00:16:38,798 --> 00:16:40,934 - Hard not to love this family. 459 00:16:40,967 --> 00:16:43,336 The obstacles they overcome on the course 460 00:16:43,370 --> 00:16:45,805 are so insignificant compared to the obstacles 461 00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:47,440 that people face in life. 462 00:16:47,474 --> 00:16:50,243 The kids are back in Minnesota with Abbey's husband Chris. 463 00:16:50,276 --> 00:16:52,078 - They love to dance. 464 00:16:52,112 --> 00:16:54,381 That's how they get each other fired up. 465 00:16:54,414 --> 00:16:55,915 - Ready, ready? - Yeah. 466 00:16:55,949 --> 00:16:57,784 - And other ninjas showing support on the sidelines. 467 00:16:57,817 --> 00:16:59,085 They're grooving too. 468 00:16:59,085 --> 00:17:02,055 [countdown clock beeping] 469 00:17:03,023 --> 00:17:05,625 - And Abbey Steffl 40 years old, 470 00:17:05,658 --> 00:17:07,394 our oldest woman tonight. 471 00:17:07,427 --> 00:17:08,695 - [laughs] 472 00:17:08,728 --> 00:17:10,730 - And her daughter Molly will be competing 473 00:17:10,764 --> 00:17:12,932 on "Ninja Junior" this fall on Peacock. 474 00:17:13,033 --> 00:17:14,868 - Go for it! - Go, Abbey, get it! 475 00:17:14,901 --> 00:17:17,037 - Showing support as Mom jumps up 476 00:17:17,037 --> 00:17:18,605 to take on Double Down. - There we go! 477 00:17:18,638 --> 00:17:21,241 - You can see Abbey Steffl's got some upper-body strength. 478 00:17:21,274 --> 00:17:22,509 She'll need it here. 479 00:17:22,542 --> 00:17:24,778 Gotta get that bar out of the cradle. 480 00:17:24,811 --> 00:17:27,547 - You're in, you're in! You're good! 481 00:17:27,580 --> 00:17:29,683 - But Abbey Steffl, she handled it. 482 00:17:29,716 --> 00:17:31,384 - Wow, and she is generating a lot of power. 483 00:17:31,418 --> 00:17:33,153 - Yeah, she is. - Great job. 484 00:17:33,186 --> 00:17:34,387 - She wants it. You can tell. 485 00:17:34,421 --> 00:17:36,589 - You can just see how that bar moving 486 00:17:36,623 --> 00:17:39,159 steals the momentum, makes it so challenging, 487 00:17:39,192 --> 00:17:41,061 and now she's gotta ride it down 488 00:17:41,061 --> 00:17:42,462 on this second one. 489 00:17:42,495 --> 00:17:45,065 - When that slide comes, it's coming with some force. 490 00:17:45,065 --> 00:17:48,068 - And she holds on. Now just needs the dismount. 491 00:17:48,068 --> 00:17:49,102 - Come on! 492 00:17:51,071 --> 00:17:53,239 - Whoo! - Okay, that's it. 493 00:17:53,273 --> 00:17:55,608 - Yeah, look at her now! - She's stomping! 494 00:17:55,642 --> 00:17:57,610 - The family's going nuts! 495 00:17:57,644 --> 00:18:00,880 - But now a tough choice here at Split Decision. 496 00:18:00,914 --> 00:18:04,050 Will it be Block Run or Log Runner? 497 00:18:04,084 --> 00:18:05,885 She's looking to the family to help make her choice. 498 00:18:07,687 --> 00:18:09,122 - Yes. 499 00:18:09,155 --> 00:18:10,657 - The family gives a thumbs up to Log Runner. 500 00:18:10,690 --> 00:18:13,226 - You've gotta stay on top, take big strides, 501 00:18:13,259 --> 00:18:14,694 and move quickly. Here we go. 502 00:18:14,728 --> 00:18:16,096 - Nice and quick. Commit to it. 503 00:18:16,129 --> 00:18:17,163 Commit! 504 00:18:17,197 --> 00:18:19,165 - All right, here we go. Come on. 505 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:22,168 - Come on! 506 00:18:23,570 --> 00:18:25,939 - Go, go, go, go, go, go, go! - Oh, long strides, nice! 507 00:18:26,039 --> 00:18:29,609 - Got through it! - Yes, yes! 508 00:18:29,642 --> 00:18:31,344 - And she is pumped. - Whoo! 509 00:18:31,378 --> 00:18:33,313 - Yeah, Abbey! - Shuffle, shuffle, baby. 510 00:18:33,346 --> 00:18:35,215 - She's got everybody dancing. 511 00:18:35,248 --> 00:18:36,850 - Come on! 512 00:18:36,883 --> 00:18:38,051 - And she's so proud of herself, 513 00:18:38,051 --> 00:18:39,352 and she should be, Matt. 514 00:18:39,386 --> 00:18:41,755 - And she's impressive off the course as well. 515 00:18:41,788 --> 00:18:44,591 She created the Carve Out Courage Foundation 516 00:18:44,624 --> 00:18:46,059 where she speaks to families 517 00:18:46,092 --> 00:18:48,094 who have kids facing challenges. 518 00:18:48,128 --> 00:18:50,230 - And with every obstacle she conquers, 519 00:18:50,263 --> 00:18:52,565 she's able to raise awareness for her causes 520 00:18:52,599 --> 00:18:55,068 and spread a positive message. 521 00:18:55,101 --> 00:18:57,303 - Abbey says it's the least she can do being out here 522 00:18:57,337 --> 00:18:58,938 on the course is giving it her all, 523 00:18:58,972 --> 00:19:01,107 and she is doing just that. 524 00:19:01,141 --> 00:19:03,076 Fighting her way across Tilt-A-Whirl. 525 00:19:03,109 --> 00:19:05,245 - I wanna see her take down this fourth obstacle. 526 00:19:05,278 --> 00:19:07,213 - Oh, yeah. Turn the first one around. 527 00:19:07,247 --> 00:19:10,150 Now, needs to hop the bar over to the second triangle. 528 00:19:10,183 --> 00:19:11,384 - Right here. There it is. 529 00:19:11,418 --> 00:19:12,752 - Jump! - Nice. 530 00:19:12,786 --> 00:19:14,054 - Great job. Great flight. 531 00:19:14,087 --> 00:19:15,288 - Okay, all right. - Yes! 532 00:19:15,321 --> 00:19:18,091 - 5'6'' 142, but, Akbar, that grip, 533 00:19:18,124 --> 00:19:19,926 looks like it might be giving out. 534 00:19:20,026 --> 00:19:21,461 Trying to spin it around. 535 00:19:21,494 --> 00:19:22,896 - Remember, she's put a lot of work 536 00:19:22,929 --> 00:19:24,664 into that upper-body strength. 537 00:19:24,698 --> 00:19:25,932 Now, the part that's gonna be difficult 538 00:19:26,032 --> 00:19:27,133 is coming in at an angle. 539 00:19:27,167 --> 00:19:28,601 - Yeah, there it is, and she went 540 00:19:28,635 --> 00:19:30,403 with a switch grip, which I appreciate 'cause-- 541 00:19:30,437 --> 00:19:32,172 - Don't want her to peel out. - You don't want to peel out. 542 00:19:32,205 --> 00:19:33,940 When you lock it in, you gotta slam it in. 543 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:35,675 - She's a fighter. - Great job. 544 00:19:35,709 --> 00:19:37,277 - And she absorbed all of that. 545 00:19:37,310 --> 00:19:38,778 Now she's got to turn it around. 546 00:19:38,812 --> 00:19:42,649 - But look at that bar. It is so close to the edge. 547 00:19:42,682 --> 00:19:45,218 - She's got that switch grip so she doesn't peel out. 548 00:19:45,251 --> 00:19:47,687 - But that right side about to fall out of the cradle. 549 00:19:47,721 --> 00:19:49,055 [cheers and applause] 550 00:19:49,089 --> 00:19:51,091 - Right here, right here! - No, go-- 551 00:19:51,124 --> 00:19:52,559 - Oh! - Oh! 552 00:19:52,592 --> 00:19:55,128 - No! - Oh, came so close 553 00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:57,864 to finishing the fourth obstacle. 554 00:19:57,897 --> 00:19:59,199 - This 40-year-old mom 555 00:19:59,232 --> 00:20:01,735 is just an absolute beast on the course. 556 00:20:01,768 --> 00:20:04,904 That run was fun for the whole family, 557 00:20:04,938 --> 00:20:07,273 and Abbey nearly made it through Tilt-A-Whirl, 558 00:20:07,307 --> 00:20:09,442 but as she adjusted her hands, look at this-- 559 00:20:09,476 --> 00:20:11,277 the fingers peeled right off. 560 00:20:11,311 --> 00:20:12,846 - And right now she's with Zuri. 561 00:20:12,879 --> 00:20:14,180 * * 562 00:20:14,214 --> 00:20:16,216 - Abbey, oh my goodness. 563 00:20:16,249 --> 00:20:17,450 You got Molly and Haven cheering you on 564 00:20:17,484 --> 00:20:18,485 and your husband. 565 00:20:18,518 --> 00:20:20,320 What does it mean for your family 566 00:20:20,353 --> 00:20:22,155 to be able to watch you go this far in the course? 567 00:20:22,188 --> 00:20:24,657 - It means everything to me. 568 00:20:24,691 --> 00:20:27,293 We have been on such a journey, 569 00:20:27,327 --> 00:20:29,896 and "American Ninja Warrior" 570 00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:32,632 has changed our family's life. 571 00:20:32,665 --> 00:20:34,901 - And you are teaching us all to carve out courage. 572 00:20:34,934 --> 00:20:37,537 What would you say to the folks at home watching? 573 00:20:37,570 --> 00:20:39,005 - Don't give up. 574 00:20:39,039 --> 00:20:41,408 When you are in your hardest time, 575 00:20:41,441 --> 00:20:44,878 that's when you have to reach and keep on going. 576 00:20:44,911 --> 00:20:46,346 If that means applying to be 577 00:20:46,379 --> 00:20:48,782 on "American Ninja Warrior," go do it. 578 00:20:48,815 --> 00:20:50,250 - Go do it. Well, you did it. 579 00:20:50,283 --> 00:20:52,552 And we will see if you keep going soon enough. 580 00:20:52,585 --> 00:20:54,220 What an amazing run. Congrats, Abbey. 581 00:20:54,254 --> 00:20:55,221 - Thank you so much. - Nice job, Abbey! 582 00:20:55,255 --> 00:20:57,557 - Abbey! Whoo! 583 00:20:57,590 --> 00:21:00,060 - You never know who's gonna show up 584 00:21:00,060 --> 00:21:01,394 on "American Ninja Warrior." 585 00:21:01,428 --> 00:21:03,430 - He get extensions on those? 586 00:21:03,463 --> 00:21:05,532 - How about country music legend, 587 00:21:05,565 --> 00:21:06,733 Crystal Gayle? 588 00:21:06,766 --> 00:21:08,735 And Olympians Brandi Chastain... 589 00:21:08,768 --> 00:21:10,603 - Yes, go team! 590 00:21:10,637 --> 00:21:12,772 - Danell Leyva, and Summer Sanders. 591 00:21:12,806 --> 00:21:14,240 - Yes! 592 00:21:14,274 --> 00:21:17,844 - They're all coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 593 00:21:22,649 --> 00:21:24,584 - Welcome back to the Tacoma Dome, 594 00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:28,088 where one obstacle is making a big splash. 595 00:21:28,088 --> 00:21:31,091 Indianapolis architect Kourtney Timmons 596 00:21:31,091 --> 00:21:32,826 was hoping to build a perfect run, 597 00:21:32,859 --> 00:21:35,762 but on the second obstacle, Double Down, 598 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:38,565 his ninja dream came crashing down. 599 00:21:38,598 --> 00:21:41,568 - No! Oh, my goodness! 600 00:21:41,601 --> 00:21:43,636 Cannonball! 601 00:21:43,670 --> 00:21:46,106 - Michigan attorney Arielle Hall 602 00:21:46,106 --> 00:21:48,341 is a former competitive bodybuilder. 603 00:21:48,375 --> 00:21:50,810 - Okay, I see you. 604 00:21:50,844 --> 00:21:52,545 - And she was flexing at the start. 605 00:21:52,579 --> 00:21:54,714 - Let's go! Whoo! 606 00:21:54,748 --> 00:21:56,950 - And though she had boundless energy... 607 00:21:56,983 --> 00:21:58,418 - Yes! 608 00:21:58,451 --> 00:22:01,755 - She became another victim of the second obstacle. 609 00:22:01,788 --> 00:22:04,057 Oh, no! 610 00:22:04,090 --> 00:22:06,059 - Whoo! 611 00:22:06,059 --> 00:22:08,561 - Tatsumi Yanaba powered up for his run 612 00:22:08,595 --> 00:22:10,363 with the peanut butter he developed 613 00:22:10,397 --> 00:22:13,633 while in the Peace Corps. He even brought some for us. 614 00:22:13,667 --> 00:22:16,102 - Oh, it's good. 615 00:22:16,136 --> 00:22:18,238 - But while the peanut butter was smooth... 616 00:22:18,271 --> 00:22:19,639 - Double Down on the peanut butter. 617 00:22:19,673 --> 00:22:20,807 - Oh. - Oh! 618 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:22,409 - Yanaba's run wasn't. 619 00:22:22,442 --> 00:22:24,611 - Peanut butter belly flop. 620 00:22:25,412 --> 00:22:28,281 - Well, our next athlete is one of the greats. 621 00:22:28,314 --> 00:22:29,849 Zuri, get him going. 622 00:22:29,883 --> 00:22:32,385 - Guys, I am catching you on the flip side 623 00:22:32,419 --> 00:22:36,089 because up next is ninja legend Flip Rodriguez. 624 00:22:36,122 --> 00:22:39,125 The 11-time veteran has gone from brash youngster 625 00:22:39,159 --> 00:22:41,661 to one of "Ninja"'s most influential figures 626 00:22:41,695 --> 00:22:45,498 on and off the course, and one of those he's inspired 627 00:22:45,532 --> 00:22:47,300 is competing with him here tonight. 628 00:22:47,334 --> 00:22:48,968 - Yes, sir! 629 00:22:49,002 --> 00:22:51,404 - Me and Ninja Cal have history. 630 00:22:51,438 --> 00:22:53,540 I have known Cal 631 00:22:53,573 --> 00:22:56,609 since he was, like, this tall. 632 00:22:56,643 --> 00:22:58,945 - He was one of my favorite competitors 633 00:22:58,978 --> 00:23:00,513 growing up watching the show. 634 00:23:00,547 --> 00:23:02,048 Back when he wore, like, his mask, 635 00:23:02,082 --> 00:23:04,951 I always thought that he was the coolest dude ever. 636 00:23:05,051 --> 00:23:06,653 I really looked up to him. He was like my idol. 637 00:23:06,686 --> 00:23:09,756 - Don't count out 12-year-old Cal Plohoros 638 00:23:09,789 --> 00:23:11,324 'cause this kid is a beast. 639 00:23:11,358 --> 00:23:12,625 Having Flip Rodriguez 640 00:23:12,659 --> 00:23:14,861 in your corner certainly helps. 641 00:23:14,894 --> 00:23:16,763 - You know, along the way, me and Ninja Cal 642 00:23:16,796 --> 00:23:18,631 have become friends, training buddies 643 00:23:18,665 --> 00:23:20,700 to where we push each other really hard. 644 00:23:20,734 --> 00:23:23,203 I got my work cut out for me. - We're kind of competitive. 645 00:23:23,236 --> 00:23:24,771 Like, we would be going back and forth. 646 00:23:24,804 --> 00:23:26,573 Like, you want that fastest time, 647 00:23:26,606 --> 00:23:27,874 but, like, I'm getting it. 648 00:23:27,907 --> 00:23:28,875 - I'm too fast. 649 00:23:28,908 --> 00:23:30,210 I'm too fast. I'm too fast. 650 00:23:30,243 --> 00:23:32,212 - Flip talks a lot. He talks a lot of smack. 651 00:23:32,245 --> 00:23:35,081 And I don't talk as much back, 652 00:23:35,115 --> 00:23:36,249 but I remind him. 653 00:23:36,282 --> 00:23:37,851 - I just lost to Ninja Cal, bro. 654 00:23:37,884 --> 00:23:40,153 I just lost to Ninja Cal. How? 655 00:23:40,186 --> 00:23:42,322 Now, we're gonna be on the big dog course, 656 00:23:42,355 --> 00:23:43,723 so I have to go against him. 657 00:23:43,757 --> 00:23:45,392 So will there be trash-talking? 658 00:23:45,425 --> 00:23:49,095 Maybe, but more support over anything else. 659 00:23:49,095 --> 00:23:50,897 Us veterans have to either step up, 660 00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:52,999 or we're gonna have to retire 661 00:23:53,099 --> 00:23:55,769 'cause these kids are coming for us. 662 00:23:55,802 --> 00:23:58,271 - Well, Ninja Cal will be taking notes 663 00:23:58,304 --> 00:24:00,173 because he's running next. 664 00:24:00,206 --> 00:24:03,043 Flip's girlfriend Jamie also cheering Flip on. 665 00:24:03,043 --> 00:24:04,377 She'll run later. 666 00:24:04,411 --> 00:24:06,379 - Come on, Flip! [countdown clock beeping] 667 00:24:06,413 --> 00:24:08,548 - Well, Akbar, we've talked about the youth invasion. 668 00:24:08,581 --> 00:24:11,818 I remember when this guy was a 21-year-old 669 00:24:11,851 --> 00:24:14,854 brash rookie behind a mask, and how much he has grown up, 670 00:24:14,888 --> 00:24:17,123 and what an inspiration he has become. 671 00:24:17,157 --> 00:24:18,525 Wore the mask because of abuse 672 00:24:18,558 --> 00:24:19,826 he suffered as a child. 673 00:24:19,859 --> 00:24:21,928 Now, he's a spokesperson for other victims. 674 00:24:21,961 --> 00:24:23,630 - He's just such a positive guy 675 00:24:23,663 --> 00:24:25,165 and a positive role model for a lot 676 00:24:25,198 --> 00:24:27,100 of these young ninjas who we've seen compete 677 00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:29,169 including Ninja Cal. 678 00:24:29,202 --> 00:24:30,770 - Good move, yeah! 679 00:24:30,804 --> 00:24:32,706 - And the long-time veteran making a quick choice 680 00:24:32,739 --> 00:24:34,674 at Split Decision. - Easy, let's go. 681 00:24:34,708 --> 00:24:36,676 - Let's do it. Yes, sir, come on, bro. 682 00:24:36,710 --> 00:24:39,212 [cheers and applause] 683 00:24:39,245 --> 00:24:40,580 - Oh, there he goes. 684 00:24:40,613 --> 00:24:42,082 Moving right through on the fourth obstacle 685 00:24:42,082 --> 00:24:45,952 to Tilt-A-Whirl. - And he's moving quick. 686 00:24:45,985 --> 00:24:48,888 - The top 30 from tonight will move on to the semifinals 687 00:24:48,922 --> 00:24:51,291 which start next week in L.A. 688 00:24:51,324 --> 00:24:52,792 It may very well come down to who gets 689 00:24:52,826 --> 00:24:55,295 to that fourth or fifth obstacle the fastest. 690 00:24:55,328 --> 00:24:57,664 - Come on, you got it. [cheers and applause] 691 00:24:57,697 --> 00:24:58,865 - Nice. 692 00:24:58,898 --> 00:25:00,133 - Made it to the national finals 693 00:25:00,166 --> 00:25:02,335 nine times in his storied career. 694 00:25:03,937 --> 00:25:05,105 Look at that maturity. 695 00:25:05,138 --> 00:25:07,040 Correcting the bar. Smart move. 696 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:08,575 - Flip used to be a speed demon 697 00:25:08,608 --> 00:25:11,277 when he was younger, but now he's much more careful. 698 00:25:11,311 --> 00:25:13,213 He wants a buzzer. 699 00:25:13,246 --> 00:25:15,115 - Makes it to the last cradle. 700 00:25:15,148 --> 00:25:18,051 Flip works as a stunt man on big Hollywood movies. 701 00:25:18,051 --> 00:25:19,719 He knows how to fly through the air. 702 00:25:19,753 --> 00:25:21,654 - Yes, sir, come on, bro. - Now just needs the dismount. 703 00:25:21,688 --> 00:25:22,789 - Come on. 704 00:25:22,822 --> 00:25:24,924 Nice. - There we go, easy, easy. 705 00:25:24,958 --> 00:25:26,760 - But now it's Sideways. 706 00:25:26,793 --> 00:25:27,961 - And you see Flip, 707 00:25:28,061 --> 00:25:30,163 just a methodical approach here. 708 00:25:30,196 --> 00:25:33,166 He knows this obstacle could likely be the separator. 709 00:25:33,199 --> 00:25:34,401 - Oh, and look at this-- 710 00:25:34,434 --> 00:25:35,769 hopping through with great technique. 711 00:25:35,802 --> 00:25:38,071 - Easy to make a mistake on this obstacle 712 00:25:38,071 --> 00:25:40,240 and no recovering if you do. 713 00:25:40,273 --> 00:25:41,608 - You know getting sideways 714 00:25:41,641 --> 00:25:42,842 from that head-on position is-- 715 00:25:42,876 --> 00:25:44,377 - Oh! - Oh, no! 716 00:25:44,411 --> 00:25:45,445 [buzzer blares] 717 00:25:47,747 --> 00:25:52,719 - Flip Rodriguez shockingly comes up short on Sideways, 718 00:25:52,752 --> 00:25:55,922 but his fast time could still get him into the top 30. 719 00:25:55,955 --> 00:25:58,625 - Fast pace. You'll probably move on. 720 00:25:58,658 --> 00:26:00,093 - Well, take a look. 721 00:26:00,126 --> 00:26:01,628 Flip probably should have taken 722 00:26:01,661 --> 00:26:03,563 one more swing to get a little higher. 723 00:26:03,596 --> 00:26:05,465 He didn't get up enough. 724 00:26:05,498 --> 00:26:07,667 His hands barely got around both sides, 725 00:26:07,701 --> 00:26:09,502 and he couldn't hang on. 726 00:26:09,536 --> 00:26:10,904 [cheers and applause] 727 00:26:10,937 --> 00:26:14,207 - So now it's his little buddy Cal's turn. 728 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,676 Only 15 years old! Just finished 729 00:26:16,710 --> 00:26:18,378 his freshman year in high school 730 00:26:18,411 --> 00:26:20,480 in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. 731 00:26:20,513 --> 00:26:23,049 Ninja Cal will have his mom on the sideline, 732 00:26:23,083 --> 00:26:26,086 and watching from back home, lots of friends and family, 733 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:27,253 including his dad and sisters. - Let's go! 734 00:26:27,287 --> 00:26:28,388 - You got it, Cal! Let's go! 735 00:26:28,421 --> 00:26:30,490 Beast! - What's up? 736 00:26:30,523 --> 00:26:31,725 - And Flip's hopped out. 737 00:26:31,758 --> 00:26:33,526 He's ready to support his protégé. 738 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,229 - Show them how it's done, Cal! Let's go! 739 00:26:36,262 --> 00:26:38,231 Let's get to L.A., baby! Let's get to L.A.! 740 00:26:38,264 --> 00:26:40,600 - Matt, this kid is all about Ninja. 741 00:26:40,633 --> 00:26:42,769 I remember him coming out to watch this competition 742 00:26:42,802 --> 00:26:44,637 in Philly five years ago. 743 00:26:44,671 --> 00:26:46,940 - That's right, and he's been training since he was nine. 744 00:26:46,973 --> 00:26:50,076 We saw him compete on "ANW Junior" twice. 745 00:26:50,076 --> 00:26:51,878 Made it to the elite eight both times. 746 00:26:51,911 --> 00:26:54,314 Only 5'4'', but packs a big punch. 747 00:26:54,347 --> 00:26:55,415 - Oh. - Oh, whoa! 748 00:26:55,448 --> 00:26:56,783 How did he make that catch? 749 00:26:56,816 --> 00:26:59,552 Well, he only weighs 125 pounds. 750 00:26:59,586 --> 00:27:01,855 He can fly. And a big dismount. 751 00:27:01,888 --> 00:27:03,123 He was like a kid, 752 00:27:03,156 --> 00:27:04,357 and watch the balance obstacle. 753 00:27:04,391 --> 00:27:05,892 He is flying. - Oh, my goodness. 754 00:27:05,925 --> 00:27:07,260 - Oh, my! - You know kids. 755 00:27:07,293 --> 00:27:08,595 They fall hard and pop right back up--nothing. 756 00:27:08,628 --> 00:27:10,597 - Ninja Cal bounding into Tilt-A-Whirl! 757 00:27:10,630 --> 00:27:11,865 - What? 758 00:27:11,898 --> 00:27:14,467 - Let's get to L.A., baby! Let's get to L.A.! 759 00:27:14,501 --> 00:27:17,437 - Cal Plohoros is dominating this course, 760 00:27:17,470 --> 00:27:19,205 and he is looking in control, 761 00:27:19,239 --> 00:27:21,474 hoping to be our first finisher tonight. 762 00:27:21,508 --> 00:27:22,609 - Yeah, buddy. 763 00:27:22,642 --> 00:27:24,544 - Well, he wants to be a stuntman 764 00:27:24,577 --> 00:27:26,680 like Flip, and if he keeps this up, 765 00:27:26,713 --> 00:27:29,149 he's gonna be in Hollywood for the semifinals. 766 00:27:29,182 --> 00:27:30,617 [cheers and applause] 767 00:27:30,650 --> 00:27:32,085 Is he going for a reverse dismount? 768 00:27:32,118 --> 00:27:33,453 - Yep, he is. - He is. 769 00:27:33,486 --> 00:27:36,356 - He can do that, look. - This kid's amazing! 770 00:27:36,389 --> 00:27:37,857 - That's what I'm talking about! 771 00:27:37,891 --> 00:27:38,858 - Now breathe! - Take a breath! 772 00:27:38,892 --> 00:27:40,593 [laughter] 773 00:27:40,627 --> 00:27:43,596 - But no one has gotten past Sideways tonight. 774 00:27:43,630 --> 00:27:45,231 Oh, my goodness. - Nice. 775 00:27:45,265 --> 00:27:46,533 Ooh! - You got this. 776 00:27:46,566 --> 00:27:48,635 - Ninja Cal is flying. 777 00:27:48,668 --> 00:27:50,637 - Up and in. Yes, come on! 778 00:27:50,670 --> 00:27:52,272 - Uh-oh, uh-oh. - Fingertips saved it. 779 00:27:52,305 --> 00:27:53,840 - Wow. - You need a big pop here. 780 00:27:53,873 --> 00:27:55,875 Big pop. Come on, big pop! 781 00:27:55,909 --> 00:27:58,078 - Flip giving advice. This is where he fell. 782 00:27:58,111 --> 00:27:59,879 - Nice! - But not Ninja Cal. 783 00:27:59,913 --> 00:28:02,248 - He is competing on the big show. 784 00:28:02,282 --> 00:28:06,219 He ain't a little kid anymore. - Just 15 years old. 785 00:28:06,252 --> 00:28:08,221 Oh, he's hanging on. 786 00:28:08,254 --> 00:28:10,023 - Oh, he's going up real quick. 787 00:28:10,056 --> 00:28:12,125 - Could be our first finisher. 788 00:28:12,158 --> 00:28:13,626 [cheers and applause] 789 00:28:13,660 --> 00:28:15,762 - Uh-oh, uh-oh. - Oh, stumble! 790 00:28:15,795 --> 00:28:17,797 - A little bit of pressure, but that's all right. 791 00:28:17,831 --> 00:28:19,032 - Come on, Cal. Come on. 792 00:28:19,032 --> 00:28:20,633 - He's gonna regroup. 793 00:28:20,667 --> 00:28:21,801 Hey, Cal, How are you doing, man? 794 00:28:21,835 --> 00:28:24,037 - What's up, buddy? He's so calm. 795 00:28:24,037 --> 00:28:25,772 He's about to get his very first buzzer. 796 00:28:25,805 --> 00:28:27,107 - Hey, there he is. 797 00:28:27,140 --> 00:28:30,276 Ninja Cal our first finisher tonight. 798 00:28:30,310 --> 00:28:31,845 - What's up? 799 00:28:31,878 --> 00:28:33,580 - What's up? - [laughs] 800 00:28:33,613 --> 00:28:35,048 [cheers and applause] 801 00:28:35,081 --> 00:28:36,249 - Let's go! 802 00:28:36,282 --> 00:28:39,252 [cheers and applause] 803 00:28:39,285 --> 00:28:40,320 [upbeat music] 804 00:28:40,353 --> 00:28:43,289 [cheers and applause] 805 00:28:43,323 --> 00:28:45,191 - You got to compete with your mentor, 806 00:28:45,225 --> 00:28:46,526 Flip Rodriguez. 807 00:28:46,559 --> 00:28:49,596 As amazing as Flip is, he couldn't get a buzzer, 808 00:28:49,629 --> 00:28:50,897 and you did, my man. 809 00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:52,332 - I know. I beat him. 810 00:28:52,365 --> 00:28:54,067 Yeah, you were talking a lot, huh? 811 00:28:55,468 --> 00:28:57,137 [laughter] 812 00:28:57,170 --> 00:28:58,805 What's up now? What's up now? 813 00:28:58,838 --> 00:29:00,140 - Hey, hey. 814 00:29:00,173 --> 00:29:02,609 [cheers and applause] 815 00:29:02,642 --> 00:29:05,779 - This kid could be a stuntman because he's fearless. 816 00:29:05,812 --> 00:29:07,814 Look at this backwards dismount. 817 00:29:07,847 --> 00:29:10,784 And then he's the first to make it to the buzzer tonight. 818 00:29:10,817 --> 00:29:13,486 We're gonna see him in the semifinals. 819 00:29:22,729 --> 00:29:24,864 - We had some special guests drop in while we were away. 820 00:29:24,898 --> 00:29:26,866 Ohio's Nate Tackett is cousins 821 00:29:26,900 --> 00:29:29,135 with country music legend Crystal Gayle 822 00:29:29,169 --> 00:29:30,370 who was watching his run. 823 00:29:30,403 --> 00:29:31,604 - Love you, Nate. 824 00:29:31,638 --> 00:29:32,906 - The former all-state running back 825 00:29:32,939 --> 00:29:35,041 showed good footwork on Block Run. 826 00:29:35,041 --> 00:29:36,176 - You can do it, Nate. 827 00:29:36,209 --> 00:29:37,477 - But on Tilt-A-Whirl, 828 00:29:37,510 --> 00:29:40,046 he made Crystal's brown eyes blue. 829 00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:42,048 - Oh! [buzzer blares] 830 00:29:42,048 --> 00:29:44,284 - The Summer Olympics start July 23rd 831 00:29:44,317 --> 00:29:46,052 right here on NBC, 832 00:29:46,052 --> 00:29:48,054 and "Ninja" veteran Taylor Amann 833 00:29:48,054 --> 00:29:51,057 had a two-time gold medalist cheering for her. 834 00:29:51,057 --> 00:29:53,326 It is swimming legend Summer Sanders. 835 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:54,761 Summer, how are you doing? 836 00:29:54,794 --> 00:29:55,862 - I'm nervous. 837 00:29:55,895 --> 00:29:57,897 I get so excited for this competition. 838 00:29:57,931 --> 00:30:00,100 - And Amann gave her something to get excited about... 839 00:30:00,133 --> 00:30:01,267 - Yes! - Yes! 840 00:30:01,301 --> 00:30:02,869 - Whoo! - Whoo! 841 00:30:02,902 --> 00:30:05,672 - As the former Wisconsin pole vaulter flew all the way 842 00:30:05,705 --> 00:30:07,040 to the fifth obstacle... 843 00:30:07,073 --> 00:30:09,376 - Come on. No! 844 00:30:09,409 --> 00:30:11,277 - Before her run came to an end. 845 00:30:11,311 --> 00:30:14,347 But it should get her into the women's top five. 846 00:30:14,381 --> 00:30:16,816 - Amazing. You are amazing. 847 00:30:16,850 --> 00:30:18,284 [upbeat music] 848 00:30:18,318 --> 00:30:20,520 - Well, up next is one of Taylor Amann's friends, 849 00:30:20,553 --> 00:30:22,288 another Wisconsinite. 850 00:30:22,322 --> 00:30:24,324 This is college student Nathan Green, 851 00:30:24,357 --> 00:30:25,925 and you can see he's making 852 00:30:25,959 --> 00:30:27,694 a buzzcut gesture with his hands. 853 00:30:27,727 --> 00:30:29,462 That's because he's got a wager going 854 00:30:29,496 --> 00:30:30,964 with this twin brother Marquez, 855 00:30:30,997 --> 00:30:33,133 and someone's gonna lose some hair. 856 00:30:33,166 --> 00:30:34,200 - Come on, Nathan! 857 00:30:35,702 --> 00:30:38,171 - So we have a little bet going on. 858 00:30:38,204 --> 00:30:40,340 - I got you. - I know. 859 00:30:40,373 --> 00:30:42,042 I'll get it next time though. 860 00:30:42,075 --> 00:30:44,411 - Whoever performs worse on the course 861 00:30:44,444 --> 00:30:45,512 has to get their head shaved... 862 00:30:45,545 --> 00:30:46,613 - By our friend, Taylor. 863 00:30:46,646 --> 00:30:47,914 * * 864 00:30:47,947 --> 00:30:49,849 And I'm kind of scared 'cause she asked us, 865 00:30:49,883 --> 00:30:51,217 "How do I cut hair?" 866 00:30:51,251 --> 00:30:52,686 * * 867 00:30:52,719 --> 00:30:54,120 Last time we competed, 868 00:30:54,154 --> 00:30:57,090 I somehow hit a city qualifying buzzer. 869 00:30:58,258 --> 00:31:00,694 - Yes! - Got it, yes! 870 00:31:00,727 --> 00:31:03,163 [buzzer blares] 871 00:31:03,196 --> 00:31:05,699 - Yeah, and I got taken out on obstacle two. 872 00:31:05,732 --> 00:31:07,100 * * 873 00:31:07,133 --> 00:31:09,836 - Ooh. Oh, my goodness! 874 00:31:09,869 --> 00:31:11,738 - So definitely ready to come back and do better. 875 00:31:11,771 --> 00:31:13,106 * * 876 00:31:13,139 --> 00:31:14,774 By the end of the night, it's not gonna be hard 877 00:31:14,808 --> 00:31:16,142 to tell us apart. 878 00:31:16,176 --> 00:31:17,477 - Yeah, his hair's gonna be really short. 879 00:31:17,510 --> 00:31:18,478 [both chuckle] 880 00:31:18,511 --> 00:31:21,715 * * 881 00:31:21,748 --> 00:31:24,351 - You got it, Nathan! - I'm coming for you. 882 00:31:24,384 --> 00:31:25,919 - I'm not shaving my head! 883 00:31:25,952 --> 00:31:27,520 - Well, Marquez says he's not shaving, 884 00:31:27,554 --> 00:31:29,489 and here's why he's so confident. 885 00:31:29,522 --> 00:31:31,358 Minutes ago, he hit the course 886 00:31:31,391 --> 00:31:32,859 and did pretty well. 887 00:31:32,892 --> 00:31:35,161 - Yes, come on! - Nice, whoo! 888 00:31:35,195 --> 00:31:37,230 - Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. 889 00:31:37,263 --> 00:31:39,299 Marquez says he's going with the Log Runner. 890 00:31:39,332 --> 00:31:41,468 - Yes! 891 00:31:41,501 --> 00:31:42,635 - The older of the two brothers 892 00:31:42,669 --> 00:31:43,903 by 30 minutes, 893 00:31:43,937 --> 00:31:45,905 Marquez made it to the fifth obstacle... 894 00:31:45,939 --> 00:31:48,808 Oh! Before his run ended. 895 00:31:48,842 --> 00:31:50,210 - Let's go, Nathan! 896 00:31:50,243 --> 00:31:52,112 - So Marquez has changed shirts 897 00:31:52,112 --> 00:31:54,447 and waits on the sidelines with Taylor Amann 898 00:31:54,481 --> 00:31:56,282 who's ready to clip the loser. 899 00:31:56,316 --> 00:31:58,685 They've got friends and family watching, 900 00:31:58,718 --> 00:32:01,388 including their siblings back in Wisconsin. 901 00:32:01,421 --> 00:32:04,057 - Let's go! - Whoo! 902 00:32:04,057 --> 00:32:06,526 [countdown clock beeping] 903 00:32:06,559 --> 00:32:08,928 - And here we go. Nathan Green on the course. 904 00:32:08,962 --> 00:32:10,930 His hairdo at stake, Akbar. 905 00:32:10,964 --> 00:32:12,465 - You know, I've got five brothers. 906 00:32:12,499 --> 00:32:13,700 I know how it is talking trash 907 00:32:13,733 --> 00:32:14,701 with your brothers. This is good. 908 00:32:14,734 --> 00:32:16,202 - Come on. 909 00:32:16,236 --> 00:32:18,505 - This is a tight-knit family who bonded together 910 00:32:18,538 --> 00:32:20,073 after the death of their mom 911 00:32:20,106 --> 00:32:21,875 from breast cancer a few years ago. 912 00:32:21,908 --> 00:32:23,476 - Hang on tight! - Hang on tight, Nathan. 913 00:32:23,510 --> 00:32:25,211 - Well, these guys, college students 914 00:32:25,245 --> 00:32:26,880 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. 915 00:32:26,913 --> 00:32:28,882 - All right he's got to make sure he anticipates. 916 00:32:28,915 --> 00:32:31,151 Oh, okay, good. - You got this. 917 00:32:31,184 --> 00:32:33,253 - Remember he fell on the second obstacle 918 00:32:33,286 --> 00:32:34,454 two years ago. 919 00:32:34,487 --> 00:32:36,589 He really wants to get past this. 920 00:32:36,623 --> 00:32:38,091 - Easy. Easy. 921 00:32:38,091 --> 00:32:39,559 - Marquez constantly reminds him 922 00:32:39,592 --> 00:32:41,094 I went further than you in "Ninja." 923 00:32:41,094 --> 00:32:43,229 - Wow. - Just needs the dismount. 924 00:32:43,263 --> 00:32:44,764 - Yeah! 925 00:32:44,798 --> 00:32:46,733 - Gets through the second obstacle tonight, 926 00:32:46,766 --> 00:32:49,235 but what's he gonna do at Split Decision? 927 00:32:49,269 --> 00:32:51,805 Like Marquez, going with Log Runner. 928 00:32:52,405 --> 00:32:54,107 - Gotta breathe. - All right, get it, Nathan. 929 00:32:54,107 --> 00:32:56,209 - Look at this. Marquez can't even watch! 930 00:32:56,242 --> 00:32:57,944 - Go, go, go! - Good job there. 931 00:32:57,977 --> 00:32:59,813 - And he's ecstatic. 932 00:32:59,846 --> 00:33:02,115 - All right, he can't get too excited now--it's not over. 933 00:33:02,148 --> 00:33:04,784 - You wanna keep that hair? Let's go. 934 00:33:04,818 --> 00:33:07,320 - Marquez... I'm coming. 935 00:33:07,354 --> 00:33:09,556 - Mixed emotions for Marquez. 936 00:33:09,589 --> 00:33:11,257 Wants his brother to do well, 937 00:33:11,291 --> 00:33:13,827 but also wants to keep his hair. 938 00:33:13,860 --> 00:33:15,161 - Come on, come on, come on. 939 00:33:15,195 --> 00:33:17,063 - I think deep down, the brother 940 00:33:17,063 --> 00:33:18,732 means more than the hair. - You gotta turn it, let's go. 941 00:33:18,765 --> 00:33:20,600 - There you go. You see him kind of move. 942 00:33:20,633 --> 00:33:22,969 - He's air walking. There, that's it. 943 00:33:23,069 --> 00:33:25,538 And a challenge too to keep an eye on that bar. 944 00:33:25,572 --> 00:33:27,073 The bar will slide. 945 00:33:27,073 --> 00:33:29,576 Easy to slide it right off and end up wet. 946 00:33:29,609 --> 00:33:31,144 - So when he generates 947 00:33:31,177 --> 00:33:33,079 a little bit of that swing, he's gotta make sure 948 00:33:33,079 --> 00:33:35,749 it's not enough to take the bar off the hooks. 949 00:33:35,782 --> 00:33:37,584 - Okay, right here. - Nice. 950 00:33:37,617 --> 00:33:38,852 - Yes! - Plops it in. 951 00:33:38,885 --> 00:33:40,353 - Come on! - Yes, keep going! 952 00:33:40,387 --> 00:33:43,123 - You can see he's being very careful, very gentle. 953 00:33:43,156 --> 00:33:44,891 It's easy to make a mistake. - Look at him. 954 00:33:44,924 --> 00:33:46,926 He's trying to reposition that bar, Akbar, 955 00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:48,728 make sure it's in a safe space, 956 00:33:48,762 --> 00:33:51,131 doesn't inadvertently pull a side off. 957 00:33:51,164 --> 00:33:52,699 - You've got it, Nathan. Come on. 958 00:33:52,732 --> 00:33:54,634 - Spending a lot of time here. 959 00:33:54,668 --> 00:33:56,436 Got it. - Yes, that's it! 960 00:33:56,469 --> 00:33:57,771 - Oh! - Oh, my God. 961 00:33:57,804 --> 00:33:59,539 - All right. Easy turnaround. 962 00:33:59,572 --> 00:34:01,441 - Get off of there. Get off of there. 963 00:34:01,474 --> 00:34:04,511 - He's seen others fall here, so he's being cautious. 964 00:34:04,544 --> 00:34:06,179 - He wants to win this bet, but he's cheering 965 00:34:06,212 --> 00:34:08,515 his brother on, nice. - Going for the dismount. 966 00:34:08,548 --> 00:34:10,250 - Come on, nice. - Made it! 967 00:34:10,283 --> 00:34:11,251 - Yes! 968 00:34:11,284 --> 00:34:12,752 [cheers and applause] 969 00:34:12,786 --> 00:34:14,621 - Well, beyond the haircut, Nathan would like 970 00:34:14,654 --> 00:34:16,056 to get his first buzzer 971 00:34:16,056 --> 00:34:17,957 after falling on the second obstacle 972 00:34:18,058 --> 00:34:19,192 two years ago. 973 00:34:19,225 --> 00:34:21,261 Saving his hair? Just a bonus. 974 00:34:21,294 --> 00:34:23,129 - Come on, Nathan. Let's go. 975 00:34:24,731 --> 00:34:27,067 - Wow, look at those beautiful curls. 976 00:34:29,135 --> 00:34:31,638 Okay, look at that. All right. 977 00:34:31,671 --> 00:34:33,873 - Watch that lead hand. Under and over and up. 978 00:34:33,907 --> 00:34:35,342 - Yes. - Great job. 979 00:34:35,375 --> 00:34:37,077 - Come on. - Tough transfer here. 980 00:34:37,077 --> 00:34:38,912 You gotta get that body 90 degrees. 981 00:34:38,945 --> 00:34:40,814 - Come on, come on, come on. - His hands on that handle. 982 00:34:40,847 --> 00:34:42,315 - Nice--the handle! Oh! 983 00:34:42,349 --> 00:34:44,784 - What a save! - Did you see that save? 984 00:34:44,818 --> 00:34:46,686 - I saw the hairs jumping off his head, 985 00:34:46,720 --> 00:34:48,688 but he saved 'em. - Oh, my, that right hand. 986 00:34:48,722 --> 00:34:51,291 - Does he have anything left for this transfer, Akbar? 987 00:34:51,324 --> 00:34:52,592 - Come on, Nathan. 988 00:34:52,625 --> 00:34:53,827 - Oh! - Oh! 989 00:34:53,860 --> 00:34:55,795 - Oh! - Oh! 990 00:34:55,829 --> 00:34:57,731 - And he falls on the same obstacle 991 00:34:57,764 --> 00:34:59,833 at the same spot as his brother. 992 00:34:59,866 --> 00:35:01,634 - Who am I buzzing? - I don't know. 993 00:35:01,668 --> 00:35:04,904 - Oh, and it's a tie. - We really are twins. 994 00:35:04,938 --> 00:35:07,707 - These twins do everything the same-- 995 00:35:07,741 --> 00:35:10,677 even fell at the exact same place on the course. 996 00:35:10,710 --> 00:35:13,046 It's gonna come down to who got there fastest. 997 00:35:13,046 --> 00:35:14,881 The slower one's getting buzzed. 998 00:35:14,914 --> 00:35:17,751 [soft dramatic music] 999 00:35:17,784 --> 00:35:19,652 - You guys made it to the same obstacle... 1000 00:35:19,686 --> 00:35:20,920 - Yep. - Mm-hmm. 1001 00:35:20,954 --> 00:35:22,722 - But the twin who got there faster? 1002 00:35:23,790 --> 00:35:24,924 - Marquez. 1003 00:35:24,958 --> 00:35:28,228 - Yes! - Older brother rules again! 1004 00:35:28,261 --> 00:35:29,963 The older brother wins. 1005 00:35:30,063 --> 00:35:32,399 Nathan, it's time to get a buzzcut. 1006 00:35:32,432 --> 00:35:34,067 - Hey, Marquez, are you gonna give him 1007 00:35:34,100 --> 00:35:36,836 the same cut that I have? - I don't know. 1008 00:35:36,870 --> 00:35:38,271 [laughter] 1009 00:35:38,304 --> 00:35:39,639 - You don't like my haircut? - I love it. 1010 00:35:39,673 --> 00:35:41,341 - No, he's insulting his hair! - I love it. 1011 00:35:41,374 --> 00:35:43,743 [laughter] 1012 00:35:43,777 --> 00:35:46,212 - Yes, nice job, Nathan! 1013 00:35:46,246 --> 00:35:47,614 - They don't like my do, dog. 1014 00:35:48,815 --> 00:35:52,886 - If you like cats, then you'll love this ninja. 1015 00:35:52,919 --> 00:35:54,921 - Never expected a cat could be this good 1016 00:35:54,954 --> 00:35:56,189 of a training partner. 1017 00:35:56,222 --> 00:35:58,692 - We're going cat crazy 1018 00:35:58,725 --> 00:36:02,062 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1019 00:36:07,701 --> 00:36:09,803 - Welcome back to the Tacoma Dome... 1020 00:36:09,836 --> 00:36:11,104 [upbeat music] 1021 00:36:11,137 --> 00:36:13,039 Which has been more like a barbershop 1022 00:36:13,039 --> 00:36:14,040 the last few minutes. 1023 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:15,375 * * 1024 00:36:15,408 --> 00:36:16,910 - Oh, my-- [chuckles] 1025 00:36:16,943 --> 00:36:19,079 As we told you, the Green brothers had a bet. 1026 00:36:19,112 --> 00:36:22,048 Whoever had the shortest run has to get buzzed. 1027 00:36:22,082 --> 00:36:25,151 Nathan lost the bet, so their good friend 1028 00:36:25,185 --> 00:36:28,221 and rookie barber Taylor Amann went to work, 1029 00:36:28,254 --> 00:36:30,056 and it ain't pretty. 1030 00:36:30,056 --> 00:36:31,624 - Nice job. 1031 00:36:31,658 --> 00:36:32,826 - Oh, don't let him see a mirror. 1032 00:36:32,859 --> 00:36:34,594 That is not a good haircut. 1033 00:36:34,627 --> 00:36:36,062 - Well, while we were away, 1034 00:36:36,062 --> 00:36:37,831 we had some hair-raising action. 1035 00:36:37,864 --> 00:36:41,434 Miles Avery is a four-time Olympic gymnastics coach, 1036 00:36:41,468 --> 00:36:43,603 and he had one of his best gymnasts, 1037 00:36:43,636 --> 00:36:46,406 silver medal winner Danell Leyva, cheering for him. 1038 00:36:46,439 --> 00:36:49,509 Avery is the night's oldest competitor at 62, 1039 00:36:49,542 --> 00:36:52,112 and he rambled through the first obstacle 1040 00:36:52,145 --> 00:36:53,346 and looked good on the second. 1041 00:36:53,380 --> 00:36:55,148 - Nice. - All right, Miles. 1042 00:36:55,181 --> 00:36:57,317 - But the gymnast couldn't stick the dismount. 1043 00:36:57,350 --> 00:37:00,153 - Oh, my goodness! His back and his neck! 1044 00:37:00,186 --> 00:37:01,354 Look at this one. 1045 00:37:01,388 --> 00:37:03,523 Wow, I think he landed it, though, Matt. 1046 00:37:03,556 --> 00:37:04,924 - Whew! 1047 00:37:05,025 --> 00:37:07,460 - Then it was a rookie with a familiar name. 1048 00:37:07,494 --> 00:37:09,929 Iowa's Nick Hanson. - Let's go, baby. 1049 00:37:10,030 --> 00:37:12,565 - Not to be confused with Alaska's Nick Hanson, 1050 00:37:12,599 --> 00:37:15,402 the seven-time veteran who was watching from home. 1051 00:37:15,435 --> 00:37:18,371 - "Will the real Nick Hanson please stand up?" 1052 00:37:18,405 --> 00:37:20,507 - And just like the Eskimo Ninja-- 1053 00:37:20,540 --> 00:37:21,775 [cheers and applause] 1054 00:37:21,808 --> 00:37:23,410 - Perfect. Perfect. 1055 00:37:23,443 --> 00:37:25,679 - This Nick Hanson proved he's got some ninja skills. 1056 00:37:25,712 --> 00:37:27,047 - Yes, yes, yes. 1057 00:37:27,080 --> 00:37:28,848 - Making it all the way to the fifth obstacle 1058 00:37:28,882 --> 00:37:30,183 in his rookie debut. 1059 00:37:30,216 --> 00:37:31,951 - Oh! Man. 1060 00:37:32,052 --> 00:37:33,319 - You crushed it, man. 1061 00:37:33,353 --> 00:37:35,689 You crushed it. That was awesome. 1062 00:37:35,722 --> 00:37:37,857 - Well, up next is one of Nick Hanson's 1063 00:37:37,891 --> 00:37:39,893 training partners from back in Iowa. 1064 00:37:39,926 --> 00:37:43,563 This is the very eccentric cat-loving, scooter riding 1065 00:37:43,596 --> 00:37:44,931 Jackson Twait. 1066 00:37:44,964 --> 00:37:46,533 - Oh, he's got some new wheels. 1067 00:37:46,566 --> 00:37:49,069 - And his scooter isn't the only new thing 1068 00:37:49,069 --> 00:37:50,236 he's picked up. 1069 00:37:50,270 --> 00:37:52,205 [bright music] 1070 00:37:52,238 --> 00:37:55,809 - Last year, my cat Hades actually went missing. 1071 00:37:56,976 --> 00:37:59,579 I put some flyers out, gotten some calls about cats 1072 00:37:59,612 --> 00:38:03,650 that look like him, but we never got him back. 1073 00:38:03,683 --> 00:38:06,152 * * 1074 00:38:06,186 --> 00:38:08,288 But, recently, I went out 1075 00:38:08,321 --> 00:38:12,092 to a local cat café, and now I have Hash Brown. 1076 00:38:12,125 --> 00:38:13,293 - [meows] 1077 00:38:13,326 --> 00:38:14,494 * * 1078 00:38:14,527 --> 00:38:16,463 He's the best. I love him. 1079 00:38:16,496 --> 00:38:18,031 He wakes me up at 4:00 a.m. 1080 00:38:18,064 --> 00:38:20,567 every morning to make sure I'm getting my pull-ups in. 1081 00:38:20,600 --> 00:38:21,901 [clock beeping] 1082 00:38:21,935 --> 00:38:23,269 Then wakes me up again at 5:00 1083 00:38:23,303 --> 00:38:24,804 to make sure I'm doing some more pull-ups. 1084 00:38:24,838 --> 00:38:26,373 [groans] Oh, fine. 1085 00:38:26,406 --> 00:38:28,308 I'll go do pull-ups. 1086 00:38:28,341 --> 00:38:29,442 [clock beeps] 1087 00:38:29,476 --> 00:38:31,411 And at 6:00, he wants me to feed him. 1088 00:38:31,444 --> 00:38:33,213 [whistles] Hash Brown. 1089 00:38:33,246 --> 00:38:34,581 Never expected a cat could be 1090 00:38:34,614 --> 00:38:36,349 this good of a training partner. 1091 00:38:36,383 --> 00:38:38,184 I think it's really gonna pay off this season. 1092 00:38:38,218 --> 00:38:39,486 There you are. 1093 00:38:39,519 --> 00:38:40,887 * * 1094 00:38:40,920 --> 00:38:44,657 Tonight I am definitely looking for a purr-fect run. 1095 00:38:44,691 --> 00:38:47,961 * * 1096 00:38:48,061 --> 00:38:50,630 [cats meowing] 1097 00:38:50,663 --> 00:38:51,965 - He's definitely unique, Matt. 1098 00:38:52,065 --> 00:38:53,500 - Oh! - Oh! 1099 00:38:53,533 --> 00:38:56,469 - He's got some of his crazy Iowa training partners 1100 00:38:56,503 --> 00:38:59,272 on the sideline holding up a giant cat head. 1101 00:38:59,305 --> 00:39:01,508 They're also fired up back in his home state. 1102 00:39:01,541 --> 00:39:04,444 He's got lots of family and friends and, of course, 1103 00:39:04,477 --> 00:39:06,012 Hash Brown the cat. 1104 00:39:06,012 --> 00:39:08,081 - I think we interrupted his nap. 1105 00:39:08,114 --> 00:39:09,382 [countdown clock beeping] 1106 00:39:09,416 --> 00:39:10,817 - Come on, Jackson! 1107 00:39:10,850 --> 00:39:13,053 - This is a kid who likes to have fun, but, Akbar, 1108 00:39:13,086 --> 00:39:15,822 he is good. - I love cat daddy. 1109 00:39:15,855 --> 00:39:17,824 - Season 11, exploded onto the scene. 1110 00:39:17,857 --> 00:39:20,260 Cincinnati qualifying, finished second. 1111 00:39:20,293 --> 00:39:22,896 Last year at qualifying, finished third. 1112 00:39:22,929 --> 00:39:24,297 - He likes to have fun, though, Matt. 1113 00:39:24,330 --> 00:39:25,865 He's a fun guy to watch. 1114 00:39:25,899 --> 00:39:27,934 - Nice and smooth, dude! Bring that thing up! 1115 00:39:28,034 --> 00:39:29,135 - Yeah! - Whoa. 1116 00:39:29,169 --> 00:39:30,337 - Good transfer. - That was fun. 1117 00:39:30,370 --> 00:39:31,871 - Now he's got this new group 1118 00:39:31,905 --> 00:39:34,774 of young ninjas from Iowa. They're wild as he is. 1119 00:39:34,808 --> 00:39:37,043 And he's going right over to Log Runner. 1120 00:39:37,043 --> 00:39:38,378 [cheers and applause] 1121 00:39:38,411 --> 00:39:41,114 Bounds across the logs. He is flying! 1122 00:39:41,147 --> 00:39:43,383 [cheers and applause] 1123 00:39:43,416 --> 00:39:45,051 And right into Tilt-A-Whirl! 1124 00:39:45,085 --> 00:39:47,620 - Oh, he's going for speed. - Ten seconds an obstacle. 1125 00:39:47,654 --> 00:39:49,422 - Ooh, he almost hit his head. 1126 00:39:49,456 --> 00:39:51,291 - Well, he is purring along here, Akbar. 1127 00:39:51,324 --> 00:39:55,095 The teenager Cal Plohoros is our only finisher so far. 1128 00:39:55,128 --> 00:39:57,664 Jackson Twait looking like he could be our second. 1129 00:39:57,697 --> 00:40:00,233 Good transfer out of the cat daddy. 1130 00:40:00,266 --> 00:40:02,202 - He's trying to get to the land of milk and honey. 1131 00:40:02,235 --> 00:40:03,470 The buzzer. 1132 00:40:03,503 --> 00:40:05,171 - I'm not sure if it's Jackson's run 1133 00:40:05,205 --> 00:40:06,406 or you mentioning milk, 1134 00:40:06,439 --> 00:40:08,675 but Hash Brown's paying attention. 1135 00:40:08,708 --> 00:40:11,911 - All those pull-ups Hash Brown has Jackson doing 1136 00:40:11,945 --> 00:40:13,880 at 4:00 in the morning are paying off. 1137 00:40:13,913 --> 00:40:15,281 - Come on, right here! 1138 00:40:15,315 --> 00:40:17,150 - Jackson Twait. 1139 00:40:17,183 --> 00:40:19,719 - Okay, Jackson Twait, I see you! 1140 00:40:19,753 --> 00:40:22,222 - And look at him going right into Sideways, 1141 00:40:22,255 --> 00:40:24,524 taking no time between each one. 1142 00:40:24,557 --> 00:40:27,827 He's got a chance to beat Plohoros for the fastest time. 1143 00:40:27,861 --> 00:40:29,896 - And he's not even breathing hard! 1144 00:40:29,929 --> 00:40:31,664 He's making it look easy! 1145 00:40:31,698 --> 00:40:34,034 Is he smiling? Really, you smiling? 1146 00:40:35,001 --> 00:40:37,871 - Oh, there he goes. Line grab down around. 1147 00:40:37,904 --> 00:40:39,239 Great job. One more. 1148 00:40:39,272 --> 00:40:42,442 - I don't think he's tired. - Got it! 1149 00:40:42,475 --> 00:40:45,111 Hey, will he go for the 10k? 1150 00:40:45,145 --> 00:40:47,414 [cheers and applause] He can get the fastest time, 1151 00:40:47,447 --> 00:40:49,949 but, no, he's going for the Mega Wall. 1152 00:40:49,983 --> 00:40:52,919 [cheers and applause] 1153 00:40:52,952 --> 00:40:56,022 This cat daddy has been flying, 1154 00:40:56,056 --> 00:40:59,225 but he's gonna give up the fastest time to go for 10k. 1155 00:40:59,259 --> 00:41:00,360 - Come on. 1156 00:41:00,393 --> 00:41:01,661 - Cat Daddy looking to be the first 1157 00:41:01,695 --> 00:41:03,463 up the Mega Wall tonight. - Let's go! 1158 00:41:03,496 --> 00:41:04,864 Let's go! 1159 00:41:04,898 --> 00:41:06,599 - Oh! - Oh! 1160 00:41:06,633 --> 00:41:09,502 - Jackson Twait! 1161 00:41:09,536 --> 00:41:12,539 [cheers and applause] 1162 00:41:12,572 --> 00:41:15,542 [upbeat music] 1163 00:41:15,575 --> 00:41:17,477 - Whoo! 1164 00:41:17,510 --> 00:41:19,913 [cheers and applause] 1165 00:41:19,946 --> 00:41:22,749 - Meow! Meow! 1166 00:41:22,782 --> 00:41:23,883 - Whoo! 1167 00:41:23,917 --> 00:41:27,620 - The cat daddy just scored $10,000. 1168 00:41:27,654 --> 00:41:29,956 - What? - Can you believe it? 1169 00:41:29,989 --> 00:41:31,358 - What just happened? 1170 00:41:31,391 --> 00:41:33,259 - Dinner's on me tonight, boys! 1171 00:41:33,293 --> 00:41:34,627 [cheers and applause] 1172 00:41:34,661 --> 00:41:35,895 - Hash Brown's licking the paws, 1173 00:41:35,929 --> 00:41:37,130 licking the arm. 1174 00:41:37,163 --> 00:41:39,265 - He's gonna get a lot of treats from that 10k. 1175 00:41:39,299 --> 00:41:41,434 * * 1176 00:41:41,468 --> 00:41:43,670 - He already had his fans going nuts, 1177 00:41:43,703 --> 00:41:45,905 but when he made that one-handed grab 1178 00:41:45,939 --> 00:41:47,907 on the 18-foot Mega Wall, 1179 00:41:47,941 --> 00:41:50,944 Team Twait was out of control. 1180 00:41:50,977 --> 00:41:54,347 The cat daddy is now $10,000 richer. 1181 00:41:54,381 --> 00:41:57,350 [cheers and applause] 1182 00:41:57,384 --> 00:41:59,252 Oh, they're going nuts. They're going nuts. 1183 00:41:59,285 --> 00:42:01,154 It's total pandemonium down there. 1184 00:42:01,187 --> 00:42:04,324 * * 1185 00:42:04,357 --> 00:42:07,160 - Whoo! - Fan favorites are coming up, 1186 00:42:07,193 --> 00:42:09,462 including "Flex" Labreck 1187 00:42:09,496 --> 00:42:13,667 and her mini-me, plus what made Akbar say-- 1188 00:42:13,700 --> 00:42:15,201 - Man, this is horrible. 1189 00:42:15,235 --> 00:42:18,371 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1190 00:42:22,776 --> 00:42:24,978 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior" 1191 00:42:25,078 --> 00:42:27,080 where we're midway through our fifth and final night 1192 00:42:27,080 --> 00:42:28,782 of qualifying, and, Akbar, 1193 00:42:28,815 --> 00:42:30,316 this night's all about mentors. 1194 00:42:30,350 --> 00:42:32,552 - Yeah, that's right, and we had another example 1195 00:42:32,585 --> 00:42:35,388 of that minutes ago as Captain NBC, 1196 00:42:35,422 --> 00:42:38,892 11-time veteran Jamie Rahn, threw off the cape 1197 00:42:38,925 --> 00:42:41,628 to show the way for his prize pupil, 1198 00:42:41,661 --> 00:42:43,930 18-year-old Sam Folsom. 1199 00:42:43,963 --> 00:42:47,100 And Rahn ran wild flying over Log Runner. 1200 00:42:47,100 --> 00:42:48,935 - Ooh. Hard fall. 1201 00:42:49,869 --> 00:42:53,907 - The superhero from St. Louis took a shot at the Mega Wall. 1202 00:42:53,940 --> 00:42:56,776 - Come on! - Oh, wanted that one. 1203 00:42:56,810 --> 00:42:58,411 - But settled for the regular wall 1204 00:42:58,445 --> 00:43:02,048 and got the 20th buzzer of his storied career. 1205 00:43:02,082 --> 00:43:04,150 - Jamie Rahn. - Whoo! 1206 00:43:04,184 --> 00:43:05,652 - Ten buzzers. 1207 00:43:05,685 --> 00:43:08,621 - Then his student Sam Folsom followed his leader 1208 00:43:08,655 --> 00:43:11,491 and ran the course just as Rahn did. 1209 00:43:11,524 --> 00:43:14,060 - Yeah! - He too chose Log Runner. 1210 00:43:14,060 --> 00:43:16,062 - Oh, my. - Beautiful. 1211 00:43:16,062 --> 00:43:17,564 - And the high school senior 1212 00:43:17,597 --> 00:43:19,499 also took a shot at the Mega Wall. 1213 00:43:19,532 --> 00:43:22,135 He's going for the 10k! - Oh, oh! 1214 00:43:22,168 --> 00:43:24,204 - But just like Captain NBC, 1215 00:43:24,237 --> 00:43:26,573 he had no trouble with the smaller wall 1216 00:43:26,606 --> 00:43:29,142 and got his first buzzer ever, 1217 00:43:29,175 --> 00:43:31,444 just 19 behind his mentor. 1218 00:43:31,478 --> 00:43:36,316 - "Ninja Warrior" semifinalists--what a stud. 1219 00:43:36,349 --> 00:43:37,617 And we've got the first half 1220 00:43:37,650 --> 00:43:40,253 of another dynamic duo up next. 1221 00:43:40,286 --> 00:43:42,622 This is 16-year-old Maggie Owen, 1222 00:43:42,655 --> 00:43:45,425 a high school junior from the Chicago area. 1223 00:43:45,458 --> 00:43:47,794 And she's a protégée of one of the greats, 1224 00:43:47,827 --> 00:43:49,729 Jesse "Flex" Labreck. - You got this! 1225 00:43:49,763 --> 00:43:50,930 And these two have a connection 1226 00:43:50,964 --> 00:43:52,799 that goes way beyond "Ninja." 1227 00:43:52,832 --> 00:43:53,933 [cheers and applause] 1228 00:43:53,967 --> 00:43:57,170 * * 1229 00:43:57,203 --> 00:43:58,605 - Do it. Do it. 1230 00:43:58,638 --> 00:44:00,273 Yes, right through. 1231 00:44:00,306 --> 00:44:03,410 I have been training Maggie for 3 1/2 years. 1232 00:44:03,443 --> 00:44:04,711 * * 1233 00:44:04,744 --> 00:44:06,079 Nice. - Yay. 1234 00:44:06,112 --> 00:44:08,815 - She's just my little buddy. She's my little mini-me. 1235 00:44:08,848 --> 00:44:11,317 * * 1236 00:44:11,351 --> 00:44:12,919 [yelps] 1237 00:44:12,952 --> 00:44:14,354 - Before I really knew her well, 1238 00:44:14,387 --> 00:44:17,090 I would go and cheer her on, and I'd make signs for her 1239 00:44:17,123 --> 00:44:19,292 and just absolutely, like, lose my mind 1240 00:44:19,325 --> 00:44:21,361 when I would go and watch her compete. 1241 00:44:21,394 --> 00:44:24,297 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1242 00:44:25,165 --> 00:44:29,336 - And it's so easy. So easy. 1243 00:44:29,369 --> 00:44:33,206 - I met Maggie when we were opening the gym in Naperville. 1244 00:44:33,239 --> 00:44:34,708 * * 1245 00:44:34,741 --> 00:44:36,876 Her family only lives ten minutes down the road, 1246 00:44:36,910 --> 00:44:38,211 and so they heard about the gym. 1247 00:44:38,244 --> 00:44:39,212 * * 1248 00:44:39,245 --> 00:44:40,513 Oh! 1249 00:44:40,547 --> 00:44:42,082 Yeah! Oh! 1250 00:44:42,082 --> 00:44:45,151 - Every time that I would go to the gym after that, 1251 00:44:45,185 --> 00:44:47,153 I would get butterflies just out of excitement 1252 00:44:47,187 --> 00:44:48,755 of getting to meet her again. 1253 00:44:48,788 --> 00:44:49,956 * * 1254 00:44:49,989 --> 00:44:51,558 - She's been there since day one, 1255 00:44:51,591 --> 00:44:53,426 so I've been training her. She's been on our elite team. 1256 00:44:53,460 --> 00:44:55,495 Yeah! Good job. 1257 00:44:55,528 --> 00:44:58,865 And now she's more of, like, my training partner. 1258 00:44:58,898 --> 00:45:02,469 * * 1259 00:45:02,502 --> 00:45:04,337 - What started off as me just going to the gym 1260 00:45:04,371 --> 00:45:05,605 and wanting to learn ninja 1261 00:45:05,638 --> 00:45:07,674 turned into a really amazing friendship. 1262 00:45:07,707 --> 00:45:09,943 Whoa! 1263 00:45:10,043 --> 00:45:10,944 - Hold my hand! 1264 00:45:11,044 --> 00:45:12,479 [both chuckle] 1265 00:45:12,512 --> 00:45:14,614 - If I'm going to the store, if I'm going shopping, 1266 00:45:14,647 --> 00:45:15,849 you know, I just give her a call, 1267 00:45:15,882 --> 00:45:17,684 and she always is down to come with me. 1268 00:45:17,717 --> 00:45:20,053 Do you know what you want to wear on the show? 1269 00:45:20,053 --> 00:45:21,654 - So I brought some of my leggings. 1270 00:45:21,688 --> 00:45:23,223 - Oh, awesome. - You can help pick them out. 1271 00:45:23,256 --> 00:45:26,793 - I always buy her coffee and fast food. 1272 00:45:26,826 --> 00:45:27,794 [laughs] 1273 00:45:27,827 --> 00:45:29,863 I'm not always the best example, 1274 00:45:29,896 --> 00:45:32,165 but we put in a lot of hard work at the gym. 1275 00:45:32,198 --> 00:45:34,334 [laughter] 1276 00:45:34,367 --> 00:45:36,269 - Even though I don't have a sister, 1277 00:45:36,302 --> 00:45:39,239 Jesse definitely feels like she's the sister I never had. 1278 00:45:39,272 --> 00:45:42,809 * * 1279 00:45:42,842 --> 00:45:45,378 - Maggie's got a lot of support for this run. 1280 00:45:45,412 --> 00:45:47,280 Besides Flex, Maggie's mom 1281 00:45:47,313 --> 00:45:48,581 is on the sideline, 1282 00:45:48,615 --> 00:45:50,083 and watching from back in Illinois 1283 00:45:50,083 --> 00:45:51,718 are her dad and twin brother. 1284 00:45:51,751 --> 00:45:53,653 - Everybody wants to see this run. 1285 00:45:53,687 --> 00:45:56,723 - Including Flex's fiancé Chris DiGangi. 1286 00:45:56,756 --> 00:45:58,091 He's also good friends with Maggie. 1287 00:45:58,124 --> 00:45:59,092 - Come on, Maggie! 1288 00:45:59,125 --> 00:46:01,861 [countdown clock beeping] 1289 00:46:01,895 --> 00:46:04,030 - Matt, she's just 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, 1290 00:46:04,064 --> 00:46:06,533 our lightest competitor tonight. 1291 00:46:08,034 --> 00:46:11,338 - Yes, you're an animal! - Come on, Maggie! 1292 00:46:11,371 --> 00:46:13,907 - Maggie's another one of our teens who got her start 1293 00:46:13,940 --> 00:46:15,675 on "Ninja Junior" and, of course, 1294 00:46:15,709 --> 00:46:17,444 she was even smaller back then. 1295 00:46:17,477 --> 00:46:20,647 - She is ready. - Small but mighty, Akbar. 1296 00:46:20,680 --> 00:46:22,716 If you train with "Flex" and Chris DiGangi, 1297 00:46:22,749 --> 00:46:25,452 at Ultimate Ninjas, you're coming in prepared. 1298 00:46:25,485 --> 00:46:27,153 - You're all right, you got it! 1299 00:46:27,187 --> 00:46:28,621 - Okay! - Come up! 1300 00:46:28,655 --> 00:46:30,056 - Yes, come on! 1301 00:46:30,090 --> 00:46:31,424 - Good job holding on. 1302 00:46:31,458 --> 00:46:32,625 You can just see the force-- 1303 00:46:32,659 --> 00:46:33,960 - Look at that. Look how-- 1304 00:46:34,060 --> 00:46:35,462 I mean, she's ready. - Oh, my goodness. 1305 00:46:35,495 --> 00:46:38,898 - Oh, she's got that attitude. She's got attitude. 1306 00:46:38,932 --> 00:46:42,635 And not that attitude. - Pint-sized powerhouse. 1307 00:46:42,669 --> 00:46:45,505 How cool is it-- 16 years old, 1308 00:46:45,538 --> 00:46:48,274 but she's competing on the big stage now. 1309 00:46:48,308 --> 00:46:49,676 [cheers and applause] 1310 00:46:49,709 --> 00:46:51,177 Is she looking at Block Run here, Akbar? 1311 00:46:51,211 --> 00:46:53,713 - Yeah, she wants Block Run. - This is surprising. 1312 00:46:53,747 --> 00:46:56,383 Only two other athletes have chosen this route tonight. 1313 00:46:56,416 --> 00:46:57,650 - Breathe! - Quick feet, quick feet! 1314 00:46:57,684 --> 00:46:59,652 - Breathe and attack it. 1315 00:46:59,686 --> 00:47:02,022 - Breathe, you heard Jesse. Breathe. 1316 00:47:02,022 --> 00:47:03,690 - Come on. - Come on! 1317 00:47:03,723 --> 00:47:04,758 - Straight line. Straight line! 1318 00:47:05,892 --> 00:47:06,860 [cheers and applause] 1319 00:47:06,893 --> 00:47:08,228 - Whoo! 1320 00:47:08,261 --> 00:47:10,163 - I was questioning her move on Block Run, 1321 00:47:10,196 --> 00:47:11,564 but those blocks didn't even move! 1322 00:47:11,598 --> 00:47:13,533 Oh, man. 1323 00:47:13,566 --> 00:47:16,236 Maggie Owen at 16 years old 1324 00:47:16,269 --> 00:47:18,738 now staring down the fourth obstacle. 1325 00:47:18,772 --> 00:47:21,141 I was listening to bootleg cassettes 1326 00:47:21,174 --> 00:47:23,109 of Van Halen when I was 16. 1327 00:47:24,244 --> 00:47:27,080 And confidently goes flying up onto Tilt-A-Whirl. 1328 00:47:27,113 --> 00:47:29,683 If she gets through this, she'll have a good shot 1329 00:47:29,716 --> 00:47:31,051 at landing in the women's top five 1330 00:47:31,051 --> 00:47:32,452 and moving on to the semifinals. 1331 00:47:32,485 --> 00:47:34,254 - You gotta want this! - Come on, Maggie. 1332 00:47:34,287 --> 00:47:35,588 - You gotta want it, Maggie! 1333 00:47:35,622 --> 00:47:38,091 - Well, she's got everybody on her side. 1334 00:47:38,124 --> 00:47:42,095 - At 5 feet tall, too, Akbar, these are big laches. 1335 00:47:42,128 --> 00:47:43,163 - Wow. - Nice. 1336 00:47:44,631 --> 00:47:46,066 - Okay, you're okay! - Let's go! 1337 00:47:46,066 --> 00:47:47,467 - But she's having a little trouble 1338 00:47:47,500 --> 00:47:48,768 spinning it around. 1339 00:47:48,802 --> 00:47:51,905 She's got her hair all up in her face. 1340 00:47:51,938 --> 00:47:53,506 - Finally gets it turned around. 1341 00:47:53,540 --> 00:47:56,543 - All right, now, this is not her smoothest obstacle. 1342 00:47:56,576 --> 00:47:58,211 She's spending a little bit of time here, 1343 00:47:58,244 --> 00:47:59,846 but I'm gonna say, because she's young, 1344 00:47:59,879 --> 00:48:01,114 because she's light, 1345 00:48:01,147 --> 00:48:02,816 she should be able to handle herself. 1346 00:48:02,849 --> 00:48:04,584 - Gotta fly. Lock it in. 1347 00:48:04,617 --> 00:48:06,019 - Nice! - Great job! 1348 00:48:06,019 --> 00:48:07,053 - Whew. - You can see her slid-- 1349 00:48:07,087 --> 00:48:08,254 - Oh! - No! 1350 00:48:08,288 --> 00:48:09,689 - Oh, man, that left side! 1351 00:48:09,723 --> 00:48:12,759 - She made the leap, but the bar just slid out. 1352 00:48:12,792 --> 00:48:16,496 Still, a great debut by 16-year-old Maggie Owen. 1353 00:48:16,529 --> 00:48:17,897 - Watch this. 1354 00:48:17,931 --> 00:48:20,066 She flies across with the bar safely, 1355 00:48:20,100 --> 00:48:23,870 but look at that left side. It's just barely hanging on. 1356 00:48:23,903 --> 00:48:26,172 And when she made the slightest move, 1357 00:48:26,206 --> 00:48:29,075 it slid right out. - Let's go down to Zuri. 1358 00:48:29,109 --> 00:48:32,712 - Congratulations. Only 16 years old. 1359 00:48:32,746 --> 00:48:34,914 How did it feel to hit the course 1360 00:48:34,948 --> 00:48:37,117 with your mentor "Flex" Labreck cheering you on? 1361 00:48:37,150 --> 00:48:39,085 - It was so much fun. 1362 00:48:39,119 --> 00:48:40,954 I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to do that. 1363 00:48:41,054 --> 00:48:42,589 - Yeah. - And that was so awesome. 1364 00:48:42,622 --> 00:48:44,057 I loved every minute of that. 1365 00:48:44,057 --> 00:48:46,192 [cheers and applause] 1366 00:48:46,226 --> 00:48:48,128 - Dude, you crushed it. 1367 00:48:48,161 --> 00:48:50,764 - "Flex," how proud are you of Maggie? 1368 00:48:50,797 --> 00:48:52,232 - I mean, I trained with her. 1369 00:48:52,265 --> 00:48:54,300 I know how confident she is on the obstacles. 1370 00:48:54,334 --> 00:48:56,202 She beats me all the time in practice, 1371 00:48:56,236 --> 00:48:58,371 and so she was crushing it. 1372 00:48:58,405 --> 00:49:00,807 - Wow, well, for a rookie run, that was beyond impressive. 1373 00:49:00,840 --> 00:49:02,175 Congratulations. 1374 00:49:02,208 --> 00:49:03,476 We'll see soon if you went far enough fast enough. 1375 00:49:03,510 --> 00:49:04,544 - Thank you. - Good work. 1376 00:49:04,577 --> 00:49:07,213 - Thank you. - Fantastic. 1377 00:49:08,748 --> 00:49:12,118 - More eye-popping, can't miss moments 1378 00:49:12,152 --> 00:49:13,553 are coming up. 1379 00:49:13,586 --> 00:49:14,921 - Oh, my goodness! 1380 00:49:15,021 --> 00:49:18,124 - Plus a former NFL QB teams up 1381 00:49:18,158 --> 00:49:20,260 with Super Bowl MVP Russell Wilson. 1382 00:49:20,293 --> 00:49:21,361 - Have a blast. Have fun. 1383 00:49:21,394 --> 00:49:22,862 I wish I could be there. 1384 00:49:22,896 --> 00:49:25,732 - And one of the wildest runs in "Ninja" history. 1385 00:49:25,765 --> 00:49:27,033 - What? 1386 00:49:27,033 --> 00:49:29,269 This is literally a blind dismount! 1387 00:49:29,302 --> 00:49:32,472 - When "America Ninja Warrior" returns. 1388 00:49:37,344 --> 00:49:38,545 - It's been a wild past few minutes 1389 00:49:38,578 --> 00:49:39,813 here in the Tacoma Dome. 1390 00:49:39,846 --> 00:49:42,248 Jake Heaps is a former NFL quarterback 1391 00:49:42,282 --> 00:49:44,117 who played for many teams 1392 00:49:44,150 --> 00:49:46,186 including the Seattle Seahawks. 1393 00:49:46,219 --> 00:49:48,555 - I love to see my former NFL guys out there. 1394 00:49:48,588 --> 00:49:50,390 - These days, Heaps is a QB coach 1395 00:49:50,423 --> 00:49:52,325 for Super Bowl champ Russell Wilson 1396 00:49:52,359 --> 00:49:54,394 who offered Heap some advice. 1397 00:49:54,427 --> 00:49:55,862 - Now, listen. Don't slip. 1398 00:49:55,895 --> 00:49:57,197 Don't trip. Don't fall. 1399 00:49:57,230 --> 00:49:58,932 - And Heaps needed that advice 1400 00:49:58,965 --> 00:50:00,734 to get through the first obstacle. 1401 00:50:00,767 --> 00:50:04,371 - Whoa, hold on now. Nice. 1402 00:50:04,404 --> 00:50:06,306 Ooh! - Yeah! 1403 00:50:06,339 --> 00:50:07,674 High five! 1404 00:50:07,707 --> 00:50:09,909 - But at 215 pounds, 1405 00:50:09,943 --> 00:50:12,645 the former QB couldn't make the completion on Double Down. 1406 00:50:12,679 --> 00:50:14,547 - Whoa! And he's sacked! 1407 00:50:14,581 --> 00:50:16,483 - Oh, no! - The quarterback is sacked! 1408 00:50:16,516 --> 00:50:18,051 - Man, that was a lot of fun. 1409 00:50:18,084 --> 00:50:20,286 - Then it was one of our teenagers, 1410 00:50:20,320 --> 00:50:22,322 Pennsylvania's Avery Glantz 1411 00:50:22,355 --> 00:50:23,556 whose room doesn't look 1412 00:50:23,590 --> 00:50:25,258 like your typical teenage girl's. 1413 00:50:25,291 --> 00:50:28,595 She's got ninja obstacles all over her ceiling 1414 00:50:28,628 --> 00:50:30,130 so she can train all the time. 1415 00:50:30,163 --> 00:50:31,798 - You gotta love her room, Matt. 1416 00:50:31,831 --> 00:50:32,999 Incredible. 1417 00:50:33,033 --> 00:50:34,267 - And the hard work showed 1418 00:50:34,300 --> 00:50:36,369 as she flew across Double Down. 1419 00:50:36,403 --> 00:50:38,038 - Nice. - Whoa, nice transfer. 1420 00:50:38,071 --> 00:50:39,506 - Like that! 1421 00:50:39,539 --> 00:50:42,475 - But at Split Decision, she made the wrong decision. 1422 00:50:42,509 --> 00:50:45,745 - Oh, no! - She was so close. 1423 00:50:45,779 --> 00:50:47,280 - I will be back next year. 1424 00:50:47,313 --> 00:50:50,016 - Then it was one of the wildest runs of the year 1425 00:50:50,050 --> 00:50:53,253 as Louis Apalucci came dressed not only in a vest, 1426 00:50:53,286 --> 00:50:55,355 but in a cape like his hero 1427 00:50:55,388 --> 00:50:57,924 Captain NBC Jamie Rahn. 1428 00:50:57,957 --> 00:51:01,261 The New Jersey math teacher was flying through the course, 1429 00:51:01,294 --> 00:51:03,830 but things got interesting on the second obstacle. 1430 00:51:03,863 --> 00:51:05,965 The cape's over his head! - He's blinded by the--what? 1431 00:51:06,066 --> 00:51:07,400 - Oh, my goodness! - Oh, my God! 1432 00:51:07,434 --> 00:51:08,668 I've never seen it. 1433 00:51:08,702 --> 00:51:10,670 This is literally a blind dismount. 1434 00:51:11,671 --> 00:51:14,107 - Oh, no! - Oh, my goodness, oh. 1435 00:51:14,140 --> 00:51:15,709 Oh, my goodness. 1436 00:51:15,742 --> 00:51:17,977 - No cape look! - Oh, man! 1437 00:51:18,078 --> 00:51:19,579 - In all of our years doing this, 1438 00:51:19,612 --> 00:51:22,082 we have never seen this one before. 1439 00:51:22,082 --> 00:51:24,084 My goodness! 1440 00:51:24,818 --> 00:51:27,721 - Well, our next ninja will keep the fun going. 1441 00:51:27,754 --> 00:51:29,589 Hopping up to the start line now, 1442 00:51:29,622 --> 00:51:32,926 a very energetic rookie, Chris Behrends. 1443 00:51:32,959 --> 00:51:35,562 - Hold up, is he doing the wave with the sidelines? 1444 00:51:35,595 --> 00:51:38,465 - Yeah, and they're throwing it back to him. 1445 00:51:38,498 --> 00:51:41,301 As you can tell, these guys like to have fun. 1446 00:51:41,334 --> 00:51:43,236 Even though Behrends is 20 years old, 1447 00:51:43,269 --> 00:51:45,105 he and his buddy Levi Enright 1448 00:51:45,105 --> 00:51:48,108 call themselves the Ninja Teens. 1449 00:51:48,141 --> 00:51:50,110 [both screaming] 1450 00:51:50,143 --> 00:51:51,578 [laughter] 1451 00:51:51,611 --> 00:51:54,381 - My name's Chris Behrends. - And I'm Levi Enright. 1452 00:51:54,414 --> 00:51:56,349 [together] And we're the Ninja Teens! 1453 00:51:56,383 --> 00:51:57,350 - Gotta go! 1454 00:51:57,384 --> 00:51:58,418 - But not teens. 1455 00:51:58,451 --> 00:52:00,153 - We're not really teens anymore. 1456 00:52:00,186 --> 00:52:01,221 We're both 20. 1457 00:52:02,055 --> 00:52:03,423 - We didn't realize that there was gonna be teens 1458 00:52:03,456 --> 00:52:04,758 competing this year, 1459 00:52:04,791 --> 00:52:06,159 so looking back at it now, 1460 00:52:06,192 --> 00:52:07,260 it's gonna be kind of confusing, 1461 00:52:07,293 --> 00:52:08,528 but we're sticking with the name. 1462 00:52:08,561 --> 00:52:10,263 [singing together] * Ninja Teens * 1463 00:52:10,296 --> 00:52:12,065 * Gotta beat that wall * 1464 00:52:12,065 --> 00:52:14,334 - * So true * 1465 00:52:14,367 --> 00:52:16,069 [upbeat music] 1466 00:52:16,069 --> 00:52:19,806 - We have been friends since my sixth-grade summer. 1467 00:52:19,839 --> 00:52:21,741 I'm kind of the good-looking guy. 1468 00:52:21,775 --> 00:52:22,842 - That's not what your cousin said. 1469 00:52:22,876 --> 00:52:24,477 - Yeah. - [chuckles] 1470 00:52:24,511 --> 00:52:25,879 We weren't really friends-friends, 1471 00:52:25,912 --> 00:52:28,381 but then I started dating his cousin and... 1472 00:52:28,415 --> 00:52:29,983 - Everyone's like, "ooh." 1473 00:52:30,083 --> 00:52:31,351 - Just started laughing and stuff like that. 1474 00:52:31,384 --> 00:52:34,320 Hey, how's it going, Bailey? I missed you. 1475 00:52:34,354 --> 00:52:36,823 - I missed you too. 1476 00:52:36,856 --> 00:52:38,625 - His grandma loves me way more too. 1477 00:52:38,658 --> 00:52:40,493 - No. - [chuckles] 1478 00:52:40,527 --> 00:52:41,995 [both screaming] 1479 00:52:42,095 --> 00:52:43,096 * * 1480 00:52:43,096 --> 00:52:44,130 - Gonna throw this in! 1481 00:52:45,365 --> 00:52:47,801 Perfect! - Ooh! 1482 00:52:47,834 --> 00:52:48,968 - We push each other 1483 00:52:49,002 --> 00:52:50,403 literally every little thing we do 1484 00:52:50,437 --> 00:52:51,805 especially when it comes to the ninja gym. 1485 00:52:51,838 --> 00:52:55,308 - Go, go, go, go, nice. All the way up. 1486 00:52:55,342 --> 00:52:56,876 There's only one thing that's gonna happen. 1487 00:52:56,910 --> 00:52:58,611 - Come on, you got this. 1488 00:52:58,645 --> 00:53:00,046 - Noggin buzzers. - Noggin buzzers. 1489 00:53:00,080 --> 00:53:02,415 - Noggin buzzers for supper, dude! 1490 00:53:02,449 --> 00:53:06,853 * * 1491 00:53:06,886 --> 00:53:07,954 - You got this, dude! 1492 00:53:08,054 --> 00:53:09,689 - His buddy Levi will run next. 1493 00:53:09,723 --> 00:53:12,625 Also on the sidelines, two other Iowa ninjas, 1494 00:53:12,659 --> 00:53:15,228 Jackson Twait who conquered the Mega Wall earlier, 1495 00:53:15,261 --> 00:53:17,797 and Nick Hanson who also had a strong run. 1496 00:53:17,831 --> 00:53:20,767 Lots of support back home, including his cousins, 1497 00:53:20,800 --> 00:53:22,802 the Behrends' family who've competed 1498 00:53:22,836 --> 00:53:24,904 on "American Ninja Warrior" and "Ninja Junior." 1499 00:53:24,938 --> 00:53:27,474 - You got this! [countdown clock beeping] 1500 00:53:27,507 --> 00:53:29,576 - Chris from Clarksville, Iowa, 1501 00:53:29,609 --> 00:53:31,711 town so small when he actually was a teen, 1502 00:53:31,745 --> 00:53:33,747 his high school graduating class 1503 00:53:33,780 --> 00:53:35,648 only 18 other kids. 1504 00:53:35,682 --> 00:53:38,084 Iowa becoming a ninja hotbed. 1505 00:53:38,084 --> 00:53:39,285 Behrends' just one 1506 00:53:39,319 --> 00:53:40,487 of the young talents here tonight. 1507 00:53:40,520 --> 00:53:41,721 - Yep. - There you go. 1508 00:53:41,755 --> 00:53:42,822 - Trained with the Cat Daddy Ninja 1509 00:53:42,856 --> 00:53:44,357 Jackson Twait. - You got this. 1510 00:53:44,391 --> 00:53:46,659 - Shoot, if he can do half as well as Jackson Twait, 1511 00:53:46,693 --> 00:53:47,961 he'll be all right. 1512 00:53:47,994 --> 00:53:49,596 - Great job by the rookie. 1513 00:53:49,629 --> 00:53:51,431 - That's textbook right there. - That was real smooth. 1514 00:53:51,464 --> 00:53:53,166 But the ride's not over yet. 1515 00:53:53,199 --> 00:53:55,368 - All right, watch that big drop, though, Matt. 1516 00:53:55,402 --> 00:53:57,537 Take that momentum. Just ride with it. 1517 00:53:57,570 --> 00:53:59,105 Nice. - Smooth, Akbar! 1518 00:53:59,105 --> 00:54:00,740 - Yeah, let's go, buddy, come on! 1519 00:54:00,774 --> 00:54:03,410 - Split Decision. Which way is he gonna go? 1520 00:54:03,443 --> 00:54:04,644 - Uh? - Uh? 1521 00:54:04,678 --> 00:54:05,845 What? - Huh? 1522 00:54:05,879 --> 00:54:07,213 - He wants Log Runner. All right. 1523 00:54:07,247 --> 00:54:08,815 - Balance obstacles always a challenge. 1524 00:54:08,848 --> 00:54:10,050 - Let's go! - Come on! 1525 00:54:10,083 --> 00:54:11,818 - Just like the pails! Just like the pails! 1526 00:54:11,851 --> 00:54:13,119 Let's go! - Light feet now. 1527 00:54:13,153 --> 00:54:15,522 - Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, nice. 1528 00:54:15,555 --> 00:54:17,390 - Let's go! - Let's go! 1529 00:54:17,424 --> 00:54:19,659 - Way to go! - Let's go! 1530 00:54:19,693 --> 00:54:20,860 - Look at them. 1531 00:54:20,894 --> 00:54:22,128 They are bro-ing out over there. 1532 00:54:22,162 --> 00:54:23,897 - Whoo! - Yeah! 1533 00:54:23,930 --> 00:54:26,066 - Gonna try to ride that momentum 1534 00:54:26,066 --> 00:54:27,133 into Tilt-a-Whirl. - Pop it up. 1535 00:54:27,167 --> 00:54:28,601 - There we go. - Yep. 1536 00:54:28,635 --> 00:54:30,870 - It's a lower-body thing. It's a finesse thing. 1537 00:54:30,904 --> 00:54:32,672 That bar will slide out on you. 1538 00:54:32,706 --> 00:54:33,973 - Gets it locked in. 1539 00:54:34,074 --> 00:54:35,675 Behrends a college student 1540 00:54:35,709 --> 00:54:37,477 at the University of Northern Iowa. 1541 00:54:37,510 --> 00:54:38,778 - Nice! - Yes! 1542 00:54:38,812 --> 00:54:39,946 Let's go! Come on! 1543 00:54:39,979 --> 00:54:41,247 Come on, Chris! - Rotating around. 1544 00:54:41,281 --> 00:54:43,683 Good power, great body awareness. 1545 00:54:43,717 --> 00:54:46,086 Gotta fly that bar over to the third cradle. 1546 00:54:46,119 --> 00:54:47,287 - Come on, Chris. - Let's go. 1547 00:54:47,320 --> 00:54:48,488 - Yeah! - Whoa. 1548 00:54:48,521 --> 00:54:51,658 - Good transfer, and Chris Behrends, 1549 00:54:51,691 --> 00:54:55,095 he's flowing. Look at this rookie run. 1550 00:54:55,095 --> 00:54:56,996 - One more to go, homey. 1551 00:54:57,097 --> 00:54:58,832 - Yes! - Yeah! 1552 00:54:58,865 --> 00:55:00,600 [cheers and applause] 1553 00:55:00,633 --> 00:55:02,035 - Yes! Let's go! 1554 00:55:02,068 --> 00:55:03,870 - We've already had one of these young Iowans, 1555 00:55:03,903 --> 00:55:05,805 Jackson Twait, get a buzzer. 1556 00:55:05,839 --> 00:55:07,907 Behrends trying to be the second 1557 00:55:07,941 --> 00:55:10,110 but has to survive Sideways. 1558 00:55:10,143 --> 00:55:11,745 - "Bro-bulous." - No hesitation. 1559 00:55:11,778 --> 00:55:13,046 - Let's go! - Nice. 1560 00:55:13,046 --> 00:55:14,347 - The efficiency! - Okay! 1561 00:55:14,381 --> 00:55:15,615 - Amazing! 1562 00:55:15,648 --> 00:55:17,350 He said he wants a noggin buzzer. 1563 00:55:17,384 --> 00:55:19,586 He's a few moves away from going for it. 1564 00:55:19,619 --> 00:55:21,087 Great job there. - Gotta hold there. 1565 00:55:21,121 --> 00:55:22,789 He's gotta watch that right hand, though, Matt. 1566 00:55:22,822 --> 00:55:24,157 - Well, these transfers are tough 1567 00:55:24,190 --> 00:55:25,592 'cause you have to go so far down and around. 1568 00:55:25,625 --> 00:55:27,327 - I know, and the quicker you go-- 1569 00:55:27,360 --> 00:55:29,396 - Oh, my! - Nice. 1570 00:55:29,429 --> 00:55:31,431 - His first time on the course, 1571 00:55:31,464 --> 00:55:33,266 and he's gonna get a buzzer. 1572 00:55:33,299 --> 00:55:36,069 Chris Behrends! Let's go! 1573 00:55:36,069 --> 00:55:37,570 - Noggin! 1574 00:55:37,604 --> 00:55:41,074 Let's go! Come on, baby! 1575 00:55:41,074 --> 00:55:42,075 [cheers and applause] 1576 00:55:42,075 --> 00:55:43,977 Baby, let's go! 1577 00:55:44,077 --> 00:55:45,979 Whoo! 1578 00:55:46,079 --> 00:55:47,580 [cheers and applause] 1579 00:55:47,614 --> 00:55:49,949 - Iowa is on fire tonight. 1580 00:55:49,983 --> 00:55:51,351 * * 1581 00:55:51,384 --> 00:55:53,920 Rookie Chris Behrends gets his first buzzer, 1582 00:55:53,953 --> 00:55:56,790 and he looks like he can hardly believe it. 1583 00:55:56,823 --> 00:55:58,191 - Whoo! 1584 00:56:07,033 --> 00:56:09,035 - We've had more amazing moments here 1585 00:56:09,035 --> 00:56:10,904 in the Tacoma Dome. - Whoo! 1586 00:56:10,937 --> 00:56:12,872 - Minutes ago, the other Ninja Teen 1587 00:56:12,906 --> 00:56:16,042 Levi Enright tried to match the success of his bro. 1588 00:56:16,042 --> 00:56:18,345 - Let's go, Levi. - Let's go, baby. 1589 00:56:18,378 --> 00:56:21,047 - The 20-year-old looked bro-tastic early on. 1590 00:56:21,047 --> 00:56:22,882 - Let's go! Come on! 1591 00:56:22,916 --> 00:56:24,217 - Go, baby, let's go! 1592 00:56:24,250 --> 00:56:26,753 - At Split Decision, he went with Log Runner, 1593 00:56:26,786 --> 00:56:28,421 which was not a good decision. 1594 00:56:28,455 --> 00:56:29,589 - Oh! 1595 00:56:29,622 --> 00:56:32,292 Yeah, bad bro form. 1596 00:56:32,325 --> 00:56:34,761 - Then it was Tyler Yamauchi, 1597 00:56:34,794 --> 00:56:38,064 the 5'1'' former gymnast known as the Muscle Ball. 1598 00:56:38,064 --> 00:56:39,232 - Nice, ooh! 1599 00:56:39,265 --> 00:56:40,467 He looked like a little Muscle Ball 1600 00:56:40,500 --> 00:56:41,968 rolling out of there. 1601 00:56:42,068 --> 00:56:44,804 - Yamauchi was one of the few to brave Block Run. 1602 00:56:44,838 --> 00:56:46,606 - He knows what's up! 1603 00:56:46,639 --> 00:56:48,108 - And the six-time veteran 1604 00:56:48,141 --> 00:56:49,909 had one of his best runs in years. 1605 00:56:49,943 --> 00:56:51,978 - The Muscle Ball wants it badly. 1606 00:56:52,078 --> 00:56:53,646 - The 35-year-old 1607 00:56:53,680 --> 00:56:56,449 nearly edged out 15-year-old Cal Plohoros 1608 00:56:56,483 --> 00:56:58,752 for the fastest time of the night. 1609 00:56:58,785 --> 00:57:00,620 - Yamauchi keeping it gucci! 1610 00:57:00,653 --> 00:57:03,123 Oh, my goodness. That was impressive. 1611 00:57:03,156 --> 00:57:05,225 - Then it was nine-time veteran 1612 00:57:05,258 --> 00:57:07,761 Chris DiGangi. - Let's go, babe! 1613 00:57:07,794 --> 00:57:10,096 - With his fiancée Jesse "Flex" Labreck 1614 00:57:10,130 --> 00:57:11,865 and other friends cheering him on, 1615 00:57:11,898 --> 00:57:14,668 DiGangi was trying to get past qualifying 1616 00:57:14,701 --> 00:57:17,070 for the sixth straight year. - Perfect, babe, perfect! 1617 00:57:17,103 --> 00:57:19,406 - He flipped a coin at Split Decision 1618 00:57:19,439 --> 00:57:21,341 and chose Block Run even though 1619 00:57:21,374 --> 00:57:23,943 only four other ninjas all night had picked it. 1620 00:57:24,044 --> 00:57:25,812 - Come on! - Please, please, please. 1621 00:57:25,845 --> 00:57:29,149 Please go, go, go. No! 1622 00:57:29,182 --> 00:57:31,951 - No! 1623 00:57:32,052 --> 00:57:33,920 - Oh, no. 1624 00:57:33,953 --> 00:57:36,322 - I didn't see that coming. 1625 00:57:36,356 --> 00:57:38,191 - Ah, I chose wrong. 1626 00:57:38,224 --> 00:57:40,760 [soft dramatic music] 1627 00:57:40,794 --> 00:57:43,063 - Our next athlete has inspired many 1628 00:57:43,063 --> 00:57:44,364 over the years. 1629 00:57:44,397 --> 00:57:47,167 This is Kyle Schulze known as the Deaf Ninja. 1630 00:57:47,200 --> 00:57:48,935 - He's making the sign for "ninja." 1631 00:57:48,968 --> 00:57:50,270 Kyle's hearing impaired, 1632 00:57:50,303 --> 00:57:53,206 but he's never let that stop him from competing. 1633 00:57:53,239 --> 00:57:54,908 However, there's one ninja goal 1634 00:57:54,941 --> 00:57:56,776 that's remained out of reach. 1635 00:57:56,810 --> 00:57:58,244 - You probably know me 1636 00:57:58,278 --> 00:58:01,247 as the deaf ninja from "American Ninja Warrior." 1637 00:58:01,281 --> 00:58:02,882 As someone that happens to be deaf, 1638 00:58:02,916 --> 00:58:06,152 I've been knocked down over and over by the society, 1639 00:58:06,186 --> 00:58:08,488 by bullies my whole life. 1640 00:58:08,521 --> 00:58:11,758 - This is a guy who, growing up, really struggled 1641 00:58:11,791 --> 00:58:13,560 dealing with his hearing impairment. 1642 00:58:13,593 --> 00:58:15,695 Now, he embraces it. 1643 00:58:15,729 --> 00:58:17,530 - "Ninja Warrior" has helped me 1644 00:58:17,564 --> 00:58:18,631 develop that happiness. 1645 00:58:18,665 --> 00:58:20,533 [upbeat music] 1646 00:58:20,567 --> 00:58:22,369 - You have made it this far now. 1647 00:58:22,402 --> 00:58:23,570 You done made it-- - Oh! 1648 00:58:23,603 --> 00:58:25,438 - Oh! [buzzer blares] 1649 00:58:25,472 --> 00:58:28,808 - But I still have not got to that buzzer that proves 1650 00:58:28,842 --> 00:58:32,445 you beat the "American Ninja Warrior" course. 1651 00:58:32,479 --> 00:58:34,714 - Oh, boy, he's getting so close! 1652 00:58:34,748 --> 00:58:36,149 He is getting close. 1653 00:58:37,617 --> 00:58:40,053 Oh, no! - No! 1654 00:58:41,287 --> 00:58:43,323 - Feels like it's a curse because every year 1655 00:58:43,356 --> 00:58:44,791 I'm so close to getting that buzzer 1656 00:58:44,824 --> 00:58:47,093 that I'm just like-- I'm itching for it. 1657 00:58:47,127 --> 00:58:48,428 I'm like "ugh." 1658 00:58:48,461 --> 00:58:50,597 - * I can't stop no matter what * 1659 00:58:50,630 --> 00:58:52,732 * Keep on fighting never giving up * 1660 00:58:52,766 --> 00:58:55,235 - No! - No, no, no, no, no! 1661 00:58:55,268 --> 00:58:57,904 - If I finally get that buzzer, 1662 00:58:57,937 --> 00:59:00,440 no words will explain my emotions 1663 00:59:00,473 --> 00:59:03,309 because I will finally be able to redeem myself 1664 00:59:03,343 --> 00:59:05,512 and realize my potential. 1665 00:59:05,545 --> 00:59:07,013 - Facing forward. Gotta go sideways. 1666 00:59:07,013 --> 00:59:08,882 Oh! - Oh, no! 1667 00:59:08,915 --> 00:59:11,651 - Once again out on the fifth obstacle 1668 00:59:11,685 --> 00:59:14,454 and still no buzzer for the Deaf Ninja. 1669 00:59:14,487 --> 00:59:16,890 - I feel like this year I'm gonna finally get one. 1670 00:59:16,923 --> 00:59:18,925 - * I can't stop no matter what * 1671 00:59:19,025 --> 00:59:21,094 * Keep on fighting never giving up * 1672 00:59:21,127 --> 00:59:23,163 * * 1673 00:59:23,196 --> 00:59:24,664 [cheers and applause] 1674 00:59:24,698 --> 00:59:27,100 - Kyle's gonna have his family and friends watching 1675 00:59:27,133 --> 00:59:29,836 along with one very special guest. 1676 00:59:29,869 --> 00:59:31,204 - Oh! 1677 00:59:31,237 --> 00:59:34,908 - I'm so excited to watch Kyle beat all the obstacles, 1678 00:59:34,941 --> 00:59:37,477 climb the Warped Wall, and hit the buzzer. 1679 00:59:37,510 --> 00:59:39,646 Go, Kyle! - Oh, that's cool. 1680 00:59:39,679 --> 00:59:40,947 - And look at that. - That's cool. 1681 00:59:41,047 --> 00:59:42,315 - The great Jessie Graff 1682 00:59:42,349 --> 00:59:44,217 has been learning sign language from Kyle. 1683 00:59:44,250 --> 00:59:46,052 She's injured this year, but wanted to be here 1684 00:59:46,086 --> 00:59:47,053 to support him. 1685 00:59:47,087 --> 00:59:49,689 [countdown clock beeping] 1686 00:59:49,723 --> 00:59:51,891 Kyle's currently getting his Master's degree 1687 00:59:51,925 --> 00:59:53,193 in Mechanical Engineering 1688 00:59:53,226 --> 00:59:55,095 at Rochester Institute of Technology. 1689 00:59:55,128 --> 00:59:56,563 - Whoo! 1690 00:59:56,596 --> 00:59:58,965 - And, Matt, I know how badly he wants a buzzer, 1691 00:59:59,065 --> 01:00:02,268 but it may be difficult because he's not 100% healthy. 1692 01:00:02,302 --> 01:00:04,404 - That's right, he separated his shoulder 1693 01:00:04,437 --> 01:00:06,406 in a snowboarding accident earlier this year, 1694 01:00:06,439 --> 01:00:08,141 and this obstacle, Double Down, 1695 01:00:08,174 --> 01:00:09,943 is really gonna be a test for him. 1696 01:00:09,976 --> 01:00:12,979 - Oh, and the force just sliding down the track, 1697 01:00:13,013 --> 01:00:16,850 he had to feel that Now has to swing across. 1698 01:00:16,883 --> 01:00:18,518 - Matt, you can literally see it on his face! 1699 01:00:18,551 --> 01:00:21,721 He's grimacing already as he tries to crank it up. 1700 01:00:21,755 --> 01:00:23,656 - Two of the ninjas he competed with last year, 1701 01:00:23,690 --> 01:00:26,326 Jimmy Choi and Michael Torres, talking him through it. 1702 01:00:26,359 --> 01:00:28,461 - He's dreading this slide down. 1703 01:00:28,495 --> 01:00:29,863 He's gonna feel that in his shoulders 1704 01:00:29,896 --> 01:00:31,131 and the clavicle area. 1705 01:00:31,164 --> 01:00:33,366 - Whoa, we could feel that up here. 1706 01:00:33,400 --> 01:00:35,869 The impact when he came sliding down 1707 01:00:35,902 --> 01:00:37,637 had to hurt his shoulder. 1708 01:00:37,671 --> 01:00:39,773 But he is pumped. - He's so pumped. 1709 01:00:39,806 --> 01:00:41,241 Uh-oh. See, oh, boy. 1710 01:00:41,274 --> 01:00:42,776 That's exactly what we were just talking about. 1711 01:00:42,809 --> 01:00:45,445 He's gotta ease up on the celebration. 1712 01:00:45,478 --> 01:00:47,814 - And Jessie's reminding Kyle to breathe. 1713 01:00:47,847 --> 01:00:49,349 She's not competing this year 1714 01:00:49,382 --> 01:00:51,017 because of her own shoulder injury. 1715 01:00:51,051 --> 01:00:52,852 - And, Matt, he's looking at Block Run, 1716 01:00:52,886 --> 01:00:54,854 and you don't have to know sign language 1717 01:00:54,888 --> 01:00:57,524 to know he doesn't like it. He's gonna go Log Runner. 1718 01:00:57,557 --> 01:00:58,692 - Go fast. Go fast! 1719 01:00:58,725 --> 01:00:59,859 Come on. 1720 01:00:59,893 --> 01:01:02,062 - Two years ago, a balance obstacle 1721 01:01:02,095 --> 01:01:03,563 ended his run in Cincinnati. 1722 01:01:03,596 --> 01:01:05,365 [cheers and applause] 1723 01:01:05,398 --> 01:01:08,501 - Oh, my goodness, right in the clavicle again. 1724 01:01:08,535 --> 01:01:09,703 - And he's swimming forward. 1725 01:01:09,736 --> 01:01:11,705 - Oh, boy, he is taking a beating. 1726 01:01:11,738 --> 01:01:13,073 - Let's go. - Oh. 1727 01:01:13,073 --> 01:01:14,941 - [chuckles] - He's relieved. 1728 01:01:14,974 --> 01:01:16,242 - Yeah, he's-- "I'm glad I'm outta there." 1729 01:01:16,276 --> 01:01:17,711 - He's straining his neck 1730 01:01:17,744 --> 01:01:19,713 trying to get ready for Tilt-A-Whirl. 1731 01:01:19,746 --> 01:01:23,083 - Keep them Ls. - You got this, Kyle! 1732 01:01:23,083 --> 01:01:26,119 And this is gonna be a test, flying across with that bar. 1733 01:01:26,152 --> 01:01:28,088 Gotta think that grip is being taxed, 1734 01:01:28,088 --> 01:01:30,123 and that shoulder is being tested. 1735 01:01:30,156 --> 01:01:31,725 - Well, Matt, if he keeps his Ls, 1736 01:01:31,758 --> 01:01:33,860 it allows him to keep the emphasis on his bicep 1737 01:01:33,893 --> 01:01:35,462 and his back muscle. 1738 01:01:35,495 --> 01:01:38,598 He's gotta be careful not coming down to a straight arm. 1739 01:01:38,631 --> 01:01:40,133 - Doing a great job with the switch grip, 1740 01:01:40,166 --> 01:01:42,335 keeping that bar safely centered. 1741 01:01:42,369 --> 01:01:44,637 That right side a little over. 1742 01:01:44,671 --> 01:01:46,573 Gonna have to extend with that right arm. 1743 01:01:46,606 --> 01:01:48,108 - He's starting to get a little weak, though, Matt. 1744 01:01:48,141 --> 01:01:50,110 You can see he's gotta get out of there. 1745 01:01:50,143 --> 01:01:52,979 - Well, this is a big separation here, Akbar. 1746 01:01:53,013 --> 01:01:54,581 Getting to that fifth obstacle. 1747 01:01:54,614 --> 01:01:55,815 - When his arms are straight like that, 1748 01:01:55,849 --> 01:01:57,250 it's adding a lot of pressure. 1749 01:01:57,283 --> 01:01:59,519 You can see him grimacing. It's a lot of pain. 1750 01:01:59,552 --> 01:02:00,920 [cheers and applause] 1751 01:02:00,954 --> 01:02:02,489 - Oh, and that shoulder's hurting. 1752 01:02:02,522 --> 01:02:04,324 But here he is. 1753 01:02:04,357 --> 01:02:07,227 He's reached the fifth obstacle once again. 1754 01:02:07,260 --> 01:02:09,262 Last year, this was the obstacle 1755 01:02:09,295 --> 01:02:11,231 that took him out, Sideways. 1756 01:02:11,264 --> 01:02:12,966 And with that shoulder hurting him, 1757 01:02:13,066 --> 01:02:15,168 this is gonna be a huge ask. 1758 01:02:15,201 --> 01:02:17,237 - He's never made it past the fifth obstacle 1759 01:02:17,270 --> 01:02:19,406 in qualifying. 1760 01:02:19,439 --> 01:02:21,808 - And you can just see it. He wants it so bad. 1761 01:02:21,841 --> 01:02:23,510 He's feeling the pain. 1762 01:02:23,543 --> 01:02:25,745 If you're watching this, how can you 1763 01:02:25,779 --> 01:02:27,213 not be inspired by the courage 1764 01:02:27,247 --> 01:02:29,382 of this young man pushing through the pain? 1765 01:02:29,416 --> 01:02:30,950 - He's built tough. 1766 01:02:30,984 --> 01:02:32,452 - This is impressive, Akbar. - Keep it in tight, homey. 1767 01:02:32,485 --> 01:02:34,621 Keep it in tight. 1768 01:02:34,654 --> 01:02:37,257 - Oh, this is remarkable! 1769 01:02:37,290 --> 01:02:39,192 - Matt, as long as he doesn't extend, 1770 01:02:39,225 --> 01:02:40,994 he should be able to-- you see the extension? 1771 01:02:41,094 --> 01:02:42,362 - [screams] 1772 01:02:42,395 --> 01:02:45,131 - Oh, he's screaming in pain. This is amazing. 1773 01:02:45,165 --> 01:02:47,600 - Oh, man, oh. - This is gonna be tough. 1774 01:02:47,634 --> 01:02:49,803 Oh, come on. Are you kidding me? 1775 01:02:49,836 --> 01:02:51,805 - Oh, my goodness. - Drop down, dude. 1776 01:02:51,838 --> 01:02:53,640 - Oh, my goodness. Are you kidding me? 1777 01:02:53,673 --> 01:02:54,841 - Oh, my God, 1778 01:02:54,874 --> 01:02:56,643 I wanna throw in the towel for him, man. 1779 01:02:56,676 --> 01:02:58,511 I don't know how he's doing this. 1780 01:02:58,545 --> 01:03:00,947 That shoulder is killing him. 1781 01:03:01,047 --> 01:03:04,050 [cheers and applause] 1782 01:03:04,851 --> 01:03:07,153 Oh, my goodness. He's going for it. 1783 01:03:07,187 --> 01:03:09,456 - Oh, my goodness! - How is he holding on? 1784 01:03:09,489 --> 01:03:12,125 - Oh, my goodness. - How is he holding on? 1785 01:03:12,158 --> 01:03:13,793 - The human body is just not supposed 1786 01:03:13,827 --> 01:03:15,161 to take this much pain. 1787 01:03:15,195 --> 01:03:16,296 No! - Oh! 1788 01:03:16,329 --> 01:03:17,297 - Oh! 1789 01:03:17,330 --> 01:03:18,932 [soft dramatic music] 1790 01:03:18,965 --> 01:03:21,134 - One of the most courageous runs 1791 01:03:21,167 --> 01:03:23,069 we've seen in "American Ninja Warrior." 1792 01:03:23,069 --> 01:03:25,538 - Matt, that is moxie and that is grit. 1793 01:03:25,572 --> 01:03:28,641 - I am blown away by what we just saw, 1794 01:03:28,675 --> 01:03:30,877 the courage and strength out of Kyle Schulze. 1795 01:03:30,910 --> 01:03:32,479 You can see he's disappointed, 1796 01:03:32,512 --> 01:03:33,747 but he should be proud. 1797 01:03:33,780 --> 01:03:35,081 - Whoo! 1798 01:03:35,081 --> 01:03:36,549 - You could feel his pain 1799 01:03:36,583 --> 01:03:38,084 as he battled through obstacles 1800 01:03:38,118 --> 01:03:39,652 and took the hits. 1801 01:03:39,686 --> 01:03:43,089 And on the fifth obstacle, came so close to finishing, 1802 01:03:43,089 --> 01:03:45,992 but that shoulder finally gave out. 1803 01:03:46,092 --> 01:03:48,428 - Let's go down to Zuri for the latest. 1804 01:03:48,461 --> 01:03:50,630 - Kyle, are you okay? 1805 01:03:50,663 --> 01:03:54,100 - Ugh, I'm just--yeah. 1806 01:03:54,100 --> 01:03:55,201 - Pain, yeah. 1807 01:03:55,235 --> 01:03:58,004 You fought so hard here. 1808 01:03:58,104 --> 01:04:00,140 How were you feeling by the time 1809 01:04:00,173 --> 01:04:02,375 you got to this point in the course? 1810 01:04:02,409 --> 01:04:04,144 - Didn't wanna give up. - Yeah. 1811 01:04:04,177 --> 01:04:07,080 - I-I've gone through so much of my life, 1812 01:04:07,113 --> 01:04:08,715 people told me, "No, you can't do this. 1813 01:04:08,748 --> 01:04:09,783 Can't do that." 1814 01:04:09,816 --> 01:04:11,217 I didn't want anything-- 1815 01:04:11,251 --> 01:04:13,186 the words tell me I can't do something. 1816 01:04:13,219 --> 01:04:15,188 And I just wanted to finish it 1817 01:04:15,221 --> 01:04:17,057 'cause I know I could finish it. 1818 01:04:17,057 --> 01:04:19,125 I need that buzzer. I still need that buzzer. 1819 01:04:19,159 --> 01:04:23,763 [cheers and applause] 1820 01:04:23,797 --> 01:04:25,832 - Well, we'll see if you went far enough fast enough. 1821 01:04:25,865 --> 01:04:27,701 [people screaming] 1822 01:04:27,734 --> 01:04:29,969 - They're the ultimate ninja family. 1823 01:04:30,070 --> 01:04:31,705 - Yo, you gotta keep up. 1824 01:04:31,738 --> 01:04:35,175 - Now, this mohawk dad and his mohawk son 1825 01:04:35,208 --> 01:04:37,143 try to make "Ninja" history 1826 01:04:37,177 --> 01:04:40,180 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1827 01:04:44,417 --> 01:04:45,819 - Welcome back to the final night 1828 01:04:45,852 --> 01:04:48,221 of qualifying here on "American Ninja Warrior." 1829 01:04:48,254 --> 01:04:51,091 Moments ago, it was the entrance 1830 01:04:51,091 --> 01:04:53,226 for Ming Zhang, the Muscle Mama. 1831 01:04:53,259 --> 01:04:55,695 - Muscle Mama is gonna crush the course today. 1832 01:04:55,729 --> 01:04:56,930 Let's go! 1833 01:04:56,963 --> 01:04:58,565 - Zhang's a powerlifter who was named 1834 01:04:58,598 --> 01:05:01,234 the fittest woman in China three years ago. 1835 01:05:01,267 --> 01:05:03,036 - Yeah, Matt, she is so strong. 1836 01:05:03,036 --> 01:05:05,472 - Now a new mom living in Cincinnati, 1837 01:05:05,505 --> 01:05:08,341 the little dynamo made it to the second obstacle. 1838 01:05:08,375 --> 01:05:09,509 - Yeah, Mama! 1839 01:05:09,542 --> 01:05:12,178 - That's it. Oh! 1840 01:05:12,212 --> 01:05:14,781 - But coming up short didn't dampen her enthusiasm. 1841 01:05:14,814 --> 01:05:17,450 - It's winning spirit. I did it. 1842 01:05:17,484 --> 01:05:19,452 - World champion boomerang thrower 1843 01:05:19,486 --> 01:05:21,688 Logan Broadbent was up to his old tricks. 1844 01:05:21,721 --> 01:05:24,057 - Look at this. Whoo! 1845 01:05:24,057 --> 01:05:26,526 - The Cleveland native's amazing boomerang videos 1846 01:05:26,559 --> 01:05:28,795 have millions of views on YouTube, 1847 01:05:28,828 --> 01:05:30,563 and he put on a show 1848 01:05:30,597 --> 01:05:32,232 for his legion of fans tonight. 1849 01:05:32,265 --> 01:05:33,933 - Oh, excuse me. 1850 01:05:33,967 --> 01:05:34,934 - Yeah, whoo! 1851 01:05:34,968 --> 01:05:36,069 [cheers and applause] 1852 01:05:36,102 --> 01:05:37,570 [together] Let's go, Logan! 1853 01:05:37,604 --> 01:05:39,172 - The five-time "Ninja" veteran 1854 01:05:39,205 --> 01:05:41,841 looked like he was on his way to his very first buzzer. 1855 01:05:41,875 --> 01:05:43,510 - Yeah, let's go, Logan. 1856 01:05:43,543 --> 01:05:45,879 - Until Sideways changed those plans. 1857 01:05:45,912 --> 01:05:48,248 - Oh, no! - No! 1858 01:05:48,281 --> 01:05:50,350 - So fun, man. So fun. 1859 01:05:50,383 --> 01:05:54,087 - Then it was Utah's 42-year-old Brian Beckstrand 1860 01:05:54,087 --> 01:05:57,691 running with a mohawk to match his 15-year-old son. 1861 01:05:57,724 --> 01:06:00,393 - He's so excited for Dad. Look at Dad go. 1862 01:06:00,427 --> 01:06:02,529 - The firefighter and father of five 1863 01:06:02,562 --> 01:06:05,765 last competed five years ago. - Yeah! 1864 01:06:05,799 --> 01:06:08,268 - But he didn't look rusty at all... 1865 01:06:08,301 --> 01:06:09,769 Yes! 1866 01:06:09,803 --> 01:06:13,139 As he added his name to our growing list of finishers. 1867 01:06:13,173 --> 01:06:14,708 [buzzer blares] 1868 01:06:14,741 --> 01:06:17,210 [cheers and applause] 1869 01:06:17,243 --> 01:06:20,046 - Beckstrands, baby! We here! 1870 01:06:20,080 --> 01:06:22,115 Beckstrands! 1871 01:06:22,148 --> 01:06:25,185 - So now it's Kai's turn. 1872 01:06:25,218 --> 01:06:28,154 The high school sophomore's going to try to match his dad 1873 01:06:28,188 --> 01:06:30,924 and get a second buzzer for the Beckstrand family. 1874 01:06:30,957 --> 01:06:33,960 [upbeat music] 1875 01:06:34,060 --> 01:06:35,428 - My whole family loves ninja. 1876 01:06:35,462 --> 01:06:38,665 [people screaming] 1877 01:06:38,698 --> 01:06:39,966 Both of my parents have competed 1878 01:06:40,066 --> 01:06:41,301 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1879 01:06:41,334 --> 01:06:43,837 - All right, just go for it. - What? 1880 01:06:43,870 --> 01:06:47,707 - Oh, a hard impact. Look at that reaction. 1881 01:06:47,741 --> 01:06:50,777 [people chanting] He's gonna get a buzzer. 1882 01:06:52,445 --> 01:06:54,614 - I competed on season one and two 1883 01:06:54,647 --> 01:06:57,350 of "American Ninja Warrior Junior." 1884 01:06:57,384 --> 01:06:58,918 - Kai Beckstrand 1885 01:06:58,952 --> 01:07:02,522 just did the fastest time yet this season! 1886 01:07:02,555 --> 01:07:04,891 - And I ended up winning season one. 1887 01:07:04,924 --> 01:07:07,360 - Kai Beckstrand, you're the champion! 1888 01:07:07,394 --> 01:07:08,628 - One of the reasons that Kai's 1889 01:07:08,661 --> 01:07:09,796 so good at this sport 1890 01:07:09,829 --> 01:07:11,631 is that he started at such a young age. 1891 01:07:13,033 --> 01:07:14,367 - Get it, Kai. - Keep going. 1892 01:07:14,401 --> 01:07:16,403 - All good. - Careful. 1893 01:07:16,436 --> 01:07:18,038 - When I first started training, 1894 01:07:18,038 --> 01:07:20,206 I was about seven and a half years old. 1895 01:07:20,240 --> 01:07:21,574 * * 1896 01:07:21,608 --> 01:07:24,577 - I engineered and built upwards of 40 plus 1897 01:07:24,611 --> 01:07:26,046 obstacles in the backyard. 1898 01:07:26,046 --> 01:07:29,649 * * 1899 01:07:29,683 --> 01:07:32,652 And so we try to train as much as we can together. 1900 01:07:32,686 --> 01:07:35,055 - Yeah. - Kai grew up doing it. 1901 01:07:35,055 --> 01:07:36,823 He was comfortable with everything, 1902 01:07:36,856 --> 01:07:38,591 and as he grew and got stronger, 1903 01:07:38,625 --> 01:07:40,093 he got better and better. 1904 01:07:40,126 --> 01:07:41,895 So he's just a natural at it. 1905 01:07:41,928 --> 01:07:46,199 * * 1906 01:07:46,232 --> 01:07:47,634 - Being able to compete with my dad, 1907 01:07:47,667 --> 01:07:48,868 it really motivates me to, 1908 01:07:48,902 --> 01:07:51,071 like, push him, have him push me. 1909 01:07:51,104 --> 01:07:53,473 - Yo, you gotta keep up. That's how it's done. 1910 01:07:53,506 --> 01:07:55,842 - And hopefully, we can both make it to Vegas. 1911 01:07:55,875 --> 01:07:57,711 * * 1912 01:07:57,744 --> 01:08:00,113 - The plan for tonight, if I beat you on the course, 1913 01:08:00,146 --> 01:08:01,314 we might have to talk about 1914 01:08:01,348 --> 01:08:03,750 some more chores and duties around the house. 1915 01:08:03,783 --> 01:08:06,052 - It's a good thing I don't have to worry about that. 1916 01:08:06,086 --> 01:08:09,055 [both chuckle] 1917 01:08:09,089 --> 01:08:11,157 - That's good. 1918 01:08:11,191 --> 01:08:15,462 * * 1919 01:08:15,495 --> 01:08:18,264 - Well, if Kai wants bragging rights in this family, 1920 01:08:18,298 --> 01:08:20,200 not only does he have to hit a buzzer, 1921 01:08:20,233 --> 01:08:22,435 he's gotta do it faster than his dad Brian's time 1922 01:08:22,469 --> 01:08:25,472 of 3 minutes, 23 seconds. 1923 01:08:25,505 --> 01:08:27,040 Dad's gonna be on the sideline 1924 01:08:27,040 --> 01:08:29,376 along with mom Holly, lots of family and friends 1925 01:08:29,409 --> 01:08:31,311 watching back in Utah, 1926 01:08:31,344 --> 01:08:33,046 including two-time "Ninja" veteran 1927 01:08:33,079 --> 01:08:34,647 Mady Howard there on the left. 1928 01:08:34,681 --> 01:08:38,051 - Let's go, Kai. [countdown clock beeping] 1929 01:08:38,084 --> 01:08:40,220 - Well, here we go. 1930 01:08:40,253 --> 01:08:42,088 You know, we knew the teen invasion 1931 01:08:42,122 --> 01:08:43,656 was gonna be powerful, 1932 01:08:43,690 --> 01:08:46,860 but these kids have lived up to the hype in qualifying. 1933 01:08:46,893 --> 01:08:49,396 He's grown six inches in the past year, 1934 01:08:49,429 --> 01:08:51,264 and you can see dude is filling out. 1935 01:08:51,297 --> 01:08:54,067 Had great success on "Ninja Junior." 1936 01:08:54,067 --> 01:08:57,103 He won the 11-12 age division in season one. 1937 01:08:57,137 --> 01:08:59,472 Season two, reached the final four. 1938 01:08:59,506 --> 01:09:01,141 Lost to Kaden Lebsack, 1939 01:09:01,174 --> 01:09:02,809 another teen we saw a few weeks ago. 1940 01:09:02,842 --> 01:09:04,277 - Let's go! Get it! 1941 01:09:04,310 --> 01:09:06,546 - He's going with the Log Runner like his dad. 1942 01:09:06,579 --> 01:09:08,515 - Stay on top! - Look forward, go! 1943 01:09:10,250 --> 01:09:11,384 - Wow! - Nice. 1944 01:09:11,418 --> 01:09:13,153 [cheers and applause] 1945 01:09:13,186 --> 01:09:15,288 - Now heading right into Tilt-A-Whirl. 1946 01:09:15,321 --> 01:09:17,557 He's making this course look like child's play. 1947 01:09:17,590 --> 01:09:19,392 - We've seen tonight how important it is 1948 01:09:19,426 --> 01:09:20,694 to have a great mentor. 1949 01:09:20,727 --> 01:09:22,696 And how cool is it that Kai Beckstrand 1950 01:09:22,729 --> 01:09:24,230 has been able to learn from his own dad? 1951 01:09:24,264 --> 01:09:25,565 - Look at this. 1952 01:09:25,598 --> 01:09:26,766 Real confident with the bar in his hands. 1953 01:09:26,800 --> 01:09:28,335 He seems to be going for a ride. 1954 01:09:28,368 --> 01:09:30,637 He's enjoying this, Akbar. Looking really comfortable. 1955 01:09:30,670 --> 01:09:33,406 And I think the student may become the master tonight. 1956 01:09:33,440 --> 01:09:35,842 He's on pace to crush his dad's time. 1957 01:09:35,875 --> 01:09:38,244 We've never had a father-son duo 1958 01:09:38,278 --> 01:09:39,913 both hit buzzers. 1959 01:09:39,946 --> 01:09:41,715 - He can beat not only his dad's time, 1960 01:09:41,748 --> 01:09:43,416 but the top time of the night. 1961 01:09:43,450 --> 01:09:44,918 - That was set by another teenager, 1962 01:09:44,951 --> 01:09:46,453 Cal Plohoros earlier. 1963 01:09:46,486 --> 01:09:48,588 - Matt, Kai could finish this course 1964 01:09:48,621 --> 01:09:50,390 in half the time it took his dad. 1965 01:09:50,423 --> 01:09:52,359 - But first has to survive Sideways. 1966 01:09:52,392 --> 01:09:54,461 This is gonna be a test. - Ooh! 1967 01:09:54,494 --> 01:09:56,696 - My goodness. Fast movement. 1968 01:09:56,730 --> 01:09:58,131 Good grips. 1969 01:09:58,164 --> 01:10:00,033 Think he's going for the top time, Akbar. 1970 01:10:00,066 --> 01:10:01,634 These transfers are so hard. 1971 01:10:01,668 --> 01:10:02,836 You got to kick your body over up. 1972 01:10:02,869 --> 01:10:04,004 Nice. - Nice. 1973 01:10:04,037 --> 01:10:06,706 - Make that blind grab. - Oh, wow. 1974 01:10:06,740 --> 01:10:09,376 - He's got plenty of time. Look at the clock. 1975 01:10:09,409 --> 01:10:11,878 He's gonna blow away Ninja Cal's time. 1976 01:10:11,911 --> 01:10:14,581 - Kai Beckstrand, he is a ninja savant. 1977 01:10:14,614 --> 01:10:16,950 - Oh, my goodness. - He is a ninja savant. 1978 01:10:16,983 --> 01:10:18,952 - Kai Beckstrand 1979 01:10:18,985 --> 01:10:20,820 with the fastest time of the night! 1980 01:10:20,854 --> 01:10:23,023 * * 1981 01:10:23,056 --> 01:10:26,092 - Yeah! Whoo! 1982 01:10:26,126 --> 01:10:28,328 [cheers and applause] 1983 01:10:28,361 --> 01:10:29,696 - Wow! 1984 01:10:29,729 --> 01:10:31,831 * * 1985 01:10:31,865 --> 01:10:33,900 You just set the fastest time. 1986 01:10:33,933 --> 01:10:35,669 How's that feel, buddy? 1987 01:10:35,702 --> 01:10:38,838 - It feels amazing. Just even to be here, 1988 01:10:38,872 --> 01:10:41,174 but to get the fastest time, that's insane. 1989 01:10:41,207 --> 01:10:42,842 [cheers and applause] 1990 01:10:42,876 --> 01:10:44,277 - Is your dad down there? 1991 01:10:44,310 --> 01:10:45,879 You and your son just made history! 1992 01:10:45,912 --> 01:10:47,881 The first father and son 1993 01:10:47,914 --> 01:10:50,583 to hit a buzzer on "American Ninja Warrior." 1994 01:10:50,617 --> 01:10:52,318 Why don't you go celebrate with him, buddy? 1995 01:10:52,352 --> 01:10:53,720 - Get up that wall! 1996 01:10:53,753 --> 01:10:55,588 - You think you can get up there, old man? 1997 01:10:55,622 --> 01:10:56,956 Get up there one more time? 1998 01:10:56,990 --> 01:10:58,725 - Of course he can. - There it is. 1999 01:10:58,758 --> 01:11:02,062 - All right, I like that. - Whoo! 2000 01:11:02,095 --> 01:11:03,763 * * 2001 01:11:03,797 --> 01:11:06,833 - The first father-son buzzer, guys. 2002 01:11:06,866 --> 01:11:08,735 Hit that buzzer together. - Yo, hit that buzzer again! 2003 01:11:08,768 --> 01:11:10,337 [buzzer blares] 2004 01:11:10,370 --> 01:11:11,338 - That's pretty cool. 2005 01:11:11,371 --> 01:11:13,907 * * 2006 01:11:13,940 --> 01:11:16,343 - Up next, Ninja legend "Flex" Labreck's 2007 01:11:16,376 --> 01:11:19,879 got a soccer legend kicking it up a notch for her. 2008 01:11:19,913 --> 01:11:21,881 Brandi Chastain, are you ready? 2009 01:11:21,915 --> 01:11:23,950 - Oh, yeah! Let's go, baby! 2010 01:11:23,983 --> 01:11:25,385 Come on, Jesse! 2011 01:11:25,418 --> 01:11:27,454 - That's coming up when we come back 2012 01:11:27,487 --> 01:11:30,256 on "American Ninja Warrior." 2013 01:11:36,663 --> 01:11:37,831 - It's been a wild last few minutes 2014 01:11:37,864 --> 01:11:38,832 here in Tacoma. 2015 01:11:38,865 --> 01:11:41,001 New Jersey's Ava Colasanti 2016 01:11:41,101 --> 01:11:43,236 just celebrated her 16th birthday 2017 01:11:43,269 --> 01:11:44,771 and got a big send-off 2018 01:11:44,804 --> 01:11:46,706 before coming to Tacoma, 2019 01:11:46,740 --> 01:11:48,541 and tonight with her dad on the sideline, 2020 01:11:48,575 --> 01:11:50,110 the straight-A student 2021 01:11:50,110 --> 01:11:52,012 sprinted through the early obstacles. 2022 01:11:52,112 --> 01:11:54,647 - She's done her homework for "Ninja Warrior" for sure. 2023 01:11:54,681 --> 01:11:56,182 - Yeah. Let's go! 2024 01:11:56,216 --> 01:11:58,318 - The rookie made it all the way to Tilt-A-Whirl 2025 01:11:58,351 --> 01:12:00,120 and though she fell... - Oh! 2026 01:12:00,153 --> 01:12:02,122 - Her fast time assured her 2027 01:12:02,155 --> 01:12:03,757 a spot in the women's top five. 2028 01:12:03,790 --> 01:12:05,458 - She's a savage. 2029 01:12:05,492 --> 01:12:06,826 - Joe Brown calls himself 2030 01:12:06,860 --> 01:12:09,496 the High-flying Ninja for obvious reasons. 2031 01:12:09,529 --> 01:12:12,198 - This dude's got major boosties. 2032 01:12:12,232 --> 01:12:13,600 - Let's go! 2033 01:12:13,633 --> 01:12:15,201 - The former football and track star 2034 01:12:15,235 --> 01:12:18,204 can jump six feet in the air and loves to show off 2035 01:12:18,238 --> 01:12:21,374 his skills flying over anyone and anything he can. 2036 01:12:21,408 --> 01:12:22,809 - Wow. 2037 01:12:22,842 --> 01:12:25,445 - And on the course, jumping Joe put on a show. 2038 01:12:25,478 --> 01:12:26,913 - There you go. Okay! 2039 01:12:26,946 --> 01:12:28,281 - Beat that course! 2040 01:12:28,314 --> 01:12:30,083 - With his Chicago training partners 2041 01:12:30,116 --> 01:12:32,085 yelling support, the rookie made it 2042 01:12:32,118 --> 01:12:33,586 all the Warped Wall. 2043 01:12:33,620 --> 01:12:35,288 - Mean Joe Brown! 2044 01:12:35,321 --> 01:12:38,324 - And tried his major boosties on the Mega Wall. 2045 01:12:38,358 --> 01:12:39,526 - Ah! 2046 01:12:39,559 --> 01:12:40,727 - He settled for the regular wall 2047 01:12:40,760 --> 01:12:42,095 and got his very first buzzer. 2048 01:12:42,095 --> 01:12:43,096 - Yeah! 2049 01:12:43,096 --> 01:12:44,130 [buzzer blares] 2050 01:12:44,164 --> 01:12:45,398 Let's go! 2051 01:12:45,432 --> 01:12:46,866 - You're not going to L.A. without me! 2052 01:12:46,900 --> 01:12:48,501 - Coming to Hollywood! 2053 01:12:48,535 --> 01:12:50,637 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida's Jamie Ross 2054 01:12:50,670 --> 01:12:54,107 was back for her third run at a qualifying course. 2055 01:12:54,140 --> 01:12:55,875 - Be confident. You got it! 2056 01:12:55,909 --> 01:12:57,377 - With her boyfriend "Ninja" great, 2057 01:12:57,410 --> 01:12:59,012 Flip Rodriguez showing support... 2058 01:12:59,112 --> 01:13:00,647 - Yes, yes! 2059 01:13:00,680 --> 01:13:03,049 - Ross made it to the fifth obstacle, 2060 01:13:03,083 --> 01:13:05,352 the same as Flip. - Stay focused! 2061 01:13:05,385 --> 01:13:06,453 - Oh! - Oh! 2062 01:13:06,486 --> 01:13:08,588 She didn't get enough height. 2063 01:13:08,621 --> 01:13:09,756 - But that guarantees 2064 01:13:09,789 --> 01:13:11,424 she'll be in the women's top five 2065 01:13:11,458 --> 01:13:13,493 and move on to the semifinals. 2066 01:13:13,526 --> 01:13:16,429 - Hey, way to go. Way to go! 2067 01:13:16,463 --> 01:13:19,499 - Guys, we are working on flex time right now 2068 01:13:19,532 --> 01:13:23,269 because Jesse "Flex" Labreck is back for her sixth season. 2069 01:13:23,303 --> 01:13:24,471 The former track star's 2070 01:13:24,504 --> 01:13:26,239 one of the most consistent athletes 2071 01:13:26,272 --> 01:13:28,641 we've ever seen and has hit more buzzers 2072 01:13:28,675 --> 01:13:31,378 than any other woman in "Ninja" history. 2073 01:13:31,411 --> 01:13:33,313 And as we talked about earlier, 2074 01:13:33,346 --> 01:13:35,949 she's become a mentor for younger ninjas, 2075 01:13:35,982 --> 01:13:38,785 especially her mini-me Maggie Owen. 2076 01:13:38,818 --> 01:13:40,253 - Maggie will be on the sideline 2077 01:13:40,286 --> 01:13:42,689 with Flex's fiancé Chris DiGangi 2078 01:13:42,722 --> 01:13:45,425 who had a shocking fall earlier on Block Run. 2079 01:13:45,458 --> 01:13:48,261 - Let's go, Jesse! 2080 01:13:48,294 --> 01:13:50,697 - And in addition to family and friends watching, 2081 01:13:50,730 --> 01:13:53,299 Jesse's got a very special guest. 2082 01:13:53,333 --> 01:13:55,368 Brandi Chastain, Akbar! 2083 01:13:55,402 --> 01:13:59,606 - Yeah, Olympic gold medalist. - '99 World Cup soccer star. 2084 01:13:59,639 --> 01:14:01,508 - You remember when she-- - Scored the penalty kick. 2085 01:14:01,541 --> 01:14:03,843 - Took off the shirt and was celebrating. 2086 01:14:03,877 --> 01:14:05,311 What an epic moment. 2087 01:14:05,345 --> 01:14:07,047 - And of course the Summer Olympics 2088 01:14:07,080 --> 01:14:09,716 now just a few weeks away here on NBC. 2089 01:14:09,749 --> 01:14:12,352 [countdown clock beeping] 2090 01:14:12,385 --> 01:14:15,155 Flex Labreck has been a real "Ninja" trailblazer. 2091 01:14:15,188 --> 01:14:17,057 Became just the third woman in history 2092 01:14:17,057 --> 01:14:18,291 to complete an extended course 2093 01:14:18,324 --> 01:14:19,859 in Cincinnati and then, last season, 2094 01:14:19,893 --> 01:14:22,262 did it again. Knows no limits. 2095 01:14:22,295 --> 01:14:23,897 - She is consistent. 2096 01:14:23,930 --> 01:14:26,433 - Only one woman has hit a buzzer this year. 2097 01:14:26,466 --> 01:14:28,368 Meagan Martin did it last week. 2098 01:14:28,401 --> 01:14:30,570 "Flex" gonna try to be the second tonight. 2099 01:14:30,603 --> 01:14:31,971 Gotta survive it here. 2100 01:14:32,072 --> 01:14:34,274 She's taking an extra swing. - Come on, Jesse! 2101 01:14:34,307 --> 01:14:36,109 - Surprised she didn't ride that momentum down. 2102 01:14:36,142 --> 01:14:38,078 But that's all right. She's got it. 2103 01:14:38,078 --> 01:14:40,246 - Well, "Flex" is such a competition beast. 2104 01:14:40,280 --> 01:14:42,482 You see how nervous she gets on the sidelines? 2105 01:14:42,515 --> 01:14:45,151 But on the course, stone killer. 2106 01:14:45,185 --> 01:14:46,419 - That drop is wicked. 2107 01:14:46,453 --> 01:14:48,621 - Now just has to stick the dismount. 2108 01:14:50,724 --> 01:14:52,392 - Come on, baby! - It's Split Decision. 2109 01:14:52,425 --> 01:14:54,394 And she's not even looking over at Block Run. 2110 01:14:54,427 --> 01:14:57,397 - Yeah, she walked right over to Log Runner. 2111 01:14:57,430 --> 01:14:59,466 She's like, "Chris went out on Block Run. 2112 01:14:59,499 --> 01:15:00,900 I'm going over to Log Runner." 2113 01:15:00,934 --> 01:15:03,169 - Let's go, Jesse! Come on. 2114 01:15:03,203 --> 01:15:06,906 - All right, high knees. Pick up your feet. 2115 01:15:06,940 --> 01:15:08,041 - Oh, no! - Whoa. 2116 01:15:08,041 --> 01:15:09,542 - Survives it. - Ooh. 2117 01:15:09,576 --> 01:15:12,512 - And you know, a big sigh of relief. 2118 01:15:12,545 --> 01:15:14,180 - But now it's Tilt-A-Whirl. 2119 01:15:14,214 --> 01:15:17,484 This is where Jesse's protégée Maggie Owen went out earlier. 2120 01:15:17,517 --> 01:15:19,919 - You got it. You're so good, come on. 2121 01:15:19,953 --> 01:15:22,455 - To advance, getting through the Tilt-A-Whirl, 2122 01:15:22,489 --> 01:15:23,823 that will punch her ticket. 2123 01:15:23,857 --> 01:15:25,525 - All right, come on. Go for it. 2124 01:15:25,558 --> 01:15:28,094 You see her twisting her body around. 2125 01:15:28,128 --> 01:15:29,763 Gotta be very careful, nice. 2126 01:15:29,796 --> 01:15:33,366 - Well, "Flex" has never failed to get past qualifying. 2127 01:15:33,400 --> 01:15:35,068 - Ooh. 2128 01:15:35,068 --> 01:15:36,936 Came in a little uneven on that one. 2129 01:15:36,970 --> 01:15:39,372 - Well, we saw Maggie Owen, her protégée, 2130 01:15:39,406 --> 01:15:42,442 go out right here when she wasn't secure 2131 01:15:42,475 --> 01:15:44,077 with that bar placement. 2132 01:15:44,077 --> 01:15:45,311 You know "Flex," you can see her 2133 01:15:45,345 --> 01:15:46,746 sneaking a peek, making sure 2134 01:15:46,780 --> 01:15:48,481 that bar is safely centered. 2135 01:15:48,515 --> 01:15:50,216 - Looking to her left side, 2136 01:15:50,250 --> 01:15:52,085 making sure everything is good. 2137 01:15:53,553 --> 01:15:55,655 Nice. - Yes! 2138 01:15:55,689 --> 01:15:58,191 - And with that, "Flex" has punched her ticket. 2139 01:15:58,224 --> 01:16:00,260 She's going to the semifinals. 2140 01:16:00,293 --> 01:16:02,462 But you know, Akbar, it's all about the buzzers. 2141 01:16:02,495 --> 01:16:03,763 - Yes, she wants the buzzer. 2142 01:16:03,797 --> 01:16:05,498 She's already hit six in her career. 2143 01:16:05,532 --> 01:16:07,033 Looking to hit number seven. 2144 01:16:07,033 --> 01:16:09,703 - Gonna have to get through Sideways first. 2145 01:16:10,503 --> 01:16:13,206 - Hey, no cap, she's a beast. She's got this. 2146 01:16:13,239 --> 01:16:14,274 [cheers and applause] 2147 01:16:14,307 --> 01:16:16,676 - Yeah, come on, Jesse! - Nice. 2148 01:16:16,710 --> 01:16:20,814 - She's moving quickly-- already on the slider. 2149 01:16:20,847 --> 01:16:22,749 And she goes reverse here, 2150 01:16:22,782 --> 01:16:24,284 the only one who's ever done this. 2151 01:16:24,317 --> 01:16:26,052 A good approach. - And it gives her 2152 01:16:26,086 --> 01:16:28,054 a little bit more swing. - Great job. 2153 01:16:28,088 --> 01:16:29,389 - Two more, two more! - Come on, come on! 2154 01:16:29,422 --> 01:16:30,857 - Let's go! Let's go! 2155 01:16:30,890 --> 01:16:32,726 - And around! - Oh, my goodness! 2156 01:16:32,759 --> 01:16:35,295 - Around, one more! - All right, come on! 2157 01:16:35,328 --> 01:16:37,063 - Bring that right hand-- - One more transfer. 2158 01:16:37,063 --> 01:16:39,065 - Nice. - Get that dismount! 2159 01:16:39,065 --> 01:16:40,233 Yes! - I told you. 2160 01:16:40,266 --> 01:16:42,102 I told you. - She's done it again. 2161 01:16:42,135 --> 01:16:45,705 And now 14 1/2 feet away from a record seventh buzzer. 2162 01:16:45,739 --> 01:16:47,440 - Let's go! Get up! 2163 01:16:47,474 --> 01:16:49,175 - Here we go! 2164 01:16:49,209 --> 01:16:51,778 "Flex" Labreck back where she belongs! 2165 01:16:51,811 --> 01:16:53,246 Hitting buzzers! 2166 01:16:53,279 --> 01:16:56,249 [upbeat music] 2167 01:16:56,282 --> 01:16:58,084 - * I can do it better * 2168 01:16:58,084 --> 01:16:59,886 * You can do it better * 2169 01:16:59,919 --> 01:17:01,221 - Whoo! 2170 01:17:01,254 --> 01:17:03,923 * * 2171 01:17:04,024 --> 01:17:05,692 - * I can do it better * 2172 01:17:05,725 --> 01:17:08,762 - You are one of the best. I mean, how great is it? 2173 01:17:08,795 --> 01:17:11,498 You got your banner up there, and there's a reason 2174 01:17:11,531 --> 01:17:13,900 because you deliver every time, "Flex." 2175 01:17:13,933 --> 01:17:16,036 - Thank you. - You are big time, prime time. 2176 01:17:16,036 --> 01:17:17,904 And you're headed to Los Angeles! 2177 01:17:17,937 --> 01:17:19,739 - * I can do it better * 2178 01:17:19,773 --> 01:17:21,041 * I can do it better * 2179 01:17:21,041 --> 01:17:22,809 - She had a close call on Log Runner 2180 01:17:22,842 --> 01:17:25,145 but sailed through the rest of the course. 2181 01:17:25,178 --> 01:17:28,615 And she joins Meagan Martin as the second woman 2182 01:17:28,648 --> 01:17:30,850 to hit a buzzer this year. 2183 01:17:30,884 --> 01:17:33,453 - It was heartbreaking earlier when Chris fell 2184 01:17:33,486 --> 01:17:34,921 and his season ended, 2185 01:17:34,954 --> 01:17:37,724 but, of course, he's still Flex's biggest fan. 2186 01:17:37,757 --> 01:17:39,426 * * 2187 01:17:39,459 --> 01:17:41,061 - Coming up, 2188 01:17:41,094 --> 01:17:42,562 he gave us one of last season's 2189 01:17:42,595 --> 01:17:45,532 most dramatic moments. - Let's go! 2190 01:17:45,565 --> 01:17:50,337 - Now Michael Torres returns on "American Ninja Warrior." 2191 01:17:56,242 --> 01:17:57,310 - While we were away, 2192 01:17:57,344 --> 01:17:58,845 we had a Bigfoot sighting. 2193 01:17:58,878 --> 01:18:01,581 Remember two years ago Sasquatch took on the course 2194 01:18:01,614 --> 01:18:03,183 here in Tacoma in a run 2195 01:18:03,216 --> 01:18:04,851 that went viral on social media. 2196 01:18:04,884 --> 01:18:07,220 - One big leap for an ape! 2197 01:18:07,253 --> 01:18:09,556 - Tonight, the man who was wearing the costume, 2198 01:18:09,589 --> 01:18:13,626 Kyle Soderman, hit the course with a different Sasquatch 2199 01:18:13,660 --> 01:18:17,030 on the sidelines. And Bigfoot got a big show. 2200 01:18:17,030 --> 01:18:20,333 - Nice. Backwards release. 2201 01:18:20,367 --> 01:18:22,535 - The LA stunt man cruised through the course 2202 01:18:22,569 --> 01:18:25,038 and took a shot at the Mega Wall. 2203 01:18:25,071 --> 01:18:27,340 - Oh! - Ooh! 2204 01:18:27,374 --> 01:18:29,576 - But he had no trouble with the smaller wall 2205 01:18:29,609 --> 01:18:32,445 and finished in just over two minutes. 2206 01:18:32,479 --> 01:18:35,582 - Whoo! - Okay, I see you! 2207 01:18:35,615 --> 01:18:38,418 - Then the man who was in the Sasquatch suit this year, 2208 01:18:38,451 --> 01:18:40,320 Soderman's good friend Hunter Gerard 2209 01:18:40,353 --> 01:18:42,889 AKA the Lizard took off the costume 2210 01:18:42,922 --> 01:18:44,257 and hit the course. 2211 01:18:44,290 --> 01:18:46,259 - The Lizard, he is a cold-blooded ninja. 2212 01:18:46,292 --> 01:18:48,294 - The four-time veteran from Minnesota 2213 01:18:48,328 --> 01:18:50,697 also had a fast and fun run. 2214 01:18:50,730 --> 01:18:52,265 - Let's go, Hunter boy! 2215 01:18:52,298 --> 01:18:54,234 - Soderman and Gerard always try 2216 01:18:54,267 --> 01:18:55,702 to outdo each other on the course. 2217 01:18:55,735 --> 01:18:56,903 - Yeah! 2218 01:18:56,936 --> 01:18:58,405 - And the difference between the two 2219 01:18:58,438 --> 01:19:00,340 was less than two seconds. 2220 01:19:03,009 --> 01:19:05,545 - He got 2:03:04, and you got... 2221 01:19:05,578 --> 01:19:07,447 - 2:04:83. 2222 01:19:07,480 --> 01:19:08,782 - Oh! - What? 2223 01:19:08,815 --> 01:19:11,418 - Cold-blooded, Lizard. Cold-blooded. 2224 01:19:11,451 --> 01:19:12,485 - Oh, man. 2225 01:19:13,520 --> 01:19:15,622 - And another explosive performer 2226 01:19:15,655 --> 01:19:19,492 was Cam Baumgartner AKA Cam the Bomb. 2227 01:19:19,526 --> 01:19:20,660 - He can go. 2228 01:19:20,694 --> 01:19:22,595 - The 23-year-old pre-med student 2229 01:19:22,629 --> 01:19:24,664 is another one of the impressive ninjas 2230 01:19:24,698 --> 01:19:26,132 out of the Chicago area. 2231 01:19:26,166 --> 01:19:28,435 - He is the bomb. - Whoo! 2232 01:19:28,468 --> 01:19:30,103 - And he blew through the course 2233 01:19:30,136 --> 01:19:32,272 faster than both Soderman and Gerard 2234 01:19:32,305 --> 01:19:35,141 and added his name to our growing list of finishers. 2235 01:19:35,175 --> 01:19:37,043 - He ain't messing around. 2236 01:19:37,077 --> 01:19:39,312 - Let's go! - Cam the Bomb. 2237 01:19:39,346 --> 01:19:42,649 - Let's go! Go, go! 2238 01:19:42,682 --> 01:19:44,851 [cheers and applause] 2239 01:19:44,884 --> 01:19:46,619 - And our final runner of the night 2240 01:19:46,653 --> 01:19:49,889 is also a Chicago Ninja, and he's one of the best. 2241 01:19:49,923 --> 01:19:52,859 It's six-time veteran Michael Torres. 2242 01:19:52,892 --> 01:19:55,729 Two years ago, he came close to the million dollars 2243 01:19:55,762 --> 01:19:58,398 when he made it to stage three at the national finals. 2244 01:19:58,431 --> 01:20:00,800 And then he was chosen for Team USA 2245 01:20:00,834 --> 01:20:03,970 in our USA Versus The World competition. 2246 01:20:04,004 --> 01:20:05,839 And last year's special season 2247 01:20:05,872 --> 01:20:09,109 was also a memorable one for Torres. 2248 01:20:09,142 --> 01:20:11,711 He invited Kyle Schulze and Jimmy Choi 2249 01:20:11,745 --> 01:20:13,046 to compete alongside him. 2250 01:20:13,079 --> 01:20:16,349 And when they both fell before the buzzer... 2251 01:20:16,383 --> 01:20:17,350 - Oh, no. 2252 01:20:17,384 --> 01:20:18,785 I'm gonna to do my very best 2253 01:20:18,818 --> 01:20:20,854 to bring you and Kyle back for a second chance. 2254 01:20:20,887 --> 01:20:23,890 - He put himself at risk racing through the course 2255 01:20:23,923 --> 01:20:26,893 in a desperate attempt to reach the Power Tower 2256 01:20:26,926 --> 01:20:29,029 and save their seasons. 2257 01:20:29,062 --> 01:20:30,864 - Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh! - He's going for it! 2258 01:20:30,897 --> 01:20:32,132 - Sha na na, do it for your boy! 2259 01:20:32,165 --> 01:20:34,300 Do it for your boy! - And he's got it. 2260 01:20:34,334 --> 01:20:36,703 - Whoo! - Let's go! 2261 01:20:36,736 --> 01:20:38,705 - The situation is much different 2262 01:20:38,738 --> 01:20:40,173 for Torres tonight. 2263 01:20:40,206 --> 01:20:42,142 His buddies Jimmy Choi and Kyle Schulze 2264 01:20:42,175 --> 01:20:43,576 are back to root for him, 2265 01:20:43,610 --> 01:20:46,479 but Schulze now sits in 30th place, 2266 01:20:46,513 --> 01:20:48,281 and if Torres has a good run here, 2267 01:20:48,314 --> 01:20:50,550 Schulze will not move on. 2268 01:20:50,583 --> 01:20:52,752 Lots of his other ninja friends 2269 01:20:52,786 --> 01:20:54,487 are gonna be watching this run. 2270 01:20:54,521 --> 01:20:56,456 No one wants to miss this. 2271 01:20:57,524 --> 01:20:58,958 - Hey, guys. 2272 01:20:58,992 --> 01:21:00,460 - And lots more friends and family 2273 01:21:00,493 --> 01:21:01,795 watching on the screens, 2274 01:21:01,828 --> 01:21:04,097 including his wife Sarah and their two dogs. 2275 01:21:04,130 --> 01:21:07,067 [countdown clock beeping] 2276 01:21:07,067 --> 01:21:10,503 Torres had the fastest time in his qualifier last year. 2277 01:21:10,537 --> 01:21:11,971 If he wants it tonight, 2278 01:21:12,072 --> 01:21:14,074 he'll have to beat the teenager Kai Beckstrand 2279 01:21:14,074 --> 01:21:16,776 and finish faster than a minute, 36 seconds. 2280 01:21:16,810 --> 01:21:20,447 Torres needs at least to get to the fifth obstacle Sideways 2281 01:21:20,480 --> 01:21:23,583 to be in the top 30 and move on to the semifinals. 2282 01:21:23,616 --> 01:21:24,951 [cheers and applause] 2283 01:21:24,984 --> 01:21:26,186 - Nice, wow. - Whoo! 2284 01:21:26,219 --> 01:21:27,287 - Did you see the way he just shot 2285 01:21:27,320 --> 01:21:28,688 out of there like a cannon? 2286 01:21:28,722 --> 01:21:30,223 - This kid's an incredible athlete. 2287 01:21:30,256 --> 01:21:33,159 Did track and field. Has a lot of athletic skills. 2288 01:21:33,193 --> 01:21:35,462 - Oh, no! What? 2289 01:21:35,495 --> 01:21:37,364 - What? 2290 01:21:37,397 --> 01:21:40,767 - Michael Torres down on just the second obstacle? 2291 01:21:40,800 --> 01:21:42,135 - No. 2292 01:21:42,168 --> 01:21:43,837 - That's how quickly it can happen 2293 01:21:43,870 --> 01:21:47,674 even to top ninjas. And everybody's stunned 2294 01:21:47,707 --> 01:21:50,143 into silence. 2295 01:21:50,176 --> 01:21:52,278 - Holy cow, that was fast. 2296 01:21:52,312 --> 01:21:54,214 - That's just not an ordinary ninja. 2297 01:21:54,247 --> 01:21:56,716 I mean, he's got his banner up in the rafters. 2298 01:21:56,750 --> 01:21:58,418 Six-time veteran. 2299 01:21:59,619 --> 01:22:02,088 - And it's bittersweet for Kyle Schulze. 2300 01:22:02,122 --> 01:22:05,925 Torres' fall means he'll now end the night in 30th place 2301 01:22:05,959 --> 01:22:08,795 and he'll move on to the semifinals. 2302 01:22:10,330 --> 01:22:14,167 - Michael, I know you are disappointed right now. 2303 01:22:14,200 --> 01:22:16,936 Do you feel okay? Can we talk for a second? 2304 01:22:19,339 --> 01:22:21,274 What went wrong here? 2305 01:22:22,776 --> 01:22:25,779 - I wanted to link my dismount, 2306 01:22:25,812 --> 01:22:28,248 and it came up faster than I thought, 2307 01:22:28,281 --> 01:22:30,250 so I loosened up my hands to lache, 2308 01:22:30,283 --> 01:22:32,385 and it just ripped me back. 2309 01:22:32,419 --> 01:22:33,887 I don't know how I didn't get hurt. 2310 01:22:33,920 --> 01:22:34,888 I'm okay. 2311 01:22:34,921 --> 01:22:36,089 - Yeah. - I'm okay. 2312 01:22:36,089 --> 01:22:37,657 - Well, thank God for that, right? 2313 01:22:37,691 --> 01:22:39,659 You're okay, you're an amazing ninja, 2314 01:22:39,693 --> 01:22:41,327 and I have no doubt we will see you 2315 01:22:41,361 --> 01:22:43,096 back on this course next season. 2316 01:22:43,129 --> 01:22:44,531 - You better believe I'm coming back. 2317 01:22:44,564 --> 01:22:46,166 That is never happening again. 2318 01:22:46,199 --> 01:22:47,367 - All right. - You better believe it. 2319 01:22:47,400 --> 01:22:48,368 - We'll hold you to it. 2320 01:22:48,401 --> 01:22:50,670 [cheers and applause] 2321 01:22:50,704 --> 01:22:52,605 - Well, Akbar, those moments are so painful, 2322 01:22:52,639 --> 01:22:54,107 but they're what makes 2323 01:22:54,107 --> 01:22:55,775 "American Ninja Warrior" so special. 2324 01:22:55,809 --> 01:22:57,510 Every buzzer is earned. 2325 01:22:57,544 --> 01:22:58,712 Every time you advance, 2326 01:22:58,745 --> 01:23:00,046 you have to work so hard to earn it. 2327 01:23:00,080 --> 01:23:02,148 - And look at the other competitors 2328 01:23:02,182 --> 01:23:04,918 gathered around trying to make him feel better, 2329 01:23:04,951 --> 01:23:07,220 just like he did one year ago. 2330 01:23:07,253 --> 01:23:09,155 That right there is the spirit of "Ninja." 2331 01:23:09,189 --> 01:23:12,158 - And Torres' fall means two teenagers wind up 2332 01:23:12,192 --> 01:23:14,227 at the top of the leaderboard 2333 01:23:14,260 --> 01:23:16,596 with Tyler Yamauchi right behind them. 2334 01:23:16,629 --> 01:23:18,298 Check out all those moving on 2335 01:23:18,331 --> 01:23:21,434 while we watch Akbar's Gbajabia-Moments. 2336 01:23:21,468 --> 01:23:24,170 - Number three, from the plains of Kansas, 2337 01:23:24,204 --> 01:23:27,340 preschool teacher Trinity Bush looked like a character 2338 01:23:27,374 --> 01:23:29,075 from "Little House on the Prairie." 2339 01:23:29,109 --> 01:23:31,878 - Laura Ingalls Wilder would be proud. 2340 01:23:31,911 --> 01:23:34,748 - But the sun set on the Prairie Ninja 2341 01:23:34,781 --> 01:23:37,717 on the very first obstacle. - Oh! 2342 01:23:37,751 --> 01:23:40,153 - Number two, there was a stampede 2343 01:23:40,186 --> 01:23:42,989 on the course for the stallion Mike Silenzi. 2344 01:23:43,089 --> 01:23:45,525 - When you're called the Stallion, you gotta ride. 2345 01:23:45,558 --> 01:23:47,293 - There are horses for courses, 2346 01:23:47,327 --> 01:23:50,597 and the Stallion ran all the way to the buzzer. 2347 01:23:50,630 --> 01:23:52,098 [cheers and applause] 2348 01:23:52,098 --> 01:23:53,700 - It's like a rodeo round-up here. 2349 01:23:53,733 --> 01:23:55,502 - Hey! 2350 01:23:55,535 --> 01:23:58,471 - And number one, entomologist Eric Middleton 2351 01:23:58,505 --> 01:24:00,473 brought us a plate of tomato hornworms 2352 01:24:00,507 --> 01:24:03,043 to eat if he finished the course. 2353 01:24:03,043 --> 01:24:05,078 You're crazy. - Mmm. 2354 01:24:05,111 --> 01:24:08,148 - So when Middleton the Bug Ninja hit the buzzer... 2355 01:24:08,181 --> 01:24:09,816 - [laughs] 2356 01:24:09,849 --> 01:24:11,718 - We hit the hornworms. 2357 01:24:11,751 --> 01:24:14,320 What's that crunch? - The exoskeleton, the outside. 2358 01:24:14,354 --> 01:24:16,389 - You know what? This is not bad. 2359 01:24:16,423 --> 01:24:19,626 - You a damn liar. Man, this is horrible. 2360 01:24:19,659 --> 01:24:21,161 - Well, that wraps it up for tonight. 2361 01:24:21,194 --> 01:24:23,329 We're packing all this up and heading to L.A. 2362 01:24:23,363 --> 01:24:24,431 - That's right. 2363 01:24:24,464 --> 01:24:26,132 Next week, we start the semifinal. 2364 01:24:26,166 --> 01:24:27,500 - Can't wait for it, big man. 2365 01:24:27,534 --> 01:24:29,302 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, 2366 01:24:29,336 --> 01:24:30,704 I'm Matt Iseman. 2367 01:24:30,737 --> 01:24:34,240 We'll see you next week on "American Ninja Warrior."