1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:07,340 [upbeat music] 2 00:00:07,374 --> 00:00:10,977 - "American Ninja Warrior" qualifying was historic... 3 00:00:11,011 --> 00:00:14,147 - These teenagers are coming out ready for the big course. 4 00:00:14,180 --> 00:00:16,316 - With the next generation of ninjas 5 00:00:16,349 --> 00:00:19,119 announcing their arrival with authority. 6 00:00:19,152 --> 00:00:21,021 - I'm built different! 7 00:00:21,054 --> 00:00:23,490 - We had some pretty high expectations of the teens. 8 00:00:23,523 --> 00:00:26,826 - Okay! - And they have delivered. 9 00:00:26,860 --> 00:00:31,564 - Tonight, we're going to Hollywood, 10 00:00:31,598 --> 00:00:33,233 where the course gets longer... 11 00:00:33,266 --> 00:00:35,769 - This semifinals course is brutal. 12 00:00:35,802 --> 00:00:38,204 - And the pressure rises... - No! 13 00:00:38,238 --> 00:00:41,341 - With a ticket to the national finals on the line. 14 00:00:41,374 --> 00:00:43,643 - There's a lot riding on tonight. 15 00:00:43,677 --> 00:00:45,445 I so badly want 16 00:00:45,478 --> 00:00:48,782 to be the first teen to hit that semifinal buzzer. 17 00:00:48,815 --> 00:00:50,583 - Yes, yes! 18 00:00:50,617 --> 00:00:53,253 - I'm hoping that my run, along with all the other teens' runs, 19 00:00:53,286 --> 00:00:55,622 prove that the teens are just as strong, if not stronger, 20 00:00:55,655 --> 00:00:57,157 than a lot of the adults. 21 00:00:57,190 --> 00:00:59,192 - These kids step up and meet the challenge head on. 22 00:00:59,225 --> 00:01:01,194 - Let's go! 23 00:01:01,227 --> 00:01:04,197 - The youth dominated this first round of competition. 24 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:05,832 - What the what? 25 00:01:05,865 --> 00:01:07,133 - That wasn't the plan. 26 00:01:07,167 --> 00:01:08,501 But they better keep their eyes open, 27 00:01:08,535 --> 00:01:10,837 'cause I'm coming back for the semifinals. 28 00:01:10,870 --> 00:01:13,573 - He wants redemption for what happened in qualifying. 29 00:01:15,342 --> 00:01:16,910 - I got some veteran ninjas 30 00:01:16,943 --> 00:01:18,545 that have messaged me before running, 31 00:01:18,578 --> 00:01:20,780 and they're like, "Dude, don't let these teenagers beat you. 32 00:01:20,814 --> 00:01:23,083 Let's go. Let's go!" 33 00:01:23,116 --> 00:01:26,319 - The weatherman delivers! 34 00:01:26,353 --> 00:01:29,522 - The next generation is going to dominate tonight. 35 00:01:29,556 --> 00:01:34,527 [cheers and applause] 36 00:01:34,561 --> 00:01:37,497 - Teen phenoms, superstar veterans, 37 00:01:37,530 --> 00:01:39,432 we've got it all tonight. 38 00:01:39,466 --> 00:01:41,101 Welcome to Hollywood, 39 00:01:41,134 --> 00:01:44,504 where we're on the back lot of Universal Studios, 40 00:01:44,537 --> 00:01:46,940 our home for the semifinals here 41 00:01:46,973 --> 00:01:49,509 on "American Ninja Warrior." 42 00:01:49,542 --> 00:01:51,311 Hello, everyone, and thanks for being with us. 43 00:01:51,344 --> 00:01:53,580 I'm Matt Iseman. - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 44 00:01:53,613 --> 00:01:56,850 Matt, some of history's biggest movies were filmed right here, 45 00:01:56,883 --> 00:01:58,551 and we could make our own history tonight. 46 00:01:58,585 --> 00:01:59,886 - Absolutely, big man. 47 00:01:59,919 --> 00:02:01,921 That's because we could see the youngest competitors 48 00:02:01,955 --> 00:02:05,058 ever to qualify for the national finals in Vegas, 49 00:02:05,058 --> 00:02:07,727 because we have teens as young as 15 out here. 50 00:02:07,761 --> 00:02:11,331 - And this group we're gonna see tonight is impressive. 51 00:02:11,364 --> 00:02:15,435 We've got many of the teens who tore it up in qualifying, 52 00:02:15,468 --> 00:02:18,905 like 16-year-old Tennesseean Elijah Browning. 53 00:02:18,938 --> 00:02:20,707 - Yeah! 54 00:02:20,740 --> 00:02:24,244 - And Houston's 17-year-old Isabella Wakeham. 55 00:02:24,277 --> 00:02:25,979 Boom! 56 00:02:26,079 --> 00:02:27,580 Among the veterans, we've got the man 57 00:02:27,614 --> 00:02:29,616 who won it all last year, 58 00:02:29,649 --> 00:02:32,152 Houston worship leader Daniel Gil. 59 00:02:32,185 --> 00:02:33,520 - This is his kingdom! 60 00:02:33,553 --> 00:02:37,624 - And another Texan, the Big Dog, Jody Avila. 61 00:02:37,657 --> 00:02:39,125 Oh, yes! 62 00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:41,661 L.A. stuntwoman Tiana Webberley, 63 00:02:41,695 --> 00:02:43,730 Sweet T, is also here. 64 00:02:43,763 --> 00:02:46,199 Wow! 65 00:02:46,232 --> 00:02:48,468 - The semifinals course is longer and tougher 66 00:02:48,501 --> 00:02:49,903 than what we saw in qualifying. 67 00:02:49,936 --> 00:02:52,672 For all the details, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 68 00:02:52,706 --> 00:02:55,909 - Guys, our ninjas will face ten obstacles tonight. 69 00:02:55,942 --> 00:02:58,478 And if they make it to obstacle nine, 70 00:02:58,511 --> 00:03:00,747 they'll have another Split Decision. 71 00:03:00,780 --> 00:03:02,916 But in semis, there's strategy involved. 72 00:03:02,949 --> 00:03:06,086 Do you trust your arms or your legs? 73 00:03:06,119 --> 00:03:10,090 On one side, it's a brutal new upper body obstacle, Inverter. 74 00:03:10,123 --> 00:03:11,825 - Oh! 75 00:03:11,858 --> 00:03:14,060 - And on the other, a balance obstacle, 76 00:03:14,060 --> 00:03:15,462 the Tuning Forks, 77 00:03:15,495 --> 00:03:19,065 which knocked out 22 top ninjas three years ago. 78 00:03:19,065 --> 00:03:20,900 - Oh, and once again! 79 00:03:20,934 --> 00:03:24,404 - And that's not all-- the Power Tower is back, 80 00:03:24,437 --> 00:03:26,806 and it's been completely redesigned. 81 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:28,742 At the end of the night, our top two 82 00:03:28,775 --> 00:03:29,976 will race head-to-head. 83 00:03:30,076 --> 00:03:31,678 And the winner gets a Safety Pass, 84 00:03:31,711 --> 00:03:33,480 a do-over in Vegas 85 00:03:33,513 --> 00:03:37,283 if they fall on stage one or two. 86 00:03:37,317 --> 00:03:39,686 All right, Matt and Akbar, let's get it going. 87 00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:42,155 - Well, they've been the story all season, 88 00:03:42,188 --> 00:03:44,157 so we're kicking off the semifinals 89 00:03:44,190 --> 00:03:46,359 with one of our talented teenagers. 90 00:03:46,393 --> 00:03:48,428 This is Christian Youst. 91 00:03:48,461 --> 00:03:51,331 In addition to being a ninja, he's also a gamer, 92 00:03:51,364 --> 00:03:53,500 and though he's just 16, he's old-school. 93 00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:55,235 - Go, go, go! 94 00:03:55,268 --> 00:03:56,569 - * Whoo, hey! * 95 00:03:56,603 --> 00:03:58,905 * Some things never change * 96 00:03:58,938 --> 00:04:00,206 * Oh, no * 97 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,509 * You're still my all-time fav * 98 00:04:02,542 --> 00:04:03,943 * Can you feel it right now? * 99 00:04:04,044 --> 00:04:06,346 - I've been playing classic arcade games 100 00:04:06,379 --> 00:04:08,248 for about six years now. 101 00:04:08,281 --> 00:04:11,584 I play games like Asteroids, Centipede, Pong. 102 00:04:11,618 --> 00:04:13,286 - * We were having way too much fun * 103 00:04:13,319 --> 00:04:14,721 - Let's go. 104 00:04:14,754 --> 00:04:16,189 - * I'm telling you we ain't close to done * 105 00:04:16,222 --> 00:04:18,725 - They're different from what people today play. 106 00:04:18,758 --> 00:04:21,428 It's something that I can do and just feel unique. 107 00:04:21,461 --> 00:04:23,163 - * It's that old-school feeling we got * 108 00:04:23,196 --> 00:04:25,665 * From back in the day * 109 00:04:25,699 --> 00:04:28,668 - I've spent so much time perfecting these games. 110 00:04:28,702 --> 00:04:30,503 I've even competed in competitions for it, 111 00:04:30,537 --> 00:04:31,771 and I've made some money. 112 00:04:31,805 --> 00:04:34,574 - * Some things never change * 113 00:04:34,607 --> 00:04:36,376 - Yes, let's go! 114 00:04:36,409 --> 00:04:39,446 - * You're still my all-time fav * 115 00:04:39,479 --> 00:04:40,747 - When I'm playing these games, 116 00:04:40,780 --> 00:04:42,182 there's a lot of overlap 117 00:04:42,215 --> 00:04:44,584 with competing on "Ninja Warrior." 118 00:04:44,617 --> 00:04:46,086 The eye-hand coordination, 119 00:04:46,086 --> 00:04:48,088 the focus you need for these games... 120 00:04:48,121 --> 00:04:49,823 [cheering] 121 00:04:49,856 --> 00:04:52,092 That's exactly what you do on the ninja course. 122 00:04:52,092 --> 00:04:53,760 [upbeat music] 123 00:04:53,793 --> 00:04:55,195 Whoo! 124 00:04:55,228 --> 00:04:59,132 - * You're still my all-time fav * 125 00:04:59,165 --> 00:05:00,700 - Tonight, I'm gonna get a high score 126 00:05:00,734 --> 00:05:02,569 and power up all the way to Vegas. 127 00:05:02,602 --> 00:05:08,041 - * You're still my all-time fav * 128 00:05:08,074 --> 00:05:09,843 - Man, those are the games I used to play! 129 00:05:09,876 --> 00:05:11,177 - Me too, big man. 130 00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:13,046 Now, Christian will have lots of family watching 131 00:05:13,046 --> 00:05:14,247 back in Texas, including his mom. 132 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:15,715 - Go, Christian! 133 00:05:15,749 --> 00:05:17,484 - And his dad Lawrence on the sidelines. 134 00:05:17,517 --> 00:05:19,219 - [indistinct cheering] 135 00:05:19,252 --> 00:05:21,054 [countdown clock beeping] 136 00:05:21,087 --> 00:05:22,856 - The teens were great in qualifying, 137 00:05:22,889 --> 00:05:25,058 but this is the semifinals. 138 00:05:25,058 --> 00:05:26,192 - They're on the bigger stage. 139 00:05:26,226 --> 00:05:28,194 Will the pressure be too great? 140 00:05:28,228 --> 00:05:30,130 - And some of the other teens who run tonight 141 00:05:30,163 --> 00:05:31,598 are showing their support. 142 00:05:31,631 --> 00:05:34,167 - Ten obstacles on this semifinals course. 143 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,703 The second one, Lunatic Ledges. 144 00:05:36,736 --> 00:05:38,505 It's all about using that momentum 145 00:05:38,538 --> 00:05:39,939 and riding it efficiently. 146 00:05:39,973 --> 00:05:42,175 And you can see it's a long pendulum. 147 00:05:42,208 --> 00:05:43,476 Timing it to the transfer-- 148 00:05:43,510 --> 00:05:45,478 now, you gotta make this switch quick. 149 00:05:45,512 --> 00:05:47,347 - Now, that good. That was perfect! 150 00:05:47,380 --> 00:05:51,084 - Now needs to dismount while he still has momentum. 151 00:05:51,084 --> 00:05:52,986 - Just like that. Got it. 152 00:05:53,086 --> 00:05:55,155 - Let's go, Christian! Let's go, dude! 153 00:05:55,188 --> 00:05:57,357 - Moving quickly on to Tilt-a-Whirl. 154 00:05:57,390 --> 00:06:00,493 Gotta jump the bar across the three rotating triangles. 155 00:06:00,527 --> 00:06:02,362 Remember, the top 15 from tonight, 156 00:06:02,395 --> 00:06:04,364 those who go the farthest the fastest, 157 00:06:04,397 --> 00:06:07,100 move on to the national finals in Vegas. 158 00:06:07,133 --> 00:06:08,568 - Call him the Dark Horse. 159 00:06:08,601 --> 00:06:11,738 He's 5'4", 115 pounds. So many people doubt him. 160 00:06:11,771 --> 00:06:14,207 They said, "He doesn't look like a typical ninja." 161 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:15,542 Well, he says, "It's in the heart." 162 00:06:15,575 --> 00:06:16,743 Oh, oh, oh, oh. 163 00:06:16,776 --> 00:06:18,645 - Doing a one-handed turnaround. 164 00:06:18,678 --> 00:06:21,281 He's just showing off. 165 00:06:21,314 --> 00:06:23,249 Makes it to the final triangle. 166 00:06:23,283 --> 00:06:25,485 You want to get through these early obstacles quickly. 167 00:06:25,518 --> 00:06:27,954 Save your strength for the back half. 168 00:06:28,054 --> 00:06:29,489 - There you go, buddy. Come on! 169 00:06:29,522 --> 00:06:31,257 - There you go. Come on. 170 00:06:31,291 --> 00:06:32,625 - And he's through. 171 00:06:32,659 --> 00:06:35,462 Now, on to a balance obstacle, Spinning Bridge. 172 00:06:35,495 --> 00:06:38,198 [cheers and applause] 173 00:06:38,231 --> 00:06:39,499 - Here we go, Spinning Bridge. Here you go. 174 00:06:39,532 --> 00:06:41,067 Look at him--going so fast! - Oh, no! 175 00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:42,268 - Oh, my goodness, he's reckless! 176 00:06:42,302 --> 00:06:43,503 - And just got through it. 177 00:06:43,536 --> 00:06:45,538 - Whoo, you got it! Whoo! 178 00:06:45,572 --> 00:06:47,340 - Gonna keep it moving, go right 179 00:06:47,374 --> 00:06:49,909 into the fifth obstacle, Wall to Wall. 180 00:06:49,943 --> 00:06:52,879 Gotta hang on to those tiny ledges, rotate around, 181 00:06:52,912 --> 00:06:54,514 and jump to the other wall. 182 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:57,550 - Here we go, Wall to Wall. This is wall-to-wall coverage. 183 00:06:57,584 --> 00:06:58,651 - Gotta do a spider jump there. 184 00:06:58,685 --> 00:07:00,153 - Nice! - No problem. 185 00:07:00,186 --> 00:07:01,488 - You see him get into that little crouching tiger. 186 00:07:01,521 --> 00:07:03,556 - But watch this. This is a drop, Akbar. 187 00:07:03,590 --> 00:07:05,525 Even at 115, not a lot of mass pulling him down, 188 00:07:05,558 --> 00:07:06,893 but you got to shock-absorb it. 189 00:07:06,926 --> 00:07:08,428 - Gotta have great anticipation and skill. 190 00:07:08,461 --> 00:07:10,930 - There it is. Great job. - Let's go, Christian. 191 00:07:11,031 --> 00:07:14,034 - It's bouncing up, he's so light. 192 00:07:14,034 --> 00:07:15,035 And he is pumped! 193 00:07:15,068 --> 00:07:16,369 - Whoo, okay, Dark Horse! 194 00:07:16,403 --> 00:07:18,304 - Yes, yes, yes! 195 00:07:18,338 --> 00:07:19,906 - No Mega Wall in the semifinals. 196 00:07:19,939 --> 00:07:22,609 It's the 14 1/2-foot Warped Wall. 197 00:07:22,642 --> 00:07:25,178 This is Youst's first time facing it. 198 00:07:25,211 --> 00:07:26,346 - He's having fun. - He's saying it's easy! 199 00:07:26,379 --> 00:07:28,348 - He's having fun. - He's starting low! 200 00:07:28,381 --> 00:07:29,783 - No, he's not. No, he's not. 201 00:07:29,816 --> 00:07:31,418 He's not gonna use the whole run-up? 202 00:07:31,451 --> 00:07:33,286 No, he's not. He's 5'4"! - Oh, that's confidence! 203 00:07:33,319 --> 00:07:34,521 - He's 5'4"! 204 00:07:34,554 --> 00:07:35,689 - Boom! - Okay! 205 00:07:35,722 --> 00:07:37,691 - He looked like Sonic the Hedgehog! 206 00:07:37,724 --> 00:07:39,859 [cheers and applause] - Let's go! 207 00:07:39,893 --> 00:07:41,161 - Go get that buzzer! 208 00:07:41,194 --> 00:07:42,896 - Some ninjas never get to the back half 209 00:07:42,929 --> 00:07:44,664 of the semifinals course. 210 00:07:44,698 --> 00:07:47,567 Christian Youst has done it on his first try. 211 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,069 - Matt, we're in California. 212 00:07:49,069 --> 00:07:51,705 You can get taxed for having that much swag, man. 213 00:07:51,738 --> 00:07:52,972 That is amazing. 214 00:07:53,073 --> 00:07:54,374 - We wondered how they'd handle 215 00:07:54,407 --> 00:07:56,576 the greater pressure here in the semifinals. 216 00:07:56,609 --> 00:07:59,179 It's not phasing Christian Youst so far. 217 00:07:59,212 --> 00:08:01,348 He starts the final four obstacles here 218 00:08:01,381 --> 00:08:02,615 on the Salmon Ladder. 219 00:08:02,649 --> 00:08:05,452 - All right. 220 00:08:05,485 --> 00:08:06,486 - Wow. - Nice. 221 00:08:06,519 --> 00:08:07,754 - Clack clack. 222 00:08:07,787 --> 00:08:09,022 And Matt, you can see, he's so light, 223 00:08:09,022 --> 00:08:11,024 he just flew up the Salmon Ladder. 224 00:08:11,057 --> 00:08:12,625 - But now, it's Corkscrew, 225 00:08:12,659 --> 00:08:15,428 which took out so many competitors last season. 226 00:08:15,462 --> 00:08:17,230 You got to swing to the steering wheel 227 00:08:17,263 --> 00:08:19,099 and then hold on for dear life. 228 00:08:19,132 --> 00:08:20,266 - Whoa! 229 00:08:20,300 --> 00:08:21,601 - Well, that's the advantage 230 00:08:21,634 --> 00:08:23,837 of having a little less momentum, Akbar. 231 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:25,705 - And a lot of flexibility in your wrists. 232 00:08:25,739 --> 00:08:27,407 You can see him coming in tight. 233 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:29,509 - This is impressive. 234 00:08:29,542 --> 00:08:31,644 - Matt, but look at how he's gotta lache up. 235 00:08:31,678 --> 00:08:32,912 He's gotta lache high. 236 00:08:32,946 --> 00:08:34,247 And with all that weight coming down. 237 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:36,082 - Whoa! The hands tight! 238 00:08:36,116 --> 00:08:37,817 And he's now just a dismount away 239 00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:39,452 from conquering the Corkscrew. 240 00:08:39,486 --> 00:08:42,455 It took out some greats last year in St. Louis. 241 00:08:42,489 --> 00:08:44,958 This kid just looked like he was on an amusement park ride. 242 00:08:45,058 --> 00:08:48,061 - Oh, my word, Matt, 16 years old. 243 00:08:48,061 --> 00:08:50,130 - Come on! 244 00:08:50,163 --> 00:08:51,965 - You're doing amazing! 245 00:08:52,065 --> 00:08:53,733 - Now, he'll be the first ever to face 246 00:08:53,767 --> 00:08:57,170 this new Split Decision, two different obstacles. 247 00:08:57,203 --> 00:08:59,572 One tests your arms, one tests your legs, 248 00:08:59,606 --> 00:09:01,174 so there's strategy. 249 00:09:01,207 --> 00:09:04,277 The fastest path is to race across the balance obstacle, 250 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:05,712 Tuning Forks. 251 00:09:05,745 --> 00:09:08,748 - You're all day on balance, buddy, all day on balance! 252 00:09:08,782 --> 00:09:10,016 - Nah. 253 00:09:10,016 --> 00:09:11,217 - Hey, he's shaking that one off. 254 00:09:11,251 --> 00:09:12,519 He ain't listening to Dad. 255 00:09:12,552 --> 00:09:14,020 - He's going with the Inverter. 256 00:09:14,054 --> 00:09:16,089 - Good job, you got it! You got it! 257 00:09:16,122 --> 00:09:18,124 - Well, the Tuning Forks are tough, but so is 258 00:09:18,158 --> 00:09:21,394 the Inverter, especially if your arms are gassed. 259 00:09:21,428 --> 00:09:24,364 - It's all about grip. And this board's gonna tip. 260 00:09:24,397 --> 00:09:25,799 You can see on that left side there... 261 00:09:25,832 --> 00:09:27,334 - Nice, he's gotta-- - Lock in that left hand. 262 00:09:27,367 --> 00:09:28,902 Now a cliffhanger. - And now look at this. 263 00:09:28,935 --> 00:09:30,670 You can see him kind of traversing across. 264 00:09:30,704 --> 00:09:32,272 Now he's gotta reach up. - Now reach up to the handle! 265 00:09:32,305 --> 00:09:33,840 - He doesn't have a big reach, but you can see him-- 266 00:09:33,873 --> 00:09:35,508 - And like "Top Gun," he's inverted! 267 00:09:35,542 --> 00:09:37,410 - Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? 268 00:09:37,444 --> 00:09:40,046 - Now he's gotta transfer to the second board. 269 00:09:40,046 --> 00:09:41,448 - Watch the drop--oh! - No! 270 00:09:41,481 --> 00:09:44,317 - Oh! 271 00:09:44,351 --> 00:09:45,752 - Couldn't hang on. 272 00:09:45,785 --> 00:09:49,055 The Dark Horse Ninja bounced off the Inverter. 273 00:09:49,089 --> 00:09:50,657 - Way to go, Christian! 274 00:09:50,690 --> 00:09:53,059 - The night's still early, but that run could earn 275 00:09:53,059 --> 00:09:56,396 the 16-year-old a trip to Vegas. 276 00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:58,698 - This kid shut down the early obstacles 277 00:09:58,732 --> 00:10:00,934 like he was playing a video game. 278 00:10:00,967 --> 00:10:04,337 But on the Inverter, as he goes for that second board, 279 00:10:04,371 --> 00:10:06,373 just couldn't hold on to the ledge. 280 00:10:06,406 --> 00:10:11,177 But what a great run to start the semifinals. 281 00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:14,881 - This Hollywood night has something for everyone. 282 00:10:14,914 --> 00:10:17,450 - Nice. - We've got rising stars... 283 00:10:17,484 --> 00:10:19,285 - It's a dream come true. 284 00:10:19,319 --> 00:10:21,621 - And superstars. 285 00:10:21,654 --> 00:10:23,523 - Oh, my goodness! 286 00:10:23,556 --> 00:10:25,158 - Whether you like westerns... 287 00:10:25,191 --> 00:10:27,160 - Come on, country boy! 288 00:10:27,193 --> 00:10:28,361 - Or sci-fi.., 289 00:10:28,395 --> 00:10:31,197 Oh, my God! - What is this? 290 00:10:31,231 --> 00:10:33,099 - Or even musicals... 291 00:10:33,133 --> 00:10:34,968 [trombone playing] 292 00:10:35,001 --> 00:10:37,003 There's plenty of drama... 293 00:10:37,037 --> 00:10:38,672 - Are you kidding me? 294 00:10:38,705 --> 00:10:40,373 - And nonstop action... 295 00:10:40,407 --> 00:10:42,142 - Tell me you're not excited! 296 00:10:42,175 --> 00:10:43,610 - On the semifinals... 297 00:10:43,643 --> 00:10:45,245 - Let's go! 298 00:10:45,278 --> 00:10:48,648 - Of "American Ninja Warrior." 299 00:10:53,053 --> 00:10:55,388 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior" 300 00:10:55,422 --> 00:10:58,358 and our first night of the semifinals. 301 00:10:58,391 --> 00:11:01,661 Minutes ago, Christie Brophy showed she's got some moves 302 00:11:01,695 --> 00:11:02,762 for a 40-year-old. 303 00:11:02,796 --> 00:11:04,130 - Hey! Okay! 304 00:11:04,164 --> 00:11:06,166 - This mother of four from Round Rock, Texas, 305 00:11:06,199 --> 00:11:08,201 is a former Air Force officer, 306 00:11:08,234 --> 00:11:10,503 and she took flight on the Shrinking Steps. 307 00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:11,771 - She's ready to go. 308 00:11:11,805 --> 00:11:12,972 - But she quickly stalled out 309 00:11:13,073 --> 00:11:16,076 on the second obstacle, Lunatic Ledges. 310 00:11:16,076 --> 00:11:19,112 - There's no time to wait. You gotta go. 311 00:11:19,145 --> 00:11:23,083 She lost the momentum, and now she's gonna be fighting it. 312 00:11:23,083 --> 00:11:25,151 - She tried climbing up for a better angle, 313 00:11:25,185 --> 00:11:27,487 but ultimately had a crash landing. 314 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,357 - Ooh! Oh, my goodness. 315 00:11:30,390 --> 00:11:32,392 - The night's oldest competitor, 316 00:11:32,425 --> 00:11:34,961 53-year-old ninja legend Sam Sann, 317 00:11:34,994 --> 00:11:36,663 made quick work of the Lunatic Ledges. 318 00:11:36,696 --> 00:11:38,431 - Looking very confident. 319 00:11:38,465 --> 00:11:40,500 - The Houston gym owner has earned three trips 320 00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:41,768 to the national finals, 321 00:11:41,801 --> 00:11:43,903 but hasn't been there in six years. 322 00:11:43,937 --> 00:11:46,272 - His goal's to make it back to stage one in Vegas. 323 00:11:46,306 --> 00:11:47,574 - And things were looking good, 324 00:11:47,607 --> 00:11:49,309 until he reached Spinning Bridge. 325 00:11:49,342 --> 00:11:52,779 - He's gotta get a hold on! Oh! 326 00:11:52,812 --> 00:11:55,315 - Karman Selby is a stay-at-home dad 327 00:11:55,348 --> 00:11:56,850 who had his wife and young son 328 00:11:56,883 --> 00:11:59,319 watching back in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 329 00:11:59,352 --> 00:12:00,653 - Papa Selby is a ninja. 330 00:12:00,687 --> 00:12:02,122 - The 33-year-old rookie 331 00:12:02,155 --> 00:12:04,057 survived a close call on Tilt-a-Whirl... 332 00:12:04,057 --> 00:12:06,292 - Oh, boy, Matt! 333 00:12:06,326 --> 00:12:08,294 - And then was cruising through the fifth obstacle, 334 00:12:08,328 --> 00:12:10,363 Wall to Wall, but rushed it. 335 00:12:10,397 --> 00:12:13,066 - Oh, he came in too fast. 336 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:14,668 Look at Elliott. He's in shock. 337 00:12:14,701 --> 00:12:16,736 He's like, "What just happened?" 338 00:12:16,770 --> 00:12:18,071 - Let's go! 339 00:12:18,071 --> 00:12:19,506 - Up next, another one 340 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:21,941 of the rising young stars of this sport. 341 00:12:21,975 --> 00:12:24,244 This is 20-year-old Isaiah Wakeham 342 00:12:24,277 --> 00:12:26,546 out of College Station, Texas. 343 00:12:26,579 --> 00:12:29,949 Isaiah and his sister Isabella both reached the semifinals. 344 00:12:29,983 --> 00:12:31,718 As we showed you a few weeks ago, 345 00:12:31,751 --> 00:12:33,820 they've got a great sibling rivalry. 346 00:12:33,853 --> 00:12:36,456 But as an artist, Isaiah is one of a kind. 347 00:12:41,928 --> 00:12:45,365 - I've been drawing as long as I can remember. 348 00:12:45,398 --> 00:12:47,334 My first job was in an art studio, 349 00:12:47,367 --> 00:12:48,902 and that's when it really clicked: 350 00:12:48,935 --> 00:12:52,405 This is something that I could really pursue--being an artist. 351 00:12:52,439 --> 00:12:55,608 I run an art and apparel brand called Lucky Stripe Designs. 352 00:12:55,642 --> 00:12:58,578 I create art and apparel for special causes. 353 00:12:58,611 --> 00:13:00,080 - Damage from Houston flooding 354 00:13:00,113 --> 00:13:02,382 is now at record-setting levels. 355 00:13:02,415 --> 00:13:04,751 - When Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston, 356 00:13:04,784 --> 00:13:06,753 I created the Texas Doodle shirt 357 00:13:06,786 --> 00:13:10,523 and raised $5,000 and gave back so much to my community. 358 00:13:11,691 --> 00:13:13,159 You might have already seen some of my art 359 00:13:13,193 --> 00:13:14,361 on the ninja course. 360 00:13:14,394 --> 00:13:16,563 I've designed shirts for Da Cake Ninja, 361 00:13:16,596 --> 00:13:20,734 David Wright, Jody Avila, Kevin Carbone, and many more. 362 00:13:20,767 --> 00:13:22,469 My shirt's really special as well. 363 00:13:22,502 --> 00:13:26,740 I spent 50 hours incorporating all the athletes whose shirts 364 00:13:26,773 --> 00:13:30,443 I've designed for previous seasons into this design. 365 00:13:30,477 --> 00:13:31,945 It's really cool to get to see the art 366 00:13:31,978 --> 00:13:34,414 that I've made for other ninjas competing on the show. 367 00:13:34,447 --> 00:13:35,982 But I've been waiting six years 368 00:13:36,082 --> 00:13:37,317 for my chance on the course. 369 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,719 I'm super excited to take it on tonight. 370 00:13:39,753 --> 00:13:42,122 I'm looking forward to designing the perfect run. 371 00:13:46,092 --> 00:13:48,728 - And not only is he wearing his T-shirt design, 372 00:13:48,762 --> 00:13:51,898 so are all of his family and friends back in Texas. 373 00:13:51,931 --> 00:13:53,299 - Whoo! - Let's go! 374 00:13:53,333 --> 00:13:55,835 - His mom J wearing one under her jacket. 375 00:13:55,869 --> 00:13:58,438 She's on the sideline with his sister Isabella, 376 00:13:58,471 --> 00:14:00,640 who's wearing another one of Isaiah's designs 377 00:14:00,674 --> 00:14:02,108 on her running suit. 378 00:14:02,142 --> 00:14:03,276 - Here we go! Here we go! 379 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:04,811 [countdown clock beeping] 380 00:14:04,844 --> 00:14:07,047 - He fell early last year, but he's come back to have 381 00:14:07,047 --> 00:14:08,915 a sensational sophomore campaign. 382 00:14:08,948 --> 00:14:10,183 - He and his sister both made it 383 00:14:10,216 --> 00:14:12,485 to the fifth obstacle in qualifying. 384 00:14:12,519 --> 00:14:14,688 Would love to get their first buzzers tonight. 385 00:14:14,721 --> 00:14:17,357 If you hit a buzzer, you're guaranteed to move on 386 00:14:17,390 --> 00:14:18,792 to the national finals in Vegas. 387 00:14:18,825 --> 00:14:20,427 If you don't get to the buzzer, 388 00:14:20,460 --> 00:14:22,595 you're probably gonna need to get to at least that eighth 389 00:14:22,629 --> 00:14:25,065 or ninth obstacle to land in the top 15. 390 00:14:25,065 --> 00:14:26,599 - Yes! 391 00:14:26,633 --> 00:14:30,704 - 6'0", 165, feels so strong, but says, no matter what, 392 00:14:30,737 --> 00:14:32,539 he'll never be as strong as his sister. 393 00:14:32,572 --> 00:14:34,541 - Too easy, let's go! 394 00:14:34,574 --> 00:14:37,077 - Well, here he is now on Tilt-a-Whirl. 395 00:14:37,077 --> 00:14:38,845 - All right! 396 00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:41,581 - Getting it locked in. 397 00:14:41,614 --> 00:14:44,084 Going with the switch grip there on that bar, Akbar. 398 00:14:44,084 --> 00:14:45,652 - And I like that-- strategically, you want 399 00:14:45,685 --> 00:14:47,821 to keep that grip to secure your hold. 400 00:14:47,854 --> 00:14:50,090 - Well, people peel off if you have your hands 401 00:14:50,123 --> 00:14:52,158 facing the same way on the landings. 402 00:14:52,192 --> 00:14:56,096 That switch grip should help prevent it. 403 00:14:56,096 --> 00:14:57,564 - Yes! 404 00:14:57,597 --> 00:15:00,734 - 20 years old, gonna be going to college this fall. 405 00:15:00,767 --> 00:15:02,836 His sister Isabella's still in high school. 406 00:15:02,869 --> 00:15:05,038 - You got it! 407 00:15:05,038 --> 00:15:06,673 - It was amazing-- he and his sister reached 408 00:15:06,706 --> 00:15:09,075 that fifth obstacle that took them both out 409 00:15:09,109 --> 00:15:11,211 within one second of each other. 410 00:15:11,244 --> 00:15:12,712 They even have a bet with Mom. 411 00:15:12,746 --> 00:15:16,282 If they both make it to Vegas, she has to get a tattoo. 412 00:15:16,316 --> 00:15:18,451 Now on to Spinning Bridge, the balance obstacle. 413 00:15:18,485 --> 00:15:20,787 - Light on your feet. Wake them, don't shake them. 414 00:15:20,820 --> 00:15:22,288 These things will spin on you. 415 00:15:22,322 --> 00:15:24,324 Boom, boom, boom, boom. Just like that. 416 00:15:24,357 --> 00:15:25,892 [cheers and applause] 417 00:15:25,925 --> 00:15:27,327 - Yes, sir! 418 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:28,962 - I see you! I see you! 419 00:15:29,062 --> 00:15:30,397 - Cool shirt, bro! 420 00:15:30,430 --> 00:15:31,664 - He's like, "I don't got time to talk to you. 421 00:15:31,698 --> 00:15:33,500 I got business to take care of." 422 00:15:33,533 --> 00:15:35,702 - Well, now on to Wall to Wall. 423 00:15:35,735 --> 00:15:37,437 A brand-new obstacle. 424 00:15:37,470 --> 00:15:39,572 Got to hang on to those small ledges. 425 00:15:39,606 --> 00:15:40,974 - He's got to get it locked in place, 426 00:15:41,074 --> 00:15:42,709 and then he's got to get into a small--remember, 427 00:15:42,742 --> 00:15:44,377 he's a big guy now-- he's got to come in-- 428 00:15:44,411 --> 00:15:45,578 - Easy transfer. 429 00:15:45,612 --> 00:15:47,080 - You see he's doing it one-legged. 430 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,249 It's kind of hard to come in tight like that. 431 00:15:49,282 --> 00:15:51,618 - This descent, use those arms as a shock-absorber. 432 00:15:51,651 --> 00:15:53,186 - Hold yourself. - Keep the L's. 433 00:15:53,219 --> 00:15:54,387 - You seem him. He's eyeballing. 434 00:15:54,421 --> 00:15:56,089 He's a little unsure of himself, 435 00:15:56,122 --> 00:15:57,390 but he's got it! 436 00:15:57,424 --> 00:16:00,427 - Pulled it down, made it no issue. 437 00:16:00,460 --> 00:16:01,761 There you go! 438 00:16:01,795 --> 00:16:03,196 - We're going all the way, baby! 439 00:16:03,229 --> 00:16:05,865 - All right, you heard him, "We're going all the way." 440 00:16:05,899 --> 00:16:06,866 - Yeah. 441 00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:08,468 First time facing a Warped Wall. 442 00:16:08,501 --> 00:16:11,438 all: Beat that wall. Beat that wall. 443 00:16:11,471 --> 00:16:14,174 - Go, Isaiah! Whoo! 444 00:16:14,207 --> 00:16:15,709 - First one. - There it is. 445 00:16:15,742 --> 00:16:17,344 - That's it! That's your first one! 446 00:16:17,377 --> 00:16:19,045 - This is my dream, man! - This is your dream. 447 00:16:19,079 --> 00:16:21,715 - This is the dream. - Go get it, man, go get it! 448 00:16:21,748 --> 00:16:24,084 - Live your dream! 449 00:16:24,117 --> 00:16:26,353 Heads to the final four obstacles. 450 00:16:26,386 --> 00:16:29,589 Now facing his first Salmon Ladder in competition. 451 00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:31,524 - We believe in you! 452 00:16:31,558 --> 00:16:33,626 - Oh, he's putting his own spin on it. 453 00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:36,863 He's an artist, so you know they do things differently. 454 00:16:36,896 --> 00:16:39,332 - Got to jump it up four rungs on the Salmon Ladder. 455 00:16:39,366 --> 00:16:43,603 [cheering] 456 00:16:43,636 --> 00:16:45,105 And he's got it. On now to Corkscrew. 457 00:16:45,138 --> 00:16:47,974 - Come on, let's go! 458 00:16:48,074 --> 00:16:50,410 - Think of keeping the hands at 3:00 and 9:00 459 00:16:50,443 --> 00:16:52,846 and those feet extended in a wide V 460 00:16:52,879 --> 00:16:54,581 to control the momentum. 461 00:16:54,614 --> 00:16:57,784 And just did it textbook. You saw those legs out. 462 00:16:57,817 --> 00:16:59,319 You saw the hands at opposite ends. 463 00:16:59,352 --> 00:17:01,021 A little tougher here going up. 464 00:17:01,054 --> 00:17:02,222 Whoo! - Whoo! 465 00:17:02,255 --> 00:17:03,656 - Look at that. Did it again! 466 00:17:03,690 --> 00:17:05,592 - I love the way he's got wider base 467 00:17:05,625 --> 00:17:07,027 to control the spin. 468 00:17:07,027 --> 00:17:09,329 - That's it, keeping those legs out in the V. 469 00:17:09,362 --> 00:17:12,065 You're trying to keep that mass near the center. 470 00:17:12,098 --> 00:17:13,366 - Nice, nice, nice. 471 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,869 - Great job kipping up. That was textbook. 472 00:17:15,902 --> 00:17:18,905 - And he's using his biceps to control that spin as well. 473 00:17:18,938 --> 00:17:21,307 - Just needs the dismount. And he's got it. 474 00:17:21,341 --> 00:17:25,679 Now he faces Split Decision. 475 00:17:25,712 --> 00:17:27,480 Will he tackle the Inverter 476 00:17:27,514 --> 00:17:29,916 or roll the dice on the Tuning Forks? 477 00:17:29,949 --> 00:17:31,217 You're tired. You're winded. 478 00:17:31,251 --> 00:17:34,220 The Tuning Fork is next to impossible. 479 00:17:34,254 --> 00:17:35,922 - Okay, what's it gonna be? 480 00:17:35,955 --> 00:17:37,323 - If you're gassed, 481 00:17:37,357 --> 00:17:39,125 you know you won't survive the Inverter. 482 00:17:39,159 --> 00:17:41,928 So maybe--oh, he's going for it, Akbar. 483 00:17:41,961 --> 00:17:45,465 [cheers and applause] 484 00:17:45,498 --> 00:17:46,733 Unstable. Now watch. 485 00:17:46,766 --> 00:17:48,601 You gotta switch over that right hand. 486 00:17:48,635 --> 00:17:49,836 Right there, on to a cliffhanger. 487 00:17:49,869 --> 00:17:51,304 - You can see him. He's struggling. 488 00:17:51,338 --> 00:17:52,772 - Swing the left hand under. There he goes. 489 00:17:52,806 --> 00:17:54,374 - All right, now he's got to make that traverse, 490 00:17:54,407 --> 00:17:55,375 and then he's got to reach up. 491 00:17:55,408 --> 00:17:56,676 He's got long arms, 492 00:17:56,710 --> 00:17:58,311 so he should be able to spin it around. 493 00:17:58,345 --> 00:17:59,879 Ooh, buddy! 494 00:17:59,913 --> 00:18:01,681 - Rotates it. 495 00:18:01,715 --> 00:18:05,418 - He's starting to grimace, Matt. 496 00:18:05,452 --> 00:18:07,287 - Bad idea, boys. 497 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,423 - Oh, he said, "Bad idea." This is looking a little sus. 498 00:18:10,457 --> 00:18:12,459 Matt, he's in trouble. 499 00:18:12,492 --> 00:18:15,195 Oh, sha-nah-nah! 500 00:18:15,228 --> 00:18:16,529 - Whoo! 501 00:18:16,563 --> 00:18:18,531 - He just had nothing left, 502 00:18:18,565 --> 00:18:21,101 but a great effort out of Isaiah Wakeham 503 00:18:21,134 --> 00:18:24,037 to get all the way to that ninth obstacle. 504 00:18:24,037 --> 00:18:26,573 - Just reaching Split Decision could be good enough 505 00:18:26,606 --> 00:18:28,308 to get him into the top 15. 506 00:18:28,341 --> 00:18:30,643 But he decided to go with the Inverter 507 00:18:30,677 --> 00:18:32,946 and was okay across the first board, 508 00:18:33,046 --> 00:18:35,048 but couldn't make the grab on the second. 509 00:18:37,917 --> 00:18:41,488 - Up next, she's right at home here in Hollywood. 510 00:18:41,521 --> 00:18:43,089 - Action. 511 00:18:43,123 --> 00:18:46,693 - Stuntwoman Tiana Webberley shows us some movie magic 512 00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:50,363 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 513 00:18:57,303 --> 00:18:58,872 - Welcome back. 514 00:18:58,905 --> 00:19:02,075 We're on New York Street at Universal Studios Hollywood. 515 00:19:02,108 --> 00:19:03,877 Minutes ago, Perry Madison 516 00:19:03,910 --> 00:19:08,481 was flying the rainbow flag to show his LGBTQ pride. 517 00:19:08,515 --> 00:19:10,083 - He's here and he's ready to represent. 518 00:19:10,116 --> 00:19:12,552 - With his dad and 94-year-old grandma, 519 00:19:12,585 --> 00:19:14,888 civil rights pioneer Mildred Madison, 520 00:19:14,921 --> 00:19:16,156 watching his run, 521 00:19:16,189 --> 00:19:18,792 the 24-year-old actor got rave reviews 522 00:19:18,825 --> 00:19:21,695 for his performance on the early obstacles. 523 00:19:21,728 --> 00:19:23,229 - Nice landing. 524 00:19:23,263 --> 00:19:25,799 - But Tilt-a-Whirl turned out to be a show-stopper. 525 00:19:25,832 --> 00:19:26,933 - No, no, no! 526 00:19:27,033 --> 00:19:28,935 - Oh! - Wow! 527 00:19:29,035 --> 00:19:32,539 - Grandma, I can do this because of what you did. 528 00:19:32,572 --> 00:19:34,841 I love you. 529 00:19:34,874 --> 00:19:38,078 - Ninja rookie Caleb Benson got his friends and family 530 00:19:38,111 --> 00:19:40,413 fired up back in Lowell, Arkansas. 531 00:19:40,447 --> 00:19:42,515 - Welcome to Hollywood, baby! 532 00:19:42,549 --> 00:19:45,485 - This 35-year-old nearly died two years ago 533 00:19:45,518 --> 00:19:47,587 from a pulmonary embolism. 534 00:19:47,620 --> 00:19:49,823 But he showed plenty of heart tonight. 535 00:19:49,856 --> 00:19:53,293 - Stay on top, stay on top! Nice. 536 00:19:53,326 --> 00:19:55,729 - At 6'2", he's one of the bigger ninjas, 537 00:19:55,762 --> 00:19:57,430 and he had a tough time 538 00:19:57,464 --> 00:19:59,132 on the small ledges of Wall to Wall. 539 00:19:59,165 --> 00:20:01,067 - Oh, and peeled off! 540 00:20:01,101 --> 00:20:03,269 [air horn blows] 541 00:20:03,303 --> 00:20:07,307 - I thought I had that. I'm so mad. 542 00:20:07,340 --> 00:20:09,209 - Well, now, we've got a fan favorite. 543 00:20:09,242 --> 00:20:10,844 Zuri, get her going. 544 00:20:10,877 --> 00:20:14,080 - Up next, it is Sweet T, Tiana Webberley. 545 00:20:14,114 --> 00:20:16,549 And tonight, she is on home turf. 546 00:20:16,583 --> 00:20:18,985 The stuntwoman sometimes works right here 547 00:20:19,019 --> 00:20:21,621 at Universal Studios, and she gave us 548 00:20:21,654 --> 00:20:24,124 a behind the scenes look at some of her stunt work. 549 00:20:26,826 --> 00:20:28,595 - I've been doing stunts for the last four 550 00:20:28,628 --> 00:20:29,996 or five years now, 551 00:20:30,030 --> 00:20:34,668 and one side of stunt work I've been doing is mocap. 552 00:20:34,701 --> 00:20:36,803 Mocap stands for motion capture, 553 00:20:36,836 --> 00:20:39,572 and it's used in a lot of video games 554 00:20:39,606 --> 00:20:42,709 and, you know, big movies, like, "Avatar." 555 00:20:42,742 --> 00:20:44,077 You wear these suits, 556 00:20:44,110 --> 00:20:46,546 and it tracks your movements in the studio, 557 00:20:46,579 --> 00:20:48,581 and they transform it into the video game 558 00:20:48,615 --> 00:20:49,582 from your movements. 559 00:20:49,616 --> 00:20:51,584 - Action. 560 00:20:51,618 --> 00:20:53,520 - It's fun training as well. 561 00:20:53,553 --> 00:20:55,188 The physicality of it keeps you in shape, 562 00:20:55,221 --> 00:20:56,956 and I definitely feel like I'm in the best shape 563 00:20:56,990 --> 00:20:58,091 of my career. 564 00:20:58,124 --> 00:20:59,526 Being in the mocap world, 565 00:20:59,559 --> 00:21:02,162 I've done anything from fighting monsters, 566 00:21:02,195 --> 00:21:05,565 battling epic battles, and saving the world. 567 00:21:05,598 --> 00:21:06,900 But tonight, hitting that buzzer 568 00:21:06,933 --> 00:21:08,335 would be the ultimate stunt. 569 00:21:08,368 --> 00:21:13,273 [upbeat music] 570 00:21:13,306 --> 00:21:14,574 Hi! 571 00:21:14,607 --> 00:21:16,509 - Always lots of support for Tiana, 572 00:21:16,543 --> 00:21:18,945 including her dad, mom, and sister, 573 00:21:18,978 --> 00:21:21,614 who are watching with Tiana's new dog Allie. 574 00:21:21,648 --> 00:21:23,917 Tiana's got ninja friends on the sideline, 575 00:21:23,950 --> 00:21:25,418 including Zhanique Lovett. 576 00:21:25,452 --> 00:21:28,188 [countdown clock beeping] 577 00:21:28,221 --> 00:21:30,156 Well, she's hoping to avoid doing the very thing 578 00:21:30,190 --> 00:21:33,460 she gets paid for as a stuntwoman--take a fall. 579 00:21:33,493 --> 00:21:35,362 The top three women from tonight will move on 580 00:21:35,395 --> 00:21:36,529 to the national finals. 581 00:21:36,563 --> 00:21:37,731 The deeper you get 582 00:21:37,764 --> 00:21:39,532 on this course, the better your chances. 583 00:21:39,566 --> 00:21:42,669 - Sweet T, I think, is ready to party in the semifinals. 584 00:21:42,702 --> 00:21:44,738 - Got such a boost last year in St. Louis, 585 00:21:44,771 --> 00:21:46,373 getting her first buzzer. 586 00:21:46,406 --> 00:21:48,742 Really feel like she's hitting a new level. 587 00:21:48,775 --> 00:21:50,543 - Sweet T, you ready to partay? 588 00:21:50,577 --> 00:21:52,112 Oh! 589 00:21:52,112 --> 00:21:54,347 - Not much momentum. It's gonna be a long jump. 590 00:21:54,381 --> 00:21:56,349 - She's gotta go for it now. Nice. 591 00:21:56,383 --> 00:21:57,617 - She got it. 592 00:21:57,650 --> 00:22:00,487 - You got it, T! 593 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,323 - On now to Tilt-a-Whirl. 594 00:22:03,356 --> 00:22:06,893 Flip Rodriguez first told us about Tiana Webberley. 595 00:22:06,926 --> 00:22:11,097 Season seven, she exploded onto the scene. 596 00:22:11,131 --> 00:22:12,599 - You got it, T. - You're good, be confident! 597 00:22:12,632 --> 00:22:14,067 Just throw, throw, throw, throw. 598 00:22:14,067 --> 00:22:15,702 - Twice made it to the national finals. 599 00:22:15,735 --> 00:22:17,270 Last time was season 11. 600 00:22:17,303 --> 00:22:18,605 - Matt, I mean, 601 00:22:18,638 --> 00:22:21,074 did you see how much up she got on that one? 602 00:22:21,074 --> 00:22:22,842 Was like she had a little air time. 603 00:22:22,876 --> 00:22:24,644 Gave herself enough time to be able to place 604 00:22:24,678 --> 00:22:27,747 the bar right in the crater. 605 00:22:27,781 --> 00:22:30,817 - Well, her best performances have come here 606 00:22:30,850 --> 00:22:33,520 at Universal Studios, right here on New York Street. 607 00:22:35,755 --> 00:22:37,190 Two years ago on the course here, 608 00:22:37,223 --> 00:22:39,292 she made it to the ninth obstacle. 609 00:22:39,325 --> 00:22:40,860 - Come on, T! 610 00:22:40,894 --> 00:22:42,562 - And she's smiling. Always a good sign. 611 00:22:42,595 --> 00:22:45,965 Feeling confident. Checking that bar placement. 612 00:22:45,999 --> 00:22:47,267 She's through. 613 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:49,602 - Kind of a superhero fall right there. 614 00:22:49,636 --> 00:22:51,838 I see what you did there, Tiana. 615 00:22:51,871 --> 00:22:53,273 - Watch her on the balance obstacles. 616 00:22:53,306 --> 00:22:56,910 5'4", 125, good feet, was a pole vaulter. 617 00:22:56,943 --> 00:22:59,112 - The Spinning Bridge. She's got this. 618 00:23:01,047 --> 00:23:03,450 Oh, oh! - There it is! 619 00:23:03,483 --> 00:23:04,551 - Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! 620 00:23:04,584 --> 00:23:06,119 - Another fall. 621 00:23:06,152 --> 00:23:08,121 - Good job. 622 00:23:08,154 --> 00:23:09,856 - Tiana was in the final four 623 00:23:09,889 --> 00:23:12,192 of our first ever women's championship, 624 00:23:12,225 --> 00:23:15,061 and she said that gave her a big boost of confidence. 625 00:23:15,095 --> 00:23:19,132 She's trusting her training. She trusts the preparation. 626 00:23:20,066 --> 00:23:22,202 - Has to make the leap to the second wall now. 627 00:23:24,571 --> 00:23:25,739 Got it! 628 00:23:25,772 --> 00:23:29,242 - Yeah. Nice. 629 00:23:29,275 --> 00:23:31,978 - Ooh, those feet slipping off. 630 00:23:32,078 --> 00:23:33,480 - Yeah, so she's using her body 631 00:23:33,513 --> 00:23:35,749 to be able to turn around to lock it in place. 632 00:23:35,782 --> 00:23:38,385 - All that twisting and turning as a stuntwoman has 633 00:23:38,418 --> 00:23:40,720 to be good practice for this, and this is difficult. 634 00:23:40,754 --> 00:23:43,990 A 90-degree rotation and an 8-inch drop. 635 00:23:44,090 --> 00:23:46,159 You got to pull it down, anticipate it. 636 00:23:46,192 --> 00:23:48,228 - Please, come on, you got this. 637 00:23:48,261 --> 00:23:51,398 - She's got to make that grab. Nice. 638 00:23:51,431 --> 00:23:53,099 - This used to be her sticking point, 639 00:23:53,099 --> 00:23:54,834 the fifth obstacle. 640 00:23:54,868 --> 00:23:56,770 - Ooh. - Oh! 641 00:23:56,803 --> 00:23:58,171 - Ooh. - Nearly missed it. 642 00:23:58,204 --> 00:24:00,373 - Whoo! 643 00:24:00,407 --> 00:24:03,209 - Whoo-hoo-hoo! Come on, baby! 644 00:24:03,243 --> 00:24:06,780 - Back to the Warped Wall. She's a seven-time veteran. 645 00:24:06,813 --> 00:24:08,648 She wants to get back to Vegas. 646 00:24:08,682 --> 00:24:10,617 Not gonna let this wall stop her. 647 00:24:10,650 --> 00:24:12,919 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 648 00:24:12,952 --> 00:24:15,422 - Let's go. Come on! Come on! 649 00:24:15,455 --> 00:24:18,491 - And she does it. Sweet T up the wall again. 650 00:24:18,525 --> 00:24:20,660 [cheers and applause] 651 00:24:20,694 --> 00:24:23,697 - Hey, T, this is exactly what we talked about, right? 652 00:24:23,730 --> 00:24:25,899 Go get it! - Such a positive woman. 653 00:24:25,932 --> 00:24:28,535 Credits her mom with so much--her mom's courage. 654 00:24:28,568 --> 00:24:32,072 Battled diabetes. So proud of Tiana Webberley. 655 00:24:32,072 --> 00:24:34,240 - Come on, T. Nothing you can't do. 656 00:24:34,274 --> 00:24:36,910 - Starts the back half here on the Salmon Ladder. 657 00:24:36,943 --> 00:24:39,145 Got to get it up four rungs. 658 00:24:39,179 --> 00:24:42,082 - Such an example for a lot of the ninjas out here. 659 00:24:42,082 --> 00:24:43,550 She's paid her dues. 660 00:24:43,583 --> 00:24:46,219 And you just want to see her hit that buzzer. 661 00:24:46,252 --> 00:24:48,955 - That's all right, she can move up to the next one. 662 00:24:48,988 --> 00:24:51,091 - You've got the moves. You got it! 663 00:24:51,091 --> 00:24:54,561 - And now facing Corkscrew, always a wild ride. 664 00:24:59,165 --> 00:25:00,567 - And you could hear her squealing. 665 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:01,935 She went for a ride there. 666 00:25:02,035 --> 00:25:04,037 - I think she's having a little fun, Matt. 667 00:25:04,037 --> 00:25:06,539 - We're not far from the rides here--Jurassic Park, 668 00:25:06,573 --> 00:25:09,843 the big drop there. 669 00:25:09,876 --> 00:25:12,145 - Oh! She almost missed that one. 670 00:25:12,178 --> 00:25:13,713 I thought she was gonna miss it. 671 00:25:13,747 --> 00:25:15,648 - Well, a pole vaulter knows how to kip that body up. 672 00:25:15,682 --> 00:25:17,283 Gonna need more lift here, Akbar. 673 00:25:17,317 --> 00:25:20,086 - Yeah, big kick, you can see, getting that big swing. 674 00:25:20,120 --> 00:25:22,222 - Ooh, banged her head on the backswing. 675 00:25:22,255 --> 00:25:23,623 - That's why she got the ponytail... 676 00:25:23,656 --> 00:25:25,125 - But still holds on. - To protect her. 677 00:25:25,158 --> 00:25:28,261 - Only gotten past the eighth obstacle once before. 678 00:25:28,294 --> 00:25:31,865 Just needs the dismount to do it again tonight. 679 00:25:31,898 --> 00:25:35,335 Look at this, facing the ninth obstacle. 680 00:25:35,368 --> 00:25:36,536 - Nice. 681 00:25:36,569 --> 00:25:38,338 - Still other women to run tonight, 682 00:25:38,371 --> 00:25:40,774 but she's got a good shot to be in our top three 683 00:25:40,807 --> 00:25:42,175 and move on to Vegas. 684 00:25:42,208 --> 00:25:44,077 - Come on! - That's it, girl! 685 00:25:44,077 --> 00:25:46,413 - But now it's Split Decision. 686 00:25:46,446 --> 00:25:48,081 The two others who've reached this point 687 00:25:48,081 --> 00:25:51,317 both picked Inverter and both fell. 688 00:25:51,351 --> 00:25:53,753 - Come on, baby, you got this. You're gonna finish. 689 00:25:53,787 --> 00:25:56,589 - Looks like she's gonna be the first to try Tuning Forks. 690 00:25:56,623 --> 00:25:59,359 - Tiana's always been good on balance obstacles. 691 00:25:59,392 --> 00:26:01,027 And if her arms are a little tired, 692 00:26:01,061 --> 00:26:03,563 this may be her best chance. 693 00:26:03,596 --> 00:26:04,898 You just got to commit to it. 694 00:26:04,931 --> 00:26:07,167 You've got to own it. 695 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:08,535 All right, here you go. You did the Spinning Bridge. 696 00:26:08,568 --> 00:26:09,836 Go, go, go, go, go. 697 00:26:09,869 --> 00:26:12,539 - Oh! - Oh, no, Sweet T! 698 00:26:14,541 --> 00:26:16,543 - Her best performance ever. 699 00:26:16,576 --> 00:26:19,379 It's still early, but she's in good position 700 00:26:19,412 --> 00:26:21,781 to be in our women's top three. 701 00:26:21,815 --> 00:26:24,084 - She's the first to try Tuning Forks, 702 00:26:24,117 --> 00:26:27,287 and that first one starts spinning as soon as she lands. 703 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:28,922 That sent her off-course, 704 00:26:28,955 --> 00:26:31,591 and she misses the third fork completely. 705 00:26:31,624 --> 00:26:33,193 This obstacle is tough, 706 00:26:33,226 --> 00:26:36,629 but Sweet T should be moving on. 707 00:26:36,663 --> 00:26:38,732 - Those who didn't fare as well include 708 00:26:38,765 --> 00:26:41,735 Knoxville, Tennessee's Weiwei Qin, 709 00:26:41,768 --> 00:26:44,471 who made it to the semifinals as a 39-year-old rookie, 710 00:26:44,504 --> 00:26:47,073 but had an early exit on Lunatic Ledges. 711 00:26:47,107 --> 00:26:49,175 And Weiwei is out! 712 00:26:49,209 --> 00:26:50,610 20-year-old college student 713 00:26:50,643 --> 00:26:53,413 Wade Lopp was also in his first semifinals, 714 00:26:53,446 --> 00:26:55,248 but the Oklahoma State Cowboy 715 00:26:55,281 --> 00:26:57,217 got bucked off the Spinning Bridge. 716 00:26:57,250 --> 00:26:59,119 - You can't go down like that! 717 00:26:59,152 --> 00:27:01,054 - Well, there's lots more to come 718 00:27:01,087 --> 00:27:04,624 on "American Ninja Warrior." 719 00:27:09,062 --> 00:27:10,563 - It's been a crazy night already here 720 00:27:10,597 --> 00:27:12,098 at Universal Studios. 721 00:27:12,132 --> 00:27:14,434 - Take a look at what happened in just the last few minutes. 722 00:27:14,467 --> 00:27:18,138 Aerospace worker Adam Naids once again made a small step 723 00:27:18,171 --> 00:27:20,674 for man at the start line. 724 00:27:20,707 --> 00:27:22,375 Naids is a NASA engineer 725 00:27:22,409 --> 00:27:24,044 working on the mission to Mars... 726 00:27:24,044 --> 00:27:26,746 - Ahh! Let's go! 727 00:27:26,780 --> 00:27:29,382 - And he had lots of Martians watching his run. 728 00:27:29,416 --> 00:27:30,583 - Oh! - Oh, my God! 729 00:27:30,617 --> 00:27:31,851 - What is this? 730 00:27:31,885 --> 00:27:34,054 - Naids, a three-time ninja veteran, 731 00:27:34,054 --> 00:27:36,823 was making his first trip to the semifinals. 732 00:27:36,856 --> 00:27:39,426 And his fans were entertained early on. 733 00:27:39,459 --> 00:27:41,294 But the 32-year-old from Houston 734 00:27:41,327 --> 00:27:44,798 had a problem on Lunatic Ledges. 735 00:27:44,831 --> 00:27:46,433 - Ooh! Right in his chest! 736 00:27:46,466 --> 00:27:48,635 That's a tough one, Matt. That's a tough one. 737 00:27:48,668 --> 00:27:51,671 - Our friend just seems to be going home. 738 00:27:53,239 --> 00:27:55,342 Jade Buford's a NASCAR driver 739 00:27:55,375 --> 00:27:57,911 who also happens to be pretty good at ninja. 740 00:27:57,944 --> 00:27:59,512 - All right, he's gotta go fast. 741 00:27:59,546 --> 00:28:01,014 - Though we've had several drivers 742 00:28:01,014 --> 00:28:02,782 try the course over the years, 743 00:28:02,816 --> 00:28:05,752 Buford's the first to make it to the semifinals. 744 00:28:05,785 --> 00:28:08,521 - This is Victory Lane for him. 745 00:28:08,555 --> 00:28:10,323 - The 33-year-old from Nashville 746 00:28:10,357 --> 00:28:12,525 nearly had a spin-out on Tilt-a-Whirl. 747 00:28:12,559 --> 00:28:14,527 - Oh! Did you see his fingertip? 748 00:28:14,561 --> 00:28:16,329 Rewind the tape! 749 00:28:16,363 --> 00:28:19,466 That was close! Man! 750 00:28:19,499 --> 00:28:21,334 - Seconds later... 751 00:28:21,368 --> 00:28:23,069 - Oh! 752 00:28:23,103 --> 00:28:26,172 - Buford got the black flag. 753 00:28:26,206 --> 00:28:29,075 [trumpets squealing 754 00:28:34,047 --> 00:28:35,648 - Bro, my cheeks hurt. 755 00:28:35,682 --> 00:28:37,617 - Well, our attempt at playing the trumpet is 756 00:28:37,650 --> 00:28:40,420 to herald the arrival of our next ninja, 757 00:28:40,453 --> 00:28:44,257 16-year-old Max Feinberg and his trusted trombone. 758 00:28:44,290 --> 00:28:47,127 [playing trombone] 759 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:48,328 Only plays a couple notes. 760 00:28:48,361 --> 00:28:49,729 I think he wants to save his breath. 761 00:28:49,763 --> 00:28:51,231 - Wow, that's me! 762 00:28:51,264 --> 00:28:52,465 - But I don't think it'll be a problem, 763 00:28:52,499 --> 00:28:54,634 because this kid has incredible energy. 764 00:28:54,668 --> 00:28:56,336 And his love of ninja is rivaled 765 00:28:56,369 --> 00:28:58,571 only by his love of music. 766 00:28:58,605 --> 00:29:01,574 [playing trombone] 767 00:29:01,608 --> 00:29:06,880 * * 768 00:29:06,913 --> 00:29:10,917 - I am a proud band geek. 769 00:29:11,017 --> 00:29:12,018 - Band, horns up. 770 00:29:12,052 --> 00:29:16,056 all: Snap. - Forward, march, move. 771 00:29:16,089 --> 00:29:18,224 - [laughs] all: Snap. 772 00:29:18,258 --> 00:29:20,927 - I spend a lot of my free time playing the trombone. 773 00:29:21,027 --> 00:29:24,030 [marching band playing] 774 00:29:24,064 --> 00:29:25,365 I love the marching band, 775 00:29:25,398 --> 00:29:26,433 because it takes 776 00:29:26,466 --> 00:29:28,034 the individual aspect of band... 777 00:29:28,034 --> 00:29:32,038 * * 778 00:29:32,038 --> 00:29:35,041 And combines it with the team aspect of a lot of sports. 779 00:29:35,075 --> 00:29:36,710 - Detail, atten-hut. 780 00:29:36,743 --> 00:29:40,380 all: Hut. Push, one, two, three, four. 781 00:29:40,413 --> 00:29:42,082 Close. 782 00:29:42,115 --> 00:29:44,851 - People are absolutely shocked when they see me compete 783 00:29:44,884 --> 00:29:46,753 on "American Ninja Warrior." 784 00:29:46,786 --> 00:29:49,055 [upbeat music] 785 00:29:49,055 --> 00:29:51,825 They think of me as that classic nerd, 786 00:29:51,858 --> 00:29:54,794 just a small, skinny-arm kid with glasses. 787 00:29:54,828 --> 00:29:57,597 - Max is owning these like it's nothing. 788 00:29:57,630 --> 00:29:59,632 - But I love being able to show them 789 00:29:59,666 --> 00:30:01,067 what I can actually do. 790 00:30:01,101 --> 00:30:02,335 - And he does it. 791 00:30:02,369 --> 00:30:05,338 Max Feinberg gets his second buzzer! 792 00:30:05,372 --> 00:30:09,476 - I've placed at... too many ninja comps to count. 793 00:30:09,509 --> 00:30:11,644 * * 794 00:30:11,678 --> 00:30:13,847 Tonight, I'm gonna prove to everyone at school 795 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:15,949 that you can be a band geek... 796 00:30:15,982 --> 00:30:19,519 * * 797 00:30:19,552 --> 00:30:22,455 This is so much fun! Ahh, whoo! 798 00:30:22,489 --> 00:30:24,090 And smash a finals buzzer 799 00:30:24,124 --> 00:30:25,925 on an "American Ninja Warrior" course. 800 00:30:25,959 --> 00:30:28,194 * * 801 00:30:29,696 --> 00:30:30,830 What's up, guys? 802 00:30:30,864 --> 00:30:32,499 - Max has friends and family 803 00:30:32,532 --> 00:30:34,434 watching from all over the country, 804 00:30:34,467 --> 00:30:36,569 including his dad back in Virginia... 805 00:30:36,603 --> 00:30:37,971 - Come on, Max. 806 00:30:38,004 --> 00:30:39,539 - And his mom Debbie, who's on the sidelines. 807 00:30:39,572 --> 00:30:42,409 [countdown clock beeping] 808 00:30:42,442 --> 00:30:44,010 - Max and his family, they've been watching 809 00:30:44,044 --> 00:30:45,979 "American Ninja Warrior" since he was in the fifth grade. 810 00:30:46,012 --> 00:30:48,948 He said he's seen every episode at least 14 times, 811 00:30:48,982 --> 00:30:50,884 so he's studied every course. 812 00:30:50,917 --> 00:30:52,519 - He's got a couple of other teens, 813 00:30:52,552 --> 00:30:54,654 Owen Dyer and Elijah Browning, cheering him on. 814 00:30:54,688 --> 00:30:56,289 - You got this. 815 00:30:56,322 --> 00:30:58,324 - How many of these teenagers are gonna make it to Vegas? 816 00:30:58,358 --> 00:31:00,460 Max Feinberg working on getting there. 817 00:31:00,493 --> 00:31:02,495 - Easy! - Nice! 818 00:31:02,529 --> 00:31:04,464 - He's only 130 pounds, 819 00:31:04,497 --> 00:31:06,399 so he's got to work hard to generate some swing. 820 00:31:06,433 --> 00:31:08,068 - You're seeing these young athletes coming in here 821 00:31:08,068 --> 00:31:09,536 with such confidence. 822 00:31:09,569 --> 00:31:11,871 Look at him slam into that second ledge right there! 823 00:31:11,905 --> 00:31:14,574 Getting plenty of momentum. Great technique! 824 00:31:14,607 --> 00:31:17,577 I hope every ninja to come watch that form right there. 825 00:31:17,610 --> 00:31:21,181 - And Matt, his dad is keeping track of obstacles to conquer. 826 00:31:21,214 --> 00:31:23,950 Pulls off a number every time he gets through. 827 00:31:23,983 --> 00:31:26,886 - He's on three, 'cause Max is taking on the third obstacle, 828 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:28,188 Tilt-a-Whirl. 829 00:31:28,221 --> 00:31:30,156 - Max talks about being bullied as a kid. 830 00:31:30,190 --> 00:31:32,258 "Ninja" really helped him transform his life. 831 00:31:32,292 --> 00:31:34,427 Now he's out there crushing the course. 832 00:31:34,461 --> 00:31:35,962 - Says he's a proud band geek. 833 00:31:35,995 --> 00:31:38,298 Wonder what the students at his school are thinking. 834 00:31:38,331 --> 00:31:40,967 I'll bet he'll get picked first next time for dodgeball. 835 00:31:41,001 --> 00:31:42,969 Watch him push that far hand away. 836 00:31:43,003 --> 00:31:44,437 - Whoo! 837 00:31:44,471 --> 00:31:45,772 - Now, rotate the opposite direction, Feinberg! 838 00:31:45,805 --> 00:31:47,640 - And the rotation here, you can see him-- 839 00:31:47,674 --> 00:31:49,175 his glasses are still staying on, by the way. 840 00:31:49,209 --> 00:31:50,410 That's impressive. 841 00:31:50,443 --> 00:31:52,112 Uh-oh, uh-oh. He's having a hard time. 842 00:31:52,145 --> 00:31:55,181 He's got to use that lower body to turn. 843 00:31:56,616 --> 00:31:58,485 Nice. 844 00:31:58,518 --> 00:32:01,287 - We are at Universal Studios, ground zero for Hollywood. 845 00:32:01,321 --> 00:32:02,622 The spotlight's all around. 846 00:32:02,655 --> 00:32:05,058 You're right, though, he is struggling. 847 00:32:05,091 --> 00:32:06,760 - Yeah, Matt, he's having a little hard time 848 00:32:06,793 --> 00:32:08,061 using the lower body 849 00:32:08,094 --> 00:32:10,296 to turn around the Tilt-a-Whirl. 850 00:32:10,330 --> 00:32:13,299 - Yeah! - Let's go! 851 00:32:13,333 --> 00:32:15,068 That was "amaxing!" 852 00:32:15,068 --> 00:32:17,170 - There it is, buddy, number three. 853 00:32:17,203 --> 00:32:20,073 - The band geek's got to march through the Spinning Bridge. 854 00:32:20,106 --> 00:32:22,642 High steps, high steps. 855 00:32:22,676 --> 00:32:24,411 - Hot feet, hot feet. Nice. 856 00:32:24,444 --> 00:32:26,212 - Just jumps right in. 857 00:32:26,246 --> 00:32:27,881 - Do you see him--he point-- 858 00:32:27,914 --> 00:32:29,949 he's taunting the Spinning Bridge. 859 00:32:29,983 --> 00:32:31,785 [trumpet blows harshly] 860 00:32:31,818 --> 00:32:33,286 - I don't think he heard my tribute to him. 861 00:32:33,319 --> 00:32:34,654 - No, he can't hear that. - Max! 862 00:32:34,688 --> 00:32:35,922 - You're tone-deaf. 863 00:32:35,955 --> 00:32:37,657 [trumpet blows harshly] 864 00:32:37,691 --> 00:32:39,926 - It's not very--okay. 865 00:32:39,959 --> 00:32:41,327 I think I'm just distracting him at this point. 866 00:32:41,361 --> 00:32:43,163 All right, Max, you got this, buddy. 867 00:32:44,164 --> 00:32:45,999 - Nice, dude! 868 00:32:46,099 --> 00:32:47,534 - This is the real test. 869 00:32:47,567 --> 00:32:49,402 You can't ask the teacher for help on this one. 870 00:32:49,436 --> 00:32:51,805 - Having trouble creating some rotational energy. 871 00:32:51,838 --> 00:32:53,340 We saw it there on Tilt-a-Whirl. 872 00:32:53,373 --> 00:32:54,841 - Come on, Max. Have fun. 873 00:32:54,874 --> 00:32:56,343 - Oh, nice one, kid. - You're on Wall-to-Wall. 874 00:32:56,376 --> 00:32:57,844 - I like the way he came 875 00:32:57,877 --> 00:32:59,713 into that second platform very controlled. 876 00:32:59,746 --> 00:33:03,316 - He just rode that one down. Now this is an 8-inch drop. 877 00:33:03,350 --> 00:33:04,784 - Nice. - Great job. 878 00:33:04,818 --> 00:33:06,419 - Yeah, Matt, I like how he came in really tight 879 00:33:06,453 --> 00:33:08,955 to anticipate the drop, using a long body to get over. 880 00:33:09,055 --> 00:33:11,191 - There it is. - Oh, there we go. 881 00:33:11,224 --> 00:33:13,893 - He is off to the races. 882 00:33:13,927 --> 00:33:16,329 - Dad said, "Boy, you better get up that wall." 883 00:33:16,363 --> 00:33:18,098 - Come on, Akbar, let's play him up. 884 00:33:18,131 --> 00:33:20,700 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 885 00:33:20,734 --> 00:33:22,569 Beat that wall! - Come on, beat that wall! 886 00:33:22,602 --> 00:33:24,804 - Let's go! 887 00:33:24,838 --> 00:33:27,207 [trumpets squealing] 888 00:33:27,240 --> 00:33:29,609 - This is your celebration to getting at the top of the wall. 889 00:33:29,642 --> 00:33:30,677 - Hey, Max! - Go get that back half. 890 00:33:30,710 --> 00:33:32,212 - You ain't done! Keep going, buddy! 891 00:33:32,245 --> 00:33:34,981 - That was horrible--that was a heck of a celebration music. 892 00:33:35,081 --> 00:33:36,750 - I think he wanted to get away from us. 893 00:33:36,783 --> 00:33:38,585 Look at that, kicking up his heels. 894 00:33:38,618 --> 00:33:40,587 This kid has such a great attitude. 895 00:33:42,455 --> 00:33:43,890 But you can see the back of his shirt, 896 00:33:43,923 --> 00:33:46,359 Akbar, there is a real motivation for him. 897 00:33:46,393 --> 00:33:47,527 It's that pink ribbon. 898 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:48,995 "1 in 8," that's in reference 899 00:33:49,095 --> 00:33:50,330 to the women who have breast cancer, 900 00:33:50,363 --> 00:33:51,564 and of course that includes someone 901 00:33:51,598 --> 00:33:53,600 very close to him, his mom. 902 00:33:53,633 --> 00:33:56,102 - She's a fighter just like he is. 903 00:33:56,102 --> 00:33:58,538 - And now, Max will take on the Salmon Ladder. 904 00:33:58,571 --> 00:34:00,507 Has to hop it up four rungs. 905 00:34:02,375 --> 00:34:03,576 - Oh, my goodness! 906 00:34:03,610 --> 00:34:05,211 Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop! Okay! 907 00:34:05,245 --> 00:34:06,746 - Maybe he should be in the percussion section 908 00:34:06,780 --> 00:34:07,947 of the band. 909 00:34:08,048 --> 00:34:09,282 - It's time to have some fun with it! 910 00:34:09,315 --> 00:34:11,651 - Yeah, have fun, brother! 911 00:34:11,685 --> 00:34:14,054 - Well, I don't know if Corkscrew's gonna be fun. 912 00:34:14,087 --> 00:34:16,056 - This right here can get you dizzy. 913 00:34:16,089 --> 00:34:18,191 Getting off of Corkscrew. Whoa. 914 00:34:18,224 --> 00:34:19,859 - I don't think he's opened many wine bottles, 915 00:34:19,893 --> 00:34:23,430 but he knows how to ride the Corkscrew. 916 00:34:23,463 --> 00:34:25,699 - Nice, get high. Wow. 917 00:34:25,732 --> 00:34:27,100 - And you just-- you see the power 918 00:34:27,133 --> 00:34:28,201 on the laches, Akbar. 919 00:34:28,234 --> 00:34:30,103 This is a big transfer up. 920 00:34:30,136 --> 00:34:31,638 - And this has a lot to do 921 00:34:31,671 --> 00:34:32,906 with his ability to study failure. 922 00:34:32,939 --> 00:34:34,307 - Wow! - Watch it. 923 00:34:34,341 --> 00:34:35,875 He's got the athletics. - You see that? 924 00:34:35,909 --> 00:34:38,545 The arms at 9:00 and 3:00? Perfect. 925 00:34:38,578 --> 00:34:40,146 Feinberg getting stronger 926 00:34:40,180 --> 00:34:43,116 on the back half of the course. 927 00:34:43,149 --> 00:34:44,317 And a little roll. 928 00:34:44,351 --> 00:34:45,752 - Look at that. He's celebrating. 929 00:34:45,785 --> 00:34:47,487 And for all the film that he's watched, 930 00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:49,989 he's never seen this before, a Split Decision 931 00:34:50,090 --> 00:34:53,226 between a balance obstacle and an upper body obstacle. 932 00:34:53,259 --> 00:34:55,395 - And he's doing a little Pin the Tail on the Donkey 933 00:34:55,428 --> 00:34:56,696 to try to decide. 934 00:34:56,730 --> 00:34:59,866 And he's going towards Inverter. 935 00:34:59,899 --> 00:35:02,268 Two others, Christian Youst and Isaiah Wakeham, 936 00:35:02,302 --> 00:35:04,537 both tried this and didn't make it. 937 00:35:04,571 --> 00:35:06,639 - But this is such a tough obstacle, 938 00:35:06,673 --> 00:35:09,576 especially after the eight obstacles before this. 939 00:35:09,609 --> 00:35:10,877 All right, here we go. 940 00:35:10,910 --> 00:35:13,246 I got a feeling he's gonna do this, Matt. 941 00:35:13,279 --> 00:35:14,447 - Transfer under. 942 00:35:14,481 --> 00:35:15,448 - This is where he's got to max out. 943 00:35:15,482 --> 00:35:16,683 - And switching over. 944 00:35:16,716 --> 00:35:18,051 - He's got to max out, get that reach. 945 00:35:18,051 --> 00:35:20,186 He's 5'10" so he should have plenty of reach. 946 00:35:20,220 --> 00:35:22,055 - Oh, my goodness, Akbar. 947 00:35:22,088 --> 00:35:23,256 - Matt, he doesn't even look like 948 00:35:23,289 --> 00:35:24,724 he's nervous or that he's struggling. 949 00:35:24,758 --> 00:35:26,793 - Watch this transfer. This is a drop down here. 950 00:35:26,826 --> 00:35:28,895 - Come on, Max. - Close it. Close it down. 951 00:35:28,928 --> 00:35:30,296 Close it down. - Oh, my! 952 00:35:30,330 --> 00:35:31,931 - Close it down! 953 00:35:31,965 --> 00:35:33,433 - Send it! 954 00:35:33,466 --> 00:35:36,069 - Will he be the first to get through the Inverter? 955 00:35:36,102 --> 00:35:37,504 - Uh-oh. He's gonna lache. 956 00:35:37,537 --> 00:35:38,838 - Now, you can reach up-- 957 00:35:38,872 --> 00:35:40,140 - I don't know about this move. 958 00:35:40,173 --> 00:35:41,641 Oh! 959 00:35:41,675 --> 00:35:44,744 - But he does! He is "amaxing." 960 00:35:44,778 --> 00:35:46,746 And dad's got to pull off another number... 961 00:35:46,780 --> 00:35:48,581 - You did it! Number nine. 962 00:35:48,615 --> 00:35:51,084 - Because Max Feinberg's going for number ten. 963 00:35:51,084 --> 00:35:52,952 Trying to be our first finisher. 964 00:35:52,986 --> 00:35:58,258 Got to get up the Spider Trap, a 35-foot climb straight up. 965 00:35:58,291 --> 00:36:02,495 - These doors are 100 pounds. He's 130 pounds. 966 00:36:02,529 --> 00:36:06,599 He's not weight room strong, but he is ninja strong. 967 00:36:06,633 --> 00:36:09,069 He's using his scapula and into his elbows 968 00:36:09,102 --> 00:36:10,637 to get these heavy doors open. 969 00:36:10,670 --> 00:36:11,838 - Look at the flexibility, 970 00:36:11,871 --> 00:36:13,106 the way he can twist the hips out 971 00:36:13,139 --> 00:36:15,308 to get those feet almost flat. 972 00:36:15,342 --> 00:36:18,478 - You know these 16-year-olds, man, they're flexible. 973 00:36:18,511 --> 00:36:21,848 - This is incredible. One side, then the other. 974 00:36:21,881 --> 00:36:23,817 I got to tell you, the strength coach is gonna 975 00:36:23,850 --> 00:36:25,418 want this kid in the weight room. 976 00:36:25,452 --> 00:36:27,754 He's strong! 977 00:36:27,787 --> 00:36:30,056 - Matt, look, the glasses are still on. 978 00:36:30,056 --> 00:36:31,558 His glasses haven't even moved! 979 00:36:31,591 --> 00:36:33,493 He hasn't even adjusted his glasses! 980 00:36:33,526 --> 00:36:34,794 - Oh! Does he have enough left 981 00:36:34,828 --> 00:36:36,296 for the final set of doors, Akbar? 982 00:36:36,329 --> 00:36:38,298 - He can see the buzzer though, he can see the buzzer. 983 00:36:38,331 --> 00:36:40,100 Come on. Put your back into it. 984 00:36:40,133 --> 00:36:44,170 - How "amaxing" is it? And the band plays on! 985 00:36:44,204 --> 00:36:46,172 - Max out! Max out! 986 00:36:46,206 --> 00:36:50,143 - "Amaxing" Max Feinberg has done it! 987 00:36:50,176 --> 00:36:53,380 [cheers and applause] 988 00:36:53,413 --> 00:36:56,850 The youngest ever to hit a semifinals buzzer. 989 00:36:56,883 --> 00:36:59,919 Enjoy it, young man. Enjoy it. 990 00:37:00,020 --> 00:37:01,888 - Oh, man, he's overwhelmed. 991 00:37:01,921 --> 00:37:04,057 - Let's go! 992 00:37:04,090 --> 00:37:07,027 * * 993 00:37:07,060 --> 00:37:09,062 - What a moment for his mom, Debbie. 994 00:37:09,095 --> 00:37:10,430 All they've been through. 995 00:37:10,463 --> 00:37:12,499 Max, what is it like giving your mom-- 996 00:37:12,532 --> 00:37:14,534 look at the smile on her face, my friend. 997 00:37:14,567 --> 00:37:16,036 What does it feel like with that? 998 00:37:16,036 --> 00:37:19,472 - To make my mom proud is just the biggest-- 999 00:37:19,506 --> 00:37:23,410 the most I could ever ask for in my life--in the world. 1000 00:37:23,443 --> 00:37:25,045 That buzzer's for you, Mom! 1001 00:37:25,045 --> 00:37:27,781 - Love you, buddy. Love you, Max. 1002 00:37:27,814 --> 00:37:30,216 - He's the first to figure out the Inverter, 1003 00:37:30,250 --> 00:37:32,252 and at only 16 years old, 1004 00:37:32,285 --> 00:37:34,254 he's the first finisher tonight 1005 00:37:34,287 --> 00:37:38,725 and youngest ever to hit a semifinals buzzer. 1006 00:37:38,758 --> 00:37:43,229 [trumpets squealing] 1007 00:37:43,263 --> 00:37:44,864 - That's for you, Max! 1008 00:37:47,634 --> 00:37:48,835 Not one lesson! 1009 00:37:48,868 --> 00:37:50,670 - That's hard. That's hard. 1010 00:37:50,704 --> 00:37:53,239 - I think I'm gonna pass out. 1011 00:37:53,273 --> 00:37:55,542 More can't-miss moments are coming up... 1012 00:37:55,575 --> 00:37:57,077 - Yeah! 1013 00:37:57,077 --> 00:37:58,611 - Including Olympic legend Scott Hamilton... 1014 00:37:58,645 --> 00:37:59,846 - Whoo! 1015 00:37:59,879 --> 00:38:02,716 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1016 00:38:06,820 --> 00:38:09,422 - We're here on the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles 1017 00:38:09,456 --> 00:38:12,092 and are thrilled that Universal Studios Hollywood 1018 00:38:12,125 --> 00:38:15,028 is open and welcoming guests back to the theme park 1019 00:38:15,061 --> 00:38:18,865 to experience the amazing new Indominus Rex 1020 00:38:18,898 --> 00:38:21,101 on Jurassic World: The Ride. 1021 00:38:21,134 --> 00:38:22,669 - Plus, you've got to check out 1022 00:38:22,702 --> 00:38:25,038 Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, 1023 00:38:25,038 --> 00:38:28,908 where you can now ride Jurassic World: Velocicoaster, 1024 00:38:28,942 --> 00:38:32,846 the apex predator of roller coasters. 1025 00:38:32,879 --> 00:38:35,048 - We've had lots of early surprises 1026 00:38:35,081 --> 00:38:37,050 in our first night of semifinals. 1027 00:38:37,083 --> 00:38:39,919 Christian Washington, at 6'3" and 175 pounds, 1028 00:38:39,953 --> 00:38:41,921 is nicknamed The Panther, 1029 00:38:41,955 --> 00:38:44,924 but he couldn't make the leap at Lunatic Ledges. 1030 00:38:44,958 --> 00:38:47,260 - Oh, no! 1031 00:38:47,293 --> 00:38:50,463 - Michigan's Sophie Shaft is one of five teenage girls 1032 00:38:50,497 --> 00:38:52,298 to qualify for the semifinals, 1033 00:38:52,332 --> 00:38:54,734 but she also had trouble on Lunatic Ledges... 1034 00:38:54,768 --> 00:38:55,969 - She's in big trouble here, Matt. 1035 00:38:56,069 --> 00:38:57,103 - And couldn't save it. 1036 00:38:57,137 --> 00:38:58,838 - Oh, no, no. - Oh! 1037 00:38:58,872 --> 00:39:00,140 - Oh, no! 1038 00:39:00,173 --> 00:39:02,175 - Missouri dairy farmer Caleb Dowden 1039 00:39:02,208 --> 00:39:05,111 fueled up with buckets of milk before his run. 1040 00:39:05,145 --> 00:39:07,313 - Does his body good? Oh, that is milk. 1041 00:39:07,347 --> 00:39:10,383 - But he too got in trouble on Lunatic Ledges... 1042 00:39:10,417 --> 00:39:13,353 - You just gotta go. Oh! 1043 00:39:13,386 --> 00:39:15,021 - And became our third straight ninja 1044 00:39:15,021 --> 00:39:16,690 to fall on the second obstacle. 1045 00:39:16,723 --> 00:39:19,559 - Caleb Dowden needed a little bit more cowbell there. 1046 00:39:19,592 --> 00:39:22,162 - I should have drank more milk. 1047 00:39:22,195 --> 00:39:25,031 - Our next athlete has made fitness her life. 1048 00:39:25,065 --> 00:39:26,800 This is Zhanique Lovett. 1049 00:39:26,833 --> 00:39:30,236 The mom and personal trainer from Visalia, California, 1050 00:39:30,270 --> 00:39:32,205 made her debut four years ago, 1051 00:39:32,238 --> 00:39:36,376 and she's got some unfinished business here at Universal. 1052 00:39:36,409 --> 00:39:40,046 - Four years ago, I just ran out of gas on the Warped Wall. 1053 00:39:40,046 --> 00:39:41,047 - Ooh. - Oh! 1054 00:39:41,047 --> 00:39:42,515 - I was a rookie, 1055 00:39:42,549 --> 00:39:45,352 and I did not have the strength to get up the wall. 1056 00:39:45,385 --> 00:39:48,221 - No! Final attempt for Zhanique. 1057 00:39:48,254 --> 00:39:49,322 - I didn't have the right technique, 1058 00:39:49,356 --> 00:39:51,624 so I failed three times. 1059 00:39:51,658 --> 00:39:53,326 - Oh! - Oh! 1060 00:39:53,360 --> 00:39:57,330 - Zhanique Lovett comes up a bit short. 1061 00:39:57,364 --> 00:39:59,065 - If I would have made it up that year, 1062 00:39:59,065 --> 00:40:00,800 I would have been the first mom to make it up the wall. 1063 00:40:00,834 --> 00:40:03,536 And it's just been haunting me. 1064 00:40:03,570 --> 00:40:05,605 I know that I can get up that wall. 1065 00:40:05,638 --> 00:40:07,574 I've trained so hard. 1066 00:40:07,607 --> 00:40:09,442 I got it! 1067 00:40:09,476 --> 00:40:11,644 You better believe, when I get to that Warped Wall, 1068 00:40:11,678 --> 00:40:13,046 I'm going to crush it. 1069 00:40:13,079 --> 00:40:17,584 Tonight's the night. 1070 00:40:17,617 --> 00:40:19,452 Hi, guys! 1071 00:40:19,486 --> 00:40:21,855 - There's her husband Joseph cheering her on. 1072 00:40:21,888 --> 00:40:24,891 Her three kids must be asleep, Akbar. 1073 00:40:24,924 --> 00:40:27,594 - One obstacle at a time. Trust yourself. 1074 00:40:27,627 --> 00:40:28,595 - Breathe. 1075 00:40:28,628 --> 00:40:31,031 [countdown clock beeping] 1076 00:40:31,064 --> 00:40:32,232 - And I think this is the night 1077 00:40:32,265 --> 00:40:34,300 Zhanique finally breaks through. 1078 00:40:34,334 --> 00:40:36,903 Ooh. Okay, coming with that speed. 1079 00:40:36,936 --> 00:40:38,138 - Come on, Z. You got this! 1080 00:40:38,171 --> 00:40:39,939 - Made it to the fifth obstacle 1081 00:40:39,973 --> 00:40:42,609 in qualifying this year, one obstacle away. 1082 00:40:42,642 --> 00:40:44,377 She knows about coming close, Akbar. 1083 00:40:44,411 --> 00:40:46,913 - Well, the difference is, this season, she's healthy. 1084 00:40:46,946 --> 00:40:49,816 She was battling some injuries the past few years. 1085 00:40:49,849 --> 00:40:51,851 Finally, she's back at 100%. 1086 00:40:51,885 --> 00:40:53,953 - Great power here on Lunatic Ledges. 1087 00:40:53,987 --> 00:40:55,855 - You can tell, she's all muscles too, Matt. 1088 00:40:55,889 --> 00:40:57,957 She ain't playing around. She puts in that work. 1089 00:40:57,991 --> 00:40:59,592 - 5'6", 135. 1090 00:40:59,626 --> 00:41:02,328 - Ooh, a little backwards jump. 1091 00:41:02,362 --> 00:41:04,097 - And she is having fun. 1092 00:41:04,130 --> 00:41:05,765 - Yeah, girl! 1093 00:41:05,799 --> 00:41:07,100 - In addition to her training, 1094 00:41:07,133 --> 00:41:09,102 she's started making her own energy bars. 1095 00:41:09,135 --> 00:41:10,637 - A mother of three, Matt. 1096 00:41:10,670 --> 00:41:13,073 And she just--she puts so much time in, as a mom, 1097 00:41:13,106 --> 00:41:16,710 into her ninja, and now into her business. 1098 00:41:16,743 --> 00:41:18,678 Nice. 1099 00:41:18,712 --> 00:41:20,680 - The top three women from tonight will move on 1100 00:41:20,714 --> 00:41:22,482 to the national finals. 1101 00:41:22,515 --> 00:41:25,652 Zhanique hasn't been to Vegas since season ten. 1102 00:41:25,685 --> 00:41:26,886 - You're good, you're good. 1103 00:41:26,920 --> 00:41:28,388 - See it. Come on. 1104 00:41:28,421 --> 00:41:30,123 - Big hop. both: Yes! 1105 00:41:30,156 --> 00:41:31,658 - Makes it to the last one. 1106 00:41:31,691 --> 00:41:34,160 Just needs to turn it around and dismount. 1107 00:41:34,194 --> 00:41:35,962 - Come on, girl. - Come on. 1108 00:41:35,995 --> 00:41:38,398 - Big swing. both: Oh! 1109 00:41:38,431 --> 00:41:40,433 [air horn blows] 1110 00:41:42,969 --> 00:41:45,839 - Oh, my gosh. 1111 00:41:45,872 --> 00:41:48,308 Oh, my gosh. 1112 00:41:48,341 --> 00:41:50,143 I can't believe that just happened. 1113 00:41:50,176 --> 00:41:52,145 - I'm just as shocked as she is. 1114 00:41:52,178 --> 00:41:55,281 She made the leap to the third triangle with no problem. 1115 00:41:55,315 --> 00:41:58,018 But as she starts to build up swing for the dismount, 1116 00:41:58,118 --> 00:42:00,854 her momentum carried the bar right off the cradle. 1117 00:42:00,887 --> 00:42:03,656 No Warped Wall tonight. 1118 00:42:03,690 --> 00:42:07,627 - Big names are just ahead, including the Cowboy Ninja, 1119 00:42:07,660 --> 00:42:09,329 Lance Pekus, 1120 00:42:09,362 --> 00:42:12,332 the Big Dog, Jody Avila, 1121 00:42:12,365 --> 00:42:15,135 and the reigning champion, Daniel Gil. 1122 00:42:15,168 --> 00:42:18,571 Plus, one ninja makes his case. 1123 00:42:18,605 --> 00:42:22,075 - If you want results, call me. 1124 00:42:27,414 --> 00:42:28,381 - Welcome back to the semifinals 1125 00:42:28,415 --> 00:42:30,650 of "American Ninja Warrior." 1126 00:42:30,684 --> 00:42:33,620 This year, our ninjas have a choice of obstacles. 1127 00:42:33,653 --> 00:42:35,588 We call it Split Decision. 1128 00:42:35,622 --> 00:42:39,659 - Yeah, and so far, our ninjas are split on which way to go. 1129 00:42:39,693 --> 00:42:41,995 Minutes ago, it was our old friend, 1130 00:42:42,095 --> 00:42:44,264 Idaho rancher Lance Pekus. 1131 00:42:44,297 --> 00:42:46,266 - Giddy up, cowboy. 1132 00:42:46,299 --> 00:42:49,369 - The Cowboy Ninja had a bit of a rough ride early. 1133 00:42:49,402 --> 00:42:51,104 Oh, no! My goodness! 1134 00:42:51,104 --> 00:42:54,140 - There it is! Oh, here we go! 1135 00:42:54,174 --> 00:42:57,010 - The ten-time veteran showed his true grit 1136 00:42:57,110 --> 00:42:59,212 and muscled his way to the ninth obstacle. 1137 00:42:59,245 --> 00:43:01,314 - Whoo! - There we go. 1138 00:43:01,348 --> 00:43:03,283 - Which way will he go? 1139 00:43:03,316 --> 00:43:06,786 - At Split Decision, he stared down Tuning Forks... 1140 00:43:06,820 --> 00:43:08,455 Oh, he psyched us! 1141 00:43:08,488 --> 00:43:10,957 Then made a last-minute move to the Inverter. 1142 00:43:11,057 --> 00:43:13,126 - Oh, my! Great save! 1143 00:43:13,159 --> 00:43:14,894 - Hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it. 1144 00:43:14,928 --> 00:43:18,331 - And that's where his wild ride finally came to an end. 1145 00:43:18,365 --> 00:43:21,134 Oh! 1146 00:43:21,167 --> 00:43:24,671 - Maybe I should have gone balance. 1147 00:43:24,704 --> 00:43:26,473 - Well, our next athlete is ready 1148 00:43:26,506 --> 00:43:28,742 to make his case on the course. 1149 00:43:28,775 --> 00:43:31,611 This is Fort Worth attorney Brian Burkhardt. 1150 00:43:31,644 --> 00:43:35,815 And he is the Law Ninja. 1151 00:43:35,849 --> 00:43:39,085 - If you want results, call me, Brian Burkhardt, 1152 00:43:39,085 --> 00:43:41,721 at 1-800-1LAW-NINJA. 1153 00:43:41,755 --> 00:43:44,257 Summertime is supposed to be about family fun. 1154 00:43:44,290 --> 00:43:45,625 But at least once a week, 1155 00:43:45,658 --> 00:43:48,361 we're faced with unexpected accidents, 1156 00:43:48,395 --> 00:43:50,663 or worst of all, having your dreams of victory 1157 00:43:50,697 --> 00:43:54,367 snatched away by a couple of punk kids. 1158 00:43:54,401 --> 00:43:57,103 Oh, those punk kids. - That's all right, buddy. 1159 00:43:57,103 --> 00:44:00,173 It's time to call me, Brian Burkhardt, the Law Ninja. 1160 00:44:00,206 --> 00:44:02,909 - I'm the Cowboy Ninja, so imagine my surprise 1161 00:44:02,942 --> 00:44:05,111 when I was bucked off the balance obstacle. 1162 00:44:05,145 --> 00:44:07,347 That bridge was obviously broken. 1163 00:44:07,380 --> 00:44:10,417 Brian took my case. Then he took my hat. 1164 00:44:10,450 --> 00:44:12,218 I need that hat back, Brian. 1165 00:44:12,252 --> 00:44:15,255 - I had never fallen on a qualifying course before. 1166 00:44:15,288 --> 00:44:17,190 Then I got the shock of my life. 1167 00:44:17,223 --> 00:44:19,125 I called Brian, and he was able to get me a trip 1168 00:44:19,159 --> 00:44:21,061 to Universal Studios Hollywood. 1169 00:44:21,061 --> 00:44:22,495 Thanks, Law Ninja. 1170 00:44:22,529 --> 00:44:25,565 - It's time to call me, Brian Burkhardt, the Law Ninja, 1171 00:44:25,598 --> 00:44:28,601 at 1-800-1LAW-NINJA. 1172 00:44:28,635 --> 00:44:30,837 - Wait a minute, that's way too many numbers, man. 1173 00:44:30,870 --> 00:44:34,441 - No, listen. Just dial 1-800-1LAW-NINJA. 1174 00:44:34,474 --> 00:44:37,143 I'm Brian Burkhardt, and I'm ready to fight for you. 1175 00:44:41,247 --> 00:44:43,783 - That's the funniest thing we've ever had. 1176 00:44:43,817 --> 00:44:45,652 I love it. [laughs] 1177 00:44:45,685 --> 00:44:48,455 - And his friends and family love to cheer him on. 1178 00:44:48,488 --> 00:44:50,757 There's his sister watching from back in Texas, 1179 00:44:50,790 --> 00:44:52,826 along with some friends. 1180 00:44:52,859 --> 00:44:55,095 [countdown clock beeping] 1181 00:44:55,095 --> 00:44:57,097 - He's made it to Vegas three times. 1182 00:44:57,130 --> 00:44:59,232 Trying to get back there again. 1183 00:44:59,265 --> 00:45:01,234 - Yeah! Whoo! 1184 00:45:01,267 --> 00:45:04,337 - He's got some of his fellow Texas ninjas cheering him on. 1185 00:45:04,371 --> 00:45:06,072 It's tough to be a full-time lawyer, 1186 00:45:06,106 --> 00:45:07,440 working long hours, 1187 00:45:07,474 --> 00:45:09,776 and still find time to train for ninja. 1188 00:45:09,809 --> 00:45:12,312 Brian Burkhardt trying to show it can be done. 1189 00:45:12,345 --> 00:45:14,314 - Take it one obstacle at a time. 1190 00:45:14,347 --> 00:45:15,482 Here we go. - Turn around quick. 1191 00:45:15,515 --> 00:45:16,816 - Here it is--technique here. 1192 00:45:16,850 --> 00:45:18,451 - Got to make the move right here. 1193 00:45:18,485 --> 00:45:21,254 - Go, ah--he thought about it. He almost held on too long. 1194 00:45:21,287 --> 00:45:23,656 - Good job. - But he survives it. 1195 00:45:23,690 --> 00:45:26,092 On now to the Tilt-a-Whirl. 1196 00:45:26,126 --> 00:45:28,094 - All right, come on. Tilt-a-Whirl--this lawyer, 1197 00:45:28,128 --> 00:45:30,697 he's got to lay down the law on this one. 1198 00:45:30,730 --> 00:45:32,799 Here we go. 1199 00:45:32,832 --> 00:45:35,201 - No objection so far. - Here we go. 1200 00:45:35,235 --> 00:45:36,803 - Get that left hand locked in. 1201 00:45:36,836 --> 00:45:39,305 - Nice. That's how you lay it down. 1202 00:45:39,339 --> 00:45:40,874 - Then rotate the opposite direction. 1203 00:45:40,907 --> 00:45:43,109 - Lay down the law there, Brian. 1204 00:45:43,143 --> 00:45:45,078 - You can see him going with that switch grip, 1205 00:45:45,111 --> 00:45:46,346 trying to prevent the bar peeling out 1206 00:45:46,379 --> 00:45:49,716 of his hands right there. 1207 00:45:49,749 --> 00:45:52,485 Remember, only the top 15 move on to Vegas. 1208 00:45:52,519 --> 00:45:55,588 You need to get deep on this course to have a chance. 1209 00:45:57,090 --> 00:45:58,925 Burkhardt gets through. 1210 00:45:58,958 --> 00:46:00,527 - Let's go. Let's go! 1211 00:46:00,560 --> 00:46:03,863 - The five-time veteran now on to Spinning Bridge. 1212 00:46:03,897 --> 00:46:06,566 - Boom. - Yeah, that's it, baby! 1213 00:46:06,599 --> 00:46:09,102 - Always been known as a ninja who goes fast, 1214 00:46:09,135 --> 00:46:11,638 but that has sometimes led to early falls. 1215 00:46:11,671 --> 00:46:13,406 - Get in there, jump in tight. Nice. 1216 00:46:13,440 --> 00:46:15,408 Look at him, looking like a little briefcase. 1217 00:46:15,442 --> 00:46:17,510 - Wall to Wall-- like a little briefcase? 1218 00:46:19,045 --> 00:46:20,280 - That's it. 1219 00:46:20,313 --> 00:46:21,648 - Well, let's see if Matlock can finish it here. 1220 00:46:21,681 --> 00:46:22,716 - Easy work. Easy work. You got this. 1221 00:46:22,749 --> 00:46:26,052 - Eyeing that gap. - Ooh! 1222 00:46:26,086 --> 00:46:27,921 - He hit his face on that one. - Oh, my goodness. 1223 00:46:27,954 --> 00:46:29,222 - You heard that at home, didn't you? 1224 00:46:29,255 --> 00:46:31,057 - I heard that! - He's talking to us. 1225 00:46:31,057 --> 00:46:32,258 - Boy, it got him right in the dome. 1226 00:46:32,292 --> 00:46:33,827 - You got to refocus here, 1227 00:46:33,860 --> 00:46:36,363 'cause this is an 8-inch drop on this handle. 1228 00:46:36,396 --> 00:46:37,797 - Oh, boy! - Locked in. 1229 00:46:37,831 --> 00:46:40,166 - Okay, I see you with that Perry Mason grip strength! 1230 00:46:40,200 --> 00:46:42,736 - Well, he was--oh! - Oh, my goodness! 1231 00:46:42,769 --> 00:46:45,438 - I'm gonna hurt something. I'm gonna hurt something. 1232 00:46:45,472 --> 00:46:47,173 - He's okay. 1233 00:46:47,207 --> 00:46:49,909 - Oh, yes! Yes! 1234 00:46:49,943 --> 00:46:53,813 - Ooh. Oh, he's bleeding. Like he's busted his nose. 1235 00:46:53,847 --> 00:46:56,816 - Do we need to adjourn? Do we need a recess? 1236 00:46:56,850 --> 00:46:58,151 - No, we're good. 1237 00:46:58,184 --> 00:47:00,153 No, continue! This will continue! 1238 00:47:00,186 --> 00:47:01,755 - All right. - Sustained! 1239 00:47:01,788 --> 00:47:03,023 - All right. 1240 00:47:03,023 --> 00:47:04,758 - Let's look at this again. 1241 00:47:04,791 --> 00:47:06,659 He slammed his face right into the ledge 1242 00:47:06,693 --> 00:47:08,428 on that second wall. 1243 00:47:08,461 --> 00:47:10,296 That's what started the nosebleed. 1244 00:47:10,330 --> 00:47:13,033 Then he lands right on his tailbone on the dismount. 1245 00:47:13,033 --> 00:47:16,136 Ouch, he better call 1-800-1LAW-NINJA 1246 00:47:16,169 --> 00:47:18,238 after those collisions. 1247 00:47:18,271 --> 00:47:20,807 - Well, that nose really starting to bleed right now. 1248 00:47:20,840 --> 00:47:22,809 - He's gonna need willpower. 1249 00:47:22,842 --> 00:47:25,045 - No problem on that Warped Wall. 1250 00:47:25,045 --> 00:47:26,946 - Let's go, Brian. 1251 00:47:27,047 --> 00:47:28,415 - He looks a little shook. 1252 00:47:28,448 --> 00:47:30,083 - Well, he may be a little lightheaded, 1253 00:47:30,116 --> 00:47:31,551 and if that blood gets into his eyes, 1254 00:47:31,584 --> 00:47:32,886 that could be a problem. 1255 00:47:32,919 --> 00:47:35,388 - Nothing but a little blood for the Burkhardts. 1256 00:47:35,422 --> 00:47:36,856 - We'll see if it affects him. 1257 00:47:36,890 --> 00:47:39,592 He's still got four more tough obstacles to go, 1258 00:47:39,626 --> 00:47:41,728 starting here with the Salmon Ladder. 1259 00:47:41,761 --> 00:47:43,697 - All right, Matt. - Got to get up the rungs. 1260 00:47:43,730 --> 00:47:46,066 - He's got blood on his face. No disgrace. 1261 00:47:46,066 --> 00:47:47,667 You out here doing your ninja thing. 1262 00:47:47,701 --> 00:47:49,769 Sometimes it get like that. Oh, my! 1263 00:47:49,803 --> 00:47:51,071 - Oh, and he locked it, a little uneven, 1264 00:47:51,071 --> 00:47:52,105 but that's okay. 1265 00:47:52,138 --> 00:47:56,242 He can advance on to Corkscrew. 1266 00:47:56,276 --> 00:47:57,977 - Here we go, babe. Let's hang on. 1267 00:47:58,078 --> 00:47:59,446 - Good work. Good work. 1268 00:47:59,479 --> 00:48:00,880 - All right, Matt, this is where he's got 1269 00:48:00,914 --> 00:48:02,582 to trust his training. 1270 00:48:02,615 --> 00:48:05,051 He's got to have that irrevocable trust. 1271 00:48:05,085 --> 00:48:06,186 Nice! 1272 00:48:06,219 --> 00:48:09,022 - Well done there. 1273 00:48:09,055 --> 00:48:10,390 You can just see him spinning around. 1274 00:48:10,423 --> 00:48:12,192 He's gonna inherit the wind once again. 1275 00:48:12,225 --> 00:48:15,462 - Whoa, okay! He is getting twisted up! 1276 00:48:15,495 --> 00:48:17,030 - Now, a big one. - Don't get it twisted! 1277 00:48:17,030 --> 00:48:18,098 - One more. You got this! 1278 00:48:18,131 --> 00:48:20,033 - One more. One more, Brian. Come on. 1279 00:48:20,033 --> 00:48:22,502 - Well, what would Atticus Finch do? 1280 00:48:22,535 --> 00:48:23,937 Unreal! 1281 00:48:24,037 --> 00:48:27,073 The ninja veteran having the run of his life, 1282 00:48:27,107 --> 00:48:28,441 bloody nose and all. 1283 00:48:28,475 --> 00:48:30,276 - Look at him! 1284 00:48:30,310 --> 00:48:31,945 - And he's through the eighth obstacle. 1285 00:48:32,045 --> 00:48:33,747 - Oh, my goodness! - Yes! 1286 00:48:33,780 --> 00:48:35,382 - Yes! - Yes! 1287 00:48:35,415 --> 00:48:38,051 - I think even he can't believe he got this far. 1288 00:48:38,084 --> 00:48:39,953 - He's trying to give me a heart attack. 1289 00:48:40,053 --> 00:48:41,254 - Which one, guys? 1290 00:48:41,287 --> 00:48:42,922 - Tuning Forks! Come on! 1291 00:48:42,956 --> 00:48:46,292 - Well, his buddy Cory Torkelson says Tuning Forks. 1292 00:48:46,326 --> 00:48:47,761 But Tiana Webberley's the only one 1293 00:48:47,794 --> 00:48:49,596 to try it tonight, and she fell. 1294 00:48:49,629 --> 00:48:50,697 - He's got to trust his gut. 1295 00:48:50,730 --> 00:48:52,198 - Don't overthink it, man. 1296 00:48:52,232 --> 00:48:54,834 - Well, here we go. Brian Burkhardt, he's beat up, 1297 00:48:54,868 --> 00:48:56,569 so he's gonna try the quicker 1298 00:48:56,603 --> 00:48:58,171 but more dangerous Tuning Forks. 1299 00:48:58,204 --> 00:49:00,106 Trying to be the first to get through. 1300 00:49:00,140 --> 00:49:01,708 - Will the Tuning Fork be dismissed? 1301 00:49:01,741 --> 00:49:03,009 - A good effort. 1302 00:49:03,009 --> 00:49:04,644 - Will the Tuning Fork be dismissed? 1303 00:49:04,678 --> 00:49:07,180 - Yes! - Let's go! Let's go! 1304 00:49:07,213 --> 00:49:11,184 - The lawyer has done it! - Okay, okay! 1305 00:49:11,217 --> 00:49:14,220 - And by choosing Tuning Forks, he saved time. 1306 00:49:14,254 --> 00:49:16,489 Now he's got a shot at the fastest finish... 1307 00:49:16,523 --> 00:49:17,857 - All the way. 1308 00:49:17,891 --> 00:49:19,793 - Which could get him to the Power Tower. 1309 00:49:19,826 --> 00:49:21,227 - Tell me you're not excited! 1310 00:49:21,261 --> 00:49:24,764 - Has never hit a buzzer on a semifinals course. 1311 00:49:24,798 --> 00:49:27,634 Needs to climb 35 feet up the Spider Trap 1312 00:49:27,667 --> 00:49:28,835 to do it right now. 1313 00:49:28,868 --> 00:49:30,337 - Here we go. 1314 00:49:30,370 --> 00:49:32,472 - And this run almost ended on the fifth obstacle, 1315 00:49:32,505 --> 00:49:33,707 but he fought through it 1316 00:49:33,740 --> 00:49:35,775 and now could be our second finisher. 1317 00:49:35,809 --> 00:49:38,712 - And them doors are heavy. Heavy. 1318 00:49:38,745 --> 00:49:41,281 - Just making slow but steady progress. 1319 00:49:41,314 --> 00:49:44,417 - He got beat up early. And he's still fighting. 1320 00:49:44,451 --> 00:49:45,885 This is willpower. 1321 00:49:45,919 --> 00:49:49,055 - He can beat Max Feinberg for the fastest time. 1322 00:49:49,055 --> 00:49:50,724 But it's gonna be close. - Go through the pain! 1323 00:49:50,757 --> 00:49:53,793 - What a turnaround. - One side and the other. 1324 00:49:53,827 --> 00:49:55,562 - Nice. 100 pounds. 1325 00:49:55,595 --> 00:49:57,630 - But one more big hurdle. 1326 00:49:57,664 --> 00:50:00,500 - Fastest time could mean a Safety Pass in Vegas. 1327 00:50:00,533 --> 00:50:01,601 - Oh! - He's gotta go for it. 1328 00:50:01,634 --> 00:50:03,370 The clock is ticking down. 1329 00:50:03,403 --> 00:50:05,171 This lawyer could make it. Look at him! 1330 00:50:05,205 --> 00:50:06,306 - Oh! - Fight for your life! 1331 00:50:06,339 --> 00:50:08,041 - Only a few seconds left. 1332 00:50:08,074 --> 00:50:10,844 Can he gut it out to beat Max Feinberg? 1333 00:50:10,877 --> 00:50:14,614 Here it is. Through the last doors. 1334 00:50:14,647 --> 00:50:16,716 And he's got it. 1335 00:50:16,750 --> 00:50:18,318 - Yeah! 1336 00:50:18,351 --> 00:50:20,754 This is gonna be so close. He's gotta hit that buzzer. 1337 00:50:20,787 --> 00:50:22,288 He's gonna do it! Burkhardt! 1338 00:50:22,322 --> 00:50:24,457 - Oh, look at him! He's fighting for it! 1339 00:50:24,491 --> 00:50:27,527 He's gonna take it! - Yes! 1340 00:50:27,560 --> 00:50:29,429 - Whoo! 1341 00:50:29,462 --> 00:50:31,564 - By one second, 1342 00:50:31,598 --> 00:50:33,733 gets the fastest time of the night. 1343 00:50:33,767 --> 00:50:36,002 - Yeah! Whoo! 1344 00:50:36,036 --> 00:50:38,872 - Hey, Brian, I don't care what your retainer fee is, 1345 00:50:38,905 --> 00:50:40,473 I want you as my lawyer. 1346 00:50:40,507 --> 00:50:43,076 - I like it, man. Let's do it. I'll draft it up. 1347 00:50:43,109 --> 00:50:45,779 - Let me tell you something, man, you can handle the truth, 1348 00:50:45,812 --> 00:50:48,682 because the truth is, you're going to Vegas. 1349 00:50:50,950 --> 00:50:53,420 - Fought through the blood and the bruises, 1350 00:50:53,453 --> 00:50:56,122 and now he's got a shot to be on the Power Tower 1351 00:50:56,156 --> 00:50:58,725 at the end of the night. 1352 00:50:58,758 --> 00:51:01,428 - And guys, it's a totally different Power Tower. 1353 00:51:01,461 --> 00:51:04,064 But the winner still gets a Safety Pass, 1354 00:51:04,064 --> 00:51:07,300 a second chance if they fall at the national finals. 1355 00:51:07,334 --> 00:51:10,337 Right now, our head-to-head race would pit Brian Burkhardt 1356 00:51:10,370 --> 00:51:12,939 against 16-year-old Max Feinberg. 1357 00:51:12,972 --> 00:51:15,775 Are we gonna see the first high school kid 1358 00:51:15,809 --> 00:51:17,877 compete on the Power Tower? 1359 00:51:17,911 --> 00:51:20,380 Stick around. 1360 00:51:27,387 --> 00:51:30,457 - We've had Olympians on our course all summer long. 1361 00:51:30,490 --> 00:51:34,327 And minutes ago, speedskater KC Boutiette got his shot, 1362 00:51:34,361 --> 00:51:36,796 while being cheered on by an Olympic legend, 1363 00:51:36,830 --> 00:51:38,698 figure skater Scott Hamilton. 1364 00:51:38,732 --> 00:51:41,368 - You got it, buddy! You got it, you can do it! 1365 00:51:41,401 --> 00:51:43,303 - Boutiette went to four Winter Olympics 1366 00:51:43,336 --> 00:51:46,339 and won 27 World Cup medals in his career, 1367 00:51:46,373 --> 00:51:48,375 and showed he's still a competitor. 1368 00:51:48,408 --> 00:51:49,843 - He's got an appetite for success. 1369 00:51:49,876 --> 00:51:51,644 He wants it, and he wants it badly. 1370 00:51:51,678 --> 00:51:53,146 - All right! 1371 00:51:53,179 --> 00:51:54,647 - Even though he's one of our oldest competitors, 1372 00:51:54,681 --> 00:51:57,350 at 50 years old, Boutiette put up a battle. 1373 00:51:57,384 --> 00:51:58,885 - Yeah! 1374 00:51:58,918 --> 00:52:01,688 - And he made it all the way to the fifth obstacle. 1375 00:52:01,721 --> 00:52:07,060 - Oh, my goodness, head first, and baptized into the water. 1376 00:52:07,060 --> 00:52:09,496 - Then, it was another Olympian, our old friend, 1377 00:52:09,529 --> 00:52:12,332 the silver medal-winning gymnast from Houston, 1378 00:52:12,365 --> 00:52:15,101 Jonathan Horton. 1379 00:52:15,135 --> 00:52:17,203 - And he wants to show up and show out. 1380 00:52:17,237 --> 00:52:19,305 - Horton, a seven-time ninja veteran, 1381 00:52:19,339 --> 00:52:22,342 has made it to the semifinal round four times, 1382 00:52:22,375 --> 00:52:26,112 but has never taken the next step and qualified for Vegas. 1383 00:52:26,146 --> 00:52:28,648 He hoped to change that tonight. 1384 00:52:28,682 --> 00:52:30,283 - No! - Oh! 1385 00:52:30,316 --> 00:52:32,585 - Dawg, what the--? 1386 00:52:32,619 --> 00:52:34,921 - But he came up short on Lunatic Ledges, 1387 00:52:34,954 --> 00:52:38,091 and Vegas will have to wait another year. 1388 00:52:38,091 --> 00:52:40,393 And don't forget the Summer Games from Tokyo 1389 00:52:40,427 --> 00:52:45,098 start this week, July 23, right here on NBC. 1390 00:52:45,098 --> 00:52:47,267 Well, now it's time for the other half 1391 00:52:47,300 --> 00:52:48,601 of the Wakeham family. 1392 00:52:48,635 --> 00:52:50,970 This is 17-year-old high school junior 1393 00:52:51,004 --> 00:52:52,806 Isabella Wakeham. 1394 00:52:52,839 --> 00:52:54,574 We saw her brother Isaiah make it 1395 00:52:54,607 --> 00:52:56,109 to the ninth obstacle earlier. 1396 00:52:56,109 --> 00:52:57,711 He's likely headed to Vegas. 1397 00:52:57,744 --> 00:52:59,879 Now she's gonna try to join him. 1398 00:52:59,913 --> 00:53:02,415 Isaiah will be watching, along with their mom. 1399 00:53:02,449 --> 00:53:03,817 - And they've got a bet going. 1400 00:53:03,850 --> 00:53:06,086 If both kids qualify for Vegas, 1401 00:53:06,119 --> 00:53:08,588 Mom gets a tattoo. 1402 00:53:08,621 --> 00:53:10,223 - And Dad's watching, too, there on the left. 1403 00:53:10,256 --> 00:53:13,393 He's back in Texas along with the rest of the family. 1404 00:53:13,426 --> 00:53:16,529 [countdown clock beeping] 1405 00:53:16,563 --> 00:53:20,300 The top three women will move on to Vegas. 1406 00:53:20,333 --> 00:53:22,335 Isabella, a strong start here. 1407 00:53:22,369 --> 00:53:24,204 - Whoo! Yes! 1408 00:53:24,237 --> 00:53:25,939 - 5'5", 130. 1409 00:53:25,972 --> 00:53:28,875 - Matt, she's so impressive. All she does is ninja. 1410 00:53:28,908 --> 00:53:31,544 It's a singular focus for her. 1411 00:53:31,578 --> 00:53:33,346 - It's all you. It's all you. 1412 00:53:33,380 --> 00:53:36,549 - And a great job using that lower body, generating power. 1413 00:53:36,583 --> 00:53:38,718 Throw your body into that second one. 1414 00:53:38,752 --> 00:53:39,819 Good job. Build up some momentum. 1415 00:53:39,853 --> 00:53:41,087 Look around. 1416 00:53:41,087 --> 00:53:42,389 - There we go, nice. Back around. 1417 00:53:42,422 --> 00:53:43,390 - Push off. - Textbook. 1418 00:53:43,423 --> 00:53:44,858 - Perfect. - Nice. 1419 00:53:44,891 --> 00:53:47,093 - Come on, Belle! It's all you! 1420 00:53:47,093 --> 00:53:49,362 - Matt, you mentioned how well she did in qualifying. 1421 00:53:49,396 --> 00:53:51,097 She reached that fifth obstacle 1422 00:53:51,131 --> 00:53:52,565 within a second of her brother, 1423 00:53:52,599 --> 00:53:53,767 so you know she's got it. 1424 00:53:53,800 --> 00:53:55,001 She's got the game. She can go. 1425 00:53:55,101 --> 00:53:57,103 - Well, we saw Isaiah looking strong, 1426 00:53:57,103 --> 00:54:00,640 and he said Isabella's definitely the better ninja. 1427 00:54:00,674 --> 00:54:03,076 Certainly the stronger one, he says. 1428 00:54:03,109 --> 00:54:05,845 Good power there 1429 00:54:05,879 --> 00:54:07,681 and just real calm with that lower body, 1430 00:54:07,714 --> 00:54:11,151 but authoritatively rotating the Tilt-a-Whirl. 1431 00:54:11,184 --> 00:54:13,486 - Well, and that authority comes from confidence. 1432 00:54:13,520 --> 00:54:15,822 When you have that type of confidence, you can do that. 1433 00:54:15,855 --> 00:54:18,258 She trusts her skills. She trusts the process. 1434 00:54:18,291 --> 00:54:20,627 She's been putting in a lot of work, and it is showing. 1435 00:54:20,660 --> 00:54:24,230 In her first year, making it to the semifinals. 1436 00:54:24,264 --> 00:54:25,932 - And these teens came to play. 1437 00:54:25,965 --> 00:54:28,902 17 years old, she's ready for the moment. 1438 00:54:28,935 --> 00:54:30,403 - Whoo! 1439 00:54:30,437 --> 00:54:32,305 - All right, these balance obstacles can be tricky, 1440 00:54:32,339 --> 00:54:33,840 and you see Spinning Bridge. 1441 00:54:33,873 --> 00:54:35,375 The balls will spin on you. 1442 00:54:35,408 --> 00:54:38,211 - All right, here we go, girl. - Take a deep breath. 1443 00:54:38,244 --> 00:54:39,512 I've been through this obstacle before, 1444 00:54:39,546 --> 00:54:41,715 and it's a little intimidating. 1445 00:54:41,748 --> 00:54:43,316 Nice. - Great job. 1446 00:54:43,350 --> 00:54:44,617 - She made that look easy. 1447 00:54:44,651 --> 00:54:46,219 She looked back at it too, like, "What? 1448 00:54:46,252 --> 00:54:47,520 Say something." 1449 00:54:47,554 --> 00:54:49,155 - Come on. It's all you. 1450 00:54:49,189 --> 00:54:52,392 - But now, back to what she feels is her wheelhouse here, 1451 00:54:52,425 --> 00:54:54,661 an upper body obstacle. 1452 00:54:54,694 --> 00:54:56,996 - We saw her back on "Ninja Junior," 1453 00:54:57,097 --> 00:55:00,033 where she actually lost a race to Max Feinberg, 1454 00:55:00,033 --> 00:55:01,668 who was our first finisher tonight. 1455 00:55:01,701 --> 00:55:04,437 - You got it! - There you go. Come on. 1456 00:55:04,471 --> 00:55:07,340 - Got to make her first leap here on Wall to Wall. 1457 00:55:07,374 --> 00:55:09,042 And you can see-- watch the feet, 1458 00:55:09,075 --> 00:55:10,577 trying to get those planted. 1459 00:55:10,610 --> 00:55:12,312 - She is mean mugging the heck out of that little wall. 1460 00:55:12,345 --> 00:55:14,080 - But you gotta focus on the hand grip. 1461 00:55:14,114 --> 00:55:15,281 If you lose the hands, 1462 00:55:15,315 --> 00:55:16,583 you're done, regardless of the feet. 1463 00:55:16,616 --> 00:55:18,451 - Oh, man! Did you see that grip? 1464 00:55:18,485 --> 00:55:20,720 - Great job there. Shaking it out. 1465 00:55:20,754 --> 00:55:24,057 Now an 8-inch drop. You got to absorb it. 1466 00:55:24,057 --> 00:55:25,859 She's got the power. This is about technique. 1467 00:55:25,892 --> 00:55:27,293 - Sometimes it catches you off guard 1468 00:55:27,327 --> 00:55:28,862 if you don't anticipate that drop. 1469 00:55:28,895 --> 00:55:31,197 - Great job. - Nice. 1470 00:55:31,231 --> 00:55:32,599 - Isabella Wakeham 1471 00:55:32,632 --> 00:55:35,335 looking completely in command on this run. 1472 00:55:35,368 --> 00:55:36,469 - She's in control. 1473 00:55:36,503 --> 00:55:37,771 - Wow! - She knows what's up. 1474 00:55:37,804 --> 00:55:39,305 - Great lache. - She knows what's up. 1475 00:55:39,339 --> 00:55:42,542 Isabella and Isaiah about to get they mom tatted up. 1476 00:55:42,575 --> 00:55:44,444 - Look at the smile on her face. 1477 00:55:44,477 --> 00:55:48,682 First time facing the 14 1/2-foot wall. 1478 00:55:48,715 --> 00:55:50,550 Good, long strides. - Nice up! 1479 00:55:50,583 --> 00:55:53,186 [cheers and applause] 1480 00:55:53,219 --> 00:55:54,621 Textbook performance. 1481 00:55:54,654 --> 00:55:56,990 - You enjoying this? - Keep going. 1482 00:55:57,090 --> 00:55:58,625 You get an A+. 1483 00:55:58,658 --> 00:56:00,827 - And only about a dozen women in "Ninja" history 1484 00:56:00,860 --> 00:56:03,730 have reached the back half of a semifinals course. 1485 00:56:03,763 --> 00:56:07,534 Isabella Wakeham now joins that exclusive list. 1486 00:56:07,567 --> 00:56:09,836 We've had so many historic moments this season. 1487 00:56:09,869 --> 00:56:11,638 And if you've missed any episodes, 1488 00:56:11,671 --> 00:56:13,540 you can catch them all on Peacock. 1489 00:56:13,573 --> 00:56:16,843 - We love you, Belle. - Hi, guys. 1490 00:56:16,876 --> 00:56:18,478 - Hey, how you doing? 1491 00:56:18,511 --> 00:56:19,913 Just start thinking about what tattoo 1492 00:56:19,946 --> 00:56:21,214 you want your mom to get. 1493 00:56:21,247 --> 00:56:23,416 - I'm already on it. 1494 00:56:23,450 --> 00:56:24,718 - I think she's gonna have her mom 1495 00:56:24,751 --> 00:56:26,619 get a tattoo of myself and you, huh? 1496 00:56:26,653 --> 00:56:28,655 - That'd be a great one. - That'd be cool. 1497 00:56:28,688 --> 00:56:31,191 - But both kids have to qualify for Vegas. 1498 00:56:31,224 --> 00:56:34,794 Right now, Isabella's gotta worry about the Salmon Ladder. 1499 00:56:34,828 --> 00:56:36,696 Switching grip there. I like that. 1500 00:56:36,730 --> 00:56:39,232 - Nice. 1501 00:56:39,265 --> 00:56:41,101 You weren't doing this at 17. 1502 00:56:41,134 --> 00:56:42,469 - No, I wasn't. 1503 00:56:42,502 --> 00:56:45,472 And she's gonna finish the Salmon Ladder. 1504 00:56:45,505 --> 00:56:48,274 - All right, girl. Come on! 1505 00:56:48,308 --> 00:56:51,478 - But now, the Corkscrew. This is a real challenge. 1506 00:56:51,511 --> 00:56:54,080 - Squeeze, squeeze! 1507 00:56:54,080 --> 00:56:56,216 - Nice. - She loves a challenge. 1508 00:56:56,249 --> 00:56:57,817 And she just controlled that well. 1509 00:56:57,851 --> 00:56:59,719 - Ooh. - A big lache up here, though. 1510 00:56:59,753 --> 00:57:01,121 - And as soon as she gets up there, 1511 00:57:01,154 --> 00:57:02,155 she's got to anticipate that drop. 1512 00:57:02,188 --> 00:57:03,490 - Wow! 1513 00:57:03,523 --> 00:57:04,758 - But you see how she's controlling it? 1514 00:57:04,791 --> 00:57:06,493 - Only the elite women in this sport 1515 00:57:06,526 --> 00:57:08,228 have finished the eighth obstacle. 1516 00:57:08,261 --> 00:57:10,230 Isabella Wakeham trying to join them. 1517 00:57:10,263 --> 00:57:12,032 - Another big one. Watch out. 1518 00:57:12,032 --> 00:57:13,233 - Great lache! Great control! 1519 00:57:13,266 --> 00:57:15,468 - You see that? Nice grip strength. 1520 00:57:15,502 --> 00:57:16,936 - Are you kidding me? 1521 00:57:17,037 --> 00:57:19,039 - Is she about to make it to the ninth obstacle? 1522 00:57:19,072 --> 00:57:20,507 Yes! 1523 00:57:20,540 --> 00:57:25,045 [cheers and applause] 1524 00:57:25,045 --> 00:57:27,380 - You and me the whole way. 1525 00:57:27,414 --> 00:57:29,516 - Now heads to the ninth obstacle. 1526 00:57:29,549 --> 00:57:31,584 What's she gonna do on Split Decision? 1527 00:57:31,618 --> 00:57:33,253 - How do we feel about Tuning Forks? 1528 00:57:33,286 --> 00:57:35,255 - You got that light feet. - If you want to do it. 1529 00:57:35,288 --> 00:57:37,757 - I see that buzzer. - Yeah, you do. 1530 00:57:37,791 --> 00:57:39,225 - It's pretty close. - You do. 1531 00:57:39,259 --> 00:57:42,328 - Says she sees that buzzer. Love the confidence. 1532 00:57:42,362 --> 00:57:43,930 And she's gonna try the Inverter. 1533 00:57:43,963 --> 00:57:48,134 - All right, Isabella. Get this done. 1534 00:57:48,168 --> 00:57:51,971 - But this obstacle is so tough. 1535 00:57:52,072 --> 00:57:53,773 - You can see that cliffhanger there, 1536 00:57:53,807 --> 00:57:55,742 just about on her right hand. 1537 00:57:55,775 --> 00:57:57,877 She has trouble getting the fingers on--there it is. 1538 00:57:57,911 --> 00:57:59,479 - She's wrapping it around. She's got it. 1539 00:57:59,512 --> 00:58:03,183 Now she's got to traverse across. 1540 00:58:03,216 --> 00:58:05,085 - A handle on the far side. 1541 00:58:05,118 --> 00:58:06,219 - That's right. 1542 00:58:06,252 --> 00:58:08,421 both: Oh, no! - The reach! 1543 00:58:08,455 --> 00:58:12,025 - Couldn't grab on. Splashes down. 1544 00:58:12,025 --> 00:58:16,262 But a history-making run by Isabella Wakeham. 1545 00:58:16,296 --> 00:58:18,932 - She's the youngest woman to ever make it to the back 1546 00:58:19,032 --> 00:58:21,034 half of the semifinals course. 1547 00:58:21,067 --> 00:58:23,269 She was crushing it, but on the Inverter, 1548 00:58:23,303 --> 00:58:25,638 she couldn't make that grab as she reached up 1549 00:58:25,672 --> 00:58:28,742 and falls on the same obstacle as her brother. 1550 00:58:28,775 --> 00:58:31,378 - And Zuri's down with the Wakehams. 1551 00:58:31,411 --> 00:58:33,880 - I got to say congratulations to both of you, 1552 00:58:33,913 --> 00:58:35,648 because you went far enough, fast enough, 1553 00:58:35,682 --> 00:58:36,783 you're both headed to Vegas. 1554 00:58:36,816 --> 00:58:38,385 - Whoo! - Let's go! 1555 00:58:38,418 --> 00:58:40,253 - My next question is, Mom, 1556 00:58:40,286 --> 00:58:42,122 are you ready to get that tattoo? 1557 00:58:42,155 --> 00:58:44,357 - Oh, my gosh, I guess it's happening. 1558 00:58:44,391 --> 00:58:47,694 - It's time get some ink, Mama. Good work out there. 1559 00:58:47,727 --> 00:58:49,462 You start thinking about that design. 1560 00:58:49,496 --> 00:58:51,131 Guys, back to you. 1561 00:58:51,164 --> 00:58:54,100 - Well, not everyone from tonight will make it to Vegas. 1562 00:58:54,134 --> 00:58:56,403 Texas college student Chynna Hart was 1563 00:58:56,436 --> 00:58:58,772 making her semifinals debut 1564 00:58:58,805 --> 00:59:00,807 but came up short on the second obstacle. 1565 00:59:00,840 --> 00:59:03,309 - Oh, no! [air horn blows] 1566 00:59:03,343 --> 00:59:05,345 - Another Texan, Cory Torkelson, 1567 00:59:05,378 --> 00:59:07,180 was cruising through the course, 1568 00:59:07,213 --> 00:59:09,149 till he spun out on Spinning Bridge. 1569 00:59:09,182 --> 00:59:13,019 - Oh, no, come on, no! No, oh. 1570 00:59:13,053 --> 00:59:15,789 - Portland's Michael Larlee, a three-time veteran, 1571 00:59:15,822 --> 00:59:18,124 was trying to earn his first trip to Vegas, 1572 00:59:18,158 --> 00:59:20,193 but couldn't handle Wall to Wall. 1573 00:59:20,226 --> 00:59:21,795 - Oh! [air horn blows] 1574 00:59:21,828 --> 00:59:26,366 - There's still more to come on "American Ninja Warrior." 1575 00:59:30,637 --> 00:59:33,206 - Welcome back to Universal Studios Hollywood. 1576 00:59:33,239 --> 00:59:36,109 Minutes ago, another one of our talented teenagers 1577 00:59:36,142 --> 00:59:37,510 took the course, 1578 00:59:37,544 --> 00:59:40,280 16-year-old Owen Dyer and his flamingo hat. 1579 00:59:40,313 --> 00:59:41,481 - Let's go, Owen! 1580 00:59:41,514 --> 00:59:43,350 - They're having fun out here, Akbar. 1581 00:59:43,383 --> 00:59:44,751 - Come on, Owen. 1582 00:59:44,784 --> 00:59:47,253 - The sophomore from Bentonville, Arkansas, 1583 00:59:47,287 --> 00:59:50,357 picked up right where he left off in qualifying... 1584 00:59:50,390 --> 00:59:52,759 - Perfect! - Yeah! 1585 00:59:52,792 --> 00:59:54,060 - Quickly making his way 1586 00:59:54,060 --> 00:59:55,695 to the back half of the course. 1587 00:59:55,729 --> 00:59:58,064 - He's not even breathing hard! 1588 00:59:58,098 --> 01:00:01,001 Now, the choice. Split Decision, Akbar. 1589 01:00:01,034 --> 01:00:03,403 - The rookie first moved towards the Inverter, 1590 01:00:03,436 --> 01:00:05,005 then changed his mind... 1591 01:00:05,038 --> 01:00:06,673 - Wow! Look at this! 1592 01:00:06,706 --> 01:00:08,775 - Finally settling on Tuning Forks. 1593 01:00:08,808 --> 01:00:12,612 - No, he had it! Just couldn't pull up. 1594 01:00:12,645 --> 01:00:14,514 - And I kept this guy dry for you. 1595 01:00:14,547 --> 01:00:15,882 Enjoy. [laughs] 1596 01:00:15,915 --> 01:00:17,851 Good work out there. 1597 01:00:17,884 --> 01:00:20,553 - Let's rock and roll! 1598 01:00:20,587 --> 01:00:24,724 - Then it was 37-year-old Abel Gonzalez. 1599 01:00:24,758 --> 01:00:27,560 - Oh, he is banging through this course, ooh! 1600 01:00:27,594 --> 01:00:29,162 - With the students he teaches back 1601 01:00:29,195 --> 01:00:31,431 in Edinburg, Texas, watching... 1602 01:00:31,464 --> 01:00:33,233 - Oh, caught his foot! 1603 01:00:33,266 --> 01:00:36,136 - The eight-time veteran turned back the clock. 1604 01:00:36,169 --> 01:00:37,704 - Go get that buzzer! 1605 01:00:37,737 --> 01:00:39,973 - Despite being one of the night's older competitors... 1606 01:00:40,006 --> 01:00:41,307 - Matt, he's starting to get tired. 1607 01:00:41,341 --> 01:00:44,310 - Gonzalez battled his way to Corkscrew, 1608 01:00:44,344 --> 01:00:47,047 which knocked him out of the competition last year. 1609 01:00:47,080 --> 01:00:50,684 - Whoa, whoa, oh, my goodness! 1610 01:00:50,717 --> 01:00:53,420 He said, "Not this year!" 1611 01:00:53,453 --> 01:00:56,156 - With his upper body sapped, he gave his arms a rest 1612 01:00:56,189 --> 01:00:58,491 and took a chance on Tuning Forks. 1613 01:00:58,525 --> 01:00:59,793 - Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! 1614 01:00:59,826 --> 01:01:00,860 Just like that! 1615 01:01:00,894 --> 01:01:02,495 That's what I'm talking about! 1616 01:01:02,529 --> 01:01:04,264 - Yeah! 1617 01:01:04,297 --> 01:01:05,665 - Though his time was behind 1618 01:01:05,699 --> 01:01:07,967 that of Max Feinberg and Brian Burkhardt... 1619 01:01:08,068 --> 01:01:10,303 - Fighting for every bit of energy. 1620 01:01:10,337 --> 01:01:14,074 - He battled to the buzzer to become our third finisher 1621 01:01:14,074 --> 01:01:16,076 and was overcome with emotion. 1622 01:01:16,109 --> 01:01:19,479 - Yeah, baby, enjoy it. Wipe them tears off. 1623 01:01:20,747 --> 01:01:23,316 - Well, we've got a hot one on the course right now. 1624 01:01:23,350 --> 01:01:27,620 This is The Boss, 16-year-old Elijah Browning. 1625 01:01:27,654 --> 01:01:28,822 - Yeah--oh! 1626 01:01:28,855 --> 01:01:30,690 - Takes a hard fall, but he survives. 1627 01:01:30,724 --> 01:01:32,392 Got lots of folks cheering him on. 1628 01:01:32,425 --> 01:01:34,928 There's his dad, siblings, and grandma... 1629 01:01:34,961 --> 01:01:36,229 - You got this, bud! 1630 01:01:36,262 --> 01:01:38,098 - And his mom Renée on the sidelines. 1631 01:01:38,131 --> 01:01:40,433 Well, here he is on Wall to Wall. 1632 01:01:40,467 --> 01:01:42,702 And at 6'1", this obstacle is a little more challenging. 1633 01:01:42,736 --> 01:01:44,571 You have to be pretty compact. 1634 01:01:44,604 --> 01:01:47,007 - Matt, Elijah was so impressive in qualifying. 1635 01:01:47,107 --> 01:01:48,842 He had the second-fastest time 1636 01:01:48,875 --> 01:01:50,977 and was just flawless on the course. 1637 01:01:51,011 --> 01:01:54,547 - His nickname is The Boss because he rules the course, 1638 01:01:54,581 --> 01:01:56,750 but also because he has several businesses 1639 01:01:56,783 --> 01:01:58,118 back in Tennessee. 1640 01:01:58,118 --> 01:02:00,387 Buys and sells sports cards, he's got 1641 01:02:00,420 --> 01:02:03,256 a ninja coaching business, and he works as a model. 1642 01:02:03,289 --> 01:02:04,791 - Whoa! Nice. 1643 01:02:04,824 --> 01:02:07,127 - Boss is looking completely in charge. 1644 01:02:07,160 --> 01:02:09,062 - All right, go ahead. Boss this course then. 1645 01:02:09,062 --> 01:02:11,197 - Come on, bud! - Big swing. 1646 01:02:11,231 --> 01:02:12,599 - Whoo, come on, bud! 1647 01:02:12,632 --> 01:02:14,401 - Get out of there. 1648 01:02:14,434 --> 01:02:16,369 - Ooh! - Oh, okay. 1649 01:02:16,403 --> 01:02:18,071 - Just rolls over, makes it look intentional. 1650 01:02:18,071 --> 01:02:19,939 - He's staying so focused on what it is that he has to do. 1651 01:02:19,973 --> 01:02:22,175 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1652 01:02:22,208 --> 01:02:23,543 - He got the hat on backwards. 1653 01:02:23,576 --> 01:02:25,679 And I'm up here sporting that Boss hat. 1654 01:02:25,712 --> 01:02:26,746 I got you, baby. - Hey, Boss. 1655 01:02:26,780 --> 01:02:30,717 - I got you. I see you. 1656 01:02:30,750 --> 01:02:34,320 - And no problem. Shows the wall who's boss. 1657 01:02:34,354 --> 01:02:36,756 - Elijah! Am I wearing it right? 1658 01:02:36,790 --> 01:02:38,725 Am I wearing it right? I'm cool? Okay. All right. 1659 01:02:38,758 --> 01:02:40,460 - Wear it backwards, just like he does. 1660 01:02:40,493 --> 01:02:42,162 - Huh, should I wear it backwards like he does? 1661 01:02:42,195 --> 01:02:44,464 - Try to be cool. - All right, cool, boom. 1662 01:02:44,497 --> 01:02:46,332 There we go. I can see it better. 1663 01:02:46,366 --> 01:02:49,469 - 16 years old and ready to take on the Salmon Ladder. 1664 01:02:49,502 --> 01:02:50,537 - Come on, come on. - Come on, buddy! 1665 01:02:50,570 --> 01:02:51,538 - Looking good. - Yeah! 1666 01:02:51,571 --> 01:02:52,939 - You're looking really smooth. 1667 01:02:52,972 --> 01:02:54,341 - You got the Salmon Ladder. 1668 01:02:54,374 --> 01:02:56,976 [cheering] 1669 01:02:57,010 --> 01:02:58,778 - No problem there. 1670 01:02:58,812 --> 01:03:00,880 - We saw Elijah back on "Ninja Junior." 1671 01:03:00,914 --> 01:03:04,150 He made it to semifinals. Look at his long legs. 1672 01:03:04,184 --> 01:03:06,586 He's gonna be flying on Corkscrew. 1673 01:03:06,619 --> 01:03:08,521 Look at the hair twisting around like that. 1674 01:03:08,555 --> 01:03:10,190 You see that, and his hat's about to come off. 1675 01:03:10,223 --> 01:03:11,691 Don't worry. Uh-oh. - Oh, there it is. 1676 01:03:11,725 --> 01:03:14,694 - Oh, we get to see--oh yeah, it's off, it's off. 1677 01:03:14,728 --> 01:03:16,429 And now he's off to the races. 1678 01:03:16,463 --> 01:03:18,531 - Well, hopefully it won't get in his eyes. 1679 01:03:18,565 --> 01:03:20,300 If he gets through this obstacle, 1680 01:03:20,333 --> 01:03:23,069 probably gonna be in the top 15. 1681 01:03:23,069 --> 01:03:24,104 Ooh. - Whoa! 1682 01:03:24,137 --> 01:03:25,338 - Just got on it. - Whoo! 1683 01:03:25,372 --> 01:03:26,539 - Great grip strength there. 1684 01:03:26,573 --> 01:03:29,075 - You see him? Into the pillar. 1685 01:03:32,312 --> 01:03:36,483 - And he gets through! 1686 01:03:36,516 --> 01:03:37,884 Well, here it is. 1687 01:03:37,917 --> 01:03:40,320 Akbar, I think we're ready for a boss battle, 1688 01:03:40,353 --> 01:03:43,590 Elijah Browning versus Split Decision. 1689 01:03:43,623 --> 01:03:45,458 - This is your time, buddy. 1690 01:03:45,492 --> 01:03:49,863 - Elijah, yo, Elijah, here, you can have my hat. 1691 01:03:49,896 --> 01:03:51,197 You can wear mine. 1692 01:03:51,231 --> 01:03:52,899 - Zuri's giving him her Boss hat. 1693 01:03:52,932 --> 01:03:54,834 - Oh, he needs the hat. 1694 01:03:54,868 --> 01:03:56,269 - Well, now that he's got the hat, 1695 01:03:56,302 --> 01:03:57,937 he's gonna try the Inverter. 1696 01:03:57,971 --> 01:04:00,573 He's got long wingspan. - Yeah, but he's got skills. 1697 01:04:00,607 --> 01:04:02,042 I think he can--oh, nice. He's going for it. 1698 01:04:02,075 --> 01:04:03,910 - Ooh, you saw that right hand miss there? 1699 01:04:03,943 --> 01:04:06,046 Missed again! - And he's sliding! 1700 01:04:06,046 --> 01:04:07,614 He's sliding. - Oh, missed again! 1701 01:04:07,647 --> 01:04:10,917 - He's fishing around for it. Uh-oh, he--uh-oh, oh, no! 1702 01:04:10,950 --> 01:04:13,453 [air horn blows] 1703 01:04:13,486 --> 01:04:16,823 - And The Boss just couldn't handle the Inverter. 1704 01:04:16,856 --> 01:04:18,258 Couldn't get a grip. 1705 01:04:18,291 --> 01:04:20,093 But that still may be good enough 1706 01:04:20,126 --> 01:04:21,895 to get him to Vegas. 1707 01:04:21,928 --> 01:04:24,297 - His hat came off, but it didn't phase him. 1708 01:04:24,330 --> 01:04:27,534 He made it through Corkscrew but seemed to run out of gas 1709 01:04:27,567 --> 01:04:30,337 on Inverter and never got a good grip. 1710 01:04:31,905 --> 01:04:35,075 - Yeah, that's hard. 1711 01:04:35,108 --> 01:04:37,877 - Well, no one's come further to compete 1712 01:04:37,911 --> 01:04:39,446 than our next competitor. 1713 01:04:39,479 --> 01:04:41,147 This is Deren Perez. 1714 01:04:41,181 --> 01:04:43,183 He's traveled over 6,000 miles 1715 01:04:43,216 --> 01:04:45,185 from the Pacific island of Guam. 1716 01:04:45,218 --> 01:04:47,754 And he's ready to put his home on the map. 1717 01:04:47,787 --> 01:04:51,324 [upbeat music] 1718 01:04:51,358 --> 01:04:52,726 - They call me the Guahan Ninja 1719 01:04:52,759 --> 01:04:55,862 because I'm from Guam. 1720 01:04:55,895 --> 01:04:59,466 Guam is a U.S. territory located in the South Pacific. 1721 01:04:59,499 --> 01:05:00,734 It's a real small island, 1722 01:05:00,767 --> 01:05:04,471 and I literally grew up playing in a jungle. 1723 01:05:04,504 --> 01:05:06,573 My friends gave me the nickname Mowgli 1724 01:05:06,606 --> 01:05:08,908 because I was just jumping from tree to tree, 1725 01:05:08,942 --> 01:05:10,110 branch to branch. 1726 01:05:10,143 --> 01:05:12,412 - Oh, there you go. - Oh, nice! 1727 01:05:12,445 --> 01:05:15,315 - Now, all those moves as a kid 1728 01:05:15,348 --> 01:05:17,183 really help my journey as a ninja. 1729 01:05:19,419 --> 01:05:22,255 - He is looking right at home swinging through our course. 1730 01:05:24,057 --> 01:05:26,760 - After 17 years with the U.S. military, 1731 01:05:26,793 --> 01:05:30,063 I recently got relocated back to Guam. 1732 01:05:30,063 --> 01:05:33,199 I'm here now for three years with the Coast Guard, 1733 01:05:33,233 --> 01:05:34,668 and being back home 1734 01:05:34,701 --> 01:05:37,237 is such a good time to catch up with everybody. 1735 01:05:37,270 --> 01:05:38,872 - Welcome home, Deren. 1736 01:05:38,905 --> 01:05:42,642 - I missed the people. And the food is so good. 1737 01:05:42,676 --> 01:05:45,445 I miss it so much. Amazing. 1738 01:05:47,580 --> 01:05:50,350 Getting up there and hitting that buzzer would mean so much 1739 01:05:50,383 --> 01:05:51,951 to the people of Guam, 1740 01:05:51,985 --> 01:05:54,921 to show what we can do as a small island. 1741 01:05:59,526 --> 01:06:02,162 - And Deren Perez is already on the course. 1742 01:06:02,195 --> 01:06:04,864 The Coast Guardsman has been cruising. 1743 01:06:04,898 --> 01:06:07,567 He's on obstacle five. 1744 01:06:07,600 --> 01:06:10,770 - Yeah. - Good job there. 1745 01:06:10,804 --> 01:06:12,205 - All you! 1746 01:06:12,238 --> 01:06:14,507 - Representing for Guam. Yeah, buddy! 1747 01:06:14,541 --> 01:06:15,775 - Hey. 1748 01:06:15,809 --> 01:06:18,845 - We're flying the flag. And his family's excited. 1749 01:06:18,878 --> 01:06:20,814 He's got his wife and step-kids watching 1750 01:06:20,847 --> 01:06:23,183 from back home, along with his mom. 1751 01:06:23,216 --> 01:06:25,051 There's his aunt, who lives here in California. 1752 01:06:25,051 --> 01:06:27,120 - Love you. 1753 01:06:27,153 --> 01:06:29,422 - And he's about to try his first Warped Wall 1754 01:06:29,456 --> 01:06:31,424 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1755 01:06:31,458 --> 01:06:34,494 And he got it. Headed to the back half. 1756 01:06:37,797 --> 01:06:40,300 Perez has had success in ninja competitions 1757 01:06:40,333 --> 01:06:41,568 in Europe and Asia, 1758 01:06:41,601 --> 01:06:43,336 but really wants to get to Vegas 1759 01:06:43,370 --> 01:06:46,206 and show he belongs with the best American ninjas. 1760 01:06:46,239 --> 01:06:49,676 - Whoo! 1761 01:06:49,709 --> 01:06:51,144 - Not a lot of rest in between. 1762 01:06:51,177 --> 01:06:53,813 He's just kind of going right into it. 1763 01:06:58,752 --> 01:07:03,390 - Well, no problem on the Salmon Ladder. 1764 01:07:03,423 --> 01:07:05,025 Taking a deep breath. 1765 01:07:05,058 --> 01:07:07,193 Can he hang on through Corkscrew? 1766 01:07:07,227 --> 01:07:09,229 With his pace, if he gets through this, 1767 01:07:09,262 --> 01:07:12,298 he'll very likely punch his ticket to Vegas. 1768 01:07:12,332 --> 01:07:14,367 - You can see him making the adjustment. 1769 01:07:14,401 --> 01:07:15,835 He's got the right hand placement. 1770 01:07:15,869 --> 01:07:18,271 - But you got a big lache up here. 1771 01:07:18,304 --> 01:07:20,674 - He's 5'6". He's got to go up high. Nice. 1772 01:07:20,707 --> 01:07:22,809 - Great job. - Yeah, and I love it. 1773 01:07:22,842 --> 01:07:25,178 He's keeping his L's. Coming in tight. 1774 01:07:25,211 --> 01:07:28,081 And that's how you kind of control the centrifugal force. 1775 01:07:30,283 --> 01:07:31,885 Whoa. 1776 01:07:31,918 --> 01:07:34,921 - Great job. Get this dismount. 1777 01:07:34,954 --> 01:07:36,923 - Matt, you can see him. He's grimacing. 1778 01:07:36,956 --> 01:07:39,225 He's like, "Oh." 1779 01:07:39,259 --> 01:07:42,228 - Deren Perez is going to Vegas. 1780 01:07:42,262 --> 01:07:43,963 But he's not done. 1781 01:07:44,064 --> 01:07:47,467 - Oh, Matt, they're celebrating back in Guam. 1782 01:07:47,500 --> 01:07:49,669 - But right now, he's gotta decide: 1783 01:07:49,703 --> 01:07:51,671 Inverter or Tuning Forks? 1784 01:07:51,705 --> 01:07:54,674 Only one ninja, 16-year-old Max Feinberg, 1785 01:07:54,708 --> 01:07:56,776 got through the Inverter tonight. 1786 01:07:56,810 --> 01:07:59,245 What a journey, from the jungles of Guam 1787 01:07:59,279 --> 01:08:01,414 to right here at Universal Studios. 1788 01:08:01,448 --> 01:08:03,183 - Rumble, rumble in the jungles then. 1789 01:08:03,216 --> 01:08:05,552 Rumble in the jungle. Oh, oh, oh, oh! 1790 01:08:05,585 --> 01:08:07,721 No! 1791 01:08:07,754 --> 01:08:11,157 - Well, the Coast Guard man ends up in the water, 1792 01:08:11,191 --> 01:08:13,860 but not before doing what he has to do to go to Vegas. 1793 01:08:13,893 --> 01:08:15,895 - That's it. That's what he wanted to do. 1794 01:08:15,929 --> 01:08:18,198 Let's check out his technique on Tuning Forks. 1795 01:08:18,231 --> 01:08:19,699 He tries to two-step it, 1796 01:08:19,733 --> 01:08:21,901 putting both feet on each fork. 1797 01:08:21,935 --> 01:08:23,503 But when he hopped to the second, 1798 01:08:23,536 --> 01:08:27,107 he slid right off. 1799 01:08:27,140 --> 01:08:29,743 - You are headed to Vegas. - I made it to Vegas? 1800 01:08:29,776 --> 01:08:32,779 Yes! Yes! Oh, my God! 1801 01:08:32,812 --> 01:08:34,214 Whoo! 1802 01:08:34,247 --> 01:08:39,052 Baby, I'm going to Vegas! Whoo! 1803 01:08:39,052 --> 01:08:42,589 - Well, it's a Power Tower like you've never seen before. 1804 01:08:42,622 --> 01:08:46,126 Our two fastest will face off there at the end of the night, 1805 01:08:46,159 --> 01:08:49,062 coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 1806 01:08:54,200 --> 01:08:55,769 - Welcome back to LA. 1807 01:08:55,802 --> 01:08:57,137 While we were away, two more ninjas tried 1808 01:08:57,170 --> 01:08:59,239 to keep their season alive. 1809 01:08:59,272 --> 01:09:01,408 Anthony Porter was right on target 1810 01:09:01,441 --> 01:09:03,877 with his William Tell impression at the start. 1811 01:09:03,910 --> 01:09:06,346 - Nice. 1812 01:09:06,379 --> 01:09:07,547 - Porter was a surprise 1813 01:09:07,580 --> 01:09:09,582 in qualifying, hitting a buzzer. 1814 01:09:09,616 --> 01:09:11,384 And he looked strong again tonight. 1815 01:09:14,287 --> 01:09:16,056 - And the shirt's coming off? 1816 01:09:16,089 --> 01:09:17,891 - After making it to the back half, 1817 01:09:17,924 --> 01:09:21,094 the Archery Ninja set his sights on the Inverter. 1818 01:09:21,127 --> 01:09:23,430 He made it through the first board... 1819 01:09:23,463 --> 01:09:26,199 - Oh, no! Anthony Porter's down! 1820 01:09:26,232 --> 01:09:28,134 - Before finally missing the mark. 1821 01:09:28,168 --> 01:09:31,304 But he's almost assured a spot in the top 15. 1822 01:09:31,338 --> 01:09:33,773 - Absolutely awesome. So happy. 1823 01:09:33,807 --> 01:09:37,243 - Then the Flyboy, Isaiah Thomas, took flight. 1824 01:09:37,277 --> 01:09:39,879 - Nice, he's got this one. He's got this one. 1825 01:09:39,913 --> 01:09:42,849 - The 15-year-old sensation from Garland, Texas, 1826 01:09:42,882 --> 01:09:45,285 had the fastest time in qualifying, 1827 01:09:45,318 --> 01:09:47,687 and he put on another show tonight. 1828 01:09:47,721 --> 01:09:49,055 - Okay! I see you, man! 1829 01:09:49,055 --> 01:09:50,924 - The soon-to-be high school junior cruised 1830 01:09:50,957 --> 01:09:51,925 to the back half. 1831 01:09:51,958 --> 01:09:53,293 - Look at that strut. 1832 01:09:53,326 --> 01:09:55,061 That strut is the cool kid strut. 1833 01:09:55,061 --> 01:09:57,063 - And he was one of the few to take his chances 1834 01:09:57,097 --> 01:09:58,298 on the Tuning Forks. 1835 01:09:58,331 --> 01:10:00,633 - Oh, oh, oh, oh! 1836 01:10:00,667 --> 01:10:04,137 - But his fast time ensured him a spot in the top 15. 1837 01:10:04,170 --> 01:10:06,539 - We will see you in Vegas, Flyboy Ninja. 1838 01:10:06,573 --> 01:10:08,608 Congratulations. 1839 01:10:10,944 --> 01:10:15,382 - Well, from the Flyboy to the Big Dog, it's 6'6", 1840 01:10:15,415 --> 01:10:19,486 210-pound Jody Avila from Sugar Land, Texas. 1841 01:10:19,519 --> 01:10:22,155 Everyone knows about Jody's size and strength. 1842 01:10:22,188 --> 01:10:25,091 But he also wants the world to know about his culture. 1843 01:10:27,694 --> 01:10:30,463 - I am incredibly proud of my Dominican heritage. 1844 01:10:30,497 --> 01:10:33,099 [soft music] 1845 01:10:33,133 --> 01:10:35,301 As a kid, I spent just about every summer 1846 01:10:35,335 --> 01:10:36,636 in the Dominican Republic, 1847 01:10:36,670 --> 01:10:38,438 being that all my family lived there. 1848 01:10:44,944 --> 01:10:46,713 So the Dominican Republic is mostly known 1849 01:10:46,746 --> 01:10:48,815 for producing amazing baseball players, 1850 01:10:48,848 --> 01:10:51,851 but unfortunately, I was never a great one. 1851 01:10:51,885 --> 01:10:54,020 So I'm the first ninja 1852 01:10:54,054 --> 01:10:56,990 that the Dominican Republic has produced. 1853 01:10:57,023 --> 01:10:59,159 It's extremely important to pass on my Dominican 1854 01:10:59,192 --> 01:11:00,360 traditions to my sons. 1855 01:11:00,393 --> 01:11:01,695 They're learning the language, 1856 01:11:01,728 --> 01:11:03,663 and I speak to them all the time in Spanish. 1857 01:11:04,431 --> 01:11:05,465 - Yes? 1858 01:11:08,168 --> 01:11:09,469 - Yeah? 1859 01:11:17,310 --> 01:11:19,212 Love you guys! 1860 01:11:19,245 --> 01:11:21,381 - And he's got family members watching from back 1861 01:11:21,414 --> 01:11:22,949 in the Dominican. 1862 01:11:22,982 --> 01:11:26,152 There's his dad in the back and grandma in front, 1863 01:11:26,186 --> 01:11:28,722 and his wife Pauline will be cheering with their two sons, 1864 01:11:28,755 --> 01:11:29,989 including Brandon... 1865 01:11:30,090 --> 01:11:31,624 - I love you. - We love you. 1866 01:11:31,658 --> 01:11:34,461 - Who will compete on "Ninja Junior" this fall. 1867 01:11:34,494 --> 01:11:36,930 [countdown clock beeping] 1868 01:11:36,963 --> 01:11:39,432 Jody's been getting stronger and stronger. 1869 01:11:39,466 --> 01:11:43,103 Made it to the finals each of the past two seasons. 1870 01:11:43,136 --> 01:11:45,105 Had a great season last year. 1871 01:11:45,105 --> 01:11:48,108 Trying to use that momentum to get back to Vegas. 1872 01:11:48,108 --> 01:11:49,809 In addition to all the family, 1873 01:11:49,843 --> 01:11:52,012 Jody's got Flip Rodriguez cheering him on. 1874 01:11:52,112 --> 01:11:55,548 - Let's go, Big Dog! Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo. 1875 01:11:55,582 --> 01:11:56,950 - Here we go, 210 pounds. 1876 01:11:56,983 --> 01:11:58,785 You know you got it rocking. Nice. 1877 01:11:58,818 --> 01:12:01,955 - And he's got an easy, good pace going here. 1878 01:12:02,055 --> 01:12:03,289 - And you know, Matt, I asked him--I said, 1879 01:12:03,323 --> 01:12:05,425 "How'd you add speed to your game like that? 1880 01:12:05,458 --> 01:12:07,093 What'd you do?" 1881 01:12:07,127 --> 01:12:09,596 He says, "I'm just comfortable carrying the big body frame." 1882 01:12:09,629 --> 01:12:11,564 He's made a lot of mistakes early in his career. 1883 01:12:11,598 --> 01:12:14,067 He's a six-time veteran. He says he just got it. 1884 01:12:14,067 --> 01:12:15,335 It just clicked for him. 1885 01:12:15,368 --> 01:12:18,271 - He also said keeping up with Brandon. 1886 01:12:18,304 --> 01:12:20,740 - Yeah, Brandon will keep him in check for sure. 1887 01:12:20,774 --> 01:12:22,175 - Watch the bar. 1888 01:12:22,208 --> 01:12:23,610 He's got a lot of movement here and a lot of power. 1889 01:12:23,643 --> 01:12:24,711 - Yeah, be careful. He's 210. 1890 01:12:24,744 --> 01:12:26,112 That bar can easily come off. 1891 01:12:26,146 --> 01:12:27,814 - You can see, though, real control. 1892 01:12:27,847 --> 01:12:29,983 - Yes! 1893 01:12:30,083 --> 01:12:31,084 - Already a minute in, 1894 01:12:31,084 --> 01:12:32,619 and he's at the fourth obstacle. 1895 01:12:32,652 --> 01:12:36,523 - Balance obstacles, though, they can make you nervous. 1896 01:12:36,556 --> 01:12:37,857 - Look at that. - He skipped a ball! 1897 01:12:37,891 --> 01:12:39,292 - That's all right. He's 6'6". 1898 01:12:39,325 --> 01:12:41,161 - Tumbled down but survived. 1899 01:12:41,194 --> 01:12:43,163 And they're celebrating in the Dominican. 1900 01:12:43,196 --> 01:12:45,699 Now on to Wall to Wall. 1901 01:12:45,732 --> 01:12:48,335 This is gonna be a challenge, though, with his big frame. 1902 01:12:48,368 --> 01:12:49,836 He's 6'6". 1903 01:12:49,869 --> 01:12:53,473 That's a lot of body on those small ledges. 1904 01:12:53,506 --> 01:12:55,275 Might be able to reach out leg--there it is. 1905 01:12:55,308 --> 01:12:56,743 - [laughs] 1906 01:12:56,776 --> 01:12:58,812 Look at that! Look at this! - He's so long! 1907 01:12:58,845 --> 01:13:00,880 - That's the advantage of being 6'6". 1908 01:13:00,914 --> 01:13:03,049 - This is what you call wall-to-wall coverage. 1909 01:13:03,049 --> 01:13:05,418 This is like NBC News. 1910 01:13:05,452 --> 01:13:06,586 - Now, watch this, though. 1911 01:13:06,619 --> 01:13:10,056 This is gonna be a big drop at 210. 1912 01:13:10,056 --> 01:13:12,125 - Oh, no! 1913 01:13:12,158 --> 01:13:16,062 - The Big Dog couldn't hold on. 1914 01:13:16,062 --> 01:13:17,597 - Oh. 1915 01:13:17,630 --> 01:13:20,166 - His Dominican family always gonna be proud, 1916 01:13:20,200 --> 01:13:22,068 but Jody is disappointed. 1917 01:13:22,102 --> 01:13:25,105 - I can't even believe that that just happened. 1918 01:13:25,138 --> 01:13:28,408 - That's a tiny ledge for a Big Dog, and back it up. 1919 01:13:28,441 --> 01:13:31,177 You can see, he just whiffed with his left hand 1920 01:13:31,211 --> 01:13:33,747 and he couldn't hold up that 210 pounds 1921 01:13:33,780 --> 01:13:36,583 with just four fingers. 1922 01:13:36,616 --> 01:13:38,852 - And that puts him in 15th place, 1923 01:13:38,885 --> 01:13:40,687 with one ninja to run. 1924 01:13:40,720 --> 01:13:43,890 And that final athlete is his friend, Daniel Gil, 1925 01:13:43,923 --> 01:13:46,826 the ninja who went farther than anyone last year. 1926 01:13:46,860 --> 01:13:49,129 - All right, you guys. Another day, another course. 1927 01:13:49,162 --> 01:13:50,530 Let's do this. 1928 01:13:50,563 --> 01:13:52,899 - He runs next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1929 01:13:57,137 --> 01:13:58,438 - The Power Tower showdown 1930 01:13:58,471 --> 01:14:01,841 between our two fastest finishers is coming up. 1931 01:14:01,875 --> 01:14:04,411 And right now, 16-year-old Max Feinberg 1932 01:14:04,444 --> 01:14:05,578 and the Law Ninja, 1933 01:14:05,612 --> 01:14:07,414 Brian Burkhardt, are headed there. 1934 01:14:07,447 --> 01:14:09,215 - But our final athlete may have something 1935 01:14:09,249 --> 01:14:10,684 to say about that. 1936 01:14:10,717 --> 01:14:13,053 We've saved the best for last, 1937 01:14:13,053 --> 01:14:15,789 and that's why I wanted the best view in the house. 1938 01:14:15,822 --> 01:14:19,059 Last season, Daniel Gil took our grand prize, 1939 01:14:19,059 --> 01:14:21,661 100 grand, in our shortened season. 1940 01:14:21,695 --> 01:14:23,897 But this year, we're going back to Vegas, 1941 01:14:23,930 --> 01:14:26,733 with a million dollars on the line. 1942 01:14:26,766 --> 01:14:30,337 Two years ago, Gil timed out only feet from the top 1943 01:14:30,370 --> 01:14:33,540 of Mount Midoriyama and ultimate victory. 1944 01:14:33,573 --> 01:14:36,276 - He's slowing down, Matt. I don't know if he can do it! 1945 01:14:37,510 --> 01:14:39,245 [buzzer blares] 1946 01:14:40,413 --> 01:14:42,849 - This year, he's ready to go all the way, 1947 01:14:42,882 --> 01:14:44,384 and winning the Safety Pass 1948 01:14:44,417 --> 01:14:47,454 would give him an extra chance at $1 million. 1949 01:14:47,487 --> 01:14:49,255 - I would love to have a Safety Pass 1950 01:14:49,289 --> 01:14:50,790 going into Vegas 1951 01:14:50,824 --> 01:14:52,726 to use on stage one or two. 1952 01:14:52,759 --> 01:14:55,362 I want my revenge on stage four. 1953 01:14:55,395 --> 01:14:58,798 And yes, I have been working on my rope climb technique. 1954 01:14:58,832 --> 01:15:01,234 [upbeat music] 1955 01:15:01,267 --> 01:15:03,303 - He's got a big group watching back in Houston, 1956 01:15:03,336 --> 01:15:07,807 including his wife Abby, plus his sister and mom. 1957 01:15:07,841 --> 01:15:09,576 [countdown clock beeping] 1958 01:15:09,609 --> 01:15:12,412 Well, shockingly, Daniel Gil fell on the fifth obstacle 1959 01:15:12,445 --> 01:15:13,747 back in qualifying, 1960 01:15:13,780 --> 01:15:16,416 the first time he's fallen since 2018. 1961 01:15:16,449 --> 01:15:18,184 - Matt, I think he's not only going for the buzzer, 1962 01:15:18,218 --> 01:15:19,719 but he's also gonna go for time. 1963 01:15:19,753 --> 01:15:21,054 He's gonna show these young folks 1964 01:15:21,054 --> 01:15:22,455 that he's still the king. 1965 01:15:22,489 --> 01:15:23,823 - Not easy to finish 1966 01:15:23,857 --> 01:15:25,725 a ten-obstacle semifinals course, 1967 01:15:25,759 --> 01:15:28,895 but Daniel Gil's done it the past five years. 1968 01:15:28,928 --> 01:15:30,630 We expect greatness from him. 1969 01:15:30,663 --> 01:15:33,767 Going side leap, first one to do it, and it worked. 1970 01:15:33,800 --> 01:15:35,902 His Houston ninja training partners 1971 01:15:35,935 --> 01:15:38,872 Kid Owhadi and Isaiah Wakeham down on the sideline. 1972 01:15:38,905 --> 01:15:40,907 Gil goes right into Tilt-a-Whirl. 1973 01:15:40,940 --> 01:15:42,375 - Now, I want you to watch how he does it, 1974 01:15:42,409 --> 01:15:43,977 because he's gonna put on a clinic. 1975 01:15:44,077 --> 01:15:47,614 He's not gonna spend a lot of time here on Tilt-a-Whirl. 1976 01:15:47,647 --> 01:15:49,315 - He's been watching the other ninjas 1977 01:15:49,349 --> 01:15:50,917 all night on these obstacles. 1978 01:15:50,950 --> 01:15:53,753 Has probably visualized every move on this course. 1979 01:15:55,755 --> 01:15:57,323 And you see him, each time, looking up at the bar, 1980 01:15:57,357 --> 01:16:00,060 making sure it's properly centered. 1981 01:16:00,093 --> 01:16:02,896 Doesn't want it to slide off. Going with the switch grip. 1982 01:16:02,929 --> 01:16:05,165 Doing everything right. 1983 01:16:05,198 --> 01:16:06,433 - Nice. 1984 01:16:06,466 --> 01:16:08,335 Matt, he doesn't want to fall again. 1985 01:16:08,368 --> 01:16:11,137 That's just not something that happens to Daniel Gil. 1986 01:16:13,139 --> 01:16:16,142 - And he's through. 1987 01:16:16,176 --> 01:16:17,844 Facing the Spinning Bridge. 1988 01:16:19,279 --> 01:16:20,513 And je's smiling. 1989 01:16:20,547 --> 01:16:22,282 Most ninjas dread balance obstacles. 1990 01:16:22,315 --> 01:16:23,416 - Whoa. Oh, oh, oh. 1991 01:16:23,450 --> 01:16:25,285 - There it is. He's smiling. 1992 01:16:25,318 --> 01:16:27,187 If he gets through this obstacle, 1993 01:16:27,220 --> 01:16:29,889 Daniel Gil will be going back to Vegas, 1994 01:16:29,923 --> 01:16:32,292 and his friend Jody Avila, who's on the bubble, 1995 01:16:32,325 --> 01:16:34,894 in 15th place, will be going home. 1996 01:16:34,928 --> 01:16:36,629 - In qualifying, we remember, 1997 01:16:36,663 --> 01:16:38,431 he went out on the fifth obstacle. 1998 01:16:38,465 --> 01:16:41,234 - I can almost guarantee he will not do that again. 1999 01:16:41,267 --> 01:16:43,169 We haven't seen him yawn yet. 2000 01:16:43,203 --> 01:16:45,972 He likes to yawn on the course, helps him relax. 2001 01:16:46,072 --> 01:16:49,142 And you know he's in the zone when you see it. 2002 01:16:49,175 --> 01:16:53,313 - And he's moving through this as fast as anyone. 2003 01:16:53,346 --> 01:16:54,881 A'ight. Ooh, whoa. 2004 01:16:54,914 --> 01:16:56,716 - There goes the dismount. - Nice. 2005 01:16:56,750 --> 01:16:57,951 - Got it. - Okay. 2006 01:16:57,984 --> 01:17:00,253 - Gil is going back to Vegas. 2007 01:17:00,286 --> 01:17:03,890 But unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to the Big Dog. 2008 01:17:03,923 --> 01:17:05,658 Jody Avila is out. 2009 01:17:05,692 --> 01:17:08,228 And Daniel Gil is headed to the back half. 2010 01:17:08,261 --> 01:17:11,664 - Let's go! Whoo, yes! 2011 01:17:11,698 --> 01:17:14,234 - Yes. 2012 01:17:14,267 --> 01:17:16,269 Continue to ascend, my friend. 2013 01:17:16,302 --> 01:17:17,570 - Oh! 2014 01:17:17,604 --> 01:17:18,772 There's the yawn. That's like--you know 2015 01:17:18,805 --> 01:17:20,306 how Michael Jordan sticks his tongue out. 2016 01:17:20,340 --> 01:17:23,510 Daniel Gil yawns on the course. It doesn't mean he's tired. 2017 01:17:23,543 --> 01:17:25,178 That means he's getting warmed up. 2018 01:17:25,211 --> 01:17:26,780 - He's got more than four minutes 2019 01:17:26,813 --> 01:17:29,482 to catch Brian Burkhardt for the fastest time. 2020 01:17:29,516 --> 01:17:32,919 If he beats Burkhardt or Max Feinberg, who's in second, 2021 01:17:32,952 --> 01:17:34,354 he'll race on the Power Tower 2022 01:17:34,387 --> 01:17:35,588 for that important Safety Pass. 2023 01:17:35,622 --> 01:17:37,857 - All day and all night, Daniel. 2024 01:17:37,891 --> 01:17:40,360 This is all you, man. 2025 01:17:40,393 --> 01:17:41,761 - Now the Salmon Ladder. 2026 01:17:41,795 --> 01:17:45,065 Has never fallen on this obstacle. 2027 01:17:45,098 --> 01:17:47,100 And no problem. 2028 01:17:47,133 --> 01:17:48,435 - Got it. Got it. 2029 01:17:48,468 --> 01:17:50,203 - Now the Corkscrew. 2030 01:17:50,236 --> 01:17:52,539 His friend Janitor Josh, Josh Norton, 2031 01:17:52,572 --> 01:17:55,475 who's there behind Abby, he created this obstacle. 2032 01:17:55,508 --> 01:17:58,278 Submitted it through our Obstacle Design Challenge. 2033 01:17:58,311 --> 01:18:00,146 And if you've got an obstacle idea, 2034 01:18:00,180 --> 01:18:02,115 go to ANWNation.com 2035 01:18:02,148 --> 01:18:04,451 to see how to send in your creations. 2036 01:18:04,484 --> 01:18:06,619 - Daniel Gil is flying through this! 2037 01:18:06,653 --> 01:18:10,790 He wants that Power Tower and that Safety Pass. 2038 01:18:10,824 --> 01:18:13,426 - Just generating tremendous force. 2039 01:18:13,460 --> 01:18:17,263 Gil making short work of it. Just needs the dismount. 2040 01:18:17,297 --> 01:18:18,732 And he's through. 2041 01:18:18,765 --> 01:18:20,734 - And Janitor Josh is relieved. 2042 01:18:20,767 --> 01:18:23,303 - But what's he gonna do at Split Decision? 2043 01:18:23,336 --> 01:18:24,637 With his upper body strength, 2044 01:18:24,671 --> 01:18:26,706 Inverter would seem the safer choice. 2045 01:18:26,740 --> 01:18:28,842 - Matt, he's peeking at Tuning Forks. 2046 01:18:28,875 --> 01:18:30,076 He's considering it. 2047 01:18:30,110 --> 01:18:32,045 - Trust your gut. Trust your gut. 2048 01:18:32,045 --> 01:18:35,115 - Time's not an issue. He's way ahead of Burkhardt. 2049 01:18:35,148 --> 01:18:37,217 I think he's gonna try Tuning Forks. 2050 01:18:37,250 --> 01:18:39,052 And look. He's smiling. 2051 01:18:39,085 --> 01:18:41,287 Most ninjas hate balance obstacles. 2052 01:18:41,321 --> 01:18:43,957 Gil loves the challenge. 2053 01:18:44,057 --> 01:18:45,492 And gets through. 2054 01:18:45,525 --> 01:18:49,462 And he goes right into Spider Trap. 2055 01:18:49,496 --> 01:18:50,797 - Matt, he is cooking with gas. 2056 01:18:50,830 --> 01:18:54,234 He's gonna have the fastest time by a mile. 2057 01:18:54,267 --> 01:18:55,335 Here we go. - Daniel Gil is-- 2058 01:18:55,368 --> 01:18:56,636 - Here we go, look at him! 2059 01:18:56,670 --> 01:18:58,071 - Oh, my goodness. - You know what he did? 2060 01:18:58,071 --> 01:19:00,006 He wanted to save his upper body strength 2061 01:19:00,006 --> 01:19:02,008 so he could just fly through this one. 2062 01:19:02,008 --> 01:19:03,309 Look at him going through Spider Trap. 2063 01:19:03,343 --> 01:19:04,744 - And look at that. 2064 01:19:04,778 --> 01:19:06,579 Daniel Gil. - Kingdom Come! 2065 01:19:06,613 --> 01:19:08,682 [buzzer blares] 2066 01:19:08,715 --> 01:19:12,452 [upbeat music] 2067 01:19:12,485 --> 01:19:14,788 - The fastest time of the night 2068 01:19:14,821 --> 01:19:18,024 by over two minutes! 2069 01:19:18,058 --> 01:19:20,760 Never count out Daniel Gil. 2070 01:19:20,794 --> 01:19:23,663 Reminding us why he won it all last year. 2071 01:19:23,697 --> 01:19:25,532 Oh, my goodness, 2072 01:19:25,565 --> 01:19:27,500 You are going to the Power Tower 2073 01:19:27,534 --> 01:19:29,035 against Brian Burkhardt, Daniel. 2074 01:19:29,035 --> 01:19:31,805 - Let's go! Let's get it. 2075 01:19:31,838 --> 01:19:35,642 - Up next, we're going to our brand-new Power Tower. 2076 01:19:35,675 --> 01:19:38,611 It's been completely redesigned. 2077 01:19:38,645 --> 01:19:41,748 Our ninjas start underneath and scramble up the rails 2078 01:19:41,781 --> 01:19:45,185 to a 20-foot Rope Climb, then hop the ring 2079 01:19:45,218 --> 01:19:48,054 and slide down to an angled Salmon Ladder, 2080 01:19:48,088 --> 01:19:50,924 which leads up to the Dropping Shelves 2081 01:19:50,957 --> 01:19:52,792 and a final swing to the buzzer. 2082 01:19:52,826 --> 01:19:56,429 It's gonna be a Texas showdown between two veterans, 2083 01:19:56,463 --> 01:19:57,831 as our defending champ 2084 01:19:57,864 --> 01:20:01,701 Daniel Gil races the Law Ninja Brian Burkhardt. 2085 01:20:01,735 --> 01:20:05,538 Only one will win the Safety Pass to use in Vegas. 2086 01:20:05,572 --> 01:20:09,442 And it's all just ahead on "American Ninja Warrior." 2087 01:20:14,114 --> 01:20:16,182 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior" 2088 01:20:16,216 --> 01:20:19,619 and the conclusion of our first round of semifinals. 2089 01:20:19,652 --> 01:20:24,157 We've saved the best for last, the return of the Power Tower. 2090 01:20:24,190 --> 01:20:26,760 And despite the impressive teenagers, 2091 01:20:26,793 --> 01:20:28,228 it's gonna be two veterans 2092 01:20:28,261 --> 01:20:30,363 going head-to-head-- the Law Ninja 2093 01:20:30,397 --> 01:20:32,399 squaring off against the Kingdom Ninja. 2094 01:20:32,432 --> 01:20:34,134 - Oh, boy. This should be good. 2095 01:20:37,771 --> 01:20:40,674 - To go against Daniel Gil, who's the reigning champion, 2096 01:20:40,707 --> 01:20:42,842 it's a little bit intimidating. 2097 01:20:42,876 --> 01:20:47,681 - Daniel Gil! He is our 2020 champion! 2098 01:20:49,049 --> 01:20:51,351 - Daniel's been on the Power Tower five times now, 2099 01:20:51,384 --> 01:20:52,886 and I've never actually been, 2100 01:20:52,919 --> 01:20:55,955 so I'm a little bit of an underdog coming into this. 2101 01:20:55,989 --> 01:20:58,958 - It's very intimidating. Just the sheer size of it. 2102 01:20:58,992 --> 01:21:00,760 - It's scary from the ground. 2103 01:21:00,794 --> 01:21:03,063 - There's a lot of new twists, a lot of big moves. 2104 01:21:03,063 --> 01:21:04,330 - It's gotta be really terrifying 2105 01:21:04,364 --> 01:21:05,699 when you're up there on it. 2106 01:21:05,732 --> 01:21:08,068 - We'll see if the pressure gets to him or not. 2107 01:21:08,068 --> 01:21:09,302 - To look up there, 2108 01:21:09,336 --> 01:21:12,639 30, 40 feet in the sky, it's a little unsettling. 2109 01:21:12,672 --> 01:21:14,407 - Oh! - Ahh! 2110 01:21:14,441 --> 01:21:17,410 - But I know that I cannot underestimate Brian, 2111 01:21:17,444 --> 01:21:20,180 because the smallest mistake will be the difference 2112 01:21:20,213 --> 01:21:21,948 between hitting that buzzer and not. 2113 01:21:25,151 --> 01:21:27,087 - Matt, this is a different setup. 2114 01:21:27,087 --> 01:21:28,788 Both these competitors have never seen 2115 01:21:28,822 --> 01:21:30,523 this brand-new Power Tower. 2116 01:21:30,557 --> 01:21:32,692 They're both looking up, trying to plan it out. 2117 01:21:32,726 --> 01:21:36,096 Even though Gil's been on the Power Tower many times before, 2118 01:21:36,096 --> 01:21:38,098 he's never been on this version. 2119 01:21:38,098 --> 01:21:41,101 - Daniel's wife Abby will be watching with friends 2120 01:21:41,134 --> 01:21:42,302 back in Texas, 2121 01:21:42,335 --> 01:21:44,571 as well as parents and sisters. 2122 01:21:44,604 --> 01:21:47,340 Brian Burkhardt gotta be considered an underdog 2123 01:21:47,374 --> 01:21:49,409 going against the defending champion. 2124 01:21:49,442 --> 01:21:51,778 - Yeah. Let's go, Brian. 2125 01:21:51,811 --> 01:21:54,547 - He'll have his sister Victoria cheering for him. 2126 01:21:54,581 --> 01:21:55,715 - Yeah! 2127 01:21:55,749 --> 01:21:57,117 - The winner gets the Safety Pass, 2128 01:21:57,117 --> 01:22:00,253 a do-over if you fall on stage one or two. 2129 01:22:00,286 --> 01:22:03,623 And that could be worth $1 million. 2130 01:22:03,656 --> 01:22:05,525 - Here we go. Hands on deck. 2131 01:22:05,558 --> 01:22:09,696 [countdown clock beeping] 2132 01:22:09,729 --> 01:22:12,332 - And here we go. 2133 01:22:12,365 --> 01:22:15,268 And you can see Gil, a slight edge. 2134 01:22:15,301 --> 01:22:17,937 Now for this 20-foot Rope Climb. 2135 01:22:17,971 --> 01:22:19,572 They get to the rope at the same time. 2136 01:22:19,606 --> 01:22:21,975 And Daniel Gil loves being on the rope. 2137 01:22:22,075 --> 01:22:24,511 But it looks like Brian Burkhardt's keeping this even! 2138 01:22:24,544 --> 01:22:26,079 - Oh, here we go now. - Oh! 2139 01:22:26,112 --> 01:22:27,480 - Here we go, Matt! 2140 01:22:27,514 --> 01:22:29,482 - But Gil misses the bar. Oh, my goodness! 2141 01:22:29,516 --> 01:22:31,184 - This is an angled Salmon Ladder. 2142 01:22:31,217 --> 01:22:33,420 - And Burkhardt jumps out ahead. 2143 01:22:33,453 --> 01:22:36,122 Gil still struggling with the bar! 2144 01:22:36,156 --> 01:22:38,525 Burkhardt already on the Dropping Shelves. 2145 01:22:38,558 --> 01:22:40,827 Gil can't get on the Salmon Ladder. 2146 01:22:40,860 --> 01:22:42,729 - And there is no stopping the lawyer. 2147 01:22:42,762 --> 01:22:43,730 - Wow. - Oh, my goodness. 2148 01:22:43,763 --> 01:22:45,398 He is laying down the law. 2149 01:22:45,432 --> 01:22:47,400 - He just has to avoid a fall. 2150 01:22:47,434 --> 01:22:50,570 Brian Burkhardt, one more shelf to go! 2151 01:22:50,603 --> 01:22:52,839 Daniel Gil, no chance to catch up. 2152 01:22:52,872 --> 01:22:54,808 - This is unbelievable! 2153 01:22:54,841 --> 01:22:57,310 - What an unexpected result. - What? 2154 01:22:57,344 --> 01:23:00,280 - Brian Burkhardt has earned safety in Vegas 2155 01:23:00,313 --> 01:23:02,782 over the legendary Daniel Gil! 2156 01:23:02,816 --> 01:23:06,720 - Let's go! Let's go! 2157 01:23:08,388 --> 01:23:12,258 - That's my guy! Ahh! 2158 01:23:12,292 --> 01:23:15,528 - Oh, my goodness. I did not see that coming. 2159 01:23:15,562 --> 01:23:17,497 - A surprising result. 2160 01:23:17,530 --> 01:23:20,667 Akbar, that's why you run the race. 2161 01:23:20,700 --> 01:23:22,168 - Here's the critical point. 2162 01:23:22,202 --> 01:23:24,204 Daniel Gil slides down the ring 2163 01:23:24,237 --> 01:23:26,940 to grab the Salmon Ladder bar and misses. 2164 01:23:26,973 --> 01:23:28,875 Has to come back and try again, 2165 01:23:28,908 --> 01:23:31,711 and the bar comes off the rung. 2166 01:23:31,745 --> 01:23:35,915 Meanwhile, Brian Burkhardt was flawless at that spot. 2167 01:23:35,949 --> 01:23:38,385 He jumped out in front and never looked back. 2168 01:23:38,418 --> 01:23:40,920 A lot of people are gonna be calling this lawyer, 2169 01:23:40,954 --> 01:23:42,756 because he made his case. 2170 01:23:42,789 --> 01:23:46,760 Brian Burkhardt can run with the best. 2171 01:23:46,793 --> 01:23:49,662 An exciting ending. - Let's go! 2172 01:23:49,696 --> 01:23:52,766 - And we'll see both Daniel Gil and Brian Burkhardt 2173 01:23:52,799 --> 01:23:55,402 at the national finals in a few weeks. 2174 01:23:55,435 --> 01:23:59,239 16-year-old Max Feinberg and the veteran Abel Gonzalez 2175 01:23:59,272 --> 01:24:00,940 were our other finishers. 2176 01:24:01,041 --> 01:24:04,210 The rest of the top 15 include teenagers Owen Dyer 2177 01:24:04,244 --> 01:24:06,312 and Flyboy Isaiah Thomas, 2178 01:24:06,346 --> 01:24:09,683 along with Christian Youst and Elijah Browning. 2179 01:24:09,716 --> 01:24:12,786 Six teens in all advance to the national finals, 2180 01:24:12,819 --> 01:24:15,221 including Isabella Wakeham. 2181 01:24:15,255 --> 01:24:18,658 She and Tiana Webberley both made the top 15. 2182 01:24:18,692 --> 01:24:21,728 Zhanique Lovett rounds out our women's top three. 2183 01:24:21,761 --> 01:24:24,531 We'll be taking a short break for the Olympics on NBC, 2184 01:24:24,564 --> 01:24:27,067 but don't worry, we'll be back. 2185 01:24:27,100 --> 01:24:28,735 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall. 2186 01:24:28,768 --> 01:24:30,170 I'm Matt Iseman. 2187 01:24:30,203 --> 01:24:33,273 We'll see you in two weeks on "American Ninja Warrior."