1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,506 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:06,539 --> 00:00:09,542 - It's our last night at Universal Studios, Hollywood. 3 00:00:09,576 --> 00:00:12,479 It's high drama as we wrap up the semifinals 4 00:00:12,512 --> 00:00:14,881 on "American Ninja Warrior." 5 00:00:14,914 --> 00:00:15,982 - Hello, everyone, and welcome. 6 00:00:16,016 --> 00:00:16,983 I'm Matt Iseman. 7 00:00:17,017 --> 00:00:18,518 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 8 00:00:18,551 --> 00:00:21,755 Matt, after tonight, we pack up and head to Vegas, 9 00:00:21,788 --> 00:00:23,857 and everyone who wins their race tonight 10 00:00:23,890 --> 00:00:25,425 is headed there with us. 11 00:00:25,458 --> 00:00:28,261 - And we're ending semifinals with a double feature 12 00:00:28,294 --> 00:00:30,597 with two different groups of Ninjas. 13 00:00:30,630 --> 00:00:32,632 We'll see some of our biggest stars 14 00:00:32,665 --> 00:00:35,735 and so many marquee matchups. 15 00:00:35,769 --> 00:00:38,038 - Like super mom Sandy Zimmerman 16 00:00:38,071 --> 00:00:40,540 trying to earn her first trip to Vegas 17 00:00:40,573 --> 00:00:44,277 while going up against a top competitor, Isabella Wakeham. 18 00:00:44,310 --> 00:00:47,180 And amputee Gary Weiland tries to keep 19 00:00:47,213 --> 00:00:49,315 his unbelievable season alive. 20 00:00:49,349 --> 00:00:53,420 But he's facing one of the greats, Daniel Gil. 21 00:00:53,453 --> 00:00:55,321 And the ninjas will race side by side 22 00:00:55,355 --> 00:00:56,723 on a six-obstacle course, 23 00:00:56,756 --> 00:00:58,825 and there are some changes from last week. 24 00:00:58,858 --> 00:01:01,094 For a preview, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 25 00:01:01,127 --> 00:01:03,063 - Yeah, guys, we have changed things up, 26 00:01:03,063 --> 00:01:04,431 and there are some new challenges 27 00:01:04,464 --> 00:01:06,166 on this course tonight. 28 00:01:06,199 --> 00:01:08,401 Once again, we start with Home Run, 29 00:01:08,435 --> 00:01:11,137 but our second obstacle is different. 30 00:01:11,171 --> 00:01:12,839 It's Flying Shelf Grab. 31 00:01:12,872 --> 00:01:16,276 That's followed by Beehive, and another new one 32 00:01:16,309 --> 00:01:18,111 this week, Sideways. 33 00:01:18,144 --> 00:01:21,081 Finally, it's Slingshot, and a Rope Climb 34 00:01:21,114 --> 00:01:23,616 to reach the buzzer. 35 00:01:23,650 --> 00:01:24,751 - Thanks, Zuri. 36 00:01:24,784 --> 00:01:26,453 The race matchups are based on how fast 37 00:01:26,486 --> 00:01:28,955 or how far these ninjas went back in qualifying. 38 00:01:28,988 --> 00:01:31,157 The higher seeds race the lower seeds. 39 00:01:31,191 --> 00:01:32,192 - That's right. 40 00:01:32,225 --> 00:01:34,094 Let's get these races going. 41 00:01:34,127 --> 00:01:36,363 - We're going to lead off with a couple of high school 42 00:01:36,396 --> 00:01:39,532 hotshots who really impressed us in qualifying, 43 00:01:39,566 --> 00:01:42,102 15-year-old Madelyn Madaras from Houston 44 00:01:42,102 --> 00:01:45,105 and 16-year-old Anna McArthur, who works at her 45 00:01:45,138 --> 00:01:47,340 family's RV park in Utah. 46 00:01:47,374 --> 00:01:49,843 For both of them, just being here in the semis 47 00:01:49,876 --> 00:01:52,679 is a dream come true. 48 00:01:52,712 --> 00:01:55,115 Anna's been imitating her "Ninja" heroes 49 00:01:55,148 --> 00:01:56,116 for nearly a decade. 50 00:01:56,149 --> 00:01:57,650 - First, quintuples. 51 00:01:57,684 --> 00:02:01,654 - She figured out how to record all the episodes on the DVR. 52 00:02:01,688 --> 00:02:03,690 - Then you come right over here. 53 00:02:03,723 --> 00:02:05,458 - And she would record them all, 54 00:02:05,492 --> 00:02:07,160 and then she would watch them over 55 00:02:07,193 --> 00:02:08,962 and over and over again. 56 00:02:09,062 --> 00:02:11,831 - This couch right here is where my "Ninja" journey began. 57 00:02:11,865 --> 00:02:15,168 - And many times she would say to me, 58 00:02:15,201 --> 00:02:19,072 "I'm going to do this when I grow up, Mom." 59 00:02:19,105 --> 00:02:22,308 - And I've been working a long time for this to happen. 60 00:02:22,342 --> 00:02:23,443 - Nice! 61 00:02:23,476 --> 00:02:24,778 Oh, she ain't messing around! 62 00:02:24,811 --> 00:02:26,780 - I'm so determined to make it to Vegas. 63 00:02:26,813 --> 00:02:28,948 It's been a dream since I was seven years old. 64 00:02:28,982 --> 00:02:30,383 [imitates buzzer blaring] 65 00:02:30,417 --> 00:02:32,085 - Mighty Maddie started training 66 00:02:32,085 --> 00:02:34,087 with "Ninja" legend Sam Sann 67 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:35,689 when she was just nine years old-- 68 00:02:35,722 --> 00:02:36,723 - Nice! 69 00:02:36,756 --> 00:02:38,291 Good job! 70 00:02:38,324 --> 00:02:40,393 - --competing on the first season of "Ninja Junior." 71 00:02:40,427 --> 00:02:42,462 - Mighty Madelyn! 72 00:02:42,495 --> 00:02:44,230 Here we go. See it. Calculate. 73 00:02:44,264 --> 00:02:45,231 Calculate it! 74 00:02:45,265 --> 00:02:47,467 - Yes! Come on. Let's go! 75 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:49,135 Did you see that calculation in mid-air? 76 00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:50,370 Yes! 77 00:02:50,403 --> 00:02:51,971 - I've been dreaming about being on this show 78 00:02:52,005 --> 00:02:53,940 for so long, and to make it to the semifinals 79 00:02:53,973 --> 00:02:56,176 is just a dream for me. 80 00:02:56,209 --> 00:02:57,477 [cheers and applause] 81 00:02:57,510 --> 00:02:59,112 - Leading the cheers for Madelyn 82 00:02:59,145 --> 00:03:01,681 is her mom, Karen, who's been battling health problems, 83 00:03:01,715 --> 00:03:04,784 and Anna's got a big group from Utah cheering for her. 84 00:03:04,818 --> 00:03:07,320 - Let's go, Anna! - Let's go Anna! 85 00:03:07,354 --> 00:03:09,389 - It's two girls with a dream, but only one of them 86 00:03:09,422 --> 00:03:10,857 will move on to Vegas. 87 00:03:10,890 --> 00:03:13,193 - Madelyn Madaras the number two seed 88 00:03:13,226 --> 00:03:14,728 among the women in this group. 89 00:03:14,761 --> 00:03:16,496 Anna MacArthur had to win a runoff race 90 00:03:16,529 --> 00:03:18,064 just to get here. 91 00:03:18,064 --> 00:03:19,933 She's the underdog but not starting like one. 92 00:03:19,966 --> 00:03:21,401 - Nice! OK! 93 00:03:21,434 --> 00:03:23,603 - And Anna McArthur looking confident! 94 00:03:23,636 --> 00:03:25,305 She'll give us our first look this season 95 00:03:25,338 --> 00:03:26,973 at Flying Shelf Grab. 96 00:03:27,073 --> 00:03:29,275 Gotta swing and catch yourself on those tiny ledges. 97 00:03:29,309 --> 00:03:30,643 - Nice! 98 00:03:30,677 --> 00:03:32,746 With a lot of power and a lot of velocity! 99 00:03:32,779 --> 00:03:35,815 - 5-feet tall, works at her parents' RV park. 100 00:03:35,849 --> 00:03:37,450 Hopes to run it someday. 101 00:03:37,484 --> 00:03:39,619 She is so hardworking. 102 00:03:39,652 --> 00:03:42,322 And both these teenagers super smart. 103 00:03:42,355 --> 00:03:45,125 Madelyn Madaras able to skip two grades, 104 00:03:45,158 --> 00:03:48,762 and Anna McArthur has a 4.0 grade point average. 105 00:03:48,795 --> 00:03:50,096 - Look at this, though! 106 00:03:50,096 --> 00:03:54,234 Madaras keeping it very close! 107 00:03:54,267 --> 00:03:55,969 - She's right on the heel, and you can see 108 00:03:56,002 --> 00:03:57,170 right now Anna looking back, 109 00:03:57,203 --> 00:03:58,605 but I'd tell Anna, don't look back. 110 00:03:58,638 --> 00:04:00,206 Run your race. 111 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,275 - And she's glancing maybe trying to get a little rest 112 00:04:02,308 --> 00:04:05,478 but now up onto Sideways. 113 00:04:05,512 --> 00:04:08,248 This is another obstacle that's new this week. 114 00:04:08,281 --> 00:04:10,216 You've gotta kip yourself up and grab 115 00:04:10,250 --> 00:04:11,685 the sides of the board. 116 00:04:11,718 --> 00:04:14,320 Madaras took a moment to start, but now she's up. 117 00:04:14,354 --> 00:04:16,823 - But McArthur doing such a good job kipping those 118 00:04:16,856 --> 00:04:19,726 hips up, giving herself plenty of time for her hands 119 00:04:19,759 --> 00:04:21,628 to find the sides of the tile. 120 00:04:21,661 --> 00:04:23,963 Great form. 121 00:04:24,064 --> 00:04:25,532 - It looks like she's going to skip the last one. 122 00:04:25,565 --> 00:04:27,300 - All right. 123 00:04:27,334 --> 00:04:29,636 - And just launched! 124 00:04:29,669 --> 00:04:32,839 She dreamed of doing this since she was seven. 125 00:04:32,872 --> 00:04:35,742 Now, at 16, Anna McArthur getting 126 00:04:35,775 --> 00:04:38,678 oh, so close to a first trip to Vegas. 127 00:04:38,712 --> 00:04:40,347 - But watch out for Slingshot! 128 00:04:40,380 --> 00:04:42,649 This is such a difficult obstacle. 129 00:04:42,682 --> 00:04:44,918 You gotta be really careful with that bar. 130 00:04:44,951 --> 00:04:47,253 both: Oh! 131 00:04:47,287 --> 00:04:52,926 - And the door is open for Madaras! 132 00:04:52,959 --> 00:04:56,162 - Now, she can take her time, but she must finish 133 00:04:56,196 --> 00:04:57,864 this obstacle to get the win. 134 00:04:57,897 --> 00:05:00,033 If she falls, Anna will move on. 135 00:05:00,033 --> 00:05:02,736 - Slingshot has knocked out a lot of good ninjas 136 00:05:02,769 --> 00:05:04,104 this season. - Well, so tough. 137 00:05:04,137 --> 00:05:05,105 - Nice! 138 00:05:05,138 --> 00:05:07,474 Hold it! 139 00:05:07,507 --> 00:05:09,042 Yeah, you see she's got the switch grip there, too, 140 00:05:09,042 --> 00:05:11,211 and that switch grip allows her to be able to hold 141 00:05:11,244 --> 00:05:13,513 on and not peel off. 142 00:05:13,546 --> 00:05:17,250 - And Anna McArthur can just sit and watch as Madaras 143 00:05:17,283 --> 00:05:19,386 continues to progress! 144 00:05:19,419 --> 00:05:21,221 - Oh, boy, it's a big drop. 145 00:05:21,254 --> 00:05:23,189 - This is the big move! 146 00:05:23,223 --> 00:05:25,125 Can she get to the wall? 147 00:05:25,158 --> 00:05:26,259 - Now, you saw her grimace a little bit. 148 00:05:26,292 --> 00:05:27,427 She's looking. 149 00:05:27,460 --> 00:05:28,728 She's gotta throw herself into it! 150 00:05:28,762 --> 00:05:31,865 Nice! - Madelyn Madaras has done it! 151 00:05:31,898 --> 00:05:33,767 She's going to Vegas! 152 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,269 - OK, Madelyn! 153 00:05:36,302 --> 00:05:37,704 - What a race! 154 00:05:37,737 --> 00:05:39,706 - How sweet is this? 155 00:05:39,739 --> 00:05:42,776 M&M about to hit her first buzzer! 156 00:05:42,809 --> 00:05:45,311 - Well, she ran her own race, 157 00:05:45,345 --> 00:05:48,548 and she gets her first buzzer! 158 00:05:48,581 --> 00:05:50,617 [cheers and applause] 159 00:05:50,650 --> 00:05:52,352 - Oh, my! 160 00:05:52,385 --> 00:05:55,288 - Madelyn Madaras delivers! 161 00:05:55,321 --> 00:05:58,158 - Madelyn, you did it! - Yes. 162 00:05:58,191 --> 00:06:00,126 - You did your thing up there! 163 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:01,194 - I'm so happy! 164 00:06:01,227 --> 00:06:02,796 - Maddie, we know your mom's been 165 00:06:02,829 --> 00:06:04,030 having her health battles. 166 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:05,899 What is it like to be out here to get 167 00:06:05,932 --> 00:06:07,100 a buzzer with her watching? 168 00:06:07,133 --> 00:06:08,168 - It's amazing. 169 00:06:08,201 --> 00:06:09,769 All I want to do is make her proud. 170 00:06:09,803 --> 00:06:10,937 - Oh, you're gonna make me cry! 171 00:06:11,037 --> 00:06:12,205 - We are all proud of you, Maddie! 172 00:06:12,238 --> 00:06:13,773 - You're gonna make me cry! - You say that. 173 00:06:13,807 --> 00:06:15,175 Go celebrate with your mom right now, 174 00:06:15,208 --> 00:06:19,145 Maddie, 'cause you're going to Vegas! 175 00:06:19,179 --> 00:06:22,849 And that smile, that's what this is all about. 176 00:06:22,882 --> 00:06:26,319 - Madelyn, you made Mama proud! 177 00:06:26,353 --> 00:06:28,321 Up next are a couple of friends who are going to have 178 00:06:28,355 --> 00:06:29,823 to duke it out on the course. 179 00:06:29,856 --> 00:06:33,093 It's videographer Isaiah Wakeham, a four-time "Ninja" 180 00:06:33,126 --> 00:06:36,463 veteran, going against rookie Grant Kiningham, 181 00:06:36,496 --> 00:06:39,132 who's got one of the coolest jobs around. 182 00:06:39,165 --> 00:06:40,133 [chain saw revs] 183 00:06:40,166 --> 00:06:43,069 [upbeat rock music] 184 00:06:43,103 --> 00:06:46,306 - I sculpt ice with chain saws, hammers, 185 00:06:46,339 --> 00:06:48,274 chisels for a living. 186 00:06:48,308 --> 00:06:52,112 * * 187 00:06:52,145 --> 00:06:54,080 Depending on what the person orders, 188 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,583 it can take me 30 minutes to 3 to 4 hours 189 00:06:56,616 --> 00:06:57,817 to complete this ice sculpture. 190 00:06:57,851 --> 00:07:00,020 * * 191 00:07:00,020 --> 00:07:02,155 We do every type of animal, any logo. 192 00:07:02,188 --> 00:07:04,391 Anything anyone can think of, we can do it. 193 00:07:04,424 --> 00:07:07,460 * * 194 00:07:07,494 --> 00:07:09,696 - Wow! 195 00:07:09,729 --> 00:07:11,498 What is this? 196 00:07:11,531 --> 00:07:13,600 Dude, that is awesome! 197 00:07:13,633 --> 00:07:15,568 - Had you get the hair just right, you know? 198 00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:17,203 - Yeah, the hair, that's the part that-- 199 00:07:17,237 --> 00:07:19,039 [laughter] 200 00:07:19,072 --> 00:07:20,306 * * 201 00:07:20,340 --> 00:07:22,475 - One of the biggest lessons in ice 202 00:07:22,509 --> 00:07:25,178 sculpting that I was taught was not being 203 00:07:25,211 --> 00:07:27,047 afraid to carve into the ice. 204 00:07:27,047 --> 00:07:29,049 Because, with ice, you can cover up your mistake 205 00:07:29,082 --> 00:07:33,219 and make it look like that was the intended sculpture. 206 00:07:33,253 --> 00:07:35,588 And I think that goes right along with "Ninja" 207 00:07:35,622 --> 00:07:37,691 that you can't be afraid to go out there and make 208 00:07:37,724 --> 00:07:39,259 a mistake on the course. 209 00:07:39,292 --> 00:07:40,960 * * 210 00:07:41,061 --> 00:07:41,961 [chain saw revs] 211 00:07:42,062 --> 00:07:43,530 [cheers and applause] 212 00:07:43,563 --> 00:07:45,699 - Grant actually lives with "Ninja" great Daniel Gil. 213 00:07:45,732 --> 00:07:48,168 That's why he made him that ice sculpture. 214 00:07:48,201 --> 00:07:51,438 Daniel's on the sideline, along with Grant's mom. 215 00:07:51,471 --> 00:07:53,540 Isaiah's got his own unique talents. 216 00:07:53,573 --> 00:07:55,809 He's a videographer mainly working 217 00:07:55,842 --> 00:07:57,644 on nature documentaries. 218 00:07:57,677 --> 00:07:59,713 He's got his family, including his sister, 219 00:07:59,746 --> 00:08:01,715 Isabella, cheering for him. 220 00:08:01,748 --> 00:08:03,883 These two have trained together in Houston. 221 00:08:03,917 --> 00:08:05,018 They know each other well. 222 00:08:05,018 --> 00:08:06,186 [countdown clock beeping] 223 00:08:06,219 --> 00:08:08,154 - Let's get it, boys. Let's go. 224 00:08:08,188 --> 00:08:09,723 - Wakeham about a 4-inch height advantage, 225 00:08:09,756 --> 00:08:13,059 but these two neck-and-neck through Home Run. 226 00:08:13,093 --> 00:08:15,428 Isaiah Wakeham has much more experience. 227 00:08:15,462 --> 00:08:17,364 This is his fourth season competing, 228 00:08:17,397 --> 00:08:20,033 and he's made it as far as stage two in Vegas. 229 00:08:20,033 --> 00:08:23,636 It's the first year for Kiningham. 230 00:08:23,670 --> 00:08:25,472 - Let's go. - Come on. 231 00:08:25,505 --> 00:08:28,274 - They are matching each other move for move. 232 00:08:28,308 --> 00:08:30,577 - They're tied up. 233 00:08:30,610 --> 00:08:32,712 - And, Isaiah, nice move there using 234 00:08:32,746 --> 00:08:36,683 his momentum to rotate that middle hive on the Beehive. 235 00:08:36,716 --> 00:08:37,917 Dead even! 236 00:08:37,951 --> 00:08:39,886 - You can't get any closer than this! 237 00:08:39,919 --> 00:08:41,588 - Well, the two fastest from tonight 238 00:08:41,621 --> 00:08:44,657 will race at the end for a Safety Pass to use in Vegas, 239 00:08:44,691 --> 00:08:48,061 but these two seem to be taking a little slower pace 240 00:08:48,061 --> 00:08:49,629 in hopes of finishing the course. 241 00:08:49,662 --> 00:08:53,700 Now, remember, the top two non-winners also move on. 242 00:08:53,733 --> 00:08:55,168 - Yeah, that may be their strategy, 243 00:08:55,201 --> 00:08:57,370 take longer but get a buzzer. 244 00:08:57,404 --> 00:08:59,673 - Kiningham one move ahead. 245 00:08:59,706 --> 00:09:01,808 Should be first off Sideways. 246 00:09:01,841 --> 00:09:04,844 And that dismount is big. 247 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:08,014 The Wakeham family telling Isaiah he needs to go. 248 00:09:08,014 --> 00:09:10,216 He was last off the previous obstacle, 249 00:09:10,250 --> 00:09:12,819 so he'll have to at least finish Slingshot to win. 250 00:09:12,852 --> 00:09:15,088 - Dang, these guys are still so close! 251 00:09:15,121 --> 00:09:16,790 This is gonna come down to the wire! 252 00:09:16,823 --> 00:09:19,492 - And just so even! 253 00:09:19,526 --> 00:09:22,562 But Kiningham, again, still a slight edge. 254 00:09:22,595 --> 00:09:26,933 - All right, here we go. 255 00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:27,934 Uh-oh! 256 00:09:28,034 --> 00:09:28,935 And here goes Grant! 257 00:09:29,035 --> 00:09:30,170 - And Grant Kiningham! 258 00:09:30,203 --> 00:09:32,339 Wakeham's gotta set up! 259 00:09:32,372 --> 00:09:34,107 - Kiningham's gonna climb his way to it! 260 00:09:34,140 --> 00:09:37,043 [buzzer blares] 261 00:09:37,043 --> 00:09:38,945 Kiningham wins. 262 00:09:39,045 --> 00:09:41,081 - And Wakeham's gonna finish too. 263 00:09:41,114 --> 00:09:43,049 It's double buzzers. Kiningham wins. 264 00:09:43,049 --> 00:09:45,652 - Ahh! Oh, my God! 265 00:09:45,685 --> 00:09:48,221 - Now, Isaiah still has a shot to move on. 266 00:09:48,254 --> 00:09:52,292 Remember, the top two non-winners also go to Vegas. 267 00:09:52,325 --> 00:09:55,228 And with a buzzer, he's got a good chance at it. 268 00:09:55,261 --> 00:09:56,229 - Matt, look at these guys. 269 00:09:56,262 --> 00:09:58,898 Man, everybody's happy. 270 00:09:58,932 --> 00:10:01,968 - Tonight we're super-sizing the semifinals 271 00:10:02,002 --> 00:10:06,673 with twice the stars, twice the amazing matchups, 272 00:10:06,706 --> 00:10:09,342 including the battle of Spokane, 273 00:10:09,376 --> 00:10:11,044 two good friends from Washington 274 00:10:11,077 --> 00:10:14,748 who trained together, but only one is going to Vegas. 275 00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:17,050 - Oh, that was good! 276 00:10:17,083 --> 00:10:20,954 - And "Ninja" vet Nick Hanson survived winters in Alaska. 277 00:10:20,987 --> 00:10:25,125 Can he survive a showdown with robotics student Joseph Rouse? 278 00:10:25,158 --> 00:10:28,061 Plus, you can never count him out. 279 00:10:28,094 --> 00:10:30,363 Oh! - Oh, my God! Oh, my God! 280 00:10:30,397 --> 00:10:32,198 - But, tonight, amputee Gary Weiland 281 00:10:32,232 --> 00:10:34,534 faces his biggest challenge 282 00:10:34,567 --> 00:10:37,837 racing "Ninja" great Daniel Gil. 283 00:10:37,871 --> 00:10:41,808 All coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 284 00:10:47,414 --> 00:10:48,915 - Check out this matchup from moments ago. 285 00:10:48,948 --> 00:10:52,052 We had the island Ninja, Grant McCartney, 34 years old 286 00:10:52,085 --> 00:10:55,188 and 208 pounds of solid muscle, 287 00:10:55,221 --> 00:10:58,291 taking on 15-year-old Sebastian Chrismer, 288 00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:00,860 who only weighs 115 pounds. 289 00:11:00,894 --> 00:11:04,064 - Grant McCartney does curls with Sebastian Chrismer. 290 00:11:04,064 --> 00:11:06,433 - McCartney, the flight attendant and social media 291 00:11:06,466 --> 00:11:08,435 star, set the pace early. 292 00:11:08,468 --> 00:11:09,769 - He's an eight-time veteran. 293 00:11:09,803 --> 00:11:11,571 He knows exactly what to do. 294 00:11:11,604 --> 00:11:13,073 - But the much lighter Chrismer was 295 00:11:13,073 --> 00:11:16,076 able to float across the upper-body obstacles. 296 00:11:16,076 --> 00:11:18,411 - He's just throwing his body like it's nothing, 297 00:11:18,445 --> 00:11:19,679 like he's a feather. 298 00:11:19,713 --> 00:11:21,414 - The extra weight seemed to catch up 299 00:11:21,448 --> 00:11:23,149 to McCartney at Sideways. 300 00:11:23,183 --> 00:11:24,517 - Oh! 301 00:11:24,551 --> 00:11:26,386 - And that gave the win to Chrismer, 302 00:11:26,419 --> 00:11:29,456 the rookie from South Texas, who got big cheers 303 00:11:29,489 --> 00:11:31,424 from his little sister. 304 00:11:31,458 --> 00:11:34,094 And though he fell on Slingshot, 305 00:11:34,127 --> 00:11:37,731 he's going to Vegas. 306 00:11:37,764 --> 00:11:40,233 Up next, another teen-versus-veteran matchup. 307 00:11:40,266 --> 00:11:43,970 It's Grant McCartney's buddy, Nick Hanson, the 35-year-old 308 00:11:44,004 --> 00:11:46,106 from Unalakleet, Alaska. 309 00:11:46,139 --> 00:11:48,842 Nick's going against a 15-year-old from Arkansas, 310 00:11:48,875 --> 00:11:52,679 Joseph Rouse, nicknamed "JG Rock," because he rock climbs. 311 00:11:52,712 --> 00:11:57,484 But this kid's got a lot of interest. 312 00:11:57,517 --> 00:12:01,287 - This is the official start of our vex robotics season. 313 00:12:01,321 --> 00:12:03,089 Let's get after it. 314 00:12:03,123 --> 00:12:04,424 - I'm a sophomore at high school, 315 00:12:04,457 --> 00:12:05,792 and I'm on the robotics team. 316 00:12:05,825 --> 00:12:07,360 It's a really cool program, where 317 00:12:07,394 --> 00:12:09,529 students have to design a robot 318 00:12:09,562 --> 00:12:13,133 to complete tasks in an arena. 319 00:12:13,166 --> 00:12:15,468 This year's challenge was to create a robot that 320 00:12:15,502 --> 00:12:18,271 could shoot yellow disks into a little net, 321 00:12:18,304 --> 00:12:20,740 like Frisbee golf. 322 00:12:20,774 --> 00:12:22,942 In "Ninja Warrior" and robotics, they both 323 00:12:22,976 --> 00:12:24,611 overlap in their problem-solving aspect 324 00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:27,080 in how you'll fail, and you can learn from each time 325 00:12:27,113 --> 00:12:28,882 you make a mistake. 326 00:12:28,915 --> 00:12:30,650 Being really precise in robotics 327 00:12:30,684 --> 00:12:32,752 also carries over to being precise in "Ninja" 328 00:12:32,786 --> 00:12:35,121 and making sure I'll stick each move. 329 00:12:35,155 --> 00:12:37,190 I really badly want to make it to Vegas, 330 00:12:37,223 --> 00:12:39,526 and I'm ready to calculate my way to victory. 331 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:43,363 * * 332 00:12:43,396 --> 00:12:46,433 - There's Joseph's very proud mom watching on the sideline. 333 00:12:46,466 --> 00:12:47,734 And Nick knows what it's like to be 334 00:12:47,767 --> 00:12:49,869 a proud parent, because he just had 335 00:12:49,903 --> 00:12:51,838 a baby with his wife, Joanne. 336 00:12:51,871 --> 00:12:53,973 And they're over there cheering for him. 337 00:12:54,007 --> 00:12:56,876 - Well, Nick's got the same issues Grant McCartney had. 338 00:12:56,910 --> 00:13:00,046 He's 20 years older and a lot heavier than his opponent. 339 00:13:00,046 --> 00:13:02,916 Can he keep up with the kid? 340 00:13:02,949 --> 00:13:05,352 [countdown clock beeping] 341 00:13:05,385 --> 00:13:08,121 Oh, Hanson bounding out! 342 00:13:08,154 --> 00:13:09,956 Oh, I mean, not even close here. 343 00:13:10,056 --> 00:13:11,624 What a great start, but, remember, 344 00:13:11,658 --> 00:13:13,626 it's not how you start, it's how you finish. 345 00:13:13,660 --> 00:13:15,829 Any one of these obstacles can trip you up. 346 00:13:15,862 --> 00:13:20,233 - Well, Nick Hanson carrying 50 pounds more than the rock 347 00:13:20,266 --> 00:13:21,234 climber, Joseph Rouse. 348 00:13:21,267 --> 00:13:22,602 - And that's a lot of weight. 349 00:13:22,635 --> 00:13:24,671 - But he's doing a great job, staying out ahead. 350 00:13:24,704 --> 00:13:26,473 - Well, he knows, he's gotta put 351 00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:29,075 the pressure on the young kid to want to catch up. 352 00:13:29,075 --> 00:13:30,777 And sometimes when you're trying to catch someone, 353 00:13:30,810 --> 00:13:32,579 that's when you tend to make the mistakes. 354 00:13:32,612 --> 00:13:34,681 - Nick Hanson competed eight seasons 355 00:13:34,714 --> 00:13:35,882 on "Ninja Warrior," 356 00:13:35,915 --> 00:13:38,184 made it to Vegas many times, while Joseph 357 00:13:38,218 --> 00:13:39,185 Rouse is a rookie. 358 00:13:39,219 --> 00:13:42,088 And the teenager pulls even. 359 00:13:42,122 --> 00:13:45,191 And now he makes a move, goes right onto Sideways, 360 00:13:45,225 --> 00:13:46,226 while Hanson waits. 361 00:13:46,259 --> 00:13:47,227 - Uh-oh! 362 00:13:47,260 --> 00:13:48,528 Look at Joseph Rouse! 363 00:13:48,561 --> 00:13:50,463 - As we mentioned, he's a competitive rock 364 00:13:50,497 --> 00:13:54,100 climber in the top 20 in the country in speed climbing. 365 00:13:54,134 --> 00:13:55,635 - He's a buck 20. 366 00:13:55,669 --> 00:13:57,771 He's making Sideways look easy. 367 00:13:57,804 --> 00:14:01,775 And that's a difficult obstacle. 368 00:14:01,808 --> 00:14:04,644 - Joseph Rouse continuing to progress. 369 00:14:04,678 --> 00:14:06,579 - Ooh. - And Hanson can see it 370 00:14:06,613 --> 00:14:07,847 slipping away! 371 00:14:07,881 --> 00:14:09,683 - Yeah, he's starting to slow down. 372 00:14:09,716 --> 00:14:11,151 He needs that strength endurance. 373 00:14:11,184 --> 00:14:12,852 Started off great. 374 00:14:12,886 --> 00:14:16,456 - A new father, probably not getting as much time to train. 375 00:14:16,489 --> 00:14:18,058 - Oh, and just survives. 376 00:14:18,058 --> 00:14:20,060 And Joseph Rouse is down! 377 00:14:20,093 --> 00:14:21,227 - Oh, my goodness! 378 00:14:21,261 --> 00:14:23,396 Anything can happen! 379 00:14:23,430 --> 00:14:25,665 - What a turn of events! 380 00:14:25,699 --> 00:14:29,536 - Nick Hanson just survived that dismount. 381 00:14:29,569 --> 00:14:32,405 And, now, if he completes Slingshot, 382 00:14:32,439 --> 00:14:33,740 he'll go back to Vegas. 383 00:14:33,773 --> 00:14:35,408 - Oh, my goodness! 384 00:14:35,442 --> 00:14:36,876 - But he looks gassed! 385 00:14:36,910 --> 00:14:39,145 - Nick Hanson tried to skip the last hand hold 386 00:14:39,179 --> 00:14:41,948 but only got one leg over the wall 387 00:14:41,981 --> 00:14:44,084 and barely stayed out of the water. 388 00:14:44,084 --> 00:14:45,652 Now, check this. At the same moment, 389 00:14:45,685 --> 00:14:48,088 Joseph Rouse didn't keep the bar straight, 390 00:14:48,121 --> 00:14:49,956 and he goes down on Sideways. 391 00:14:49,989 --> 00:14:51,624 - Unbelievable! 392 00:14:51,658 --> 00:14:54,227 - So Nick Hanson has a chance for a come-from-behind win 393 00:14:54,260 --> 00:14:56,863 but must finish this obstacle. 394 00:14:56,896 --> 00:14:59,799 - 35 years old, on to Slingshot. 395 00:14:59,833 --> 00:15:01,134 - Well, Matt, you mentioned that 396 00:15:01,167 --> 00:15:03,103 50-pound weight difference. 397 00:15:03,136 --> 00:15:05,805 It could catch up to him here. He's gotta complete it. 398 00:15:05,839 --> 00:15:10,443 - A new father, a new husband since we last saw him. 399 00:15:10,477 --> 00:15:13,580 Can Nick Hanson dig deep? 400 00:15:13,613 --> 00:15:15,548 - Nick Hanson is like, "This young fella better 401 00:15:15,582 --> 00:15:17,350 put some respect on my name!" 402 00:15:17,384 --> 00:15:19,052 - Ooh, he got up. - Oh! Barely. 403 00:15:19,085 --> 00:15:21,087 - And you could see, he's running out of-- 404 00:15:21,121 --> 00:15:23,256 both: Oh! 405 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:27,060 - Oh, my goodness! 406 00:15:27,093 --> 00:15:28,528 - Dude! 407 00:15:28,561 --> 00:15:30,797 - Hanson had a chance but couldn't finish. 408 00:15:30,830 --> 00:15:33,700 So Joseph Rouse gets the win. 409 00:15:33,733 --> 00:15:37,537 - Good race, bro! 410 00:15:37,570 --> 00:15:38,972 Dude, you did awesome. 411 00:15:39,072 --> 00:15:41,074 Give me one of these. 412 00:15:41,074 --> 00:15:42,375 Yes, bro. 413 00:15:42,409 --> 00:15:47,681 This man, whew, that's what 20 years looks like. 414 00:15:47,714 --> 00:15:51,151 [laughs] Whew! 415 00:15:51,184 --> 00:15:54,087 - They're two of our oldest competitors 416 00:15:54,087 --> 00:15:55,755 and have almost 20 years 417 00:15:55,789 --> 00:15:58,091 of "Ninja" experience between them. 418 00:15:58,091 --> 00:16:01,861 Now "Ninja" veterans Karsten Williams and Abel Gonzalez 419 00:16:01,895 --> 00:16:03,430 face off. 420 00:16:03,463 --> 00:16:05,231 They're both nine-time veterans 421 00:16:05,265 --> 00:16:07,200 and top ninja coaches, 422 00:16:07,233 --> 00:16:11,338 but Karsten is 3 years older and 25 pounds heavier. 423 00:16:11,371 --> 00:16:12,939 We'll see if that makes a difference. 424 00:16:13,039 --> 00:16:14,841 all: Abel! Abel! Abel! 425 00:16:14,874 --> 00:16:17,077 - And a big group will be watching from Abel's gym 426 00:16:17,110 --> 00:16:18,311 in South Texas, 427 00:16:18,345 --> 00:16:20,146 while Karsten's students are cheering 428 00:16:20,180 --> 00:16:23,917 him on from the Dallas area. 429 00:16:23,950 --> 00:16:26,553 - He's pointing, Matt. 430 00:16:26,586 --> 00:16:28,421 - And as always, Karsten's mom, Linda, 431 00:16:28,455 --> 00:16:32,058 gonna be leading his big group on the sidelines. 432 00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:33,693 Karsten is the number nine seed. 433 00:16:33,727 --> 00:16:36,830 Abel's a 16, so Abel's the underdog. 434 00:16:36,863 --> 00:16:39,399 [countdown clock beeping] 435 00:16:39,432 --> 00:16:41,668 I'm guessing this won't be the fastest run of the night. 436 00:16:41,701 --> 00:16:43,370 I think they're gonna use their experience 437 00:16:43,403 --> 00:16:44,904 and avoid mistakes. 438 00:16:44,938 --> 00:16:46,373 Abel's already walking. 439 00:16:46,406 --> 00:16:48,074 - Their styles are so different. 440 00:16:48,108 --> 00:16:49,376 You look at Karsten. 441 00:16:49,409 --> 00:16:51,878 He's taller, 6'1", 175 pounds, 442 00:16:51,911 --> 00:16:53,980 but very explosive for his size. 443 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:55,315 Abel is a technician. 444 00:16:55,348 --> 00:16:57,917 He tends to be an overthinker at times. 445 00:16:57,951 --> 00:17:00,387 But this is where you've gotta let it go, let it flow. 446 00:17:00,420 --> 00:17:02,489 - Abel seems to have a deliberate strategy. 447 00:17:02,522 --> 00:17:05,025 He's going to go slow and try to finish the course. 448 00:17:05,025 --> 00:17:08,228 Even if he doesn't win the race, he could move on as one 449 00:17:08,261 --> 00:17:10,430 of our top two non-winners. 450 00:17:10,463 --> 00:17:13,066 - That's a risky strategy. We'll see if it works for him. 451 00:17:13,099 --> 00:17:15,402 - Karsten Williams first off Beehive. 452 00:17:15,435 --> 00:17:18,638 - And Big Cat has the edge. 453 00:17:18,672 --> 00:17:20,106 [cheers and applause] 454 00:17:20,140 --> 00:17:22,142 - Abel's students may be getting a little nervous. 455 00:17:22,175 --> 00:17:24,044 He is in no hurry 456 00:17:24,044 --> 00:17:26,312 waiting to see if Karsten falls here on Sideways. 457 00:17:26,346 --> 00:17:30,583 Then Abel would only have to get past this obstacle. 458 00:17:30,617 --> 00:17:31,951 And maybe one of those things. 459 00:17:32,052 --> 00:17:33,586 You think, "If I can't compete on speed, 460 00:17:33,620 --> 00:17:35,789 "let me run my race 461 00:17:35,822 --> 00:17:37,290 "and just trust that Karsten's going 462 00:17:37,323 --> 00:17:39,059 "to have a tough time getting through all six 463 00:17:39,059 --> 00:17:40,694 of these obstacles." 464 00:17:40,727 --> 00:17:44,531 [cheers and applause] 465 00:17:44,564 --> 00:17:46,466 Now Abel is up on Sideways but has 466 00:17:46,499 --> 00:17:49,469 a lot ground to make up. 467 00:17:49,502 --> 00:17:50,904 And Karsten taking advantage. 468 00:17:50,937 --> 00:17:52,272 He's catching his breath. 469 00:17:52,305 --> 00:17:54,607 - Get up! Get up! - Come on, Karsten. 470 00:17:54,641 --> 00:17:58,278 - But now here comes Abel Gonzalez! 471 00:17:58,311 --> 00:18:00,780 So up goes Karsten onto Slingshot, 472 00:18:00,814 --> 00:18:02,649 and Abel's going to wait once again 473 00:18:02,682 --> 00:18:05,418 and see what happens with Karsten. 474 00:18:05,452 --> 00:18:06,753 - Listen, it's interesting. 475 00:18:06,786 --> 00:18:08,021 It is a gamble. 476 00:18:08,021 --> 00:18:09,856 - But Karsten's gotta deliver. - Whoo! 477 00:18:09,889 --> 00:18:13,126 Matt, this is gonna come down to technique and strength, 478 00:18:13,159 --> 00:18:14,394 and endurance. 479 00:18:14,427 --> 00:18:16,029 - His arms are tired at this point. 480 00:18:16,029 --> 00:18:17,597 Can he finish? 481 00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:19,933 - The big drop... - Oh, big drop. 482 00:18:20,033 --> 00:18:21,034 - For the Big Cat! 483 00:18:21,067 --> 00:18:22,235 - 175! 484 00:18:22,268 --> 00:18:23,770 Oh, my goodness! - And he's done it! 485 00:18:23,803 --> 00:18:27,040 They're having to hold Linda back on the sidelines. 486 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,609 - Karsten closing in on the buzzer. 487 00:18:29,642 --> 00:18:32,912 - Abel Gonzalez simply watches. 488 00:18:32,946 --> 00:18:34,247 - At 42 years old, 489 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:36,649 his approach to this course paid off. 490 00:18:36,683 --> 00:18:39,352 The Big Cat is going back to Vegas! 491 00:18:39,386 --> 00:18:42,355 [uplifting music] 492 00:18:42,389 --> 00:18:43,957 * * 493 00:18:44,057 --> 00:18:46,126 - Now we'll see if Abel's strategy pays off. 494 00:18:46,159 --> 00:18:48,261 The race is over, but he could still 495 00:18:48,294 --> 00:18:50,096 be one of our top non-winners. 496 00:18:50,130 --> 00:18:53,366 However, that plan only works if he hits the buzzer. 497 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:55,602 Otherwise, he's too slow. 498 00:18:55,635 --> 00:18:57,470 - Look at that left side of the bar, Akbar. 499 00:18:57,504 --> 00:18:59,305 - Yeah, barely hanging on 500 00:18:59,339 --> 00:19:00,440 Oh! 501 00:19:00,473 --> 00:19:02,409 - And that's it for Abel. 502 00:19:02,442 --> 00:19:05,612 He had a strategy, but it doesn't pay off. 503 00:19:05,645 --> 00:19:07,647 - Yeah, I tried! - Yeah, you heard him. 504 00:19:07,681 --> 00:19:10,884 He says, "I tried," and that's it for Abel Gonzalez. 505 00:19:10,917 --> 00:19:12,619 But Big Cat-- 506 00:19:12,652 --> 00:19:14,587 - Hey, I'm back, baby. - Hey. 507 00:19:14,621 --> 00:19:16,056 both: You are back! - And this old cat's 508 00:19:16,089 --> 00:19:17,590 got a few more tricks up his sleeve. 509 00:19:17,624 --> 00:19:19,492 - You can use those tricks in Vegas! 510 00:19:19,526 --> 00:19:21,428 Hit that buzzer one more time! 511 00:19:21,461 --> 00:19:25,165 [cheers and applause] 512 00:19:25,198 --> 00:19:27,300 - Coming up... 513 00:19:27,334 --> 00:19:28,401 [cheers and applause] 514 00:19:28,435 --> 00:19:30,270 - She's made "Ninja" history, 515 00:19:30,303 --> 00:19:32,272 - The first mom! 516 00:19:32,305 --> 00:19:35,909 - But Sandy Zimmerman's never qualified for Vegas. 517 00:19:35,942 --> 00:19:39,846 Tonight, she's facing one of the best, Isabella Wakeham. 518 00:19:39,879 --> 00:19:43,783 That's next on "American Ninja Warrior." 519 00:19:47,787 --> 00:19:50,690 - It's the semifinals on "Ninja Warrior," 520 00:19:50,724 --> 00:19:52,759 and minutes ago, it was The Flyboy, 521 00:19:52,792 --> 00:19:55,528 17-year-old Texan Isaiah Thomas, 522 00:19:55,562 --> 00:19:59,499 seeded sixth, racing the 19th-seeded Forest Strick, 523 00:19:59,532 --> 00:20:02,569 who's from Wasilla, Alaska. 524 00:20:02,602 --> 00:20:04,671 Though Strick is an air force veteran, 525 00:20:04,704 --> 00:20:08,208 it was The Flyboy who hit the afterburners. 526 00:20:08,241 --> 00:20:10,043 - This kid can go, Matt! 527 00:20:10,076 --> 00:20:13,013 - The three-time "Ninja" veteran lit up the course-- 528 00:20:13,046 --> 00:20:14,981 - They don't call him the "flyboy" for nothing! 529 00:20:15,015 --> 00:20:17,183 - --cruising through every obstacle, 530 00:20:17,217 --> 00:20:21,221 and hitting the buzzer in just 1:08. 531 00:20:21,254 --> 00:20:23,189 - Let's go! 532 00:20:23,223 --> 00:20:26,459 - Strick made it all the way to Slingshot before falling. 533 00:20:26,493 --> 00:20:27,961 - Oh! 534 00:20:27,994 --> 00:20:29,896 - But with the fastest finish so far, 535 00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:32,065 The Flyboy has a good shot at racing 536 00:20:32,098 --> 00:20:34,434 for the Safety Pass at the end of the night. 537 00:20:34,467 --> 00:20:35,669 - Who's him? 538 00:20:35,702 --> 00:20:38,438 - I'm him! 539 00:20:38,471 --> 00:20:40,674 - We've really been looking forward to this next matchup, 540 00:20:40,707 --> 00:20:42,842 featuring two of our top women competitors. 541 00:20:42,876 --> 00:20:47,280 It's the talented 19-year-old from Texas, Isabella Wakeham, 542 00:20:47,313 --> 00:20:49,716 the number one seed among this group of women, 543 00:20:49,749 --> 00:20:51,751 taking on the number eight seed, 544 00:20:51,785 --> 00:20:54,587 46-year-old super mom Sandy Zimmerman, 545 00:20:54,621 --> 00:20:56,356 who's been a "Ninja" trailblazer 546 00:20:56,389 --> 00:20:59,059 but has never made it to Vegas. 547 00:20:59,092 --> 00:21:00,860 [together] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 548 00:21:00,894 --> 00:21:04,564 - History could be made in the Tacoma Dome! 549 00:21:04,597 --> 00:21:06,332 - Yes! Yes! 550 00:21:06,366 --> 00:21:07,901 [cheers and applause] 551 00:21:07,934 --> 00:21:09,302 - One of my big goals when I first started 552 00:21:09,336 --> 00:21:10,770 "American Ninja Warrior" was to be the first mom 553 00:21:10,804 --> 00:21:11,771 to hit a buzzer. 554 00:21:11,805 --> 00:21:15,141 [buzzer blares] 555 00:21:15,175 --> 00:21:18,345 But my second big goal was to get to Vegas. 556 00:21:18,378 --> 00:21:20,413 [together] Sandy! Sandy! Sandy! 557 00:21:20,447 --> 00:21:22,082 - I mean, I've been doing "Ninja Warrior" 558 00:21:22,115 --> 00:21:23,149 for eight years. 559 00:21:23,183 --> 00:21:24,184 - Oh, come on. 560 00:21:24,217 --> 00:21:25,518 - Oh! - Oh, man! 561 00:21:25,552 --> 00:21:28,121 Say it ain't so, Sandy! 562 00:21:28,154 --> 00:21:34,728 - And I have been so close on so many occasions. 563 00:21:34,761 --> 00:21:37,097 - Oh! 564 00:21:37,097 --> 00:21:38,465 Get it. Get it. 565 00:21:38,498 --> 00:21:41,134 - Oh, mother ninja! - What are you doing? 566 00:21:41,167 --> 00:21:43,003 Look at the ring sliding on that first rung. 567 00:21:43,103 --> 00:21:46,239 - Oh! 568 00:21:46,272 --> 00:21:48,375 - And you can see the frustration 569 00:21:48,408 --> 00:21:51,111 for Sandy Zimmerman! 570 00:21:51,144 --> 00:21:53,179 - I feel like this is my chance to deliver. 571 00:21:53,213 --> 00:21:57,384 [inspirational music] 572 00:21:57,417 --> 00:22:00,453 - Can she get back up? 573 00:22:00,487 --> 00:22:05,058 - I have fought, and I've clawed 574 00:22:05,058 --> 00:22:08,261 for so long 575 00:22:08,294 --> 00:22:12,065 to get this big dream and goal, 576 00:22:12,065 --> 00:22:14,267 and nothing's standing in my way this season. 577 00:22:14,300 --> 00:22:17,570 * * 578 00:22:17,604 --> 00:22:19,072 [cheers and applause] 579 00:22:19,072 --> 00:22:20,974 - Sandy's family watching back in Spokane 580 00:22:21,074 --> 00:22:22,976 along with a big group of her friends. 581 00:22:23,076 --> 00:22:25,245 She will have her hands full with Isabella Wakeham, 582 00:22:25,278 --> 00:22:28,648 who, as we said, is the women's number one seed. 583 00:22:28,682 --> 00:22:30,150 She almost finished stage one last year. 584 00:22:30,183 --> 00:22:32,285 And she wants to get back to Vegas. 585 00:22:32,318 --> 00:22:34,821 Her brother, who ran earlier, and other family members 586 00:22:34,854 --> 00:22:36,756 are on her sideline. 587 00:22:36,790 --> 00:22:39,759 [countdown clock beeping] 588 00:22:39,793 --> 00:22:41,428 Wakeham has been impressive, 589 00:22:41,461 --> 00:22:43,830 made it to Vegas each of the past two years. 590 00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:45,532 She's now a student at Texas A&M 591 00:22:45,565 --> 00:22:47,467 and has continued to train for "Ninja" 592 00:22:47,500 --> 00:22:48,968 while going to college. 593 00:22:49,002 --> 00:22:51,237 - Yeah, and it's been about 25 years since Sandy 594 00:22:51,271 --> 00:22:55,241 was going to college playing basketball for Gonzaga. 595 00:22:55,275 --> 00:22:57,577 both: Oh! 596 00:22:57,610 --> 00:22:59,512 - Wakeham is down! 597 00:22:59,546 --> 00:23:02,182 - Are you kidding me? 598 00:23:02,215 --> 00:23:06,353 - Now Sandy just needs to dismount. 599 00:23:06,386 --> 00:23:10,890 And Sandy Zimmerman is going to Vegas! 600 00:23:10,924 --> 00:23:13,460 - You go, girl! 601 00:23:13,493 --> 00:23:16,196 Matt, I did not see that one coming! 602 00:23:16,229 --> 00:23:17,831 - And Sandy's pumped up! 603 00:23:17,864 --> 00:23:19,632 She's gonna keep going, maybe add 604 00:23:19,666 --> 00:23:22,135 another buzzer to her résumé. 605 00:23:22,168 --> 00:23:24,771 - Let's go back and look at Isabella's fall. 606 00:23:24,804 --> 00:23:28,208 Looks like she may have bumped her head on the second shelf, 607 00:23:28,241 --> 00:23:30,377 made her come up short on the third. 608 00:23:30,410 --> 00:23:34,314 That's a move she makes almost any other time. 609 00:23:34,347 --> 00:23:36,082 - Go, Sandy! 610 00:23:36,082 --> 00:23:37,283 - Sandy keeps charging. 611 00:23:37,317 --> 00:23:39,285 She's going to get through Beehive. 612 00:23:39,319 --> 00:23:41,488 There's the two other women from Spokane. 613 00:23:41,521 --> 00:23:43,156 They're going to race each other next. 614 00:23:43,189 --> 00:23:44,924 They train with Sandy. 615 00:23:48,094 --> 00:23:50,897 [cheers and applause] 616 00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:52,699 - Let's see if she can get through Sideways, 617 00:23:52,732 --> 00:23:55,435 another tough obstacle. 618 00:23:55,468 --> 00:23:56,569 - [grunts] 619 00:23:56,603 --> 00:23:58,104 - You can hear her grunting. 620 00:23:58,138 --> 00:24:01,274 You know why they call her pitbull. 621 00:24:01,307 --> 00:24:02,542 - Go, Sandy. 622 00:24:02,575 --> 00:24:04,144 - You know Isabella's disappointed. 623 00:24:04,177 --> 00:24:05,912 Had high hopes for this year. 624 00:24:05,945 --> 00:24:09,916 She's the first number one seed eliminated all season, 625 00:24:09,949 --> 00:24:12,285 and Sandy's making the most of it. 626 00:24:12,318 --> 00:24:13,920 [cheers and applause] 627 00:24:13,953 --> 00:24:14,921 - [mouthing] 628 00:24:14,954 --> 00:24:17,424 - Look. She can't believe it! 629 00:24:17,457 --> 00:24:20,827 - Her fans would love to see her get another buzzer. 630 00:24:20,860 --> 00:24:24,798 - This veteran is 46 years old, and she's going to Vegas. 631 00:24:24,831 --> 00:24:27,400 Hard work pays off. - Absolutely. 632 00:24:27,434 --> 00:24:32,672 Trains almost every day on her backyard course. 633 00:24:32,706 --> 00:24:35,675 Oh, Sandy Zimmerman splashes down 634 00:24:35,709 --> 00:24:38,078 but not before doing something she's never done, 635 00:24:38,111 --> 00:24:40,180 punching a ticket to Vegas! 636 00:24:40,213 --> 00:24:41,648 - She's gotta be pumped. 637 00:24:41,681 --> 00:24:43,149 Oh, she's gonna be in tears. 638 00:24:43,183 --> 00:24:44,651 - I'm going to Vegas! 639 00:24:44,684 --> 00:24:47,120 - Yeah! - Ah! 640 00:24:47,153 --> 00:24:48,588 I can't believe it! 641 00:24:48,621 --> 00:24:50,090 - Way to go, Sandy! 642 00:24:50,090 --> 00:24:52,092 [cheers and applause] 643 00:24:52,092 --> 00:24:53,727 - You're going to Vegas. 644 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:57,530 I feel like I see you getting emotional right now. 645 00:24:57,564 --> 00:24:59,366 - I've worked eight years for this. 646 00:24:59,399 --> 00:25:02,369 I've had this big dream, and I've stuck with it 647 00:25:02,402 --> 00:25:05,705 through the highs and lows, ups and downs, wins and successes. 648 00:25:05,739 --> 00:25:11,511 And to be here-- 649 00:25:11,544 --> 00:25:14,114 - Everyone watching tonight is so inspired by what 650 00:25:14,147 --> 00:25:15,648 you just pulled off, and we cannot 651 00:25:15,682 --> 00:25:17,183 wait to see you in Vegas, OK? 652 00:25:17,217 --> 00:25:19,552 Your whole team's going to be there cheering you on. 653 00:25:19,586 --> 00:25:21,354 I'll see you at the national finals. 654 00:25:21,388 --> 00:25:23,056 Congratulations, Sandy. 655 00:25:23,056 --> 00:25:24,090 Give it up for her, y'all. 656 00:25:24,124 --> 00:25:25,692 Come on. There we go. 657 00:25:25,725 --> 00:25:27,360 - Well, congratulations to Sandy. 658 00:25:27,394 --> 00:25:30,430 And up next, we'll find out which of her training partners 659 00:25:30,463 --> 00:25:33,366 will join her, the Bicep Babe, mother of two, 660 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:37,771 Clarisa Morris, or firefighter in training Cailin Jewell. 661 00:25:37,804 --> 00:25:41,074 They're next on "American Ninja Warrior." 662 00:25:45,879 --> 00:25:47,814 - It's the semifinals from Universal Studios, 663 00:25:47,847 --> 00:25:51,217 and moments ago, 18-year-old Sylas Snider had his work 664 00:25:51,251 --> 00:25:54,954 cut out for him as he took on a ninja known for speed, 665 00:25:54,988 --> 00:25:57,691 28-year-old stuntman Kyle Soderman. 666 00:25:57,724 --> 00:26:01,027 With his mom and fiancée, fellow ninja Megan Johnson, 667 00:26:01,027 --> 00:26:04,898 cheering him on, Soderman, as expected, jumped out in front. 668 00:26:04,931 --> 00:26:05,899 - Watch Kyle Soderman. 669 00:26:05,932 --> 00:26:07,701 I mean, he is taking off! 670 00:26:07,734 --> 00:26:09,669 - But Snider, a rookie from Indianapolis, 671 00:26:09,703 --> 00:26:11,638 stayed within striking distance. 672 00:26:11,671 --> 00:26:13,139 - Oh, big move! 673 00:26:13,173 --> 00:26:15,675 - It was neck-and-neck as they both fought forward 674 00:26:15,709 --> 00:26:17,310 through Slingshot. 675 00:26:17,344 --> 00:26:18,611 - But Sylas is off a little bit. 676 00:26:18,645 --> 00:26:19,612 He's off! 677 00:26:19,646 --> 00:26:21,614 Oh, my goodness! 678 00:26:21,648 --> 00:26:23,850 - Soderman held on and made it to the buzzer. 679 00:26:23,883 --> 00:26:26,119 He's going to Vegas for the third straight year. 680 00:26:26,152 --> 00:26:29,089 - Let's go, my boys! 681 00:26:29,122 --> 00:26:31,758 - Oh, he is so pumped! 682 00:26:31,791 --> 00:26:34,127 - Then, it was 18-year-old Chick-fil-A worker, 683 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:37,897 Benjamin Drake, racing against the Louisianimal, 684 00:26:37,931 --> 00:26:41,101 crop top-wearing Elijah Levée, who rehabs wild 685 00:26:41,134 --> 00:26:43,103 creatures back in Louisiana. 686 00:26:43,136 --> 00:26:44,704 This one started out close, 687 00:26:44,738 --> 00:26:46,740 but Levée couldn't get his claws 688 00:26:46,773 --> 00:26:48,541 around the Flying Shelf Grab. 689 00:26:48,575 --> 00:26:49,542 - Oh! 690 00:26:49,576 --> 00:26:51,911 Elijah Levée! 691 00:26:51,945 --> 00:26:53,980 - That gave Drake the win. 692 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:57,384 This teenager balances three jobs back in Tennessee, 693 00:26:57,417 --> 00:26:59,853 but he couldn't handle Sideways. 694 00:26:59,886 --> 00:27:01,688 - Oh, he lost it! 695 00:27:01,721 --> 00:27:04,724 - Despite the fall, he's going to the national finals 696 00:27:04,758 --> 00:27:06,593 as a rookie. 697 00:27:06,626 --> 00:27:09,696 Our next two competitors are guaranteed to be entertaining, 698 00:27:09,729 --> 00:27:11,231 no matter what happens. 699 00:27:11,264 --> 00:27:14,567 We've got "Ninja Cal," Cal Plohoros, who's a budding 700 00:27:14,601 --> 00:27:17,804 actor, going against social media star Simba Jones, 701 00:27:17,837 --> 00:27:20,040 who's a huge star on TikTok. 702 00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:21,408 [laughter] 703 00:27:21,441 --> 00:27:23,877 Simba has more than 9 million followers 704 00:27:23,910 --> 00:27:25,679 and over a billion views. 705 00:27:25,712 --> 00:27:28,548 He and his boys make comedy videos, where they tell 706 00:27:28,581 --> 00:27:30,150 jokes and have rap battles. 707 00:27:30,183 --> 00:27:31,151 - Ice is in the lead. 708 00:27:31,184 --> 00:27:32,452 That's Ice tyce. 709 00:27:32,485 --> 00:27:34,120 [all shouting] 710 00:27:34,154 --> 00:27:35,255 - Ice is itching her hair. 711 00:27:35,288 --> 00:27:36,256 That's Ice lice. 712 00:27:36,289 --> 00:27:37,424 - What? 713 00:27:37,457 --> 00:27:38,892 I was just kidding! 714 00:27:38,925 --> 00:27:41,528 - Cal is taking acting classes in hopes to pursue 715 00:27:41,561 --> 00:27:42,662 a career in entertainment. 716 00:27:42,696 --> 00:27:46,299 - Honey, I'm home! 717 00:27:46,332 --> 00:27:47,901 - Well, we've got a lot of personality 718 00:27:47,934 --> 00:27:50,737 between these two and a lot of muscle. 719 00:27:50,770 --> 00:27:54,207 Ninja Cal has really bulked up since his rookie season. 720 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:55,542 - Go, Cal. 721 00:27:55,575 --> 00:27:57,911 - Cal has got his family here from Pennsylvania, 722 00:27:57,944 --> 00:28:00,447 and Simba's got his TikTok crew ready to make 723 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:02,248 some noise again. 724 00:28:02,282 --> 00:28:04,684 - All right, Simba Jones, this ain't TikTok. 725 00:28:04,718 --> 00:28:05,719 It ain't funny. 726 00:28:05,752 --> 00:28:07,120 This is the real deal. 727 00:28:07,153 --> 00:28:08,888 [countdown clock beeping] 728 00:28:08,922 --> 00:28:11,424 - Simba Jones did not train a lot for a "Ninja" 729 00:28:11,458 --> 00:28:12,759 before the season. 730 00:28:12,792 --> 00:28:14,527 To be in the semifinals is quite impressive. 731 00:28:14,561 --> 00:28:16,029 - And look at Simba! 732 00:28:16,029 --> 00:28:18,064 - And Ninja Cal's got the foot on the accelerator, 733 00:28:18,098 --> 00:28:20,133 but Simba matching him. - OK! OK! 734 00:28:20,166 --> 00:28:21,634 I see you, Simba! 735 00:28:21,668 --> 00:28:24,504 - Cal Plohoros likes to go fast, but in past runs, 736 00:28:24,537 --> 00:28:26,039 that's led to mistakes. 737 00:28:26,039 --> 00:28:28,808 - Oh, but it's Simba with the early fall. 738 00:28:28,842 --> 00:28:30,944 - Ooh, hakuna matata. 739 00:28:31,044 --> 00:28:32,278 That means Simba's in the water! 740 00:28:32,312 --> 00:28:34,280 - So Cal's got the win. 741 00:28:34,314 --> 00:28:36,249 He can now throw caution to the wind 742 00:28:36,282 --> 00:28:37,751 and go for the fastest time. 743 00:28:37,784 --> 00:28:39,252 - He skipped that first bar! 744 00:28:39,285 --> 00:28:40,387 - Yes, he did! 745 00:28:40,420 --> 00:28:41,421 He just went straight for it. 746 00:28:41,454 --> 00:28:42,422 He's flying! 747 00:28:42,455 --> 00:28:43,723 He knows what's up! 748 00:28:43,757 --> 00:28:46,626 - Running like he wants that Safety Pass! 749 00:28:46,659 --> 00:28:48,561 both: Oh! 750 00:28:48,595 --> 00:28:50,897 - The speed catches up to Ninja Cal 751 00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:53,266 but not before punching his ticket to Vegas! 752 00:28:53,299 --> 00:28:54,668 - Yeah! Let's go! 753 00:28:54,701 --> 00:28:56,336 Whoo! 754 00:28:56,369 --> 00:28:58,071 - Well, up next, it's the battle 755 00:28:58,071 --> 00:29:02,075 of Spokane, two friends from the same city. 756 00:29:02,108 --> 00:29:04,411 We've got 25-year-old firefighter trainee 757 00:29:04,444 --> 00:29:07,280 Cailin Jewell facing the Bicep Babe, 758 00:29:07,313 --> 00:29:09,683 27-year-old mom Clarisa Morris, 759 00:29:09,716 --> 00:29:12,385 and both these women train with the other woman 760 00:29:12,419 --> 00:29:15,055 from Spokane, Sandy Zimmerman. 761 00:29:15,088 --> 00:29:16,222 [upbeat music] 762 00:29:16,256 --> 00:29:19,492 - So I say start with the skyhooks 763 00:29:19,526 --> 00:29:22,062 and get some reps on that. 764 00:29:22,095 --> 00:29:23,830 Get it, girl. 765 00:29:23,863 --> 00:29:26,766 - Historically, Spokane hasn't been known as a ninja hotspot. 766 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:27,767 - Get it! Get it! 767 00:29:27,801 --> 00:29:28,768 Get it! Get the dismount! 768 00:29:28,802 --> 00:29:29,869 - Yeah! 769 00:29:29,903 --> 00:29:32,072 - But, recently, it's kind of seeming 770 00:29:32,105 --> 00:29:33,840 like it's becoming one. 771 00:29:33,873 --> 00:29:34,874 There's me. 772 00:29:34,908 --> 00:29:36,843 There's Cailin Jewell. 773 00:29:36,876 --> 00:29:38,144 Obviously, there's Sandy Zimmerman. 774 00:29:38,178 --> 00:29:40,313 - Power up, big dismount. 775 00:29:40,347 --> 00:29:41,314 That's a girl! 776 00:29:41,348 --> 00:29:42,949 Oh, stick it! - Thank you. 777 00:29:43,049 --> 00:29:44,584 - That's a girl! 778 00:29:44,617 --> 00:29:47,520 - Sandy has definitely been a huge example to me of being 779 00:29:47,554 --> 00:29:48,922 able to juggle being a mom-- 780 00:29:48,955 --> 00:29:49,923 - Yeah! 781 00:29:49,956 --> 00:29:51,391 There you go! 782 00:29:51,424 --> 00:29:54,427 - --having a job, and still being able to train hard 783 00:29:54,461 --> 00:29:56,062 and have success in "Ninja." 784 00:29:56,062 --> 00:29:57,063 - Good. 785 00:29:57,063 --> 00:29:58,098 You got enough. 786 00:29:58,131 --> 00:29:59,099 That's a girl! 787 00:29:59,132 --> 00:30:00,433 Power up! 788 00:30:00,467 --> 00:30:03,169 The moment I saw her on that first obstacle, 789 00:30:03,203 --> 00:30:05,939 I just knew, she could do whatever she wanted to do 790 00:30:05,972 --> 00:30:07,140 and accomplish in this sport. 791 00:30:07,173 --> 00:30:08,508 Nice job. 792 00:30:08,541 --> 00:30:11,444 I may have been the first mom to hit a buzzer, 793 00:30:11,478 --> 00:30:14,881 but Clarisa is going to be the next mom to hit a buzzer. 794 00:30:14,914 --> 00:30:18,351 - It's been a dream for both Sandy and I to go to Vegas, 795 00:30:18,385 --> 00:30:21,521 and I'm planning on being in Vegas with Sandy by my side. 796 00:30:21,554 --> 00:30:24,157 * * 797 00:30:24,190 --> 00:30:26,226 [cheers and applause] 798 00:30:26,259 --> 00:30:28,528 - Clarissa's kids watching back in Washington. 799 00:30:28,561 --> 00:30:32,599 Cailin's boyfriend cheering for her. 800 00:30:32,632 --> 00:30:34,868 - Yeah, Sandy's going to be cheering for both women, 801 00:30:34,901 --> 00:30:36,636 and they are evenly matched. 802 00:30:36,670 --> 00:30:38,038 Cailin Jewell the sixth seed, 803 00:30:38,071 --> 00:30:40,440 where Clarisa Morris the three seed. 804 00:30:40,473 --> 00:30:43,843 [countdown clock beeping] 805 00:30:43,877 --> 00:30:45,612 Cailin Jewell should be comfortable on 806 00:30:45,645 --> 00:30:47,347 these tiny houses on Home Run. 807 00:30:47,380 --> 00:30:49,449 She actually lives in a tiny house 808 00:30:49,482 --> 00:30:50,717 she built with her boyfriend. 809 00:30:50,750 --> 00:30:52,252 She is good with tools. 810 00:30:52,285 --> 00:30:54,120 Currently training to be a firefighter in Spokane 811 00:30:54,154 --> 00:30:59,426 just like her dad. 812 00:30:59,459 --> 00:31:01,561 But it's the bicep babe, Clarisa Morris, 813 00:31:01,594 --> 00:31:03,396 with a small lead early. 814 00:31:03,430 --> 00:31:07,600 And she is first off Flying Shelf Grab. 815 00:31:07,634 --> 00:31:10,070 - We've already have one mom from Spokane going 816 00:31:10,070 --> 00:31:11,738 to Vegas, Sandy Zimmerman. 817 00:31:11,771 --> 00:31:13,707 Could we have another? 818 00:31:13,740 --> 00:31:15,709 - There's another mom watching on the right. 819 00:31:15,742 --> 00:31:18,345 That's Mady Howard, who's already punched her ticket 820 00:31:18,378 --> 00:31:22,415 to the national finals. 821 00:31:22,449 --> 00:31:25,118 Both these women taking some extra swings on Beehive. 822 00:31:25,151 --> 00:31:28,988 That may catch up to them, but Clarisa Morris off first. 823 00:31:29,089 --> 00:31:32,592 [cheers and applause] 824 00:31:32,625 --> 00:31:34,160 Cailin Jewell hanging in there. 825 00:31:34,194 --> 00:31:36,162 She's through three. 826 00:31:36,196 --> 00:31:38,865 But the bicep babe is first up on Sideways. 827 00:31:38,898 --> 00:31:40,400 And we've talked about her strength. 828 00:31:40,433 --> 00:31:43,636 She can bench press 175 pounds, 829 00:31:43,670 --> 00:31:46,373 even though she weighs only 118 pounds. 830 00:31:46,406 --> 00:31:48,675 So dedicated to "Ninja," she moved her family 831 00:31:48,708 --> 00:31:50,210 to Utah for a few months in the winter 832 00:31:50,243 --> 00:31:52,812 so she could train indoors. 833 00:31:52,846 --> 00:31:54,014 - Matt, on the other side, 834 00:31:54,114 --> 00:31:56,149 Cailin Jewell is moving slowly. 835 00:31:56,182 --> 00:31:57,384 You've gotta have the grip strength! 836 00:31:57,417 --> 00:32:00,086 Oh! Oh, my goodness! 837 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:02,756 - Cailin Jewell is out. 838 00:32:02,789 --> 00:32:05,225 - Another mom going to Vegas! 839 00:32:05,258 --> 00:32:07,827 It ain't even Mother's Day and we're celebrating these moms! 840 00:32:07,861 --> 00:32:11,064 - Two moms from Spokane are going to Vegas! 841 00:32:11,097 --> 00:32:13,533 [cheers and applause] 842 00:32:17,203 --> 00:32:18,438 Yes! 843 00:32:18,471 --> 00:32:20,440 - What is in the water in Spokane? 844 00:32:20,473 --> 00:32:23,443 - Finish it! Finish it! Finish it! 845 00:32:23,476 --> 00:32:26,513 - She's gonna keep going to try to get a buzzer. 846 00:32:26,546 --> 00:32:27,847 Her daughters back in Spokane gotta 847 00:32:27,881 --> 00:32:29,516 be so proud of their mom. 848 00:32:29,549 --> 00:32:32,118 Just started training for this a couple of years ago, 849 00:32:32,152 --> 00:32:35,422 and now she's going to the national finals. 850 00:32:38,091 --> 00:32:40,093 - Only a few women have made it through Slingshot 851 00:32:40,093 --> 00:32:41,594 in these semis. 852 00:32:41,628 --> 00:32:42,929 Matt, if she can conquer this obstacle, 853 00:32:42,962 --> 00:32:44,898 that would be impressive. 854 00:32:44,931 --> 00:32:47,434 - This is a big move here. 855 00:32:47,467 --> 00:32:49,202 - Oh, just misses it! 856 00:32:49,235 --> 00:32:51,104 - Splashes down, but no matter. 857 00:32:51,137 --> 00:32:54,140 She's joining Sandy Zimmerman in Las Vegas. 858 00:32:54,174 --> 00:32:57,243 - Clarisa Morris flexing on this course! 859 00:32:57,277 --> 00:33:00,046 - Let me see them muscles, Matt! 860 00:33:00,046 --> 00:33:01,381 - And we're going together! 861 00:33:01,414 --> 00:33:03,083 - Wah! 862 00:33:03,116 --> 00:33:06,219 We're going to Vegas! We're going to Vegas! 863 00:33:06,252 --> 00:33:09,122 - Clarisa and Sandy won't be alone. 864 00:33:09,155 --> 00:33:13,827 Next week, we're rolling into Vegas for the national finals. 865 00:33:13,860 --> 00:33:16,229 - It's going to come down to how they handle pressure. 866 00:33:16,262 --> 00:33:19,432 - For the first time, we'll have side-by-side 867 00:33:19,466 --> 00:33:21,234 racing on stage two. 868 00:33:21,267 --> 00:33:22,669 - It's go time. 869 00:33:22,702 --> 00:33:25,605 - And this year, someone's climbing stage four 870 00:33:25,638 --> 00:33:28,808 and taking home the million-dollar prize. 871 00:33:28,842 --> 00:33:30,610 It all starts next week... 872 00:33:30,643 --> 00:33:31,778 - Whoo! 873 00:33:31,811 --> 00:33:34,714 - On "American Ninja Warrior." 874 00:33:40,787 --> 00:33:41,921 - We've had some head-spinning matchups 875 00:33:41,955 --> 00:33:43,823 in the last few minutes. 876 00:33:43,857 --> 00:33:47,427 Colorado's Ian Dory is making a comeback this season. 877 00:33:47,460 --> 00:33:50,263 He's got 14 career buzzers and at his peak 878 00:33:50,296 --> 00:33:52,565 was one of the best ninjas in the world. 879 00:33:52,599 --> 00:33:56,770 He squared off against another "Ninja" vet, Jonathan Bange, 880 00:33:56,803 --> 00:33:58,972 who came in with zero buzzers, and is 881 00:33:59,005 --> 00:34:01,341 best known for his signature... 882 00:34:01,374 --> 00:34:03,276 - Bang! Bang! 883 00:34:03,309 --> 00:34:05,845 - These two came out fast and stayed close 884 00:34:05,879 --> 00:34:07,180 through the first three obstacles. 885 00:34:07,213 --> 00:34:09,049 - They're pushing it! 886 00:34:09,049 --> 00:34:11,551 - Dory nearly made it to stage four eight years ago, 887 00:34:11,584 --> 00:34:14,287 and he was looking strong tonight-- 888 00:34:14,320 --> 00:34:15,655 both: Oh! 889 00:34:15,689 --> 00:34:18,058 - --but shockingly went down on Sideways. 890 00:34:18,058 --> 00:34:20,894 That gave the win to Bange. 891 00:34:20,927 --> 00:34:23,563 And with friends on the sidelines and back in Texas 892 00:34:23,596 --> 00:34:26,666 going nuts, the beloved coach kept battling 893 00:34:26,700 --> 00:34:28,335 in search of his first buzzer. 894 00:34:28,368 --> 00:34:29,669 - I see you! 895 00:34:29,703 --> 00:34:31,237 OK, my ninja! 896 00:34:31,271 --> 00:34:35,108 - At 34 years old, the banging Ninja finally got it. 897 00:34:35,141 --> 00:34:37,577 - Bang! [buzzer blares] 898 00:34:37,610 --> 00:34:38,578 - There it is! 899 00:34:38,611 --> 00:34:40,080 - Bang! 900 00:34:40,113 --> 00:34:42,782 - He's going to Vegas for the first time ever. 901 00:34:42,816 --> 00:34:45,218 - Let's go! 902 00:34:45,251 --> 00:34:47,721 Oh, my goodness! 903 00:34:47,754 --> 00:34:51,391 - Then, a couple of teenagers got their shot on the course 904 00:34:51,424 --> 00:34:54,327 as one of our top competitors, former "Nina Junior" 905 00:34:54,361 --> 00:34:58,298 champion Vance Walker took on the E-Z Ninja, McAllen, 906 00:34:58,331 --> 00:35:00,300 Texas' Erick Zamorano. 907 00:35:00,333 --> 00:35:03,069 - Zamorano is going to have his hands full! 908 00:35:03,103 --> 00:35:05,038 - In two seasons of "Ninja Junior," 909 00:35:05,038 --> 00:35:06,773 Walker never lost a race. 910 00:35:06,806 --> 00:35:09,509 And he came out blazing again tonight. 911 00:35:09,542 --> 00:35:11,611 - Looks like he's picking up speed, Matt. 912 00:35:11,644 --> 00:35:14,914 - Zamorano kept a steady pace but had no chance 913 00:35:14,948 --> 00:35:17,917 of catching Walker, who's looking like he may be one 914 00:35:17,951 --> 00:35:20,253 to watch in the national finals. 915 00:35:20,286 --> 00:35:23,189 He hit the buzzer with by far the fastest time of the night. 916 00:35:23,223 --> 00:35:25,458 So he'll likely race in a few minutes 917 00:35:25,492 --> 00:35:27,060 for the Safety Pass, 918 00:35:27,060 --> 00:35:28,695 which will give him a second chance 919 00:35:28,728 --> 00:35:30,597 if he falls in Vegas. 920 00:35:30,630 --> 00:35:34,200 Zamorano made it to Slingshot in 58 seconds. 921 00:35:34,234 --> 00:35:35,835 - Oh! 922 00:35:35,869 --> 00:35:38,405 - He has a very good chance to move on as one of the two 923 00:35:38,438 --> 00:35:40,707 fastest non-winners. 924 00:35:40,740 --> 00:35:42,442 Up next a crowd favorite. 925 00:35:42,475 --> 00:35:45,679 It's the Sparkly Ninja, Barclay Stockett, 926 00:35:45,712 --> 00:35:48,314 the 28-year-old veteran from Houston looking to get back 927 00:35:48,348 --> 00:35:51,184 to the national finals for the fifth time, 928 00:35:51,217 --> 00:35:53,453 and she's facing 20-year-old security guard 929 00:35:53,486 --> 00:35:57,090 Rachel "No Brakes" Brown, a former teen phenom 930 00:35:57,090 --> 00:35:59,759 whose time has come. 931 00:35:59,793 --> 00:36:03,063 - If you haven't heard of Rachel Brown, you soon will. 932 00:36:03,096 --> 00:36:06,800 - I was 12 years old beating some of the top ninjas. 933 00:36:06,833 --> 00:36:08,368 - You got it, Rachel! 934 00:36:08,401 --> 00:36:10,704 - Give it up for Rachel Brown. 935 00:36:10,737 --> 00:36:13,807 - I was this little girl that wore a backwards hat. 936 00:36:13,840 --> 00:36:16,843 And in a way, I kind of feel like I started 937 00:36:16,876 --> 00:36:20,447 the teens and everything like that with "Ninja," 938 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:23,183 because I was the first one. 939 00:36:23,216 --> 00:36:25,618 [uplifting music] 940 00:36:25,652 --> 00:36:27,220 - I think Rachel Brown is the first kid 941 00:36:27,253 --> 00:36:30,256 that I was like, "You're going to be amazing. 942 00:36:30,290 --> 00:36:31,925 If she could have been on the show 943 00:36:31,958 --> 00:36:36,563 when she was 13 years old, she would have beat the course. 944 00:36:36,596 --> 00:36:39,065 And it's so cool to see her now, 945 00:36:39,065 --> 00:36:42,902 practically a grown woman, competing with us. 946 00:36:42,936 --> 00:36:45,805 - I graduated high school, didn't know what I 947 00:36:45,839 --> 00:36:47,774 wanted to do, so I got a job. 948 00:36:47,807 --> 00:36:49,743 I'm an unarmed security officer, 949 00:36:49,776 --> 00:36:54,547 I'm a server at Olive Garden, and I ride motorcycles. 950 00:36:54,581 --> 00:36:57,217 I just work a lot, I train a lot, 951 00:36:57,250 --> 00:36:59,486 and I'm ready to kick butt. 952 00:36:59,519 --> 00:37:03,089 [cheers and applause] 953 00:37:03,123 --> 00:37:05,558 - Rachel did a good job in qualifying, 954 00:37:05,592 --> 00:37:07,660 made it quickly to the fifth obstacle. 955 00:37:07,694 --> 00:37:10,864 She's the number four seed, while Barclay is a five, 956 00:37:10,897 --> 00:37:14,434 so the Sparkly Ninja's got her hands full. 957 00:37:14,467 --> 00:37:18,238 - Rachel's got her mom on the sideline. 958 00:37:18,271 --> 00:37:22,242 And Barclay's fiancée, Tee, watching from home. 959 00:37:22,275 --> 00:37:24,044 [countdown clock beeping] 960 00:37:24,077 --> 00:37:25,445 Barclay is only 5 feet tall. 961 00:37:25,478 --> 00:37:27,681 Got to be cautious on Home Run, 962 00:37:27,714 --> 00:37:29,315 Rachel Brown off quickly. 963 00:37:29,349 --> 00:37:30,684 - Really going for it there! 964 00:37:30,717 --> 00:37:32,686 Aggressive start! 965 00:37:32,719 --> 00:37:33,953 - Rachel Brown is 5'4". 966 00:37:34,054 --> 00:37:35,655 She's got a 4-inch height advantage. 967 00:37:35,689 --> 00:37:38,058 And you can see, she used that there on Home Run. 968 00:37:38,058 --> 00:37:39,693 - Well, this is where Barclay has such good power 969 00:37:39,726 --> 00:37:41,061 with her laches. 970 00:37:41,061 --> 00:37:43,530 - Yeah, she is so powerful, so compact. 971 00:37:43,563 --> 00:37:45,065 - Barclay was a top-level gymnast, 972 00:37:45,065 --> 00:37:46,633 has great upper-body strength. 973 00:37:46,666 --> 00:37:51,538 She'll use that here on Beehive. 974 00:37:51,571 --> 00:37:52,906 - What a good race! 975 00:37:52,939 --> 00:37:55,742 - Rachel Brown right on her heels! 976 00:37:55,775 --> 00:37:57,944 - Matt, you can see right there, Rachel starting to gain 977 00:37:57,977 --> 00:38:01,314 ground on Barclay Stockett! 978 00:38:01,348 --> 00:38:03,416 - These two pushing each other! 979 00:38:03,450 --> 00:38:05,852 - Barclay off of Beehive first, but "No Brakes" 980 00:38:05,885 --> 00:38:07,921 Brown is hot on her tail. 981 00:38:08,021 --> 00:38:09,489 - Come on, Rachel! 982 00:38:09,522 --> 00:38:11,725 - Sideways is going to be tough for Barclay. 983 00:38:11,758 --> 00:38:15,495 Five feet, with those long laches, not much wingspan. 984 00:38:15,528 --> 00:38:17,197 Really gonna have to kip herself off. 985 00:38:17,230 --> 00:38:19,866 - Rachel Brown, she knows about riding motorcycles. 986 00:38:19,899 --> 00:38:21,735 This is where she needs to accelerate! 987 00:38:21,768 --> 00:38:23,303 both: Oh! 988 00:38:23,336 --> 00:38:27,607 - Rachel Brown goes down, and Barclay gets the win! 989 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:29,843 She was first off the previous obstacles, 990 00:38:29,876 --> 00:38:32,278 so she's already in. 991 00:38:32,312 --> 00:38:34,547 And now Barclay's focused on doing something she's 992 00:38:34,581 --> 00:38:36,383 never done, hitting a buzzer! 993 00:38:36,416 --> 00:38:38,051 - Oh, that would be special. 994 00:38:38,051 --> 00:38:39,753 That would be special. 995 00:38:39,786 --> 00:38:43,223 - And I think she's gonna skip the final handle. 996 00:38:43,256 --> 00:38:46,559 Oh, just barely makes it through! 997 00:38:46,593 --> 00:38:48,762 And she can finally smile now and relish 998 00:38:48,795 --> 00:38:51,264 the fact she's going to the national finals 999 00:38:51,297 --> 00:38:52,899 once again. 1000 00:38:52,932 --> 00:38:54,701 - Rachel, I love you, girl. 1001 00:38:54,734 --> 00:38:57,070 I'm proud of you. - I love you too. 1002 00:38:57,070 --> 00:38:59,072 You got this. Finish strong. Finish strong. 1003 00:38:59,105 --> 00:39:01,641 - All right, you heard Rachel Brown, finish strong. 1004 00:39:01,675 --> 00:39:03,677 [together] Barclay strong! Barclay strong! 1005 00:39:03,710 --> 00:39:05,345 - Barclay strong. 1006 00:39:05,378 --> 00:39:07,147 It says it right there on her shirt. 1007 00:39:07,180 --> 00:39:10,617 How great would it be to go to Vegas, and on top of that, 1008 00:39:10,650 --> 00:39:12,519 pick up her very first buzzer? 1009 00:39:12,552 --> 00:39:14,387 - The Slingshot has ended a lot of runs 1010 00:39:14,421 --> 00:39:15,822 in these semifinals. 1011 00:39:15,855 --> 00:39:18,224 You have to be so precise as you land on the bar. 1012 00:39:18,258 --> 00:39:22,729 And at this point, your arms are gassed. 1013 00:39:22,762 --> 00:39:25,031 - And that bar is already uneven. 1014 00:39:25,031 --> 00:39:27,834 Center that thing. 1015 00:39:27,867 --> 00:39:29,102 both: Oh! 1016 00:39:29,135 --> 00:39:30,136 - Oh, no! - Oh! 1017 00:39:30,170 --> 00:39:32,339 - Whoo! - Oh, man. 1018 00:39:32,372 --> 00:39:34,607 - Well, Barclay Stockett is going back 1019 00:39:34,641 --> 00:39:37,477 to Vegas for a fifth time, but the buzzer 1020 00:39:37,510 --> 00:39:39,045 alludes her once again. 1021 00:39:39,045 --> 00:39:41,181 - Good job, Barclay! 1022 00:39:41,214 --> 00:39:43,750 - Barclay was the last of our women in this first group. 1023 00:39:43,783 --> 00:39:45,552 We'll see her and the rest of tonight's 1024 00:39:45,585 --> 00:39:48,922 winners in Vegas, starting next week. 1025 00:39:48,955 --> 00:39:51,524 - Up next, it's a race you don't want to miss. 1026 00:39:51,558 --> 00:39:54,561 "Ninja" great Daniel Gil goes against firefighter 1027 00:39:54,594 --> 00:39:58,665 Gary Weiland, who's going to run on his prosthetic leg. 1028 00:39:58,698 --> 00:40:00,500 He's amazed us before. 1029 00:40:00,533 --> 00:40:01,868 Can he do it again 1030 00:40:01,901 --> 00:40:05,605 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns? 1031 00:40:10,310 --> 00:40:11,811 - Welcome back to semifinals, where we had a big battle 1032 00:40:11,845 --> 00:40:14,447 minutes ago, as our tallest athlete, 1033 00:40:14,481 --> 00:40:18,084 6'6" Texan Jody Avila, AKA The Big Dog, 1034 00:40:18,118 --> 00:40:21,287 went mano a mano against Deion Butler, 1035 00:40:21,321 --> 00:40:23,023 who's in the U.S. Army. 1036 00:40:23,056 --> 00:40:25,558 - Deion Butler, he's gonna have to be all that he can be 1037 00:40:25,592 --> 00:40:27,227 going up against The Big Dog. 1038 00:40:27,260 --> 00:40:30,930 - Avila is a father of two and an eight-time "Ninja" veteran, 1039 00:40:30,964 --> 00:40:32,766 while Butler was trying to earn a trip 1040 00:40:32,799 --> 00:40:34,634 to Vegas in his rookie year. 1041 00:40:34,668 --> 00:40:36,069 - Oh! 1042 00:40:36,102 --> 00:40:38,338 - Butler's fall meant Avila got the win 1043 00:40:38,371 --> 00:40:40,540 and the heating and air-conditioning technician 1044 00:40:40,573 --> 00:40:42,542 could chill the rest of the way. 1045 00:40:42,575 --> 00:40:44,678 Though he went down on Slingshot-- 1046 00:40:44,711 --> 00:40:46,179 - Oh! 1047 00:40:46,212 --> 00:40:48,214 - --he's going to Vegas for the third straight year. 1048 00:40:48,248 --> 00:40:49,449 - Good job, Jody! 1049 00:40:49,482 --> 00:40:51,084 I see you, baby! 1050 00:40:51,117 --> 00:40:53,853 - Guys, amputee Gary Weiland amazed 1051 00:40:53,887 --> 00:40:55,922 us all with some inspirational runs 1052 00:40:55,955 --> 00:40:58,024 just a few weeks ago in qualifying. 1053 00:40:58,058 --> 00:41:00,293 His motto is "adapt and overcome," 1054 00:41:00,326 --> 00:41:02,062 and he'll need to do just that. 1055 00:41:02,062 --> 00:41:05,098 Because tonight, he is racing one of the all-time greats, 1056 00:41:05,131 --> 00:41:06,599 Daniel Gil. 1057 00:41:06,633 --> 00:41:10,103 Daniel's been to stage four, and he had the fastest time 1058 00:41:10,136 --> 00:41:13,073 in qualifying, while Gary had to win a runoff race 1059 00:41:13,073 --> 00:41:14,074 to get here. 1060 00:41:14,107 --> 00:41:17,277 But he's used to being an underdog. 1061 00:41:17,310 --> 00:41:18,878 - Matt, look in his eyes. 1062 00:41:18,912 --> 00:41:21,081 He is not going down again! 1063 00:41:21,081 --> 00:41:22,082 Nice. 1064 00:41:22,115 --> 00:41:24,384 Go, go, go, go! No, no. Oh! 1065 00:41:24,417 --> 00:41:26,252 - Never in my wildest dreams would 1066 00:41:26,286 --> 00:41:28,154 I think, at 43 years old, that I would 1067 00:41:28,188 --> 00:41:31,091 make it to the semifinals. 1068 00:41:31,124 --> 00:41:32,859 - Oh, my God! - Oh! 1069 00:41:32,892 --> 00:41:35,495 - Oh, my God! - Oh, my God! 1070 00:41:35,528 --> 00:41:38,164 - When I got my vengeance on that log runner, 1071 00:41:38,198 --> 00:41:40,633 I'm pretty sure the expression on my face says it all. 1072 00:41:40,667 --> 00:41:42,268 Ahh! 1073 00:41:42,302 --> 00:41:45,572 And now head-to-head racing is just another obstacle for me 1074 00:41:45,605 --> 00:41:47,974 to overcome. 1075 00:41:48,008 --> 00:41:51,711 - Gary, he does more on one leg than most people do 1076 00:41:51,745 --> 00:41:53,847 in an entire lifetime on two. 1077 00:41:53,880 --> 00:41:55,181 [dramatic music] 1078 00:41:55,215 --> 00:41:57,217 He is going to give everything that he has, 1079 00:41:57,250 --> 00:41:59,552 and so I'm going to do my best and give him everything 1080 00:41:59,586 --> 00:42:01,187 that I've got as well. 1081 00:42:01,221 --> 00:42:04,157 - Daniel Gil is back! 1082 00:42:04,190 --> 00:42:06,359 - I am absolutely going to adapt 1083 00:42:06,393 --> 00:42:08,294 and overcome and get ahead and do 1084 00:42:08,328 --> 00:42:09,629 whatever it takes to win. 1085 00:42:09,662 --> 00:42:14,267 * * 1086 00:42:14,300 --> 00:42:16,236 - Well, no matter what happens, there is 1087 00:42:16,269 --> 00:42:17,904 so much respect between these two, 1088 00:42:17,937 --> 00:42:20,707 both these guys great competitors. 1089 00:42:20,740 --> 00:42:22,442 - Whoo! - Daniel will have his wife, 1090 00:42:22,475 --> 00:42:24,077 Abby, on the sideline... 1091 00:42:24,110 --> 00:42:25,278 - Let's go! 1092 00:42:25,311 --> 00:42:27,480 - While Gary has one son here in LA 1093 00:42:27,514 --> 00:42:30,517 and the rest of the family watching back in Texas. 1094 00:42:30,550 --> 00:42:32,218 Daniel wants to get back to Vegas 1095 00:42:32,252 --> 00:42:35,355 and climb that rope again for a million dollars. 1096 00:42:35,388 --> 00:42:39,092 Gary Weiland would be the first amputee ever to qualify 1097 00:42:39,092 --> 00:42:40,760 for the national finals. 1098 00:42:40,794 --> 00:42:43,730 [countdown clock beeping] 1099 00:42:43,763 --> 00:42:45,632 Gary's going to be careful here on Home-- 1100 00:42:45,665 --> 00:42:47,734 oh, Daniel Gil stumbles! 1101 00:42:47,767 --> 00:42:49,102 - Whoa! 1102 00:42:49,102 --> 00:42:52,272 That would have been crazy! 1103 00:42:52,305 --> 00:42:54,374 - Well, Daniel Gil only has one speed. 1104 00:42:54,407 --> 00:42:56,543 He's already on the third obstacle, 1105 00:42:56,576 --> 00:42:58,978 while Gary is just finishing the first. 1106 00:42:59,012 --> 00:43:02,048 - You can tell he's got a lot of hustle into him. 1107 00:43:02,082 --> 00:43:04,084 He's got that hustle and that flow. 1108 00:43:04,117 --> 00:43:06,252 - Well, we have seen Gary Weiland. 1109 00:43:06,286 --> 00:43:09,155 Just continues to impress us. 1110 00:43:09,189 --> 00:43:10,523 both: Oh! 1111 00:43:10,557 --> 00:43:11,591 - What? 1112 00:43:11,624 --> 00:43:13,960 - And Daniel Gil is down! 1113 00:43:14,060 --> 00:43:17,063 - Oh, my goodness! 1114 00:43:17,097 --> 00:43:19,966 - Gary Weiland, another miracle 1115 00:43:20,066 --> 00:43:22,369 could be in the making! 1116 00:43:22,402 --> 00:43:24,471 - Oh, my goodness! 1117 00:43:24,504 --> 00:43:27,374 - Look at this! 1118 00:43:27,407 --> 00:43:30,944 And he's just now realizing Daniel's fallen! 1119 00:43:30,977 --> 00:43:32,746 - It's all you. 1120 00:43:32,779 --> 00:43:34,280 - Daniel says, "It's all you now." 1121 00:43:34,314 --> 00:43:35,949 - Go, Gary! 1122 00:43:35,982 --> 00:43:37,484 - Well, I think it's just set in, 1123 00:43:37,517 --> 00:43:39,252 the magnitude of this moment. 1124 00:43:39,285 --> 00:43:42,188 - He can now win this race, beat Daniel Gil, 1125 00:43:42,222 --> 00:43:44,357 and get to Vegas, but he's gotta 1126 00:43:44,391 --> 00:43:47,293 get through these next two obstacles. 1127 00:43:47,327 --> 00:43:49,829 [together] Gary! Gary! Gary! 1128 00:43:49,863 --> 00:43:51,231 - He knows what's in front of him. 1129 00:43:51,264 --> 00:43:53,967 He has an opportunity to make history again. 1130 00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:56,636 - And he can do it by beating one of the greatest 1131 00:43:56,670 --> 00:43:58,338 ninjas of all time. 1132 00:43:58,371 --> 00:44:00,707 - His motto is "adapt and overcome." 1133 00:44:00,740 --> 00:44:03,943 Trying to do it one more time. 1134 00:44:04,044 --> 00:44:05,845 both: Oh! 1135 00:44:05,879 --> 00:44:09,816 - Gary Weiland, a remarkable run comes to an end, 1136 00:44:09,849 --> 00:44:12,118 and Daniel Gil survives a mistake. 1137 00:44:12,152 --> 00:44:13,787 - You all right, Gary? 1138 00:44:13,820 --> 00:44:17,791 - Gary Weiland almost pulled off one of the greatest upsets 1139 00:44:17,824 --> 00:44:19,426 in "Ninja" history. 1140 00:44:19,459 --> 00:44:20,927 - [grunts] 1141 00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:22,195 - [laughs] 1142 00:44:22,228 --> 00:44:23,730 Nicely done, man. 1143 00:44:23,763 --> 00:44:26,132 Nicely done. 1144 00:44:26,166 --> 00:44:27,500 Wow, okay, so our plan-- 1145 00:44:27,534 --> 00:44:28,768 - Oh, my gosh! 1146 00:44:28,802 --> 00:44:30,136 I blew it! 1147 00:44:30,170 --> 00:44:34,607 Chance of a lifetime to beat this guy, and I blow it! 1148 00:44:34,641 --> 00:44:37,377 Wow! - Oh, man! 1149 00:44:37,410 --> 00:44:39,746 - So Daniel Gil survives, and here's 1150 00:44:39,779 --> 00:44:41,948 everyone going to Vegas. 1151 00:44:41,981 --> 00:44:44,150 Two teens, Vance Walker and Isaiah Thomas, 1152 00:44:44,184 --> 00:44:46,252 had the fastest time, so they'll be 1153 00:44:46,286 --> 00:44:48,521 running for the Safety Pass. 1154 00:44:48,555 --> 00:44:51,091 But several veterans, including Karsten Williams 1155 00:44:51,091 --> 00:44:54,594 and Jody Avila, are also advancing. 1156 00:44:54,627 --> 00:44:57,230 We'll see all these ninjas at the national finals, 1157 00:44:57,263 --> 00:44:58,865 which start next week. 1158 00:44:58,898 --> 00:45:01,267 Non-winners advancing are Isaiah Wakeham 1159 00:45:01,301 --> 00:45:03,937 and Erick Zamorano. 1160 00:45:04,037 --> 00:45:06,506 And we've got one more race this hour. 1161 00:45:06,539 --> 00:45:08,608 It's a sprint for the Safety Pass, 1162 00:45:08,641 --> 00:45:11,945 which can give you a second chance if you fall in Vegas. 1163 00:45:12,045 --> 00:45:13,646 This is going to be a battle between two 1164 00:45:13,680 --> 00:45:16,549 of our best young ninjas, Vance Walker, 1165 00:45:16,583 --> 00:45:18,818 and The Flyboy, Isaiah Thomas. 1166 00:45:18,852 --> 00:45:20,553 One big difference between these two, 1167 00:45:20,587 --> 00:45:22,389 The Flyboy is 6'2". 1168 00:45:22,422 --> 00:45:25,125 He has an 8-inch height advantage over Walker. 1169 00:45:25,158 --> 00:45:28,061 - But Vance Walker was about 15 seconds faster 1170 00:45:28,061 --> 00:45:30,363 on this course earlier tonight. 1171 00:45:30,397 --> 00:45:31,865 - Vance lives in Florida now, 1172 00:45:31,898 --> 00:45:34,234 but he's from Texas, just like The Flyboy. 1173 00:45:34,267 --> 00:45:36,069 They know each other well. 1174 00:45:36,102 --> 00:45:37,937 - I love you, Isaiah! 1175 00:45:37,971 --> 00:45:39,973 - And both of their moms and supporters together 1176 00:45:40,073 --> 00:45:43,076 in one big group on the sideline. 1177 00:45:43,109 --> 00:45:45,278 - Both these guys fell on the fourth obstacle on stage one 1178 00:45:45,311 --> 00:45:46,546 last year. 1179 00:45:46,579 --> 00:45:48,381 A Safety Pass would have saved them. 1180 00:45:48,415 --> 00:45:51,451 They're gonna go all out. 1181 00:45:51,484 --> 00:45:54,287 [countdown clock beeping] 1182 00:45:54,320 --> 00:45:56,723 - Isaiah, with that 8-inch height advantage, 1183 00:45:56,756 --> 00:45:58,391 bounced through Home Run. 1184 00:45:58,425 --> 00:46:00,660 These two love to race! 1185 00:46:00,694 --> 00:46:02,896 - Oh, wow. 1186 00:46:02,929 --> 00:46:05,865 Boy, I don't even know if this course can handle this speed! 1187 00:46:05,899 --> 00:46:08,368 - Vance hesitates! 1188 00:46:08,401 --> 00:46:09,736 - Here we go. 1189 00:46:09,769 --> 00:46:11,938 - Both of these guys linking it. 1190 00:46:12,038 --> 00:46:15,342 A slight edge for The Flyboy. 1191 00:46:15,375 --> 00:46:16,743 - And it is close. 1192 00:46:16,776 --> 00:46:19,079 Isaiah's first on Sideways, 1193 00:46:19,112 --> 00:46:20,780 and they go right into Slingshot. 1194 00:46:20,814 --> 00:46:22,749 - It's not even 30 seconds yet! 1195 00:46:22,782 --> 00:46:27,053 - And Isaiah just a move ahead of Vance! 1196 00:46:27,053 --> 00:46:28,254 - Oh, my goodness! 1197 00:46:28,288 --> 00:46:29,789 They're right there neck-and-neck! 1198 00:46:29,823 --> 00:46:31,491 - But Vance flies ahead! 1199 00:46:31,524 --> 00:46:33,293 Who's got it? [buzzer blares] 1200 00:46:33,326 --> 00:46:36,696 Walker wins it! A blistering 39 seconds! 1201 00:46:36,730 --> 00:46:41,334 - Oh, my goodness! A come-from-behind win! 1202 00:46:41,368 --> 00:46:43,403 Oh, my word! 1203 00:46:43,436 --> 00:46:45,638 - We have to look at this race again! 1204 00:46:45,672 --> 00:46:47,207 - It was close throughout. 1205 00:46:47,240 --> 00:46:49,476 Both were flying through the course, 1206 00:46:49,509 --> 00:46:51,711 and it came down to Slingshot. 1207 00:46:51,745 --> 00:46:54,748 Look at these final moves by Vance to surge ahead. 1208 00:46:54,781 --> 00:46:57,817 And then it was a scramble to the buzzer. 1209 00:46:57,851 --> 00:47:02,389 Vance wins by less than 2/10 of a second! 1210 00:47:02,422 --> 00:47:05,258 - One of the closest races we've ever had! 1211 00:47:05,291 --> 00:47:06,893 But we're not done. 1212 00:47:06,926 --> 00:47:08,895 We've got another hour. 1213 00:47:08,928 --> 00:47:10,764 - It's all about racing tonight. 1214 00:47:10,797 --> 00:47:13,500 - And Zuri's got a preview of our next group. 1215 00:47:13,533 --> 00:47:17,037 - Guys, this our is filled with ninja favorites 1216 00:47:17,037 --> 00:47:19,039 and some killer matchups, 1217 00:47:19,039 --> 00:47:22,709 like Ninja great Jessie Graff trying to outrace rising 1218 00:47:22,742 --> 00:47:24,911 young star Jaleesa Himka. 1219 00:47:24,944 --> 00:47:28,848 Plus, they were bridesmaids in each other's weddings. 1220 00:47:28,882 --> 00:47:31,785 Now Ashley Bergstrom and Caitlyn Bergstrom Wright 1221 00:47:31,818 --> 00:47:34,054 will have to race each other. 1222 00:47:34,087 --> 00:47:37,290 We'll see them next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1223 00:47:44,064 --> 00:47:45,765 - Welcome back to New York Street 1224 00:47:45,799 --> 00:47:48,368 here at Universal Studios, Hollywood. 1225 00:47:48,401 --> 00:47:51,571 It's semifinals night on "American Ninja Warrior!" 1226 00:47:51,604 --> 00:47:54,641 - So it's all racing all night. 1227 00:47:54,674 --> 00:47:55,842 [buzzer blares] 1228 00:47:55,875 --> 00:47:57,210 - Our first group of ninjas just 1229 00:47:57,243 --> 00:47:58,878 punched their ticket to Vegas. 1230 00:47:58,912 --> 00:48:00,580 - I'm going to Vegas! 1231 00:48:00,613 --> 00:48:02,849 - Now in the second half of our double episode, 1232 00:48:02,882 --> 00:48:06,152 we'll see all-new matchups, and like before, 1233 00:48:06,186 --> 00:48:08,688 our seedings are based on how far or how fast 1234 00:48:08,722 --> 00:48:11,024 they went in qualifying. 1235 00:48:11,057 --> 00:48:12,659 And we're gonna start with a matchup 1236 00:48:12,692 --> 00:48:15,695 featuring two of the best cheering sections in "Ninja." 1237 00:48:15,729 --> 00:48:19,265 t's 17-year-old Enzo DeFerrari Wilson, 1238 00:48:19,299 --> 00:48:20,567 and Electric Enzo's family leads 1239 00:48:20,600 --> 00:48:22,168 the charge on the sideline. 1240 00:48:22,202 --> 00:48:26,172 They've got foam fingers, lightning bolts, you name it. 1241 00:48:26,206 --> 00:48:28,641 And on the other side, it's Kyle Schulze, 1242 00:48:28,675 --> 00:48:31,177 who calls himself The Deaf Ninja. 1243 00:48:31,211 --> 00:48:33,146 His sideline is led by his girlfriend, 1244 00:48:33,179 --> 00:48:35,448 Raquel, who's got the crowd signing 1245 00:48:35,482 --> 00:48:37,550 their applause for him. 1246 00:48:37,584 --> 00:48:39,953 - Some big differences between these two. 1247 00:48:40,053 --> 00:48:42,622 Schulze, he's almost twice as old as Enzo, 1248 00:48:42,655 --> 00:48:44,758 and though he's competed seven seasons, 1249 00:48:44,791 --> 00:48:46,626 he's never hit a buzzer. 1250 00:48:46,659 --> 00:48:49,295 This is Enzo's third year competing, 1251 00:48:49,329 --> 00:48:52,465 and he's got three buzzers in his career. 1252 00:48:52,499 --> 00:48:55,268 [countdown clock beeping] 1253 00:48:55,301 --> 00:48:58,371 Enzo is an eight seed, while Kyle is a 17. 1254 00:48:58,405 --> 00:49:00,440 But it's Schulze who jumps out in front 1255 00:49:00,473 --> 00:49:02,475 early, a good start for him. 1256 00:49:02,509 --> 00:49:04,077 Bounds out ahead. 1257 00:49:04,110 --> 00:49:05,745 We'll see if anyone can link it here on the Shelf Grab. 1258 00:49:05,779 --> 00:49:07,547 - Oh, Enzo is going to have to be electric 1259 00:49:07,580 --> 00:49:08,782 if he's going to catch him. 1260 00:49:08,815 --> 00:49:10,016 - Oh, let's go-- - And there goes Enzo! 1261 00:49:10,016 --> 00:49:11,418 He linked it! 1262 00:49:11,451 --> 00:49:14,554 Electric Enzo first onto the Beehive now. 1263 00:49:14,587 --> 00:49:16,923 - And we've got ourselves a race! 1264 00:49:17,023 --> 00:49:19,893 - Schulze keeping the pedal to the metal himself! 1265 00:49:19,926 --> 00:49:21,561 - Schulze is not backing down to the youth. 1266 00:49:21,594 --> 00:49:24,330 He's showing him, "I've got a lot of 'Ninja' experience." 1267 00:49:24,364 --> 00:49:27,467 - You can just see, Enzo's staying a move ahead. 1268 00:49:27,500 --> 00:49:29,602 - Schulze is a grad student in engineering. 1269 00:49:29,636 --> 00:49:32,639 I'm sure he's plotting out a plan for this course. 1270 00:49:32,672 --> 00:49:36,476 - Matt, this back and forth is like watching a tennis match. 1271 00:49:36,509 --> 00:49:38,645 - Well, Sideways is such a challenging obstacle. 1272 00:49:38,678 --> 00:49:40,413 And Schulze's fallen here before. 1273 00:49:40,447 --> 00:49:42,449 - It's easy to make a mistake, especially when 1274 00:49:42,482 --> 00:49:44,718 you're rushing through it. 1275 00:49:44,751 --> 00:49:46,252 both: Oh! 1276 00:49:46,286 --> 00:49:47,954 - Schulze goes down! 1277 00:49:48,054 --> 00:49:52,359 There'll be no return trip to Vegas this year. 1278 00:49:52,392 --> 00:49:54,961 And Electric Enzo gets the win! 1279 00:49:55,061 --> 00:49:56,663 - He's going to Vegas! 1280 00:49:56,696 --> 00:50:00,266 - And now Enzo's gonna go for his fourth career buzzer. 1281 00:50:00,300 --> 00:50:01,901 - And look at Enzo, Matt! 1282 00:50:01,935 --> 00:50:04,471 He still looks like he has a lot left in the power grid! 1283 00:50:04,504 --> 00:50:08,441 - He's still the youngest ever to complete a course. 1284 00:50:08,475 --> 00:50:12,245 - Electric Enzo! The current is surging! 1285 00:50:12,278 --> 00:50:14,647 - And that crowd behind him is going wild. 1286 00:50:14,681 --> 00:50:16,816 [together] Enzo! Enzo! 1287 00:50:16,850 --> 00:50:20,186 - And Electric Enzo is gonna get another buzzer. 1288 00:50:20,220 --> 00:50:24,591 And is headed to Vegas for the third straight year. 1289 00:50:24,624 --> 00:50:27,594 [cheers and applause] 1290 00:50:27,627 --> 00:50:28,828 - Let's go! 1291 00:50:28,862 --> 00:50:31,831 [upbeat rock music] 1292 00:50:31,865 --> 00:50:33,466 * * 1293 00:50:33,500 --> 00:50:36,069 You wanted to go racing. How was it, bud? 1294 00:50:36,102 --> 00:50:38,538 - Oh, my gosh! That was so much fun! 1295 00:50:38,571 --> 00:50:40,907 - Third year in a row you're going back to Vegas! 1296 00:50:40,940 --> 00:50:42,609 - Yeah! Yes! 1297 00:50:42,642 --> 00:50:44,678 [together] Enzo! Enzo! Enzo! 1298 00:50:44,711 --> 00:50:46,312 - And this crowd is chanting your name! 1299 00:50:46,346 --> 00:50:49,482 Enjoy this moment! 1300 00:50:49,516 --> 00:50:51,484 That's going to be a tough act to follow, 1301 00:50:51,518 --> 00:50:53,420 but our next two athletes also know 1302 00:50:53,453 --> 00:50:55,155 how to put on a good show. 1303 00:50:55,188 --> 00:50:57,857 We've got TikTok star Johnny Brown, whose parkour 1304 00:50:57,891 --> 00:51:00,060 videos have millions of views. 1305 00:51:00,060 --> 00:51:01,928 And he's facing the "Ninja" legend, 1306 00:51:01,961 --> 00:51:06,666 stuntman Flip Rodriguez, a speed demon from way back. 1307 00:51:06,700 --> 00:51:10,337 This is Flip's 13th season competing, 1308 00:51:10,370 --> 00:51:12,839 and he's coming off his best season ever. 1309 00:51:12,872 --> 00:51:14,307 - Yes! Yes! 1310 00:51:14,341 --> 00:51:18,478 - Flip Rodriguez gets his first stage-two buzzer! 1311 00:51:18,511 --> 00:51:19,713 - When I started in season three, 1312 00:51:19,746 --> 00:51:21,114 I was one of the original speed demons 1313 00:51:21,147 --> 00:51:22,615 of "American Ninja Warrior." 1314 00:51:22,649 --> 00:51:25,552 - Flip Rodriguez with a blazing-fast finish! 1315 00:51:25,585 --> 00:51:27,887 - I already know what it feels like to push everything 1316 00:51:27,921 --> 00:51:29,889 I have into one course. 1317 00:51:29,923 --> 00:51:32,158 - Fastest time of the night! 1318 00:51:32,192 --> 00:51:33,893 - And that was without somebody by my side. 1319 00:51:33,927 --> 00:51:35,895 Going head-to-head, that's only going to motivate 1320 00:51:35,929 --> 00:51:37,364 me to push even harder. 1321 00:51:37,397 --> 00:51:39,599 - Johnny Brown's flying squirrel videos have 1322 00:51:39,632 --> 00:51:41,701 millions of views on TikTok. 1323 00:51:41,735 --> 00:51:42,969 - I'm a squirrel! 1324 00:51:43,003 --> 00:51:45,105 [record needle scratches] 1325 00:51:45,138 --> 00:51:48,408 - But the semifinals are serious business. 1326 00:51:48,441 --> 00:51:49,776 - You're not going to see the squirrel tonight, 1327 00:51:49,809 --> 00:51:50,910 but you're definitely going to see 1328 00:51:50,944 --> 00:51:54,381 me flying through that course. 1329 00:51:54,414 --> 00:51:56,116 - Let's go. Whoo! 1330 00:51:56,116 --> 00:51:58,251 - And Johnny Brown will have his parents watching from back 1331 00:51:58,284 --> 00:52:01,521 in Georgia, and Flip's got a big group on his sidelines, 1332 00:52:01,554 --> 00:52:03,423 including students he coaches. 1333 00:52:03,456 --> 00:52:05,258 - Matt, this is big for Flip. 1334 00:52:05,291 --> 00:52:07,694 It's been ten years since he hit buzzers 1335 00:52:07,727 --> 00:52:12,065 in qualifying and semifinals, but Flip can do it tonight. 1336 00:52:12,098 --> 00:52:15,468 [countdown clock beeping] 1337 00:52:15,502 --> 00:52:18,371 - Flip's the seventh seed, Johnny Brown an 18. 1338 00:52:18,405 --> 00:52:19,906 He knows he has a tough challenge 1339 00:52:19,939 --> 00:52:21,141 going against the veteran. 1340 00:52:21,174 --> 00:52:23,143 - Well, Matt, Flip Rodriguez said it. 1341 00:52:23,176 --> 00:52:25,745 He said he is the OG of speed. 1342 00:52:25,779 --> 00:52:28,214 - He was known for going fast when he was younger. 1343 00:52:28,248 --> 00:52:30,216 So he feels right at home doing these races. 1344 00:52:30,250 --> 00:52:33,119 - But the rookie, Johnny Brown, is keeping it close. 1345 00:52:33,153 --> 00:52:36,256 He's got a background in parkour and gymnastics, 1346 00:52:36,289 --> 00:52:40,126 very comfortable flying through the air. 1347 00:52:40,160 --> 00:52:41,928 Flip is first off Beehive. 1348 00:52:41,961 --> 00:52:44,097 - Johnny Brown just doesn't quite 1349 00:52:44,097 --> 00:52:46,366 have the obstacle experience, and look at Flip 1350 00:52:46,399 --> 00:52:48,768 linking it on Sideways! 1351 00:52:48,802 --> 00:52:50,837 - And if Flip makes it to Vegas this year, 1352 00:52:50,870 --> 00:52:54,107 he would match Joe Moravsky for the most national finals 1353 00:52:54,107 --> 00:52:57,110 appearances by any ninja. 1354 00:52:57,143 --> 00:53:01,281 - Ooh, I think he hit his head! 1355 00:53:01,314 --> 00:53:02,716 Yeah, right there. 1356 00:53:02,749 --> 00:53:06,619 Skipped the one and scraped it with his head. 1357 00:53:06,653 --> 00:53:09,155 - And Johnny Brown keeping the pressure on. 1358 00:53:09,189 --> 00:53:10,256 - Let's go, Junior! 1359 00:53:10,290 --> 00:53:11,825 - Let's go! 1360 00:53:11,858 --> 00:53:14,094 - Flip's gottta catch his breath for a moment, 1361 00:53:14,127 --> 00:53:16,429 but now he's up on Sideways. 1362 00:53:16,463 --> 00:53:18,798 Johnny Brown still hanging around. 1363 00:53:18,832 --> 00:53:20,900 both: Oh, no! 1364 00:53:20,934 --> 00:53:25,772 - Well, Flip Rodriguez is going back to Vegas! 1365 00:53:25,805 --> 00:53:27,207 - Matt, that boy vintage. 1366 00:53:27,240 --> 00:53:29,342 He just seems to be getting better with age. 1367 00:53:29,376 --> 00:53:31,945 - As we said, he hasn't hit back-to-back buzzers 1368 00:53:31,978 --> 00:53:34,781 in qualifying and semis in 10 years, 1369 00:53:34,814 --> 00:53:36,583 but he is closing in on it. 1370 00:53:36,616 --> 00:53:39,319 Just needs to stay dry through these last few moves. 1371 00:53:39,352 --> 00:53:44,157 Would be the 21st finish of his storied career. 1372 00:53:44,190 --> 00:53:46,092 And Flip is gonna do it! 1373 00:53:46,092 --> 00:53:50,764 33 years old, heading to Vegas for a record-tying 10th time! 1374 00:53:50,797 --> 00:53:51,798 [buzzer blares] 1375 00:53:51,831 --> 00:53:53,266 - Ahh! 1376 00:53:53,299 --> 00:53:55,669 Let's go, baby! 1377 00:53:55,702 --> 00:53:57,470 Let's go! 1378 00:53:57,504 --> 00:53:59,673 We dry, boy! We dry! - Yeah, you heard him. 1379 00:53:59,706 --> 00:54:00,807 He's still dry! 1380 00:54:00,840 --> 00:54:03,209 Hasn't hit the water all season! 1381 00:54:03,243 --> 00:54:06,413 Flip, the OG of speed is back! 1382 00:54:06,446 --> 00:54:07,547 - Yes, sir! 1383 00:54:07,580 --> 00:54:09,215 - You're going back to Vegas, buddy. 1384 00:54:09,249 --> 00:54:11,084 - Let's go, baby! 1385 00:54:11,117 --> 00:54:12,452 Let's go, baby! 1386 00:54:12,485 --> 00:54:14,354 Let's go! 1387 00:54:14,387 --> 00:54:17,190 [cheers and applause] 1388 00:54:17,223 --> 00:54:19,225 - Coming up... - Take one. 1389 00:54:19,259 --> 00:54:21,928 - The Garemores are ready for their close-up. 1390 00:54:21,961 --> 00:54:24,064 These talented Florida teenagers will try 1391 00:54:24,097 --> 00:54:27,067 to become just the second brothers in "Ninja" history 1392 00:54:27,067 --> 00:54:29,369 to qualify for Vegas. 1393 00:54:29,402 --> 00:54:33,640 Plus, she inspired a generation of young ninjas. 1394 00:54:33,673 --> 00:54:36,576 Now, Jessie Graff has to beat one of them. 1395 00:54:36,609 --> 00:54:38,178 - She is a legend of the sport, 1396 00:54:38,211 --> 00:54:40,146 but now I want to be a legend too. 1397 00:54:40,180 --> 00:54:42,349 - That, and more, on the semifinals 1398 00:54:42,382 --> 00:54:46,353 of "American Ninja Warrior." 1399 00:54:50,323 --> 00:54:52,225 - Purple reined on the course minutes ago, 1400 00:54:52,258 --> 00:54:54,861 as similarly dressed competitors Alex Romer, 1401 00:54:54,894 --> 00:54:57,897 a high schooler from Florida, and Matt Kalanz, 1402 00:54:57,931 --> 00:55:01,835 a strength coach for the army, squared off. 1403 00:55:01,868 --> 00:55:04,637 Romer came out fast, 1404 00:55:04,671 --> 00:55:07,040 but this race was over quickly. 1405 00:55:07,040 --> 00:55:08,308 - Oh! 1406 00:55:08,341 --> 00:55:10,744 - Both went down at almost the same time 1407 00:55:10,777 --> 00:55:12,645 on Flying Shelf Grab. 1408 00:55:12,679 --> 00:55:15,815 But because Romer finished the previous obstacle first, 1409 00:55:15,849 --> 00:55:17,550 he gets the win. 1410 00:55:17,584 --> 00:55:19,919 - Boy, he got lucky on that one! 1411 00:55:19,953 --> 00:55:22,622 - Then, a couple of Southern Ninjas went at it, 1412 00:55:22,655 --> 00:55:25,658 as Georgia music producer Ethan Bartnicki 1413 00:55:25,692 --> 00:55:29,162 threw down with Florida's dreadhead lawyer, DC Banks. 1414 00:55:29,195 --> 00:55:31,297 - Let's go! - Look at that grand entrance! 1415 00:55:31,331 --> 00:55:34,501 - Bartnicki made it all the way to stage three last year, 1416 00:55:34,534 --> 00:55:36,670 and he came out blazing again tonight. 1417 00:55:36,703 --> 00:55:38,838 - That's a talented kid right there! 1418 00:55:38,872 --> 00:55:41,608 - Banks, a three-time veteran, kept a steady pace, 1419 00:55:41,641 --> 00:55:43,543 and made it to Sideways. 1420 00:55:43,576 --> 00:55:45,278 - Oh, no! 1421 00:55:45,311 --> 00:55:48,281 - But his fall sealed the win for Bartnicki. 1422 00:55:48,314 --> 00:55:50,383 He's earned the fastest time so far, 1423 00:55:50,417 --> 00:55:52,385 and is going back to Vegas after grabbing 1424 00:55:52,419 --> 00:55:55,755 his fifth buzzer in two years. 1425 00:55:55,789 --> 00:55:57,090 - Five! 1426 00:55:57,123 --> 00:55:58,491 - And he's been counting his buzzers. 1427 00:55:58,525 --> 00:56:01,528 That's five. 1428 00:56:01,561 --> 00:56:04,731 - Up next, we've got two more talented teenagers. 1429 00:56:04,764 --> 00:56:06,266 It's Nacssa Garemore. 1430 00:56:06,299 --> 00:56:08,268 We told you his story a few weeks ago. 1431 00:56:08,301 --> 00:56:11,638 He was adopted from Africa with his brother, Roberto, 1432 00:56:11,671 --> 00:56:14,808 and Ninja helped them adapt to life in the US. 1433 00:56:14,841 --> 00:56:17,210 Nacssa will be racing another adoptee, 1434 00:56:17,243 --> 00:56:20,280 North Carolina's Isaiah Lee, who calls himself 1435 00:56:20,313 --> 00:56:22,415 the "one-eyed warrior." 1436 00:56:22,449 --> 00:56:24,217 [instrumental music playing] 1437 00:56:24,250 --> 00:56:27,253 - Do you like two or three? 1438 00:56:27,287 --> 00:56:28,621 - Three. 1439 00:56:28,655 --> 00:56:33,460 When I was 12, I started noticing vision loss, 1440 00:56:33,493 --> 00:56:35,161 and that's when I found out I had the tumor 1441 00:56:35,195 --> 00:56:37,163 behind my right eye. 1442 00:56:37,197 --> 00:56:39,699 - At first, they thought it was a detached retina, 1443 00:56:39,733 --> 00:56:41,468 but they were looking at scans, 1444 00:56:41,501 --> 00:56:44,304 and we heard the word "blastoma." 1445 00:56:45,472 --> 00:56:48,475 It was like time stood still for a moment. 1446 00:56:50,410 --> 00:56:53,747 And then they found out he had Von Hippel-Lindau. 1447 00:56:54,547 --> 00:56:58,084 It's a genetic disease that causes tumors 1448 00:56:58,084 --> 00:57:01,421 in the brain, spine, eyes, ears, 1449 00:57:01,454 --> 00:57:03,890 lungs, pancreas, and kidneys. 1450 00:57:03,923 --> 00:57:07,293 - At 12, I was pretty scared about it. 1451 00:57:07,327 --> 00:57:10,463 I didn't really know, like, what was going to happen. 1452 00:57:10,497 --> 00:57:14,034 Two weeks after we got a surgery to remove my tumor, 1453 00:57:14,034 --> 00:57:16,670 I started doing Ninja again. 1454 00:57:16,703 --> 00:57:19,739 - I'm so proud of Isaiah, 1455 00:57:19,773 --> 00:57:23,410 not just for making it as an incredible Ninja, 1456 00:57:23,443 --> 00:57:25,612 for doing this while he has VHL, 1457 00:57:25,645 --> 00:57:27,881 while he's blind in one eye, 1458 00:57:27,914 --> 00:57:31,584 but doing it with such grace. 1459 00:57:31,618 --> 00:57:34,421 I think when he steps up to begin, 1460 00:57:34,454 --> 00:57:36,056 and we're just standing there watching him, 1461 00:57:36,056 --> 00:57:39,592 it's going to be surreal. 1462 00:57:39,626 --> 00:57:41,628 He just battles through, 1463 00:57:41,661 --> 00:57:42,929 like a true warrior. 1464 00:57:42,962 --> 00:57:45,932 * * 1465 00:57:45,965 --> 00:57:47,600 [cheering] 1466 00:57:47,634 --> 00:57:50,236 - Isaiah's facing a tough race here 1467 00:57:50,270 --> 00:57:51,738 against Nacssa Garemore. 1468 00:57:51,771 --> 00:57:53,340 He's the number nine seed. 1469 00:57:53,373 --> 00:57:55,475 Isaiah's a 16. 1470 00:57:55,508 --> 00:57:58,345 - Isaiah's mom and friends on his sideline. 1471 00:57:58,378 --> 00:58:01,648 [countdown clock beeping] 1472 00:58:01,681 --> 00:58:04,617 - Wow! Garemore flying out! 1473 00:58:04,651 --> 00:58:07,053 And that's just how he started his run in qualifying. 1474 00:58:07,087 --> 00:58:08,588 - Whoo! Linking it! 1475 00:58:08,621 --> 00:58:10,023 - Oh, my goodness! - Wow! 1476 00:58:10,023 --> 00:58:12,359 - He's about to blow him out! 1477 00:58:12,392 --> 00:58:15,862 - But it's never over with this pace! 1478 00:58:15,895 --> 00:58:19,065 Garemore living dangerously! 1479 00:58:19,099 --> 00:58:22,769 - Isaiah continuing to progress. 1480 00:58:22,802 --> 00:58:24,804 - Ooh! - He is flying. 1481 00:58:24,838 --> 00:58:26,773 You gotta be careful on Sideways, 1482 00:58:26,806 --> 00:58:28,708 but he's not slowing down. 1483 00:58:28,742 --> 00:58:30,477 - Nacssa is not messing around. 1484 00:58:30,510 --> 00:58:32,846 - Well, he's an obstacle and a half ahead, 1485 00:58:32,879 --> 00:58:34,414 not even looking back, Akbar. 1486 00:58:34,447 --> 00:58:36,049 He is running his race. 1487 00:58:36,082 --> 00:58:38,118 - He's not looking back, and he's not tired. 1488 00:58:38,151 --> 00:58:41,287 - Isaiah Lee keeping a slower, but steady pace. 1489 00:58:41,321 --> 00:58:45,091 But Nacssa Garemore-- - Nice! 1490 00:58:45,125 --> 00:58:46,393 - Just so impressive! 1491 00:58:46,426 --> 00:58:47,794 - Look at the time! 1492 00:58:47,827 --> 00:58:49,362 He's going to come in sub one minute. 1493 00:58:49,396 --> 00:58:51,798 - He's going to be well ahead of Ethan Bartnicki 1494 00:58:51,831 --> 00:58:54,067 for the fastest time. 1495 00:58:54,067 --> 00:58:57,470 Nacssa Garemore getting his second buzzer! 1496 00:58:57,504 --> 00:58:59,205 [buzzer blares] 1497 00:58:59,239 --> 00:59:02,175 Whoo-hoo-hoo! 1498 00:59:02,208 --> 00:59:05,045 - Come on, Isaiah! 1499 00:59:05,078 --> 00:59:07,380 - And now he's gonna cheer for Isaiah. 1500 00:59:07,414 --> 00:59:10,016 The top two non-winners also advance. 1501 00:59:10,016 --> 00:59:12,252 If Isaiah can finish, he'd have a good chance 1502 00:59:12,285 --> 00:59:15,055 at being one of them. 1503 00:59:15,088 --> 00:59:18,058 - Matt, this is what the Ninja community is all about. 1504 00:59:18,091 --> 00:59:22,162 Yes, Nacssa won this race, but Isaiah still trailing behind. 1505 00:59:22,195 --> 00:59:23,897 And he's got his biggest cheerleader 1506 00:59:23,930 --> 00:59:25,899 sitting at the buzzer. 1507 00:59:25,932 --> 00:59:27,500 - Let's go! - But he's struggling 1508 00:59:27,534 --> 00:59:29,135 right now on Slingshot. 1509 00:59:29,169 --> 00:59:31,838 - Oh, no! 1510 00:59:31,871 --> 00:59:33,673 - But he did go pretty fast. 1511 00:59:33,707 --> 00:59:36,609 He could still be one of our top two non-winners. 1512 00:59:36,643 --> 00:59:38,745 - And how about Nacssa Garemore, 1513 00:59:38,778 --> 00:59:40,747 finishing with the fastest time? 1514 00:59:40,780 --> 00:59:42,449 He could be racing for a Safety Pass, 1515 00:59:42,482 --> 00:59:46,553 which could be extremely valuable in Vegas. 1516 00:59:46,586 --> 00:59:48,888 - Well, now his brother, Roberto Garemore, 1517 00:59:48,922 --> 00:59:51,057 will try to punch his ticket to Vegas. 1518 00:59:51,091 --> 00:59:53,760 But he'll be racing another talented teen, 1519 00:59:53,793 --> 00:59:57,163 The boss, 18-year-old entrepreneur Elijah Browning. 1520 00:59:57,197 --> 00:59:59,432 He sells sports cards, builds ninja rigs, 1521 00:59:59,466 --> 01:00:01,601 and now models as well, and he knows 1522 01:00:01,634 --> 01:00:03,236 he's facing a big challenge here, 1523 01:00:03,269 --> 01:00:07,640 racing against one of the Garemore brothers. 1524 01:00:07,674 --> 01:00:09,809 - I've known Roberto for six years now. 1525 01:00:09,843 --> 01:00:11,778 We've trained and competed against each other 1526 01:00:11,811 --> 01:00:14,381 in some competitions outside of "American Ninja Warrior," 1527 01:00:14,414 --> 01:00:16,883 and he is a baller. 1528 01:00:16,916 --> 01:00:19,452 - For him to be 6'1'', and me being 5'8'', 1529 01:00:19,486 --> 01:00:21,654 he's going to have a big advantage. 1530 01:00:21,688 --> 01:00:23,523 But that's going to be really exciting for me 1531 01:00:23,556 --> 01:00:26,192 to show people my ability. 1532 01:00:26,226 --> 01:00:28,094 - There's six obstacles on the course tonight, 1533 01:00:28,128 --> 01:00:29,863 but there's really a seventh obstacle, 1534 01:00:29,896 --> 01:00:32,232 and his name is Roberto Garemore. 1535 01:00:32,265 --> 01:00:35,669 * * 1536 01:00:35,702 --> 01:00:38,338 - Elijah's mom, Renee, will be leading the cheers 1537 01:00:38,371 --> 01:00:41,007 on the sidelines, and Nacssa's now joined his family 1538 01:00:41,041 --> 01:00:42,809 to root for Roberto. 1539 01:00:42,842 --> 01:00:45,078 - Elijah Browning coming in as a sixth seed, 1540 01:00:45,111 --> 01:00:47,180 and Roberto is a 19. 1541 01:00:47,213 --> 01:00:50,717 But I think this is going to be a lot closer than that. 1542 01:00:50,750 --> 01:00:52,919 [countdown clock beeping] 1543 01:00:52,952 --> 01:00:55,655 - You can see, boom, look at the quickness out of Garemore! 1544 01:00:55,689 --> 01:00:58,324 - Garemore, first out! 1545 01:00:58,358 --> 01:01:00,226 And you're gonna see this-- - Look at this! 1546 01:01:00,260 --> 01:01:01,528 - Garemore linking it! 1547 01:01:01,561 --> 01:01:02,729 - Oh, they're going back and forth! 1548 01:01:02,762 --> 01:01:04,064 Oh, my goodness! 1549 01:01:04,064 --> 01:01:05,398 Matt, we got a race! 1550 01:01:05,432 --> 01:01:07,267 - Garemore is ready for this boss battle! 1551 01:01:07,300 --> 01:01:08,702 - Oh, boy! 1552 01:01:08,735 --> 01:01:11,538 - And they are matching each other move for move! 1553 01:01:11,571 --> 01:01:13,640 [cheers and applause] 1554 01:01:13,673 --> 01:01:15,075 - Oh, my! 1555 01:01:15,075 --> 01:01:16,910 - Now Elijah pulls ahead! 1556 01:01:16,943 --> 01:01:18,111 Watch it on Sideways. 1557 01:01:18,144 --> 01:01:19,813 Easy to trip up on this one. 1558 01:01:19,846 --> 01:01:21,381 - Come on, Roberto! 1559 01:01:21,414 --> 01:01:22,982 - Elijah's an experienced Ninja; 1560 01:01:23,083 --> 01:01:24,551 this is his third season. 1561 01:01:24,584 --> 01:01:25,752 Roberto's just a rookie. 1562 01:01:25,785 --> 01:01:27,554 Can he handle the pressure? 1563 01:01:27,587 --> 01:01:29,622 - Boss first off! 1564 01:01:29,656 --> 01:01:32,459 On to Slingshot! 1565 01:01:32,492 --> 01:01:35,295 - Oh, man, he's gotta sling himself forward very quickly! 1566 01:01:35,328 --> 01:01:36,830 - And Roberto is going to have to-- 1567 01:01:36,863 --> 01:01:38,264 - Oh! 1568 01:01:38,298 --> 01:01:41,001 And Roberto felt the pressure of the boss man! 1569 01:01:41,101 --> 01:01:42,369 - And look at the clock. 1570 01:01:42,402 --> 01:01:45,905 Elijah could beat Nacssa for the fastest time. 1571 01:01:45,939 --> 01:01:47,707 [buzzer blares] 1572 01:01:47,741 --> 01:01:49,609 - Let's go! 1573 01:01:49,642 --> 01:01:53,346 - And Elijah "Boss" Browning does it! 1574 01:01:53,380 --> 01:01:56,216 You've got the fastest time of the night so far! 1575 01:01:56,249 --> 01:01:58,551 - Yeah! Thank you, Mom! Let's get it! 1576 01:01:58,585 --> 01:02:03,490 - That's a CEO, for real, doing big things! 1577 01:02:03,523 --> 01:02:05,291 Both these guys were flying! 1578 01:02:05,325 --> 01:02:07,627 Roberto pushed Elijah so hard, 1579 01:02:07,660 --> 01:02:10,697 The Boss now has the fastest time of the night 1580 01:02:10,730 --> 01:02:13,299 and could be running for the Safety Pass. 1581 01:02:13,333 --> 01:02:15,702 And even though Roberto didn't finish, 1582 01:02:15,735 --> 01:02:17,470 he's still got a shot to move on 1583 01:02:17,504 --> 01:02:20,507 as one of the fastest non-winners. 1584 01:02:20,540 --> 01:02:22,509 - And we've got more races coming up, 1585 01:02:22,542 --> 01:02:26,079 including one featuring Ninja great Jessie Graff, 1586 01:02:26,079 --> 01:02:29,649 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1587 01:02:34,320 --> 01:02:36,723 - Three moms, Mady Howard, Sandy Zimmerman, 1588 01:02:36,756 --> 01:02:39,993 and Clarisa Morris, have punched their ticket to Vegas. 1589 01:02:40,093 --> 01:02:43,430 And minutes ago, a fourth tried to earn a trip, 1590 01:02:43,463 --> 01:02:45,265 as California's Zhanique Lovett 1591 01:02:45,298 --> 01:02:47,767 hit the start line to face off against Georgia's 1592 01:02:47,801 --> 01:02:50,103 Dara DePaolo. 1593 01:02:50,136 --> 01:02:51,971 This one was over early-- 1594 01:02:52,005 --> 01:02:53,573 - Oh! 1595 01:02:53,606 --> 01:02:56,810 - As DePaolo hit the water on the very first obstacle. 1596 01:02:56,843 --> 01:02:59,112 - Wow, she did that right out of the gate. 1597 01:02:59,112 --> 01:03:01,614 - That gave Zhanique an easy win, 1598 01:03:01,648 --> 01:03:03,683 and with the pressure off, she set her sights 1599 01:03:03,717 --> 01:03:05,752 on her first career buzzer. 1600 01:03:05,785 --> 01:03:07,454 - Let's go! Mwah! Let's go, babe! 1601 01:03:07,487 --> 01:03:10,590 - The mother of three made it interesting throughout. 1602 01:03:10,623 --> 01:03:12,292 - Well, she wants that buzzer. 1603 01:03:12,325 --> 01:03:13,626 She's going for it. 1604 01:03:13,660 --> 01:03:16,062 - She fought her way to Slingshot. 1605 01:03:16,062 --> 01:03:17,330 - Oh! 1606 01:03:17,364 --> 01:03:19,632 - No buzzer, but she's going to Vegas, 1607 01:03:19,666 --> 01:03:22,402 and we'll have more moms than we've ever had, 1608 01:03:22,435 --> 01:03:24,437 four, at the national finals. 1609 01:03:24,471 --> 01:03:27,574 - I'm going to Vegas! 1610 01:03:27,607 --> 01:03:29,409 Yes! 1611 01:03:29,442 --> 01:03:34,080 - Then, one of our top Ninjas, RJ Roman, took on a rookie, 1612 01:03:34,080 --> 01:03:37,417 5' 3" football player Daniel Osmer. 1613 01:03:37,450 --> 01:03:39,386 Roman is known for his speed, 1614 01:03:39,419 --> 01:03:42,622 and the six-time veteran shredded the course early. 1615 01:03:42,655 --> 01:03:45,892 - Wow, RJ Roman is just way too fast. 1616 01:03:45,925 --> 01:03:48,762 - Osmer, a 34-year-old dad from Idaho, 1617 01:03:48,795 --> 01:03:52,732 competing in his first season, battled to Beehive. 1618 01:03:52,766 --> 01:03:54,634 - Oh! 1619 01:03:54,668 --> 01:03:57,103 Matt, he spun out of control! 1620 01:03:57,103 --> 01:03:59,873 - That sealed the win for RJ Roman, 1621 01:03:59,906 --> 01:04:02,108 who absolutely crushed the course. 1622 01:04:02,142 --> 01:04:06,079 - Wow, look at how fast RJ Roman is going! 1623 01:04:06,112 --> 01:04:08,715 - Let's go! - And he sailed to the buzzer 1624 01:04:08,748 --> 01:04:11,618 with the fastest time so far, 1625 01:04:11,651 --> 01:04:15,121 putting him in good position to race for a Safety Pass 1626 01:04:15,155 --> 01:04:17,557 later tonight. - Let's go! 1627 01:04:17,590 --> 01:04:20,226 - Let's go! 1628 01:04:20,260 --> 01:04:22,562 - Up next, it's a battle of the Carolinas. 1629 01:04:22,595 --> 01:04:25,065 18-year-old rookie Brandon Thomas 1630 01:04:25,065 --> 01:04:26,533 hails from North Carolina. 1631 01:04:26,566 --> 01:04:27,934 - Let's get it. 1632 01:04:27,967 --> 01:04:30,704 - And he'll be facing a Ninja twice his age, 1633 01:04:30,737 --> 01:04:34,074 South Carolina's 36-year-old Brett Sims, 1634 01:04:34,074 --> 01:04:35,909 a longtime veteran who competed on 1635 01:04:35,942 --> 01:04:38,111 the very first season of Ninja, 1636 01:04:38,144 --> 01:04:40,080 and we have watched him grow up. 1637 01:04:40,113 --> 01:04:42,415 - I'm Brett Sims. I'm 21 years old. 1638 01:04:42,449 --> 01:04:43,750 I'm from Greenville, South Carolina. 1639 01:04:43,783 --> 01:04:46,086 I'm one of the OGs for "Ninja Warrior." 1640 01:04:46,119 --> 01:04:48,221 I was on season one, and some of the ninjas 1641 01:04:48,254 --> 01:04:49,422 call me "grandpa." 1642 01:04:49,456 --> 01:04:51,658 I have a stripe for every single season 1643 01:04:51,691 --> 01:04:53,126 that I've competed. 1644 01:04:53,159 --> 01:04:55,628 - He's got the ninja beard of wisdom. 1645 01:04:55,662 --> 01:04:58,198 - Now we're starting to lose some room here. 1646 01:04:58,231 --> 01:05:01,101 - My wife is Grace Sims. She's also a Ninja. 1647 01:05:01,134 --> 01:05:02,602 But, this year, she's not going to compete, 1648 01:05:02,635 --> 01:05:04,637 because she's pregnant. She's having a baby. 1649 01:05:04,671 --> 01:05:06,740 - Yeah! - When I step up on that line, 1650 01:05:06,773 --> 01:05:09,709 and I see Grace on the screen, 1651 01:05:09,743 --> 01:05:11,344 I think the pressure is just going to feel 1652 01:05:11,378 --> 01:05:12,645 a little bit different. 1653 01:05:12,679 --> 01:05:14,114 [buzzer blares] 1654 01:05:14,147 --> 01:05:16,416 This baby is coming any second now, 1655 01:05:16,449 --> 01:05:17,650 so I better go fast on that course, 1656 01:05:17,684 --> 01:05:19,152 'cause I gotta get home. 1657 01:05:19,185 --> 01:05:21,454 * * 1658 01:05:21,488 --> 01:05:23,790 - And there's Grace, 1659 01:05:23,823 --> 01:05:24,958 due any day now. 1660 01:05:25,058 --> 01:05:27,127 - Easy! Let's go! 1661 01:05:27,160 --> 01:05:28,495 - But Brett's going to have his hands full 1662 01:05:28,528 --> 01:05:29,963 with Brandon Thomas. 1663 01:05:30,063 --> 01:05:31,197 He's a recent high school grad, 1664 01:05:31,231 --> 01:05:33,466 now working as a delivery driver, 1665 01:05:33,500 --> 01:05:35,368 so you know he can move fast. 1666 01:05:35,402 --> 01:05:37,637 Had an impressive run in qualifying. 1667 01:05:37,671 --> 01:05:39,205 - Come on, Brandon! - Come on, B! 1668 01:05:39,239 --> 01:05:42,108 - His biggest fans, his parents, on the sideline. 1669 01:05:42,142 --> 01:05:43,943 - Whoo! 1670 01:05:43,977 --> 01:05:45,178 Now, these two made a bet. 1671 01:05:45,211 --> 01:05:46,680 If they both hit buzzers, 1672 01:05:46,713 --> 01:05:48,581 the loser has to jump in the water. 1673 01:05:48,615 --> 01:05:50,150 - It's a little chilly tonight. 1674 01:05:50,183 --> 01:05:51,651 That water is cold! 1675 01:05:51,685 --> 01:05:53,186 [countdown clock beeping] 1676 01:05:53,219 --> 01:05:56,322 - Brandon Thomas actually running with a jacket on. 1677 01:05:56,356 --> 01:05:58,958 - When Brett Sims competed back in season one, 1678 01:05:58,992 --> 01:06:01,828 Brandon Thomas was only three years old. 1679 01:06:01,861 --> 01:06:05,098 - Sims used to be a speed demon, great parkour athlete, 1680 01:06:05,131 --> 01:06:06,533 but says he's not sure he can keep up 1681 01:06:06,566 --> 01:06:08,034 with these young ninjas. 1682 01:06:08,034 --> 01:06:09,803 Oh, nice move! 1683 01:06:09,836 --> 01:06:11,471 [cheers and applause] 1684 01:06:11,504 --> 01:06:12,906 - And look at the old man, 1685 01:06:12,939 --> 01:06:14,874 keeping up with the kid so far! 1686 01:06:14,908 --> 01:06:16,443 - Look at these two! 1687 01:06:16,476 --> 01:06:20,714 Brett Sims setting the pace, and he is going out hard! 1688 01:06:20,747 --> 01:06:22,048 It's a race! 1689 01:06:22,082 --> 01:06:23,550 - Matt, who would have thought Brett Sims 1690 01:06:23,583 --> 01:06:26,286 would have that extra gear, at 36 years old? 1691 01:06:26,319 --> 01:06:28,555 - Well, Brett runs a ninja gym in South Carolina, 1692 01:06:28,588 --> 01:06:30,657 and he's got years of experience, 1693 01:06:30,690 --> 01:06:32,559 using that veteran savvy here 1694 01:06:32,592 --> 01:06:34,227 to keep up with the young gun. 1695 01:06:34,260 --> 01:06:36,429 - Yeah, Matt, it's going back and forth right now. 1696 01:06:36,463 --> 01:06:37,897 - Whoever gets off Sideways first 1697 01:06:37,931 --> 01:06:39,666 could have a big advantage. 1698 01:06:39,699 --> 01:06:44,170 And it's Brandon Thomas! 1699 01:06:44,204 --> 01:06:46,072 [cheering] 1700 01:06:46,106 --> 01:06:47,841 - Go! Whoo! 1701 01:06:47,874 --> 01:06:50,610 - Now, if they both fall here, Thomas would win. 1702 01:06:50,643 --> 01:06:52,345 Fast pace to this point. 1703 01:06:52,379 --> 01:06:54,481 What do they have left? 1704 01:06:54,514 --> 01:06:57,250 [cheering] 1705 01:06:57,283 --> 01:06:58,651 - Oh, they're just switching off now. 1706 01:06:58,685 --> 01:07:00,687 Oh, and now look at the link 1707 01:07:00,720 --> 01:07:02,022 from Brandon Thomas! 1708 01:07:02,022 --> 01:07:04,791 - And Brett Sims trying to keep up! 1709 01:07:04,824 --> 01:07:08,161 Brandon Thomas is gonna do it! Here comes Sims! 1710 01:07:08,194 --> 01:07:12,132 But the 18-year-old rookie is gonna be first to the buzzer! 1711 01:07:12,165 --> 01:07:15,702 [buzzer blares] 1712 01:07:15,735 --> 01:07:18,238 But Brett Sims will also finish, 1713 01:07:18,271 --> 01:07:21,174 and that puts him in a great position to move on to Vegas 1714 01:07:21,207 --> 01:07:23,643 as one of our top two non-winners. 1715 01:07:23,677 --> 01:07:26,613 - The Carolina boys just put on a show! 1716 01:07:26,646 --> 01:07:29,449 - Yay! 1717 01:07:29,482 --> 01:07:31,251 - Brett, what's it like racing against someone 1718 01:07:31,284 --> 01:07:33,319 who is literally half your age? 1719 01:07:33,353 --> 01:07:35,288 - I wish I could say I had a good excuse, 1720 01:07:35,321 --> 01:07:38,591 but I got too many years of experience to say that. 1721 01:07:38,625 --> 01:07:40,493 He got me good, man. Nice job. 1722 01:07:40,527 --> 01:07:42,796 - Well, listen, we understand you had a little bet going. 1723 01:07:42,829 --> 01:07:44,164 I think it's time to pay it off. 1724 01:07:44,197 --> 01:07:45,165 - Yeah, we did. 1725 01:07:45,198 --> 01:07:46,900 - These two made a bet. 1726 01:07:46,933 --> 01:07:48,068 They both got a buzzer. 1727 01:07:48,101 --> 01:07:50,270 Whoever was slower had to take a dip, 1728 01:07:50,303 --> 01:07:53,073 courtesy of the other one. 1729 01:07:53,073 --> 01:07:54,207 - Uh-oh! 1730 01:07:54,240 --> 01:07:56,643 South Carolina's going in the water! 1731 01:07:56,676 --> 01:07:58,745 Oh! 1732 01:07:58,778 --> 01:08:00,547 - [laughs] 1733 01:08:05,719 --> 01:08:08,388 - Get ready for the Bergstrom bunch, 1734 01:08:08,421 --> 01:08:12,058 two newlywed Ninja couples who do everything together. 1735 01:08:12,092 --> 01:08:13,259 [cheering] 1736 01:08:13,293 --> 01:08:15,195 - And they all want to get to Vegas. 1737 01:08:15,228 --> 01:08:18,898 But these sisters-in-law will have to race each other. 1738 01:08:18,932 --> 01:08:22,602 They're next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1739 01:08:28,441 --> 01:08:31,111 - Two couples and one big ninja family, 1740 01:08:31,144 --> 01:08:32,812 it's the Bergstrom bunch. 1741 01:08:32,846 --> 01:08:35,348 And all four of them are running tonight. 1742 01:08:35,382 --> 01:08:37,450 Minutes ago, David Bergstrom-Wright, 1743 01:08:37,484 --> 01:08:40,854 AKA "da cake ninja," had his wife, Caitlyn, watching, 1744 01:08:40,887 --> 01:08:43,456 as he took on Jaguar Josh, 1745 01:08:43,490 --> 01:08:46,760 Virginia grad student Josh Heman-Ackah. 1746 01:08:46,793 --> 01:08:49,729 Cake made the course look easy as pie, 1747 01:08:49,763 --> 01:08:51,664 as he jumped out to a big lead-- 1748 01:08:51,698 --> 01:08:54,634 - I guess you can have your cake and eat it too, huh? 1749 01:08:54,668 --> 01:08:58,772 - While Jaguar Josh took a slow approach. 1750 01:08:58,805 --> 01:09:01,007 Though he made it to Sideways, 1751 01:09:01,007 --> 01:09:03,576 he didn't have cat-like reflexes. 1752 01:09:03,610 --> 01:09:05,211 - He's hanging on too long. 1753 01:09:05,245 --> 01:09:08,014 Ah! 1754 01:09:08,014 --> 01:09:10,917 - Cake was cruising, and he made it to Slingshot. 1755 01:09:11,017 --> 01:09:12,419 - Oh! 1756 01:09:12,452 --> 01:09:14,220 - And though he didn't finish the course, 1757 01:09:14,254 --> 01:09:16,222 he became the first Bergstrom tonight 1758 01:09:16,256 --> 01:09:19,092 to punch his ticket to Vegas. 1759 01:09:19,125 --> 01:09:21,661 Then, Cake's brother-in-law, Caleb Bergstrom, 1760 01:09:21,695 --> 01:09:24,531 got his chance, and he had his wife, Ashley, 1761 01:09:24,564 --> 01:09:27,133 cheering for him, as he took on Sherman Oaks, 1762 01:09:27,167 --> 01:09:29,803 California's Jason Grossman. 1763 01:09:29,836 --> 01:09:31,471 Caleb came in as a number two seed, 1764 01:09:31,504 --> 01:09:35,508 and he showed why, jumping out to a big lead 1765 01:09:35,542 --> 01:09:37,510 over Grossman, a 23 seed. 1766 01:09:37,544 --> 01:09:40,347 - He is moving, Matt! 1767 01:09:40,380 --> 01:09:43,950 - Though Grossman made it to Slingshot before falling... 1768 01:09:44,050 --> 01:09:45,352 - Oh! 1769 01:09:45,385 --> 01:09:47,821 - He had no chance to catch Caleb Bergstrom, 1770 01:09:47,854 --> 01:09:50,523 who had one of the fastest runs in this group, 1771 01:09:50,557 --> 01:09:52,792 finishing in under a minute. 1772 01:09:52,826 --> 01:09:54,761 [cheering] 1773 01:09:54,794 --> 01:09:58,431 So there's another Bergstrom headed to Vegas. 1774 01:09:58,465 --> 01:10:01,835 And now the women in their family will get their shot, 1775 01:10:01,868 --> 01:10:03,737 and Zuri's going to get them started. 1776 01:10:03,770 --> 01:10:06,306 - You can't get any closer than our next two. 1777 01:10:06,339 --> 01:10:08,608 They're sisters-in-law who were bridesmaids 1778 01:10:08,641 --> 01:10:09,976 at each other's weddings. 1779 01:10:10,010 --> 01:10:13,079 Now Ashley Bergstrom and Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright 1780 01:10:13,113 --> 01:10:14,280 must race each other, 1781 01:10:14,314 --> 01:10:17,017 and only one will move on. 1782 01:10:17,050 --> 01:10:21,554 [upbeat music playing] 1783 01:10:21,588 --> 01:10:24,024 - With Caleb and Ashley, Cake, and I, we all work together. 1784 01:10:24,057 --> 01:10:25,625 We train together. 1785 01:10:25,658 --> 01:10:28,028 I think we see each other pretty much seven days a week. 1786 01:10:28,061 --> 01:10:30,096 - Yeah! 1787 01:10:30,130 --> 01:10:32,932 - It's really fun, the four of us all training together. 1788 01:10:32,966 --> 01:10:35,368 The boys are always trying to outrun each other, 1789 01:10:35,402 --> 01:10:36,736 seeing who can get the faster time. 1790 01:10:36,770 --> 01:10:38,371 - Ah! 1791 01:10:38,405 --> 01:10:39,673 - Ashley and I, we're more like, 1792 01:10:39,706 --> 01:10:40,907 "I'm going to help you get it, 1793 01:10:40,940 --> 01:10:42,642 and you're going to help me get it. 1794 01:10:42,676 --> 01:10:44,110 - Big kick. 1795 01:10:44,144 --> 01:10:45,311 - And we kind of help each other figure it out. 1796 01:10:45,345 --> 01:10:46,680 - Yeah! 1797 01:10:46,713 --> 01:10:49,349 - We realize, this is just like training. 1798 01:10:49,382 --> 01:10:51,184 We always race in training. 1799 01:10:51,217 --> 01:10:52,619 We try to root each other on. 1800 01:10:52,652 --> 01:10:55,722 We want to see each other do the best that we can. 1801 01:10:55,755 --> 01:10:58,491 - Your hair looks so good when you lache. 1802 01:10:58,525 --> 01:11:00,493 When in our lives are we ever going 1803 01:11:00,527 --> 01:11:02,562 to get to run an "American Ninja Warrior" course 1804 01:11:02,595 --> 01:11:04,731 side by side with each other again? 1805 01:11:04,764 --> 01:11:07,067 Such a cool experience! 1806 01:11:07,067 --> 01:11:10,670 * * 1807 01:11:10,704 --> 01:11:12,772 - This is going to make for some interesting 1808 01:11:12,806 --> 01:11:14,541 dinner conversation. 1809 01:11:14,574 --> 01:11:16,276 - Gotta have some mixed emotions. 1810 01:11:16,309 --> 01:11:19,279 If you win, you end your best friend's season. 1811 01:11:19,312 --> 01:11:20,714 - Let's go, girls! 1812 01:11:20,747 --> 01:11:22,215 - That sideline's gotta be a little torn, too, 1813 01:11:22,248 --> 01:11:24,718 although I'm sure David may yell a little louder 1814 01:11:24,751 --> 01:11:26,820 for Caitlyn, and Caleb may be 1815 01:11:26,853 --> 01:11:28,388 a little more vocal for Ashley. 1816 01:11:28,421 --> 01:11:30,557 Both of those guys are going to Vegas, 1817 01:11:30,590 --> 01:11:32,792 so whoever wins this will be part of 1818 01:11:32,826 --> 01:11:35,362 the first married couple at the national finals. 1819 01:11:35,395 --> 01:11:37,230 History is on the line. 1820 01:11:37,263 --> 01:11:38,565 [countdown clock beeping] 1821 01:11:38,598 --> 01:11:39,899 Caitlin is the higher seed. 1822 01:11:39,933 --> 01:11:42,268 She's a three, Ashley's a six. 1823 01:11:42,302 --> 01:11:45,472 - Well, Caitlyn bounding out some quick footwork there. 1824 01:11:45,505 --> 01:11:47,107 A little celebration. 1825 01:11:47,107 --> 01:11:49,376 And Ash goes right into the flying jump grab! 1826 01:11:49,409 --> 01:11:50,710 - Oh, she knows what she's doing. 1827 01:11:50,744 --> 01:11:52,445 She used to be a top-level gymnast. 1828 01:11:52,479 --> 01:11:54,447 She's comfortable flying through the air. 1829 01:11:54,481 --> 01:11:55,849 - Come on! Let's go! 1830 01:11:55,882 --> 01:11:57,117 - This is her third season. 1831 01:11:57,150 --> 01:11:59,252 She got a buzzer back in season 12. 1832 01:11:59,285 --> 01:12:01,054 - It's gotta be awkward on the sidelines. 1833 01:12:01,054 --> 01:12:02,288 Who are you cheering for? 1834 01:12:02,322 --> 01:12:04,057 - I don't know, Matt. 1835 01:12:04,057 --> 01:12:06,693 - My sister, but I've gotta cheer for the wife, I guess. 1836 01:12:06,726 --> 01:12:09,763 - Caitlyn takes a much more cautious approach. 1837 01:12:09,796 --> 01:12:13,333 She's sizing up each obstacle before she starts, 1838 01:12:13,366 --> 01:12:15,268 now finally goes up on to Beehive. 1839 01:12:15,301 --> 01:12:17,771 - And Ashley making short work of it, 1840 01:12:17,804 --> 01:12:19,839 starting to pull away from Caitlyn. 1841 01:12:19,873 --> 01:12:22,509 - Oh, spending a little too much time on the Beehive. 1842 01:12:22,542 --> 01:12:24,377 - Both these women work and train 1843 01:12:24,411 --> 01:12:25,679 at the Jungle Gym, 1844 01:12:25,712 --> 01:12:27,681 the Bergstroms' ninja gym in Florida. 1845 01:12:27,714 --> 01:12:29,749 It's one of the best in the country. 1846 01:12:29,783 --> 01:12:31,751 - Ashley up on Sideways. 1847 01:12:31,785 --> 01:12:34,087 - But here comes Caitlyn! 1848 01:12:34,120 --> 01:12:37,323 - Caitlyn could be waiting to see if Ashley burns out, 1849 01:12:37,357 --> 01:12:41,361 but we know that that strategy may not be the most efficient. 1850 01:12:41,394 --> 01:12:43,263 - Let's go, baby! 1851 01:12:43,296 --> 01:12:45,331 - Caitlyn made it to Vegas four years ago. 1852 01:12:45,365 --> 01:12:46,966 That's when she and Caleb became 1853 01:12:47,000 --> 01:12:48,835 the first brother-sister duo to qualify 1854 01:12:48,868 --> 01:12:50,470 for the national finals. 1855 01:12:50,503 --> 01:12:53,907 Now she's trying to be part of the first husband-wife team 1856 01:12:53,940 --> 01:12:56,409 to do it but needs to make up some ground. 1857 01:12:56,443 --> 01:12:58,912 Ashley is first through Sideways. 1858 01:12:58,945 --> 01:13:02,615 - And Ashley turning back to cheer Caitlyn on. 1859 01:13:02,649 --> 01:13:04,050 - Yeah, that's because they're best friends. 1860 01:13:04,050 --> 01:13:05,752 They do everything together. 1861 01:13:05,785 --> 01:13:08,688 - And Caitlyn survives that big transfer, 1862 01:13:08,722 --> 01:13:11,491 and Ashley is just cheering her on! 1863 01:13:11,524 --> 01:13:13,059 - Well, Matt, at least she gets a chance 1864 01:13:13,059 --> 01:13:16,129 to catch her breath while she's waiting on Caitlyn. 1865 01:13:16,162 --> 01:13:18,531 - She may go for the dismount here. 1866 01:13:18,565 --> 01:13:19,966 - Go for the dismount now! 1867 01:13:20,066 --> 01:13:22,435 Oh. - Yes! 1868 01:13:22,469 --> 01:13:23,737 - And a hug. 1869 01:13:23,770 --> 01:13:25,071 Well, they're back even, 1870 01:13:25,071 --> 01:13:27,741 but Ashley Bergstrom has the advantage. 1871 01:13:27,774 --> 01:13:31,211 She was the first to complete Sideways. 1872 01:13:31,244 --> 01:13:33,847 - And now it may be who can handle Slingshot? 1873 01:13:33,880 --> 01:13:36,349 Ashley, who got to rest, goes right up, 1874 01:13:36,383 --> 01:13:39,552 while Caitlyn tries to catch her breath. 1875 01:13:39,586 --> 01:13:41,254 - Ashley had a little bit of a break, 1876 01:13:41,287 --> 01:13:43,089 a little longer than Caitlyn. 1877 01:13:43,089 --> 01:13:45,692 - Come on. 1878 01:13:45,725 --> 01:13:48,461 - Oh, the bar's between the bungees on the left. 1879 01:13:48,495 --> 01:13:50,497 - Oh, Ashley's in trouble here, Matt. 1880 01:13:50,530 --> 01:13:52,132 She's going to try to fix it, 1881 01:13:52,165 --> 01:13:54,668 but we've seen the ninjas fall when they try to correct it 1882 01:13:54,701 --> 01:13:55,735 here on Slingshot! 1883 01:13:55,769 --> 01:13:58,505 - And the door is open! 1884 01:13:58,538 --> 01:14:00,740 Caitlyn must complete this obstacle! 1885 01:14:00,774 --> 01:14:02,308 No! 1886 01:14:04,044 --> 01:14:07,047 The door gets opened, and then slammed shut, 1887 01:14:07,080 --> 01:14:10,350 and Ashley Bergstrom is moving on! 1888 01:14:10,383 --> 01:14:13,820 She and Caleb will be the first husband-wife duo 1889 01:14:13,853 --> 01:14:16,056 to qualify for the national finals. 1890 01:14:16,056 --> 01:14:18,692 - It all came down to Slingshot. 1891 01:14:18,725 --> 01:14:21,294 Ashley got the bar stuck between bungees 1892 01:14:21,327 --> 01:14:23,329 and couldn't get it out cleanly. 1893 01:14:23,363 --> 01:14:25,865 That briefly gave Caitlyn a shot to win, 1894 01:14:25,899 --> 01:14:28,335 but she came up short. 1895 01:14:30,070 --> 01:14:32,639 - That's still an impressive Ninja family. 1896 01:14:32,672 --> 01:14:35,108 Three of them will be running in Vegas, 1897 01:14:35,141 --> 01:14:39,312 and I'm sure Caitlyn will be there, cheering them on. 1898 01:14:39,346 --> 01:14:41,548 - Coming up, this high schooler's 1899 01:14:41,581 --> 01:14:43,516 about to race her hero, 1900 01:14:43,550 --> 01:14:47,987 one of the greatest ninjas ever, Jessie Graff. 1901 01:14:48,088 --> 01:14:51,891 We'll see them next, on "American Ninja Warrior." 1902 01:14:57,897 --> 01:15:00,800 - Minutes ago, we saw one of the all-time greats, 1903 01:15:00,834 --> 01:15:03,036 Ryan Stratis, who was trying get back 1904 01:15:03,036 --> 01:15:05,939 to the national finals for the first time in four years. 1905 01:15:06,039 --> 01:15:08,208 But to get there, he had to face off against 1906 01:15:08,241 --> 01:15:11,077 former pro wakeboarder Austin Hair, 1907 01:15:11,111 --> 01:15:13,747 whose wife, Lisa, was cheering him on. 1908 01:15:13,780 --> 01:15:15,915 - Let's go, let's go! You got it! 1909 01:15:15,949 --> 01:15:17,851 - Stratis, a 12-time Ninja veteran, 1910 01:15:17,884 --> 01:15:20,887 was a step behind Hair, a two-time veteran, 1911 01:15:20,920 --> 01:15:22,255 who was first off Beehive. 1912 01:15:22,288 --> 01:15:24,391 [cheering] 1913 01:15:24,424 --> 01:15:27,527 And while both were on Sideways, first Stratis... 1914 01:15:27,560 --> 01:15:29,396 - Oh, my word! 1915 01:15:29,429 --> 01:15:31,931 - And then Hair... - Oh! 1916 01:15:31,965 --> 01:15:33,433 - Both fell. 1917 01:15:33,466 --> 01:15:36,302 But because Austin Hair finished the previous obstacle 1918 01:15:36,336 --> 01:15:38,505 first, he gets the win. 1919 01:15:38,538 --> 01:15:41,641 He's going to his first national finals. 1920 01:15:41,675 --> 01:15:44,611 Last season, social media star Bob Reese 1921 01:15:44,644 --> 01:15:46,646 tried something never done before, 1922 01:15:46,680 --> 01:15:48,715 with his flip at the national finals. 1923 01:15:48,748 --> 01:15:49,916 - Oh! 1924 01:15:49,949 --> 01:15:51,384 Reese's pieces! 1925 01:15:51,418 --> 01:15:55,321 - Tonight, he tried to earn a return trip to Vegas, 1926 01:15:55,355 --> 01:15:58,425 but first stopped for a quick do-si-do with his opponent, 1927 01:15:58,458 --> 01:16:01,428 Vinnie Castronova, who's a 25-year-old plumber 1928 01:16:01,461 --> 01:16:03,329 in South Florida. 1929 01:16:03,363 --> 01:16:06,700 Castronova came out hot and jumped out to a big lead 1930 01:16:06,733 --> 01:16:09,369 over the surprisingly cautious Reese. 1931 01:16:09,402 --> 01:16:11,905 - Vinnie Castronova running his own race. 1932 01:16:11,938 --> 01:16:13,306 - Yay! 1933 01:16:13,340 --> 01:16:14,407 - The four-time Ninja veteran 1934 01:16:14,441 --> 01:16:16,676 absolutely flushed the course, 1935 01:16:16,710 --> 01:16:19,646 and earned his first trip to the national finals. 1936 01:16:19,679 --> 01:16:21,614 - Whoo! 1937 01:16:21,648 --> 01:16:25,051 - It wasn't as easy for Bob Reese. 1938 01:16:25,085 --> 01:16:27,153 - Hell of a save right there! 1939 01:16:27,187 --> 01:16:28,621 - 60 pounds heavier, 1940 01:16:28,655 --> 01:16:30,824 the TikTok trickster moved slower, 1941 01:16:30,857 --> 01:16:33,293 but eventually made his way to the end. 1942 01:16:33,326 --> 01:16:35,462 As one of the top two non-winners, 1943 01:16:35,495 --> 01:16:38,965 he too is moving on. 1944 01:16:39,065 --> 01:16:40,967 The only other non-winner to hit a buzzer 1945 01:16:41,067 --> 01:16:43,069 is Bob's friend, Brett Sims. 1946 01:16:43,069 --> 01:16:45,372 They're now both going to Vegas. 1947 01:16:45,405 --> 01:16:48,375 And RJ Roman and The Boss, Elijah Browning, 1948 01:16:48,408 --> 01:16:50,076 the two fastest from tonight, 1949 01:16:50,076 --> 01:16:53,880 will race for the Safety Pass in just a few minutes. 1950 01:16:53,913 --> 01:16:56,149 In one of our final women's races, 1951 01:16:56,182 --> 01:16:59,486 Army captain Jeri D'Aurelio engaged in friendly battle 1952 01:16:59,519 --> 01:17:01,321 with Florida high schooler Emma Pereyra. 1953 01:17:01,354 --> 01:17:02,922 - Jeri! Jeri! Jeri! 1954 01:17:03,023 --> 01:17:05,592 - D'Aurelio had the troops watching from Korea, 1955 01:17:05,625 --> 01:17:08,461 and her son, Holden, cheering on the sideline. 1956 01:17:08,495 --> 01:17:11,197 And the eight-time Ninja veteran was in a dogfight 1957 01:17:11,231 --> 01:17:15,035 with her 15-year-old opponent, until they reached Beehive. 1958 01:17:15,035 --> 01:17:16,836 - Oh! 1959 01:17:16,870 --> 01:17:18,938 - That fall gave the win to Pereyra, 1960 01:17:19,039 --> 01:17:21,441 who gave a quick salute to her opponent. 1961 01:17:21,474 --> 01:17:23,076 - Emma Pereyra! 1962 01:17:23,109 --> 01:17:27,313 - The rookie got through Sideways... 1963 01:17:27,347 --> 01:17:29,182 [cheering] 1964 01:17:29,215 --> 01:17:30,917 And took a shot at Slingshot. 1965 01:17:30,950 --> 01:17:33,687 - She wants to make sure she finishes what she started. 1966 01:17:33,720 --> 01:17:34,888 Oh, and she's down! 1967 01:17:34,921 --> 01:17:37,590 - And now she's headed to Vegas. 1968 01:17:40,660 --> 01:17:44,064 - Guys, she's done just about everything in Ninja, 1969 01:17:44,097 --> 01:17:47,200 but Jessie Graff's never had to race side by side like this. 1970 01:17:47,233 --> 01:17:50,403 The Hollywood stunt woman is an icon in the sport, 1971 01:17:50,437 --> 01:17:52,639 and a hero to girls everywhere, 1972 01:17:52,672 --> 01:17:54,641 including her opponent tonight, 1973 01:17:54,674 --> 01:17:57,977 high schooler Jaleesa Himka. 1974 01:17:58,078 --> 01:18:00,714 - When I started doing appearances and meeting 1975 01:18:00,747 --> 01:18:02,248 the little Ninja kids, 1976 01:18:02,282 --> 01:18:04,851 I saw them on obstacles, 1977 01:18:04,884 --> 01:18:07,921 and was just like, oh, man. 1978 01:18:08,021 --> 01:18:10,924 [upbeat music] 1979 01:18:11,024 --> 01:18:12,759 * * 1980 01:18:12,792 --> 01:18:14,627 Good thing I'm not going to be competing 1981 01:18:14,661 --> 01:18:17,030 when they're old enough to be on the show. 1982 01:18:19,332 --> 01:18:21,501 - Jessie Graff is somebody that I looked up to 1983 01:18:21,534 --> 01:18:24,304 for my whole childhood. 1984 01:18:24,337 --> 01:18:26,206 She is a legend of the sport. 1985 01:18:26,239 --> 01:18:29,109 - Jessie Graff has done it! 1986 01:18:29,142 --> 01:18:31,911 - But now I want to be a legend too. 1987 01:18:31,945 --> 01:18:32,912 * * 1988 01:18:32,946 --> 01:18:34,914 - Yeah! 1989 01:18:34,948 --> 01:18:38,184 - It's wild that, like, I met these adorable little kids, 1990 01:18:38,218 --> 01:18:40,954 who were looking up to me, wanting to do what I'm doing... 1991 01:18:41,054 --> 01:18:43,323 - This woman redefining "strong!" 1992 01:18:43,356 --> 01:18:45,425 - And now they're competing on the show, 1993 01:18:45,458 --> 01:18:48,461 and I'm watching, like, oh, I need to take lessons from you. 1994 01:18:48,495 --> 01:18:50,063 [laughs] 1995 01:18:50,096 --> 01:18:53,500 * * 1996 01:18:53,533 --> 01:18:57,103 - Both these women have great role models, their moms. 1997 01:18:57,137 --> 01:18:59,606 Jessie's 71-year-old mother, Ginny, 1998 01:18:59,639 --> 01:19:02,342 competed earlier this season, 1999 01:19:02,375 --> 01:19:04,177 and Jaleesa's mom, Suzanne, 2000 01:19:04,210 --> 01:19:06,613 was an American Gladiator back in the day. 2001 01:19:06,646 --> 01:19:08,214 - Jessie's a number two seed, 2002 01:19:08,248 --> 01:19:11,484 while Jaleesa had to win a run-off race just to get here. 2003 01:19:11,518 --> 01:19:14,020 She's a seven seed. 2004 01:19:14,020 --> 01:19:16,256 [countdown clock beeping] 2005 01:19:16,289 --> 01:19:19,125 - Jessie was a mentor on "Ninja Junior," 2006 01:19:19,159 --> 01:19:20,894 where Jaleesa was competing. 2007 01:19:20,927 --> 01:19:22,228 She's all grown up now! 2008 01:19:22,262 --> 01:19:24,464 - Yeah, she is. She's 5'6", 2009 01:19:24,497 --> 01:19:28,835 That's 2 inches shorter than Jessie. 2010 01:19:28,868 --> 01:19:32,038 - Big age difference between these two. 2011 01:19:32,038 --> 01:19:35,742 And Jaleesa first off the Flying Shelf Grab. 2012 01:19:35,775 --> 01:19:38,311 - Oh, a little stumble! 2013 01:19:38,345 --> 01:19:41,047 - Jaleesa Himka almost went over the trampoline, 2014 01:19:41,081 --> 01:19:43,350 into the water, but she recovers. 2015 01:19:43,383 --> 01:19:46,619 - Jessie Graff, the nine-time veteran, keeps swinging. 2016 01:19:46,653 --> 01:19:48,722 She was a pole vaulter at the University of Nebraska, 2017 01:19:48,755 --> 01:19:50,056 so good in the air. 2018 01:19:50,056 --> 01:19:52,926 She's first off Beehive. 2019 01:19:52,959 --> 01:19:55,195 That was a big move by Jessie, 2020 01:19:55,228 --> 01:19:59,265 and now Himka going right into Sideways. 2021 01:19:59,299 --> 01:20:01,234 - Jessie's taking a moment to rest those arms, 2022 01:20:01,267 --> 01:20:03,536 but the high schooler keeps attacking. 2023 01:20:03,570 --> 01:20:06,272 - Yeah, Jaleesa's starting to pull further and further away. 2024 01:20:06,306 --> 01:20:07,607 Jessie's gotta go! 2025 01:20:07,640 --> 01:20:09,609 - She's fallen on Sideways in the past, 2026 01:20:09,642 --> 01:20:11,544 so she's being extra cautious. 2027 01:20:11,578 --> 01:20:14,347 - And she's letting Himka run away! 2028 01:20:14,381 --> 01:20:17,450 - The high schooler is out ahead of her hero right now. 2029 01:20:17,484 --> 01:20:19,352 She's handling the pressure. 2030 01:20:19,386 --> 01:20:23,656 And Himka's through Sideways! 2031 01:20:23,690 --> 01:20:26,960 Jessie being very deliberate on Sideways. 2032 01:20:26,993 --> 01:20:28,862 - Oh! 2033 01:20:28,895 --> 01:20:31,731 Jessie Graff is down! 2034 01:20:31,765 --> 01:20:33,900 - What an upset! 2035 01:20:33,933 --> 01:20:36,503 The great Jessie Graff is out! 2036 01:20:36,536 --> 01:20:42,542 - Jaleesa Himka slays one of the greats! 2037 01:20:42,575 --> 01:20:45,412 - Wow! That's a big win for Jaleesa! 2038 01:20:45,445 --> 01:20:48,081 - Well, Jaleesa has punched her ticket to Vegas. 2039 01:20:48,114 --> 01:20:51,818 The 15-year-old will be going there. 2040 01:20:51,851 --> 01:20:54,721 - Now looking to be the fourth woman this season 2041 01:20:54,754 --> 01:20:57,924 to hit a buzzer in semifinals. 2042 01:20:57,957 --> 01:21:00,527 - She's about to do this! 2043 01:21:00,560 --> 01:21:02,328 Come on! 2044 01:21:02,362 --> 01:21:04,397 - Oh! 2045 01:21:04,431 --> 01:21:05,398 - Oh, so close! 2046 01:21:05,432 --> 01:21:06,966 - Comes up just short, 2047 01:21:07,067 --> 01:21:10,904 but not before defeating one of the all-time greats! 2048 01:21:10,937 --> 01:21:13,673 - Great job, Jaleesa! 2049 01:21:13,707 --> 01:21:15,175 - You did it! 2050 01:21:15,208 --> 01:21:16,676 Ah! 2051 01:21:18,712 --> 01:21:20,780 - Well, take a look at what happened to Jessie. 2052 01:21:20,814 --> 01:21:22,782 She was nearing the end of Sideways, 2053 01:21:22,816 --> 01:21:25,085 but just missed with her right hand, 2054 01:21:25,085 --> 01:21:29,155 and that guaranteed a win for Jaleesa Himka. 2055 01:21:29,189 --> 01:21:31,424 * * 2056 01:21:31,458 --> 01:21:35,562 - So good! 2057 01:21:35,595 --> 01:21:39,099 - And Jaleesa ends up atop our women's leaderboard. 2058 01:21:39,099 --> 01:21:41,935 We'll see all four women in Vegas starting next week. 2059 01:21:41,968 --> 01:21:44,337 We've got one more important piece of business 2060 01:21:44,371 --> 01:21:45,805 before we head to Vegas. 2061 01:21:45,839 --> 01:21:48,842 - It's our final Safety Pass race of the season, 2062 01:21:48,875 --> 01:21:53,113 rocker RJ Roman taking on The Boss, Elijah Browning. 2063 01:21:53,113 --> 01:21:55,615 These two put up unbelievably fast times 2064 01:21:55,648 --> 01:21:58,518 earlier tonight to earn their spot in this race. 2065 01:21:58,551 --> 01:22:01,254 - Yeah, RJ finished in 48 seconds, 2066 01:22:01,287 --> 01:22:03,757 Elijah in 53 seconds, 2067 01:22:03,790 --> 01:22:06,393 but different body types with these two. 2068 01:22:06,426 --> 01:22:07,927 RJ is 7 inches shorter 2069 01:22:07,961 --> 01:22:11,364 and 25 pounds lighter than The Boss. 2070 01:22:11,398 --> 01:22:14,367 - These two know each other well and have traded shirts. 2071 01:22:14,401 --> 01:22:16,069 RJ is wearing "The Boss," 2072 01:22:16,069 --> 01:22:18,905 while Elijah wears the rock-and-roll double Rs 2073 01:22:18,938 --> 01:22:20,740 for RJ Roman. 2074 01:22:20,774 --> 01:22:22,942 And there's a huge group on the sideline. 2075 01:22:22,976 --> 01:22:25,545 No one wants to miss these Safety Pass races; 2076 01:22:25,578 --> 01:22:27,213 they've been electric. 2077 01:22:27,247 --> 01:22:30,850 - A Safety Pass in Vegas could be million dollar difference, 2078 01:22:30,884 --> 01:22:32,419 so they're going to go all out. 2079 01:22:32,452 --> 01:22:35,088 [countdown clock beeping] 2080 01:22:35,121 --> 01:22:38,625 - Two top ninjas with nothing to lose. 2081 01:22:38,658 --> 01:22:40,493 They are bounding into it! 2082 01:22:40,527 --> 01:22:43,263 - RJ Roman did it in 48 seconds earlier, 2083 01:22:43,296 --> 01:22:46,566 and he's going even faster this time! 2084 01:22:46,599 --> 01:22:48,001 But look at Browning! 2085 01:22:48,101 --> 01:22:50,937 - And RJ just a little ahead, and there it is! 2086 01:22:50,970 --> 01:22:53,173 That could be the separator! 2087 01:22:53,206 --> 01:22:54,441 - Whoa! - My goodness! 2088 01:22:54,474 --> 01:22:58,411 He's just floating across Sideways! 2089 01:22:58,445 --> 01:23:00,647 - That is as fast as we've ever seen anyone 2090 01:23:00,680 --> 01:23:02,415 go through Sideways! 2091 01:23:02,449 --> 01:23:04,951 - Matt, he looks like a human drone! 2092 01:23:05,051 --> 01:23:06,386 Oh, my goodness! 2093 01:23:06,419 --> 01:23:07,954 - And look at his time! 2094 01:23:08,054 --> 01:23:10,957 This is going to be one of the fastest runs all season! 2095 01:23:11,057 --> 01:23:13,059 RJ Roman's gonna do it! 2096 01:23:13,093 --> 01:23:16,896 He's going to Vegas with a Safety Pass! 2097 01:23:16,930 --> 01:23:18,398 And here comes The Boss. 2098 01:23:18,431 --> 01:23:20,066 A good run for him, 2099 01:23:20,100 --> 01:23:22,202 but no chance to beat RJ Roman tonight, 2100 01:23:22,235 --> 01:23:25,071 because RJ just shredded this course. 2101 01:23:25,071 --> 01:23:27,540 Put up one of the fastest times all season, 2102 01:23:27,574 --> 01:23:30,310 in our final race before we head to Vegas. 2103 01:23:30,343 --> 01:23:33,813 - Let's go! 2104 01:23:33,847 --> 01:23:37,083 - They both came out hot, but RJ was linking 2105 01:23:37,083 --> 01:23:40,320 almost every move on Sideways and Slingshot, 2106 01:23:40,353 --> 01:23:43,590 and he finishes in just over 38 seconds! 2107 01:23:43,623 --> 01:23:45,792 That's the fastest on planet Earth. 2108 01:23:45,825 --> 01:23:46,960 [cheering] 2109 01:23:46,993 --> 01:23:48,595 - So that wraps up the semifinals. 2110 01:23:48,628 --> 01:23:50,897 Now we're headed to the national finals, 2111 01:23:50,930 --> 01:23:52,298 which start next week. 2112 01:23:52,332 --> 01:23:55,135 Someone's taking home $1 million. 2113 01:23:55,168 --> 01:23:56,536 Who's it gonna be? 2114 01:23:56,569 --> 01:23:57,604 - Get ready, Las Vegas! 2115 01:23:57,637 --> 01:23:59,406 We coming, baby! - That's right. 2116 01:23:59,439 --> 01:24:02,308 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2117 01:24:02,342 --> 01:24:04,310 We'll see you in Vegas next week 2118 01:24:04,344 --> 01:24:08,114 on "American Ninja Warrior." 2119 01:24:08,148 --> 01:24:11,117 [dramatic music] 2120 01:24:11,151 --> 01:24:18,191 * *