1 00:00:06,239 --> 00:00:09,242 - The first six weeks of "American Ninja Warrior" 2 00:00:09,275 --> 00:00:10,877 were extraordinary... 3 00:00:10,910 --> 00:00:12,345 - Let's go! 4 00:00:12,379 --> 00:00:15,382 - With history-making performances... 5 00:00:15,415 --> 00:00:18,752 The youngest ever to hit a buzzer! 6 00:00:18,785 --> 00:00:20,587 And shocking falls. 7 00:00:20,620 --> 00:00:24,057 Whoa! 8 00:00:24,090 --> 00:00:27,560 In our first semifinal, the race for the Power Tower 9 00:00:27,594 --> 00:00:29,963 and the all-important Safety Pass 10 00:00:29,996 --> 00:00:31,865 ended in a shocker. 11 00:00:31,898 --> 00:00:34,768 Brian Burkhardt has earned safety in Vegas 12 00:00:34,801 --> 00:00:37,871 over the legendary Daniel Gil! 13 00:00:37,904 --> 00:00:40,373 Who will claim the prize this week? 14 00:00:40,407 --> 00:00:42,275 Will it be another veteran? 15 00:00:42,308 --> 00:00:44,444 The Weatherman delivers! 16 00:00:44,477 --> 00:00:46,746 Or one of the upstart rookies? 17 00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:48,815 - Yes! 18 00:00:48,848 --> 00:00:51,284 So I may only be 5'4" and 113 pounds, 19 00:00:51,317 --> 00:00:53,720 but tonight I'm gonna shock the world on that Power Tower. 20 00:00:53,753 --> 00:00:56,656 - Will a teen reach the promised land? 21 00:00:56,690 --> 00:00:58,024 Or maybe a mom? 22 00:00:58,058 --> 00:01:00,593 - The first mom! 23 00:01:00,627 --> 00:01:02,829 I still got a lot of unfinished business left. 24 00:01:02,862 --> 00:01:05,365 - Who will be the breakout star tonight? 25 00:01:05,398 --> 00:01:07,133 - Oh, he's ready. 26 00:01:07,167 --> 00:01:11,571 - "American Ninja Warrior" starts now. 27 00:01:11,604 --> 00:01:13,406 Our Olympic break is over, 28 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,409 and we're back at Universal Studios Hollywood, 29 00:01:16,443 --> 00:01:20,980 ready to resume the semifinals of "American Ninja Warrior." 30 00:01:21,081 --> 00:01:23,717 Hello, everyone, and thanks for being with us once again. 31 00:01:23,750 --> 00:01:24,718 I'm Matt Iseman. 32 00:01:24,751 --> 00:01:26,119 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 33 00:01:26,152 --> 00:01:28,521 Matt, the games in Tokyo are done. 34 00:01:28,555 --> 00:01:30,090 Now, it's ninja time. 35 00:01:30,090 --> 00:01:32,826 And we've got a gold medal lineup tonight, 36 00:01:32,859 --> 00:01:36,629 led by the Weatherman, Connecticut's Joe Moravsky. 37 00:01:36,663 --> 00:01:39,299 - Ohh! - We'll also see last year's 38 00:01:39,332 --> 00:01:42,102 top rookie, Vermont's Amir Malik. 39 00:01:42,135 --> 00:01:43,837 - He broke the buzzer! 40 00:01:43,870 --> 00:01:47,307 - And Washington supermom Sandy Zimmerman. 41 00:01:47,340 --> 00:01:49,109 - Yeah! - And she's done it! 42 00:01:49,109 --> 00:01:51,945 - Plus, another talented group of teenagers, 43 00:01:51,978 --> 00:01:55,382 including 17-year-old Jay "Lache" Lewis 44 00:01:55,415 --> 00:02:00,053 and 15-year-old "Ninja Junior" runner-up Kaden Lebsack. 45 00:02:00,086 --> 00:02:02,589 - No hesitation! 46 00:02:02,622 --> 00:02:04,557 Only four ninjas made it to the buzzer 47 00:02:04,591 --> 00:02:06,626 during our first week of the semifinals. 48 00:02:06,659 --> 00:02:09,362 Now, for a look at the course our athletes will face tonight, 49 00:02:09,396 --> 00:02:13,166 let's go down to the other star on our team, Zuri Hall. 50 00:02:13,199 --> 00:02:16,436 - Guys, this course is ten obstacles long, 51 00:02:16,469 --> 00:02:18,204 and before they reach the end, 52 00:02:18,238 --> 00:02:20,106 they're gonna have to pick a side. 53 00:02:20,140 --> 00:02:22,409 There's some strategy involved for our ninjas 54 00:02:22,442 --> 00:02:25,145 if they reach Split Decision in semifinals. 55 00:02:25,178 --> 00:02:27,814 - Oh, no! - With tired arms, do they try 56 00:02:27,847 --> 00:02:30,216 the upper-body obstacle, Inverter? 57 00:02:30,250 --> 00:02:32,385 - Oh, sha-na-na! 58 00:02:32,419 --> 00:02:34,954 - Or do they use their legs and take a chance 59 00:02:34,988 --> 00:02:36,956 on the almost impossible 60 00:02:36,990 --> 00:02:38,324 balance obstacle, Tunning Forks? 61 00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:40,427 - Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Ooh! 62 00:02:40,460 --> 00:02:42,929 - To reach Split Decision, they'll first have to survive 63 00:02:42,962 --> 00:02:45,665 a brand-new eighth obstacle, Padlock. 64 00:02:45,699 --> 00:02:47,834 - Oh, no! - At the end of the night, 65 00:02:47,867 --> 00:02:50,303 we're headed to the Power Tower. 66 00:02:50,337 --> 00:02:52,706 Our two fastest competitors race head-to-head. 67 00:02:52,739 --> 00:02:54,774 The winner earns a Safety Pass, 68 00:02:54,808 --> 00:02:56,109 which gives them a second chance 69 00:02:56,109 --> 00:02:58,812 if they fall at the National finals. 70 00:02:58,845 --> 00:03:00,080 - Oh! - No! 71 00:03:00,113 --> 00:03:01,381 - One more time. 72 00:03:01,414 --> 00:03:03,750 - Let's get them going, guys. - Thanks, Zuri. 73 00:03:03,783 --> 00:03:06,319 Well, our first competitor will definitely get things off 74 00:03:06,353 --> 00:03:07,921 to a fun start. 75 00:03:07,954 --> 00:03:09,556 This is 22-year-old 76 00:03:09,589 --> 00:03:12,192 eighth-grade science teacher Rachel Degutz. 77 00:03:12,225 --> 00:03:14,394 She's the first of three female competitors 78 00:03:14,427 --> 00:03:16,062 from the Garden State, 79 00:03:16,096 --> 00:03:19,466 and they are the Jersey Girls. 80 00:03:19,499 --> 00:03:21,668 [upbeat music] 81 00:03:21,701 --> 00:03:23,903 - The Jersey Girls are Cara Mack, 82 00:03:23,937 --> 00:03:26,272 Abby Clark, and myself. 83 00:03:26,306 --> 00:03:28,141 We train together, we compete together, 84 00:03:28,174 --> 00:03:29,509 but we're all friends, 85 00:03:29,542 --> 00:03:30,944 and we're pulling for each other. 86 00:03:30,977 --> 00:03:32,779 * * 87 00:03:32,812 --> 00:03:34,414 - Ooh! - Yes. 88 00:03:34,447 --> 00:03:36,750 * * 89 00:03:36,783 --> 00:03:38,084 - You think of Jersey girls, and, like, 90 00:03:38,084 --> 00:03:39,085 they're getting their nails done, 91 00:03:39,085 --> 00:03:40,320 whereas we're in the gym, 92 00:03:40,353 --> 00:03:43,089 like, ripping our hands up. [laughter] 93 00:03:43,089 --> 00:03:44,724 - * You better watch out * 94 00:03:44,758 --> 00:03:45,892 - Nice. - Nice. 95 00:03:45,925 --> 00:03:47,427 - You got this. So smooth. 96 00:03:47,460 --> 00:03:49,996 - I love training with Cara and Abby 97 00:03:50,096 --> 00:03:52,732 because they push me to achieve things 98 00:03:52,766 --> 00:03:55,135 that I wouldn't achieve training by myself. 99 00:03:55,168 --> 00:03:57,203 - Yeah! - Ooh. 100 00:03:57,237 --> 00:03:58,938 Okay, there's a wall back there. 101 00:03:58,972 --> 00:04:00,573 - Yeah. - Nice job, Rachel. 102 00:04:00,607 --> 00:04:02,242 - Whoo! - Whoo-hoo! 103 00:04:02,275 --> 00:04:04,444 - * Don't you worry, baby * 104 00:04:04,477 --> 00:04:06,613 * Don't you worry, baby * 105 00:04:06,646 --> 00:04:07,881 - Okay, boss lady! 106 00:04:07,914 --> 00:04:11,584 - Whoo-hoo! - Yes! 107 00:04:11,618 --> 00:04:13,820 - She's got it! - Cara Mack. 108 00:04:13,853 --> 00:04:15,922 - Having close friends in the sport of ninja 109 00:04:15,955 --> 00:04:18,324 is really important. 110 00:04:18,358 --> 00:04:19,626 - Yes! - Okay! 111 00:04:19,659 --> 00:04:21,194 - Whoo! - Let's go! 112 00:04:21,227 --> 00:04:22,729 - Yes! 113 00:04:22,762 --> 00:04:25,465 - It's nice to be able to connect with other females. 114 00:04:25,498 --> 00:04:27,967 Just dealing with life in general, it's really nice 115 00:04:28,068 --> 00:04:30,370 to have someone that really understands you. 116 00:04:30,403 --> 00:04:32,072 - * It's all in good time * 117 00:04:32,072 --> 00:04:34,174 * No need to hurry * 118 00:04:34,207 --> 00:04:36,076 - Aside from being ninjas, 119 00:04:36,076 --> 00:04:38,778 I will like we all have a goofier side, 120 00:04:38,812 --> 00:04:41,147 and we just like to laugh and have fun, 121 00:04:41,181 --> 00:04:44,084 whether it's here at the gym or at the boardwalk. 122 00:04:44,084 --> 00:04:46,786 - * Don't give up on me now, baby * 123 00:04:46,820 --> 00:04:50,590 [all cheering] 124 00:04:50,623 --> 00:04:52,225 - Tonight is gonna be every move, like, 125 00:04:52,258 --> 00:04:53,660 hanging on the edge of your seat. 126 00:04:53,693 --> 00:04:55,261 Who's gonna make it? Who's gonna fall? 127 00:04:55,295 --> 00:04:57,497 Where are they gonna end up? It's gonna be so thrilling. 128 00:04:57,530 --> 00:04:58,832 Race you to the car. 129 00:04:58,865 --> 00:05:00,367 [laughter] 130 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,536 - * Something inside singing don't you worry * 131 00:05:03,570 --> 00:05:07,440 * It's all in good time, no need to hurry * 132 00:05:07,474 --> 00:05:08,708 [cheers and applause] 133 00:05:08,742 --> 00:05:09,776 - Rachel's gonna be the first 134 00:05:09,809 --> 00:05:11,044 for this fun group. 135 00:05:11,044 --> 00:05:12,412 - Here we go, Rachel! 136 00:05:12,445 --> 00:05:15,215 - Abby and Cara will run a bit later. 137 00:05:15,248 --> 00:05:18,151 Lots of supporters will be watching back in New Jersey, 138 00:05:18,184 --> 00:05:20,387 including Rachel's sister and parents. 139 00:05:20,420 --> 00:05:22,555 - Whoo! 140 00:05:22,589 --> 00:05:24,424 - That's her "Whoo!" scream, Matt. 141 00:05:24,457 --> 00:05:26,426 That's how she gets fired up. 142 00:05:26,459 --> 00:05:28,895 [countdown beeping] 143 00:05:28,928 --> 00:05:30,964 She is a big bundle of energy, 144 00:05:31,064 --> 00:05:32,866 and she's coming in with a lot of confidence 145 00:05:32,899 --> 00:05:35,735 after making it to the fifth obstacle in qualifying. 146 00:05:35,769 --> 00:05:37,470 - Makes it through the Shrinking Steps. 147 00:05:37,504 --> 00:05:39,973 Now tackles her second obstacle tonight, 148 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:41,307 Double Twister. 149 00:05:41,341 --> 00:05:44,177 Needs to fly across these twisting handles. 150 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:46,746 You can see how those handles--so easy to get turned 151 00:05:46,780 --> 00:05:48,081 if you're not good at controlling 152 00:05:48,114 --> 00:05:49,549 your lower body momentum. 153 00:05:49,582 --> 00:05:51,484 You can see her now starting on these rotations. 154 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,720 But makes a good throw there. 155 00:05:53,753 --> 00:05:55,321 The top three women from tonight 156 00:05:55,355 --> 00:05:56,890 will advance to the national finals. 157 00:05:56,923 --> 00:05:59,926 Degutz gonna try to do it in her rookie season. 158 00:06:01,795 --> 00:06:03,930 And she gets through Double Twister. 159 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:05,932 - Yes! There you go. 160 00:06:06,032 --> 00:06:07,801 - Third obstacle tonight, Ring Chaser. 161 00:06:07,834 --> 00:06:10,837 When she jumps up, that ring will start rolling. 162 00:06:10,870 --> 00:06:12,038 - Go, go, go, go. - Oh, my. 163 00:06:12,072 --> 00:06:13,306 - Have to get there before the ring. 164 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:16,876 Oh! Wow, what a grab! 165 00:06:16,910 --> 00:06:18,712 - And before that, Flex LaBreck 166 00:06:18,745 --> 00:06:21,715 was the only woman to make that grab on Ring Chaser. 167 00:06:21,748 --> 00:06:25,618 Rachel Degutz, a rookie, just did it on her first try. 168 00:06:25,652 --> 00:06:26,953 That is impressive. 169 00:06:27,053 --> 00:06:28,588 - You got it. Yup. 170 00:06:30,190 --> 00:06:31,558 Here you go, Rach. - Come on, Rachel! 171 00:06:31,591 --> 00:06:32,759 - Make that move. - Nice. 172 00:06:32,792 --> 00:06:33,893 - Make your move, Rachel Degutz! 173 00:06:33,927 --> 00:06:36,463 - Okay, Degutz! 174 00:06:36,496 --> 00:06:37,697 [cheering] 175 00:06:37,731 --> 00:06:39,432 Can we look at that grab again? 176 00:06:39,466 --> 00:06:41,868 She knew she had to get ahead. - Look at the intensity! 177 00:06:41,901 --> 00:06:44,471 - And then she grabbed that ring like "Mortal Kombat." 178 00:06:44,504 --> 00:06:46,106 "Get over here!" 179 00:06:46,139 --> 00:06:49,242 - Now it's Spinning Bridge. - Come on. 180 00:06:49,275 --> 00:06:50,744 - Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Go! Nice. 181 00:06:50,777 --> 00:06:52,312 - Rolls forward! Showing guts. 182 00:06:52,345 --> 00:06:53,680 - That's the way you want to roll. 183 00:06:53,713 --> 00:06:55,348 I see how you roll. - And she looks at the umpire. 184 00:06:55,382 --> 00:06:57,450 "Safe." - I see how you roll. 185 00:06:57,484 --> 00:06:59,085 - Now on to Wall to Wall. 186 00:06:59,085 --> 00:07:02,889 Got to jump across and land on the small ledges. 187 00:07:02,922 --> 00:07:05,158 - This ain't easy, but she's gonna do it. 188 00:07:05,191 --> 00:07:07,027 - Just got her Master's in Education 189 00:07:07,060 --> 00:07:08,762 from Rutgers University. 190 00:07:08,795 --> 00:07:12,032 Trying to master the fifth obstacle here. 191 00:07:12,032 --> 00:07:16,302 - Come on, Rachel! You're right there. 192 00:07:16,336 --> 00:07:18,038 - Ooh! Right there. - Makes that transfer here. 193 00:07:18,038 --> 00:07:20,040 - I love how she came in so compact like that. 194 00:07:20,073 --> 00:07:21,708 5'3", 130 pounds. 195 00:07:21,741 --> 00:07:23,176 Really making good use of her size. 196 00:07:23,209 --> 00:07:25,378 - Now, keep in mind here, an eight-inch drop. 197 00:07:25,412 --> 00:07:28,615 You have to anticipate it. You have to absorb it. 198 00:07:28,648 --> 00:07:30,250 Otherwise, you will peel off 199 00:07:30,283 --> 00:07:31,584 when the handle gets to the bottom. 200 00:07:31,618 --> 00:07:35,055 - She gotta get up high, anticipate that drop. Nice. 201 00:07:35,055 --> 00:07:37,290 - Great job! - Great. 202 00:07:37,323 --> 00:07:40,260 - This is such an impressive rookie effort 203 00:07:40,293 --> 00:07:41,561 on a semifinals course. 204 00:07:41,594 --> 00:07:42,962 - Uh-oh. She's starting to grimace now. 205 00:07:43,063 --> 00:07:44,330 She's gotta get out of there. both: Ooh! 206 00:07:44,364 --> 00:07:46,132 - My goodness. Oh! 207 00:07:46,166 --> 00:07:48,568 - And she's good. She's good. 208 00:07:48,601 --> 00:07:51,638 [cheers and applause] 209 00:07:52,772 --> 00:07:54,374 - Yeah, she's about to get that Warped Wall. 210 00:07:54,407 --> 00:07:56,409 You good, Degutz? - I'm good. 211 00:07:56,443 --> 00:07:58,511 - Okay. All right. Oh. 212 00:07:58,545 --> 00:08:01,214 - Her first time facing a Warped Wall. 213 00:08:01,247 --> 00:08:02,315 - Go high, Rachel. Come on. 214 00:08:02,349 --> 00:08:03,817 - Where are her eyes? Looking up. 215 00:08:03,850 --> 00:08:05,552 - Where your body goes-- okay, that's all right. 216 00:08:05,585 --> 00:08:07,654 - She gets two more chances. 217 00:08:07,687 --> 00:08:09,422 - It's okay. It's okay. Shake it off. 218 00:08:09,456 --> 00:08:11,091 - Come on. You got it. - Second attempt. 219 00:08:11,124 --> 00:08:12,759 - Rachel was a three-sport athlete. 220 00:08:12,792 --> 00:08:14,027 - Oh! 221 00:08:14,027 --> 00:08:15,295 - Okay! - She had fingertips on it. 222 00:08:15,328 --> 00:08:16,596 - She's gotta keep running. 223 00:08:16,629 --> 00:08:18,698 She needs one more step up that wall. 224 00:08:18,732 --> 00:08:20,033 - Reset. Reset. 225 00:08:20,033 --> 00:08:22,035 - Her Jersey Girl training partners 226 00:08:22,035 --> 00:08:23,703 trying to talk her through it. 227 00:08:23,737 --> 00:08:25,505 This is her last shot. 228 00:08:25,538 --> 00:08:26,706 Here we go. Final attempt. 229 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:27,807 - All right, generate the speed. 230 00:08:27,841 --> 00:08:29,509 Generate the speed. - Yes! 231 00:08:29,542 --> 00:08:31,511 - Oh, yes! That's what I'm talking about! 232 00:08:31,544 --> 00:08:33,747 - Whoo! - Yeah! 233 00:08:33,780 --> 00:08:37,517 - Rachel Degutz just got up her first Warped Wall! 234 00:08:37,550 --> 00:08:39,552 Only a small group of elite women 235 00:08:39,586 --> 00:08:41,654 have ever made it to the back half. 236 00:08:41,688 --> 00:08:44,691 Rachel Degutz just added her name to that list. 237 00:08:44,724 --> 00:08:46,793 - Come on, Rachel! You got it! - Trust yourself! You got it! 238 00:08:46,826 --> 00:08:48,895 - But the final four obstacles are brutal, 239 00:08:48,928 --> 00:08:50,964 starting here with the Salmon Ladder. 240 00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:52,565 - Degutz on the trampoline. 241 00:08:52,599 --> 00:08:54,167 All right, now watch the technique here. 242 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,202 Look at that. Keeping her L. You see that? 243 00:08:56,236 --> 00:08:57,704 Perfect form. - And switch grip. 244 00:08:57,737 --> 00:08:59,172 And each time, taking a look at the bar placement. 245 00:08:59,205 --> 00:09:01,107 - And she's looking at both sides, left-right, 246 00:09:01,141 --> 00:09:02,575 to make sure it's secure. 247 00:09:02,609 --> 00:09:04,010 She ain't messing around. She's double-checking. 248 00:09:04,010 --> 00:09:06,012 She's proofreading. - And she gets through 249 00:09:06,012 --> 00:09:07,247 the Salmon Ladder. 250 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:09,749 - Yeah! - Rachel Degutz 251 00:09:09,783 --> 00:09:11,518 continues to impress. 252 00:09:11,551 --> 00:09:13,653 But now it's this brand-new eighth obstacle, Padlock. 253 00:09:13,687 --> 00:09:15,255 - Come on, Rachel! - Each of those 254 00:09:15,288 --> 00:09:19,025 three circles will spin as soon as you grab them. 255 00:09:19,025 --> 00:09:20,160 both: Oh! 256 00:09:20,193 --> 00:09:21,561 - Holds on! - Wow! Whoa! 257 00:09:21,594 --> 00:09:22,896 - And that is the problem. 258 00:09:22,929 --> 00:09:24,330 You really have to control that momentum. 259 00:09:24,364 --> 00:09:26,032 - Yeah, Matt, you saw she came in hot, 260 00:09:26,032 --> 00:09:27,400 so she came right into it, 261 00:09:27,434 --> 00:09:29,069 and as soon as you get on that first padlock, 262 00:09:29,102 --> 00:09:30,303 it will go. - Oh! 263 00:09:30,337 --> 00:09:32,238 - Nice grab. All right, control it. 264 00:09:32,272 --> 00:09:34,040 Matt, she's perfect for this. Now, she's fighting around. 265 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:35,041 - Oh, she's going the wrong way. 266 00:09:35,041 --> 00:09:36,343 - It's like a steering wheel. 267 00:09:36,376 --> 00:09:37,644 - That cleat needs to be on the bottom, Akbar, 268 00:09:37,677 --> 00:09:39,612 and she's spinning it towards the top. 269 00:09:39,646 --> 00:09:41,348 - Find it, Rachel! You've got it! 270 00:09:41,381 --> 00:09:44,417 - You can do it. Here we go. - Come on, Rachel! 271 00:09:44,451 --> 00:09:46,353 - What I love, Akbar, she's not panicking. 272 00:09:46,386 --> 00:09:49,289 Realized her mistake. Incrementally moving it. 273 00:09:51,124 --> 00:09:52,625 She's finally stabilized, 274 00:09:52,659 --> 00:09:55,195 but now has to move her hands down to the bottom. 275 00:09:55,228 --> 00:09:59,232 This is the tricky part. - There you go! 276 00:09:59,265 --> 00:10:01,801 - And Degutz does it! 277 00:10:01,835 --> 00:10:04,137 - Come on, Rachel! 278 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:06,239 - Oh! - Oh, my goodness! Come on! 279 00:10:06,272 --> 00:10:08,975 - There you go! - Rachel Degutz! 280 00:10:09,009 --> 00:10:12,312 This Jersey Girl just refuses to give up. 281 00:10:12,345 --> 00:10:14,347 Oh, my goodness! 282 00:10:14,381 --> 00:10:15,815 - Come on. both: Oh! 283 00:10:15,849 --> 00:10:17,584 - Look at her wrist twisting up and everything. 284 00:10:17,617 --> 00:10:19,586 - And once again-- - She's a fighter! 285 00:10:19,619 --> 00:10:21,721 - She was caught completely unaware by that. 286 00:10:21,755 --> 00:10:23,323 Managed to hold on. 287 00:10:23,356 --> 00:10:26,259 This is such a courageous, determined run. 288 00:10:26,292 --> 00:10:29,796 And she's at the ninth obstacle. 289 00:10:29,829 --> 00:10:32,799 This rookie Jersey Girl showing how it's done. 290 00:10:32,832 --> 00:10:34,334 - Which should I choose? 291 00:10:34,367 --> 00:10:36,136 - Whoo! - She's asking 292 00:10:36,169 --> 00:10:38,905 what she should she do now that she's at Split Decision? 293 00:10:38,938 --> 00:10:40,407 She's got the upper body obstacle 294 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:41,975 Inverter on her left, 295 00:10:42,008 --> 00:10:43,777 but she's looking at the balance obstacle 296 00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:44,978 Tuning Forks. 297 00:10:45,011 --> 00:10:46,613 - Speed and precision. You got it. 298 00:10:46,646 --> 00:10:48,415 - You got this! - Tuning Forks 299 00:10:48,448 --> 00:10:51,251 are so difficult, but her arms look shot. 300 00:10:51,284 --> 00:10:53,153 I think a sprint across the balance obstacle 301 00:10:53,186 --> 00:10:54,154 is her best bet. 302 00:10:54,187 --> 00:10:56,056 - Deep breath. You got it. 303 00:10:56,089 --> 00:10:58,291 - Come on. Go for it. Go for it. Just go for it! 304 00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:00,060 No paralysis by analysis. 305 00:11:00,060 --> 00:11:01,494 You got the guts, you get the glory. 306 00:11:01,528 --> 00:11:02,729 You got the guts, you get the glory! 307 00:11:02,762 --> 00:11:04,097 - Oh! - Oh! Hold on! 308 00:11:04,130 --> 00:11:06,766 - Ohh. Just didn't make it. 309 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:08,601 - That's all right, Rachel! 310 00:11:08,635 --> 00:11:11,171 - But what a great run to start us off. 311 00:11:11,204 --> 00:11:13,773 If that's any indication of what's ahead, 312 00:11:13,807 --> 00:11:15,442 we're in for a big night. 313 00:11:15,475 --> 00:11:17,911 - Whoo! 314 00:11:17,944 --> 00:11:20,447 - Rachel made a couple of big saves on this difficult 315 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,382 new eighth obstacle, Padlock. 316 00:11:22,415 --> 00:11:25,085 But on Tuning Forks, you need big strides, 317 00:11:25,118 --> 00:11:27,253 and she wasn't able to land on top. 318 00:11:27,287 --> 00:11:29,956 Boy, them forks will spin out on you. 319 00:11:29,989 --> 00:11:31,624 - Let's go down to Zuri. 320 00:11:31,658 --> 00:11:33,493 - Rachel, what an amazing run. 321 00:11:33,526 --> 00:11:35,762 You are a rookie, and you do not give up. 322 00:11:35,795 --> 00:11:38,331 Where does that drive come from? 323 00:11:38,365 --> 00:11:40,166 - I mean, it definitely comes from the people I grew up with. 324 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,370 My parents are always just super optimistic. 325 00:11:43,403 --> 00:11:44,804 - Yeah. - And I'm just so happy 326 00:11:44,838 --> 00:11:46,373 that they can watch me do this. 327 00:11:46,406 --> 00:11:49,109 - Yeah. Well, they watched you beast this course. 328 00:11:49,109 --> 00:11:51,811 It is not easy, but you certainly gave it your all. 329 00:11:51,845 --> 00:11:53,913 We'll see soon if you went far enough fast enough. 330 00:11:53,947 --> 00:11:56,149 I have a feeling we'll see you in Vegas, but we'll see 331 00:11:56,182 --> 00:11:57,250 soon enough, okay? 332 00:11:57,283 --> 00:11:59,119 Great work out there. - Thank you. 333 00:11:59,119 --> 00:12:00,353 - Guys, back to you. 334 00:12:00,387 --> 00:12:02,789 - You go, girl. 335 00:12:02,822 --> 00:12:04,591 - The second night of semifinals 336 00:12:04,624 --> 00:12:06,893 is gonna be a spectacle! 337 00:12:06,926 --> 00:12:09,162 Hi, guys. - Hi. 338 00:12:09,195 --> 00:12:11,231 - We've got big name veterans... 339 00:12:11,264 --> 00:12:12,599 - He wants that buzzer. 340 00:12:12,632 --> 00:12:14,367 - And talented teenagers... 341 00:12:14,401 --> 00:12:16,536 - I think we got another ninja star on our hands. 342 00:12:16,569 --> 00:12:19,906 - With Jersey Girls... - Oh, my goodness! 343 00:12:19,939 --> 00:12:22,609 - And Iowa boys. 344 00:12:22,642 --> 00:12:26,446 Everyone wants to earn a trip to the National finals. 345 00:12:26,479 --> 00:12:27,814 - Oh, my goodness! 346 00:12:27,847 --> 00:12:30,617 - But only the strong will survive... 347 00:12:30,650 --> 00:12:34,554 - I see you! - On "American Ninja Warrior." 348 00:12:40,393 --> 00:12:41,961 - The night is just getting started 349 00:12:41,995 --> 00:12:43,830 here at Universal Studios, 350 00:12:43,863 --> 00:12:47,367 but we're already having dessert. 351 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:49,703 Paul Fisher grew up Amish, and he brought us 352 00:12:49,736 --> 00:12:53,740 a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty, Shoofly pie. 353 00:12:53,773 --> 00:12:56,976 - Hey, it's good, huh, Zuri? - It's good. It's sweet. 354 00:12:57,010 --> 00:12:58,878 - And while we had our mouths full, 355 00:12:58,912 --> 00:13:02,315 Fisher, a barn builder, went to work on the course. 356 00:13:02,349 --> 00:13:04,684 - He's gotta fly. He's gotta Shoofly. 357 00:13:04,718 --> 00:13:07,587 - The 31-year-old swings a hammer on the job, 358 00:13:07,620 --> 00:13:09,789 and he swung through Double Twister with ease. 359 00:13:09,823 --> 00:13:11,358 - Let's go! Let's go! 360 00:13:11,391 --> 00:13:13,860 - But on Ring Chaser, he missed the ring... 361 00:13:13,893 --> 00:13:16,062 - Oh, tried to kick it and get it, but didn't. 362 00:13:16,062 --> 00:13:19,499 - And couldn't nail the swing. - Oh, airball. 363 00:13:19,532 --> 00:13:20,500 Airball. 364 00:13:20,533 --> 00:13:22,102 And I ate all the Shoofly. 365 00:13:22,135 --> 00:13:23,837 - Then it was one of the youngest competitors 366 00:13:23,870 --> 00:13:26,906 of the night, 15-year-old Addy Herman. 367 00:13:26,940 --> 00:13:28,208 - You've got this. - Stay focused here. 368 00:13:28,241 --> 00:13:29,743 - With her nervous mom on the sideline, 369 00:13:29,776 --> 00:13:31,378 the high school sophomore flew 370 00:13:31,411 --> 00:13:32,812 through the early obstacles. 371 00:13:32,846 --> 00:13:35,081 - Yeah, you got it. - And even though she too 372 00:13:35,115 --> 00:13:37,784 missed the ring, it didn't stop her. 373 00:13:37,817 --> 00:13:39,486 - Just like taking the PSAT. 374 00:13:39,519 --> 00:13:40,687 Nice. - Yeah! 375 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,222 - But on the very next obstacle, 376 00:13:42,255 --> 00:13:45,258 the Massachusetts native's fantastic rookie season 377 00:13:45,291 --> 00:13:46,693 finally came to an end. 378 00:13:46,726 --> 00:13:50,096 - No, no, no, no, no, no! Oh! - [screams] 379 00:13:50,096 --> 00:13:51,998 - Aww! - That was a heck of a debut 380 00:13:52,098 --> 00:13:53,333 by this 15-year-old. 381 00:13:53,366 --> 00:13:55,568 - Good job, Addy. 382 00:13:55,602 --> 00:13:58,104 - The night was flying along, but now, 383 00:13:58,104 --> 00:13:59,939 we've hit a brick wall. 384 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,409 We're supposed to have John Uga at the start-- 385 00:14:02,442 --> 00:14:04,377 both: Oh! - Look at that. 386 00:14:04,411 --> 00:14:06,079 Oh, he's ready. 387 00:14:06,112 --> 00:14:07,213 That took him a lot of work. - Good news is, 388 00:14:07,247 --> 00:14:08,415 he can rebuild it. 389 00:14:08,448 --> 00:14:09,883 And that's because this 23-year-old 390 00:14:09,916 --> 00:14:13,053 has been a bricklayer for almost a decade. 391 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,790 [upbeat music] 392 00:14:16,823 --> 00:14:19,325 - I started bricklaying in seventh grade. 393 00:14:19,359 --> 00:14:21,061 I love that I'm working with all my friends. 394 00:14:21,094 --> 00:14:22,162 These are all my high school buddies. 395 00:14:22,195 --> 00:14:23,430 Need any help? 396 00:14:23,463 --> 00:14:25,832 - Hey, this house ain't gonna build itself. 397 00:14:26,766 --> 00:14:28,335 - I've known them my whole life, 398 00:14:28,368 --> 00:14:29,836 so there's nothing better than coming to work every day. 399 00:14:29,869 --> 00:14:32,072 - J.J., make a mix. Lunch is over. 400 00:14:32,072 --> 00:14:34,708 [laughter] 401 00:14:34,741 --> 00:14:37,444 We just laugh. We have a good time. 402 00:14:37,477 --> 00:14:38,778 - Every day on the job, 403 00:14:38,812 --> 00:14:40,146 it's just like bonus training for ninja, 404 00:14:40,180 --> 00:14:41,848 'cause everything's just grip strength. 405 00:14:41,881 --> 00:14:44,818 I'm doing pull-ups and doing pushing exercises. 406 00:14:44,851 --> 00:14:46,753 - Hey, John, we got work to do. 407 00:14:48,488 --> 00:14:50,156 - I like it because I'm a hands-on worker, 408 00:14:50,190 --> 00:14:52,625 and I enjoy seeing things that I build. 409 00:14:52,659 --> 00:14:54,728 But I want more purpose in my life. 410 00:14:54,761 --> 00:14:57,731 I want to be able to help people. 411 00:14:57,764 --> 00:15:00,300 I've wanted to be a police officer since I was younger. 412 00:15:00,333 --> 00:15:01,501 They held a police academy 413 00:15:01,534 --> 00:15:02,836 when I was, like, 11 years old, 414 00:15:02,869 --> 00:15:04,204 and I actually really loved all the cops 415 00:15:04,237 --> 00:15:05,572 and what they did. 416 00:15:05,605 --> 00:15:08,108 So I just took the exam, and I scored very well on it. 417 00:15:08,141 --> 00:15:09,809 "Dear John Uga"... 418 00:15:09,843 --> 00:15:11,411 I was actually over there on the other side of the house, 419 00:15:11,444 --> 00:15:13,913 and I got an email saying that I'm getting hired. 420 00:15:13,947 --> 00:15:15,615 I couldn't stop smiling. 421 00:15:15,648 --> 00:15:18,118 - Hope he makes a better cop than a bricklayer. 422 00:15:18,151 --> 00:15:19,219 [laughter] 423 00:15:19,252 --> 00:15:20,687 - My dream's coming true now. 424 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:24,057 The only thing left to do is to hit that buzzer. 425 00:15:25,792 --> 00:15:27,794 - He comes from a very tight family, 426 00:15:27,827 --> 00:15:30,830 so he's got his parents and grandparents watching, 427 00:15:30,864 --> 00:15:32,399 along with his sisters. 428 00:15:32,432 --> 00:15:34,234 They all live on the same block 429 00:15:34,267 --> 00:15:35,602 back in Everett, Massachusetts. 430 00:15:35,635 --> 00:15:37,170 - Come on, John. Let's go. - Some of the other 431 00:15:37,203 --> 00:15:39,939 Boston area ninjas on the sideline showing support. 432 00:15:39,973 --> 00:15:42,242 [countdown beeping] 433 00:15:42,275 --> 00:15:44,244 Well, you don't get any more blue-collar Boston 434 00:15:44,277 --> 00:15:47,080 than a bricklayer who's becoming a cop. 435 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,883 - He was wicked fast across that one, Matt. 436 00:15:49,916 --> 00:15:52,585 - Now on to the second obstacle, Double Twister. 437 00:15:52,619 --> 00:15:54,087 Gotta fly across these two handles. 438 00:15:54,087 --> 00:15:55,455 - You're there, John. - You got it. You're there. 439 00:15:55,488 --> 00:15:57,590 - Everyone tonight trying to make the top 15 440 00:15:57,624 --> 00:15:59,793 and move on to the national finals, 441 00:15:59,826 --> 00:16:02,128 which start in a few weeks in Vegas. 442 00:16:02,162 --> 00:16:03,396 - All right, right here. - Right here. 443 00:16:03,430 --> 00:16:06,099 - And he's through two. - Take your breath. 444 00:16:07,367 --> 00:16:09,536 - Uga quickly hops up on to Ring Chaser. 445 00:16:09,569 --> 00:16:11,338 - All right, here we go. Go, go, go, go, go. 446 00:16:11,371 --> 00:16:14,140 Oh! Whoa! He caught that with his foot! 447 00:16:14,174 --> 00:16:16,443 - We've never seen that before! 448 00:16:16,476 --> 00:16:18,945 - What the what? That was unbelievable! 449 00:16:19,045 --> 00:16:21,481 - Still needs to make the jump. 450 00:16:21,514 --> 00:16:24,718 He does it. Now the dismount. 451 00:16:24,751 --> 00:16:27,053 - I can't believe that didn't land there! 452 00:16:27,087 --> 00:16:29,322 - Lucas Reale still can't believe that catch. 453 00:16:29,356 --> 00:16:31,791 - Dude, how'd you do that? 454 00:16:31,825 --> 00:16:34,394 - I told you, point the toe. - Look at this again. 455 00:16:34,427 --> 00:16:36,629 He had no chance to catch it with his hands, 456 00:16:36,663 --> 00:16:40,433 so he stuck his foot out. Wow. What a snag right there. 457 00:16:40,467 --> 00:16:42,435 - Dude, what? - That was sick, dude. 458 00:16:42,469 --> 00:16:43,770 - Gonna try to keep that momentum 459 00:16:43,803 --> 00:16:45,305 going on Spinning Bridge. 460 00:16:45,338 --> 00:16:47,207 - Come on, you got it. - Oh! 461 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,409 - Oh, okay. Oh. He's making it interesting. 462 00:16:49,442 --> 00:16:52,278 - Well, back-to-back saves for John Uga. 463 00:16:52,312 --> 00:16:55,548 And the bricklayer now has to face Wall to Wall. 464 00:16:55,582 --> 00:16:57,851 - He's got to have good hands as a bricklayer. 465 00:16:57,884 --> 00:16:59,819 He could use those right here. 466 00:16:59,853 --> 00:17:01,521 - Right here, John. You got it. 467 00:17:01,554 --> 00:17:03,289 - Watch that hand. Go for it. - You got this. Come on. 468 00:17:03,323 --> 00:17:04,724 - You got it, dude. - Ooh! 469 00:17:04,758 --> 00:17:06,593 - Ooh! - Missed with his toe there. 470 00:17:06,626 --> 00:17:09,863 - Ooh, boy. He's 5'11", 165 pounds. 471 00:17:09,896 --> 00:17:11,498 Played linebacker in high school. 472 00:17:11,531 --> 00:17:14,034 He's pretty solid. 473 00:17:14,034 --> 00:17:16,136 - Watch the drop here. 474 00:17:16,169 --> 00:17:18,304 Got to anticipate it. 475 00:17:18,338 --> 00:17:20,540 - Nice. Oh, my goodness! 476 00:17:20,573 --> 00:17:22,776 - Great save. My goodness. Brick by brick, 477 00:17:22,809 --> 00:17:25,278 he is laying it down on the course. 478 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:29,049 - But he's spinning in circles right now. 479 00:17:29,049 --> 00:17:31,685 Needs to straighten it up and launch himself 480 00:17:31,718 --> 00:17:32,919 towards the landing area. 481 00:17:32,952 --> 00:17:35,722 - Straighten it out. - Line up your swing. 482 00:17:35,755 --> 00:17:37,524 both: Ooh! - My goodness! 483 00:17:37,557 --> 00:17:40,093 - Whoo! 484 00:17:40,126 --> 00:17:42,796 - John Uga, living a dangerous existence. 485 00:17:42,829 --> 00:17:44,531 - He'll feel that one tomorrow. 486 00:17:44,564 --> 00:17:47,200 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 487 00:17:47,233 --> 00:17:49,736 - Facing a Warped Wall for the first time ever. 488 00:17:49,769 --> 00:17:52,205 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 489 00:17:52,238 --> 00:17:53,840 - Ooh! - Right into the wall. 490 00:17:53,873 --> 00:17:55,208 Might have banged his leg there. 491 00:17:55,241 --> 00:17:57,177 - Chest up, legs up. 492 00:17:57,210 --> 00:17:59,112 Calm your breathing. Take a few deep ones. 493 00:17:59,145 --> 00:18:01,448 - Nothing has been easy tonight. 494 00:18:01,481 --> 00:18:02,882 Second attempt. 495 00:18:02,916 --> 00:18:05,318 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 496 00:18:05,352 --> 00:18:06,553 - And he's up! - Nice. 497 00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:09,055 - The blue-collar hero from Boston's gonna have 498 00:18:09,089 --> 00:18:10,757 a lot of bruises after this run, 499 00:18:10,790 --> 00:18:14,060 but he's still alive. 500 00:18:14,094 --> 00:18:15,195 Now heading to the back half. 501 00:18:15,228 --> 00:18:16,596 - Come on, John. - Let's go, John. 502 00:18:16,629 --> 00:18:18,198 - Let's go, John. You got it. 503 00:18:18,231 --> 00:18:20,834 - Stepping up now to take on the Salmon Ladder. 504 00:18:20,867 --> 00:18:23,370 He's shown he doesn't always have the best technique, 505 00:18:23,403 --> 00:18:26,139 but he fights his way through. 506 00:18:26,172 --> 00:18:29,042 Hop up the four rungs. 507 00:18:29,075 --> 00:18:30,810 - Let's go, John! 508 00:18:33,179 --> 00:18:35,882 - And he's done it. Through seven obstacles. 509 00:18:35,915 --> 00:18:37,283 Three more to go. 510 00:18:37,317 --> 00:18:39,285 - Small moves here. Small moves. 511 00:18:39,319 --> 00:18:40,887 - You got this, John. - It's about to get real 512 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:42,856 on this eighth obstacle, Padlock. 513 00:18:42,889 --> 00:18:44,224 I think it's gonna be trouble tonight. 514 00:18:44,257 --> 00:18:46,693 - You got it. - It's so easy 515 00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:49,496 to just spin right out. 516 00:18:49,529 --> 00:18:52,732 - Oh, no! No, no, no, no, no, no! 517 00:18:52,766 --> 00:18:56,236 - Well, John Uga's gonna have some bruises tomorrow. 518 00:18:56,269 --> 00:18:59,305 But wow, never a dull moment in that run, 519 00:18:59,339 --> 00:19:02,208 as he reaches the eighth obstacle. 520 00:19:02,242 --> 00:19:04,644 - He showed right from the start he was gonna power 521 00:19:04,678 --> 00:19:07,747 his way through this course, with one-legged grabs, 522 00:19:07,781 --> 00:19:11,885 the dives, the saves, even running into walls. 523 00:19:11,918 --> 00:19:14,254 John Uga did whatever it took, 524 00:19:14,287 --> 00:19:17,857 and that could be good enough to earn him a trip to Vegas. 525 00:19:19,826 --> 00:19:22,028 - Coming up... 526 00:19:22,062 --> 00:19:26,066 Joe Moravsky's trained Jay "Lache" Lewis for years. 527 00:19:26,099 --> 00:19:27,534 - Man, that's a hard move. 528 00:19:27,567 --> 00:19:30,737 - But has the student surpassed the teacher? 529 00:19:30,770 --> 00:19:32,939 - We're gonna see him for many years to come. 530 00:19:33,039 --> 00:19:37,577 - Find out when a superstar and a rising star both go 531 00:19:37,610 --> 00:19:41,648 for the fastest time on "American Ninja Warrior." 532 00:19:46,419 --> 00:19:48,054 - Moments ago, Shaq Leach looked like 533 00:19:48,054 --> 00:19:51,925 that other guy named Shaq as he crushed a basketball... 534 00:19:51,958 --> 00:19:54,394 - Look at them arms. - Flex it. 535 00:19:54,427 --> 00:19:56,796 - Then set out to crush the course. 536 00:19:56,830 --> 00:20:00,066 The muscular realtor from Raleigh, North Carolina, 537 00:20:00,066 --> 00:20:02,268 powered his way through the first three obstacles. 538 00:20:02,302 --> 00:20:04,738 - He's got a lot of potential here as a rookie. 539 00:20:04,771 --> 00:20:06,039 [cheering] 540 00:20:06,072 --> 00:20:07,974 - But Shaq got hung out to dry 541 00:20:08,008 --> 00:20:09,442 on the Spinning Bridge. 542 00:20:09,476 --> 00:20:11,578 - Oh, no, no, no, no, no. 543 00:20:11,611 --> 00:20:13,680 - Ohh! 544 00:20:13,713 --> 00:20:16,282 - That was wild, man. 545 00:20:16,316 --> 00:20:17,984 - Logan Kreglow is an engineer 546 00:20:18,018 --> 00:20:20,987 who builds skyscrapers in New York City. 547 00:20:21,021 --> 00:20:23,890 Kreglow was an Ivy League track star at Cornell, 548 00:20:23,923 --> 00:20:26,693 and he was sprinting through the first few obstacles. 549 00:20:26,726 --> 00:20:28,461 - Come on, now. - Whoo-hoo-hoo! 550 00:20:28,495 --> 00:20:30,764 - Nice! - Nice job. 551 00:20:30,797 --> 00:20:33,700 - At 185 pounds, he's one of the heavier ninjas, 552 00:20:33,733 --> 00:20:36,002 and the man who constructs buildings 553 00:20:36,036 --> 00:20:37,771 couldn't handle Wall to Wall. 554 00:20:37,804 --> 00:20:39,939 - He's got that-- both: Oh! 555 00:20:39,973 --> 00:20:41,574 - Aw! 556 00:20:41,608 --> 00:20:44,544 - Alex Begolly threw a quick point to the sky 557 00:20:44,577 --> 00:20:47,681 to honor his father, who passed away last June. 558 00:20:47,714 --> 00:20:50,550 - He knows his late father Ed is watching, so proud. 559 00:20:50,583 --> 00:20:53,086 - The 22-year-old New Jersey college student 560 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:55,789 put together a run that would make anyone proud. 561 00:20:55,822 --> 00:20:58,324 [cheers and applause] - Let's go! Let's go! 562 00:20:58,358 --> 00:21:00,560 - And wearing his dad's name on his back... 563 00:21:00,593 --> 00:21:02,429 - He's on a mission. 564 00:21:02,462 --> 00:21:05,065 - He made it up his first Warped Wall. 565 00:21:05,098 --> 00:21:06,700 [cheering] 566 00:21:06,733 --> 00:21:08,435 And the rookie from Lumberton, New Jersey, 567 00:21:08,468 --> 00:21:10,737 made it to the eighth obstacle, Padlock. 568 00:21:10,770 --> 00:21:12,472 - There you go, there you go, there you go! 569 00:21:12,505 --> 00:21:13,973 Oh! 570 00:21:14,074 --> 00:21:16,076 - Though he fell, his fast time means 571 00:21:16,109 --> 00:21:17,410 he's still got a chance 572 00:21:17,444 --> 00:21:19,679 to make the top 15 and move on. 573 00:21:19,713 --> 00:21:23,783 - One hand went too far, and I just let it spin. 574 00:21:23,817 --> 00:21:27,620 Ah. Dang. 575 00:21:27,654 --> 00:21:31,424 - Well, up next is 16-year-old Xavier Dantzler, 576 00:21:31,458 --> 00:21:33,660 a high school junior out of Yonkers, New York, 577 00:21:33,693 --> 00:21:35,762 and he was so impressive in qualifying. 578 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:38,598 - Let's go! - X came in here 579 00:21:38,631 --> 00:21:40,533 as an unknown rookie, 580 00:21:40,567 --> 00:21:42,602 and now we know what he can do. 581 00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:44,471 So X is a known variable. 582 00:21:44,504 --> 00:21:45,672 - Easy! 583 00:21:45,705 --> 00:21:47,140 - Unlike a lot of the teenagers, 584 00:21:47,173 --> 00:21:49,876 Xavier did not compete on "Ninja Junior." 585 00:21:49,909 --> 00:21:51,878 Has very little ninja experience. 586 00:21:51,911 --> 00:21:53,847 But it hasn't slowed him down. 587 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:55,682 And right into Ring Chaser. 588 00:21:55,715 --> 00:21:57,851 This kid is running with authority. 589 00:21:57,884 --> 00:21:59,686 Oh, just got that ring. 590 00:21:59,719 --> 00:22:01,054 - He is not messing around. 591 00:22:01,054 --> 00:22:03,223 This kid from Yonkers is going bonkers. 592 00:22:03,256 --> 00:22:06,126 - Breathe, dude. Nice and easy. Just like the gym. 593 00:22:06,159 --> 00:22:08,328 - There's Joe Moravsky giving some advice. 594 00:22:08,361 --> 00:22:09,596 X trains with Joe. 595 00:22:09,629 --> 00:22:10,964 - Nice. - Nice. 596 00:22:11,064 --> 00:22:12,499 - Matt, I love the dedication, though, too, 597 00:22:12,532 --> 00:22:14,968 to his training, his commitment to ninja. 598 00:22:15,068 --> 00:22:17,370 - Nice deep breath. - He's not slowing down. 599 00:22:17,404 --> 00:22:19,506 Going right into Spinning Bridge. 600 00:22:19,539 --> 00:22:21,675 both: Oh! 601 00:22:21,708 --> 00:22:23,810 - Just survived. 602 00:22:23,843 --> 00:22:25,879 There's his mom and little brother, 603 00:22:25,912 --> 00:22:28,648 and his dad also watching back in Queens. 604 00:22:28,682 --> 00:22:31,651 X up now on Wall to Wall. 605 00:22:31,685 --> 00:22:32,952 You mentioned his dedication. 606 00:22:32,986 --> 00:22:34,754 We told you his story in qualifying. 607 00:22:34,788 --> 00:22:38,358 He takes a train two hours each way to get to Connecticut 608 00:22:38,391 --> 00:22:40,727 to train with Joe Moravsky. 609 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:42,796 That hard work paying off, as he's in the semifinals. 610 00:22:42,829 --> 00:22:44,397 - Be aggressive with it. 611 00:22:44,431 --> 00:22:46,132 - You got to trust everything you prepared for. 612 00:22:46,166 --> 00:22:47,867 You might not have seen this one before, 613 00:22:47,901 --> 00:22:50,103 but you've got transferrable skills. 614 00:22:50,103 --> 00:22:51,671 - Got to reach out. This is--5'11". 615 00:22:51,705 --> 00:22:52,906 Gotta get that foot compact. 616 00:22:52,939 --> 00:22:54,941 - Nice. - For the tall athletes, 617 00:22:54,974 --> 00:22:56,443 we're seeing that, they get one foot up, 618 00:22:56,476 --> 00:22:58,778 let the other one drop down, then get their perch. 619 00:22:58,812 --> 00:23:00,513 Now, watch, you gotta anticipate the drop here. 620 00:23:00,547 --> 00:23:01,815 - He can see it. - Start pulling it down, 621 00:23:01,848 --> 00:23:05,251 keep the L's, absorb--nice. 622 00:23:05,285 --> 00:23:06,553 - Here we go. - Joe Moravsky, 623 00:23:06,586 --> 00:23:07,954 still coaching him through, 624 00:23:08,054 --> 00:23:09,622 even though he's gonna be competing with him. 625 00:23:09,656 --> 00:23:11,157 Come on. Nice! 626 00:23:11,191 --> 00:23:12,959 - Just over the wall. - All right. 627 00:23:13,059 --> 00:23:16,563 X gon' give it to 'em. Huh? X gon' give it to 'em. 628 00:23:16,596 --> 00:23:18,231 - Fell on the fifth obstacle in qualifying, 629 00:23:18,264 --> 00:23:20,233 so this will be his first Warped Wall. 630 00:23:20,266 --> 00:23:22,669 - Beat that wall, man. - Beat that wall. Come on. 631 00:23:22,702 --> 00:23:25,071 - Get up. all: Beat that wall. 632 00:23:25,071 --> 00:23:27,140 Beat that wall. - No Mega Wall in semifinals. 633 00:23:27,173 --> 00:23:29,776 It's the regular 14 1/2 foot version. 634 00:23:29,809 --> 00:23:32,946 all: Beat that wall. Beat that wall. Beat that wall. 635 00:23:32,979 --> 00:23:35,081 - Nice. - And he's got it! 636 00:23:35,081 --> 00:23:37,350 [cheers and applause] 637 00:23:37,384 --> 00:23:40,854 - You good, X? You good? All right. 638 00:23:40,887 --> 00:23:43,957 - Yeah! - Forever. Forever. Go get it. 639 00:23:43,990 --> 00:23:45,792 - He sprinted through the front half, 640 00:23:45,825 --> 00:23:48,161 but now he's slowing down. 641 00:23:48,194 --> 00:23:49,462 Checking his heart rate. 642 00:23:49,496 --> 00:23:51,231 May have caught up to him. 643 00:23:51,264 --> 00:23:52,232 - Breathe. Breathe. 644 00:23:52,265 --> 00:23:53,233 - Gotta remember, 645 00:23:53,266 --> 00:23:55,168 he's only 16 years old. 646 00:23:55,201 --> 00:23:57,704 We saw moments like this with Olympians in Tokyo. 647 00:23:57,737 --> 00:24:00,206 The pressure can get to these kids, 648 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:02,475 knowing that one mistake can end their season. 649 00:24:02,509 --> 00:24:03,777 - All he needs to do is relax. 650 00:24:03,810 --> 00:24:05,679 - All right, buddy, this is the time to fight. 651 00:24:05,712 --> 00:24:07,180 Let's go! 652 00:24:09,582 --> 00:24:11,685 - First time on this brutal back half. 653 00:24:11,718 --> 00:24:13,453 Starting with the Salmon Ladder. 654 00:24:13,486 --> 00:24:16,690 The pace is getting a little more methodical, Akbar. 655 00:24:16,723 --> 00:24:19,726 And he really seems out of breath. 656 00:24:19,759 --> 00:24:21,061 But he gets through it. 657 00:24:21,094 --> 00:24:24,497 That's seven obstacles down, three to go. 658 00:24:24,531 --> 00:24:28,068 But now this head-spinning new obstacle, Padlock. 659 00:24:28,101 --> 00:24:29,602 This one will throw you around. 660 00:24:29,636 --> 00:24:31,137 You have to anticipate it. - All right, 661 00:24:31,171 --> 00:24:33,106 he's got a find a-- hold on! Whoa! 662 00:24:33,139 --> 00:24:35,275 - You can see how, just when it turns, it goes quickly. 663 00:24:35,308 --> 00:24:37,077 - Yeah, he ain't seen a padlock like that 664 00:24:37,077 --> 00:24:39,879 since his locker. - There you go. Big kick. 665 00:24:39,913 --> 00:24:41,181 Wide feet. - Kip it up. 666 00:24:41,214 --> 00:24:42,349 Gotta get those hands 667 00:24:42,382 --> 00:24:44,217 right up on top and control it. 668 00:24:44,250 --> 00:24:45,618 - Throw it up. Throw it up. both: Oh! 669 00:24:45,652 --> 00:24:48,088 - His foot got there first. 670 00:24:48,088 --> 00:24:49,689 - Hey, nice effort, man. 671 00:24:49,723 --> 00:24:51,524 - Well, X couldn't handle Padlock, 672 00:24:51,558 --> 00:24:53,293 but made it to the eighth obstacle. 673 00:24:53,326 --> 00:24:57,097 A strong showing by this 16-year-old. 674 00:24:57,130 --> 00:24:58,865 - He didn't swing high enough. 675 00:24:58,898 --> 00:25:00,867 His feet made it onto the padlock, 676 00:25:00,900 --> 00:25:03,036 but he barely got his hands on it. 677 00:25:03,069 --> 00:25:06,072 Hands down, man down. 678 00:25:06,106 --> 00:25:07,440 - [exhales] 679 00:25:07,474 --> 00:25:09,542 - Still, a strong run by the 16-year-old. 680 00:25:09,576 --> 00:25:11,444 We'll see if that was good enough to get him 681 00:25:11,478 --> 00:25:14,114 in the national finals. 682 00:25:14,147 --> 00:25:17,150 More electrifying moments are coming up... 683 00:25:17,183 --> 00:25:18,451 - Whoo! 684 00:25:18,485 --> 00:25:20,053 - Quick feet, quick feet, quick feet, quick feet. 685 00:25:20,053 --> 00:25:22,088 - Including two of Vermont's finest, 686 00:25:22,122 --> 00:25:23,823 ninja Amir Malik 687 00:25:23,857 --> 00:25:26,793 and snowboarding legend Hannah Teter... 688 00:25:26,826 --> 00:25:28,128 - Hey! 689 00:25:28,161 --> 00:25:30,663 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 690 00:25:35,769 --> 00:25:38,171 - We're here on the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles 691 00:25:38,204 --> 00:25:41,074 and are thrilled that Universal Studios Hollywood 692 00:25:41,074 --> 00:25:44,444 is open and welcoming guests back to the theme park 693 00:25:44,477 --> 00:25:48,148 to experience the amazing new Indominus Rex 694 00:25:48,181 --> 00:25:50,350 on Jurassic World: The Ride. 695 00:25:50,383 --> 00:25:51,918 - Plus, you've got to check out 696 00:25:51,951 --> 00:25:54,187 Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, 697 00:25:54,220 --> 00:25:57,590 where you can now ride Jurassic World: Velocicoaster, 698 00:25:57,624 --> 00:26:00,827 the apex predator of roller coasters. 699 00:26:00,860 --> 00:26:03,763 And moments ago, Puerto Rico's Lenny Lopez 700 00:26:03,797 --> 00:26:07,400 found out our obstacle course can be a pretty wild ride too. 701 00:26:07,434 --> 00:26:09,269 - All right, he's waving that Puerto Rican flag. 702 00:26:09,302 --> 00:26:11,671 He is pumped. - Yes, yes, yes. Let's go! 703 00:26:11,705 --> 00:26:13,840 - After making it through the Shrinking Steps, 704 00:26:13,873 --> 00:26:15,241 the 33-year-old rookie 705 00:26:15,275 --> 00:26:18,211 discovered the splash zone on Double Twister. 706 00:26:18,244 --> 00:26:20,647 - Oh! Body slammed! 707 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,316 - Welder Anthony Eardley had the sparks flying 708 00:26:23,350 --> 00:26:25,051 as he hit the start line. 709 00:26:25,051 --> 00:26:27,587 - Let's go! - He's lit. 710 00:26:27,620 --> 00:26:29,889 His shoestring's lit. He's ready. 711 00:26:29,923 --> 00:26:32,292 - The three-time veteran from Oneonta, New York, 712 00:26:32,325 --> 00:26:35,095 was electrifying on the front half of the course. 713 00:26:35,128 --> 00:26:37,297 - Well, he brought that arc voltage. 714 00:26:37,330 --> 00:26:40,367 - Eardley was eliminated by the Ring Chaser last year. 715 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:42,502 - Oh, no! - Ohh! 716 00:26:42,535 --> 00:26:44,437 - Oh, no! 717 00:26:44,471 --> 00:26:45,472 - But not tonight. 718 00:26:45,505 --> 00:26:48,475 - Whoo! Okay! He ready. 719 00:26:48,508 --> 00:26:50,377 - There it is, a little bow. - "I got it." 720 00:26:50,410 --> 00:26:52,345 - Let's go! - Whoo! 721 00:26:52,379 --> 00:26:55,515 - The welder gave us a replica of his goal for the night... 722 00:26:55,548 --> 00:26:58,718 - You smack it when I smack it. - A custom-made buzzer. 723 00:26:58,752 --> 00:27:00,153 - I just broke it. I just broke it. 724 00:27:00,186 --> 00:27:02,022 That's all right. Break this course. 725 00:27:02,022 --> 00:27:04,357 - And seconds after his buzzer fell apart, 726 00:27:04,391 --> 00:27:06,426 so did Eardley's run. 727 00:27:06,459 --> 00:27:08,028 - Oh, my goodness! 728 00:27:08,028 --> 00:27:11,164 - Finished the obstacle that took me out last season. 729 00:27:11,197 --> 00:27:14,067 Sometimes you gotta have small goals to reach the big goals. 730 00:27:14,100 --> 00:27:15,502 Stay in it. 731 00:27:16,670 --> 00:27:18,538 - Well, we've got another exciting young star 732 00:27:18,571 --> 00:27:20,940 on the course right now. 733 00:27:21,041 --> 00:27:24,210 [cheers and applause] 734 00:27:24,244 --> 00:27:26,079 This is Amir Malik, 735 00:27:26,112 --> 00:27:28,948 the 20-year-old from Vermont nicknamed Sonic. 736 00:27:29,049 --> 00:27:31,718 This is the kid who came out of nowhere last year. 737 00:27:31,751 --> 00:27:33,820 Suffers from a childhood heart condition, 738 00:27:33,853 --> 00:27:35,622 but it didn't slow him down. 739 00:27:35,655 --> 00:27:38,692 He became the top rookie last season in St. Louis 740 00:27:38,725 --> 00:27:42,128 and famously broke the buzzer on one of his runs. 741 00:27:42,162 --> 00:27:45,398 And he's going for another buzzer tonight. 742 00:27:45,432 --> 00:27:46,800 Keeping himself calm. 743 00:27:46,833 --> 00:27:47,801 Confident. - And Matt, after-- 744 00:27:47,834 --> 00:27:49,102 - Wow. - Look at that. 745 00:27:49,135 --> 00:27:50,270 That's why they call him Sonic. 746 00:27:50,303 --> 00:27:51,671 - Wow. That was good. 747 00:27:51,705 --> 00:27:53,106 That's where you earned your nickname. 748 00:27:53,139 --> 00:27:54,674 - That was good. - You earned your nickname 749 00:27:54,708 --> 00:27:56,076 on that Warped Wall. 750 00:27:56,076 --> 00:27:57,243 - I did. - Yes, you did. 751 00:27:57,277 --> 00:27:59,145 - He's got some of his fellow ninjas 752 00:27:59,179 --> 00:28:01,448 from the northeast on his sidelines. 753 00:28:01,481 --> 00:28:04,284 And his family is watching from back home in Vermont. 754 00:28:04,317 --> 00:28:07,087 And Amir's also got maybe the most famous athlete 755 00:28:07,120 --> 00:28:08,822 from the Green Mountain State, 756 00:28:08,855 --> 00:28:11,024 snowboarding legend Hannah Teter. 757 00:28:11,024 --> 00:28:12,359 - Hey! 758 00:28:12,392 --> 00:28:14,160 - Hannah, you won a gold medal on the halfpipe. 759 00:28:14,194 --> 00:28:16,496 What do you think of Amir's run so far? 760 00:28:16,529 --> 00:28:20,033 - Oh, my gosh, that is some next-level business going on. 761 00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:22,602 I don't--that--craziest course I've ever seen. 762 00:28:22,635 --> 00:28:24,671 These guys are hands-down the best athletes in the world. 763 00:28:24,704 --> 00:28:27,040 - Awesome. Hannah, this next obstacle, Padlock, 764 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:28,708 is kind of like the halfpipe. 765 00:28:28,742 --> 00:28:30,643 It's a long way down. - Ooh. 766 00:28:30,677 --> 00:28:32,345 All right, now, he's gotta throw himself into them. 767 00:28:32,379 --> 00:28:33,780 He's gotta make sure that he comes in 768 00:28:33,813 --> 00:28:35,115 with his knees tucked. 769 00:28:35,148 --> 00:28:36,583 We've seen a couple of athletes already 770 00:28:36,616 --> 00:28:39,786 get bounced off because their feet hit first. 771 00:28:39,819 --> 00:28:42,188 - But Amir able to make the grab. 772 00:28:42,222 --> 00:28:44,657 Now gotta spin the ledge down to the bottom 773 00:28:44,691 --> 00:28:46,359 and get his hands on it. 774 00:28:46,393 --> 00:28:47,660 And he's done it. 775 00:28:47,694 --> 00:28:50,163 Now has to swing to the final padlock. 776 00:28:50,196 --> 00:28:53,066 - There you go. No, watch yourself. 777 00:28:53,099 --> 00:28:54,334 - Could be just the second ninja 778 00:28:54,367 --> 00:28:55,902 to get through this tonight. 779 00:28:55,935 --> 00:28:58,338 Yes! [cheers and applause] 780 00:28:58,371 --> 00:29:00,173 - Yeah. - Right on. 781 00:29:00,206 --> 00:29:02,242 - And now what's going through his head 782 00:29:02,275 --> 00:29:04,044 as he approaches Split Decision? 783 00:29:04,077 --> 00:29:05,245 - Well, I can tell you, 784 00:29:05,278 --> 00:29:06,813 he's looking at the Tuning Forks, 785 00:29:06,846 --> 00:29:08,782 but his body's walking towards the Inverter. 786 00:29:08,815 --> 00:29:10,116 - What are you really feeling? 787 00:29:10,150 --> 00:29:13,186 The Inverter is just an upper-body gauntlet. 788 00:29:13,219 --> 00:29:14,621 - You can see him sweating, too. 789 00:29:14,654 --> 00:29:16,022 Man, he is sweating. Look at the-- 790 00:29:16,056 --> 00:29:17,490 - Well, that's the first time we've seen him 791 00:29:17,524 --> 00:29:19,092 looking a bit winded here at the ninth obstacle. 792 00:29:19,125 --> 00:29:21,127 - I know, and if you think eight obstacles is just easy, 793 00:29:21,161 --> 00:29:23,096 look at the sweat on his forehead. He is-- 794 00:29:23,129 --> 00:29:24,831 - Well, that is the respect these athletes 795 00:29:24,864 --> 00:29:26,599 have for the Tuning Forks. 796 00:29:26,633 --> 00:29:28,668 - All right, now he's gotta go side-to-side, traverse across, 797 00:29:28,702 --> 00:29:30,103 and now this big reach up here. 798 00:29:30,136 --> 00:29:31,705 He's 5'6", so he's really gotta get up there. 799 00:29:31,738 --> 00:29:33,173 - Wow. - Nice. 800 00:29:33,206 --> 00:29:34,641 - You could see just see him just levitate there. 801 00:29:34,674 --> 00:29:36,042 - And that board is heavy, too. 802 00:29:36,076 --> 00:29:37,377 Don't trip. - But watch this. 803 00:29:37,410 --> 00:29:38,945 You have to get your fingers locked in 804 00:29:39,045 --> 00:29:40,880 'cause it's a hard drop. - Get up high. Get up high. 805 00:29:40,914 --> 00:29:42,449 Ooh! - Oh, what a jump! 806 00:29:42,482 --> 00:29:44,351 - He almost peeled off. 807 00:29:44,384 --> 00:29:48,188 - Amir Malik, the first to conquer the ninth obstacle. 808 00:29:48,221 --> 00:29:49,923 [cheers and applause] 809 00:29:49,956 --> 00:29:52,659 - He does not want to go out like he did last year. 810 00:29:52,692 --> 00:29:54,627 You remember this? He was so close, 811 00:29:54,661 --> 00:29:56,629 and then he just gassed out. 812 00:29:56,663 --> 00:29:58,064 - Let's go! 813 00:29:58,064 --> 00:30:00,300 - Trying to be the first finisher of the night. 814 00:30:00,333 --> 00:30:02,235 Amir Malik, 35 feet away 815 00:30:02,268 --> 00:30:04,671 from getting his first semifinals buzzer. 816 00:30:04,704 --> 00:30:07,173 - Yeah, he's like, "Bump that. Give me my buzzer. 817 00:30:07,207 --> 00:30:08,675 I want double buzzer." - Look at that. 818 00:30:08,708 --> 00:30:10,443 Back-to-back years making it to the final obstacle. 819 00:30:10,477 --> 00:30:11,678 - All right, come on. Okay! 820 00:30:11,711 --> 00:30:12,979 I see you put in some leg room work. 821 00:30:13,013 --> 00:30:15,515 - Wow! - I see you! 822 00:30:15,548 --> 00:30:16,950 - And look at that, Akbar. - Look here. 823 00:30:16,983 --> 00:30:18,551 - I think the technique has gotten better. 824 00:30:18,585 --> 00:30:20,153 Hitting in the middle. - Much better, Matt. 825 00:30:20,186 --> 00:30:21,921 - He's using the leverage, starting in the middle. 826 00:30:21,955 --> 00:30:23,456 - He looks like he's been in the weight room! 827 00:30:23,490 --> 00:30:24,858 Okay, you little meathead! - Whoa! 828 00:30:24,891 --> 00:30:26,326 - Little meathead! 829 00:30:26,359 --> 00:30:27,861 [buzzer blares] 830 00:30:27,894 --> 00:30:31,431 - Amir Malik smashes that buzzer! 831 00:30:31,464 --> 00:30:34,300 He may break it again this year! 832 00:30:34,334 --> 00:30:37,070 - Let's go! 833 00:30:37,103 --> 00:30:39,372 - I love it. 834 00:30:39,406 --> 00:30:41,508 Oh, boy, look at him. He is emotional. 835 00:30:41,541 --> 00:30:45,412 - Amir, you seem to be feeling something real deep right now. 836 00:30:45,445 --> 00:30:47,113 What's going through your mind, buddy? 837 00:30:47,147 --> 00:30:50,350 - You know, falling on this last year, 838 00:30:50,383 --> 00:30:52,352 the last door so close, 839 00:30:52,385 --> 00:30:54,688 I wanted it so bad, and I'm just glad I got it. 840 00:30:54,721 --> 00:30:58,258 - Well, Amir, guess what. Your next stop: Las Vegas. 841 00:30:58,291 --> 00:30:59,859 - Let's go, baby! 842 00:30:59,893 --> 00:31:02,195 - Yes! Yes! Yes! 843 00:31:02,228 --> 00:31:04,497 - He got past Padlock with ease, 844 00:31:04,531 --> 00:31:07,434 and then showed us how you do it on Inverter. 845 00:31:07,467 --> 00:31:08,802 And the Spider Trap 846 00:31:08,835 --> 00:31:11,271 wasn't gonna stop him two years in a row. 847 00:31:11,304 --> 00:31:14,808 And Amir Malik is our first finisher of the night. 848 00:31:14,841 --> 00:31:19,245 - Let's go! 849 00:31:19,279 --> 00:31:21,381 Whoo! - Let's go! 850 00:31:21,414 --> 00:31:24,317 - Come on, baby! Hey, come on! 851 00:31:24,351 --> 00:31:26,920 - * Show me how it's done * 852 00:31:26,953 --> 00:31:28,588 - And remember, later tonight, 853 00:31:28,621 --> 00:31:31,491 our two fastest finishers are gonna race 854 00:31:31,524 --> 00:31:35,095 on the 40-foot Power Tower for a Safety Pass, 855 00:31:35,095 --> 00:31:38,331 a second chance if you fall in Vegas. 856 00:31:45,405 --> 00:31:47,173 - Welcome back to the semifinals. 857 00:31:47,207 --> 00:31:50,944 Minutes ago, Jeremy Clark brought back his masterpiece 858 00:31:50,977 --> 00:31:54,114 from qualifying, a painting of his favorite TV hosts. 859 00:31:54,114 --> 00:31:57,417 - Work of art on canvas. - When he's not painting, 860 00:31:57,450 --> 00:31:59,786 Clark is a registered nurse in Mississippi 861 00:31:59,819 --> 00:32:02,689 and the father of four. [cheering] 862 00:32:02,722 --> 00:32:04,891 But his technique on Double Twister 863 00:32:04,924 --> 00:32:07,460 wasn't quite picture-perfect. 864 00:32:07,494 --> 00:32:10,430 - Ohh! [all groaning] 865 00:32:10,463 --> 00:32:14,567 - As short as it was, I enjoyed the ride, baby. 866 00:32:14,601 --> 00:32:16,202 - Biochemist Will Schlageter 867 00:32:16,236 --> 00:32:19,439 embraces his nerdy side, and so did we. 868 00:32:19,472 --> 00:32:22,342 - [as Urkel] Did I do that? Hi, Zuri. 869 00:32:22,375 --> 00:32:25,211 - Hey, Akbar. [laughs] 870 00:32:25,245 --> 00:32:27,480 - When Schlageter takes off the lab coat, 871 00:32:27,514 --> 00:32:31,084 he becomes Will da Beast, Ninja Wild Man. 872 00:32:31,084 --> 00:32:32,819 [growling] 873 00:32:32,852 --> 00:32:36,423 - Hi. Hi, Will. - Oh! 874 00:32:36,456 --> 00:32:37,691 - There's going to be some chaos here 875 00:32:37,724 --> 00:32:39,959 as the Will da Beast takes the course. 876 00:32:39,993 --> 00:32:41,294 In his second year of competition, 877 00:32:41,327 --> 00:32:43,763 the 23-year-old looked like a beast 878 00:32:43,797 --> 00:32:45,098 on the early obstacles. 879 00:32:45,131 --> 00:32:46,266 - Whoo! 880 00:32:46,299 --> 00:32:48,335 - Hey, Will, how do I look? 881 00:32:48,368 --> 00:32:50,303 - Yo, you guys look nerdy. 882 00:32:50,337 --> 00:32:51,738 That's a good thing. - Ah, yeah! 883 00:32:51,771 --> 00:32:52,839 - Yeah, buddy! 884 00:32:52,872 --> 00:32:53,840 But even though he's got 885 00:32:53,873 --> 00:32:55,108 degrees in chemistry, biology, 886 00:32:55,108 --> 00:32:57,010 and environment science, 887 00:32:57,110 --> 00:33:00,046 Schlageter still couldn't avoid the H20. 888 00:33:00,046 --> 00:33:01,381 - No! - Oh! 889 00:33:01,414 --> 00:33:02,882 - Trajectory was all wrong. 890 00:33:05,218 --> 00:33:09,956 - Did he do that? [laughs] 891 00:33:10,056 --> 00:33:12,058 - Our next athlete is a trailblazer 892 00:33:12,058 --> 00:33:13,860 on the course and off. 893 00:33:13,893 --> 00:33:15,862 It's Casey Rothschild. 894 00:33:15,895 --> 00:33:17,197 She's the youngest woman 895 00:33:17,230 --> 00:33:19,299 ever to hit a buzzer on "Ninja Warrior," 896 00:33:19,332 --> 00:33:22,635 and she's carrying a flag representing bisexual pride, 897 00:33:22,669 --> 00:33:24,337 because she's the leader of a group 898 00:33:24,371 --> 00:33:27,273 called Queer Ninjas Unite. 899 00:33:27,307 --> 00:33:30,110 [upbeat music] 900 00:33:30,143 --> 00:33:31,778 [horn honking] 901 00:33:31,811 --> 00:33:33,813 - We're here in Newport, Rhode Island, 902 00:33:33,847 --> 00:33:35,348 at the Newport Out Fest. 903 00:33:35,382 --> 00:33:37,183 * * 904 00:33:37,217 --> 00:33:39,519 Last year, I started Queer Ninjas Unite, 905 00:33:39,552 --> 00:33:41,388 and it's an organization that brings together 906 00:33:41,421 --> 00:33:43,356 LGBT ninjas and allies. 907 00:33:43,390 --> 00:33:45,458 - Let's celebrate, let's party, 908 00:33:45,492 --> 00:33:48,561 and let's have our freak flag fly, baby. 909 00:33:48,595 --> 00:33:50,397 Yeah! [cheering] 910 00:33:50,430 --> 00:33:54,334 - Queer Ninjas Unite means that there's a safe space 911 00:33:54,367 --> 00:33:56,403 for everyone to be and feel welcome, 912 00:33:56,436 --> 00:33:59,205 and you know you always have this huge family 913 00:33:59,239 --> 00:34:00,373 to back you up. 914 00:34:00,407 --> 00:34:02,442 - I'm always nervous to run the course, 915 00:34:02,475 --> 00:34:04,711 but I got to stand there... - Right. 916 00:34:04,744 --> 00:34:07,380 - With the pride flag, and that means something. 917 00:34:07,414 --> 00:34:09,315 - Come on, Casey! - You got this! 918 00:34:09,349 --> 00:34:11,551 - I was going crazy on your sideline. 919 00:34:11,584 --> 00:34:14,320 Just so you know. [laughter] 920 00:34:14,354 --> 00:34:18,425 Being queer can be a challenge, especially when you're younger. 921 00:34:18,458 --> 00:34:20,326 It's a lot of questioning. 922 00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:23,096 Now, being surrounded by this community has shown me 923 00:34:23,129 --> 00:34:24,864 that I'm just my own special person. 924 00:34:24,898 --> 00:34:27,701 all: Happy Pride! 925 00:34:29,202 --> 00:34:31,638 - Casey is definitely an inspiration to me, 926 00:34:31,671 --> 00:34:33,506 and I want to follow in those footsteps. 927 00:34:33,540 --> 00:34:34,841 Thank you. 928 00:34:34,874 --> 00:34:36,443 - Hug! Hug! - Get a group hug. 929 00:34:36,476 --> 00:34:40,513 Representing queer ninjas again at the semifinals is fantastic, 930 00:34:40,547 --> 00:34:43,350 and it's really great feeling the community behind me. 931 00:34:43,383 --> 00:34:45,118 And I'm gonna hit a buzzer for them tonight. 932 00:34:45,151 --> 00:34:48,388 Whoo! 933 00:34:49,723 --> 00:34:51,291 Whoo! - Get it, girl. 934 00:34:51,324 --> 00:34:52,892 - Casey's got her parents and brother 935 00:34:52,926 --> 00:34:54,361 and her boyfriend Eli 936 00:34:54,394 --> 00:34:56,363 cheering her on from home tonight. 937 00:34:56,396 --> 00:34:58,198 Showing support on the sidelines, 938 00:34:58,231 --> 00:35:00,667 two of the greats, Allyssa Beird 939 00:35:00,700 --> 00:35:03,036 and Sandy Zimmerman, who will run later. 940 00:35:03,036 --> 00:35:05,572 - Whoo! [countdown beeping] 941 00:35:05,605 --> 00:35:06,940 Casey made history three years ago 942 00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:08,942 as the youngest woman to hit a buzzer, 943 00:35:09,042 --> 00:35:10,910 but followed that up by falling 944 00:35:10,944 --> 00:35:13,279 on the first obstacle in semifinals. 945 00:35:13,313 --> 00:35:16,282 And look at this: history almost repeated. 946 00:35:16,316 --> 00:35:19,152 An extra swing there, but she is through. 947 00:35:19,185 --> 00:35:22,055 She's pumped. - Whoo! 948 00:35:22,055 --> 00:35:23,823 - On now to Double Twister. 949 00:35:23,857 --> 00:35:25,725 - And she's trained in circus arts. 950 00:35:25,759 --> 00:35:27,627 She knows how to do the trapeze, 951 00:35:27,660 --> 00:35:31,131 so she should be right at home on this obstacle. 952 00:35:31,164 --> 00:35:34,100 - 5'8", long and lean. 953 00:35:34,134 --> 00:35:36,503 Couple extra swings here. 954 00:35:36,536 --> 00:35:37,871 But she's through. 955 00:35:37,904 --> 00:35:40,707 - Nice. - Whoo! 956 00:35:40,740 --> 00:35:43,243 - Not the smoothest start for Rothschild. 957 00:35:43,276 --> 00:35:44,778 Now looking at Ring Chaser. 958 00:35:44,811 --> 00:35:48,081 - Matt, you know she wants to get to that wall again. 959 00:35:48,081 --> 00:35:49,482 - Look at that. Good pace. 960 00:35:49,516 --> 00:35:51,117 Oh, just missed the ring. 961 00:35:51,151 --> 00:35:53,086 - That's okay. She can handle this. 962 00:35:53,086 --> 00:35:55,155 Now she just has to do this with the smaller ring. 963 00:35:55,188 --> 00:35:57,390 - Line it up, line it up. 964 00:35:57,424 --> 00:35:59,626 - This transition much more difficult 965 00:35:59,659 --> 00:36:00,927 with the smaller ring. 966 00:36:01,027 --> 00:36:03,329 - You see her eyeballing that hook. 967 00:36:03,363 --> 00:36:04,597 Nice. - Got it. 968 00:36:04,631 --> 00:36:06,700 - Ooh. 969 00:36:06,733 --> 00:36:08,201 - And she gets through again. 970 00:36:08,234 --> 00:36:10,704 Now on to the Spinning Bridge. 971 00:36:10,737 --> 00:36:13,740 - Matt, she's a track star at Wesleyan University. 972 00:36:13,773 --> 00:36:17,544 Still holds the school record there for the triple jump. 973 00:36:17,577 --> 00:36:20,447 Ooh. Oh! - Stumbles forward, sliding! 974 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:22,048 Gotta get up! 975 00:36:22,048 --> 00:36:23,850 And she is still alive. 976 00:36:23,883 --> 00:36:25,785 - Wow, I thought you were donezo! 977 00:36:25,819 --> 00:36:27,153 [laughter] 978 00:36:27,187 --> 00:36:29,289 Oh, she is tough. Shaking it off. 979 00:36:29,322 --> 00:36:31,491 Ready now for Wall to Wall. 980 00:36:31,524 --> 00:36:33,360 - Well, this has not been pretty. 981 00:36:33,393 --> 00:36:36,396 But she's fought here to the fifth obstacle, 982 00:36:36,429 --> 00:36:40,533 hoping to reach the Warped Wall once again. 983 00:36:40,567 --> 00:36:42,602 - Go ahead. - Nice! 984 00:36:42,635 --> 00:36:44,404 - If she gets past that wall, 985 00:36:44,437 --> 00:36:46,873 she's got a good shot at making it to Vegas. 986 00:36:46,906 --> 00:36:49,943 - You can see she's trying to push that wall open, break it. 987 00:36:49,976 --> 00:36:51,911 Nice. - Eight-inch drop here. 988 00:36:51,945 --> 00:36:55,982 Can she lock that grip in? 989 00:36:56,082 --> 00:36:58,418 She's got it! - Nice. 990 00:36:58,451 --> 00:37:00,787 Now she's just got to take herself--get off that. 991 00:37:00,820 --> 00:37:02,355 Nice. - And there it is! 992 00:37:02,389 --> 00:37:04,424 She's back at the Warped Wall! - Yeah. 993 00:37:04,457 --> 00:37:06,259 - I'm back. - It's been a while. 994 00:37:06,292 --> 00:37:08,795 - Well, here we go. 995 00:37:08,828 --> 00:37:13,433 First time being at this spot in three years. 996 00:37:13,466 --> 00:37:15,135 You got this. - You've got this. 997 00:37:15,168 --> 00:37:17,504 Handling the pressure. 998 00:37:17,537 --> 00:37:20,073 - Casey Rothschild. 999 00:37:20,106 --> 00:37:23,309 One hand, and the other, and she's done it! 1000 00:37:23,343 --> 00:37:25,445 - Okay! All right! Enjoy it! 1001 00:37:25,478 --> 00:37:28,048 - Well, it wasn't the prettiest run, Akbar, 1002 00:37:28,081 --> 00:37:29,549 but she's done what she had to do, 1003 00:37:29,582 --> 00:37:31,918 and she can keep going here. 1004 00:37:31,951 --> 00:37:34,087 This woman is a leader off the course, 1005 00:37:34,120 --> 00:37:36,690 fighting for causes she truly believes in. 1006 00:37:36,723 --> 00:37:39,125 And she's really showing she's a fighter tonight. 1007 00:37:39,159 --> 00:37:41,261 - And it's a great comeback season for her. 1008 00:37:41,294 --> 00:37:42,862 By making it this far, she's got 1009 00:37:42,896 --> 00:37:45,765 a good chance to make her first national finals. 1010 00:37:45,799 --> 00:37:47,567 - She's taken some hard falls here. 1011 00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:49,102 Those take a toll on the body, 1012 00:37:49,135 --> 00:37:50,804 particularly the endurance. 1013 00:37:50,837 --> 00:37:52,939 What does she have here on the Salmon Ladder? 1014 00:37:56,476 --> 00:38:00,013 - Moving kind of slow. 1015 00:38:00,046 --> 00:38:03,116 - Needs one more rung. Got it. 1016 00:38:03,149 --> 00:38:05,118 - Matt, you gotta be concerned by the way 1017 00:38:05,151 --> 00:38:07,554 she just kind of struggled up the Salmon Ladder. 1018 00:38:07,587 --> 00:38:09,622 How much does she have left in the tank? 1019 00:38:09,656 --> 00:38:12,359 - And you don't want tired arms here on Padlock. 1020 00:38:12,392 --> 00:38:15,929 This has been so tough tonight. 1021 00:38:16,029 --> 00:38:20,200 - Nice. Nice hand placement. - Gotta lock it on. Oh! 1022 00:38:20,233 --> 00:38:23,036 - Whoa. - Casey Rothschild 1023 00:38:23,069 --> 00:38:26,573 splashes down, but she reached the eighth obstacle, 1024 00:38:26,606 --> 00:38:29,042 her best run ever. 1025 00:38:29,042 --> 00:38:31,244 - Three years after her first Warped Wall, 1026 00:38:31,277 --> 00:38:32,679 Casey got her second. 1027 00:38:32,712 --> 00:38:35,382 She made it to the back half, but on Padlock, 1028 00:38:35,415 --> 00:38:38,451 her left hand just peeled off. 1029 00:38:40,253 --> 00:38:42,889 - I didn't get my hand on the bar soon enough. 1030 00:38:42,922 --> 00:38:44,858 A little tired, but I feel good about it. 1031 00:38:44,891 --> 00:38:46,493 - Whoo! 1032 00:38:46,526 --> 00:38:48,561 - It's still early, but that may have earned 1033 00:38:48,595 --> 00:38:52,065 Casey her first trip to the national finals. 1034 00:38:52,065 --> 00:38:54,634 - Coming up, Dougie's gonna be fresh. 1035 00:38:54,668 --> 00:38:57,337 And Flexington's gonna be...flexing? 1036 00:38:57,370 --> 00:39:00,006 Plus, the beast is back. 1037 00:39:00,006 --> 00:39:03,243 Who is gonna make it to the Power Tower tonight? 1038 00:39:10,083 --> 00:39:12,218 - Welcome back to Los Angeles. 1039 00:39:12,252 --> 00:39:14,421 We're about halfway through tonight's semifinals, 1040 00:39:14,454 --> 00:39:16,022 and so far all the drama 1041 00:39:16,022 --> 00:39:17,757 has been on the back half of the course. 1042 00:39:17,791 --> 00:39:20,160 - Yeah, in our first night of semifinals, 1043 00:39:20,193 --> 00:39:22,662 our ninjas had no problem on the eighth obstacle, 1044 00:39:22,696 --> 00:39:25,699 Corkscrew, but tonight, number eight is new, 1045 00:39:25,732 --> 00:39:27,567 and it's a different story. 1046 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:29,636 North Carolina's Brett Hernandez Strong 1047 00:39:29,669 --> 00:39:32,672 had a strong debut back in qualifying. 1048 00:39:32,706 --> 00:39:34,874 But when he reached the eighth obstacle, 1049 00:39:34,908 --> 00:39:36,343 the budding baseball player 1050 00:39:36,376 --> 00:39:38,812 didn't have the hands for Padlock. 1051 00:39:38,845 --> 00:39:40,213 Oh! 1052 00:39:40,246 --> 00:39:41,881 [all shouting] 1053 00:39:41,915 --> 00:39:45,485 - Rapid spin, and he struck out. 1054 00:39:45,518 --> 00:39:47,721 - Troutdale, Oregon's Caiden Madzelan 1055 00:39:47,754 --> 00:39:50,056 was also impressive in qualifying, 1056 00:39:50,056 --> 00:39:51,358 and the 15-year-old 1057 00:39:51,391 --> 00:39:53,560 was sailing through the semifinals course. 1058 00:39:53,593 --> 00:39:54,728 - Liftoff! 1059 00:39:54,761 --> 00:39:57,263 [cheering] 1060 00:39:57,297 --> 00:40:00,033 - Until he reached Padlock. 1061 00:40:00,066 --> 00:40:01,735 both: Oh! 1062 00:40:01,768 --> 00:40:03,336 - And there it was. 1063 00:40:03,370 --> 00:40:07,273 - Took the left hand off, the right hand just spun over. 1064 00:40:07,307 --> 00:40:10,343 - Massachusetts' Lucas Reale is a top ninja 1065 00:40:10,377 --> 00:40:12,879 who made it as far as stage three in Vegas. 1066 00:40:14,581 --> 00:40:16,549 But even this four-time veteran 1067 00:40:16,583 --> 00:40:18,518 got crossed up on Padlock. 1068 00:40:18,551 --> 00:40:20,453 both: Ohh! 1069 00:40:20,487 --> 00:40:23,556 - As we said, any obstacle, any time, any ninja. 1070 00:40:23,590 --> 00:40:25,992 - All three had fast times to that point, 1071 00:40:26,026 --> 00:40:28,261 so they've still got a shot to move on. 1072 00:40:28,294 --> 00:40:30,530 Hey, that's eight falls already 1073 00:40:30,563 --> 00:40:32,265 on this eighth obstacle. 1074 00:40:32,298 --> 00:40:33,600 - Ohh! 1075 00:40:33,633 --> 00:40:36,102 - That's not supposed to happen. 1076 00:40:36,136 --> 00:40:40,106 - Well, our next competitor bleeds red, white, and blue. 1077 00:40:40,140 --> 00:40:43,410 That's right, it's time for the one, the only, 1078 00:40:43,443 --> 00:40:46,312 Chad Flexington! 1079 00:40:46,346 --> 00:40:50,617 Oh, Akbar, coming out pumping iron, 1080 00:40:50,650 --> 00:40:52,919 the flag behind him. 1081 00:40:52,952 --> 00:40:55,088 Chad Flexington is here. 1082 00:40:55,121 --> 00:40:57,791 - Yeah! 1083 00:40:57,824 --> 00:41:00,527 - You know, you can see-- - Oh, yeah, one, two, 1084 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:04,964 2,000, 2,001, 2,003. - This dude is jacked. 1085 00:41:05,065 --> 00:41:06,399 - Look at this. 1086 00:41:06,433 --> 00:41:08,234 - And you can see his wife Katie 1087 00:41:08,268 --> 00:41:11,271 along with the little Flexingtons right there, 1088 00:41:11,304 --> 00:41:13,406 wearing the Flexington headbands. 1089 00:41:13,440 --> 00:41:14,974 He's gonna hand off the barbell 1090 00:41:15,075 --> 00:41:17,077 to ninja veteran Grant McCartney. 1091 00:41:17,077 --> 00:41:18,511 Oh! 1092 00:41:18,545 --> 00:41:20,814 Well, if you're wondering who this guy really is, 1093 00:41:20,847 --> 00:41:23,450 he's the alter ego of Ben Udy, 1094 00:41:23,483 --> 00:41:24,851 who, when we first met him, 1095 00:41:24,884 --> 00:41:27,087 was a food scientist in California, 1096 00:41:27,087 --> 00:41:30,190 but in the last year, he's moved his family to Idaho 1097 00:41:30,223 --> 00:41:32,092 and is now a contractor. 1098 00:41:32,092 --> 00:41:33,793 But on the course, he becomes 1099 00:41:33,827 --> 00:41:37,364 Chad Flexington, American Hero. 1100 00:41:37,397 --> 00:41:40,133 [countdown beeping] 1101 00:41:40,166 --> 00:41:41,901 - Matt, this is a slimmer Chad Flexington. 1102 00:41:41,935 --> 00:41:43,703 - There it is! - He's dropped about 1103 00:41:43,737 --> 00:41:46,206 ten pounds since we saw him two years ago. 1104 00:41:46,239 --> 00:41:47,841 Check out the difference. 1105 00:41:47,874 --> 00:41:50,410 Less mass might mean fast. 1106 00:41:50,443 --> 00:41:52,545 - Well, despite the show he puts on, 1107 00:41:52,579 --> 00:41:54,681 he's a legitimate athlete. 1108 00:41:54,714 --> 00:41:58,218 Qualified for the national finals in his previous season. 1109 00:41:58,251 --> 00:41:59,686 But he's spinning around here. 1110 00:41:59,719 --> 00:42:01,688 - You're good. Kick. Kick forward. Yep. 1111 00:42:01,721 --> 00:42:03,423 You got it. There it is. 1112 00:42:03,456 --> 00:42:07,327 - And a little hung up here on Double Twister. 1113 00:42:07,360 --> 00:42:08,561 But now he's through it. 1114 00:42:08,595 --> 00:42:10,330 - Reset. Big, deep breath and reset. 1115 00:42:10,363 --> 00:42:12,399 - Taking a deep breath before Ring Chaser. 1116 00:42:12,432 --> 00:42:15,502 - Quick, go, go. There it is. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Reach, reach. 1117 00:42:15,535 --> 00:42:18,638 - Oh! - Misses the ring! Oh, boy. 1118 00:42:18,672 --> 00:42:20,840 And now he's got use the smaller ring. 1119 00:42:20,874 --> 00:42:23,910 - Watch it all the way in. All the way in. 1120 00:42:23,943 --> 00:42:25,545 - Makes this obstacle a little tougher. 1121 00:42:25,578 --> 00:42:29,449 Gotta line it up, land his big body softly on that hook. 1122 00:42:29,482 --> 00:42:31,551 - Whoa! - And hangs on. 1123 00:42:31,584 --> 00:42:33,553 He's like a piece of iron, this guy. 1124 00:42:33,586 --> 00:42:36,656 Chad Flexington fighting for America, 1125 00:42:36,690 --> 00:42:38,558 fighting for a shot at Vegas. 1126 00:42:38,591 --> 00:42:40,126 - Keep it moving. 1127 00:42:40,160 --> 00:42:42,262 You're doing great, man. You're doing awesome. 1128 00:42:42,295 --> 00:42:44,230 - You can hear Grant offering advice, 1129 00:42:44,264 --> 00:42:45,799 and getting a workout in, too. 1130 00:42:45,832 --> 00:42:48,768 - Flexington won the Striding Steps Skills Event. 1131 00:42:48,802 --> 00:42:50,236 We know he's got balance. 1132 00:42:50,270 --> 00:42:51,438 - Nice. - Go, go, go! 1133 00:42:51,471 --> 00:42:53,740 - Oh, okay! - Oh! There he goes. 1134 00:42:53,773 --> 00:42:55,375 - I see you, Akbar! - I see you. 1135 00:42:55,408 --> 00:42:57,277 You great American hero, you! 1136 00:42:57,310 --> 00:43:00,680 - Whoo! - Whoo! 1137 00:43:00,714 --> 00:43:02,349 - Hopefully Chad's saving 1138 00:43:02,382 --> 00:43:05,952 some of that energy for Wall to Wall. 1139 00:43:06,052 --> 00:43:07,520 - That was graceful. 1140 00:43:07,554 --> 00:43:08,888 - "That was graceful," he said. 1141 00:43:08,922 --> 00:43:11,925 - Let it roll. Let it roll. Shake it, baby. Shake it. 1142 00:43:11,958 --> 00:43:13,226 - Oh, now look at him. He's having fun. 1143 00:43:13,259 --> 00:43:14,594 - Yeah! 1144 00:43:14,627 --> 00:43:16,896 - You got it. 1145 00:43:16,930 --> 00:43:18,098 - Nice. - Good. 1146 00:43:18,131 --> 00:43:19,966 - Good transition here. Rotating around. 1147 00:43:20,066 --> 00:43:21,434 Now, it's gonna be this drop here. 1148 00:43:21,468 --> 00:43:22,669 - Shake it around. Shake it around. 1149 00:43:22,702 --> 00:43:24,104 - All right. - He's got those hips. 1150 00:43:24,137 --> 00:43:25,805 - All right, remember, it drops. 1151 00:43:25,839 --> 00:43:28,875 Be ready on the drop. 1152 00:43:28,908 --> 00:43:31,378 - All right, come on now. Watch out for the drop. 1153 00:43:31,411 --> 00:43:32,712 - Holding on, man. 1154 00:43:32,746 --> 00:43:35,582 It's like he's chasing chickens out here. 1155 00:43:35,615 --> 00:43:38,218 Seeing if he can catch greased lightning on this course. 1156 00:43:38,251 --> 00:43:40,120 All right! - Let's go! 1157 00:43:40,153 --> 00:43:41,354 - Flexington. - Flex on them, man! 1158 00:43:41,388 --> 00:43:42,655 You gotta flex on 'em. 1159 00:43:42,689 --> 00:43:43,990 - Gotta breathe. 1160 00:43:44,090 --> 00:43:45,425 - "Gotta breathe." - Gotta breathe. 1161 00:43:45,458 --> 00:43:47,093 - "Hold on, let me breathe before I pass out." 1162 00:43:47,093 --> 00:43:50,630 - This is an enlightened Chad Flexington out here. 1163 00:43:50,663 --> 00:43:52,665 Not gonna wait. Going for the wall. 1164 00:43:52,699 --> 00:43:54,100 Right up it. 1165 00:43:54,100 --> 00:43:56,636 - Easy work, man. - Easy money. 1166 00:43:56,670 --> 00:43:58,104 - Hey, what are you listening to? 1167 00:43:58,104 --> 00:44:00,206 - I got Technotronic, "Pump Up the Jam." 1168 00:44:00,240 --> 00:44:01,441 - Technotronic. - Oh! 1169 00:44:01,474 --> 00:44:03,877 - "Pump up the jam. Pump it up." That one? 1170 00:44:03,910 --> 00:44:05,178 Okay. All right. 1171 00:44:05,211 --> 00:44:06,913 - Well, he's gonna try to keep jamming 1172 00:44:06,946 --> 00:44:08,715 as he heads to the back half. 1173 00:44:08,748 --> 00:44:11,117 both: Oh! - From the top rope! 1174 00:44:11,151 --> 00:44:13,319 - From the top rope! The People's Elbow! 1175 00:44:13,353 --> 00:44:15,321 - That was like Thunderlips right there. 1176 00:44:15,355 --> 00:44:17,524 - Matt, you know I gotta call for a replay on this one, 1177 00:44:17,557 --> 00:44:20,126 'cause the WWE would approve of this move. 1178 00:44:20,160 --> 00:44:22,095 Dropping the hammer on the course. 1179 00:44:22,128 --> 00:44:23,396 - Well, he's having fun, 1180 00:44:23,430 --> 00:44:25,832 but needs to be conscious of the time. 1181 00:44:25,865 --> 00:44:27,467 Only the top 15 move on. 1182 00:44:27,500 --> 00:44:30,136 Right now, needs to get past the Salmon Ladder. 1183 00:44:30,170 --> 00:44:33,106 - Good. Nice. 1184 00:44:33,139 --> 00:44:35,542 Solid. - Right up it. 1185 00:44:35,575 --> 00:44:38,845 But now the obstacle that's been trouble tonight, Padlock. 1186 00:44:38,878 --> 00:44:41,815 - He's a little slimmer, but still 180 pounds. 1187 00:44:41,848 --> 00:44:44,217 That's a lot to control if he starts spinning. 1188 00:44:44,250 --> 00:44:47,921 - Micro moves. Hands up when it drops. 1189 00:44:47,954 --> 00:44:49,255 Oh, yeah! - There it is. 1190 00:44:49,289 --> 00:44:51,691 Now, watch it here, on this transition. 1191 00:44:51,725 --> 00:44:55,862 You see that cleat slightly off-center. 1192 00:44:55,895 --> 00:44:58,365 Get those hands up and control this disk. 1193 00:44:58,398 --> 00:45:00,200 - Come on, now. Come on, now. You gotta control it. 1194 00:45:00,233 --> 00:45:01,368 There is no tomorrow. 1195 00:45:01,401 --> 00:45:03,036 - Oh, no! - There is no tomorrow. 1196 00:45:03,069 --> 00:45:06,239 - Oh! 360, and he's down! 1197 00:45:06,272 --> 00:45:10,477 Chad Flexington goes out, but goes out in style. 1198 00:45:10,510 --> 00:45:12,912 - Dang it! - As soon as he lifts 1199 00:45:12,946 --> 00:45:15,081 his left foot, his weight shifts, 1200 00:45:15,115 --> 00:45:17,050 and he goes spinning to the right. 1201 00:45:17,050 --> 00:45:19,052 Does a complete 360, 1202 00:45:19,052 --> 00:45:21,154 and yet still lands on his feet. 1203 00:45:21,187 --> 00:45:25,392 - And Zuri's with Chad now. - Chad Flexington. 1204 00:45:25,425 --> 00:45:27,093 What went wrong here on Padlock? 1205 00:45:27,127 --> 00:45:28,661 - I thought hanging out upside-down 1206 00:45:28,695 --> 00:45:30,063 might be a good idea. - Okay. 1207 00:45:30,063 --> 00:45:31,231 - Turns out it wasn't. 1208 00:45:31,264 --> 00:45:32,532 Hope it at least looked cool. 1209 00:45:32,565 --> 00:45:33,733 - Yeah, it did look very cool. 1210 00:45:33,767 --> 00:45:35,068 - If I don't complete it, if I go out 1211 00:45:35,101 --> 00:45:37,837 in a blazing glory of fire, I'm all right with that. 1212 00:45:37,871 --> 00:45:39,773 - All right, well, there it is. Good work out there, 1213 00:45:39,806 --> 00:45:40,974 Chad Flexington. - Thank you. 1214 00:45:41,074 --> 00:45:42,942 - You never cease to amaze and entertain. 1215 00:45:42,976 --> 00:45:44,344 - Thank you, thank you. 1216 00:45:44,377 --> 00:45:45,812 - Well, we'll have to wait to see if his time 1217 00:45:45,845 --> 00:45:48,548 to that point still gets him into the top 15. 1218 00:45:48,581 --> 00:45:50,850 - I didn't get enough. - Get your set in, bro. 1219 00:45:50,884 --> 00:45:52,452 - And he's getting in a few reps. 1220 00:45:52,485 --> 00:45:54,754 Gotta love Chad Flexington. 1221 00:45:54,788 --> 00:45:57,857 Still to come, more of our top teenagers, 1222 00:45:57,891 --> 00:46:00,593 including Colorado's Kaden Lebsack 1223 00:46:00,627 --> 00:46:03,029 and Connecticut's Jay "Lache" Lewis, 1224 00:46:03,063 --> 00:46:04,564 plus Jay's coach, 1225 00:46:04,597 --> 00:46:07,500 the ninja legend Joe Moravsky, 1226 00:46:07,534 --> 00:46:09,436 along with our history-making mom, 1227 00:46:09,469 --> 00:46:10,670 Sandy Zimmerman, 1228 00:46:10,704 --> 00:46:13,573 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1229 00:46:18,478 --> 00:46:20,780 - * Welcome to my life * - * Hey * 1230 00:46:20,814 --> 00:46:24,384 * This is how we ride * - * Hey * 1231 00:46:24,417 --> 00:46:27,654 - Ninja and rapper Black Jewelz made some noise 1232 00:46:27,687 --> 00:46:29,255 while we were away. 1233 00:46:29,289 --> 00:46:31,691 Jewelz, aka Julius Ferguson, 1234 00:46:31,725 --> 00:46:34,761 let it flow as he took on the semifinals course. 1235 00:46:34,794 --> 00:46:36,796 - That's it, Julius. Let's go! 1236 00:46:36,830 --> 00:46:38,331 - With his friend and training partner 1237 00:46:38,365 --> 00:46:41,668 Dan Champagne cheering him on, the 35-year-old 1238 00:46:41,701 --> 00:46:45,138 had one of the smoothest runs of the night. 1239 00:46:45,171 --> 00:46:47,407 - I got a feeling about Julius Ferguson, Matt. 1240 00:46:47,440 --> 00:46:50,076 - Hey, what's it gonna take to get us in a rap, Julius? 1241 00:46:51,978 --> 00:46:53,613 - Ohh! All right. - Okay! 1242 00:46:53,646 --> 00:46:54,981 - The five-year veteran 1243 00:46:55,081 --> 00:46:57,083 was looking for his second trip to Vegas. 1244 00:46:57,117 --> 00:46:58,952 - He's like, "I ain't messing around." 1245 00:46:58,985 --> 00:47:01,221 - But like so many others... 1246 00:47:01,254 --> 00:47:03,289 - Oh! Body slammed! 1247 00:47:03,323 --> 00:47:05,258 - His night came to an end on Padlock. 1248 00:47:05,291 --> 00:47:07,594 - Great run, man. 1249 00:47:07,627 --> 00:47:09,763 - Then it was his friend Dan's time, 1250 00:47:09,796 --> 00:47:13,166 and he brought champagne to celebrate his first buzzer, 1251 00:47:13,199 --> 00:47:14,868 which he hit back in qualifying. 1252 00:47:14,901 --> 00:47:18,238 - Yes! Yes! [horn blaring] 1253 00:47:18,271 --> 00:47:20,073 - This is the real good stuff, folks. 1254 00:47:20,106 --> 00:47:21,708 We were ready to pop the cork 1255 00:47:21,741 --> 00:47:24,444 if the Connecticut financial planner hit another buzzer. 1256 00:47:24,477 --> 00:47:26,680 - Yeah! - Come on, Champagne. 1257 00:47:26,713 --> 00:47:28,481 - And it sure looked like he might. 1258 00:47:28,515 --> 00:47:30,850 - Yeah! Yeah! - Whoo-hoo! 1259 00:47:30,884 --> 00:47:32,318 - We're ready to pop this, buddy. 1260 00:47:32,352 --> 00:47:33,720 - We got it. - Get a buzzer. 1261 00:47:33,753 --> 00:47:35,288 The 32-year-old rookie was just 1262 00:47:35,321 --> 00:47:36,856 the third ninja all night 1263 00:47:36,890 --> 00:47:38,458 to get past Padlock. 1264 00:47:38,491 --> 00:47:42,062 - He's making it work! - Yeah! Let's go! 1265 00:47:42,062 --> 00:47:44,497 - At Split Decision, he gave the Tuning Forks 1266 00:47:44,531 --> 00:47:46,399 a look, but ultimately decided to go 1267 00:47:46,433 --> 00:47:49,469 with Inverter, where Champagne's improbable run 1268 00:47:49,502 --> 00:47:51,071 finally went flat. 1269 00:47:51,071 --> 00:47:53,306 - Whoa. - Oh! 1270 00:47:53,340 --> 00:47:55,208 And though he didn't hit a buzzer, 1271 00:47:55,241 --> 00:47:57,977 his run clinched him a spot in the top 15. 1272 00:47:58,078 --> 00:48:00,013 He's going to the national finals. 1273 00:48:00,046 --> 00:48:04,184 Dan Champagne, here's to you. 1274 00:48:04,217 --> 00:48:05,585 That's alcohol. - Yeah. 1275 00:48:05,618 --> 00:48:07,554 - That wasn't apple juice. 1276 00:48:07,587 --> 00:48:09,422 Our next athlete is a teenager, 1277 00:48:09,456 --> 00:48:12,025 so naturally, he's on his phone. 1278 00:48:12,025 --> 00:48:14,594 - You got this, man. - Wish we could be there, man. 1279 00:48:14,627 --> 00:48:17,430 - This is 17-year-old Jay "Lache" Lewis, 1280 00:48:17,464 --> 00:48:19,933 who's FaceTiming with his friend and fellow ninja 1281 00:48:20,033 --> 00:48:22,936 Blake Feero, who's back in Connecticut. 1282 00:48:23,036 --> 00:48:24,704 Jay Lache has also got his dad and brother 1283 00:48:24,738 --> 00:48:26,172 watching from back home, 1284 00:48:26,206 --> 00:48:29,042 and down on the sideline, his coach and mentor, 1285 00:48:29,042 --> 00:48:33,113 Joe Moravsky, who's turned him into the ninja he is today. 1286 00:48:34,781 --> 00:48:36,383 - I first saw Joe Moravsky on TV 1287 00:48:36,416 --> 00:48:39,352 when I was only about nine years old. 1288 00:48:39,386 --> 00:48:42,489 - Joe Moravsky, the last athlete remaining. 1289 00:48:42,522 --> 00:48:44,891 - I remember watching his run on stage three in season six. 1290 00:48:44,924 --> 00:48:46,192 I'm like, "Dude, I really want to do this. 1291 00:48:46,226 --> 00:48:47,293 This looks awesome." 1292 00:48:47,327 --> 00:48:49,295 - Look at this! Joe Moravsky, 1293 00:48:49,329 --> 00:48:52,465 only the third competitor ever to reach this point! 1294 00:48:57,237 --> 00:48:59,673 - I started training with Joe in 2016. 1295 00:48:59,706 --> 00:49:01,508 It's not very often that you can go to a gym 1296 00:49:01,541 --> 00:49:05,145 and meet somebody that knows how hundreds of obstacles feel. 1297 00:49:06,646 --> 00:49:08,882 - Man, that's a hard move. 1298 00:49:08,915 --> 00:49:11,418 I love Jay Lache. He's amazing. 1299 00:49:11,451 --> 00:49:13,787 I think you need to kill your swing on the second bar. 1300 00:49:13,820 --> 00:49:16,456 Right here. Kill it, and then pull straight up. 1301 00:49:16,489 --> 00:49:18,124 Yeah. 1302 00:49:18,158 --> 00:49:20,894 He showed me a video recently 1303 00:49:20,927 --> 00:49:24,431 of me and him training when he was, like, this big, 1304 00:49:24,464 --> 00:49:25,865 and I'm coaching him on the Salmon Ladder, 1305 00:49:25,899 --> 00:49:27,801 and I think I was pulling on the rope 1306 00:49:27,834 --> 00:49:29,402 to kind of help the Salmon Ladder bar up, 1307 00:49:29,436 --> 00:49:31,805 because he didn't quite have it. 1308 00:49:31,838 --> 00:49:34,841 Now here he is competing, and I would consider him 1309 00:49:34,874 --> 00:49:36,643 one of the guys I gotta watch out for. 1310 00:49:36,676 --> 00:49:39,112 [buzzer blaring] - Let's go! 1311 00:49:39,145 --> 00:49:40,847 - He's got a lot of what it takes 1312 00:49:40,880 --> 00:49:43,550 to be a superstar on this show. 1313 00:49:43,583 --> 00:49:45,285 That's it! Yeah! 1314 00:49:45,318 --> 00:49:47,454 We're gonna see him for many years to come. 1315 00:49:49,255 --> 00:49:50,290 all: Yeah! 1316 00:49:53,093 --> 00:49:54,494 - Ridiculous. - Ridiculous. 1317 00:49:54,527 --> 00:49:56,096 - Thanks. 1318 00:49:56,129 --> 00:49:57,964 I'm in this sport for the long haul, 1319 00:49:58,064 --> 00:49:59,265 but right now, I'm just focused 1320 00:49:59,299 --> 00:50:02,702 on the semifinals and hitting that buzzer. 1321 00:50:02,736 --> 00:50:04,504 - And Joe will be running later. 1322 00:50:04,537 --> 00:50:07,007 He's mentored many of these teenagers, 1323 00:50:07,040 --> 00:50:09,676 knowing these are the guys who are gonna replace him. 1324 00:50:09,709 --> 00:50:12,145 But he says not necessarily this year. 1325 00:50:12,178 --> 00:50:13,713 [countdown beeping] 1326 00:50:13,747 --> 00:50:16,683 And if you're not familiar, "lache" is a parkour term. 1327 00:50:16,716 --> 00:50:18,418 It means to use your body's momentum 1328 00:50:18,451 --> 00:50:20,587 to swing and release off an object. 1329 00:50:20,620 --> 00:50:22,122 - Hey, hey, Jay Lache. 1330 00:50:22,155 --> 00:50:25,225 - 5'4", 115 pounds, 1331 00:50:25,258 --> 00:50:27,460 and as the name says, Jay Lache can fly. 1332 00:50:27,494 --> 00:50:29,496 - Ooh. Yes, he can. And he loves to lache. 1333 00:50:29,529 --> 00:50:31,464 That's his favorite part about ninja. 1334 00:50:31,498 --> 00:50:32,999 - Stay on the right side. 1335 00:50:33,033 --> 00:50:35,835 - Moravsky giving Jay some tips for the Ring Chaser. 1336 00:50:35,869 --> 00:50:38,672 And racing out to the ring. - Okay. 1337 00:50:38,705 --> 00:50:40,206 - No problem. 1338 00:50:40,240 --> 00:50:41,741 - Come on. - Yeah, Matt, it's not 1339 00:50:41,775 --> 00:50:43,376 that long ago he was on the playground, 1340 00:50:43,410 --> 00:50:45,278 on the monkey bars. 1341 00:50:45,311 --> 00:50:47,781 - He started training for "American Ninja Warrior" 1342 00:50:47,814 --> 00:50:49,549 when he was just ten years old-- 1343 00:50:49,582 --> 00:50:50,884 seven years ago-- 1344 00:50:50,917 --> 00:50:52,585 and here is out here, 1345 00:50:52,619 --> 00:50:55,622 making this semifinals course look easy. 1346 00:50:55,655 --> 00:50:58,224 - Ooh. 1347 00:50:58,258 --> 00:51:00,126 Look at that, going straight into it. 1348 00:51:00,160 --> 00:51:01,261 - The thing that's impressing me 1349 00:51:01,294 --> 00:51:02,829 about these young athletes 1350 00:51:02,862 --> 00:51:04,864 is, they just have an easy efficiency pace about them. 1351 00:51:04,898 --> 00:51:06,733 - Well, that, and the other thing: look how fast this is. 1352 00:51:06,766 --> 00:51:08,468 They have no regard for personal safety. 1353 00:51:08,501 --> 00:51:10,804 When you're this young, you're that limber, 1354 00:51:10,837 --> 00:51:12,072 you don't care about getting hurt 1355 00:51:12,105 --> 00:51:13,740 or anything like that, you just go. 1356 00:51:13,773 --> 00:51:15,875 - Yeah. - Not taking a breath. 1357 00:51:15,909 --> 00:51:17,644 He's going straight at the Warped Wall. 1358 00:51:17,677 --> 00:51:20,947 Oh, my! Flying up it, Jay Lache! 1359 00:51:20,980 --> 00:51:23,950 - Hey, hey, Jay Lache! - On the back half right now. 1360 00:51:23,983 --> 00:51:25,318 - Yeah. You see that? 1361 00:51:25,352 --> 00:51:27,387 He's calling for it. He's calling for it. 1362 00:51:27,420 --> 00:51:30,957 - Let's go. Good pace. Keep it moving. You got this. 1363 00:51:30,990 --> 00:51:33,960 - First time he's been on the longer ten obstacle course, 1364 00:51:33,993 --> 00:51:35,795 but he's not slowing down. 1365 00:51:35,829 --> 00:51:37,430 Going right into Salmon Ladder. 1366 00:51:37,464 --> 00:51:38,465 - Watch this. 1367 00:51:38,498 --> 00:51:39,899 - And at 115 pounds, 1368 00:51:39,933 --> 00:51:42,736 just flying up it. 1369 00:51:42,769 --> 00:51:44,637 - Yeah. 1370 00:51:44,671 --> 00:51:47,140 - This next obstacle, though, has been a buzzkill. 1371 00:51:47,173 --> 00:51:48,341 This is Padlock. 1372 00:51:48,375 --> 00:51:50,677 We've only seen three ninjas survive it. 1373 00:51:50,710 --> 00:51:54,914 both: Ooh! - Watch out. Watch out. 1374 00:51:54,948 --> 00:51:56,750 - So impressive. Right up. - Ooh. 1375 00:51:56,783 --> 00:51:58,151 - And you see the foot got there-- 1376 00:51:58,184 --> 00:51:59,586 - Look at that, Matt. - Going the wrong way 1377 00:51:59,619 --> 00:52:01,521 - He's got that number two pencil grip right there. 1378 00:52:01,554 --> 00:52:03,189 - Did you see the correction? - Yes! Yes! 1379 00:52:03,223 --> 00:52:06,459 - That's so impressive. 1380 00:52:06,493 --> 00:52:08,895 - When was the last time you used a number two pencil? 1381 00:52:08,928 --> 00:52:10,063 - Oh, my goodness. 1382 00:52:10,063 --> 00:52:11,698 - Whoa! Whoa! No! No. Stay on. 1383 00:52:11,731 --> 00:52:14,601 - Almost needed the eraser. That was close to a mistake. 1384 00:52:14,634 --> 00:52:17,671 And look at that. [cheering] 1385 00:52:17,704 --> 00:52:20,206 - That thing's terrifying. 1386 00:52:20,240 --> 00:52:22,075 - And now Split Decision. 1387 00:52:22,075 --> 00:52:24,577 Will he go Tuning Forks or Inverter? 1388 00:52:24,611 --> 00:52:26,913 - How's Tuning Forks look? - You do Tuning Forks, Joe. 1389 00:52:26,946 --> 00:52:28,148 I'm gonna do this. - No, no. 1390 00:52:28,181 --> 00:52:30,083 - He says Joe can do Tuning Forks, 1391 00:52:30,083 --> 00:52:32,285 but he's gonna go with the Inverter. 1392 00:52:32,318 --> 00:52:34,454 Well, he has been flying. 1393 00:52:34,487 --> 00:52:37,991 Well ahead of Amir Malik's pace for fastest time. 1394 00:52:38,091 --> 00:52:40,226 - Well, Matt, if he's able to get the board flipped over, 1395 00:52:40,260 --> 00:52:41,561 you can see, he gets it flipped over. 1396 00:52:41,594 --> 00:52:43,163 He's got the grip. 1397 00:52:43,196 --> 00:52:45,131 Now he's gotta power up to get that bar on the backside. 1398 00:52:45,165 --> 00:52:46,666 - Oh, my goodness. As my-- - And that's what it's 1399 00:52:46,700 --> 00:52:48,134 gonna take--nice power-up. 1400 00:52:48,168 --> 00:52:50,236 He's got the muscle strength. 1401 00:52:50,270 --> 00:52:51,771 Now, this is where it gets difficult. 1402 00:52:51,805 --> 00:52:54,541 He's gotta make that grab and pull it--nice. 1403 00:52:54,574 --> 00:52:59,112 - Great job hanging on. This is so impressive. 1404 00:52:59,112 --> 00:53:00,747 And he's through. 1405 00:53:00,780 --> 00:53:04,117 The 17-year-old destroying the course! 1406 00:53:04,150 --> 00:53:07,087 And he's on pace for the fastest time by a mile! 1407 00:53:07,120 --> 00:53:10,357 - This guy done passed his SAT, his ACT, 1408 00:53:10,390 --> 00:53:13,727 and now he's about to pass this semifinals ninja course. 1409 00:53:13,760 --> 00:53:18,064 - But at 115, these doors are almost as heavy as he is. 1410 00:53:18,064 --> 00:53:19,866 - Does he get extra credit for PE? 1411 00:53:19,899 --> 00:53:21,134 This is ridiculous! 1412 00:53:21,167 --> 00:53:23,703 - Oh, my goodness. - Come on, Jay, push! 1413 00:53:23,737 --> 00:53:24,704 - Look at this. 1414 00:53:24,738 --> 00:53:27,073 50 pounds on each side. 1415 00:53:27,073 --> 00:53:29,542 Jay Lache continues to rise. 1416 00:53:29,576 --> 00:53:33,279 - At 5'4", Matt, he's the new big man on campus. 1417 00:53:33,313 --> 00:53:34,514 - Oh, my goodness. 1418 00:53:34,547 --> 00:53:35,882 He's gotta get the other door, though. 1419 00:53:35,915 --> 00:53:37,083 Does he have anything left? 1420 00:53:37,117 --> 00:53:38,218 - That's what I'm talking about! 1421 00:53:38,251 --> 00:53:40,787 - Jay Lache! 1422 00:53:40,820 --> 00:53:42,655 - Let's go! [buzzer blaring] 1423 00:53:42,689 --> 00:53:46,326 [upbeat music] 1424 00:53:46,359 --> 00:53:50,163 - What a run! Oh, my goodness. 1425 00:53:50,196 --> 00:53:53,967 - Yes! Yes! 1426 00:53:54,000 --> 00:53:57,971 - Jay, you just had the fastest time of the night. 1427 00:53:58,004 --> 00:54:01,041 - Yeah! Let's go! - Let's go, buddy! 1428 00:54:01,074 --> 00:54:03,710 Pack your bags. Don't get a fake ID. 1429 00:54:03,743 --> 00:54:05,278 You're gonna have supervision there. 1430 00:54:05,311 --> 00:54:07,047 You're gonna have chaperones. 1431 00:54:07,080 --> 00:54:08,548 But we're going to Vegas, baby. 1432 00:54:08,581 --> 00:54:10,050 - Yeah! 1433 00:54:10,050 --> 00:54:13,620 - Well, he survived some close calls on Padlock, 1434 00:54:13,653 --> 00:54:16,556 but hung on and became just the second tonight 1435 00:54:16,589 --> 00:54:18,124 to conquer the Inverter. 1436 00:54:18,158 --> 00:54:21,561 At 17, he's got his first semifinals buzzer, 1437 00:54:21,594 --> 00:54:24,864 the fastest finisher tonight. 1438 00:54:24,898 --> 00:54:26,232 - Somebody get me water, please. 1439 00:54:26,266 --> 00:54:28,401 [both laugh] - He's calling the shots! 1440 00:54:28,435 --> 00:54:29,736 He's calling the shots! 1441 00:54:29,769 --> 00:54:31,071 - Smash that buzzer one more time, Jay. 1442 00:54:31,104 --> 00:54:32,405 - He's calling the shots. - Smash that. 1443 00:54:32,439 --> 00:54:35,709 [buzzer blaring] 1444 00:54:35,742 --> 00:54:37,977 - Give the man some water, Matt. 1445 00:54:39,479 --> 00:54:42,082 - Get your camera ready. 1446 00:54:42,082 --> 00:54:44,217 More heart-stopping-- - No! 1447 00:54:44,250 --> 00:54:46,486 - Heart-breaking moments are coming up. 1448 00:54:46,519 --> 00:54:48,121 - I see you! I see you! 1449 00:54:48,154 --> 00:54:51,891 - As "American Ninja Warrior" rolls on. 1450 00:55:00,367 --> 00:55:01,835 - All right. We'll talk about that later. 1451 00:55:01,868 --> 00:55:03,036 - Hey, buddy. - All right, I gotta run. 1452 00:55:03,036 --> 00:55:04,037 I'm live. - We're back. 1453 00:55:04,037 --> 00:55:05,338 Hang up the phone. - [laughs] 1454 00:55:05,372 --> 00:55:08,041 We gotta show the folks what just happened. 1455 00:55:08,041 --> 00:55:09,542 New Jersey auctioneer 1456 00:55:09,576 --> 00:55:13,046 Judas Licciardello brought his gavel to the start line, 1457 00:55:13,079 --> 00:55:16,049 and the fast talker had some high-flying moves... 1458 00:55:16,049 --> 00:55:18,952 - Whoo! Whoa, whoa, whoa. 1459 00:55:19,052 --> 00:55:22,122 - Get down, baby. Show them. - Yeah! Let's go! 1460 00:55:22,155 --> 00:55:27,127 - And also some painful ones. - Oh, my--golly! 1461 00:55:27,160 --> 00:55:29,963 - Oh! Right in the goody-good, too. 1462 00:55:31,731 --> 00:55:32,832 - Oh! - Oh, my goodness! 1463 00:55:32,866 --> 00:55:34,100 Down his backside! 1464 00:55:34,134 --> 00:55:35,735 - Bro! 1465 00:55:35,769 --> 00:55:37,704 - But despite the blows... - Nice. 1466 00:55:37,737 --> 00:55:40,173 - He was still ready to play auctioneer 1467 00:55:40,206 --> 00:55:42,709 as we bid on how many obstacles he'd complete. 1468 00:55:42,742 --> 00:55:46,613 - [auctioneering] 1469 00:55:46,646 --> 00:55:47,614 Now I'm gonna get ten. 1470 00:55:47,647 --> 00:55:48,915 - Man, go get ten. 1471 00:55:48,948 --> 00:55:50,684 - But Licciardello was going, 1472 00:55:50,717 --> 00:55:53,920 going, gone once he reached Padlock. 1473 00:55:53,953 --> 00:55:56,623 - Oh, no! 1474 00:55:56,656 --> 00:55:58,458 - We'll be back. We'll be back. 1475 00:55:59,592 --> 00:56:01,027 - New Jersey's Abby Clark 1476 00:56:01,027 --> 00:56:03,329 had the other Jersey Girls on her sidelines. 1477 00:56:03,363 --> 00:56:04,798 - You got this, Abby. - You got it! 1478 00:56:04,831 --> 00:56:06,599 - The former college gymnast was cruising 1479 00:56:06,633 --> 00:56:07,867 on the early obstacles, 1480 00:56:07,901 --> 00:56:10,036 showing good hands on Ring Chaser... 1481 00:56:10,036 --> 00:56:12,339 - Get it. - Yeah! Whoo! 1482 00:56:12,372 --> 00:56:14,674 - And good footwork on Spinning Bridge. 1483 00:56:14,708 --> 00:56:16,910 - Where there's a will, Abby will find a way. 1484 00:56:16,943 --> 00:56:19,446 - The four-time veteran made it to the Warped Wall, 1485 00:56:19,479 --> 00:56:21,047 but missed on her first... 1486 00:56:21,047 --> 00:56:22,549 - No! - Second... 1487 00:56:22,582 --> 00:56:25,518 - Oh, so close! - And third attempts. 1488 00:56:25,552 --> 00:56:27,620 - No! [air horn blows] 1489 00:56:30,457 --> 00:56:33,059 - Then it was the last of the Jersey Girls, 1490 00:56:33,093 --> 00:56:36,596 31-year-old Cara Mack. 1491 00:56:36,629 --> 00:56:39,065 Mack hosts the "Ninjababes" podcast, 1492 00:56:39,065 --> 00:56:41,301 where she interviews top women competitors. 1493 00:56:41,334 --> 00:56:44,404 And she looked like one herself tonight. 1494 00:56:44,437 --> 00:56:47,073 - Ooh, she brought that heat. - The three-time veteran 1495 00:56:47,107 --> 00:56:50,410 got up the Warped Wall for the first time in her career. 1496 00:56:50,443 --> 00:56:51,611 - Oh, my God! 1497 00:56:51,644 --> 00:56:55,348 - I'm subscribing right now to your podcast. 1498 00:56:55,382 --> 00:56:58,251 - And Mack made it all the way to the eighth obstacle 1499 00:56:58,284 --> 00:56:59,919 to put herself in a good position 1500 00:57:00,020 --> 00:57:03,523 to make it to her first national finals. 1501 00:57:03,556 --> 00:57:06,893 - Oh! Oh! Oh! [air horn blows] 1502 00:57:06,926 --> 00:57:09,362 - First time up the wall. I'm so excited. 1503 00:57:10,330 --> 00:57:12,265 - Up next is a fan favorite. 1504 00:57:12,298 --> 00:57:15,802 It's the Eskimo Ninja, Nick Hanson. 1505 00:57:15,835 --> 00:57:18,872 - I'm not that Nick Hanson! Wrong one! 1506 00:57:18,905 --> 00:57:20,707 - We're just having some fun. 1507 00:57:20,740 --> 00:57:24,110 It's not that Nick Hanson. It's this Nick Hanson. 1508 00:57:24,144 --> 00:57:26,813 This Nick Hanson's not from Alaska. 1509 00:57:26,846 --> 00:57:29,716 He's a rugby-playing college student from Iowa, 1510 00:57:29,749 --> 00:57:32,852 and he's ready to make a name for himself. 1511 00:57:32,886 --> 00:57:35,221 The rookie shares his first and last name 1512 00:57:35,255 --> 00:57:38,291 with the seven-time veteran, the Eskimo Ninja. 1513 00:57:38,324 --> 00:57:39,626 - I'm a huge fan of the Eskimo Ninja. 1514 00:57:39,659 --> 00:57:41,661 [upbeat music] 1515 00:57:41,695 --> 00:57:43,063 You know, I've been watching him for years, 1516 00:57:43,063 --> 00:57:44,431 and he's been a big role model of mine. 1517 00:57:44,464 --> 00:57:46,266 - But that Nick Hanson 1518 00:57:46,299 --> 00:57:49,369 had a shocking fall back in qualifying. 1519 00:57:49,402 --> 00:57:51,504 - Oh, my goodness! 1520 00:57:51,538 --> 00:57:55,508 - So now the torch has been passed to this Nick Hanson... 1521 00:57:55,542 --> 00:57:59,179 - Let's go! - AKA the Rugby Ninja. 1522 00:57:59,212 --> 00:58:01,748 - I got to put it on my back and keep it going. 1523 00:58:01,781 --> 00:58:04,818 I've combined the power and speed from rugby 1524 00:58:04,851 --> 00:58:07,020 and then the grip strength for ninja. 1525 00:58:07,020 --> 00:58:08,254 - Whoo! - Let's go! 1526 00:58:08,288 --> 00:58:09,589 - Whoo! 1527 00:58:09,622 --> 00:58:12,492 This Nick Hanson's gonna hit a buzzer tonight. 1528 00:58:12,525 --> 00:58:14,194 - Yo. I made it. Made it. 1529 00:58:14,227 --> 00:58:15,595 - And Alaska Nick Hanson is here. 1530 00:58:15,628 --> 00:58:17,697 He's gonna be down on the sideline 1531 00:58:17,731 --> 00:58:19,766 along with the two other Iowa boys, 1532 00:58:19,799 --> 00:58:21,768 Chris Behrends and Jackson Twait, 1533 00:58:21,801 --> 00:58:23,069 who will run next. 1534 00:58:23,103 --> 00:58:25,038 - Them boys be wilding out. - Let's go, Nick! 1535 00:58:25,038 --> 00:58:26,740 - Plus a big bunch of supporters 1536 00:58:26,773 --> 00:58:28,608 watching from back in Iowa. 1537 00:58:28,641 --> 00:58:30,577 This is gonna be a party. 1538 00:58:30,610 --> 00:58:32,946 [countdown beeping] 1539 00:58:33,046 --> 00:58:34,447 - All right, he's a big boy, Matt. 1540 00:58:34,481 --> 00:58:37,851 6 feet tall and almost 200 pounds. 1541 00:58:37,884 --> 00:58:40,520 - No problem on the Shrinking Steps. 1542 00:58:40,553 --> 00:58:42,589 Moves on to Double Twister. 1543 00:58:42,622 --> 00:58:44,724 Probably needs to get to the eighth obstacle 1544 00:58:44,758 --> 00:58:47,527 to have a chance to move on. 1545 00:58:47,560 --> 00:58:50,296 - Oh! - One hand. 1546 00:58:50,330 --> 00:58:52,832 Well, a good save there. 1547 00:58:54,467 --> 00:58:55,635 And he gets through. 1548 00:58:55,669 --> 00:58:58,071 - Whoo! Good save, bro. 1549 00:58:58,071 --> 00:59:00,573 - Steps up now for Ring Chaser. 1550 00:59:00,607 --> 00:59:02,108 - All right, watch the ring. 1551 00:59:02,142 --> 00:59:04,711 Can the rugby player make the grab? 1552 00:59:04,744 --> 00:59:06,613 - Here we go. Ooh. - Oh, he missed it. 1553 00:59:06,646 --> 00:59:08,014 - But that's okay. 1554 00:59:08,014 --> 00:59:10,116 He can grab the smaller ring next to it. 1555 00:59:10,150 --> 00:59:12,218 Still has to jump it across to the other hook. 1556 00:59:12,252 --> 00:59:14,654 More of a challenge, though, with this smaller ring. 1557 00:59:14,688 --> 00:59:17,390 - Come on, let's go! 1558 00:59:17,424 --> 00:59:18,658 - Come on, big fella. 1559 00:59:18,692 --> 00:59:20,193 Watch out. 1560 00:59:20,226 --> 00:59:21,561 He's got a lot on that upswing. 1561 00:59:21,594 --> 00:59:23,029 He better be careful. Nice. 1562 00:59:23,029 --> 00:59:26,066 - And he sticks it. [cheering] 1563 00:59:26,099 --> 00:59:28,335 Still needs the dismount. 1564 00:59:28,368 --> 00:59:29,803 And now he's through. 1565 00:59:29,836 --> 00:59:32,172 Oh, headband coming off, Akbar. 1566 00:59:32,205 --> 00:59:34,274 - You don't need that, bro. Light and fast. 1567 00:59:34,307 --> 00:59:37,811 - He needs balance here on Spinning Bridge. 1568 00:59:37,844 --> 00:59:39,746 - Nice, nice, nice. Fall forward. 1569 00:59:39,779 --> 00:59:42,182 - And there it is. 1570 00:59:42,215 --> 00:59:43,850 And the rookie has made it 1571 00:59:43,883 --> 00:59:45,585 to the fifth obstacle, Wall to Wall. 1572 00:59:45,618 --> 00:59:48,421 - Anticipate the drop here. 1573 00:59:48,455 --> 00:59:50,056 - Some of the bigger guys like Hanson 1574 00:59:50,056 --> 00:59:52,926 have had trouble on this obstacle. 1575 00:59:55,095 --> 00:59:56,396 - Don't overgrip, Nick. 1576 00:59:56,429 --> 00:59:58,732 - Jackson Twait says, "Don't overgrip." 1577 00:59:58,765 --> 01:00:01,468 - Yeah, overgripping will tire you out so fast. 1578 01:00:01,501 --> 01:00:02,702 both: Oh! 1579 01:00:02,736 --> 01:00:04,371 - Matt, he is beating himself up now. 1580 01:00:04,404 --> 01:00:07,207 To make a miss like that, that's 196 pounds-- 1581 01:00:07,240 --> 01:00:09,175 almost 200 pounds he's messing with. 1582 01:00:09,209 --> 01:00:12,078 - And it is those unanticipated shots 1583 01:00:12,112 --> 01:00:14,981 that really will sap that grip strength rapidly. 1584 01:00:15,015 --> 01:00:16,616 - Get a couple. - You got this! 1585 01:00:16,649 --> 01:00:18,318 - This is gonna be another big ask here. 1586 01:00:18,351 --> 01:00:20,754 Eight-inch drop. - That Nick Hanson. 1587 01:00:20,787 --> 01:00:22,255 - Good job holding on. 1588 01:00:22,288 --> 01:00:24,457 The Rugby Ninja. 1589 01:00:24,491 --> 01:00:26,659 And this is it. He is pumped. 1590 01:00:26,693 --> 01:00:29,796 [cheers and applause] 1591 01:00:29,829 --> 01:00:31,798 - Let's go, boy! Let's go, boy. 1592 01:00:31,831 --> 01:00:34,100 - He fell on the fifth obstacle in qualifying, 1593 01:00:34,134 --> 01:00:36,970 so this will be his first run at a Warped Wall. 1594 01:00:37,003 --> 01:00:39,472 - He's getting psyched up. - Get up there. Let's go. 1595 01:00:39,506 --> 01:00:41,875 - Cedar Falls, Iowa. 1596 01:00:41,908 --> 01:00:44,444 Right up. No problem on the Warped Wall. 1597 01:00:44,477 --> 01:00:46,413 - That's a Nick Hanson Warped Wall right there. 1598 01:00:46,446 --> 01:00:48,982 - All right, you ready? - I'm ready, baby. Let's go. 1599 01:00:49,015 --> 01:00:51,151 - Go get yours. Go get yours. 1600 01:00:51,184 --> 01:00:53,820 - This rookie trying to make it into the top 15 1601 01:00:53,853 --> 01:00:56,389 so he can move on to the national finals, 1602 01:00:56,423 --> 01:00:58,625 which start in three weeks in Vegas. 1603 01:00:58,658 --> 01:01:01,061 - Just breathe and stay in control. 1604 01:01:01,094 --> 01:01:04,764 - First task is to get past the Salmon Ladder. 1605 01:01:04,798 --> 01:01:07,767 - Stay in control. 1606 01:01:07,801 --> 01:01:10,970 Good. 1607 01:01:11,071 --> 01:01:12,305 - All right, got it. 1608 01:01:12,339 --> 01:01:13,740 Boy, he's looking winded. 1609 01:01:13,773 --> 01:01:15,241 - Yes, yes, yes. - Come on! 1610 01:01:15,275 --> 01:01:16,676 - And this is the one that's taken out 1611 01:01:16,710 --> 01:01:18,378 so many ninjas, Padlock. 1612 01:01:18,411 --> 01:01:20,513 - Good job! Yes! 1613 01:01:20,547 --> 01:01:21,881 [all shouting] 1614 01:01:21,915 --> 01:01:24,384 - He's doing a good job. That was great. 1615 01:01:24,417 --> 01:01:26,453 - I like the way he controlled that all the way down. 1616 01:01:26,486 --> 01:01:28,421 Controlled the speed. There's no speed on that one. 1617 01:01:28,455 --> 01:01:30,557 - And on the second disk here, watch it--if both hands 1618 01:01:30,590 --> 01:01:34,094 get past noon on either side, it is lights out. 1619 01:01:34,094 --> 01:01:35,428 - Nice. Oh! 1620 01:01:35,462 --> 01:01:37,130 - And there it is. [air horn blows] 1621 01:01:37,163 --> 01:01:40,200 Spins off this difficult eighth obstacle, Padlock. 1622 01:01:40,233 --> 01:01:42,836 But a good run from the other Nick Hanson, 1623 01:01:42,869 --> 01:01:44,971 and he's still got a shot to move on to Vegas. 1624 01:01:45,005 --> 01:01:47,007 - You crushed it. - Let's go! 1625 01:01:47,107 --> 01:01:48,341 - Watch it again. 1626 01:01:48,375 --> 01:01:50,410 As soon as he lands on that second padlock, 1627 01:01:50,443 --> 01:01:53,713 it starts to roll him up, and he couldn't stop it. 1628 01:01:53,747 --> 01:01:56,383 This obstacle has been a ninja killer tonight. 1629 01:01:56,416 --> 01:01:57,917 - Let's go to Zuri, who's standing by 1630 01:01:57,951 --> 01:02:00,153 with Nick Hanson and Nick Hanson. 1631 01:02:00,186 --> 01:02:01,955 [both shouting] 1632 01:02:02,055 --> 01:02:03,690 - You crushed it, bro. - Thank you, man. 1633 01:02:03,723 --> 01:02:06,292 - Nick, how do you feel about Other Nick's performance? 1634 01:02:06,326 --> 01:02:07,560 - Dude, I'm telling you right now, 1635 01:02:07,594 --> 01:02:09,662 Nick Hanson was the better ninja today. 1636 01:02:09,696 --> 01:02:11,765 He crushed it. He got to the eighth obstacle. 1637 01:02:11,798 --> 01:02:13,733 That's something that I always aspire to try to get to, 1638 01:02:13,767 --> 01:02:16,436 is past the Salmon Ladder, and he did amazing. 1639 01:02:16,469 --> 01:02:17,771 This is Nick Hanson right here. 1640 01:02:17,804 --> 01:02:19,272 - Let's go! - I love it. I love it. 1641 01:02:19,305 --> 01:02:22,776 Nicks supporting Nicks. Great job out there. 1642 01:02:22,809 --> 01:02:24,477 We'll see if you went far enough fast enough. 1643 01:02:24,511 --> 01:02:26,846 Guys, back to you. - I believe it. 1644 01:02:26,880 --> 01:02:28,581 - Let's do it. - I don't need it. 1645 01:02:28,615 --> 01:02:31,951 - Jay "Lache" Lewis could be headed to the Power Tower. 1646 01:02:31,985 --> 01:02:35,088 Can his coach, Joe Moravsky, join him? 1647 01:02:35,088 --> 01:02:39,159 He's coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 1648 01:02:43,496 --> 01:02:45,799 - We're in Los Angeles, but the last few minutes 1649 01:02:45,832 --> 01:02:47,801 have been all about Iowa, 1650 01:02:47,834 --> 01:02:50,570 with two more corn-fed ninjas hitting the course. 1651 01:02:51,938 --> 01:02:55,442 Cat-crazy Jackson Twait gave his run a kickstart. 1652 01:02:55,475 --> 01:02:57,477 all: Ohh! 1653 01:02:57,510 --> 01:02:59,612 - The ninja known as Cat Daddy 1654 01:02:59,646 --> 01:03:01,548 pounced on the early obstacles. 1655 01:03:01,581 --> 01:03:03,149 [cheers and applause] 1656 01:03:03,183 --> 01:03:05,118 - You can tell, Matt, he's running with a lot of energy. 1657 01:03:05,151 --> 01:03:07,120 Look at that. Meow! - Let's go! 1658 01:03:07,153 --> 01:03:08,555 - Let's go! 1659 01:03:08,588 --> 01:03:10,590 - The fun-loving, full-throttle 1660 01:03:10,623 --> 01:03:12,826 23-year-old from Hudson, Iowa, 1661 01:03:12,859 --> 01:03:15,228 was on pace for the fastest time of the night. 1662 01:03:15,261 --> 01:03:16,763 - Here I go. Talk to you guys later. 1663 01:03:16,796 --> 01:03:18,131 [cheers and applause] 1664 01:03:18,164 --> 01:03:19,733 - But on the eighth obstacle, 1665 01:03:19,766 --> 01:03:23,303 Twait's cat-like reflexes couldn't save him on Padlock. 1666 01:03:23,336 --> 01:03:25,939 - Oh! - Oh. 1667 01:03:25,972 --> 01:03:28,241 But his fast time guaranteed him a spot 1668 01:03:28,274 --> 01:03:29,442 in the top 15. 1669 01:03:29,476 --> 01:03:31,111 - Whoo! 1670 01:03:31,144 --> 01:03:33,580 - Then it was another young Iowa ninja, 1671 01:03:33,613 --> 01:03:35,515 20-year-old Chris Behrends, 1672 01:03:35,548 --> 01:03:38,118 who came out blazing on the early obstacles. 1673 01:03:38,151 --> 01:03:40,854 - He went right through. - Let's go! 1674 01:03:40,887 --> 01:03:43,723 - With the other Iowa boys showing their support, 1675 01:03:43,757 --> 01:03:45,759 the college student from Cedar Falls 1676 01:03:45,792 --> 01:03:47,160 made it interesting. 1677 01:03:47,193 --> 01:03:48,495 Oh! - Whoa, whoa, whoa. 1678 01:03:48,528 --> 01:03:51,364 - One hand! - A one-handed save! 1679 01:03:51,398 --> 01:03:53,600 - But like all the other Iowa ninjas tonight, 1680 01:03:53,633 --> 01:03:56,403 Behrends' run came to an end on Padlock. 1681 01:03:56,436 --> 01:03:57,704 Oh! 1682 01:03:57,737 --> 01:03:59,906 - And another one from Cedar Falls falls. 1683 01:03:59,939 --> 01:04:02,042 - But Zuri got to soften the blow. 1684 01:04:02,042 --> 01:04:03,343 - Nice job, Chris. - Let's go, Chris. 1685 01:04:03,376 --> 01:04:04,444 We love you, baby. 1686 01:04:04,477 --> 01:04:05,478 - Seeing those guys cheering me on... 1687 01:04:05,512 --> 01:04:06,780 - Yeah? - That's what keeps me 1688 01:04:06,813 --> 01:04:08,314 going every day, so it's really great to have them. 1689 01:04:08,348 --> 01:04:09,516 - Well, I've got some good news. 1690 01:04:09,549 --> 01:04:10,950 They'll be cheering you on in Vegas, 1691 01:04:11,051 --> 01:04:12,552 because that is where you're headed, my friend. 1692 01:04:12,585 --> 01:04:14,087 Congratulations. 1693 01:04:14,120 --> 01:04:17,157 [all cheering] 1694 01:04:18,892 --> 01:04:22,095 - Well, here comes another energetic young ninja. 1695 01:04:22,128 --> 01:04:23,396 Oh! 1696 01:04:23,430 --> 01:04:24,864 - Look at that. He's showing out already. 1697 01:04:24,898 --> 01:04:27,434 - Well, this is 17-year-old True Becker, 1698 01:04:27,467 --> 01:04:29,302 who's starting at Tufts University 1699 01:04:29,336 --> 01:04:30,570 in just a few weeks. 1700 01:04:30,603 --> 01:04:32,405 With ninja and academics, 1701 01:04:32,439 --> 01:04:34,708 his life is in perfect harmony. 1702 01:04:34,741 --> 01:04:37,210 [upbeat music] 1703 01:04:37,243 --> 01:04:39,279 - I think I'll pack all my clothes, 1704 01:04:39,312 --> 01:04:41,081 and I'll steal some of your guys' too, 1705 01:04:41,081 --> 01:04:43,550 so I don't have to do any laundry at all. 1706 01:04:43,583 --> 01:04:46,619 In the fall, I'm going to Tufts University. 1707 01:04:46,653 --> 01:04:48,655 It basically checked every box I wanted. 1708 01:04:48,688 --> 01:04:52,359 But there's under a 10% acceptance rate this year, 1709 01:04:52,392 --> 01:04:54,094 so I knew I had to stand out. 1710 01:04:54,094 --> 01:04:56,563 For me, that's "Ninja Warrior" and a cappella. 1711 01:04:56,596 --> 01:04:57,964 Two, three. 1712 01:04:57,997 --> 01:05:00,166 all: * Now is the month of maying * 1713 01:05:00,200 --> 01:05:03,636 * When merry lads are playing, fa-la-la, la-la, la-la * 1714 01:05:03,670 --> 01:05:06,473 - My sophomore year, I had founded an a cappella group. 1715 01:05:06,506 --> 01:05:09,275 all: * Each with his bonny lass * 1716 01:05:09,309 --> 01:05:11,311 - After that, I started arranging some songs 1717 01:05:11,344 --> 01:05:12,712 for the group itself. 1718 01:05:12,746 --> 01:05:14,214 I started finding more and more gigs. 1719 01:05:14,247 --> 01:05:15,715 I started getting more members. 1720 01:05:15,749 --> 01:05:18,651 all: * La, la * 1721 01:05:18,685 --> 01:05:20,820 * Fa-la-la, la-la, la-la * 1722 01:05:20,854 --> 01:05:23,289 - I think performing in general has just made 1723 01:05:23,323 --> 01:05:26,126 "American Ninja Warrior" the perfect thing for me. 1724 01:05:26,159 --> 01:05:27,894 I'm fine with lights in my face 1725 01:05:27,927 --> 01:05:29,195 and all of the pressure. 1726 01:05:29,229 --> 01:05:31,398 Yes! Let's go! Let's go! 1727 01:05:31,431 --> 01:05:33,266 - He is looking impressive. 1728 01:05:33,299 --> 01:05:35,435 - I actually wrote my college essay 1729 01:05:35,468 --> 01:05:38,204 on "Ninja Warrior," about overcoming obstacles. 1730 01:05:38,238 --> 01:05:40,373 So if I can hit a buzzer on "American Ninja Warrior," 1731 01:05:40,407 --> 01:05:42,275 knowing that I've achieved one of the things 1732 01:05:42,308 --> 01:05:43,777 that I've wanted to achieve my whole life 1733 01:05:43,810 --> 01:05:45,645 going into freshman year, that would be amazing. 1734 01:05:50,950 --> 01:05:52,152 - True Becker's started his run, 1735 01:05:52,185 --> 01:05:54,854 and he's already through three obstacles. 1736 01:05:54,888 --> 01:05:56,122 - It's your course, True. 1737 01:05:56,156 --> 01:05:57,991 - There's his mom on the sideline. 1738 01:05:58,091 --> 01:05:59,826 He's also got a special guest. 1739 01:05:59,859 --> 01:06:03,229 It's Jumbo the Elephant, the Tufts University mascot. 1740 01:06:03,263 --> 01:06:05,432 - Okay, Big Dog. - [trumpeting] 1741 01:06:05,465 --> 01:06:06,800 - But Becker doesn't want to move 1742 01:06:06,833 --> 01:06:08,935 like an elephant here on Spinning Bridge. 1743 01:06:09,035 --> 01:06:10,136 - Oh! - Whoa! 1744 01:06:10,170 --> 01:06:11,237 Did you see that Big Dog? - Oh! 1745 01:06:11,271 --> 01:06:12,706 - Let's go! 1746 01:06:12,739 --> 01:06:15,608 - He flew like Superman. Peep this again! 1747 01:06:15,642 --> 01:06:18,244 He just goes airborne over that last ball 1748 01:06:18,278 --> 01:06:19,846 and tumbles across. 1749 01:06:19,879 --> 01:06:21,214 Okay! 1750 01:06:21,247 --> 01:06:23,383 - Bounced back up, and now, the soon-to-be 1751 01:06:23,416 --> 01:06:25,618 engineering student is gonna try to master 1752 01:06:25,652 --> 01:06:28,121 this fifth obstacle, Wall to Wall. 1753 01:06:28,154 --> 01:06:30,457 - He fell on that fifth obstacle in qualifying. 1754 01:06:30,490 --> 01:06:32,459 And he said that ain't happening again. 1755 01:06:32,492 --> 01:06:34,394 He's got to go airborne again. Nice. 1756 01:06:34,427 --> 01:06:36,796 - Akbar, he is moving with such a good pace 1757 01:06:36,830 --> 01:06:38,465 and yet looking very efficient. 1758 01:06:38,498 --> 01:06:40,300 Watch the drop. Absorb it. 1759 01:06:40,333 --> 01:06:42,335 Perfect. Just 145 pounds. 1760 01:06:42,369 --> 01:06:45,338 You can see that handle bouncing up and down. 1761 01:06:45,372 --> 01:06:46,840 And he is through. 1762 01:06:46,873 --> 01:06:49,376 This teenager's about to face the Warped Wall 1763 01:06:49,409 --> 01:06:51,444 for the first time in competition. 1764 01:06:51,478 --> 01:06:53,780 - You got this. - True, you got this, True! 1765 01:06:53,813 --> 01:06:55,715 all: [chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1766 01:06:55,749 --> 01:06:56,916 - Let's go, True. 1767 01:06:56,950 --> 01:06:59,652 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1768 01:06:59,686 --> 01:07:01,755 - And he is up. No problem. 1769 01:07:01,788 --> 01:07:03,823 - Ohh! - There's his dad and brother 1770 01:07:03,857 --> 01:07:06,760 cheering him on from back home in Massachusetts. 1771 01:07:06,793 --> 01:07:08,528 Only a few runners left. 1772 01:07:08,561 --> 01:07:11,598 If True Becker can get through that eighth obstacle, 1773 01:07:11,631 --> 01:07:13,466 he'll just about guarantee himself a spot 1774 01:07:13,500 --> 01:07:15,101 at the national finals. 1775 01:07:15,135 --> 01:07:17,404 - True, you got this! All you! 1776 01:07:17,437 --> 01:07:19,572 - This will be his first time facing the Salmon Ladder 1777 01:07:19,606 --> 01:07:20,707 in competition. 1778 01:07:20,740 --> 01:07:23,343 Gotta make it up four rungs. 1779 01:07:24,878 --> 01:07:26,379 - Good. - Nice. 1780 01:07:26,413 --> 01:07:27,881 - That's the way you supposed to do a Salmon Ladder. 1781 01:07:27,914 --> 01:07:29,849 You want to, right, go upstream, just like that. 1782 01:07:29,883 --> 01:07:31,084 - Now it's Padlock. 1783 01:07:31,117 --> 01:07:32,786 We've talked about it all night. 1784 01:07:32,819 --> 01:07:35,388 It has been turning ninjas upside-down. 1785 01:07:35,422 --> 01:07:37,090 - When he gets on that college campus, 1786 01:07:37,123 --> 01:07:38,725 he's gonna know all about this padlock. 1787 01:07:38,758 --> 01:07:41,094 Padlock your bike. Padlock everything up. 1788 01:07:41,127 --> 01:07:44,064 - This second padlock's so tough. 1789 01:07:44,064 --> 01:07:45,398 Got it. 1790 01:07:46,833 --> 01:07:48,968 - He's stuck like he was superglued. 1791 01:07:49,069 --> 01:07:50,537 - Get that cleat on the bottom, 1792 01:07:50,570 --> 01:07:52,172 then you gotta drop down. 1793 01:07:52,205 --> 01:07:55,709 - Yeah, he's 5'7", 145 pounds. - Let's go, True. 1794 01:07:55,742 --> 01:07:57,310 - Look at the flexibility. 1795 01:07:57,344 --> 01:07:58,845 - Nice. - Oh, that is just impressive. 1796 01:07:58,878 --> 01:08:00,413 - He's really trying to control it. 1797 01:08:00,447 --> 01:08:03,383 Now he's got to superglue himself to this one. Nice. 1798 01:08:03,416 --> 01:08:05,018 - Now, this one does not fully rotate. 1799 01:08:05,051 --> 01:08:06,386 It will lock out there. 1800 01:08:06,419 --> 01:08:07,887 - When you got a name like True, 1801 01:08:07,921 --> 01:08:09,856 you know you gotta come out here and compete. 1802 01:08:09,889 --> 01:08:12,392 - Going for a push here. Trying to keep it locked. 1803 01:08:12,425 --> 01:08:13,693 - Wow. - Let's go! 1804 01:08:13,727 --> 01:08:16,129 - And True Becker, the 17-year-old, 1805 01:08:16,162 --> 01:08:18,832 has made it through eight obstacles. 1806 01:08:18,865 --> 01:08:21,034 He's headed for Split Decision. 1807 01:08:21,067 --> 01:08:23,036 - Matt, he's pointing at the buzzer. 1808 01:08:23,069 --> 01:08:24,704 At the Spider Trap. He wants it. 1809 01:08:24,738 --> 01:08:26,639 - Well, first he has a choice to make. 1810 01:08:26,673 --> 01:08:29,542 And he's spinning the wheel to decide on Split Decision. 1811 01:08:29,576 --> 01:08:31,277 True just pointed to the Inverter. 1812 01:08:31,311 --> 01:08:33,780 - All you, all you, all you. - Matt, he's smiling. 1813 01:08:33,813 --> 01:08:35,448 Doesn't look like his arms are tired. 1814 01:08:35,482 --> 01:08:39,319 So maybe this is a good move to try Inverter. 1815 01:08:39,352 --> 01:08:41,054 He's gotta be able to reach out, go get it. 1816 01:08:41,087 --> 01:08:42,589 Nice. 1817 01:08:42,622 --> 01:08:44,057 - Wow. Great job. 1818 01:08:44,090 --> 01:08:45,225 - And you can see him traverse it up there. 1819 01:08:45,258 --> 01:08:46,493 Now it's a big reach. 1820 01:08:46,526 --> 01:08:47,861 - Now, big reach here to the handle. 1821 01:08:47,894 --> 01:08:49,963 - At 5'7", he's really gotta get up there. 1822 01:08:50,063 --> 01:08:51,898 - Wow! 1823 01:08:51,931 --> 01:08:53,366 Akbar, what have we done 1824 01:08:53,400 --> 01:08:55,602 letting these young kids on this course? 1825 01:08:55,635 --> 01:08:56,803 - Ooh, this kid is the truth. 1826 01:08:56,836 --> 01:08:57,804 - He's gonna just take that fall. 1827 01:08:57,837 --> 01:08:59,072 - Nice. Wow! 1828 01:08:59,072 --> 01:09:00,674 - Let's go! 1829 01:09:00,707 --> 01:09:02,776 - That was amazing technique. - He's going for the dismount! 1830 01:09:02,809 --> 01:09:04,644 - To get up so he can make that grab. 1831 01:09:04,678 --> 01:09:06,746 Yes! - Let's go! 1832 01:09:06,780 --> 01:09:09,382 - True Becker. He pointed at the buzzer. 1833 01:09:09,416 --> 01:09:11,017 - He called it out. - He's 35 feet away. 1834 01:09:11,017 --> 01:09:13,887 - Who does he think he is, Babe Ruth? He's called it. 1835 01:09:13,920 --> 01:09:15,455 - He's not gonna beat Jay Lewis 1836 01:09:15,488 --> 01:09:16,656 for the fastest time, 1837 01:09:16,690 --> 01:09:18,425 but he can still catch Amir Malik 1838 01:09:18,458 --> 01:09:20,126 for second fastest, 1839 01:09:20,160 --> 01:09:22,462 which would put him in line for the Power Tower. 1840 01:09:22,495 --> 01:09:23,830 - 145 pounds. 1841 01:09:23,863 --> 01:09:25,465 He's got 100-pound doors he's got to push up. 1842 01:09:25,498 --> 01:09:27,033 - Look at him. He's smiling. 1843 01:09:27,033 --> 01:09:28,868 - And he's showing he's got his strength. 1844 01:09:28,902 --> 01:09:31,037 I don't know if he's smiling. I think he's grimacing. 1845 01:09:31,037 --> 01:09:35,041 - He's gonna be the big man on campus at Tufts University. 1846 01:09:35,041 --> 01:09:36,443 - Boy, he is on cloud nine right now. 1847 01:09:36,476 --> 01:09:37,444 - This is remarkable. 1848 01:09:37,477 --> 01:09:40,347 - 30 feet up. 35 feet, Matt. 1849 01:09:40,380 --> 01:09:43,149 - He just destroyed this course. 1850 01:09:43,183 --> 01:09:45,919 - He's showing he's got some muscles on him. 1851 01:09:45,952 --> 01:09:50,357 - I know this much is true, this kid had a phenomenal run, 1852 01:09:50,390 --> 01:09:52,926 and he's going to Vegas. [buzzer blaring] 1853 01:09:52,959 --> 01:09:57,664 - Let's go! - Yes! Whoo! 1854 01:09:57,697 --> 01:09:59,466 [upbeat music] 1855 01:09:59,499 --> 01:10:01,968 - Oh! - Oh, man. 1856 01:10:02,002 --> 01:10:05,505 He pointed it out. He called it. 1857 01:10:05,538 --> 01:10:10,276 [cheering] 1858 01:10:10,310 --> 01:10:12,245 - Well, True, I got a question, man. 1859 01:10:12,278 --> 01:10:14,647 Have you ever been to Las Vegas? 1860 01:10:14,681 --> 01:10:15,715 - Never been to Vegas. 1861 01:10:15,749 --> 01:10:17,150 - Well, pack your bags, buddy... 1862 01:10:17,183 --> 01:10:18,485 - Yes! - 'Cause you are going. 1863 01:10:18,518 --> 01:10:19,753 - Yeah. 1864 01:10:19,786 --> 01:10:21,521 - True Becker, 17 years old, 1865 01:10:21,554 --> 01:10:22,989 you're going to Vegas, buddy. 1866 01:10:23,023 --> 01:10:24,457 - Yes! 1867 01:10:24,491 --> 01:10:27,627 - Well, he called his shot, pointing to the buzzer, 1868 01:10:27,660 --> 01:10:29,996 then got there by conquering the Inverter 1869 01:10:30,030 --> 01:10:32,599 and battling his way up the Spider Trap 1870 01:10:32,632 --> 01:10:36,136 to become the second teenager to finish our course tonight. 1871 01:10:36,169 --> 01:10:37,871 - Yes! 1872 01:10:40,573 --> 01:10:42,676 - And we're gonna keep the good times rolling 1873 01:10:42,709 --> 01:10:43,977 with our next competitor. 1874 01:10:44,010 --> 01:10:45,879 Zuri, take it away. 1875 01:10:45,912 --> 01:10:48,114 - Nothing is Zimpossible 1876 01:10:48,148 --> 01:10:50,717 when our next ninja hits the course. 1877 01:10:50,750 --> 01:10:54,354 Sandy Zimmerman was the first mom ever to hit a buzzer, 1878 01:10:54,387 --> 01:10:55,989 and at 44, 1879 01:10:56,022 --> 01:10:59,359 she's also the oldest woman in this year's semifinals, 1880 01:10:59,392 --> 01:11:02,262 trying to earn her first trip to Las Vegas. 1881 01:11:02,295 --> 01:11:03,596 - Sandy will have her husband 1882 01:11:03,630 --> 01:11:06,533 and three kids watching back in Spokane, 1883 01:11:06,566 --> 01:11:08,468 along with a big bunch of supporters. 1884 01:11:08,501 --> 01:11:10,437 - Yeah, check out the giant Sandy heads. 1885 01:11:10,470 --> 01:11:12,138 They are big fans. 1886 01:11:12,172 --> 01:11:14,708 [countdown beeping] 1887 01:11:14,741 --> 01:11:16,343 At 44 years old, she's better 1888 01:11:16,376 --> 01:11:18,211 than when she was competing in her 30s. 1889 01:11:18,244 --> 01:11:19,579 - She is a bulldog. 1890 01:11:19,612 --> 01:11:21,081 That's what her dad nicknamed her in judo. 1891 01:11:21,114 --> 01:11:23,917 Of course, won a championship in the Tacoma Dome. 1892 01:11:23,950 --> 01:11:25,885 Now facing Double Twister. 1893 01:11:25,919 --> 01:11:27,387 Last time she competed in LA, 1894 01:11:27,420 --> 01:11:28,722 back in season nine, 1895 01:11:28,755 --> 01:11:31,558 she had a nasty fall on the second obstacle. 1896 01:11:31,591 --> 01:11:34,094 But she is a different ninja now. 1897 01:11:34,094 --> 01:11:35,395 - She wants to hit a buzzer tonight. 1898 01:11:35,428 --> 01:11:37,430 She says she has what it takes to conquer 1899 01:11:37,464 --> 01:11:39,332 all ten obstacles and finish. 1900 01:11:39,366 --> 01:11:41,134 - Well, if Sandy wants to move on, 1901 01:11:41,167 --> 01:11:43,603 she needs to at least get to the eighth obstacle 1902 01:11:43,636 --> 01:11:47,240 faster than Cara Mack, who's on the bubble right now. 1903 01:11:47,273 --> 01:11:50,110 Next up for Sandy, Ring Chaser. 1904 01:11:50,143 --> 01:11:51,945 Racing after that ring. 1905 01:11:51,978 --> 01:11:54,881 Oh, no. - Uh-oh. Uh-oh. 1906 01:11:54,914 --> 01:11:56,483 - Come on. - Staying calm, 1907 01:11:56,516 --> 01:11:59,119 but the difficulty level just got ratcheted up. 1908 01:11:59,119 --> 01:12:01,688 And you can see, much smaller diameter on this handle. 1909 01:12:01,721 --> 01:12:03,690 - When stuff gets tough, stay calm. 1910 01:12:03,723 --> 01:12:05,225 - Still trying to pull back... 1911 01:12:05,258 --> 01:12:06,559 - I see you, Mama Zimmerman. - And launch. 1912 01:12:06,593 --> 01:12:07,861 - I see you. - And you can see-- 1913 01:12:07,894 --> 01:12:09,295 look at the rings sliding on that first-- 1914 01:12:09,329 --> 01:12:10,597 - Oh! - It slid ride off. 1915 01:12:10,630 --> 01:12:11,765 - You called it! 1916 01:12:11,798 --> 01:12:13,066 - You could see it sliding, Akbar. 1917 01:12:13,066 --> 01:12:15,802 - Oh, man! Too much of a swing! 1918 01:12:15,835 --> 01:12:17,904 - And you can see the frustration 1919 01:12:17,937 --> 01:12:20,273 for Sandy Zimmerman. 1920 01:12:20,306 --> 01:12:23,076 - That hook is only about six inches long, 1921 01:12:23,076 --> 01:12:24,978 so when you start swinging your body, 1922 01:12:25,078 --> 01:12:27,113 it's easy to slide off the end. 1923 01:12:27,147 --> 01:12:28,982 Sandy probably should have gone for it 1924 01:12:29,082 --> 01:12:30,483 on her first swing. 1925 01:12:30,517 --> 01:12:34,954 She waited and slid right off. 1926 01:12:34,988 --> 01:12:37,090 - Sandy Zimmerman's disappointed. 1927 01:12:37,123 --> 01:12:40,093 But it does guarantee Cara Mack a spot 1928 01:12:40,126 --> 01:12:41,294 at the national finals. 1929 01:12:41,327 --> 01:12:44,230 Sandy will have to wait till next year. 1930 01:12:52,706 --> 01:12:54,107 - We're under the bright lights 1931 01:12:54,107 --> 01:12:56,309 here at Universal Studios, 1932 01:12:56,343 --> 01:12:58,445 and minutes ago, Devin Harrelson, 1933 01:12:58,478 --> 01:13:02,382 AKA Dougie Fresh, lit up our course. 1934 01:13:02,415 --> 01:13:03,850 - Light 'em up. Light 'em up. 1935 01:13:03,883 --> 01:13:06,319 - He even brought a special pair of kicks for Zuri. 1936 01:13:06,353 --> 01:13:07,520 - Dougie's got me fresh. 1937 01:13:07,554 --> 01:13:09,456 I'm ready for his run. Let's go. 1938 01:13:09,489 --> 01:13:11,057 - And the flashy 36-year-old 1939 01:13:11,091 --> 01:13:13,793 from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, 1940 01:13:13,827 --> 01:13:17,430 was fresh as always on the course. 1941 01:13:17,464 --> 01:13:21,234 - Whoo-hoo-hoo! Whoo! Y'all see that? 1942 01:13:21,267 --> 01:13:24,170 - He's looking around like, "What just happened?" 1943 01:13:24,204 --> 01:13:25,739 - The seven-year veteran made it 1944 01:13:25,772 --> 01:13:27,173 to the back half... - Nice. 1945 01:13:27,207 --> 01:13:28,174 - And was closing in 1946 01:13:28,208 --> 01:13:29,542 on his first trip to Vegas. 1947 01:13:29,576 --> 01:13:33,246 - Oh, he's going backwards. Uh-oh. 1948 01:13:33,279 --> 01:13:36,316 - A high-risk move out of Dougie Fresh. 1949 01:13:36,349 --> 01:13:37,784 - What? Why? 1950 01:13:37,817 --> 01:13:40,920 - That wasn't-- that wasn't fresh. 1951 01:13:40,954 --> 01:13:43,556 - Then it was our final teenager of the night, 1952 01:13:43,590 --> 01:13:45,525 Colorado's Kaden Lebsack. 1953 01:13:45,558 --> 01:13:47,360 In qualifying, the 15-year-old 1954 01:13:47,394 --> 01:13:49,629 put up the fastest time of the night, 1955 01:13:49,662 --> 01:13:52,532 and he didn't slow down any for the semifinals. 1956 01:13:52,565 --> 01:13:54,668 - Oh! Look at that! 1957 01:13:54,701 --> 01:13:57,337 - The soon-to-be high school junior continued to show 1958 01:13:57,370 --> 01:14:00,440 why some think he's the best ninja on the planet. 1959 01:14:00,473 --> 01:14:02,609 - He's got to show that upper-body strength. 1960 01:14:02,642 --> 01:14:06,713 - The rookie got past Padlock. - Yes! 1961 01:14:06,746 --> 01:14:08,248 - And the Inverter. 1962 01:14:08,281 --> 01:14:09,749 - Oh. Okay. 1963 01:14:09,783 --> 01:14:11,451 - And climbed his way to the top. 1964 01:14:11,484 --> 01:14:12,886 - Yeah! 1965 01:14:12,919 --> 01:14:14,688 - Putting up the second fastest 1966 01:14:14,721 --> 01:14:16,489 finish of the night. 1967 01:14:16,523 --> 01:14:17,824 Congratulations, buddy. 1968 01:14:17,857 --> 01:14:20,293 Look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas. 1969 01:14:23,163 --> 01:14:25,231 So right now, Kaden Lebsack's in line 1970 01:14:25,265 --> 01:14:27,701 to go to the Power Tower, where he'd face 1971 01:14:27,734 --> 01:14:31,671 another teenager, 17-year-old Jay "Lache" Lewis, 1972 01:14:31,705 --> 01:14:33,573 who has the fastest finish of the night. 1973 01:14:33,606 --> 01:14:36,076 But there's one more runner to go. 1974 01:14:36,076 --> 01:14:40,447 - Matt, Akbar, there is a storm brewing over Universal Studios, 1975 01:14:40,480 --> 01:14:43,750 because the Weatherman is headed to the start line. 1976 01:14:43,783 --> 01:14:46,219 Joe Moravsky has reached the national finals 1977 01:14:46,252 --> 01:14:48,088 every year he's competed. 1978 01:14:48,121 --> 01:14:49,789 And with that Safety Pass on the line, 1979 01:14:49,823 --> 01:14:51,624 you know he's gonna move fast. 1980 01:14:51,658 --> 01:14:53,093 - Joe's got his family watching 1981 01:14:53,093 --> 01:14:54,461 from back in Connecticut, 1982 01:14:54,494 --> 01:14:56,196 including his wife Stephanie, 1983 01:14:56,229 --> 01:14:58,698 who's watching with their baby boy Dylan. 1984 01:14:58,732 --> 01:15:02,168 Watching closely will be his student, Jay Lewis. 1985 01:15:02,202 --> 01:15:04,571 - Just like practice, Moravsky. You got this, dude. 1986 01:15:04,604 --> 01:15:07,640 - If Joe has a good run here, it could be student 1987 01:15:07,674 --> 01:15:10,243 versus teacher on the Power Tower. 1988 01:15:10,276 --> 01:15:13,179 [countdown beeping] - Whoo! 1989 01:15:13,213 --> 01:15:16,282 - And we'll see right away if Joe's gonna play it safe 1990 01:15:16,316 --> 01:15:18,451 or if he's gonna go for a fast time. 1991 01:15:18,485 --> 01:15:20,754 - But it looks like he's gonna go for it. 1992 01:15:20,787 --> 01:15:22,322 - Oh! He's going for speed. Look at him. 1993 01:15:22,355 --> 01:15:23,623 Oh, he's not messing around. 1994 01:15:23,656 --> 01:15:25,325 - He wants to remind these young bucks 1995 01:15:25,358 --> 01:15:27,727 that old Papa Storm Clouds is coming. 1996 01:15:27,761 --> 01:15:29,596 - Come on, Joe. - Matt, we could see him 1997 01:15:29,629 --> 01:15:31,931 going up against his apprentice. 1998 01:15:33,733 --> 01:15:35,602 - Makes the grab on Ring Chaser. 1999 01:15:35,635 --> 01:15:37,137 - You can see, he's locked in. 2000 01:15:37,170 --> 01:15:40,407 He doesn't have the smiles. He's going for it. 2001 01:15:40,440 --> 01:15:41,975 - Now, keep in mind, though, Akbar, 2002 01:15:42,075 --> 01:15:44,377 even the greats are prone to missteps. 2003 01:15:44,411 --> 01:15:46,079 - You got it, Joe. 2004 01:15:46,079 --> 01:15:48,815 - Well, I think Joe Moravsky, he wants it badly this year. 2005 01:15:48,848 --> 01:15:51,217 - Oh! - Oh, my goodness! A stumble. 2006 01:15:51,251 --> 01:15:52,652 - And he survives it. 2007 01:15:52,686 --> 01:15:55,321 But a close call like that will slow you down. 2008 01:15:55,355 --> 01:15:57,357 - That was the one I was worried about. 2009 01:15:57,390 --> 01:15:59,325 - The balance obstacle's what he was worried about. 2010 01:15:59,359 --> 01:16:00,694 But now he's gotta regroup. 2011 01:16:00,727 --> 01:16:04,330 Still has six more obstacles to go. 2012 01:16:04,364 --> 01:16:07,133 - You got it. Come on. 2013 01:16:07,167 --> 01:16:08,735 - Little trouble getting the momentum. 2014 01:16:08,768 --> 01:16:10,236 - He's trying to-- he's trying to work it. 2015 01:16:10,270 --> 01:16:11,805 - All right. All right. Focus. 2016 01:16:11,838 --> 01:16:13,340 - You can hear him. He said, "Focus." 2017 01:16:13,373 --> 01:16:14,507 He wants to stay focused. 2018 01:16:14,541 --> 01:16:16,042 For a long time, people have said, 2019 01:16:16,042 --> 01:16:19,045 "Can Joe Moravsky be the next American Ninja Warrior"? 2020 01:16:19,045 --> 01:16:21,948 - Well, he improves his chances if he goes to Vegas 2021 01:16:22,048 --> 01:16:24,150 with that Safety Pass in his pocket. 2022 01:16:24,184 --> 01:16:26,720 Look at this! Right through it. 2023 01:16:26,753 --> 01:16:29,089 - Yeah, let's go, Joe. - Jay Lewis getting excited. 2024 01:16:29,122 --> 01:16:31,124 You know he'd love to race against his coach 2025 01:16:31,157 --> 01:16:34,127 on the Power Tower. 2026 01:16:34,160 --> 01:16:35,929 No problem up the wall. 2027 01:16:35,962 --> 01:16:38,198 And he's headed to the back half. 2028 01:16:38,231 --> 01:16:41,634 Joe's parents and sister also watching back in Connecticut. 2029 01:16:41,668 --> 01:16:42,736 - Joe trying to catch his breath 2030 01:16:42,769 --> 01:16:44,371 before the final obstacles. 2031 01:16:44,404 --> 01:16:46,539 - Right now, Joe's got a little over two minutes 2032 01:16:46,573 --> 01:16:48,742 if he wants to beat Kaden Lebsack 2033 01:16:48,775 --> 01:16:51,277 and grab the other spot on the Power Tower. 2034 01:16:51,311 --> 01:16:53,747 Needs to keep it moving here on the Salmon Ladder. 2035 01:16:53,780 --> 01:16:55,849 - Ooh. - Joe's gotta pick it up. 2036 01:16:55,882 --> 01:16:57,617 - All right. Nice. 2037 01:16:57,650 --> 01:16:58,818 He's showing he's got a rhythm. 2038 01:16:58,852 --> 01:17:01,321 Now, this is it: Padlock. 2039 01:17:01,354 --> 01:17:03,556 - Easy to make a mistake here, Akbar. 2040 01:17:03,590 --> 01:17:05,492 This obstacle has taken out more ninjas 2041 01:17:05,525 --> 01:17:07,160 than any other tonight. 2042 01:17:07,193 --> 01:17:09,029 - Whoa! Okay. You see that? 2043 01:17:09,062 --> 01:17:10,597 Now, this is where he's gotta see himself. 2044 01:17:10,630 --> 01:17:11,898 He's gotta get up high enough 2045 01:17:11,931 --> 01:17:13,600 so he can make that grab. Nice. 2046 01:17:13,633 --> 01:17:15,402 - Well, this has been the most challenging part 2047 01:17:15,435 --> 01:17:16,870 of this obstacle: getting the hands down 2048 01:17:16,903 --> 01:17:19,406 to the bottom of this second padlock. 2049 01:17:19,439 --> 01:17:21,441 - And he's been watching some of his younger students 2050 01:17:21,474 --> 01:17:22,909 go through it. 2051 01:17:22,942 --> 01:17:24,844 - And Moravsky figures it out. 2052 01:17:24,878 --> 01:17:28,782 This old dog is looking salty on the course, Akbar. 2053 01:17:28,815 --> 01:17:32,052 - Uh-oh. Watch out. Watch out. He's riding it. Riding it. 2054 01:17:32,052 --> 01:17:33,420 - And he is through. 2055 01:17:33,453 --> 01:17:35,088 He's got a great pace to this point. 2056 01:17:35,121 --> 01:17:37,257 He's got over a minute to catch Kaden Lebsack, 2057 01:17:37,290 --> 01:17:40,126 so will he try Tuning Forks here at Split Decision? 2058 01:17:40,160 --> 01:17:42,962 - Yeah, that's sketchy. - He says that's sketchy. 2059 01:17:43,063 --> 01:17:44,831 And he's right. Only one ninja, 2060 01:17:44,864 --> 01:17:46,433 Rachel Degutz, has attempted 2061 01:17:46,466 --> 01:17:49,169 Tuning Forks tonight, and she did not get through. 2062 01:17:49,202 --> 01:17:50,970 - Nope. - Oh, he said, "Nope." 2063 01:17:51,071 --> 01:17:52,238 - He's going to Inverter, 2064 01:17:52,272 --> 01:17:54,074 which will take longer to get across, 2065 01:17:54,074 --> 01:17:57,077 but we've seen four other ninjas conquer it tonight. 2066 01:17:57,077 --> 01:18:00,080 Clock is ticking if he wants one of those top two times. 2067 01:18:00,113 --> 01:18:02,415 - Yeah, Joe Moravsky's definitely gotta push it 2068 01:18:02,449 --> 01:18:04,284 if he wants to get to the Power Tower. 2069 01:18:04,317 --> 01:18:06,386 - Moravsky has some experience on the Cliffhanger. 2070 01:18:06,419 --> 01:18:10,023 This is just such a diabolical obstacle here. 2071 01:18:10,023 --> 01:18:11,391 Look at him. 2072 01:18:11,424 --> 01:18:12,826 - He can go now, Matt. 2073 01:18:12,859 --> 01:18:14,227 Once he gets going, he'll fly. 2074 01:18:14,260 --> 01:18:15,562 And I think right now, 2075 01:18:15,595 --> 01:18:17,330 just wants to make sure he can secure this grab. 2076 01:18:17,364 --> 01:18:19,265 - This is a real challenge. - Whoa! 2077 01:18:19,299 --> 01:18:20,633 - Moravsky! 2078 01:18:20,667 --> 01:18:22,235 - Okay, 'cause that thing, it will swivel. 2079 01:18:22,268 --> 01:18:24,037 - He's got a shot, Akbar! 2080 01:18:24,037 --> 01:18:27,040 A little over 30 seconds to catch Kaden Lebsack 2081 01:18:27,073 --> 01:18:28,875 for the second fastest time. 2082 01:18:28,908 --> 01:18:32,545 Oh, does he have the strength? The old-man strength! 2083 01:18:32,579 --> 01:18:34,047 - Matt, it's not just the teenagers 2084 01:18:34,047 --> 01:18:35,448 that can go fast. 2085 01:18:35,482 --> 01:18:38,251 "I can call the weather and I can hit a buzzer." 2086 01:18:38,284 --> 01:18:40,754 - Oh, my goodness! 20 seconds! 2087 01:18:40,787 --> 01:18:42,655 - Uh-oh, he's starting to slow down a little bit. 2088 01:18:42,689 --> 01:18:46,192 He goes, "Hold on, now. I'm not 17 anymore." 2089 01:18:46,226 --> 01:18:49,229 - 32 years old, the father of three. 2090 01:18:49,262 --> 01:18:51,698 - He's still trying to get them heavy doors up. 2091 01:18:51,731 --> 01:18:53,633 Whoa, Joe, come on. You gotta go, Joe. 2092 01:18:53,667 --> 01:18:55,168 - Almost there! 2093 01:18:55,201 --> 01:18:59,072 He's not the fastest, but he is the second fastest. 2094 01:18:59,072 --> 01:19:01,808 Joe Moravsky, the Weatherman. 2095 01:19:01,841 --> 01:19:04,077 - * The best is yet to come * 2096 01:19:04,110 --> 01:19:06,246 - Great run, Joe. 2097 01:19:06,279 --> 01:19:09,416 - Whoo! 2098 01:19:10,817 --> 01:19:12,752 - Matt, you want to tell him how fast he went? 2099 01:19:12,786 --> 01:19:14,320 - Joe... - I didn't beat him. I know. 2100 01:19:14,354 --> 01:19:16,389 - No, you didn't catch your buddy Jay Lewis 2101 01:19:16,423 --> 01:19:17,724 for the fastest time. - I know. 2102 01:19:17,757 --> 01:19:20,560 - The good news is, second fastest, Joe. 2103 01:19:20,593 --> 01:19:22,595 You're going to the Power Tower! 2104 01:19:22,629 --> 01:19:24,230 - Whoo! 2105 01:19:24,264 --> 01:19:28,134 [cheers and applause] 2106 01:19:28,168 --> 01:19:30,403 Whoo! 2107 01:19:30,437 --> 01:19:32,439 - Up next, what a matchup. 2108 01:19:32,472 --> 01:19:37,043 It's the master, 32-year-old ninja veteran Joe Moravsky, 2109 01:19:37,043 --> 01:19:40,480 racing against his apprentice, 17-year-old rookie 2110 01:19:40,513 --> 01:19:43,550 Jay "Lache" Lewis, and it's coming up next 2111 01:19:43,583 --> 01:19:46,786 on "American Ninja Warrior." 2112 01:19:52,492 --> 01:19:54,060 - Welcome back to the final moments 2113 01:19:54,060 --> 01:19:55,495 of tonight's semifinals. 2114 01:19:55,528 --> 01:19:58,531 And we're gonna end the night 40 feet in the air 2115 01:19:58,565 --> 01:20:00,233 on the Power Tower. 2116 01:20:00,266 --> 01:20:03,370 Our two fastest finishers are gonna race head-to-head. 2117 01:20:03,403 --> 01:20:06,006 The winner earns the coveted Safety Pass, 2118 01:20:06,039 --> 01:20:09,376 a do-over if you fall in the national finals. 2119 01:20:09,409 --> 01:20:12,579 Akbar, this felt inevitable. 2120 01:20:12,612 --> 01:20:16,616 Here it is, Jay "Lache" Lewis, 17 years old, 2121 01:20:16,649 --> 01:20:19,886 going up against the Weatherman, Joe Moravsky. 2122 01:20:19,919 --> 01:20:21,921 And what a difference between these two. 2123 01:20:21,955 --> 01:20:24,090 - Yes, some big differences. 2124 01:20:24,124 --> 01:20:27,560 Joe's 15 years older and much heavier than Jay Lewis, 2125 01:20:27,594 --> 01:20:30,330 who only weighs 115 pounds. 2126 01:20:30,363 --> 01:20:32,332 But the big difference is experience, 2127 01:20:32,365 --> 01:20:34,534 and Joe knows that Safety Pass 2128 01:20:34,567 --> 01:20:37,137 could help him win a million dollars in Vegas. 2129 01:20:39,239 --> 01:20:41,074 - This is definitely student versus teacher. 2130 01:20:41,107 --> 01:20:43,343 Just try it. See what it feels like. 2131 01:20:43,376 --> 01:20:45,245 Nice. 2132 01:20:45,278 --> 01:20:47,147 Something tells me you would win. 2133 01:20:47,180 --> 01:20:49,149 - Joe is my coach and training partner. 2134 01:20:49,182 --> 01:20:52,018 I've seen a lot of the top guys train and compete, 2135 01:20:52,052 --> 01:20:53,319 and I've never seen somebody 2136 01:20:53,353 --> 01:20:54,654 attack the course the way Joe does. 2137 01:20:54,688 --> 01:20:56,389 - Uh-oh. Oh! - Oh! 2138 01:20:56,423 --> 01:21:00,527 - Okay! - The Weatherman delivers! 2139 01:21:01,361 --> 01:21:03,163 - Jay got the fastest time tonight, 2140 01:21:03,196 --> 01:21:04,731 and I'm not surprised. 2141 01:21:04,764 --> 01:21:06,266 - What a run! 2142 01:21:06,299 --> 01:21:08,068 - I may have trained him a little too well. 2143 01:21:08,101 --> 01:21:09,269 - I know a lot of his strengths. 2144 01:21:09,302 --> 01:21:11,237 I know a lot of his weaknesses. 2145 01:21:11,271 --> 01:21:14,841 - Ooh. He caught up. - He's not gonna intimidate me. 2146 01:21:14,874 --> 01:21:17,077 The student is definitely going to surpass the master 2147 01:21:17,110 --> 01:21:18,445 on the Power Tower tonight. 2148 01:21:18,478 --> 01:21:21,281 - Will lightning strike? - I'm still here to win. 2149 01:21:21,314 --> 01:21:22,849 I will not pass the torch. 2150 01:21:22,882 --> 01:21:24,084 - Back and forth! Back and forth! 2151 01:21:24,084 --> 01:21:25,118 - Joe Moravsky! 2152 01:21:25,151 --> 01:21:26,353 - Back and forth! - Oh! 2153 01:21:26,386 --> 01:21:29,089 - Ah! - Moravsky gets the buzzer! 2154 01:21:29,122 --> 01:21:31,124 - Oh, my word. 2155 01:21:31,157 --> 01:21:33,360 - I have nine years of experience out there, 2156 01:21:33,393 --> 01:21:35,095 and you cannot train for that. 2157 01:21:35,128 --> 01:21:38,098 [dramatic music] 2158 01:21:38,131 --> 01:21:41,935 * * 2159 01:21:41,968 --> 01:21:44,004 - Moravsky looking confident as ever. 2160 01:21:44,104 --> 01:21:45,605 He's been on the Power Tower before, 2161 01:21:45,638 --> 01:21:47,807 but it's been redesigned for this year. 2162 01:21:47,841 --> 01:21:50,877 - You look at Joe Moravsky, 55 pounds heavier 2163 01:21:50,910 --> 01:21:52,112 than Jay Lewis. 2164 01:21:52,145 --> 01:21:53,413 A little dad weight. 2165 01:21:53,446 --> 01:21:55,181 Can the kid use that to his advantage? 2166 01:21:55,215 --> 01:21:56,683 - Go, Jay. - Jay will have his dad 2167 01:21:56,716 --> 01:21:58,918 and brother watching from back in Connecticut. 2168 01:21:58,952 --> 01:22:00,420 - Come on, Joe. You got this. - And Joe's got his wife 2169 01:22:00,453 --> 01:22:03,189 Stephanie watching, who never misses one of his runs. 2170 01:22:03,223 --> 01:22:04,424 - Joe, Crush it. Come on. 2171 01:22:04,457 --> 01:22:05,892 - This has got to be intimidating 2172 01:22:05,925 --> 01:22:09,362 to be 17 years old and racing 40 feet in the air 2173 01:22:09,396 --> 01:22:11,965 against the guy who trains you. 2174 01:22:12,065 --> 01:22:13,933 - A Safety Pass to use in Vegas 2175 01:22:13,967 --> 01:22:15,969 up for grabs. 2176 01:22:16,069 --> 01:22:17,404 And here we go. 2177 01:22:17,437 --> 01:22:21,207 [countdown beeping] 2178 01:22:21,241 --> 01:22:25,679 - Teacher against pupil. - And Joe Moravsky exploding. 2179 01:22:25,712 --> 01:22:27,247 - Oh, and look at Joe Moravsky! 2180 01:22:27,280 --> 01:22:28,815 - He's already opened a big lead 2181 01:22:28,848 --> 01:22:30,183 going into the Rope Climb. 2182 01:22:30,216 --> 01:22:32,085 You can just see this is a new obstacle, 2183 01:22:32,085 --> 01:22:34,821 but Moravsky just relying on that veteran experience. 2184 01:22:34,854 --> 01:22:36,222 Watch this right here. 2185 01:22:36,256 --> 01:22:37,691 - He's got nine years of experience on him. 2186 01:22:37,724 --> 01:22:39,192 And look at the teacher. 2187 01:22:39,225 --> 01:22:40,827 He says, "Uh-uh, you better respect your elders." 2188 01:22:40,860 --> 01:22:44,531 - On the end of Salmon Ladder, pulling away from Jay Lache. 2189 01:22:44,564 --> 01:22:45,999 - And check this out. 2190 01:22:46,099 --> 01:22:49,602 Jay Lache is still coming. He ain't giving up. 2191 01:22:49,636 --> 01:22:52,572 - Now, Moravsky, does he have enough to finish it up? 2192 01:22:52,605 --> 01:22:54,774 Because Jay Lache's almost caught up. 2193 01:22:54,808 --> 01:22:57,110 - There's a new--Lache, and Joe Moravsky knows it. 2194 01:22:57,110 --> 01:22:58,445 There's Lache. - One move left! 2195 01:22:58,478 --> 01:23:00,447 - Here we go! Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness! 2196 01:23:00,480 --> 01:23:02,449 [buzzer blaring] - Let's go! 2197 01:23:02,482 --> 01:23:04,517 - And Joe Moravsky does it! 2198 01:23:04,551 --> 01:23:07,954 - Oh. Whoo! - A storm front comes through, 2199 01:23:08,054 --> 01:23:11,291 and the teacher holds off the student. 2200 01:23:11,324 --> 01:23:13,626 - Yeah! Whoo-hoo! 2201 01:23:13,660 --> 01:23:15,495 - And these two may be going head-to-head 2202 01:23:15,528 --> 01:23:17,063 for years to come. 2203 01:23:17,063 --> 01:23:20,967 - This guy is an animal. 2204 01:23:21,067 --> 01:23:23,503 - Joe won this in the first few seconds. 2205 01:23:23,536 --> 01:23:27,107 He used his legs to climb up that first section faster, 2206 01:23:27,140 --> 01:23:29,542 while Jay was only using his arms. 2207 01:23:29,576 --> 01:23:31,811 That put Joe way out in front. 2208 01:23:31,845 --> 01:23:33,880 Jay tried to close the gap near the end, 2209 01:23:33,913 --> 01:23:37,250 but it wasn't enough to catch his coach. 2210 01:23:42,088 --> 01:23:43,957 - We'll see Jay and Joe 2211 01:23:43,990 --> 01:23:46,359 on stage one in Vegas in a few weeks. 2212 01:23:46,393 --> 01:23:48,828 - Whoo! - Yeah! 2213 01:23:48,862 --> 01:23:51,598 - And Joe Moravsky with a Safety Pass in Vegas 2214 01:23:51,631 --> 01:23:53,767 could be dangerous. 2215 01:23:53,800 --> 01:23:55,769 - Whoo! 2216 01:23:55,802 --> 01:23:58,004 - And joining those two at the national finals 2217 01:23:58,104 --> 01:23:59,906 will be our other finishers, 2218 01:23:59,939 --> 01:24:02,742 teenagers Kaden Lebsack and True Becker, 2219 01:24:02,776 --> 01:24:05,045 along with 20-year-old Amir Malik. 2220 01:24:05,078 --> 01:24:07,947 Others who are moving on include Rachel Degutz, 2221 01:24:08,048 --> 01:24:10,316 who landed in the seventh spot as a rookie. 2222 01:24:10,350 --> 01:24:12,886 And grabbing the final spot in our top 15 2223 01:24:12,919 --> 01:24:16,356 is the Massachusetts bricklayer, John Uga. 2224 01:24:16,389 --> 01:24:18,792 Joining Degutz in the top three among the women 2225 01:24:18,825 --> 01:24:22,262 are Casey Rothschild and Cara Mack. 2226 01:24:22,295 --> 01:24:23,730 Well, that's it for tonight. 2227 01:24:23,763 --> 01:24:26,666 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2228 01:24:26,700 --> 01:24:30,804 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior."