1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:07,540 - * I'm going to live my life * 2 00:00:07,574 --> 00:00:10,477 * And be who I want to be * 3 00:00:10,510 --> 00:00:15,248 * Oh, I just born to chase my dream * 4 00:00:15,281 --> 00:00:17,817 - Yeah, you're there. You made it. 5 00:00:17,851 --> 00:00:19,753 - I can't believe that I get to compete 6 00:00:19,786 --> 00:00:22,122 with all of my ninja heroes. 7 00:00:22,155 --> 00:00:23,990 Since I've started Ninja, this is the moment 8 00:00:24,024 --> 00:00:25,892 that I've been waiting for. 9 00:00:25,925 --> 00:00:28,428 - * I got too much pride * 10 00:00:28,461 --> 00:00:31,231 * You can't take it from me * 11 00:00:31,264 --> 00:00:36,503 * Oh, oh, I was born to chase my dream * 12 00:00:36,536 --> 00:00:39,105 - When I was growing up, I could not imagine me 13 00:00:39,139 --> 00:00:41,174 being right here in Las Vegas. 14 00:00:41,207 --> 00:00:43,376 - He has worked so hard for this moment. 15 00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:47,213 - This has been my dream ever since I came to America. 16 00:00:47,247 --> 00:00:49,549 [cheers and applause] 17 00:00:49,582 --> 00:00:50,917 - This season, the national finals 18 00:00:50,950 --> 00:00:52,118 are going to be crazier-- 19 00:00:52,152 --> 00:00:53,520 - What a save! - --faster-- 20 00:00:53,553 --> 00:00:54,821 - Hot feet. Hot feet. 21 00:00:54,854 --> 00:00:55,822 - --more breathtaking-- 22 00:00:55,855 --> 00:00:57,223 - Oh, my goodness! 23 00:00:57,257 --> 00:01:01,061 - --and more unpredictable than ever before. 24 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:02,595 - We're racing on stage two. 25 00:01:02,629 --> 00:01:03,763 Let's go! 26 00:01:03,797 --> 00:01:06,199 both: Oh! 27 00:01:06,232 --> 00:01:10,570 - Everyone is only four buzzers away from $1 million. 28 00:01:10,603 --> 00:01:14,374 - Climbing stage 4 is what every ninja dreams of. 29 00:01:14,407 --> 00:01:16,976 - The mountain is going down. 30 00:01:17,077 --> 00:01:19,145 - It's time for the national finals. 31 00:01:19,179 --> 00:01:20,780 [dramatic music] 32 00:01:20,814 --> 00:01:22,215 - Are y'all ready? 33 00:01:22,248 --> 00:01:26,186 - "American Ninja Warrior" national finals starts now. 34 00:01:26,219 --> 00:01:31,124 [cheers and applause] 35 00:01:31,157 --> 00:01:34,894 - Welcome to Las Vegas, where we are upping the ante. 36 00:01:34,928 --> 00:01:36,596 We're kicking off a national finals 37 00:01:36,629 --> 00:01:39,699 like Ninja Warriors never have before. 38 00:01:39,733 --> 00:01:40,967 Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining us. 39 00:01:41,001 --> 00:01:41,968 I'm Matt Iseman. 40 00:01:42,002 --> 00:01:43,636 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 41 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:46,106 Matt, I am so excited, because this year, 42 00:01:46,139 --> 00:01:47,340 it's going to be wild. 43 00:01:47,374 --> 00:01:49,609 For the first time ever, our ninjas are going 44 00:01:49,642 --> 00:01:50,977 to be racing here in Vegas. 45 00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:52,412 - That's right, big man, and that'll 46 00:01:52,445 --> 00:01:54,114 happen over on stage two. 47 00:01:54,114 --> 00:01:55,882 But to get there and have a shot 48 00:01:55,915 --> 00:01:57,917 at the million dollar prize, they'll first 49 00:01:57,951 --> 00:01:59,819 have to survive stage one. 50 00:01:59,853 --> 00:02:01,388 And that's where we begin tonight. 51 00:02:01,421 --> 00:02:03,923 For a preview, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 52 00:02:03,957 --> 00:02:06,459 - Guys, stage one is an all-out sprint 53 00:02:06,493 --> 00:02:07,627 through eight obstacles. 54 00:02:07,660 --> 00:02:10,930 And this season, it's got a Vegas twist. 55 00:02:10,964 --> 00:02:13,767 We've got a brand-new obstacle called The Gambler, 56 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,336 where you go from a poker chip to a craps table 57 00:02:16,369 --> 00:02:18,905 to a rolling roulette wheel that can eat up time. 58 00:02:18,938 --> 00:02:20,707 - Ooh, spin it, spin it, spin it. 59 00:02:20,740 --> 00:02:22,776 - And lastly, the Ace of Spades. 60 00:02:22,809 --> 00:02:25,445 And there's a new final obstacle, Thread the Needle, 61 00:02:25,478 --> 00:02:27,547 which launches you to the cargo net 62 00:02:27,580 --> 00:02:30,316 and a climb to the buzzer. 63 00:02:30,350 --> 00:02:33,753 They're going to have to do it in under 2:50 64 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:35,555 It's going to be wild. Guys? 65 00:02:35,588 --> 00:02:37,090 - That's the stage one course. 66 00:02:37,090 --> 00:02:39,359 If our ninja's survive, they move on 67 00:02:39,392 --> 00:02:43,129 to stage two, three, and four, where 68 00:02:43,163 --> 00:02:45,465 someone will win $1 million. 69 00:02:45,498 --> 00:02:48,201 - At this point in the season, only the best athletes 70 00:02:48,234 --> 00:02:49,602 are left in the competition. 71 00:02:49,636 --> 00:02:52,539 - And here's just a few ninjas we'll see tonight. 72 00:02:52,572 --> 00:02:54,207 The Weatherman, Joe Moravsky, 73 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,509 will be making his 10th appearance 74 00:02:56,543 --> 00:02:58,178 at the National Finals. 75 00:02:58,211 --> 00:03:00,947 He's tied for the most ever with another Ninja great we'll 76 00:03:01,047 --> 00:03:04,317 see tonight, Flip Rodriguez. 77 00:03:04,351 --> 00:03:06,786 Yes! Yes! - First mom! 78 00:03:06,820 --> 00:03:10,156 - Plus, super mom Sandy Zimmerman makes her first 79 00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:12,926 ever appearance on stage one. 80 00:03:12,959 --> 00:03:14,494 - Well, we're going to kick things off 81 00:03:14,527 --> 00:03:16,262 with one of the most energetic 82 00:03:16,296 --> 00:03:18,064 competitors of the season. 83 00:03:18,098 --> 00:03:21,601 This is New York high school student, Emily Gardiner. 84 00:03:21,634 --> 00:03:24,237 She's had an impressive rookie year 85 00:03:24,270 --> 00:03:26,406 making it to Vegas along with her boyfriend, 86 00:03:26,439 --> 00:03:29,542 Kevin Rodriguez. 87 00:03:29,576 --> 00:03:31,277 - I'm really happy to be here in Vegas, 88 00:03:31,311 --> 00:03:32,812 but it just makes everything better 89 00:03:32,846 --> 00:03:34,848 that Kevin's here with me. 90 00:03:34,881 --> 00:03:36,783 We've been dating for six months now, 91 00:03:36,816 --> 00:03:38,485 and we met through Ninja. 92 00:03:38,518 --> 00:03:40,086 Ready, set, go. 93 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:41,921 Whenever me and Kevin train together, 94 00:03:41,955 --> 00:03:43,923 it's always a friendly rivalry. 95 00:03:43,957 --> 00:03:44,924 Oh, that was so good. 96 00:03:44,958 --> 00:03:46,092 - That was good. 97 00:03:46,092 --> 00:03:48,328 - We're always secretly competing 98 00:03:48,361 --> 00:03:50,096 to be the better Ninja. 99 00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:51,564 Oh! 100 00:03:51,598 --> 00:03:54,334 Ha-ha, you're going down. 101 00:03:54,367 --> 00:03:58,638 After he competed in LA, Kevin had a little surprise for me. 102 00:03:58,672 --> 00:03:59,906 Thank you. 103 00:03:59,939 --> 00:04:03,043 He actually prom-proposed to me. 104 00:04:03,043 --> 00:04:05,378 Going to prom together was nice, and it was fun, 105 00:04:05,412 --> 00:04:08,915 but I think hitting buzzers together on stage one in Vegas 106 00:04:08,948 --> 00:04:10,116 will be even better. 107 00:04:10,150 --> 00:04:14,387 * * 108 00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:15,755 - Kevin will run later. 109 00:04:15,789 --> 00:04:18,058 He'll be cheering along with Emily's parents. 110 00:04:18,058 --> 00:04:20,060 [countdown clock beeping] Here we go. 111 00:04:20,060 --> 00:04:23,296 The clock will count down from 2:50, 112 00:04:23,329 --> 00:04:25,365 and she gets through Slide Surfer. 113 00:04:25,398 --> 00:04:27,100 Has a gymnastics background-- started 114 00:04:27,133 --> 00:04:28,601 in Ninja when she was 11. 115 00:04:28,635 --> 00:04:31,571 Now climbing up to take on Three Ring Circus. 116 00:04:31,604 --> 00:04:33,807 - Let's go. 117 00:04:34,874 --> 00:04:35,975 - Three Ring Circus. 118 00:04:36,076 --> 00:04:38,778 That blind grab can be a little alarming, 119 00:04:38,812 --> 00:04:41,081 and generating enough power so the launch as well so you 120 00:04:41,081 --> 00:04:43,083 can get up to that disk. 121 00:04:43,083 --> 00:04:44,351 - You got it, Em. Let's go. 122 00:04:44,384 --> 00:04:47,420 - See it? Grab it. - Launched right to it. 123 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:49,089 - And spent a lot of time there, Akbar. 124 00:04:49,122 --> 00:04:52,192 You just have to be cognizant of every second 125 00:04:52,225 --> 00:04:53,526 on this stage one course. 126 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:56,763 It is just a gauntlet. 127 00:04:56,796 --> 00:04:58,965 A couple extra swings here again. 128 00:04:58,998 --> 00:05:00,400 - Because she's got to generate that power. 129 00:05:00,433 --> 00:05:01,601 You see, she's trying-- that's it. 130 00:05:01,634 --> 00:05:03,103 There you go. And then launch. 131 00:05:03,136 --> 00:05:04,404 Nice! 132 00:05:04,437 --> 00:05:06,473 - Let's go! 133 00:05:06,506 --> 00:05:07,407 Whoo! 134 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,210 - Oh, wow, she's on it now. 135 00:05:10,243 --> 00:05:12,045 - Well, she said she likes big rides. 136 00:05:12,078 --> 00:05:15,749 She's ready to go for one on the Giant Rollercoaster. 137 00:05:15,782 --> 00:05:18,451 - Yeah, she's really trying to find that right grip, 138 00:05:18,485 --> 00:05:19,953 but it's that transition. 139 00:05:20,053 --> 00:05:22,055 You see, she's going with the switch grip early. 140 00:05:22,055 --> 00:05:23,957 She's got to maintain that grip on the other side. 141 00:05:24,057 --> 00:05:25,325 Nice! 142 00:05:25,358 --> 00:05:26,893 - And you can see, catch it, double over, 143 00:05:26,926 --> 00:05:28,595 and then made the switch. 144 00:05:28,628 --> 00:05:30,163 - Wow, I like it. - Real good technique. 145 00:05:30,196 --> 00:05:31,431 - That was great technique. 146 00:05:31,464 --> 00:05:33,066 She made that adjustment on the fly. 147 00:05:33,066 --> 00:05:35,468 16 years old, first time in Vegas. 148 00:05:35,502 --> 00:05:36,703 Not bad. 149 00:05:36,736 --> 00:05:38,571 - Let's go! 150 00:05:38,605 --> 00:05:40,073 - Well, at 5'2"-- 151 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:43,476 - Big strong leap for the Jumping Spider. 152 00:05:43,510 --> 00:05:45,078 - And strong contact as well. 153 00:05:45,111 --> 00:05:46,813 Got to get in that Jumping Spider, 154 00:05:46,846 --> 00:05:48,348 and got to stick like magnet. 155 00:05:48,381 --> 00:05:49,349 Nice! 156 00:05:49,382 --> 00:05:50,917 - Strong leap. 157 00:05:50,950 --> 00:05:53,887 - The power she had running onto the trampoline. 158 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:55,522 I love the force. 159 00:05:55,555 --> 00:05:57,590 - And you see, you have to go below the first red stripe, 160 00:05:57,624 --> 00:05:59,159 now up and over. 161 00:05:59,192 --> 00:06:02,462 - And she could be just the fourth female teenager 162 00:06:02,495 --> 00:06:05,031 ever to get through the Jumping Spider, 163 00:06:05,031 --> 00:06:07,334 and she does it! 164 00:06:07,367 --> 00:06:09,669 [cheers and applause] 165 00:06:09,703 --> 00:06:11,538 - Matt, I get the feeling she's not racing 166 00:06:11,571 --> 00:06:12,572 against the clock. 167 00:06:12,605 --> 00:06:14,207 She's enjoying the journey. 168 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:15,442 To be this young-- - Yeah, we see you, Emily. 169 00:06:15,475 --> 00:06:17,043 - I see you. All right, come on, now. 170 00:06:17,077 --> 00:06:18,545 - She just called us out. 171 00:06:18,578 --> 00:06:19,913 - She running out of time, 172 00:06:19,946 --> 00:06:22,315 but still going to make a run at The Gambler. 173 00:06:22,349 --> 00:06:23,883 - Keep it going. - Oh! 174 00:06:23,917 --> 00:06:26,086 [buzzer blares] 175 00:06:26,119 --> 00:06:27,654 - Well, she went all in-- 176 00:06:27,687 --> 00:06:29,823 didn't leave anything on the table. 177 00:06:29,856 --> 00:06:32,492 - Her season is over, but a great debut 178 00:06:32,525 --> 00:06:34,260 for Emily Gardiner. 179 00:06:34,294 --> 00:06:36,763 - We told you she had energy. 180 00:06:36,796 --> 00:06:39,432 Few women have ever made it through Jumping Spider, 181 00:06:39,466 --> 00:06:42,135 and Emily just did it in her first season. 182 00:06:42,168 --> 00:06:45,171 And she had fun out here. 183 00:06:45,205 --> 00:06:47,774 - Up next, a Ninja who has not had fun 184 00:06:47,807 --> 00:06:49,876 on stage the past few seasons, 185 00:06:49,909 --> 00:06:52,846 it's the Big Dog, Jody Avila. 186 00:06:52,879 --> 00:06:54,981 The 37-year-old heating and air-conditioning 187 00:06:55,081 --> 00:06:57,083 technician from Texas is making 188 00:06:57,117 --> 00:06:59,319 his fifth appearance in Vegas. 189 00:06:59,352 --> 00:07:02,856 At 6'6, he's the biggest ever to conquer stage one. 190 00:07:02,889 --> 00:07:06,026 Did that back in season nine, but he has 191 00:07:06,059 --> 00:07:09,029 come up short the past three times he's been here. 192 00:07:09,029 --> 00:07:12,465 His two sons watching from back home. 193 00:07:12,499 --> 00:07:13,900 - I love you, boys. 194 00:07:13,933 --> 00:07:16,269 - And his wife, Pauline, on the sideline. 195 00:07:16,302 --> 00:07:19,039 Ninja buddies Flip Rodriguez and Barclay Stockett, 196 00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:19,906 who run later. 197 00:07:19,939 --> 00:07:22,509 [countdown clock beeping] 198 00:07:22,542 --> 00:07:24,778 Well, not only the tallest Ninja competing 199 00:07:24,811 --> 00:07:26,146 in the National Finals-- 200 00:07:26,179 --> 00:07:28,682 also the heaviest at 210 pounds. 201 00:07:28,715 --> 00:07:30,684 - But the big fella carries it well. 202 00:07:32,686 --> 00:07:34,087 - Come on. Yes! 203 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,056 - Just smooth right there. 204 00:07:36,056 --> 00:07:37,057 - Nice. 205 00:07:37,057 --> 00:07:38,324 - A big frame, Akbar. 206 00:07:38,358 --> 00:07:40,160 He really needs to be efficient. 207 00:07:40,193 --> 00:07:42,595 He timed out on the final obstacle last year. 208 00:07:42,629 --> 00:07:44,297 He's been working on his endurance 209 00:07:44,330 --> 00:07:46,433 so he'll have something left for the end. 210 00:07:46,466 --> 00:07:48,201 Now going to take that big body down 211 00:07:48,234 --> 00:07:50,236 the Giant Rollercoaster. 212 00:07:50,270 --> 00:07:51,404 No problem. 213 00:07:51,438 --> 00:07:52,672 - Yeah! 214 00:07:52,706 --> 00:07:58,445 - Oh, he is just looking smooth, Akbar. 215 00:07:58,478 --> 00:08:00,547 He's used to tight spaces working in tight spaces 216 00:08:00,580 --> 00:08:02,882 being in heating and air-conditioning. 217 00:08:02,916 --> 00:08:06,353 Now gotta cram into that Jumping Spider. 218 00:08:06,386 --> 00:08:08,121 - Yeah, you can see it's a little bit-- 219 00:08:08,154 --> 00:08:09,289 I feel for you, brother. 220 00:08:09,322 --> 00:08:10,623 I'm 6'6" too. 221 00:08:10,657 --> 00:08:12,559 I know it feels a little tight in there. 222 00:08:12,592 --> 00:08:14,427 I'd get a little claustrophobic in there. 223 00:08:14,461 --> 00:08:17,197 - And you can see when the feet start slipping, 224 00:08:17,230 --> 00:08:19,232 you have to take more of it in the upper body, 225 00:08:19,265 --> 00:08:21,201 and that's where it really gases you. 226 00:08:21,234 --> 00:08:22,602 But Big Dog's slow-- 227 00:08:22,635 --> 00:08:24,371 - Claustrophobia, arachnophobia, 228 00:08:24,404 --> 00:08:25,905 he got through that one. 229 00:08:25,939 --> 00:08:28,274 - And he'll give us first full look at The Gambler. 230 00:08:28,308 --> 00:08:31,811 It starts with a jump to the poker chip. 231 00:08:31,845 --> 00:08:34,180 Now has to swing over to the craps table. 232 00:08:34,214 --> 00:08:35,348 - And he's got it. 233 00:08:35,382 --> 00:08:37,317 - Needs to slide it out and get 234 00:08:37,350 --> 00:08:39,486 in position to go across the roulette wheel 235 00:08:39,519 --> 00:08:41,121 to the Ace of Spades. 236 00:08:41,154 --> 00:08:43,156 - And, Matt, this should be very easy for Jody Avila. 237 00:08:43,189 --> 00:08:44,491 He's 6'6. 238 00:08:44,524 --> 00:08:45,959 You can see his legs are already over the roulette 239 00:08:46,059 --> 00:08:47,260 table, just walking it up. 240 00:08:47,293 --> 00:08:48,628 - Oh, that's perfect. 241 00:08:48,661 --> 00:08:50,330 That's just perfect. 242 00:08:50,363 --> 00:08:51,765 And that's a big move. 243 00:08:51,798 --> 00:08:54,367 Can he dismount? - Nice. 244 00:08:54,401 --> 00:08:56,202 - And the Big Dog in great shape. 245 00:08:56,236 --> 00:08:57,937 Three more obstacles to go. 246 00:08:57,971 --> 00:09:00,607 - Should have no problem with the Warped Wall. 247 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,075 - Yeah, he's real good on time right here. 248 00:09:02,108 --> 00:09:03,543 Doesn't look tired. 249 00:09:03,576 --> 00:09:05,779 Maybe can put his stage one woes behind him. 250 00:09:05,812 --> 00:09:07,313 - Well, this is a rematch. 251 00:09:07,347 --> 00:09:10,283 Two seasons ago, he went out on the Dipping Birds. 252 00:09:10,316 --> 00:09:11,851 - Quick feet, baby, quick feet. 253 00:09:11,885 --> 00:09:14,187 - His wife, Pauline, knows just how much it would mean for him 254 00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:17,190 to get a stage one buzzer. 255 00:09:17,223 --> 00:09:18,625 - Nice, nice! 256 00:09:18,658 --> 00:09:19,893 - Oh, it was close! 257 00:09:19,926 --> 00:09:20,894 - Nice. 258 00:09:20,927 --> 00:09:22,529 You said you'd do it, homey. 259 00:09:22,562 --> 00:09:24,397 - 45 seconds. 260 00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:26,032 - You said you would do it, big homey. 261 00:09:26,032 --> 00:09:27,867 - Has plenty of time this year. 262 00:09:27,901 --> 00:09:30,670 Just has to get through this obstacle-- Thread the Needle. 263 00:09:30,704 --> 00:09:33,440 [cheers and applause] 264 00:09:33,473 --> 00:09:34,808 - Oh, no. 265 00:09:34,841 --> 00:09:35,809 - Oh, my goodness. 266 00:09:35,842 --> 00:09:37,711 - What happened? 267 00:09:37,744 --> 00:09:39,913 - Was so close to putting his stage 268 00:09:39,946 --> 00:09:41,047 one troubles behind him. 269 00:09:41,081 --> 00:09:44,584 - A heartbreaking fall for the Big Dog. 270 00:09:44,617 --> 00:09:46,319 - He was perfect on The Gambler, 271 00:09:46,353 --> 00:09:48,388 got redemption on the Dipping Birds. 272 00:09:48,421 --> 00:09:50,190 But on Thread the Needle, you need 273 00:09:50,223 --> 00:09:52,058 to put that cane into the ring. 274 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:53,960 It's only one foot in diameter. 275 00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:56,963 And he came up just a little bit short. 276 00:09:57,063 --> 00:09:58,064 - Augh! 277 00:09:58,098 --> 00:10:01,634 This stage one is my nemesis. 278 00:10:01,668 --> 00:10:03,937 I've got to get that buzzer. I can't get it. 279 00:10:03,970 --> 00:10:05,271 Augh! 280 00:10:05,305 --> 00:10:07,640 - It's a national finals like no other. 281 00:10:07,674 --> 00:10:09,042 - Here we go. 282 00:10:09,075 --> 00:10:12,178 - With a million-dollar winner on stage four. 283 00:10:12,212 --> 00:10:14,280 What a historic moment. 284 00:10:14,314 --> 00:10:17,283 - But it starts tonight with dozens of top stars 285 00:10:17,317 --> 00:10:19,052 taking on stage one. 286 00:10:19,085 --> 00:10:20,153 [thunder booming] 287 00:10:20,186 --> 00:10:21,654 - I'm ready to bring the thunder. 288 00:10:21,688 --> 00:10:23,023 Let's go. 289 00:10:23,056 --> 00:10:26,192 - Every Ninja's goal is a buzzer, except one. 290 00:10:26,226 --> 00:10:28,361 - This is going to be the craziest stunt 291 00:10:28,395 --> 00:10:30,697 that's ever been done on "American Ninja Warrior." 292 00:10:30,730 --> 00:10:33,633 - He wants to pull off the impossible. 293 00:10:33,667 --> 00:10:35,502 - No, he ain't, no, he ain't. 294 00:10:35,535 --> 00:10:37,003 Are you kidding me? 295 00:10:37,037 --> 00:10:40,707 - It's all coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 296 00:10:44,577 --> 00:10:46,880 - Our National Finals are rolling here in Vegas. 297 00:10:46,913 --> 00:10:50,283 Minutes ago, it was the second half of one of our Ninja 298 00:10:50,316 --> 00:10:53,186 couples as Rhode Island's Kevin Rodriguez 299 00:10:53,219 --> 00:10:54,821 hit the course, 300 00:10:54,854 --> 00:10:58,391 cheered on by girlfriend, Emily Gardiner, who ran minutes ago. 301 00:10:58,425 --> 00:11:00,093 - Let's go, Kev. You got it. 302 00:11:00,126 --> 00:11:02,862 - Rodriguez, a 16-year-old high schooler, 303 00:11:02,896 --> 00:11:05,765 hit buzzers in qualifying and semifinals. 304 00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:08,068 And he was making good time as he worked 305 00:11:08,068 --> 00:11:10,503 his way across The Gambler. 306 00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:11,805 - Oh! 307 00:11:11,838 --> 00:11:13,707 - But he fell on the same obstacle as his 308 00:11:13,740 --> 00:11:15,342 girlfriend, Emily. 309 00:11:15,375 --> 00:11:17,677 Good job, Kev. 310 00:11:17,711 --> 00:11:21,681 - Michigan's Riley Porter is the first of the sweet 15, 311 00:11:21,715 --> 00:11:24,918 a record-breaking five 15-year-old women who 312 00:11:24,951 --> 00:11:26,753 qualified for Vegas this year. 313 00:11:26,786 --> 00:11:29,522 This high schooler is not only a concert flutist, 314 00:11:29,556 --> 00:11:32,192 but is also a varsity pole vaulter. 315 00:11:32,225 --> 00:11:34,494 - She's got that great upper-body strength. 316 00:11:34,527 --> 00:11:37,197 - She sailed through the first three obstacles 317 00:11:37,230 --> 00:11:39,966 but then faced the Jumping Spider. 318 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,936 - Oh! 319 00:11:42,969 --> 00:11:46,706 - Then it was hardworking 18-year-old Benjamin Drake. 320 00:11:46,740 --> 00:11:49,642 The Tennessee teenager balances three jobs 321 00:11:49,676 --> 00:11:53,246 back home, including the fast food drive-through. 322 00:11:53,279 --> 00:11:56,950 - You could see the intensity on Benjamin Drake's face. 323 00:11:56,983 --> 00:11:58,985 - He got a buzzer in qualifying 324 00:11:59,019 --> 00:12:01,154 and started off strong on stage one, 325 00:12:01,187 --> 00:12:04,691 but then came the Giant Rollercoaster. 326 00:12:04,724 --> 00:12:05,792 - Oh, my goodness. 327 00:12:05,825 --> 00:12:09,162 What an epic flip. 328 00:12:09,195 --> 00:12:14,734 Boy, he went spinning like a rollercoaster. 329 00:12:14,768 --> 00:12:17,303 - Our next Ninja is rolling into Vegas on a hot streak. 330 00:12:17,337 --> 00:12:20,173 This is 18-year-old Vance Walker. 331 00:12:20,206 --> 00:12:22,642 He's hit buzzers in qualifying, semifinals, 332 00:12:22,676 --> 00:12:24,811 and he won his Safety Pass race. 333 00:12:24,844 --> 00:12:27,080 And you can see the patch there on his shorts. 334 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,949 That means if he falls, he'll get to run the course again, 335 00:12:29,983 --> 00:12:31,851 but he may not need it. 336 00:12:31,885 --> 00:12:33,620 After disappointment last year, 337 00:12:33,653 --> 00:12:36,289 this kid's been unstoppable. 338 00:12:36,322 --> 00:12:37,524 [dramatic music] 339 00:12:37,557 --> 00:12:39,759 - All right, you got to stick it. 340 00:12:39,793 --> 00:12:41,995 both: Oh! 341 00:12:42,095 --> 00:12:44,097 - Going into Vegas in season 14, 342 00:12:44,097 --> 00:12:45,265 I went out on the Jumping Spider. 343 00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:47,400 That was a big shock to me. 344 00:12:47,434 --> 00:12:48,668 - And Vance Walker-- 345 00:12:48,702 --> 00:12:50,970 the woes continue. 346 00:12:51,004 --> 00:12:52,872 - The disappointment definitely helped me to focus 347 00:12:52,906 --> 00:12:55,842 on the basics of Ninja. 348 00:12:55,875 --> 00:12:57,444 I switched my environment. 349 00:12:57,477 --> 00:13:00,513 And I took extra classes to graduate a whole year early, 350 00:13:00,547 --> 00:13:03,750 and I immediately hit the road to find other places to train. 351 00:13:03,783 --> 00:13:06,353 [upbeat music] 352 00:13:06,386 --> 00:13:09,656 I knew if I wanted to win-- if I wanted total victory, 353 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:11,591 I had to train with the best. 354 00:13:11,624 --> 00:13:13,493 So I got in my car and went to Houston 355 00:13:13,526 --> 00:13:14,594 and trained with all the Houston 356 00:13:14,627 --> 00:13:15,862 Ninjas, like Daniel Gil. 357 00:13:15,895 --> 00:13:17,964 - Here it is. 358 00:13:18,064 --> 00:13:21,768 Perfect. 359 00:13:21,801 --> 00:13:22,869 Oh, my gosh. 360 00:13:22,902 --> 00:13:25,939 Whoo. Jeesh. 361 00:13:25,972 --> 00:13:28,375 [cheers and applause] 362 00:13:28,408 --> 00:13:29,609 - All right, let's crush it this season. 363 00:13:29,642 --> 00:13:30,844 - Let's go out and hit some buzzers, yeah? 364 00:13:30,877 --> 00:13:32,479 - Oh, yeah. 365 00:13:32,512 --> 00:13:34,414 And then I went to Florida and started training at Jungle 366 00:13:34,447 --> 00:13:36,449 Gym with the Bergstroms. 367 00:13:36,483 --> 00:13:38,118 I knew that they had what it takes to get 368 00:13:38,151 --> 00:13:39,586 me in the right training spot. 369 00:13:39,619 --> 00:13:41,755 I had my eye on that Jumping Spider all day, bro. 370 00:13:41,788 --> 00:13:42,756 Redemption time. 371 00:13:42,789 --> 00:13:43,757 - We should practice that. 372 00:13:43,790 --> 00:13:45,859 - Yeah. 373 00:13:45,892 --> 00:13:49,829 - Yeah, nice stick, man. 374 00:13:49,863 --> 00:13:51,631 I said it would take me three seasons-- 375 00:13:51,664 --> 00:13:53,299 one to get it right-- 376 00:13:53,333 --> 00:13:56,202 - This kid is the real deal. 377 00:13:56,236 --> 00:13:57,637 - --one to screw up-- 378 00:13:57,671 --> 00:13:59,239 - Oh, no! 379 00:13:59,272 --> 00:14:01,074 - --and one to come back and win it all. 380 00:14:01,107 --> 00:14:05,779 * * 381 00:14:05,812 --> 00:14:07,747 - And some of those Ninjas he trained with 382 00:14:07,781 --> 00:14:10,650 on the sideline along with his parents. 383 00:14:10,684 --> 00:14:13,353 [countdown clock beeping] 384 00:14:13,386 --> 00:14:15,088 And his success on the course is 385 00:14:15,121 --> 00:14:17,390 all the more impressive considering he 386 00:14:17,424 --> 00:14:19,392 had cerebral palsy as a child. 387 00:14:19,426 --> 00:14:22,095 - He wore braces on his legs when he was young, 388 00:14:22,128 --> 00:14:26,166 and yet here he is-- one of the best Ninjas in the world. 389 00:14:26,199 --> 00:14:27,634 - Well, we saw him on "Ninja Junior" 390 00:14:27,667 --> 00:14:30,303 where he didn't lose a race in two years. 391 00:14:30,337 --> 00:14:32,072 In his rookie season, made it all 392 00:14:32,105 --> 00:14:33,840 he way to the seventh obstacle 393 00:14:33,873 --> 00:14:35,675 on stage 3 before he fell. 394 00:14:35,709 --> 00:14:39,813 A little twisted up here. 395 00:14:39,846 --> 00:14:41,081 [cheers and applause] 396 00:14:41,114 --> 00:14:44,250 5'6", 150. 397 00:14:44,284 --> 00:14:45,985 - You can speed it up here on Giant Rollercoaster, 398 00:14:46,086 --> 00:14:47,387 especially if you're efficient. 399 00:14:47,420 --> 00:14:48,655 Ride that speed. 400 00:14:48,688 --> 00:14:49,656 Nice. 401 00:14:49,689 --> 00:14:51,891 - Real smooth. 402 00:14:51,925 --> 00:14:53,426 - This is it. 403 00:14:53,460 --> 00:14:55,929 This is the obstacle that took him out last season. 404 00:14:55,962 --> 00:14:56,996 - And his mom-- 405 00:14:57,097 --> 00:14:58,598 - So nervous. 406 00:14:58,631 --> 00:15:00,667 - You know he put in a lot of time and a lot of training. 407 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,435 He is not going down on this obstacle again. 408 00:15:02,469 --> 00:15:04,237 - Got it! 409 00:15:04,270 --> 00:15:06,072 - Nice. 410 00:15:06,106 --> 00:15:07,674 He has to use his lower body here. 411 00:15:07,707 --> 00:15:10,610 Because of his cerebral palsy, Vance still 412 00:15:10,643 --> 00:15:14,047 has to do extra stretches and physical therapy on those legs 413 00:15:14,047 --> 00:15:15,348 before he runs. 414 00:15:15,382 --> 00:15:17,517 - You got it. Good job. - Nice. Nice. Let's go. 415 00:15:17,550 --> 00:15:23,056 - Let's see how he does on The Gambler. 416 00:15:23,056 --> 00:15:24,057 - Oh, he's spinning. 417 00:15:24,057 --> 00:15:25,058 - Oh, my. 418 00:15:25,058 --> 00:15:26,059 - Get the core tight. 419 00:15:26,092 --> 00:15:27,861 Get control of the poker chip. 420 00:15:27,894 --> 00:15:30,730 - Great job using his hips to stop the spin. 421 00:15:30,764 --> 00:15:33,900 Now going to the craps table. 422 00:15:33,933 --> 00:15:37,237 - Yeah, now you want to get the front end and control it. 423 00:15:37,270 --> 00:15:40,473 Use that momentum to get it as far out as you can. 424 00:15:40,507 --> 00:15:41,474 Nice! 425 00:15:41,508 --> 00:15:42,475 Now launch it. 426 00:15:42,509 --> 00:15:43,910 Stay atop the roulette wheel. 427 00:15:43,943 --> 00:15:46,746 Go right to the Ace of Spades. 428 00:15:46,780 --> 00:15:49,149 - Come on, Vance, you got it. 429 00:15:49,182 --> 00:15:53,553 - Nic. Dance across. Right to the card. 430 00:15:53,586 --> 00:15:55,188 - He didn't rush it. 431 00:15:55,221 --> 00:15:57,891 He had a plan for The Gambler, and it worked for him. 432 00:15:57,924 --> 00:15:59,359 Got to rotate around. 433 00:15:59,392 --> 00:16:01,161 Try to launch to the landing pad. 434 00:16:01,194 --> 00:16:02,162 - Got it. 435 00:16:02,195 --> 00:16:04,397 Real nice. 436 00:16:04,431 --> 00:16:06,032 - Right into the Warped Wall. 437 00:16:06,066 --> 00:16:09,035 Looking like he could get our first buzzer. 438 00:16:09,069 --> 00:16:10,503 Remember, the faster you finish, 439 00:16:10,537 --> 00:16:13,039 the better your seed on stage two. 440 00:16:13,039 --> 00:16:14,941 The fastest will race against the slowest. 441 00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:19,245 About 45 seconds for these final two obstacles. 442 00:16:19,279 --> 00:16:21,281 - Nice, right through Dipping Birds. 443 00:16:21,314 --> 00:16:24,117 - But now it's this very difficult final obstacle-- 444 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:25,418 Thread the Needle. 445 00:16:25,452 --> 00:16:29,089 He's going to try to be the first to solve it. 446 00:16:29,122 --> 00:16:31,057 - Whoo! - And he nails it! 447 00:16:31,091 --> 00:16:33,259 Brought the cane right through it. 448 00:16:33,293 --> 00:16:36,062 Now just needs the dismount, a climb up the cargo net, 449 00:16:36,062 --> 00:16:38,832 and he's going to be our first finisher of the night. 450 00:16:38,865 --> 00:16:39,933 - You know what I'm about to say. 451 00:16:39,966 --> 00:16:41,067 That boy good! 452 00:16:41,067 --> 00:16:43,203 - He has been perfect all season, 453 00:16:43,236 --> 00:16:45,105 and he keeps that streak alive. 454 00:16:45,138 --> 00:16:46,106 [buzzer blares] 455 00:16:46,139 --> 00:16:47,774 Our first buzzer. 456 00:16:47,807 --> 00:16:50,076 He's going racing. 457 00:16:50,110 --> 00:16:52,078 - Let's go! 458 00:16:52,112 --> 00:16:54,247 - * I was born to chase my dreams * 459 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,683 - Yeah, you see him point at the mountain. 460 00:16:56,716 --> 00:16:59,686 That's because his mind is on stage four. 461 00:16:59,719 --> 00:17:02,622 The Jumping Spider wasn't going to get him this year. 462 00:17:02,655 --> 00:17:04,624 He got his redemption. 463 00:17:04,657 --> 00:17:07,794 Outplayed The Gambler, and he's the first to figure 464 00:17:07,827 --> 00:17:09,329 out how to thread the needle. 465 00:17:09,362 --> 00:17:13,233 - * Oh, oh, I was born to chase my dream * 466 00:17:13,266 --> 00:17:15,435 - First of all, let's talk about Jumping Spider. 467 00:17:15,468 --> 00:17:17,704 How were you feeling heading into that obstacle tonight? 468 00:17:17,737 --> 00:17:20,206 - Absolutely terrified. 469 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:22,609 Yeah, I stared it down the same as last year, and I was like, 470 00:17:22,642 --> 00:17:23,877 OK, we just got to do it. 471 00:17:23,910 --> 00:17:25,278 So... - Yeah. 472 00:17:25,311 --> 00:17:27,180 To be hitting the buzzer, heading to stage two, 473 00:17:27,213 --> 00:17:29,315 National Finals in Vegas, how are you feeling, man? 474 00:17:29,349 --> 00:17:31,084 - I'm feeling good. It's going down. 475 00:17:31,117 --> 00:17:32,485 - We can't wait to watch it go down. 476 00:17:32,519 --> 00:17:34,587 Congratulations on an awesome run. 477 00:17:34,621 --> 00:17:36,289 Matt, Akbar, back to you. 478 00:17:36,322 --> 00:17:39,893 - * Oh, oh, I was born to chase my dream * 479 00:17:39,926 --> 00:17:42,062 - She's made history before. 480 00:17:42,062 --> 00:17:43,396 - Yes! Yes! 481 00:17:43,430 --> 00:17:45,265 - Now, super mom, Sandy Zimmerman, 482 00:17:45,298 --> 00:17:48,468 gets her first shot ever on stage one. 483 00:17:48,501 --> 00:17:52,138 We'll see her next on "American Ninja Warrior." 484 00:17:57,510 --> 00:17:58,812 - Welcome back to Las Vegas, where a couple 485 00:17:58,845 --> 00:18:01,247 of Texas teenagers took on stage one 486 00:18:01,281 --> 00:18:02,449 minutes ago. 487 00:18:02,482 --> 00:18:04,017 First, high schooler Madelyn Madaras 488 00:18:04,017 --> 00:18:06,586 tried to keep her impressive rookie season going. 489 00:18:06,619 --> 00:18:08,488 [cheers and applause] 490 00:18:08,521 --> 00:18:11,224 This 15-year-old, the youngest of our female competitors, 491 00:18:11,257 --> 00:18:14,027 hit a buzzer in semifinals. - Nice! 492 00:18:14,060 --> 00:18:16,596 - And she sailed through the first two obstacles, 493 00:18:16,629 --> 00:18:18,932 but didn't release on the Giant Rollercoaster. 494 00:18:19,032 --> 00:18:20,333 - Uh-oh! 495 00:18:20,367 --> 00:18:21,835 This could be hard. 496 00:18:21,868 --> 00:18:23,336 - She tried to build up momentum 497 00:18:23,370 --> 00:18:25,038 but couldn't save herself. 498 00:18:25,038 --> 00:18:28,775 - Oh! - Oh, baby. 499 00:18:28,808 --> 00:18:31,044 - Things got a little spooky when 500 00:18:31,044 --> 00:18:34,214 the Ghost Ninja, Sebastian Chrismer, hit the course. 501 00:18:34,247 --> 00:18:36,282 The 15-year-old got the nickname because he 502 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:38,318 was born on Halloween. 503 00:18:38,351 --> 00:18:41,621 And he was scary fast on the first three obstacles. 504 00:18:41,654 --> 00:18:42,822 - Floating through the Rollercoaster 505 00:18:42,856 --> 00:18:44,791 like Casper the Ghost. 506 00:18:44,824 --> 00:18:48,061 - At 5'4", he came up short on the Jumping Spider. 507 00:18:48,061 --> 00:18:49,062 - Oh! 508 00:18:49,062 --> 00:18:50,597 - Good job, Sebastian. 509 00:18:50,630 --> 00:18:54,267 - This is going to haunt him. 510 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:57,370 - Guys, Sandy Zimmerman's had a history-making 511 00:18:57,404 --> 00:19:00,907 Ninja career, but one thing has been missing from her résumé-- 512 00:19:01,007 --> 00:19:02,742 a trip to the National Finals. 513 00:19:02,776 --> 00:19:05,378 But she is putting that behind her right now. 514 00:19:05,412 --> 00:19:07,847 In fact, this trailblazer is leading 515 00:19:07,881 --> 00:19:10,483 a record-breaking group of four moms who 516 00:19:10,517 --> 00:19:12,452 qualified for Vegas this year. 517 00:19:12,485 --> 00:19:16,122 - Come on. You can do better than that. 518 00:19:16,156 --> 00:19:18,692 Being the first mom to hit a buzzer-- 519 00:19:18,725 --> 00:19:19,759 - Yes! 520 00:19:19,793 --> 00:19:22,662 Sandy Zimmerman has made history. 521 00:19:22,696 --> 00:19:27,467 - --I did not realize how many other moms it would inspire. 522 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:28,535 Pull, pull! 523 00:19:28,568 --> 00:19:29,536 That's a girl. 524 00:19:29,569 --> 00:19:31,438 One more. 525 00:19:31,471 --> 00:19:33,206 Yeah! 526 00:19:33,239 --> 00:19:34,708 That's Vegas-bound material. 527 00:19:34,741 --> 00:19:36,443 - I started this sport kind of late. 528 00:19:36,476 --> 00:19:38,178 I was already a mom of two. 529 00:19:38,211 --> 00:19:40,814 Can you believe I'm going to be on "American Ninja Warrior"? 530 00:19:40,847 --> 00:19:42,115 Is that so cool? - I can't believe it. 531 00:19:42,148 --> 00:19:46,052 - As a mom, to see Sandy, it's like so inspiring. 532 00:19:46,052 --> 00:19:47,053 We're going together! 533 00:19:47,053 --> 00:19:48,621 - Whoo! 534 00:19:48,655 --> 00:19:52,959 We're going to Vegas! We're going to Vegas! 535 00:19:53,059 --> 00:19:56,396 - I'm going to get you. 536 00:19:56,429 --> 00:20:01,301 Being a mom is my greatest accomplishment so far-- 537 00:20:01,334 --> 00:20:04,104 - Mady Howard does it! 538 00:20:04,137 --> 00:20:06,206 - --but the fact that I can be a Ninja 539 00:20:06,239 --> 00:20:10,744 too and get to compete on this Vegas course is just amazing. 540 00:20:10,777 --> 00:20:14,481 [cheers and applause] 541 00:20:14,514 --> 00:20:17,317 - Now women have children, and they just come back, 542 00:20:17,350 --> 00:20:19,252 and they're still crushing it. 543 00:20:19,285 --> 00:20:20,887 - Zhanique Magnifique! 544 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:22,689 - Incredible. 545 00:20:22,722 --> 00:20:25,392 - I'll never underestimate the power of a mother. 546 00:20:25,425 --> 00:20:29,029 - To be here on this stage with these women is amazing. 547 00:20:29,062 --> 00:20:32,232 * * 548 00:20:32,265 --> 00:20:34,467 - We'll see all the women on stage one. 549 00:20:34,501 --> 00:20:36,069 Sandy's up first. 550 00:20:36,102 --> 00:20:38,238 She'll have her husband, Charlie, and two of her kids 551 00:20:38,271 --> 00:20:40,407 on the sideline. 552 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:42,676 [countdown clock beeping] 553 00:20:42,709 --> 00:20:46,112 So impressive to be here at age 46. 554 00:20:46,146 --> 00:20:48,281 - Well, how amazing would it be if Sandy Zimmerman 555 00:20:48,314 --> 00:20:52,485 could get a buzzer tonight? 556 00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:54,154 - Oh, man, that'd be history. 557 00:20:54,187 --> 00:20:55,755 That'd be herstory for sure. 558 00:20:55,789 --> 00:20:57,090 She's put so much work in. 559 00:20:57,123 --> 00:20:59,859 As a seven-time veteran, first time to Vegas, 560 00:20:59,893 --> 00:21:02,328 she is living it up. 561 00:21:02,362 --> 00:21:06,132 Ooh! 562 00:21:06,166 --> 00:21:10,103 - She had such high hopes for her first attempt at stage one 563 00:21:10,136 --> 00:21:13,640 but comes up short on Three Ring Circus. 564 00:21:13,673 --> 00:21:15,408 - Good job, Sandy. 565 00:21:15,442 --> 00:21:16,810 - Well, let's take another look. 566 00:21:16,843 --> 00:21:19,979 She had a decent swing up, but watch her hands. 567 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:23,183 Taps it with her right hand, and misses with her left. 568 00:21:23,216 --> 00:21:27,220 Nine times out of 10, she's making that grab. 569 00:21:27,253 --> 00:21:31,091 But still an inspiration to Ninjas everywhere. 570 00:21:31,124 --> 00:21:33,626 - Up next is a competitor almost 30 years 571 00:21:33,660 --> 00:21:35,962 younger than Sandra; it's Tennessee 572 00:21:35,995 --> 00:21:37,931 teenager, Elijah Browning. 573 00:21:37,964 --> 00:21:42,202 He's known as The Boss because he runs multiple businesses, 574 00:21:42,235 --> 00:21:45,872 and now he's gone global along with fellow ninja 575 00:21:45,905 --> 00:21:47,974 Enzo DeFerrari Wilson. 576 00:21:48,008 --> 00:21:50,010 [upbeat music] 577 00:21:50,110 --> 00:21:52,379 - Enzo Wilson is literally my best friend. 578 00:21:52,412 --> 00:21:53,780 We met when we were super young 579 00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:55,348 on "American Ninja Warrior Junior." 580 00:21:55,382 --> 00:21:57,584 * * 581 00:21:57,617 --> 00:21:59,786 We have so many incredible memories together, 582 00:21:59,819 --> 00:22:01,921 but one of my favorites was we got to go to Germany 583 00:22:01,955 --> 00:22:04,157 and actually watch "Ninja Warrior Germany Versus 584 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:05,658 the World," because we had a ton of friends 585 00:22:05,692 --> 00:22:07,227 that were on Team USA. 586 00:22:07,260 --> 00:22:08,728 And then me and Enzo just lived it 587 00:22:08,762 --> 00:22:10,130 up in Germany and Switzerland. 588 00:22:10,163 --> 00:22:11,598 - We did some really cool things. 589 00:22:11,631 --> 00:22:12,799 My favorite thing that we did was 590 00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:14,300 paragliding in the Swiss Alps. 591 00:22:14,334 --> 00:22:15,435 - It was incredible. 592 00:22:15,468 --> 00:22:16,803 - This is so sick. 593 00:22:16,836 --> 00:22:18,905 - Pretty cool, huh? - So sweet. 594 00:22:18,938 --> 00:22:20,507 - Me and Enzo are both foodies. 595 00:22:20,540 --> 00:22:23,309 We absolutely love eating, so we ate our way through all 596 00:22:23,343 --> 00:22:24,678 these different countries. 597 00:22:24,711 --> 00:22:26,746 - Time to taste. 598 00:22:26,780 --> 00:22:28,148 So good. - Incredible, absolutely. 599 00:22:28,181 --> 00:22:29,582 - It's good. 600 00:22:29,616 --> 00:22:31,418 Traveling with Enzo is the absolute best. 601 00:22:31,451 --> 00:22:33,586 It's a lot of competition all the time 602 00:22:33,620 --> 00:22:35,088 literally with everything. 603 00:22:35,088 --> 00:22:37,090 - We're just having fun every single day, constantly. 604 00:22:37,090 --> 00:22:38,725 It's amazing. 605 00:22:38,758 --> 00:22:40,593 - Me and Enzo have been all over the world, 606 00:22:40,627 --> 00:22:42,495 but the one place we want to be is... 607 00:22:42,529 --> 00:22:46,966 both: Stage 4. 608 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,235 - Enzo will run in a few minutes, 609 00:22:49,269 --> 00:22:51,137 but the one to watch on the sideline 610 00:22:51,171 --> 00:22:53,006 is Elijah's mom, Renee. 611 00:22:53,106 --> 00:22:55,642 She lives and dies with every obstacle. 612 00:22:55,675 --> 00:22:57,444 - Come on, Elijah. - Come on. 613 00:22:57,477 --> 00:22:58,445 - Come on, Elijah. 614 00:22:58,478 --> 00:22:59,846 [countdown clock beeping] 615 00:22:59,879 --> 00:23:02,182 - The Boss made it to stage two as a rookie, 616 00:23:02,215 --> 00:23:05,051 but failed to qualify for Vegas last year. 617 00:23:05,051 --> 00:23:07,587 He's come back with a vengeance with buzzers 618 00:23:07,620 --> 00:23:09,055 in qualifying and semifinals. 619 00:23:09,055 --> 00:23:10,056 - Got it. [cheering] 620 00:23:10,056 --> 00:23:11,057 - Nice. 621 00:23:11,057 --> 00:23:12,325 Great technique. 622 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:14,627 - 6'1", 170. 623 00:23:14,661 --> 00:23:16,529 On the bigger side for a Ninja, 624 00:23:16,563 --> 00:23:20,467 but you just see the speed and power out of The Boss. 625 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:22,202 On now to the Giant Rollercoaster. 626 00:23:22,235 --> 00:23:23,770 Get ready to go for a ride. 627 00:23:23,803 --> 00:23:25,071 - Oh, putting the hat on backwards now. 628 00:23:25,105 --> 00:23:26,806 Here he goes, Matt. 629 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:28,675 He's going for it. - Good transfer. 630 00:23:28,708 --> 00:23:29,676 - Good speed. 631 00:23:29,709 --> 00:23:30,977 Land it! 632 00:23:31,077 --> 00:23:31,978 He's got it. 633 00:23:32,078 --> 00:23:33,346 [cheers and applause] 634 00:23:33,380 --> 00:23:34,748 He's looking dialed in. 635 00:23:34,781 --> 00:23:36,816 [cheers and applause] 636 00:23:36,850 --> 00:23:38,685 - Yeah, you can tell he is ready for this competition. 637 00:23:38,718 --> 00:23:39,686 - Nice. 638 00:23:39,719 --> 00:23:41,087 Hit it. 639 00:23:41,087 --> 00:23:44,090 - Right into the Jumping Spider and a great pace. 640 00:23:44,124 --> 00:23:46,526 Keep it going, had that efficiency through these first 641 00:23:46,559 --> 00:23:50,230 four obstacles. 642 00:23:50,263 --> 00:23:52,565 Mom's a little nervous about this new obstacle, 643 00:23:52,599 --> 00:23:53,566 The Gambler. 644 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:54,734 - You got to have a game plan. 645 00:23:54,768 --> 00:23:56,302 You got to roll with it. 646 00:23:56,336 --> 00:23:58,104 - Well, it ain't gambling when you're as good as The Boss is. 647 00:23:58,104 --> 00:23:59,806 - Yeah, he's making sure. He's a little cautious 648 00:23:59,839 --> 00:24:01,041 wanting to make sure he doesn't 649 00:24:01,041 --> 00:24:02,075 make any early mistakes. 650 00:24:02,108 --> 00:24:03,777 Now grabbing onto that poker chip. 651 00:24:03,810 --> 00:24:04,744 - Come on, buddy. 652 00:24:04,778 --> 00:24:06,446 - Real smooth. 653 00:24:06,479 --> 00:24:09,115 - Now going to the craps table. 654 00:24:09,149 --> 00:24:10,950 Now have slide this handle forward. 655 00:24:11,051 --> 00:24:11,951 - Nice. 656 00:24:12,052 --> 00:24:13,386 Get to the edge. Nice. 657 00:24:13,420 --> 00:24:14,387 Drag it through. 658 00:24:14,421 --> 00:24:16,289 - Good power. 659 00:24:16,322 --> 00:24:18,658 Now, can he just run atop the roulette wheel 660 00:24:18,692 --> 00:24:20,060 and get to the Ace of Spades? - Nice. 661 00:24:20,093 --> 00:24:21,361 - Nice. Walk it. Walk it. 662 00:24:21,394 --> 00:24:22,829 Nice. - To the Ace of Spades. 663 00:24:22,862 --> 00:24:24,164 [cheering] 664 00:24:24,197 --> 00:24:26,666 - Brownie is cooking with high heat now. 665 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:31,604 - And rotate around to launch to the landing pad. 666 00:24:31,638 --> 00:24:34,107 [cheers and applause] 667 00:24:34,140 --> 00:24:37,577 Now, the 14-foot Warped Wall. 668 00:24:37,610 --> 00:24:40,547 No problem. 669 00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:45,085 1:10. - Got a little walk to him. 670 00:24:45,085 --> 00:24:47,987 Wants to avoid a mistake on the Dipping Birds. 671 00:24:48,088 --> 00:24:49,089 Regrouping. 672 00:24:49,122 --> 00:24:50,957 - At 6'1", he's got that long gait. 673 00:24:50,990 --> 00:24:52,926 He can just drive through Dipping Birds. 674 00:24:52,959 --> 00:24:53,927 - Real good. - There you go. 675 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:55,929 Dip, baby, Dip. 676 00:24:55,962 --> 00:24:59,466 - Now there's plenty of time to get through Thread the Needle. 677 00:24:59,499 --> 00:25:00,800 - All right, hit that transfer. 678 00:25:00,834 --> 00:25:03,903 He's got to get that cane right into that circle. 679 00:25:03,937 --> 00:25:05,872 Oh, no! 680 00:25:05,905 --> 00:25:08,141 - And you could see how quickly it ends. 681 00:25:08,174 --> 00:25:10,477 Couldn't thread the needle. 682 00:25:10,510 --> 00:25:12,545 Had plenty of time. 683 00:25:12,579 --> 00:25:13,913 - Oh, my goodness. 684 00:25:13,947 --> 00:25:15,281 That one was a shocker. 685 00:25:15,315 --> 00:25:16,883 Take a look here. 686 00:25:16,916 --> 00:25:19,619 First The Boss showed how to deal with The Gambler. 687 00:25:19,652 --> 00:25:21,654 But on Thread the Needle, he didn't 688 00:25:21,688 --> 00:25:23,757 get a great launch from the first hook, 689 00:25:23,790 --> 00:25:26,459 and just look how close he was. 690 00:25:26,493 --> 00:25:28,328 Oh! 691 00:25:33,700 --> 00:25:35,402 - But he's still does have chance 692 00:25:35,435 --> 00:25:39,639 to end up in the top 24 and move on. 693 00:25:39,673 --> 00:25:42,776 Coming up, she's faced a tough couple of years 694 00:25:42,809 --> 00:25:44,110 on the course-- 695 00:25:44,144 --> 00:25:45,779 - Oh, my gosh. 696 00:25:45,812 --> 00:25:49,749 - --and off it, but you can't keep Barclay Stockett down. 697 00:25:49,783 --> 00:25:52,152 - No matter what happens, I'm just thankful to be here. 698 00:25:52,185 --> 00:25:54,988 - She's coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 699 00:26:02,328 --> 00:26:03,630 - It's the national finals in Vegas, 700 00:26:03,663 --> 00:26:06,599 with our Ninjas rolling the dice on stage 1. 701 00:26:06,633 --> 00:26:10,804 And moments ago, the Blue Jean Ninja, Cade Perkins, 702 00:26:10,837 --> 00:26:14,274 took a chance by wearing his signature denim on the course. 703 00:26:14,307 --> 00:26:16,643 Those are the same jeans he wears on the family farm 704 00:26:16,676 --> 00:26:18,044 back in Iowa. 705 00:26:18,044 --> 00:26:20,113 - That's his lucky blue jeans right there. 706 00:26:20,146 --> 00:26:23,583 - The farmer had no problems on the first three obstacles, 707 00:26:23,616 --> 00:26:26,786 but the denim probably didn't help on Jumping Spider. 708 00:26:26,820 --> 00:26:28,822 - Go on with the stretch. Ooh! 709 00:26:28,855 --> 00:26:31,057 Not enough stretch in his legs and not 710 00:26:31,057 --> 00:26:33,526 enough stretch in the jeans. 711 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,363 - Rachel Degutz is known for wearing a denim jacket 712 00:26:36,396 --> 00:26:38,531 as one of The Jersey Girls. 713 00:26:38,565 --> 00:26:40,467 The three-time veteran from East Brunswick, 714 00:26:40,500 --> 00:26:43,203 New Jersey, has gone out on the third obstacle 715 00:26:43,236 --> 00:26:45,572 the past two years on stage one. 716 00:26:45,605 --> 00:26:46,573 - Nice! 717 00:26:46,606 --> 00:26:48,074 That's what I'm talking about. 718 00:26:48,108 --> 00:26:49,542 - The middle school science teacher 719 00:26:49,576 --> 00:26:51,111 solved that problem tonight. 720 00:26:51,144 --> 00:26:52,912 - Her students back in New Jersey are like, 721 00:26:52,946 --> 00:26:54,414 "That's my teacher." 722 00:26:54,447 --> 00:26:56,316 - She became the second woman to reach The Gambler. 723 00:26:56,349 --> 00:26:58,084 - Oh, come on. Let's go, let's go. 724 00:26:58,084 --> 00:26:59,285 Ooh! 725 00:26:59,319 --> 00:27:03,056 - And that's where her luck ran out. 726 00:27:03,089 --> 00:27:04,791 Well, up next one of the biggest surprises 727 00:27:04,824 --> 00:27:08,428 of the season. It's 16-year-old Hans Hertz. 728 00:27:08,461 --> 00:27:12,232 This relatively unknown rookie has hit two buzzers already. 729 00:27:12,265 --> 00:27:14,467 And the best part-- he's been able to share 730 00:27:14,501 --> 00:27:16,670 it with his brother Harper. 731 00:27:16,703 --> 00:27:20,607 [gentle music] 732 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:22,308 - It's important for me to have my brother 733 00:27:22,342 --> 00:27:24,511 in my Ninja journey. 734 00:27:24,544 --> 00:27:27,914 He has Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, which is a physical 735 00:27:27,947 --> 00:27:30,450 and intellectual disability. 736 00:27:30,483 --> 00:27:33,620 Like, he's still super strong, super brave, and just the best 737 00:27:33,653 --> 00:27:34,721 brother I could ask for. 738 00:27:36,790 --> 00:27:39,092 - Before Ninja, Hans and Harper didn't 739 00:27:39,125 --> 00:27:42,162 really have anything that they shared as far as an interest. 740 00:27:42,195 --> 00:27:45,331 When I see Hans and Harper interact together... 741 00:27:45,365 --> 00:27:46,466 [laughs] 742 00:27:46,499 --> 00:27:47,901 It makes my heart melt. 743 00:27:47,934 --> 00:27:50,303 * * 744 00:27:50,337 --> 00:27:52,339 - I think I found my calling in "Ninja Warrior." 745 00:27:52,372 --> 00:27:53,907 I started when I was 10. 746 00:27:53,940 --> 00:27:55,342 Yes! 747 00:27:55,375 --> 00:27:56,710 It was like--the first time I was really like, 748 00:27:56,743 --> 00:27:58,912 "Wow, this is super cool." It's a super cool sport." 749 00:27:58,945 --> 00:28:01,514 And that was the best thing that ever happened to me. 750 00:28:01,548 --> 00:28:05,652 - And Hans Hertz gets a buzzer his first time on the course. 751 00:28:05,685 --> 00:28:07,420 - And who would have thought-- six years later, 752 00:28:07,454 --> 00:28:09,389 I'm fighting for $1 million. 753 00:28:09,422 --> 00:28:11,291 - Hans ain't messing around. 754 00:28:11,324 --> 00:28:13,727 - I'm four buzzers away from making it to stage four. 755 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:15,362 It's going to be fun. 756 00:28:15,395 --> 00:28:20,533 * * 757 00:28:20,567 --> 00:28:23,136 - What an awesome big brother Hans Hertz is. 758 00:28:23,169 --> 00:28:25,171 Harper is going to be watching from the sidelines 759 00:28:25,205 --> 00:28:28,675 with his parents and some of the Colorado Ninjas. 760 00:28:28,708 --> 00:28:30,143 - You got it! 761 00:28:30,176 --> 00:28:33,179 [countdown clock beeping] 762 00:28:33,213 --> 00:28:35,248 - Matt, we didn't know the name Hans Hertz 763 00:28:35,281 --> 00:28:37,684 before the season, but we know it now. 764 00:28:37,717 --> 00:28:39,819 - Absolutely. Many of the other top teens 765 00:28:39,853 --> 00:28:41,921 had big success on "Ninja Junior" 766 00:28:41,955 --> 00:28:43,623 or in local competitions, 767 00:28:43,656 --> 00:28:46,793 but Hans Hertz didn't have that Ninja résumé. 768 00:28:46,826 --> 00:28:48,561 But he has opened up some eyes. 769 00:28:48,595 --> 00:28:51,498 He finished the course in qualifying and semifinals 770 00:28:51,531 --> 00:28:54,067 and has looked so poised for a rookie. 771 00:28:54,067 --> 00:28:55,068 Just never looks nervous. 772 00:28:55,068 --> 00:28:57,370 - Be gentle. Let it take you. 773 00:28:57,404 --> 00:28:59,739 - On now to this Giant Rollercoaster. 774 00:28:59,773 --> 00:29:01,007 - All right, here we go. 775 00:29:01,041 --> 00:29:02,242 Hertz has the opportunity to drive 776 00:29:02,275 --> 00:29:05,078 his way all the through this obstacle. 777 00:29:05,111 --> 00:29:06,246 Nice! 778 00:29:06,279 --> 00:29:09,015 - Real smooth. 779 00:29:09,015 --> 00:29:11,718 [cheers and applause] 780 00:29:11,751 --> 00:29:13,586 An effortless pace to this point. 781 00:29:13,620 --> 00:29:16,022 Keep it going. 782 00:29:16,022 --> 00:29:16,890 Whoo! 783 00:29:16,923 --> 00:29:18,658 These Ninjas so impressive 784 00:29:18,692 --> 00:29:20,627 both on and off the course. 785 00:29:20,660 --> 00:29:22,862 He's a straight-A student already taking 786 00:29:22,896 --> 00:29:25,298 college classes and is an ambassador 787 00:29:25,331 --> 00:29:27,600 for the Special Olympics. 788 00:29:27,634 --> 00:29:29,803 [cheers and applause] 789 00:29:29,836 --> 00:29:34,040 Now facing The Gambler, and this can eat up time. 790 00:29:34,040 --> 00:29:35,075 So many challenges. 791 00:29:35,108 --> 00:29:37,043 Easy ways to get tripped up here. 792 00:29:37,043 --> 00:29:38,945 - Yeah, Matt, and I doubt that Hans has spent 793 00:29:39,045 --> 00:29:41,047 much time in a casino. 794 00:29:41,081 --> 00:29:42,282 Nice! 795 00:29:42,315 --> 00:29:44,417 - Great move there onto the craps table. 796 00:29:44,451 --> 00:29:46,353 Can he get it extended? 797 00:29:46,386 --> 00:29:48,121 - Well, for his first time here in Vegas, Matt, 798 00:29:48,154 --> 00:29:50,056 he looks very comfortable. - He's going for it. 799 00:29:50,090 --> 00:29:51,658 - OK, Hertz. OK, Hertz. - Right up top. 800 00:29:51,691 --> 00:29:53,059 Great job. - OK. 801 00:29:53,093 --> 00:29:55,061 That's a gold member right there. 802 00:29:55,095 --> 00:29:57,530 - And this is as good as we've seen anyone 803 00:29:57,564 --> 00:29:59,065 get through The Gambler. 804 00:29:59,065 --> 00:30:00,467 - Golden. Nice. 805 00:30:00,500 --> 00:30:04,104 - Hans Hertz betting on himself. 806 00:30:04,137 --> 00:30:05,271 He's going to have plenty of time 807 00:30:05,305 --> 00:30:06,806 for these final obstacles. 808 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:09,809 And remember, the faster you finish, the higher seed you'll 809 00:30:09,843 --> 00:30:11,544 have for racing on stage two. 810 00:30:11,578 --> 00:30:12,846 - Well, that's right, Matt. 811 00:30:12,879 --> 00:30:14,547 You want to make sure that you get that speed 812 00:30:14,581 --> 00:30:15,915 so you get good placement. 813 00:30:15,949 --> 00:30:18,518 - But it's not over yet. 814 00:30:18,551 --> 00:30:21,021 Gotta survive Thread the Needle. 815 00:30:21,054 --> 00:30:22,255 - All right. 816 00:30:22,288 --> 00:30:25,058 - Well, what a strong run out of Hans Hertz. 817 00:30:25,091 --> 00:30:26,359 - Nice! 818 00:30:26,393 --> 00:30:28,228 This ain't your grandmother's sewing machine. 819 00:30:28,261 --> 00:30:29,629 I see you threading the needle. 820 00:30:29,662 --> 00:30:31,097 - Let's go! 821 00:30:31,131 --> 00:30:32,565 - Good power there. 822 00:30:32,599 --> 00:30:34,567 I think he's going to get high up on this cargo net. 823 00:30:34,601 --> 00:30:35,802 [cheers and applause] 824 00:30:35,835 --> 00:30:38,405 And this high schooler continues to impress us. 825 00:30:38,438 --> 00:30:40,440 Gonna have the fastest finish so far. 826 00:30:40,473 --> 00:30:42,442 - That boy's fast. 827 00:30:42,475 --> 00:30:44,511 - Hans Hertz does it again. 828 00:30:44,544 --> 00:30:45,812 [buzzer blares] - OK. 829 00:30:45,845 --> 00:30:47,514 - Yeah! 830 00:30:47,547 --> 00:30:51,418 - Keeps his perfect season intact. 831 00:30:51,451 --> 00:30:53,386 - Oh, oh, what's that dance? 832 00:30:53,420 --> 00:30:55,355 What's that dance? 833 00:30:55,388 --> 00:30:56,556 OK, Hans. 834 00:30:56,589 --> 00:30:58,525 I see you with the dance move. 835 00:30:58,558 --> 00:31:00,126 Hit me with the dance move. What ya got? 836 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:01,127 What was that? 837 00:31:01,161 --> 00:31:03,296 Oh, hey. 838 00:31:03,329 --> 00:31:05,198 - Hans, that's your third buzzer of the season, 839 00:31:05,231 --> 00:31:08,234 and I know someone who's very proud of you. 840 00:31:08,268 --> 00:31:10,270 Why don't you say hello to your brother? 841 00:31:10,303 --> 00:31:12,339 - I love you. 842 00:31:12,372 --> 00:31:13,707 - Aww. 843 00:31:13,740 --> 00:31:14,908 - Just a great moment. 844 00:31:14,941 --> 00:31:17,077 Hans, congratulations. 845 00:31:17,110 --> 00:31:20,880 You're going racing on stage two. 846 00:31:20,914 --> 00:31:23,850 - Thank you. Thank you. 847 00:31:23,883 --> 00:31:24,818 - Coming up... 848 00:31:24,851 --> 00:31:26,886 He's getting better with age. 849 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:28,254 - He's back, baby. 850 00:31:28,288 --> 00:31:30,690 - Ninja great Flip Rodriguez already 851 00:31:30,724 --> 00:31:32,125 has two buzzers this year. 852 00:31:32,158 --> 00:31:33,560 He goes for a third 853 00:31:33,593 --> 00:31:36,996 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 854 00:31:42,535 --> 00:31:44,504 - It was a blast from the past as a couple 855 00:31:44,537 --> 00:31:48,341 of old-school Ninjas got a shot at stage one minutes ago. 856 00:31:48,375 --> 00:31:51,511 First up was Brett Sims, who started Ninja back 857 00:31:51,544 --> 00:31:54,481 on season one, but tonight was his first time 858 00:31:54,514 --> 00:31:56,116 competing as a dad. 859 00:31:56,149 --> 00:31:57,650 - Whoo! 860 00:31:57,684 --> 00:31:59,519 - With his newborn daughter and wife Grace watching, 861 00:31:59,552 --> 00:32:00,920 Sims came out fast. 862 00:32:00,954 --> 00:32:02,789 - Nice speed there. 863 00:32:02,822 --> 00:32:06,092 - Across 12 seasons of Ninja, the 36-year-old 864 00:32:06,126 --> 00:32:08,061 has never finished stage one. 865 00:32:08,094 --> 00:32:10,096 - Nah! 866 00:32:10,130 --> 00:32:13,266 - Tonight, he got slow rolled on the Roulette Wheel. 867 00:32:13,299 --> 00:32:14,267 - Hurry, but don't rush. 868 00:32:14,300 --> 00:32:15,468 That's the key. 869 00:32:15,502 --> 00:32:18,238 - Oh, man, it is sucking up some time here. 870 00:32:18,271 --> 00:32:20,140 - And though he finally got through, 871 00:32:20,173 --> 00:32:23,777 he had only seconds left as he reached the final obstacle. 872 00:32:23,810 --> 00:32:25,111 - Just go for it! 873 00:32:25,145 --> 00:32:26,112 Ah! 874 00:32:26,146 --> 00:32:29,649 - Stage one gets him again. 875 00:32:29,683 --> 00:32:33,386 - Then, it was 11-time veteran James "The Beast" McGrath, 876 00:32:33,420 --> 00:32:35,388 who is making his first appearance 877 00:32:35,422 --> 00:32:37,257 in Vegas in five years. 878 00:32:37,290 --> 00:32:39,492 - OK, Beast. 879 00:32:39,526 --> 00:32:41,127 - The Jumping Spider has taken him 880 00:32:41,161 --> 00:32:45,098 out three times in the past, but he survived it tonight. 881 00:32:45,098 --> 00:32:46,599 - That's a big moment for him. 882 00:32:46,633 --> 00:32:48,101 - Whoo! 883 00:32:48,101 --> 00:32:51,004 - Then he too saw his luck change on The Gambler. 884 00:32:51,104 --> 00:32:52,439 - He's fumbling on roulette. 885 00:32:52,472 --> 00:32:54,441 He's all over the place. 886 00:32:54,474 --> 00:32:56,109 - After eating up precious seconds-- 887 00:32:56,142 --> 00:32:58,345 [alarm blares] 888 00:32:58,378 --> 00:33:00,547 - --he had no chance to finish, and he 889 00:33:00,580 --> 00:33:02,382 heartbreakingly timed out. 890 00:33:02,415 --> 00:33:03,383 - It's all right, babe. 891 00:33:03,416 --> 00:33:04,551 It's OK. 892 00:33:04,584 --> 00:33:06,453 - Matt, look at that. He's in tears. 893 00:33:06,486 --> 00:33:09,356 Absolutely distraught. 894 00:33:09,389 --> 00:33:12,459 - Up next is another old-school Ninja, 895 00:33:12,492 --> 00:33:15,061 No one has made more trips to the National Finals 896 00:33:15,061 --> 00:33:16,229 than this guy. 897 00:33:16,262 --> 00:33:18,131 It's Flip Rodriguez. 898 00:33:18,164 --> 00:33:21,067 And though he's 34, he's having a great season 899 00:33:21,067 --> 00:33:22,869 with two buzzers already, and showing 900 00:33:22,902 --> 00:33:27,073 he can keep up with the younger generation of Ninjas. 901 00:33:27,107 --> 00:33:29,242 Flip's work as a top Hollywood stuntman 902 00:33:29,275 --> 00:33:31,945 keeps him in elite physical condition. 903 00:33:31,978 --> 00:33:34,347 And he's taking his Ninja training to another level-- 904 00:33:34,381 --> 00:33:36,850 - Who can't teach an old dog new tricks? 905 00:33:36,883 --> 00:33:40,653 - --spending countless hours at RJ Roman's gym in Orlando. 906 00:33:40,687 --> 00:33:42,856 - We don't know what that last 20 feet is going to be like. 907 00:33:42,889 --> 00:33:45,091 - The 13-time veteran has embraced 908 00:33:45,091 --> 00:33:46,826 the next wave of Ninjas. 909 00:33:46,860 --> 00:33:49,396 It's always been this thing about teens versus veterans, 910 00:33:49,429 --> 00:33:51,297 because they're younger and they're faster. 911 00:33:51,331 --> 00:33:55,135 But the truth is that since I've been training with RJ, 912 00:33:55,168 --> 00:33:57,137 Enzo, the Garemores, 913 00:33:57,170 --> 00:33:59,472 those guys have been making me better, 914 00:33:59,506 --> 00:34:01,408 and I'm 34 years old. 915 00:34:01,441 --> 00:34:03,443 [buzzer blares] 916 00:34:03,476 --> 00:34:05,078 I guarantee you I will be 917 00:34:05,111 --> 00:34:09,182 "American Ninja Warrior" champion. 918 00:34:09,215 --> 00:34:11,651 - Flip's got a big group of supporters here, 919 00:34:11,685 --> 00:34:13,853 including some of the students he coaches. 920 00:34:13,887 --> 00:34:16,756 - Got that fresh National Finals haircut. 921 00:34:16,790 --> 00:34:18,591 [countdown clock beeping] 922 00:34:18,625 --> 00:34:21,061 Ooh, looking like he's 21. 923 00:34:21,061 --> 00:34:22,729 He knows what's up, Matt. 924 00:34:22,762 --> 00:34:24,097 He wants to tap into that 21. 925 00:34:24,130 --> 00:34:26,366 Flip Rodriguez, he can go fast. 926 00:34:26,399 --> 00:34:28,201 - 21 buzzers in his career. 927 00:34:28,234 --> 00:34:30,270 Seven of them have come right here on stage one. 928 00:34:30,303 --> 00:34:34,174 Would love to get another one tonight. 929 00:34:34,207 --> 00:34:37,277 - And real efficient there on Three Ring Circus. 930 00:34:37,310 --> 00:34:40,146 - That clean cut means he's going to have a clean run. 931 00:34:40,180 --> 00:34:43,550 - 5'11", 162-- just an explosive athlete. 932 00:34:43,583 --> 00:34:45,618 Got the momentum going a little sideways-- corrects. 933 00:34:45,652 --> 00:34:47,253 - Right. 934 00:34:47,287 --> 00:34:49,522 We saw last year, he really came back to format, making 935 00:34:49,556 --> 00:34:51,091 it all the way to stage 3. 936 00:34:51,091 --> 00:34:54,294 We saw the old Flip Rodriguez. 937 00:34:54,327 --> 00:34:57,497 - And you can see just an effortless pace here. 938 00:34:57,530 --> 00:35:00,700 Really locked in. 939 00:35:00,734 --> 00:35:02,335 [cheers and applause] 940 00:35:02,369 --> 00:35:03,503 And he knows, Akbar. 941 00:35:03,536 --> 00:35:05,205 This is a marathon. 942 00:35:05,238 --> 00:35:07,440 You need to pace yourself for the eight obstacles. 943 00:35:07,474 --> 00:35:08,675 - You want to make sure that you're 944 00:35:08,708 --> 00:35:10,076 in control of your breathing. 945 00:35:10,110 --> 00:35:13,079 We've seen some of the Ninjas get gassed out early. 946 00:35:13,113 --> 00:35:15,615 - And real efficient there, looked very locked in. 947 00:35:15,648 --> 00:35:18,785 Used a lot of lower body. 948 00:35:18,818 --> 00:35:20,253 See what he has for The Gambler. 949 00:35:20,286 --> 00:35:21,254 - He's on a mission. 950 00:35:21,287 --> 00:35:23,189 Look at that nice little walk. 951 00:35:23,223 --> 00:35:25,191 Using the opportunity to catch his breath. 952 00:35:25,225 --> 00:35:28,595 - Well, a young Flip loved to take some risks. 953 00:35:28,628 --> 00:35:29,929 Let's see what he does here. 954 00:35:29,963 --> 00:35:31,498 Trying to get to the craps table. 955 00:35:31,531 --> 00:35:33,066 - Oh, got a little turned around. 956 00:35:33,099 --> 00:35:34,768 But you know, the one thing about Flip Rodriguez, 957 00:35:34,801 --> 00:35:37,137 he's always under control. 958 00:35:37,170 --> 00:35:38,905 - And you can see extending those arms 959 00:35:38,938 --> 00:35:40,907 and that seemed to correct it. 960 00:35:40,940 --> 00:35:42,976 Right at the edge of the craps table. 961 00:35:43,076 --> 00:35:44,077 - This is an OG. 962 00:35:44,077 --> 00:35:45,111 - Good power. 963 00:35:45,145 --> 00:35:46,479 - So many of these young ninjas grew 964 00:35:46,513 --> 00:35:48,248 up watching Flip Rodriguez. 965 00:35:48,281 --> 00:35:49,816 - Let's see that footwork here. 966 00:35:49,849 --> 00:35:52,218 He's about to put on a clinic here at The Gambler. 967 00:35:52,252 --> 00:35:54,354 - Dance across the roulette wheel. 968 00:35:54,387 --> 00:35:55,355 Nice! - Got it! 969 00:35:55,388 --> 00:35:56,990 Big leap, too. 970 00:35:57,090 --> 00:36:00,460 You saw he fully extended, almost like Superman. 971 00:36:00,493 --> 00:36:03,730 - Well, that move right there-- that move across the roulette 972 00:36:03,763 --> 00:36:06,499 wheel, that's been a big one for the Ninjas 973 00:36:06,533 --> 00:36:07,901 who have completed it. 974 00:36:07,934 --> 00:36:10,303 And Flip Rodriguez is motoring. 975 00:36:10,337 --> 00:36:13,139 Just under a minute left for the final two obstacles. 976 00:36:13,173 --> 00:36:14,140 - I see you, baby. 977 00:36:14,174 --> 00:36:15,141 I see you! 978 00:36:15,175 --> 00:36:20,447 [cheers and applause] 979 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:23,183 - Doesn't want to make a mistake on the Dipping Birds. 980 00:36:23,216 --> 00:36:24,417 - Nice, nice, nice. 981 00:36:24,451 --> 00:36:25,418 Got it! 982 00:36:25,452 --> 00:36:27,420 [cheers and applause] 983 00:36:27,454 --> 00:36:29,089 - Well, plenty of time, but it's going to come down 984 00:36:29,122 --> 00:36:31,157 to how good he is with that cane in his hand. 985 00:36:31,191 --> 00:36:33,326 [cheers and applause] 986 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:34,828 - Nice. Get up high. Control it. 987 00:36:34,861 --> 00:36:36,930 The higher you have, the better control you have. 988 00:36:36,963 --> 00:36:39,432 - Kip up. An extra swing. 989 00:36:39,466 --> 00:36:40,500 - Yeah, he needs it right here. 990 00:36:40,533 --> 00:36:42,369 He's looking at it, locating it. 991 00:36:42,402 --> 00:36:43,570 Whoa, nice. - Got it. 992 00:36:43,603 --> 00:36:44,537 - He barely got that one. 993 00:36:44,571 --> 00:36:46,072 - He's got it. 994 00:36:46,072 --> 00:36:47,440 He's going to have to get high up on the cargo net, Akbar. 995 00:36:47,474 --> 00:36:49,342 It looks like he's running out of steam. 996 00:36:49,376 --> 00:36:51,344 - He just needs about 12 seconds. 997 00:36:51,378 --> 00:36:53,546 He's gotta get on that net by 12 seconds. 998 00:36:53,580 --> 00:36:54,547 - Swing. 999 00:36:54,581 --> 00:36:55,882 - Oh, boy. 1000 00:36:55,915 --> 00:37:00,787 - Oh, this is heartbreaking for Flip Rodriguez. 1001 00:37:00,820 --> 00:37:02,055 - Four, three...come on. - As the clock winds down. 1002 00:37:02,088 --> 00:37:04,691 - Come on. Come on. No! 1003 00:37:04,724 --> 00:37:06,326 What the what? 1004 00:37:06,359 --> 00:37:07,560 - Why? 1005 00:37:07,594 --> 00:37:10,597 - Well, Flip is not going to get the buzzer-- 1006 00:37:10,630 --> 00:37:11,798 timing out. 1007 00:37:11,831 --> 00:37:14,701 He needed just a few more seconds. 1008 00:37:14,734 --> 00:37:17,537 But with this new format, Akbar, 1009 00:37:17,570 --> 00:37:20,507 the top 24 advance to race on stage two. 1010 00:37:20,540 --> 00:37:22,809 So if we don't get 24 finishers, 1011 00:37:22,842 --> 00:37:24,377 Flip could make it in. 1012 00:37:24,411 --> 00:37:27,113 He's disappointed right now, but this may not be the last 1013 00:37:27,147 --> 00:37:28,882 of Flip Rodriguez this season. 1014 00:37:28,915 --> 00:37:30,283 [cheers and applause] 1015 00:37:30,316 --> 00:37:32,485 And those races on stage two are 1016 00:37:32,519 --> 00:37:36,289 going to be epic, head to head the first time at the National 1017 00:37:36,322 --> 00:37:39,325 Finals, and it all starts in two weeks 1018 00:37:39,359 --> 00:37:42,062 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1019 00:37:48,735 --> 00:37:50,737 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior" in Las Vegas. 1020 00:37:50,770 --> 00:37:53,406 It's the first night of the National Finals. 1021 00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:56,176 - And Matt, we've already had some big surprises 1022 00:37:56,209 --> 00:37:58,078 on stage one. 1023 00:37:58,078 --> 00:38:00,747 - Massachusetts gym owner, Matt D'Amico is known 1024 00:38:00,780 --> 00:38:03,416 for going fast and going far. 1025 00:38:03,450 --> 00:38:04,884 He made it all the way to stage 3 1026 00:38:04,918 --> 00:38:06,720 as a rookie last season. 1027 00:38:06,753 --> 00:38:08,822 This kid is so impressive. 1028 00:38:08,855 --> 00:38:11,391 He got off to a start tonight, but then 1029 00:38:11,424 --> 00:38:13,626 came the Giant Rollercoaster. 1030 00:38:13,660 --> 00:38:16,396 Oh! 1031 00:38:16,429 --> 00:38:19,599 - Matt D'Amico, the latest victim 1032 00:38:19,632 --> 00:38:22,502 of the Giant Rollercoaster. 1033 00:38:25,038 --> 00:38:26,773 Then it was another top Ninja who 1034 00:38:26,806 --> 00:38:29,843 made it to stage 3 last year, Chicago's 1035 00:38:29,876 --> 00:38:31,544 Cam "The Bomb" Baumgartner. 1036 00:38:31,578 --> 00:38:34,581 - Coming off his best season ever. 1037 00:38:34,614 --> 00:38:37,283 - The 25-year-old has collected 11 buzzers 1038 00:38:37,317 --> 00:38:38,752 in the past five years, 1039 00:38:38,785 --> 00:38:41,454 and he was looking locked in again tonight until 1040 00:38:41,488 --> 00:38:43,490 he reached Jumping Spider. 1041 00:38:43,523 --> 00:38:45,291 - Oh, no! 1042 00:38:45,325 --> 00:38:46,726 That is a shocker. 1043 00:38:46,760 --> 00:38:50,563 The bomb explodes. 1044 00:38:50,597 --> 00:38:53,600 Everyone's excited when this Ninja takes the course-- 1045 00:38:53,633 --> 00:38:57,237 the Sparkly Ninja, Barclay Stockett. 1046 00:38:57,270 --> 00:38:59,773 This crowd favorite has been through a tough couple 1047 00:38:59,806 --> 00:39:02,142 of years, which included the death of her mom 1048 00:39:02,175 --> 00:39:04,110 and her own health problems. 1049 00:39:04,144 --> 00:39:06,179 But despite everything she's faced, 1050 00:39:06,212 --> 00:39:11,317 she still manages to sparkle. 1051 00:39:11,351 --> 00:39:12,318 - Stage one-- 1052 00:39:12,352 --> 00:39:14,020 - Nice! 1053 00:39:14,020 --> 00:39:16,723 - --I've made it far into the course every single year. 1054 00:39:16,756 --> 00:39:18,058 - Yes! 1055 00:39:18,091 --> 00:39:21,261 - And then season 14, my run lasted two seconds. 1056 00:39:21,294 --> 00:39:23,329 I didn't fall in the water, but I fell-- 1057 00:39:23,363 --> 00:39:24,330 - Whoa, whoa! 1058 00:39:24,364 --> 00:39:25,331 - Oh, no! 1059 00:39:25,365 --> 00:39:26,399 - Oh, my gosh! 1060 00:39:26,433 --> 00:39:28,234 - --off the course. 1061 00:39:28,268 --> 00:39:32,272 - Wow, she is livid, Matt. 1062 00:39:32,305 --> 00:39:34,908 - I've gone through a lot of loss. 1063 00:39:34,941 --> 00:39:38,144 - Memories of our moms, it's precious. 1064 00:39:38,178 --> 00:39:41,881 - But Tee and I are having our little corner of the world-- 1065 00:39:41,915 --> 00:39:42,882 - Thank you for my coffee. 1066 00:39:42,916 --> 00:39:44,250 - You're welcome. 1067 00:39:44,284 --> 00:39:46,519 - --it makes me feel like I'm alive again. 1068 00:39:46,553 --> 00:39:49,356 [both chuckling] 1069 00:39:49,389 --> 00:39:52,125 - I still love who I am, and I still love my friends, 1070 00:39:52,158 --> 00:39:55,562 and I still love the experience of getting to be 1071 00:39:55,595 --> 00:39:58,365 on this life-changing course. 1072 00:39:58,398 --> 00:40:00,533 No matter what happens, I'm just like joyful 1073 00:40:00,567 --> 00:40:04,704 and I'm just thankful to be here. 1074 00:40:04,738 --> 00:40:06,172 [cheers and applause] 1075 00:40:06,206 --> 00:40:09,275 - This woman has been through so much. 1076 00:40:09,309 --> 00:40:11,044 - She's got a big group of supporters, 1077 00:40:11,077 --> 00:40:13,246 including Ninja great Flex Labreck 1078 00:40:13,279 --> 00:40:15,715 along with Barclay's fiancée Tee. 1079 00:40:15,749 --> 00:40:17,751 - Matt, she's been thinking about this first obstacle 1080 00:40:17,784 --> 00:40:18,918 for a year. 1081 00:40:18,952 --> 00:40:20,286 [countdown clock beeping] That's 52 weeks, 1082 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:21,988 365 days. 1083 00:40:22,022 --> 00:40:22,989 Let's go. 1084 00:40:23,023 --> 00:40:24,591 Big strides, big strides. 1085 00:40:24,624 --> 00:40:27,227 - And real confident right through it this time. 1086 00:40:27,260 --> 00:40:29,329 - Yeah, that's got to feel good. 1087 00:40:29,362 --> 00:40:32,532 Conquered the obstacle that took you out last year. 1088 00:40:32,565 --> 00:40:34,467 - Former level 10 gymnast should 1089 00:40:34,501 --> 00:40:38,505 be very comfortable on Three Ring Circus. 1090 00:40:38,538 --> 00:40:39,606 - Nice. Pull back. 1091 00:40:39,639 --> 00:40:40,607 Get it. 1092 00:40:40,640 --> 00:40:41,608 See it. 1093 00:40:41,641 --> 00:40:43,610 - Nice. - Nice grab. 1094 00:40:43,643 --> 00:40:45,545 This is a difficult one, Matt, but that's all right. 1095 00:40:45,578 --> 00:40:46,746 She's got it. 1096 00:40:46,780 --> 00:40:51,384 - She is looking locked in. 1097 00:40:51,418 --> 00:40:54,254 [cheers and applause] 1098 00:40:54,287 --> 00:40:58,024 Get ready to go for a ride. 1099 00:40:58,058 --> 00:41:00,193 Giant Rollercoaster has been bucking 1100 00:41:00,226 --> 00:41:01,628 people off all night long. 1101 00:41:01,661 --> 00:41:03,063 - Yeah. 1102 00:41:03,063 --> 00:41:04,330 Anticipate the speed, because it does go fast. 1103 00:41:04,364 --> 00:41:05,865 Now, you see how it throws you up like that? 1104 00:41:05,899 --> 00:41:07,167 Nice! - Oh, no! 1105 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:09,536 Only one hand but somehow holds on. 1106 00:41:09,569 --> 00:41:11,571 - Oh, wow. - What a save. 1107 00:41:11,604 --> 00:41:13,707 - Great save by Barclay Stockett. 1108 00:41:13,740 --> 00:41:16,676 - And that was tremendous body awareness. 1109 00:41:16,710 --> 00:41:18,244 - Look at that again. 1110 00:41:18,278 --> 00:41:20,313 She was hanging on by one hand. 1111 00:41:20,347 --> 00:41:23,683 Somehow corrected herself, and finished the obstacle. 1112 00:41:23,717 --> 00:41:25,085 Come on. 1113 00:41:25,085 --> 00:41:27,454 - But now another big challenge for her at 5-feet 1114 00:41:27,487 --> 00:41:29,356 tall, the Jumping Spider. 1115 00:41:29,389 --> 00:41:31,091 She is still the shortest person 1116 00:41:31,124 --> 00:41:34,627 to get through this obstacle-- did it six years ago. 1117 00:41:34,661 --> 00:41:38,298 - Wow, well done. 1118 00:41:38,331 --> 00:41:40,900 - And she's flying through the Jumping Spider 1119 00:41:40,934 --> 00:41:43,169 as well as we've seen anyone get through it. 1120 00:41:43,203 --> 00:41:45,839 [cheers and applause] 1121 00:41:45,872 --> 00:41:48,541 Can she be the first woman to get through The Gambler? 1122 00:41:48,575 --> 00:41:49,876 - This would be nice. 1123 00:41:49,909 --> 00:41:50,977 - Got to get going. 1124 00:41:51,011 --> 00:41:52,345 Keep an eye on that clock, Akbar. 1125 00:41:52,379 --> 00:41:53,346 - Yeah, I'm looking. 1126 00:41:53,380 --> 00:41:54,381 It's 1:15. 1127 00:41:54,414 --> 00:41:55,849 - She's going backwards. 1128 00:41:55,882 --> 00:41:59,119 Now, trying to run up to it to get the poker chip. 1129 00:41:59,152 --> 00:42:00,120 - Come on. 1130 00:42:00,153 --> 00:42:01,254 - It's going to drop down. 1131 00:42:01,287 --> 00:42:03,256 Tried this on Jeep Run before. 1132 00:42:03,289 --> 00:42:05,625 Airballed the jump. 1133 00:42:05,658 --> 00:42:06,893 Oh, fingertips! 1134 00:42:06,926 --> 00:42:08,128 - Pumping herself up, nice. 1135 00:42:08,161 --> 00:42:10,130 - What a grab! 1136 00:42:10,163 --> 00:42:11,865 - But she spent a lot of time there. 1137 00:42:11,898 --> 00:42:13,500 She's got no room for error now. 1138 00:42:13,533 --> 00:42:16,569 This clock is ticking. 1139 00:42:16,603 --> 00:42:18,938 - A rejuvenated Barclay Stockett. 1140 00:42:18,972 --> 00:42:21,708 - And now, she's got to work her way down to the front edge 1141 00:42:21,741 --> 00:42:26,279 here to make sure she can get that up as far as possible. 1142 00:42:26,312 --> 00:42:28,381 - Giving it everything she's got. 1143 00:42:28,415 --> 00:42:30,350 - You can see she's staying really focused here. 1144 00:42:30,383 --> 00:42:33,086 This fifth obstacle can really tax you. 1145 00:42:33,086 --> 00:42:34,821 - Need a big move here. 1146 00:42:34,854 --> 00:42:36,423 - Come on, Barclay. 1147 00:42:36,456 --> 00:42:38,091 - A lot of swings. 1148 00:42:38,091 --> 00:42:39,759 - Ooh. - Wow. 1149 00:42:39,793 --> 00:42:41,094 - Oh, boy. 1150 00:42:41,094 --> 00:42:43,396 - And now goes for a ride on the roulette wheel 1151 00:42:43,430 --> 00:42:48,101 as the clock ticks down. 1152 00:42:48,101 --> 00:42:51,271 Just so frustrating. 1153 00:42:51,304 --> 00:42:52,706 - Oh, boy. 1154 00:42:52,739 --> 00:42:57,811 Now, she's just got to get straight up-- straight up. 1155 00:42:57,844 --> 00:42:59,312 No time to really waste here. 10 seconds. 1156 00:42:59,346 --> 00:43:00,447 [alarm] 1157 00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:03,717 - Could still complete the obstacle. 1158 00:43:03,750 --> 00:43:07,354 [cheers and applause] 1159 00:43:07,387 --> 00:43:08,355 - Nice. 1160 00:43:08,388 --> 00:43:10,323 - Well, not going to get a buzzer, 1161 00:43:10,357 --> 00:43:13,793 but made it farther than any woman this night. 1162 00:43:13,827 --> 00:43:15,428 - It was a great effort. 1163 00:43:15,462 --> 00:43:17,063 It was a great effort. 1164 00:43:17,063 --> 00:43:18,865 I see you, Barclay Stockett. 1165 00:43:18,898 --> 00:43:19,966 I see you, Barclay Stockett. I see you, Barclay Stockett. 1166 00:43:20,066 --> 00:43:20,900 - Well, left it all on the course. 1167 00:43:20,934 --> 00:43:23,970 - Yes! - Great job, babe. 1168 00:43:24,070 --> 00:43:26,172 - Some of those saves were remarkable. 1169 00:43:26,206 --> 00:43:29,476 Still so many positives in this run out of Barclay. 1170 00:43:29,509 --> 00:43:31,945 - And she is spent. 1171 00:43:31,978 --> 00:43:33,546 - Matt, I can't believe she survived when 1172 00:43:33,580 --> 00:43:36,816 her hand slipped off the bar on Giant Rollercoaster. 1173 00:43:36,850 --> 00:43:39,686 At 5-foot-nothing, this run 1174 00:43:39,719 --> 00:43:42,188 was nothing short of superhuman. 1175 00:43:42,222 --> 00:43:43,590 - What an awesome run. 1176 00:43:43,623 --> 00:43:46,259 You looked so strong, so solid out here. 1177 00:43:46,292 --> 00:43:47,327 Is that how you felt? 1178 00:43:47,360 --> 00:43:48,595 - Oh, no. 1179 00:43:48,628 --> 00:43:51,598 I struggled through every single movement. 1180 00:43:51,631 --> 00:43:55,168 I think stage one is so intimidating and hard for me, 1181 00:43:55,201 --> 00:43:59,572 because I'm like so small, and it is so big. 1182 00:43:59,606 --> 00:44:00,707 - Well, you mentioned being small, 1183 00:44:00,740 --> 00:44:01,708 but you are tiny and mighty. 1184 00:44:01,741 --> 00:44:02,709 OK? 1185 00:44:02,742 --> 00:44:04,277 So you make tiny look good. 1186 00:44:04,310 --> 00:44:06,079 I know the buzzer was the goal for tonight. 1187 00:44:06,112 --> 00:44:08,148 But at the end of the day, this was an incredible run. 1188 00:44:08,181 --> 00:44:09,749 You have so much to be proud of this season, 1189 00:44:09,783 --> 00:44:12,185 and we have absolutely loved watching you compete. 1190 00:44:12,218 --> 00:44:14,054 Great work out here tonight. - Thank you so much, Zuri. 1191 00:44:14,054 --> 00:44:15,055 I love you. 1192 00:44:15,055 --> 00:44:16,489 - I absolutely love you, girl. 1193 00:44:16,523 --> 00:44:17,824 Give it up Barclay, y'all. 1194 00:44:17,857 --> 00:44:19,959 Matt, Akbar, back to you. 1195 00:44:20,060 --> 00:44:21,394 - We absolutely love Barclay. 1196 00:44:21,428 --> 00:44:23,396 And here comes another crowd favorite. 1197 00:44:23,430 --> 00:44:25,632 It's the energetic Florida teenager, 1198 00:44:25,665 --> 00:44:28,401 Enzo DeFerrari Wilson. 1199 00:44:28,435 --> 00:44:30,837 - He's charged up as always. 1200 00:44:30,870 --> 00:44:32,639 - Earlier, we showed you Enzo's travels 1201 00:44:32,672 --> 00:44:34,808 with friend Elijah Browning. 1202 00:44:34,841 --> 00:44:37,210 Elijah is in the back with that big group of friends 1203 00:44:37,243 --> 00:44:39,212 and family on the sideline. 1204 00:44:39,245 --> 00:44:41,848 [countdown clock beeping] 1205 00:44:41,881 --> 00:44:44,317 - He just graduated from high school-- runs 1206 00:44:44,351 --> 00:44:46,920 a non-profit that helps clean up the ocean. 1207 00:44:46,953 --> 00:44:49,522 Raised money for hurricane relief in Florida. 1208 00:44:49,556 --> 00:44:50,990 This kid's impressive. 1209 00:44:51,091 --> 00:44:52,525 - 17 years old. 1210 00:44:52,559 --> 00:44:55,362 His third time facing stage one. 1211 00:44:55,395 --> 00:44:57,564 Still has the record as the youngest athlete 1212 00:44:57,597 --> 00:44:59,399 ever to clear it. 1213 00:44:59,432 --> 00:45:03,036 And I like the pace out of Enzo. 1214 00:45:03,036 --> 00:45:05,939 You know, his motor is not going to run out, Akbar. 1215 00:45:06,039 --> 00:45:07,440 - We know that he's a high-energy kid, 1216 00:45:07,474 --> 00:45:09,309 and he shows up with it's prime time. 1217 00:45:09,342 --> 00:45:10,844 - Well, felt he really stepped up his training 1218 00:45:10,877 --> 00:45:13,446 by spending a lot of time practicing with his buddy, 1219 00:45:13,480 --> 00:45:15,382 Elijah "Boss" Browning. 1220 00:45:15,415 --> 00:45:17,517 - Those two don't just travel together. 1221 00:45:17,550 --> 00:45:19,753 They also train hard together for an ninja. 1222 00:45:19,786 --> 00:45:21,788 [cheers and applause] 1223 00:45:21,821 --> 00:45:24,457 - Needs a big bounce here on Jumping Spider. 1224 00:45:24,491 --> 00:45:25,725 - And good and high. 1225 00:45:25,759 --> 00:45:30,597 Got to down there below that red bar and now up. 1226 00:45:30,630 --> 00:45:33,066 - Yeah, that's it. Go. Get out of there. 1227 00:45:33,099 --> 00:45:35,402 - Nice! 1228 00:45:35,435 --> 00:45:37,070 [cheers and applause] 1229 00:45:37,070 --> 00:45:39,339 - Come on, Enz. 1230 00:45:39,372 --> 00:45:40,540 - This has been the separator-- 1231 00:45:40,573 --> 00:45:42,409 The Gambler. 1232 00:45:42,442 --> 00:45:43,843 - If I'm a gambling man, I'm going 1233 00:45:43,877 --> 00:45:46,079 to tell you right now, Enzo DeFerrari Wilson 1234 00:45:46,112 --> 00:45:48,348 is going to crush The Gambler. 1235 00:45:48,381 --> 00:45:51,251 - This one has been so challenging. 1236 00:45:51,284 --> 00:45:52,252 - Nice. 1237 00:45:52,285 --> 00:45:53,486 - Looking solid. 1238 00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:54,854 - Oh, you see him get on the edge there? 1239 00:45:54,888 --> 00:45:56,990 It's all about that technique-- making sure you 1240 00:45:57,090 --> 00:45:58,558 can get the right location. 1241 00:45:58,591 --> 00:46:00,026 - Got to get up high. 1242 00:46:00,026 --> 00:46:03,463 Can he dance across the top of the roulette wheel? 1243 00:46:03,496 --> 00:46:05,932 Oh, it goes into a spin. 1244 00:46:06,032 --> 00:46:07,400 - Uh-oh. 1245 00:46:07,434 --> 00:46:10,036 And Enzo just having trouble here on the roulette wheel. 1246 00:46:10,036 --> 00:46:11,638 Keep going, keep going, keep going! 1247 00:46:11,671 --> 00:46:14,307 And the clock is ticking down, Akbar. 1248 00:46:14,341 --> 00:46:17,610 Going to make this leap to the Ace of Spades. 1249 00:46:17,644 --> 00:46:21,548 And he got it, but used up a lot of time here. 1250 00:46:21,581 --> 00:46:25,852 Once again, The Gambler taking its cut. 1251 00:46:25,885 --> 00:46:29,322 - Gotta motor. 1252 00:46:29,356 --> 00:46:30,323 - Nice! 1253 00:46:30,357 --> 00:46:31,591 And look at this-- 1254 00:46:31,624 --> 00:46:34,294 - And this is where that speed that 17-year-old 1255 00:46:34,327 --> 00:46:35,528 motor is going to come in handy. 1256 00:46:35,562 --> 00:46:36,930 - This kid is serious. 1257 00:46:36,963 --> 00:46:40,066 He is not messing around. 1258 00:46:40,100 --> 00:46:42,836 - How efficient can he be on Thread the Needle? 1259 00:46:42,869 --> 00:46:43,837 - Nice! 1260 00:46:43,870 --> 00:46:45,171 - Got to launch it right here. 1261 00:46:45,205 --> 00:46:47,173 Got to send it. 1262 00:46:47,207 --> 00:46:48,641 - Big move. 1263 00:46:48,675 --> 00:46:51,544 OK, Enzo. - And a high transfer. 1264 00:46:51,578 --> 00:46:54,114 Good pair. Get up, kid. 1265 00:46:54,147 --> 00:46:56,116 - Oh, he's going for a big one. 1266 00:46:56,149 --> 00:46:57,584 He's going for a big one. 1267 00:46:57,617 --> 00:46:58,585 Nice! 1268 00:46:58,618 --> 00:46:59,786 - Great work. 1269 00:46:59,819 --> 00:47:02,055 Just a short climb up the cargo net. 1270 00:47:02,088 --> 00:47:04,557 - Oh, come on, come on! 1271 00:47:04,591 --> 00:47:06,526 - He's going to do it with time to spare. 1272 00:47:06,559 --> 00:47:10,497 He'll be our third finisher and the second fastest so far. 1273 00:47:10,530 --> 00:47:11,498 [buzzer blares] - Nice. 1274 00:47:11,531 --> 00:47:12,499 [cheering] 1275 00:47:12,532 --> 00:47:14,501 - Enzo gets that buzzer. 1276 00:47:14,534 --> 00:47:16,736 - Wow. 1277 00:47:16,770 --> 00:47:21,408 - Electrifying run. 1278 00:47:21,441 --> 00:47:24,044 - Let's go! 1279 00:47:24,077 --> 00:47:26,546 - His third buzzer of the season, and he's 1280 00:47:26,579 --> 00:47:29,082 the second fastest among our finishers so far. 1281 00:47:29,115 --> 00:47:31,618 Remember, the faster you go, the better your seed 1282 00:47:31,651 --> 00:47:33,953 for racing on stage two. 1283 00:47:34,054 --> 00:47:36,256 Some of those who came close to finishing still 1284 00:47:36,289 --> 00:47:39,626 have a shot to move on if they can stay in the top 24 1285 00:47:39,659 --> 00:47:42,929 after all competitors have run stage one. 1286 00:47:42,962 --> 00:47:46,466 - Coming up, last year, TikTok star Bob Reese 1287 00:47:46,499 --> 00:47:49,235 risked his season for one outrageous trick. 1288 00:47:49,269 --> 00:47:51,404 - No, he ain't! Oh! 1289 00:47:51,438 --> 00:47:53,440 - Now, he's going to try it again. 1290 00:47:53,473 --> 00:47:56,076 - I want to show people what's humanly possible. 1291 00:47:56,076 --> 00:47:59,179 - You don't want to miss this moment next 1292 00:47:59,212 --> 00:48:01,581 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1293 00:48:06,820 --> 00:48:08,288 - It's opening night of our national finals in Las Vegas. 1294 00:48:08,321 --> 00:48:11,157 And moments ago, North Carolina's Brandon Thomas 1295 00:48:11,191 --> 00:48:14,661 came out wearing shades-- one, because his future is 1296 00:48:14,694 --> 00:48:17,764 so bright, and two, because he's colorblind. 1297 00:48:17,797 --> 00:48:20,233 The 18-year-old rookie then took off the glasses 1298 00:48:20,266 --> 00:48:22,702 and was laser-focused on the course. 1299 00:48:22,736 --> 00:48:23,703 - Oh! 1300 00:48:23,737 --> 00:48:25,372 Big grab! 1301 00:48:25,405 --> 00:48:28,441 - But fatigue caught up to him on the final few obstacles. 1302 00:48:28,475 --> 00:48:30,243 - Oh, boy, he is struggling right now. 1303 00:48:30,276 --> 00:48:31,745 - He fought his way to the end-- 1304 00:48:31,778 --> 00:48:33,613 - He's winded! He's gassed out! 1305 00:48:33,646 --> 00:48:35,048 Oh! 1306 00:48:35,048 --> 00:48:37,117 - --only to miss the grab on the cargo net. 1307 00:48:37,150 --> 00:48:40,387 But he could still move on if he stays in the top 24 1308 00:48:40,420 --> 00:48:42,555 on stage one. 1309 00:48:42,589 --> 00:48:45,291 Then, social media sensation, Johnny Brown, 1310 00:48:45,325 --> 00:48:48,762 came out wearing his signature flying squirrel suit. 1311 00:48:48,795 --> 00:48:50,864 His nutty antics in the suit have almost 1312 00:48:50,897 --> 00:48:53,366 100 million views on TikTok. 1313 00:48:53,400 --> 00:48:56,670 The 26-year-old from Georgia got off to a good start. 1314 00:48:56,703 --> 00:49:00,140 - I want to see this flying squirrel go for a little ride. 1315 00:49:00,173 --> 00:49:01,708 - But the flying squirrel wasn't 1316 00:49:01,741 --> 00:49:04,611 so great at flying through the Giant Rollercoaster. 1317 00:49:04,644 --> 00:49:08,014 - Oh! 1318 00:49:08,014 --> 00:49:10,550 - Well, up next is another social media star. 1319 00:49:10,583 --> 00:49:12,852 It's South Carolina's Bob Reese, 1320 00:49:12,886 --> 00:49:16,022 who has millions of views for his crazy flips and tricks. 1321 00:49:16,056 --> 00:49:17,524 - Whoo! 1322 00:49:17,557 --> 00:49:19,459 - Well, tonight he wants to pull off 1323 00:49:19,492 --> 00:49:23,129 something on the course that's never been done before. 1324 00:49:23,163 --> 00:49:25,699 - Last year, I risked my chance at $1 million 1325 00:49:25,732 --> 00:49:28,168 so that I could try to front flip into the Jumping Spider. 1326 00:49:28,201 --> 00:49:30,270 - No he ain't, no he ain't, no he ain't! 1327 00:49:30,303 --> 00:49:32,405 Oh! Oh! 1328 00:49:32,439 --> 00:49:33,940 Reese's Pieces! 1329 00:49:34,040 --> 00:49:38,044 - A lot of people viewed it as a wasted chance at $1 million. 1330 00:49:38,044 --> 00:49:40,246 But for me, it was a lot bigger than that. 1331 00:49:40,280 --> 00:49:41,915 I have been training this every day 1332 00:49:41,948 --> 00:49:44,050 for the past three months in order to get on the show. 1333 00:49:44,050 --> 00:49:46,052 Here we go. 1334 00:49:46,052 --> 00:49:49,522 * * 1335 00:49:49,556 --> 00:49:50,790 People love a good story. 1336 00:49:50,824 --> 00:49:52,258 That's what all my videos are. 1337 00:49:52,292 --> 00:49:54,094 They're stories of me going through challenges. 1338 00:49:54,127 --> 00:49:55,562 And the fact that this challenge 1339 00:49:55,595 --> 00:49:57,831 is going to have taken me three years to complete, 1340 00:49:57,864 --> 00:50:00,567 I want to show people what's humanly possible. 1341 00:50:00,600 --> 00:50:02,235 I'm about to become a father. 1342 00:50:02,268 --> 00:50:04,304 I'm about to have my first son, and I've 1343 00:50:04,337 --> 00:50:06,239 always wanted to be a dad. 1344 00:50:06,272 --> 00:50:09,042 I think it would really inspire him to see 1345 00:50:09,075 --> 00:50:13,380 me land this front flip. 1346 00:50:13,413 --> 00:50:17,851 I am ready to flip out tonight. 1347 00:50:17,884 --> 00:50:20,286 - Nobody wants to miss this, including 1348 00:50:20,320 --> 00:50:23,556 his pregnant wife, Ashley, who's due later this summer. 1349 00:50:23,590 --> 00:50:25,959 [countdown clock beeping] 1350 00:50:25,992 --> 00:50:27,660 He's not thinking about a buzzer. 1351 00:50:27,694 --> 00:50:29,929 He just wants to get to that fourth obstacle. 1352 00:50:29,963 --> 00:50:31,264 - And if you haven't checked him out-- 1353 00:50:31,297 --> 00:50:32,732 - Oh, my kids have. 1354 00:50:32,766 --> 00:50:35,335 - --go take a look at him on Instagram or TikTok. 1355 00:50:35,368 --> 00:50:37,137 This guy is insane. 1356 00:50:37,170 --> 00:50:39,873 Loves pushing his body to the limits. 1357 00:50:39,906 --> 00:50:42,609 - Matt, my kids are always sending me his YouTube 1358 00:50:42,642 --> 00:50:44,511 and TikTok videos. 1359 00:50:44,544 --> 00:50:45,745 - Just so good. 1360 00:50:45,779 --> 00:50:46,780 He is a big man. 1361 00:50:46,813 --> 00:50:48,648 Six feet, 185. 1362 00:50:48,682 --> 00:50:52,986 Moves like someone half his size, though. 1363 00:50:53,019 --> 00:50:54,621 - Matt, I'm getting hyped right now. 1364 00:50:54,654 --> 00:50:57,223 He just needs to get through the Giant Rollercoaster, 1365 00:50:57,257 --> 00:51:00,093 and he'll get his moment. 1366 00:51:00,126 --> 00:51:03,630 - Lands it into the final cradle. 1367 00:51:03,663 --> 00:51:04,631 So this is it. 1368 00:51:04,664 --> 00:51:06,066 He's going to size it up. 1369 00:51:06,066 --> 00:51:07,467 Even though many have fallen only 1370 00:51:07,500 --> 00:51:09,669 on Jumping Spider the normal way, 1371 00:51:09,703 --> 00:51:12,505 he's going to try to land a flip inside the chute. 1372 00:51:12,539 --> 00:51:14,074 - Come on, Matt. 1373 00:51:14,074 --> 00:51:16,676 - Ended his season last year, but he doesn't care. 1374 00:51:16,710 --> 00:51:19,279 Scared money don't make money. 1375 00:51:19,312 --> 00:51:20,280 - What? 1376 00:51:20,313 --> 00:51:21,681 Oh, my goodness. 1377 00:51:21,715 --> 00:51:23,283 Reese has landed-- stuck like peanut butter. 1378 00:51:23,316 --> 00:51:25,118 Yes! - Reese! 1379 00:51:25,151 --> 00:51:26,119 - Are you kidding me? 1380 00:51:26,152 --> 00:51:27,721 - The first front flip into-- 1381 00:51:27,754 --> 00:51:28,888 - Oh, my goodness. 1382 00:51:28,922 --> 00:51:30,790 - --the Jumping Spider we've ever seen. 1383 00:51:30,824 --> 00:51:32,359 - It's over, ladies, and gentleman. 1384 00:51:32,392 --> 00:51:33,960 It's over. 1385 00:51:33,993 --> 00:51:37,731 Matt, we got to see this again, he went into flip mode. 1386 00:51:37,764 --> 00:51:38,732 Watch this. 1387 00:51:38,765 --> 00:51:39,833 Pow! 1388 00:51:39,866 --> 00:51:41,101 And this is risky. 1389 00:51:41,101 --> 00:51:43,670 This is the finals, and he nails it. 1390 00:51:43,703 --> 00:51:45,572 Unbelievable. 1391 00:51:45,605 --> 00:51:47,507 - Well, he's not done. 1392 00:51:47,540 --> 00:51:48,808 He's a gambler. 1393 00:51:48,842 --> 00:51:50,877 Let's see what he does on this fifth obstacle. 1394 00:51:50,910 --> 00:51:52,278 - Oh, man. 1395 00:51:52,312 --> 00:51:55,115 When you hit a flip like that, The Gambler is nothing. 1396 00:51:55,148 --> 00:51:57,884 He took the biggest gamble there on Jumping Spider. 1397 00:51:57,917 --> 00:51:59,352 - Six feet, 185-- 1398 00:51:59,386 --> 00:52:03,857 should have the power to get this craps table extended. 1399 00:52:03,890 --> 00:52:05,558 He's going for it. Get it rotating. 1400 00:52:05,592 --> 00:52:06,559 - Here we go, here we go. 1401 00:52:06,593 --> 00:52:07,560 This is nothing to him. 1402 00:52:07,594 --> 00:52:08,895 - Yes! 1403 00:52:08,928 --> 00:52:10,764 - I'm still blind from what we just witnessed. 1404 00:52:10,797 --> 00:52:13,600 - Well, Bob Reese said that Jumping Spider was his goal, 1405 00:52:13,633 --> 00:52:15,769 but Akbar, he's got a good chance 1406 00:52:15,802 --> 00:52:16,770 of going on to stage two. 1407 00:52:16,803 --> 00:52:17,771 - Heck, yeah, he does. 1408 00:52:17,804 --> 00:52:18,972 Come on! 1409 00:52:19,072 --> 00:52:24,511 - That is just astounding athleticism. 1410 00:52:24,544 --> 00:52:28,081 Wow, Bob Reese making it look effortless. 1411 00:52:28,114 --> 00:52:30,183 - Now, I want to see him all the way to the top. 1412 00:52:30,216 --> 00:52:32,085 I got to see you all the way at the buzzer. 1413 00:52:32,118 --> 00:52:33,920 - Usually, Reese goes for pieces. 1414 00:52:33,953 --> 00:52:35,889 Tonight, he wants the whole darn thing. 1415 00:52:35,922 --> 00:52:38,692 45 seconds left to get that buzzer. 1416 00:52:38,725 --> 00:52:39,659 - Get it, get it, get it. 1417 00:52:39,693 --> 00:52:40,760 Nice, nice, nice. 1418 00:52:40,794 --> 00:52:42,762 - Balance is legendary, but we've 1419 00:52:42,796 --> 00:52:45,365 seen some Ninjas get tripped up with this cane 1420 00:52:45,398 --> 00:52:46,866 on Thread the Needle. 1421 00:52:46,900 --> 00:52:48,835 - And, Matt, the secret is you want to get high on the cane 1422 00:52:48,868 --> 00:52:50,270 so you can have better control. 1423 00:52:50,303 --> 00:52:52,906 He's got 30 seconds, so he needs to move. 1424 00:52:52,939 --> 00:52:55,775 - Reese has a ton of power. 1425 00:52:55,809 --> 00:52:57,010 - Uh-oh, an extra swing. 1426 00:52:57,110 --> 00:52:58,611 That's costly. - Come on, come on. 1427 00:52:58,645 --> 00:53:00,080 Get it up and over. Ooh. 1428 00:53:00,113 --> 00:53:01,414 - There it is. - He got that snatch. 1429 00:53:01,448 --> 00:53:03,149 - Couldn't get the cane up. 1430 00:53:03,183 --> 00:53:04,284 - Oh, this is crucial. 1431 00:53:04,317 --> 00:53:05,285 - Oh, no. 1432 00:53:05,318 --> 00:53:06,353 - Oh, crucial. 1433 00:53:06,386 --> 00:53:07,854 - Bob Reese! 1434 00:53:07,887 --> 00:53:08,855 - Oh, my goodness. 1435 00:53:08,888 --> 00:53:10,090 He's fighting with it. 1436 00:53:10,123 --> 00:53:12,392 - Just doesn't have the technique here. 1437 00:53:12,425 --> 00:53:14,160 - Oh. 1438 00:53:14,194 --> 00:53:17,831 - Well, he made it interesting to the very end. 1439 00:53:17,864 --> 00:53:20,533 Definitely the most exciting run we've seen all night. 1440 00:53:20,567 --> 00:53:22,469 - Oh, Matt, it's worth seeing again. 1441 00:53:22,502 --> 00:53:24,771 - It's hard to do a front flip, it's 1442 00:53:24,804 --> 00:53:28,942 hard to land inside the chute, but Bob Reese pulled it off. 1443 00:53:28,975 --> 00:53:31,077 - That's going viral. 1444 00:53:31,111 --> 00:53:34,080 - Bob-- man, that was insane. 1445 00:53:34,080 --> 00:53:35,382 - I did it. [chuckles] 1446 00:53:35,415 --> 00:53:36,616 - You did it. 1447 00:53:36,649 --> 00:53:38,084 I mean, that's what you were going for. 1448 00:53:38,084 --> 00:53:39,652 How'd you pull it off this time? 1449 00:53:39,686 --> 00:53:41,121 - I practiced so much. 1450 00:53:41,154 --> 00:53:43,189 I mean, the day before I came out here, 1451 00:53:43,223 --> 00:53:44,357 I practiced in my gym. 1452 00:53:44,391 --> 00:53:45,959 I did 20 in a row. 1453 00:53:45,992 --> 00:53:48,328 I mean, I've been practicing this for three years, 1454 00:53:48,361 --> 00:53:49,696 and to finally achieve it. 1455 00:53:49,729 --> 00:53:52,565 Like, I'm not at all upset that I fell over here. 1456 00:53:52,599 --> 00:53:53,967 Like, that's all I wanted. 1457 00:53:54,000 --> 00:53:55,368 [chuckles] 1458 00:53:55,402 --> 00:53:56,670 - Can't wait to see what you come up with next. 1459 00:53:56,703 --> 00:53:58,171 Thank you so much for being out here tonight. 1460 00:53:58,204 --> 00:53:59,539 - Thank you. - Great work, Bob. 1461 00:53:59,572 --> 00:54:00,874 Guys, back to you. 1462 00:54:00,907 --> 00:54:02,375 - Yes! 1463 00:54:02,409 --> 00:54:05,779 - Coming up, he's the flyboy on the course, 1464 00:54:05,812 --> 00:54:07,714 but he's a mama's boy at heart. 1465 00:54:07,747 --> 00:54:10,350 - At the end of every run, I tell my mom, "I love you." 1466 00:54:10,383 --> 00:54:11,751 - I love you, Mom. 1467 00:54:11,785 --> 00:54:13,353 - I love you, Isaiah. 1468 00:54:13,386 --> 00:54:18,324 - Isaiah Thomas is up next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1469 00:54:24,831 --> 00:54:27,167 - It's been a game of Texas hold 'em for a pair of Ninjas 1470 00:54:27,200 --> 00:54:28,768 in the last few minutes. 1471 00:54:28,802 --> 00:54:30,937 Erick Zamorano was making his first appearance 1472 00:54:30,970 --> 00:54:32,906 at the national finals. 1473 00:54:32,939 --> 00:54:36,276 And The Easy Ninja made Three Ring Circus look easy. 1474 00:54:36,309 --> 00:54:37,610 - Nice! 1475 00:54:37,644 --> 00:54:39,079 - The 19-year-old from McAllen, Texas, 1476 00:54:39,079 --> 00:54:41,548 trains with Ninja veteran Abel Gonzalez. 1477 00:54:41,581 --> 00:54:44,317 But when the college student reached Giant Rollercoaster, 1478 00:54:44,351 --> 00:54:46,119 he didn't know when to hold 'em. 1479 00:54:46,152 --> 00:54:49,389 - Oh, he missed it! 1480 00:54:49,422 --> 00:54:52,926 Oh, the bar slipped right out of his hands. 1481 00:54:52,959 --> 00:54:55,628 - Another Texan, 34-year-old Jonathan Bange, 1482 00:54:55,662 --> 00:54:58,331 AKA The Bangin' Ninja, had things rolling 1483 00:54:58,365 --> 00:55:01,768 on his first try at stage one. 1484 00:55:01,801 --> 00:55:03,670 - All right, get in there! Nice! 1485 00:55:03,703 --> 00:55:05,238 - Well, the life coach had lots of support 1486 00:55:05,271 --> 00:55:06,539 on the sidelines, 1487 00:55:06,573 --> 00:55:09,642 and with his students back in Texas. 1488 00:55:09,676 --> 00:55:12,278 But a slow pace on the first part of the course 1489 00:55:12,312 --> 00:55:14,881 meant he had to go for broke on the back half. 1490 00:55:14,914 --> 00:55:17,784 - OK, Bange! 1491 00:55:17,817 --> 00:55:19,786 Bange has got to go on an all-out sprint! 1492 00:55:19,819 --> 00:55:21,454 He's got a chance! 1493 00:55:21,488 --> 00:55:24,391 - With time ticking away, he gambled on a last-second grab 1494 00:55:24,424 --> 00:55:25,759 at the cargo net. 1495 00:55:25,792 --> 00:55:27,827 - Oh, no. 1496 00:55:27,861 --> 00:55:29,529 - But that may be far enough fast enough 1497 00:55:29,562 --> 00:55:32,599 to stay in the top 24 and move on. 1498 00:55:32,632 --> 00:55:35,268 And of course, he went out with a... 1499 00:55:35,301 --> 00:55:37,337 - Bang! 1500 00:55:37,370 --> 00:55:40,540 - And Bange's buddy, the Big Cat Karsten Williams, 1501 00:55:40,573 --> 00:55:42,609 has just started his run 1502 00:55:42,642 --> 00:55:44,811 coming down the Giant Rollercoaster. 1503 00:55:44,844 --> 00:55:45,812 - Nice. 1504 00:55:45,845 --> 00:55:47,414 - Smooth. 1505 00:55:47,447 --> 00:55:50,383 - And the one constant on the sideline, Mama Linda. 1506 00:55:50,417 --> 00:55:51,885 - Come on, Karst! 1507 00:55:51,918 --> 00:55:53,620 - 6'1", 175. 1508 00:55:53,653 --> 00:55:56,122 But at 42, he's one of our older competitors. 1509 00:55:56,156 --> 00:55:57,123 - Nice. 1510 00:55:57,157 --> 00:55:59,259 Good. 1511 00:55:59,292 --> 00:56:01,461 - And everyone knows Karsten Williams. 1512 00:56:01,494 --> 00:56:03,830 He first started competing 10 years ago. 1513 00:56:03,863 --> 00:56:06,766 Now, he's one of the top coaches in the country. 1514 00:56:06,800 --> 00:56:08,068 - Got some of those kids watching 1515 00:56:08,101 --> 00:56:09,302 back in the Dallas area. 1516 00:56:09,336 --> 00:56:13,039 [cheers and applause] 1517 00:56:13,039 --> 00:56:14,841 - But as good as Karsten Williams is, 1518 00:56:14,874 --> 00:56:17,143 he's not had a lot of luck here in Vegas. 1519 00:56:17,177 --> 00:56:19,512 He's made it to stage one seven times 1520 00:56:19,546 --> 00:56:22,048 but has only gotten past it once. 1521 00:56:22,048 --> 00:56:24,050 - He's had a good pace through this point, 1522 00:56:24,050 --> 00:56:29,389 but we've seen The Gambler eat up a lot of time. 1523 00:56:29,422 --> 00:56:32,192 You can see him fighting the rotation on the chip. 1524 00:56:32,225 --> 00:56:34,060 - Ooh, stay calm. 1525 00:56:34,060 --> 00:56:35,261 That's when you got to have a poker face 1526 00:56:35,295 --> 00:56:36,763 right there when you start struggling. 1527 00:56:36,796 --> 00:56:37,897 - Well, we've seen it. 1528 00:56:37,931 --> 00:56:40,333 This is the difference maker here. 1529 00:56:40,367 --> 00:56:43,703 Getting that craps table out and lining it up. 1530 00:56:43,737 --> 00:56:44,971 - Well, that's great. 1531 00:56:45,071 --> 00:56:47,440 He's doing a great job of using his 175-pound 1532 00:56:47,474 --> 00:56:50,910 weight and momentum to get that crap board moving. 1533 00:56:50,944 --> 00:56:52,479 - Two-stepping. - Nice, nice. 1534 00:56:52,512 --> 00:56:53,780 Ooh! - Got it. 1535 00:56:53,813 --> 00:56:56,449 - Boy, he two-steps like a 42-year-old. 1536 00:56:56,483 --> 00:56:58,985 - That was a big move for the Big Cat. 1537 00:56:59,085 --> 00:57:00,920 Gotta stop the spinning here. 1538 00:57:01,021 --> 00:57:02,822 Wow. 1539 00:57:02,856 --> 00:57:04,057 And you can see him fighting-- - Uh-oh. Uh-oh. 1540 00:57:04,090 --> 00:57:05,859 He is spinning time. He is spinning. 1541 00:57:05,892 --> 00:57:07,193 - Going right round. 1542 00:57:07,227 --> 00:57:08,194 - Time is spinning. 1543 00:57:08,228 --> 00:57:09,362 - Oh, no. 1544 00:57:09,396 --> 00:57:10,363 - He is spinning. 1545 00:57:10,397 --> 00:57:11,364 Time is spinning. 1546 00:57:11,398 --> 00:57:14,100 Let's go! 1547 00:57:14,134 --> 00:57:16,202 Oh-ho-ho! 1548 00:57:16,236 --> 00:57:17,837 - Just got forward. 1549 00:57:17,871 --> 00:57:20,206 - He's a former track athlete, and he's going to have 1550 00:57:20,240 --> 00:57:22,275 to sprint to the finish now. 1551 00:57:22,308 --> 00:57:23,376 - Ooh, he's trying-- 1552 00:57:23,410 --> 00:57:24,511 - He's looking spent, Akbar. 1553 00:57:24,544 --> 00:57:25,679 - He's a little gassed, Matt. 1554 00:57:25,712 --> 00:57:26,780 That will do it to you. 1555 00:57:26,813 --> 00:57:28,081 Six hard obstacles. 1556 00:57:28,114 --> 00:57:30,517 - Come on, you can do it Karst! 1557 00:57:30,550 --> 00:57:32,852 - He can see the clock ticking down in front of him. 1558 00:57:32,886 --> 00:57:35,955 Just lost too much time on The Gambler. 1559 00:57:36,056 --> 00:57:38,191 He's gonna need a miracle to finish now. 1560 00:57:38,224 --> 00:57:39,693 - Nice. Keep going! 1561 00:57:39,726 --> 00:57:40,694 - Oh! 1562 00:57:40,727 --> 00:57:41,695 - Oh, my goodness. 1563 00:57:41,728 --> 00:57:43,897 - Staying alive but got to go. 1564 00:57:43,930 --> 00:57:46,299 - Hah! Hah! 1565 00:57:46,332 --> 00:57:47,567 - The Big Cat! 1566 00:57:47,600 --> 00:57:50,403 The troubles on stage one continue. 1567 00:57:50,437 --> 00:57:52,339 - Oh, the red light's on, Matt. 1568 00:57:52,372 --> 00:57:55,141 You know he's starting to feel the pressure. 1569 00:57:55,175 --> 00:57:56,443 Oh! 1570 00:57:56,476 --> 00:57:58,978 - Well, Akbar, we've seen it a lot tonight. 1571 00:57:59,079 --> 00:58:02,582 Times out on Thread the Needle, but it was The Gambler 1572 00:58:02,615 --> 00:58:05,919 that ended the run for the Big Cat. 1573 00:58:06,019 --> 00:58:07,354 - Good going, Big Cat. 1574 00:58:07,387 --> 00:58:09,022 Good going, Big Cat. 1575 00:58:09,022 --> 00:58:10,857 - The Big Cat made a great leap 1576 00:58:10,890 --> 00:58:12,192 to reach the Ace of Spades, 1577 00:58:12,225 --> 00:58:15,295 but then spent almost 20 seconds spinning around. 1578 00:58:15,328 --> 00:58:18,164 If he had that extra time, he would have 1579 00:58:18,198 --> 00:58:19,532 finished the course. 1580 00:58:19,566 --> 00:58:21,768 - Well, Karsten can now head to the sideline 1581 00:58:21,801 --> 00:58:23,903 and watch one of his prized pupils. 1582 00:58:23,937 --> 00:58:27,574 It's the Fly Boy, 17-year-old Isaiah Thomas. 1583 00:58:27,607 --> 00:58:29,476 He likes to say he's built different. 1584 00:58:29,509 --> 00:58:32,612 He gets that confidence and strength from his mom. 1585 00:58:32,645 --> 00:58:34,114 [upbeat music] 1586 00:58:34,147 --> 00:58:36,349 - I'm excited to come back for my third time to Vegas. 1587 00:58:36,383 --> 00:58:38,852 * * 1588 00:58:40,887 --> 00:58:43,723 - Come on, get up. Keep going. Keep going. Climb up. 1589 00:58:43,757 --> 00:58:45,291 - I wouldn't be here without my mom. 1590 00:58:45,325 --> 00:58:47,761 All the late night drives, all the training, 1591 00:58:47,794 --> 00:58:48,862 it's all because of her. 1592 00:58:48,895 --> 00:58:50,063 - There you go. - Yes. 1593 00:58:50,063 --> 00:58:51,297 - There you go. - Keep going. 1594 00:58:51,331 --> 00:58:53,933 I taught him work ethic from a young age. 1595 00:58:53,967 --> 00:58:57,070 Throw it. Send it! Yeah! 1596 00:58:57,103 --> 00:58:59,072 Because I am a single mother, 1597 00:58:59,072 --> 00:59:01,374 it was important for him to learn young 1598 00:59:01,408 --> 00:59:03,376 how to be independent. 1599 00:59:03,410 --> 00:59:07,514 [screams] That's my baby! 1600 00:59:07,547 --> 00:59:10,350 He definitely is my reason for being. 1601 00:59:10,383 --> 00:59:12,152 He takes care of me every single day. 1602 00:59:12,185 --> 00:59:13,420 He is my purpose. 1603 00:59:13,453 --> 00:59:16,122 - Isaiah gets his first Semis buzzer! 1604 00:59:16,156 --> 00:59:17,657 - Let's go! 1605 00:59:17,691 --> 00:59:20,427 - At the end of every run, I tell my mom I love her, 1606 00:59:20,460 --> 00:59:21,928 just because she's always there for me. 1607 00:59:22,028 --> 00:59:25,065 I love you, Mom! - I love you, Isaiah! 1608 00:59:25,098 --> 00:59:26,666 - I know a lot of people don't have someone that's 1609 00:59:26,700 --> 00:59:29,869 always there for them and I'm just grateful that she is. 1610 00:59:29,903 --> 00:59:32,739 Tonight, I'm gonna hit a buzzer for my mom. 1611 00:59:32,772 --> 00:59:36,710 * * 1612 00:59:36,743 --> 00:59:38,812 - Of course, Mom is on the sideline, 1613 00:59:38,845 --> 00:59:42,048 along with all those other Texas Ninjas he trains with. 1614 00:59:42,048 --> 00:59:45,352 [countdown beeping] 1615 00:59:45,385 --> 00:59:47,220 Fly Boy's made it to the national finals 1616 00:59:47,253 --> 00:59:49,356 all three years he's competed. 1617 00:59:49,389 --> 00:59:51,524 He actually graduated from high school early 1618 00:59:51,558 --> 00:59:55,061 so he'd have more time to train. 1619 00:59:55,095 --> 00:59:57,964 - He's been focused on all Ninja, all day. 1620 00:59:58,064 --> 01:00:00,600 - 6'2", 155, 1621 01:00:00,633 --> 01:00:02,569 had a blazing time in Semifinals 1622 01:00:02,602 --> 01:00:05,071 but then lost the safety pass to Vance Walker 1623 01:00:05,105 --> 01:00:06,539 by a tenth of a second 1624 01:00:06,573 --> 01:00:08,675 so he doesn't have that insurance policy. 1625 01:00:08,708 --> 01:00:11,878 If he falls tonight, he cannot run again. 1626 01:00:11,911 --> 01:00:15,048 We're watching here on the Giant Rollercoaster. 1627 01:00:15,081 --> 01:00:16,850 - You gotta make a good catch right there, 1628 01:00:16,883 --> 01:00:18,885 release, come in tight. 1629 01:00:18,918 --> 01:00:20,220 Nice. 1630 01:00:20,253 --> 01:00:23,123 [cheers and applause] 1631 01:00:23,156 --> 01:00:25,358 - Let's go, let's go! - Pace it! 1632 01:00:25,392 --> 01:00:27,727 - This was the obstacle that took him out last season. 1633 01:00:27,761 --> 01:00:30,930 Ooh, and this is a kid who doesn't dwell on his mistakes. 1634 01:00:30,964 --> 01:00:31,931 - A'ight, get in there! 1635 01:00:31,965 --> 01:00:34,401 - Whoa, oh! - Nice. 1636 01:00:34,434 --> 01:00:37,337 - Made the leap. - OK, good flexibility. 1637 01:00:37,370 --> 01:00:40,140 - The Jumping Spider has taxed a lot of ninjas. 1638 01:00:40,173 --> 01:00:42,275 Just struggling to feel comfortable, 1639 01:00:42,308 --> 01:00:44,044 really get locked in that chute. 1640 01:00:44,077 --> 01:00:46,546 - Matt, have you ever been inside of a Jumping Spider? 1641 01:00:46,579 --> 01:00:47,881 - No. - It is intense. 1642 01:00:47,914 --> 01:00:50,316 It really is a full body workout. 1643 01:00:50,350 --> 01:00:51,718 - This is where his coaches, 1644 01:00:51,751 --> 01:00:53,653 Jonathan Bange and Karsten Williams, 1645 01:00:53,687 --> 01:00:55,455 ran into trouble on the Gambler. 1646 01:00:55,488 --> 01:00:57,624 And you hear his sideline say keep moving. 1647 01:00:57,657 --> 01:01:00,527 - Yeah, nice. - 'Cause this can eat up time. 1648 01:01:00,560 --> 01:01:02,796 So easy to get hung up, 1649 01:01:02,829 --> 01:01:05,432 stuck in the casino, as it were, on the Gambler. 1650 01:01:05,465 --> 01:01:07,200 - Nice! Okay, here we go. 1651 01:01:07,233 --> 01:01:08,702 - [indistinct] 1652 01:01:08,735 --> 01:01:10,837 Yes, sir. One more big one. 1653 01:01:10,870 --> 01:01:12,339 - Nice. - Launch it forward. 1654 01:01:12,372 --> 01:01:14,774 You can see it's real tough to get this fully extended. 1655 01:01:14,808 --> 01:01:15,842 - Nice, nice. 1656 01:01:15,875 --> 01:01:17,877 - 6'2". Nice. 1657 01:01:17,911 --> 01:01:19,245 Walk it out, walk it out! 1658 01:01:19,279 --> 01:01:21,748 Nice! - Well done. 1659 01:01:21,781 --> 01:01:24,984 Fly Boy Ninja is flying through the Gambler. 1660 01:01:25,085 --> 01:01:27,554 - He learned from watching Bange and Karsten. 1661 01:01:27,587 --> 01:01:30,790 - [cheering] - You got it! 1662 01:01:30,824 --> 01:01:33,093 - A minute left for the final three obstacles. 1663 01:01:33,126 --> 01:01:35,195 No problem with the Warped Wall. 1664 01:01:35,228 --> 01:01:37,764 - Yeah, that--and that should be plenty of time here. 1665 01:01:37,797 --> 01:01:39,666 - Go, go, go, get off! - You're fine! 1666 01:01:39,699 --> 01:01:41,201 Breathe, you're fine! 1667 01:01:41,234 --> 01:01:43,236 - Jonathan Bange telling him to breathe. 1668 01:01:43,269 --> 01:01:45,705 Remember, he and Karsten were down to their final seconds 1669 01:01:45,739 --> 01:01:48,942 at this point, but Fly Boy's in good shape. 1670 01:01:48,975 --> 01:01:51,177 Time shouldn't be an issue, 1671 01:01:51,211 --> 01:01:52,679 but a lot of ninjas getting gassed. 1672 01:01:52,712 --> 01:01:54,280 That grip has gotta be taxed. 1673 01:01:54,314 --> 01:01:56,116 - Well, that was a great point to just take 1674 01:01:56,116 --> 01:01:57,684 a little bit of a breather here. 1675 01:01:57,717 --> 01:01:59,352 Get up high. Nice! - Got it! 1676 01:01:59,386 --> 01:02:00,920 - Whoo! 1677 01:02:00,954 --> 01:02:02,956 Man, I'm throwing myself at that cargo net right now. 1678 01:02:03,056 --> 01:02:05,525 I don't want to even chance slipping off that cane. 1679 01:02:05,558 --> 01:02:08,595 - And the Fly Boy Ninja's gonna do it. 1680 01:02:08,628 --> 01:02:11,464 - Yes, he is. - He's flying to Stage 2. 1681 01:02:11,498 --> 01:02:14,467 - That extra work in the gym has paid off. 1682 01:02:14,501 --> 01:02:17,170 He's been training for this in the AMs and the PMs! 1683 01:02:17,203 --> 01:02:18,338 Nice! [buzzer blasts] 1684 01:02:18,371 --> 01:02:20,140 - Let's go! [loud cheers and applause] 1685 01:02:20,173 --> 01:02:22,108 - And he is pumped! 1686 01:02:22,142 --> 01:02:25,412 Fly Boy Ninja's going racing. 1687 01:02:25,445 --> 01:02:29,883 - I'm him! - And he is him! 1688 01:02:29,916 --> 01:02:31,084 - I love you, Mom! 1689 01:02:31,084 --> 01:02:32,085 - [laughs] - Aww. 1690 01:02:32,085 --> 01:02:33,920 - I love you, Isaiah! 1691 01:02:33,953 --> 01:02:35,689 - Yo, man, 1692 01:02:35,722 --> 01:02:39,159 I love when you're on the course you're the Fly Boy 1693 01:02:39,192 --> 01:02:41,561 but then you yell out "I love you, Mom!" 1694 01:02:41,594 --> 01:02:43,596 You turn into mama's boy, man. 1695 01:02:43,630 --> 01:02:46,099 Tell me about that relationship with your mom. 1696 01:02:46,099 --> 01:02:48,268 - I got a hug from my mom before this, 1697 01:02:48,301 --> 01:02:49,836 before I ran the course, and that's all I needed. 1698 01:02:49,869 --> 01:02:50,937 - I like it, man. 1699 01:02:50,970 --> 01:02:52,605 Can't wait to see you on Stage 2. 1700 01:02:52,639 --> 01:02:55,842 - You're going racing, Isaiah! We'll see you there! 1701 01:02:55,875 --> 01:02:58,111 - Let's get it! 1702 01:02:58,111 --> 01:03:00,046 - Wow. 1703 01:03:00,080 --> 01:03:06,353 He's him. That's right, he's him! 1704 01:03:06,386 --> 01:03:07,354 That Mama Boy's gon' be tough to beat on Stage 2. 1705 01:03:07,387 --> 01:03:11,291 [cheers and applause] 1706 01:03:11,324 --> 01:03:13,059 - Coming up, she took down 1707 01:03:13,059 --> 01:03:15,295 the great Jessie Graff to get here. 1708 01:03:15,328 --> 01:03:17,530 - Oh! 1709 01:03:17,564 --> 01:03:18,798 - So good! 1710 01:03:18,832 --> 01:03:21,234 - Now high schooler Jaleesa Himka 1711 01:03:21,267 --> 01:03:23,470 tries to take down Stage 1 1712 01:03:23,503 --> 01:03:27,140 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1713 01:03:31,811 --> 01:03:34,314 - It's opening night of our National Finals in Las Vegas. 1714 01:03:34,347 --> 01:03:37,684 And moments ago, Arkansas high schooler Joseph Rouse 1715 01:03:37,717 --> 01:03:40,687 brought his homemade robot, Chalky, to the start line. 1716 01:03:40,720 --> 01:03:42,722 - OK, look at that! Gimme some skin. 1717 01:03:42,756 --> 01:03:45,191 - The budding engineer had the first four obstacles 1718 01:03:45,225 --> 01:03:46,593 down to a science. 1719 01:03:46,626 --> 01:03:48,261 - They say youth is wasted on the young 1720 01:03:48,294 --> 01:03:49,763 but not for this young fella. 1721 01:03:49,796 --> 01:03:52,165 - But his luck changed when he reached the Gambler 1722 01:03:52,198 --> 01:03:54,901 and his run stalled out on the Roulette Wheel. 1723 01:03:54,934 --> 01:03:56,836 - Not looking good here. He's going in circles. 1724 01:03:56,870 --> 01:03:58,104 He's gotta get up and go. 1725 01:03:58,138 --> 01:03:59,673 - Though he finally made it through, 1726 01:03:59,706 --> 01:04:01,741 he timed out seconds later. 1727 01:04:01,775 --> 01:04:04,511 both: Oh! [timer blares] 1728 01:04:04,544 --> 01:04:07,781 - Georgia's Ethan Bartnicki comes into Vegas on a roll. 1729 01:04:07,814 --> 01:04:10,283 He's already hit two buzzers this season. 1730 01:04:10,316 --> 01:04:11,751 That's coming off last year 1731 01:04:11,785 --> 01:04:15,055 when he made it all the way to Stage 3. 1732 01:04:15,088 --> 01:04:17,457 The 5'4" college student took a tumble 1733 01:04:17,490 --> 01:04:18,458 on the Roulette Wheel. 1734 01:04:18,491 --> 01:04:20,627 - Nice, nice, nice--whoa! 1735 01:04:20,660 --> 01:04:23,063 - But he immediately recovered. 1736 01:04:23,063 --> 01:04:26,866 - Nice. But now he has to sprint and he can't let up. 1737 01:04:26,900 --> 01:04:28,735 - The 18-year-old made quick work of 1738 01:04:28,768 --> 01:04:30,470 the final three obstacles. 1739 01:04:30,503 --> 01:04:32,772 - Get up and over! There we go. 1740 01:04:32,806 --> 01:04:35,575 - And climbed to his third buzzer of the season. 1741 01:04:35,608 --> 01:04:37,243 [cheers and applause] 1742 01:04:37,277 --> 01:04:40,113 - I'm him! I'm the GOAT! 1743 01:04:40,146 --> 01:04:41,948 Let's go! 1744 01:04:41,981 --> 01:04:44,551 - Then another member of the Sweet 15, 1745 01:04:44,584 --> 01:04:47,887 the five 15-year-old women who qualified for Vegas this year, 1746 01:04:47,921 --> 01:04:50,090 took the course. 1747 01:04:50,090 --> 01:04:53,993 It was Bradenton, Florida's Emma Pereyra. 1748 01:04:54,094 --> 01:04:56,429 - Emma Pereyra is not messing around. 1749 01:04:56,463 --> 01:04:58,098 She means business. 1750 01:04:58,131 --> 01:05:00,233 - The high schooler had a smooth ride 1751 01:05:00,266 --> 01:05:02,502 on the Giant Rollercoaster. - Nice. 1752 01:05:02,535 --> 01:05:04,637 - But the rookie's run went off the rails 1753 01:05:04,671 --> 01:05:05,772 on the Jumping Spider. 1754 01:05:05,805 --> 01:05:07,774 - Oh! 1755 01:05:08,708 --> 01:05:11,444 - Up next is another member of the Sweet 15, 1756 01:05:11,478 --> 01:05:14,080 high school student Jaleesa Himka. 1757 01:05:14,114 --> 01:05:16,916 She's running tonight with the very enthusiastic support 1758 01:05:16,950 --> 01:05:19,285 of her mom, who's also an impressive athlete. 1759 01:05:19,319 --> 01:05:21,755 - Let's go! 1760 01:05:21,788 --> 01:05:24,090 You ready to go? - Let's do it. 1761 01:05:24,124 --> 01:05:26,860 I started Ninja when I was six years old 1762 01:05:26,893 --> 01:05:29,429 'cause my mom made Ninja camps for kids. 1763 01:05:29,462 --> 01:05:31,865 - I started doing American Ninja Warrior summer camps 1764 01:05:31,898 --> 01:05:33,633 to pay for my kids to go to college 1765 01:05:33,667 --> 01:05:35,735 and they just loved it. 1766 01:05:35,769 --> 01:05:38,471 Keep those lock offs. Stay in the Ls. 1767 01:05:38,505 --> 01:05:40,940 - Athletic talent definitely runs in our family. 1768 01:05:40,974 --> 01:05:43,743 - Yeah, that's it. Come on, you got this. 1769 01:05:43,777 --> 01:05:45,645 - My mom was an American Gladiator. 1770 01:05:45,679 --> 01:05:47,881 She grew up doing basically every sport. 1771 01:05:47,914 --> 01:05:50,350 - You got this. Pop your hips. Good. 1772 01:05:50,383 --> 01:05:52,085 I'm 53 and she's 15. 1773 01:05:52,085 --> 01:05:55,488 So I always tell her, like, "Don't let me beat you. 1774 01:05:55,522 --> 01:05:58,391 You'd be embarrassed if I beat you." 1775 01:05:58,425 --> 01:06:00,827 - And Himka staying ahead on the Beehive. 1776 01:06:00,860 --> 01:06:03,129 - Yeah! Let's go! 1777 01:06:03,163 --> 01:06:06,366 This is her moment, this is her chance to shine. 1778 01:06:06,399 --> 01:06:08,034 I am so excited. 1779 01:06:08,034 --> 01:06:10,570 - And she does it! [cheers and applause] 1780 01:06:10,603 --> 01:06:13,640 - It would mean the world to me to hit a buzzer on Stage 1 1781 01:06:13,673 --> 01:06:17,677 and looking down to see my mom going crazy would be amazing. 1782 01:06:17,711 --> 01:06:22,549 * * 1783 01:06:22,582 --> 01:06:24,551 - Mom's already hyped up for this run. 1784 01:06:24,584 --> 01:06:27,354 She's leading a big group on the sideline. 1785 01:06:27,387 --> 01:06:29,856 [countdown beeping] 1786 01:06:29,889 --> 01:06:32,759 - It's already been a wild rookie season for Jaleesa. 1787 01:06:32,792 --> 01:06:36,096 She had to win a runoff race just to get to the Semifinals 1788 01:06:36,129 --> 01:06:38,531 and that's where she pulled off a huge upset 1789 01:06:38,565 --> 01:06:41,935 of Ninja great Jessie Graff. 1790 01:06:41,968 --> 01:06:43,937 - How cool is that for her to beat the legend 1791 01:06:43,970 --> 01:06:45,705 that she grew up watching? - Yes! 1792 01:06:45,739 --> 01:06:48,174 Well, make the most of it here, Jaleesa. 1793 01:06:48,208 --> 01:06:49,976 - Nice, grab it. 1794 01:06:50,076 --> 01:06:52,312 That--she looks very calm for her first time! 1795 01:06:52,345 --> 01:06:55,749 - She does and really efficient, Akbar. 1796 01:06:55,782 --> 01:06:57,450 Well, you see the benefits of growing up 1797 01:06:57,484 --> 01:06:59,853 with a mom who's a Ninja coach. 1798 01:06:59,886 --> 01:07:02,722 - Yeah! Come on, come on, come on! 1799 01:07:02,756 --> 01:07:04,290 - Been training in the backyard, 1800 01:07:04,324 --> 01:07:06,626 but nothing like the Giant Rollercoaster 1801 01:07:06,659 --> 01:07:08,228 back in Colorado. 1802 01:07:08,261 --> 01:07:10,897 - It's so hard to anticipate the speed, 1803 01:07:10,930 --> 01:07:12,265 but it's the technique. 1804 01:07:12,298 --> 01:07:14,267 The successful ones come in very tight. 1805 01:07:14,300 --> 01:07:16,369 Bring it in tight! Nice. - I loved it. 1806 01:07:16,403 --> 01:07:18,405 Doing a great job of lagging the hips, 1807 01:07:18,438 --> 01:07:20,507 controlling her flight. 1808 01:07:20,540 --> 01:07:23,043 And she's through three obstacles. 1809 01:07:23,043 --> 01:07:26,112 [cheers and applause] 1810 01:07:26,146 --> 01:07:28,048 - Oh, she's excited about that one. 1811 01:07:28,081 --> 01:07:30,183 5'6", 120, should have plenty of length 1812 01:07:30,216 --> 01:07:33,453 for the Jumping Spider. 1813 01:07:33,486 --> 01:07:34,688 - And it's not just the power, 1814 01:07:34,721 --> 01:07:36,856 it's also the power in the stick! 1815 01:07:36,890 --> 01:07:38,458 Nice! Just like that. - There it is. 1816 01:07:38,491 --> 01:07:39,959 [cheers and applause] 1817 01:07:40,060 --> 01:07:41,695 Well, it's a select group of women 1818 01:07:41,728 --> 01:07:43,830 who've ever gotten past the Jumping Spider, 1819 01:07:43,863 --> 01:07:46,966 and Jaleesa Himka would be the youngest ever to do it. 1820 01:07:47,067 --> 01:07:50,337 Just a 15-year-old high schooler. 1821 01:07:50,370 --> 01:07:51,438 - She's making her way up. 1822 01:07:51,471 --> 01:07:52,706 Uh-oh, a little slippage there. 1823 01:07:52,739 --> 01:07:53,973 She gotta get out of there though. 1824 01:07:54,074 --> 01:07:56,076 - And this really saps that energy. 1825 01:07:56,076 --> 01:07:57,477 While she might get through it 1826 01:07:57,510 --> 01:07:59,879 but what will she have left for the other obstacles? 1827 01:07:59,913 --> 01:08:03,016 - That's really taxing the upper body, the lower body. 1828 01:08:03,049 --> 01:08:04,217 - What a great shot. 1829 01:08:04,250 --> 01:08:06,619 See how high up above the water you are. 1830 01:08:06,653 --> 01:08:09,089 - Ooh, nice. - And she makes it. 1831 01:08:09,122 --> 01:08:12,492 - Yeah! Let's go! Yeah! 1832 01:08:12,525 --> 01:08:15,495 - Mom's excited but Jaleesa needs to pick up the pace 1833 01:08:15,528 --> 01:08:17,931 if she wants to get through more obstacles. 1834 01:08:18,031 --> 01:08:20,166 She's the fourth woman tonight to reach the Gambler, 1835 01:08:20,200 --> 01:08:22,836 but Barclay Stockett is the only one 1836 01:08:22,869 --> 01:08:24,170 who's made it past it. 1837 01:08:24,204 --> 01:08:26,106 - And at this point, a buzzer seems unlikely, 1838 01:08:26,139 --> 01:08:28,041 but it would still be amazing. 1839 01:08:28,041 --> 01:08:30,844 She could be the woman who goes farther than any other. 1840 01:08:30,877 --> 01:08:32,145 Get to that chip! 1841 01:08:32,178 --> 01:08:33,913 - All right, nice. - Big leap. 1842 01:08:33,947 --> 01:08:35,915 - All right, good. Good control. 1843 01:08:35,949 --> 01:08:38,118 - It would be so impressive if she could get through 1844 01:08:38,151 --> 01:08:40,887 this obstacle as a rookie, but gotta get going. 1845 01:08:40,920 --> 01:08:42,255 - Big swing! Big backswing! 1846 01:08:42,288 --> 01:08:44,858 - And just a lot of extra swings here. 1847 01:08:44,891 --> 01:08:47,827 Gets to the Craps Table. Can she slide it forward? 1848 01:08:47,861 --> 01:08:49,963 - Yo, I see you! 1849 01:08:50,063 --> 01:08:52,932 - And this is so challenging and needs so much power. 1850 01:08:52,966 --> 01:08:56,102 - Yeah, 5'6", 120 pounds, she's gotta use that momentum 1851 01:08:56,136 --> 01:08:59,673 to help kinda rock it to the right position. 1852 01:08:59,706 --> 01:09:01,841 Nice. - Well, this is it. 1853 01:09:01,875 --> 01:09:04,678 15 seconds left. Can she make that transfer? 1854 01:09:04,711 --> 01:09:07,013 - Uh-oh, uh-oh. Now we got-- - Clock ticking down. 1855 01:09:07,013 --> 01:09:10,617 Go for it, Jaleesa! Go for it! - Come on, Jaleesa, come on! 1856 01:09:10,650 --> 01:09:13,353 - And this is the no man's land. 1857 01:09:13,386 --> 01:09:15,488 [timer blaring] 1858 01:09:15,522 --> 01:09:17,691 - Oh. - Oh! 1859 01:09:17,724 --> 01:09:19,826 - Well, she comes up short on the Gambler 1860 01:09:19,859 --> 01:09:22,629 but she gave her mom plenty to cheer about. 1861 01:09:22,662 --> 01:09:24,497 - That's okay! That was awesome! 1862 01:09:24,531 --> 01:09:26,032 [cheers and applause] 1863 01:09:26,032 --> 01:09:28,601 - A great debut for Jaleesa Himka. 1864 01:09:29,436 --> 01:09:32,672 Up next is a stay-at-home dad from Pittsburgh, 1865 01:09:32,706 --> 01:09:34,841 27-year-old Barry Boyd. 1866 01:09:34,874 --> 01:09:36,276 - Oh, my goodness. 1867 01:09:36,309 --> 01:09:38,945 - That's baby Jaylynn, Isaiah the two-year-old, 1868 01:09:39,045 --> 01:09:41,548 and Barry's wife Mercedes. 1869 01:09:41,581 --> 01:09:43,450 Barry's been so impressive this season, 1870 01:09:43,483 --> 01:09:47,053 hitting a buzzer in Qualifying and Semifinals as a rookie. 1871 01:09:47,887 --> 01:09:50,623 - And go! Whoa! 1872 01:09:50,657 --> 01:09:52,826 I'm representing for all the young dads out there. 1873 01:09:52,859 --> 01:09:56,096 Being a stay-at-home dad, I get to do everything with my kids. 1874 01:09:56,129 --> 01:09:58,798 It just feels like the fun never stops. 1875 01:09:58,832 --> 01:10:00,000 As soon as we wake up, 1876 01:10:00,033 --> 01:10:01,334 it's just off to the next adventure. 1877 01:10:01,368 --> 01:10:02,569 Cheese! 1878 01:10:02,602 --> 01:10:04,237 When I compete, I get to go out there, 1879 01:10:04,270 --> 01:10:05,939 show off for my kids. 1880 01:10:05,972 --> 01:10:09,409 - Okay, Barry Boyd! - Let's go! 1881 01:10:09,442 --> 01:10:12,645 And they get to watch their dad achieve his goals. 1882 01:10:12,679 --> 01:10:14,414 Isaiah and Jaylynn, 1883 01:10:14,447 --> 01:10:16,883 Daddy's gonna go hit a buzzer for you guys tonight. 1884 01:10:16,916 --> 01:10:19,052 * * 1885 01:10:19,085 --> 01:10:20,487 - Such a great story. 1886 01:10:20,520 --> 01:10:23,089 He and his brother spent five years in foster care, 1887 01:10:23,123 --> 01:10:25,392 but the family's now together. 1888 01:10:25,425 --> 01:10:26,893 That's his mom on the sidelines 1889 01:10:26,926 --> 01:10:28,561 along with his wife and kids. 1890 01:10:28,595 --> 01:10:31,131 [countdown beeping] - Come on, hon. 1891 01:10:31,164 --> 01:10:34,267 - So proud to have those two children watching him. 1892 01:10:34,300 --> 01:10:37,103 - And setting a great example. Come on, Papa! 1893 01:10:37,137 --> 01:10:38,605 - Come on, honey. You got it, you got it. 1894 01:10:38,638 --> 01:10:40,240 - Boy, he's started off great. 1895 01:10:40,273 --> 01:10:43,176 What a rookie campaign. Two buzzers. 1896 01:10:43,209 --> 01:10:46,279 I mean, wasn't even into sports growing up. 1897 01:10:46,312 --> 01:10:49,215 - And right up on Three Ring Circus, get to that ring. 1898 01:10:49,249 --> 01:10:51,751 I like the pace early on here out of Barry Boyd. 1899 01:10:51,785 --> 01:10:55,555 Wow, great job controlling that ring. 1900 01:10:55,588 --> 01:10:57,390 - Okay, here we go, Rollercoaster. 1901 01:10:57,424 --> 01:11:01,594 - 5'7", 155, the Barry Fit Ninja is rollin'. 1902 01:11:01,628 --> 01:11:05,165 - Yeah, the Papa is a rolling ninja! 1903 01:11:05,198 --> 01:11:07,267 Nice! Ooh, bit tight! 1904 01:11:07,300 --> 01:11:08,601 Whoo! I got a little scared right there. 1905 01:11:08,635 --> 01:11:10,370 - He's looking solid. 1906 01:11:10,403 --> 01:11:12,272 - Whoa, what do you think the G-force was on that? 1907 01:11:12,305 --> 01:11:14,808 - The B-2 bomber flying through the course, 1908 01:11:14,841 --> 01:11:16,843 now getting ready for Jumping Spider. 1909 01:11:16,876 --> 01:11:18,878 - Come on, Barry! - 5'7". 1910 01:11:18,912 --> 01:11:20,847 - You can find some of these in the local gyms, 1911 01:11:20,880 --> 01:11:21,981 but this one's the national-- 1912 01:11:22,082 --> 01:11:25,852 - Oh! - Oh, my goodness. 1913 01:11:25,885 --> 01:11:27,821 - And you could see, couldn't get the legs 1914 01:11:27,854 --> 01:11:30,423 locked in simultaneously. 1915 01:11:30,457 --> 01:11:33,593 - First time on the course and he looked confident early, 1916 01:11:33,626 --> 01:11:35,228 but on Jumping Spider, 1917 01:11:35,261 --> 01:11:38,098 just didn't get the legs locked at the same time. 1918 01:11:38,098 --> 01:11:42,302 And his impressive season comes to an end. 1919 01:11:42,335 --> 01:11:43,670 - When we come back, 1920 01:11:43,703 --> 01:11:45,772 Kai Beckstrand's been a blur all season. 1921 01:11:45,805 --> 01:11:48,475 - He better pull over, he's going too fast! 1922 01:11:48,508 --> 01:11:51,878 - He's one of the favorites to win the million dollars. 1923 01:11:51,911 --> 01:11:54,114 - Oh, my goodness! 1924 01:11:54,147 --> 01:11:56,883 - He is coming up next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1925 01:11:56,916 --> 01:12:00,820 * * 1926 01:12:04,524 --> 01:12:05,492 - Four members of the Bergstrom Bunch 1927 01:12:05,525 --> 01:12:06,793 started the season 1928 01:12:06,826 --> 01:12:08,328 and three of them are running tonight: 1929 01:12:08,361 --> 01:12:10,897 David, Ashley, and Caleb. 1930 01:12:10,930 --> 01:12:13,833 Minutes ago, David, better known as Da Cake Ninja, 1931 01:12:13,867 --> 01:12:15,769 had cake at the start 1932 01:12:15,802 --> 01:12:18,238 and waiting for him at the finish. 1933 01:12:18,271 --> 01:12:21,174 - You can see there's a cupcake a the buzzer. 1934 01:12:21,207 --> 01:12:22,809 - David's wife Caitlyn, 1935 01:12:22,842 --> 01:12:25,745 who was eliminated in Semis by her sister-in-law, Ashley, 1936 01:12:25,779 --> 01:12:27,514 was cheering him on from the sideline 1937 01:12:27,547 --> 01:12:30,116 with the rest of the family. - [chanting] We want cake! 1938 01:12:30,150 --> 01:12:32,552 - The 23-year-old had a sweet run going 1939 01:12:32,585 --> 01:12:34,454 on the first half of the course, 1940 01:12:34,487 --> 01:12:37,957 but he found out the Gambler was no cake walk. 1941 01:12:37,991 --> 01:12:41,161 - Oh! 1942 01:12:42,662 --> 01:12:45,732 - Matt, you--you were supposed to wait till he hit the buzzer. 1943 01:12:45,765 --> 01:12:48,101 - Oops. - [chuckles] 1944 01:12:48,101 --> 01:12:50,737 - Then the second Bergstrom of the night, Ashley, 1945 01:12:50,770 --> 01:12:52,238 got her shot. 1946 01:12:52,272 --> 01:12:54,941 She and her husband Caleb are the first married couple 1947 01:12:54,974 --> 01:12:56,476 to compete together in Vegas. 1948 01:12:56,509 --> 01:12:58,278 [cheers and applause] 1949 01:12:58,311 --> 01:13:00,113 - How special is that? 1950 01:13:00,146 --> 01:13:02,415 - Ashley hit a buzzer three years ago, 1951 01:13:02,449 --> 01:13:05,251 but she started slowly on Slide Surfer. 1952 01:13:05,285 --> 01:13:07,721 - Oh, ooh, be careful. 1953 01:13:07,754 --> 01:13:11,157 - And then looked tentative on Three Ring Circus. 1954 01:13:11,191 --> 01:13:13,760 - Nice, go--oh. 1955 01:13:13,793 --> 01:13:16,529 - Well, at least she plugged her nose on the way down. 1956 01:13:16,563 --> 01:13:18,531 That's great awareness. 1957 01:13:18,565 --> 01:13:21,568 - So now there's only one Bergstrom left 1958 01:13:21,601 --> 01:13:23,737 in the competition and that's Caleb, 1959 01:13:23,770 --> 01:13:25,171 who's now starting his run. 1960 01:13:25,205 --> 01:13:27,707 [countdown beeping] 1961 01:13:27,741 --> 01:13:29,809 Caleb has to be coming in with a lot of confidence; 1962 01:13:29,843 --> 01:13:32,512 two buzzers and a Mega Wall. 1963 01:13:32,545 --> 01:13:33,747 - He's got a lot of confidence 1964 01:13:33,780 --> 01:13:35,582 but also knowing that this is probably 1965 01:13:35,615 --> 01:13:38,118 the most intense Stage 1 we've had 1966 01:13:38,151 --> 01:13:39,953 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1967 01:13:39,986 --> 01:13:42,389 - Yeah, this course is playing very tough; 1968 01:13:42,422 --> 01:13:46,860 only had five finishers so far. 1969 01:13:46,893 --> 01:13:48,695 It is completely taxing them, 1970 01:13:48,728 --> 01:13:52,098 testing their cardio levels, their strength, everything, 1971 01:13:52,098 --> 01:13:54,000 but Caleb looking real efficient. 1972 01:13:54,100 --> 01:13:57,103 - Yeah, and strong. 1973 01:13:57,103 --> 01:14:01,341 - Caleb's 23, the youngest of nine Bergstrom siblings. 1974 01:14:01,374 --> 01:14:03,810 This kid, not only is he a coach, 1975 01:14:03,843 --> 01:14:07,480 he's part owner of the Jungle Gym, the Bergstrom family gym. 1976 01:14:07,514 --> 01:14:09,282 - And they put in a lot of work in that gym, 1977 01:14:09,315 --> 01:14:12,185 I'm telling you, you watch the submission videos you see, 1978 01:14:12,218 --> 01:14:15,255 they're putting in work around the clock. 1979 01:14:15,288 --> 01:14:17,090 - Let's go, buddy! - Breathe! 1980 01:14:17,123 --> 01:14:21,761 - Still has a full two minutes on the clock. 1981 01:14:21,795 --> 01:14:24,597 Right into the Gambler. 1982 01:14:24,631 --> 01:14:27,767 Let's see if this Craps Table--such a challenge. 1983 01:14:27,801 --> 01:14:30,537 Get to the end, get it fully extended. 1984 01:14:30,570 --> 01:14:32,472 - Matt, you can see with how efficient 1985 01:14:32,505 --> 01:14:33,940 Caleb's run has been so far, 1986 01:14:33,973 --> 01:14:36,176 you can tell how much work he's been putting in. 1987 01:14:36,209 --> 01:14:38,078 He ain't mess around. - Such power. 1988 01:14:38,078 --> 01:14:41,147 - Nice. - Dances--that's just perfect! 1989 01:14:41,181 --> 01:14:43,316 Caleb Bergstrom! 1990 01:14:43,350 --> 01:14:46,720 A little spun out here on the Ace of Spades, but through. 1991 01:14:46,753 --> 01:14:48,788 - Okay! - Well, he is in position for 1992 01:14:48,822 --> 01:14:51,358 the fastest time of the night, Akbar. 1993 01:14:51,391 --> 01:14:53,827 But keep in mind, back in Season 11, 1994 01:14:53,860 --> 01:14:57,097 it was the seventh obstacle that took him out. 1995 01:14:57,130 --> 01:15:01,134 Then it was the Diving Boards; now the Dipping Birds. 1996 01:15:01,167 --> 01:15:02,402 - Here we go. 1997 01:15:02,435 --> 01:15:04,037 Nice long stride. Open up your gait. 1998 01:15:04,037 --> 01:15:05,572 Nice glide! Nice! 1999 01:15:05,605 --> 01:15:08,074 [cheers and applause] 2000 01:15:08,108 --> 01:15:10,310 - He's got a shot at the fastest time. 2001 01:15:10,343 --> 01:15:12,612 How efficient can he be on Thread The Needle? 2002 01:15:12,645 --> 01:15:14,547 - Well, Matt, he might have a great opportunity 2003 01:15:14,581 --> 01:15:15,715 if he can get this one here. 2004 01:15:15,749 --> 01:15:17,217 - Wow. - Nice. 2005 01:15:17,250 --> 01:15:18,952 One big swing and he's got that [indistinct]. 2006 01:15:19,052 --> 01:15:20,353 High up on the cargo net. 2007 01:15:20,387 --> 01:15:23,523 - Caleb Bergstrom's gonna do it! 2008 01:15:23,556 --> 01:15:25,158 And the faster you finish, 2009 01:15:25,191 --> 01:15:28,962 the better your seed will be when you race on Stage 2! 2010 01:15:29,062 --> 01:15:31,164 - Oh, it's getting so close! 2011 01:15:31,197 --> 01:15:33,533 - Get to that buzzer! [buzzer blares] 2012 01:15:33,566 --> 01:15:35,368 Oh! 2013 01:15:35,402 --> 01:15:38,471 [cheers and applause] - Yeah! 2014 01:15:38,505 --> 01:15:41,174 - The fastest time of the night! 2015 01:15:41,207 --> 01:15:45,145 This course is tough but Caleb Bergstrom made it look easy. 2016 01:15:45,178 --> 01:15:47,514 Showing these other ninjas how it's done 2017 01:15:47,547 --> 01:15:51,251 and we're gonna see him racing on Stage 2. 2018 01:15:51,284 --> 01:15:53,186 But that top time may not last long 2019 01:15:53,219 --> 01:15:55,622 because one of the fastest ninjas up next. 2020 01:15:55,655 --> 01:15:58,091 Zuri, get 'em goin'! 2021 01:15:58,091 --> 01:16:01,594 - Guys, Kai Beckstrand has been on fire this season 2022 01:16:01,628 --> 01:16:03,396 and many ninjas think 2023 01:16:03,430 --> 01:16:06,032 he may be tough to beat this year here in Vegas. 2024 01:16:06,066 --> 01:16:08,902 He had the fastest time in his Semifinals race 2025 01:16:08,935 --> 01:16:11,171 and the fastest time in Qualifying. 2026 01:16:11,204 --> 01:16:15,041 And he's the guy no one wants to race on Stage 2. 2027 01:16:15,075 --> 01:16:17,277 - This kid can move on a Ninja course 2028 01:16:17,310 --> 01:16:19,879 and then just right into the getaway. 2029 01:16:19,913 --> 01:16:23,216 - Kai is the fastest person I have ever seen. 2030 01:16:23,249 --> 01:16:28,188 - Kai Beckstrand with the fastest time of the night! 2031 01:16:28,221 --> 01:16:29,789 - Speed is definitely my strong suit 2032 01:16:29,823 --> 01:16:31,491 and it's also my favorite. 2033 01:16:31,524 --> 01:16:34,294 - We've never seen anyone fly through it like this. 2034 01:16:34,327 --> 01:16:35,595 Are you kidding me? 2035 01:16:35,628 --> 01:16:37,664 - All of us, we're trying to run fast enough 2036 01:16:37,697 --> 01:16:39,332 that we don't have to race Kai. 2037 01:16:39,366 --> 01:16:41,568 - Oh, my goodness! 2038 01:16:41,601 --> 01:16:43,436 - Yeah, I don't wanna race Kai! I'd rather not. 2039 01:16:43,470 --> 01:16:45,805 Let's--let's race somebody not as fast as Kai. 2040 01:16:45,839 --> 01:16:47,941 - Unbelievable! 2041 01:16:47,974 --> 01:16:50,510 - I think a higher seed would definitely help in Stage 2. 2042 01:16:50,543 --> 01:16:53,413 - These guys are the best! 2043 01:16:53,446 --> 01:16:55,248 - Wow! 2044 01:16:55,281 --> 01:16:56,816 - Anything to not race Kai again. 2045 01:16:56,850 --> 01:17:01,254 * * 2046 01:17:01,287 --> 01:17:03,123 [cheers and applause] 2047 01:17:03,156 --> 01:17:05,558 - Kai comes from a big ninja family. 2048 01:17:05,592 --> 01:17:07,027 His siblings compete 2049 01:17:07,060 --> 01:17:10,030 and so does his mom, Harley, and his dad, Brian. 2050 01:17:10,030 --> 01:17:13,433 Two years ago, Brian and Kai were the first father-son duo 2051 01:17:13,466 --> 01:17:15,168 to hit a buzzer in the same night. 2052 01:17:15,201 --> 01:17:17,170 [countdown beeping] 2053 01:17:17,203 --> 01:17:19,305 - We thought Caleb Bergstrom was fast, 2054 01:17:19,339 --> 01:17:22,909 but Kai Beckstrand just has another gear. 2055 01:17:22,942 --> 01:17:24,678 - And he's not just fast; he is strong. 2056 01:17:24,711 --> 01:17:26,046 He's been hitting the weight room. 2057 01:17:26,046 --> 01:17:28,048 He's up to 180 pounds. 2058 01:17:28,048 --> 01:17:30,383 - Matt, look at how much muscle he's put on 2059 01:17:30,417 --> 01:17:32,719 since just last year. My goodness. 2060 01:17:32,752 --> 01:17:34,621 - 180 is on the heavy side for a ninja 2061 01:17:34,654 --> 01:17:36,423 but he carries it so well. 2062 01:17:36,456 --> 01:17:39,459 Feels stronger, well, he is gonna be taxed here 2063 01:17:39,492 --> 01:17:40,894 on this Stage 1 course. 2064 01:17:40,927 --> 01:17:42,328 - Yeah, Matt, I had a chance to see him 2065 01:17:42,362 --> 01:17:45,065 up in the Ninja warm up zone and you could tell 2066 01:17:45,065 --> 01:17:48,068 he had a lot on his mind about this Stage 1. 2067 01:17:48,101 --> 01:17:49,803 - When we met him back on "ANW Junior"-- 2068 01:17:49,836 --> 01:17:52,972 - Ooh! Uh-oh! - Oh, no! 2069 01:17:53,073 --> 01:17:56,476 - That was way too aggressive. 2070 01:17:56,509 --> 01:17:58,511 - We've had surprises all night 2071 01:17:58,545 --> 01:18:00,714 but this has gotta be the biggest. 2072 01:18:00,747 --> 01:18:04,851 Kai Beckstrand, a favorite to win it all, is out. 2073 01:18:04,884 --> 01:18:07,020 - We know he likes to go fast 2074 01:18:07,020 --> 01:18:08,922 but coming off the Rollercoaster, 2075 01:18:09,022 --> 01:18:10,657 he didn't stop to regroup. 2076 01:18:10,690 --> 01:18:12,459 He went right into the chute 2077 01:18:12,492 --> 01:18:15,195 and his right foot landed well before his left 2078 01:18:15,228 --> 01:18:17,063 and he couldn't stay up. 2079 01:18:17,097 --> 01:18:18,932 [water splashing] 2080 01:18:20,667 --> 01:18:23,436 - Kai can't believe it. Neither can his family. 2081 01:18:23,470 --> 01:18:26,172 He was one of the favorites to win it all, 2082 01:18:26,206 --> 01:18:31,411 but his season is done. 2083 01:18:31,444 --> 01:18:35,749 Coming up, it could be another milestone for Joe Moravsky 2084 01:18:35,782 --> 01:18:39,386 as the Weatherman goes for his 30th career buzzer 2085 01:18:39,419 --> 01:18:42,455 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 2086 01:18:42,489 --> 01:18:43,857 * * 2087 01:18:47,727 --> 01:18:48,895 - The first night of the National Finals in Vegas 2088 01:18:48,928 --> 01:18:51,064 has been a thrill ride. 2089 01:18:51,064 --> 01:18:53,566 Minutes ago, Rhode Island's Luke Dillon gave us 2090 01:18:53,600 --> 01:18:55,268 a nail-biting run. 2091 01:18:55,301 --> 01:18:58,138 - That's how you do it! Okay, Dillon! 2092 01:18:58,171 --> 01:19:00,140 - Dillon's hit two buzzers this season, 2093 01:19:00,173 --> 01:19:02,909 and with his girlfriend Avery Glantz cheering him on, 2094 01:19:03,009 --> 01:19:05,145 he made it to the final obstacles 2095 01:19:05,178 --> 01:19:06,680 but was running out of time. 2096 01:19:06,713 --> 01:19:08,815 - He's gotta go. [indistinct], baby! 2097 01:19:08,848 --> 01:19:11,351 - Like a few others tonight with time running out, 2098 01:19:11,384 --> 01:19:14,921 he had to make a last minute leap to the cargo net. 2099 01:19:15,021 --> 01:19:19,192 - Oh, my goodness. Come on, come on! 2100 01:19:19,225 --> 01:19:20,694 - And he was able to reach the buzzer 2101 01:19:20,727 --> 01:19:23,730 with just over three seconds to spare. 2102 01:19:23,763 --> 01:19:25,732 - [screams] 2103 01:19:25,765 --> 01:19:29,636 - He's our seventh finisher of the night. 2104 01:19:29,669 --> 01:19:32,372 So now there's only one more runner left 2105 01:19:32,405 --> 01:19:33,873 and he's a crowd favorite. 2106 01:19:33,907 --> 01:19:35,675 Zuri, get 'em started. 2107 01:19:35,709 --> 01:19:38,044 - Guys, Joe Moravsky has more buzzers 2108 01:19:38,078 --> 01:19:40,046 than any ninja in history, 2109 01:19:40,046 --> 01:19:42,048 and he's planning on adding four more 2110 01:19:42,082 --> 01:19:44,117 here in Vegas this year. 2111 01:19:44,150 --> 01:19:46,052 He may now be a 34-year-old 2112 01:19:46,052 --> 01:19:48,054 and juggling three kids at home, 2113 01:19:48,054 --> 01:19:51,057 but he's still a favorite to win the million dollars. 2114 01:19:51,091 --> 01:19:53,893 He's got a record 29 total buzzers, 2115 01:19:53,927 --> 01:19:56,930 and this will be his record tying 10th time 2116 01:19:56,963 --> 01:19:59,165 at the National Finals. 2117 01:19:59,199 --> 01:20:01,201 - His little ones are back in Connecticut, 2118 01:20:01,234 --> 01:20:03,269 but his wife, Stephanie, is on the sidelines 2119 01:20:03,303 --> 01:20:05,872 with other family and friends. 2120 01:20:08,742 --> 01:20:10,577 With those three kids at home, Joe doesn't 2121 01:20:10,610 --> 01:20:13,613 get to train as much as other elite ninjas, 2122 01:20:13,646 --> 01:20:16,616 and he shockingly hasn't hit a buzzer yet this year. 2123 01:20:16,649 --> 01:20:17,584 - You're right. 2124 01:20:17,617 --> 01:20:19,452 That's not like Joe Moravsky. 2125 01:20:19,486 --> 01:20:21,855 And you know, he's carrying that chip on his shoulder. 2126 01:20:21,888 --> 01:20:24,391 This is a dude that gets a little angry 2127 01:20:24,424 --> 01:20:26,126 when he doesn't get a buzzer. 2128 01:20:26,159 --> 01:20:28,661 - He starts every season with one goal-- 2129 01:20:28,695 --> 01:20:31,398 to win the million dollars over on stage four. 2130 01:20:31,431 --> 01:20:33,533 - He's been the last Ninja standing multiple 2131 01:20:33,566 --> 01:20:35,001 times-- has come close. 2132 01:20:35,035 --> 01:20:36,836 Thought last year could be his year, 2133 01:20:36,870 --> 01:20:40,106 but didn't get to compete in Vegas, so he's hungry. 2134 01:20:40,140 --> 01:20:44,077 [cheers and applause] 2135 01:20:44,110 --> 01:20:46,079 - Joe had to watch five competitors 2136 01:20:46,112 --> 01:20:47,847 climb stage four last year. 2137 01:20:47,881 --> 01:20:50,884 He wants a shot at climbing that rope. 2138 01:20:50,917 --> 01:20:53,653 He actually has an 80-foot rope in his backyard 2139 01:20:53,687 --> 01:20:54,921 to practice on. 2140 01:20:54,954 --> 01:20:56,556 - So many people believe that he's 2141 01:20:56,589 --> 01:20:58,892 going to be the next American Ninja Warrior. 2142 01:20:58,925 --> 01:21:00,393 He's got the skills. 2143 01:21:00,427 --> 01:21:01,494 He just has to put it all together. 2144 01:21:01,528 --> 01:21:05,065 [cheers and applause] 2145 01:21:05,065 --> 01:21:07,067 - A buzzer tonight would be his 30th-- 2146 01:21:07,100 --> 01:21:09,636 quite a milestone, but The Gambler has 2147 01:21:09,669 --> 01:21:11,338 been a roadblock all night. 2148 01:21:11,371 --> 01:21:15,942 And Joe's being very careful here at the start. 2149 01:21:15,975 --> 01:21:18,078 - And it says it right there on his shirt, don't quit-- 2150 01:21:18,078 --> 01:21:19,612 do it. 2151 01:21:19,646 --> 01:21:21,715 - Well, you christened him the dadbod Ninja. 2152 01:21:21,748 --> 01:21:23,817 He's added muscle to that frame. 2153 01:21:23,850 --> 01:21:25,685 Feels he's stronger than ever. 2154 01:21:25,719 --> 01:21:26,953 - And you can tell. You can see it. 2155 01:21:26,986 --> 01:21:28,788 It pays off. Nice. 2156 01:21:28,822 --> 01:21:29,723 - Great. 2157 01:21:29,756 --> 01:21:30,990 You see those vise grips? 2158 01:21:31,091 --> 01:21:32,659 It's like he just went out there and grabbed it. 2159 01:21:32,692 --> 01:21:33,793 My goodness. 2160 01:21:33,827 --> 01:21:35,628 - And Moravsky in excellent position. 2161 01:21:35,662 --> 01:21:38,398 [cheers and applause] 2162 01:21:38,431 --> 01:21:40,367 - Come on, you got it. 2163 01:21:40,400 --> 01:21:41,901 - Get it, get it! Go, go, go. 2164 01:21:41,935 --> 01:21:43,103 - He's got a lot of time. 2165 01:21:43,136 --> 01:21:44,904 And the one thing-- we're not seeing 2166 01:21:44,938 --> 01:21:46,940 Joe Moravsky huffing and puffing like we've 2167 01:21:46,973 --> 01:21:48,475 seen some of the other ninjas. 2168 01:21:48,508 --> 01:21:49,676 - Heads to the final two obstacles. 2169 01:21:49,709 --> 01:21:52,846 And he knows there's a seeding for stage two. 2170 01:21:52,879 --> 01:21:56,016 The faster you go, the slower opponent you will face. 2171 01:21:56,116 --> 01:21:57,017 - Come on! 2172 01:21:57,117 --> 01:21:58,952 - Let's go! 2173 01:21:58,985 --> 01:22:02,055 - At 34 years old, he's double the age 2174 01:22:02,055 --> 01:22:03,723 of a lot of these Ninjas. 2175 01:22:03,757 --> 01:22:05,592 He wants the crowd to cheer me on. 2176 01:22:05,625 --> 01:22:06,559 - Yeah, he says cheer me on. 2177 01:22:06,593 --> 01:22:07,927 I need some hype. 2178 01:22:07,961 --> 01:22:10,063 - And he goes right in to Thread the Needle. 2179 01:22:10,096 --> 01:22:11,698 - Well, he loves his skill-- feels confident 2180 01:22:11,731 --> 01:22:13,066 with a cane in his hand. 2181 01:22:13,066 --> 01:22:15,769 - Oh, boy-- what, are you calling him old? 2182 01:22:15,802 --> 01:22:17,604 Matt, you just called him old with a cane in his hand. 2183 01:22:17,637 --> 01:22:19,506 - [chuckling] - And look at him! 2184 01:22:19,539 --> 01:22:21,775 He's about to get a good time. 2185 01:22:21,808 --> 01:22:24,811 - The Weatherman is going to do it once again. 2186 01:22:24,844 --> 01:22:27,580 He's moving on to stage two. 2187 01:22:27,614 --> 01:22:30,083 - There you go; there you go. 2188 01:22:30,083 --> 01:22:31,885 - What a moment for Joe Moravsky 2189 01:22:31,918 --> 01:22:34,354 to get his first buzzer of the season 2190 01:22:34,387 --> 01:22:36,823 and the 30th of his career. 2191 01:22:36,856 --> 01:22:41,127 [cheers and applause] 2192 01:22:41,161 --> 01:22:43,630 - Whoo! 2193 01:22:43,663 --> 01:22:47,467 - Holding up a 3 and a 0 for 30 buzzers-- 2194 01:22:47,500 --> 01:22:49,569 more than any other Ninja. 2195 01:22:49,602 --> 01:22:52,572 Well, Joe Moravsky, you continue to make 2196 01:22:52,605 --> 01:22:56,543 history-- your 30th buzzer. 2197 01:22:56,576 --> 01:22:58,745 - It's just so sweet to be back here. 2198 01:22:58,778 --> 01:23:01,047 Two years older, but still able to keep 2199 01:23:01,081 --> 01:23:02,582 up with these young guys. 2200 01:23:02,615 --> 01:23:03,783 I heard you, Akbar, while I was running. 2201 01:23:03,817 --> 01:23:05,051 - Oh, hey-- look here, man. 2202 01:23:05,051 --> 01:23:07,387 Look, did you feel any older holding that cane? 2203 01:23:07,420 --> 01:23:08,922 - I'm going to tell you right now, 2204 01:23:08,955 --> 01:23:10,457 that's the only way you're going to see me using the cane. 2205 01:23:10,490 --> 01:23:12,525 [laughter] 2206 01:23:12,559 --> 01:23:15,061 - Are you ready to go racing on stage two 2207 01:23:15,095 --> 01:23:16,730 and show them you still got it? 2208 01:23:16,763 --> 01:23:18,598 - You better believe it! - All right! 2209 01:23:18,631 --> 01:23:19,566 - Whoo! 2210 01:23:19,599 --> 01:23:21,434 - OK, man. 2211 01:23:21,468 --> 01:23:24,070 - So that wraps up our first night on stage one, 2212 01:23:24,104 --> 01:23:27,073 and Caleb Bergstrom sits atop the leaderboard. 2213 01:23:27,073 --> 01:23:29,743 He's followed by four teenagers. 2214 01:23:29,776 --> 01:23:32,445 And there amongst all the young competitors 2215 01:23:32,479 --> 01:23:34,748 is 34-year-old Joe Moravsky. 2216 01:23:34,781 --> 01:23:37,817 Tonight's eight finishers are guaranteed to move on, 2217 01:23:37,851 --> 01:23:40,854 but the rest will have to wait and see what happens next week 2218 01:23:40,887 --> 01:23:43,990 when the other half of our finalists take on this course. 2219 01:23:44,090 --> 01:23:47,761 When everyone has run the course, then only the top 24 2220 01:23:47,794 --> 01:23:51,297 will advance and race on stage two. 2221 01:23:51,331 --> 01:23:52,799 - We'll see the rest of the field on this course 2222 01:23:52,832 --> 01:23:54,367 next week. 2223 01:23:54,401 --> 01:23:57,103 - And in two weeks, we're going racing on stage two. 2224 01:23:57,137 --> 01:23:57,971 I can't wait for that. 2225 01:23:58,004 --> 01:23:59,439 - Me either, big man. 2226 01:23:59,472 --> 01:24:01,074 From Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall-- 2227 01:24:01,107 --> 01:24:03,410 I'm Matt Iseman-- we'll see you next time 2228 01:24:03,443 --> 01:24:06,046 on "American Ninja Warrior."