1 00:00:03,003 --> 00:00:04,971 [bright tones] 2 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:08,975 [dramatic music] 3 00:00:09,009 --> 00:00:10,877 - We're on a roll in Las Vegas, 4 00:00:10,910 --> 00:00:12,746 and with a million dollars on the line, 5 00:00:12,779 --> 00:00:14,781 we're gonna let it ride on night two 6 00:00:14,814 --> 00:00:18,351 of the National Finals of "American Ninja Warrior." 7 00:00:18,385 --> 00:00:19,786 Hello, and thanks for joining us. 8 00:00:19,819 --> 00:00:20,787 I'm Matt Iseman. 9 00:00:20,820 --> 00:00:22,322 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 10 00:00:22,355 --> 00:00:24,791 Matt, there's a different energy this year. 11 00:00:24,824 --> 00:00:28,261 For the first time, our ninjas who reached stage two 12 00:00:28,294 --> 00:00:30,397 will race each other, and that's 13 00:00:30,430 --> 00:00:31,765 added some real pressure. 14 00:00:31,798 --> 00:00:34,267 - Absolutely, big man, but to get to stage two, 15 00:00:34,300 --> 00:00:36,670 they first must survive stage one. 16 00:00:36,703 --> 00:00:39,005 Now some ninjas got their shot last week, 17 00:00:39,039 --> 00:00:41,474 and we'll see the rest of our finalists tonight. 18 00:00:41,508 --> 00:00:43,977 For a look at the course, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 19 00:00:44,010 --> 00:00:45,712 - Hey, guys, yeah, the first group 20 00:00:45,745 --> 00:00:48,081 of ninjas to hit stage one definitely gave us 21 00:00:48,114 --> 00:00:50,283 some thrills and spills. 22 00:00:50,316 --> 00:00:53,219 There were falls all over the course on night one. 23 00:00:53,253 --> 00:00:56,656 - Sandy Zimmerman misses! 24 00:00:56,690 --> 00:00:58,458 - Oh, my goodness! 25 00:00:58,491 --> 00:01:00,293 * * 26 00:01:00,326 --> 00:01:02,262 - Kai Beckstrand is out. 27 00:01:02,295 --> 00:01:04,798 - But the new number five obstacle, the Gambler, 28 00:01:04,831 --> 00:01:07,400 was especially tough, eating up time... 29 00:01:07,434 --> 00:01:08,835 - He's fumbling on roulette. 30 00:01:08,868 --> 00:01:10,470 - And taking out ninjas. 31 00:01:10,503 --> 00:01:12,706 - Oh! 32 00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:14,774 - The final obstacle, Thread the Needle, 33 00:01:14,808 --> 00:01:16,676 also ended many runs. 34 00:01:16,710 --> 00:01:18,978 - Jody Avila comes up short. 35 00:01:19,079 --> 00:01:20,313 - What happened? 36 00:01:20,347 --> 00:01:22,716 - Eight ninjas hit the buzzer last week. 37 00:01:22,749 --> 00:01:25,552 Remember, the top 24 from stage one, 38 00:01:25,585 --> 00:01:28,688 those who finish or go the farthest the fastest, 39 00:01:28,722 --> 00:01:31,291 move on to race on stage two. 40 00:01:31,324 --> 00:01:33,493 It's going to be wild, guys. 41 00:01:33,526 --> 00:01:36,730 - We saw a lot of top ninjas face stage one last week. 42 00:01:36,763 --> 00:01:39,733 - But we've got even more big names coming up tonight. 43 00:01:39,766 --> 00:01:42,869 - Like Daniel Gil, who's looking to get back 44 00:01:42,902 --> 00:01:46,172 to stage four to climb for $1 million. 45 00:01:46,206 --> 00:01:49,709 Along with three ninjas who made it there last year. 46 00:01:49,743 --> 00:01:52,712 Florida's RJ Roman, New Jersey teenager, 47 00:01:52,746 --> 00:01:56,182 Josiah Pippel, and the defending last ninja 48 00:01:56,216 --> 00:01:58,551 standing, Kaden Lebsack. 49 00:01:58,585 --> 00:02:01,054 Plus, teen phenom, Taylor Greene, 50 00:02:01,087 --> 00:02:03,156 will try to become the fourth woman 51 00:02:03,189 --> 00:02:05,525 ever to finish stage one. 52 00:02:05,558 --> 00:02:07,894 - Yes! 53 00:02:07,927 --> 00:02:11,598 - This crowd is fired up, ready for night 54 00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:13,299 two of the National Finals. 55 00:02:13,333 --> 00:02:15,201 And we're kicking it off with the first half 56 00:02:15,235 --> 00:02:17,337 of a history making duo. 57 00:02:17,370 --> 00:02:20,807 This is Iowa's 41-year-old Scott Behrends. 58 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,343 He's part of the first ever father and son 59 00:02:23,376 --> 00:02:25,311 to qualify for the National finals, 60 00:02:25,345 --> 00:02:27,714 along with his son Ben. 61 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:29,249 - Are you guys sore? I am. 62 00:02:29,282 --> 00:02:31,384 - Yeah. - I'm so sore from yesterday. 63 00:02:31,418 --> 00:02:32,952 My hands hurt. - Morning, guys. 64 00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:34,254 - Oh, hi, Dad. 65 00:02:34,287 --> 00:02:35,655 - It's pretty crazy being the first 66 00:02:35,689 --> 00:02:38,091 father-son duo ever to Vegas. 67 00:02:38,091 --> 00:02:40,794 - Scott Behrends has done it! 68 00:02:40,827 --> 00:02:42,228 - My hands are also sore, by the way. 69 00:02:42,262 --> 00:02:43,697 I hear you talking. 70 00:02:43,730 --> 00:02:46,266 I mean, we get to compete as a family together. 71 00:02:46,299 --> 00:02:47,334 It's amazing. 72 00:02:47,367 --> 00:02:48,601 - You guys are making history. 73 00:02:48,635 --> 00:02:50,770 The first father-son duo to make it 74 00:02:50,804 --> 00:02:52,639 to the National Finals. 75 00:02:52,672 --> 00:02:54,607 Congratulations, y'all. 76 00:02:54,641 --> 00:02:56,309 * * 77 00:02:56,343 --> 00:02:57,544 - Yeah, that's it! 78 00:02:57,577 --> 00:02:59,546 - I'm so proud to be here with my dad. 79 00:02:59,579 --> 00:03:01,047 He started it all. 80 00:03:01,081 --> 00:03:04,050 You know, all my training has really come from him. 81 00:03:04,084 --> 00:03:06,586 So it just means so much for him to be here with me. 82 00:03:06,619 --> 00:03:09,255 - Do it. [laughter] 83 00:03:09,289 --> 00:03:11,291 Count it, count it! - Count it, I got it. 84 00:03:11,324 --> 00:03:16,096 - Ninja is so much bigger than fitness to us. 85 00:03:16,129 --> 00:03:19,399 It's family, it's community, and it's a healthy lifestyle. 86 00:03:19,432 --> 00:03:22,068 Like, it's a win all around. 87 00:03:22,102 --> 00:03:25,972 But being able to actually enjoy a hobby with my son, 88 00:03:26,072 --> 00:03:27,474 that's my favorite part. 89 00:03:27,507 --> 00:03:30,477 [soft music] 90 00:03:30,510 --> 00:03:31,678 * * 91 00:03:31,711 --> 00:03:33,346 - Let's go! - Come on, Dad! 92 00:03:33,380 --> 00:03:34,914 - Ben will run later. 93 00:03:34,948 --> 00:03:37,584 He's known as the Hype Guy. and you can see why. 94 00:03:37,617 --> 00:03:40,220 He's leading that big Iowa group on the sideline. 95 00:03:40,253 --> 00:03:42,155 - Don't forget his sister, Lia. 96 00:03:42,188 --> 00:03:44,190 She gets really passionate too. 97 00:03:44,224 --> 00:03:45,759 - Go, Dad! - Come on, Dad! 98 00:03:45,792 --> 00:03:46,893 Come on! 99 00:03:46,926 --> 00:03:48,528 [countdown clock beeping] 100 00:03:48,561 --> 00:03:51,865 - 2 minute 50 second time limit on stage one. 101 00:03:51,898 --> 00:03:53,767 Behrends gets through Slide Surfer, 102 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:55,835 heads up to Three Ring Circus. 103 00:03:55,869 --> 00:03:58,838 Got to swing up and make a blind grab. 104 00:03:58,872 --> 00:04:02,075 [cheers and applause] 105 00:04:02,108 --> 00:04:03,777 Just like that. 106 00:04:05,145 --> 00:04:09,249 Gotta slide this ring down for the dismount. 107 00:04:09,282 --> 00:04:12,819 Well, this stage one course proving to be just 108 00:04:12,852 --> 00:04:15,188 a speed and endurance test. 109 00:04:15,221 --> 00:04:16,656 - Oh, boy, got to get off. 110 00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:18,058 Trying to get a clean dismount, 111 00:04:18,058 --> 00:04:19,325 but he's eating up time. 112 00:04:19,359 --> 00:04:22,495 - Just any inefficiencies are so costly. 113 00:04:22,529 --> 00:04:25,231 - Come on, Dad! 114 00:04:25,265 --> 00:04:27,667 Gets ready for the ride on the Giant Roller Coaster. 115 00:04:27,701 --> 00:04:30,236 There's his hype man, Ben. 116 00:04:30,270 --> 00:04:32,072 - What an emotional hype man. 117 00:04:32,105 --> 00:04:33,506 - I love his energy. 118 00:04:33,540 --> 00:04:34,974 - Whoa, OK! 119 00:04:35,075 --> 00:04:36,443 - You know he wants to hit a buzzer, 120 00:04:36,476 --> 00:04:39,479 but also wants to set an example for his son. 121 00:04:39,512 --> 00:04:42,382 [cheers and applause] 122 00:04:42,415 --> 00:04:43,616 - Go! 123 00:04:43,650 --> 00:04:46,186 - Now has to get those 41-year-old legs 124 00:04:46,219 --> 00:04:47,487 into the Jumping Spider. 125 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,089 - When you're competing with your son, 126 00:04:49,122 --> 00:04:51,224 there's some extra motivation there. 127 00:04:51,257 --> 00:04:53,193 You want to show him you still got it. 128 00:04:53,226 --> 00:04:54,627 Oh, oh, he still got it. 129 00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:57,097 Oh, he can do the splits at 41. 130 00:04:57,097 --> 00:04:58,765 - And he's smiling. 131 00:04:58,798 --> 00:05:00,900 Scott Behrends, such a positive guy. 132 00:05:00,934 --> 00:05:03,269 He's become the patriarch for that growing 133 00:05:03,303 --> 00:05:05,805 Ninja community in Iowa. 134 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,908 And he's gets through Jumping Spider. 135 00:05:08,942 --> 00:05:10,677 - Come on! - Gotta move, Scott! 136 00:05:10,710 --> 00:05:12,278 - Let's go, Dad! 137 00:05:12,312 --> 00:05:14,047 - But now it's the Gambler. 138 00:05:14,047 --> 00:05:17,050 We saw a lot of Ninjas struggle here last week. 139 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:20,387 Starts with a grab of the poker chip. 140 00:05:20,420 --> 00:05:21,888 Got to get to the craps table. 141 00:05:21,921 --> 00:05:22,889 - Matt, if I'm a betting man... 142 00:05:22,922 --> 00:05:24,190 - Oh, no. 143 00:05:24,224 --> 00:05:26,659 - Ooh, oh, he's getting dizzy, Matt. 144 00:05:26,693 --> 00:05:28,428 - He's already spinning before he 145 00:05:28,461 --> 00:05:29,963 even hit the Roulette Table. 146 00:05:30,063 --> 00:05:31,431 - He's got to get that core tight, 147 00:05:31,464 --> 00:05:33,266 get that core tight, nice and tight. 148 00:05:33,299 --> 00:05:34,834 Oh! 149 00:05:34,868 --> 00:05:36,569 [air horn blares] 150 00:05:37,671 --> 00:05:40,807 - Well, he gave it a good run, but Papa Behrends goes 151 00:05:40,840 --> 00:05:43,276 out on the fifth obstacle. 152 00:05:43,309 --> 00:05:44,678 - Good job, Dad! 153 00:05:44,711 --> 00:05:47,747 [all cheering] 154 00:05:48,481 --> 00:05:50,483 - That bar almost went off the track 155 00:05:50,517 --> 00:05:54,087 on the Giant Roller Coaster, but he managed to hang on. 156 00:05:54,087 --> 00:05:57,190 Then on the Gambler, he just missed the grab 157 00:05:57,223 --> 00:06:01,361 going to the craps table, not bad for a 41-year-old dad. 158 00:06:01,394 --> 00:06:03,263 [cheering] 159 00:06:03,296 --> 00:06:05,665 - Hey, I made it to Vegas with my son. 160 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:07,033 I've already won. 161 00:06:07,067 --> 00:06:10,136 - And we'll see Ben run a bit later. 162 00:06:10,170 --> 00:06:13,039 Up next is another history maker, 163 00:06:13,039 --> 00:06:15,475 it's Taylor Johnson, the shortest person 164 00:06:15,508 --> 00:06:17,577 ever at the National Finals. 165 00:06:17,610 --> 00:06:19,479 - Let's go! 166 00:06:19,512 --> 00:06:20,914 Whoo! 167 00:06:20,947 --> 00:06:23,283 - That's her signature Let's Go scream. 168 00:06:23,316 --> 00:06:25,418 Everyone knows her as Teej. 169 00:06:25,452 --> 00:06:28,254 And she is getting this crowd hyped up. 170 00:06:28,288 --> 00:06:32,659 No one has bigger energy than this 4'11" dynamo. 171 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:37,430 - Being 4'11", people have always underestimated me. 172 00:06:37,464 --> 00:06:40,567 [dramatic music] 173 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,235 I think it's really cool that I'm 174 00:06:42,268 --> 00:06:43,636 the shortest person to ever make 175 00:06:43,670 --> 00:06:45,772 it to the National Finals. 176 00:06:45,805 --> 00:06:47,640 - Hey! - Nice. 177 00:06:47,674 --> 00:06:49,342 - It has taken a lot to get here. 178 00:06:49,376 --> 00:06:53,146 - Wow, good power out of Teej. 179 00:06:53,179 --> 00:06:56,082 These are going to be some big laches at 4'11". 180 00:06:56,082 --> 00:06:57,384 Oh, my gosh. 181 00:06:57,417 --> 00:07:00,020 - But these obstacles are huge. 182 00:07:00,020 --> 00:07:01,287 - Oh! 183 00:07:01,321 --> 00:07:03,123 - I definitely need to approach obstacles 184 00:07:03,156 --> 00:07:04,524 a little bit differently. 185 00:07:04,557 --> 00:07:07,627 I need to be more powerful and be able 186 00:07:07,660 --> 00:07:11,231 to make bigger moves than other people. 187 00:07:11,264 --> 00:07:14,668 But I have every intention of coming up big tonight. 188 00:07:14,701 --> 00:07:19,039 * * 189 00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:20,507 - Everyone loves Teej. 190 00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:22,575 She's got a big group on the sidelines, 191 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,812 including her mom and dad with a picture of her dog. 192 00:07:25,845 --> 00:07:28,882 * * 193 00:07:28,915 --> 00:07:31,151 She needs big strides on this first obstacle. 194 00:07:31,184 --> 00:07:33,820 Matt, everything's a little harder when you're 4'11". 195 00:07:33,853 --> 00:07:35,555 - And she's not only the shortest 196 00:07:35,588 --> 00:07:39,492 athlete tonight, also the lightest at just 100 pounds. 197 00:07:39,526 --> 00:07:41,461 - She is having the best season 198 00:07:41,494 --> 00:07:44,064 of her five-year career. 199 00:07:44,064 --> 00:07:46,866 First time at Vegas. Real smooth right there. 200 00:07:46,900 --> 00:07:48,201 - Nice, I'm liking it. 201 00:07:48,234 --> 00:07:50,337 - Won her runoff race in Qualifying 202 00:07:50,370 --> 00:07:51,771 and her race in Semis. 203 00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:53,540 She's not afraid to go fast. 204 00:07:53,573 --> 00:07:54,908 - No, she's not. 205 00:07:54,941 --> 00:07:57,577 She's making these first two obstacles look easy. 206 00:07:57,610 --> 00:08:00,647 [cheers and applause] 207 00:08:02,649 --> 00:08:04,117 - Here we go, 4'11". 208 00:08:04,150 --> 00:08:05,652 I love how she wears it on her back. 209 00:08:05,685 --> 00:08:08,488 She owns it. She knows what's up. 210 00:08:10,490 --> 00:08:14,127 - They talk about letting the bar take you on the ride. 211 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:15,929 And she lands it. 212 00:08:16,029 --> 00:08:20,233 - And Teej is going to get through Giant Roller Coaster. 213 00:08:22,602 --> 00:08:25,105 - But at 4'11", she's going to need to be near 214 00:08:25,138 --> 00:08:27,207 perfect on the Jumping Spider. 215 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:28,475 - Yeah, Matt, she's going to have 216 00:08:28,508 --> 00:08:30,076 to do the Jean-Claude Van Damme 217 00:08:30,110 --> 00:08:31,578 inside of the Jumping Spider. 218 00:08:31,611 --> 00:08:34,347 - Absolutely, it's a 4-foot gap between the walls. 219 00:08:34,381 --> 00:08:36,116 She's going to have to do the splits. 220 00:08:36,149 --> 00:08:38,485 No one under 5-feet has ever done it. 221 00:08:38,518 --> 00:08:40,286 - Come on, banana split, split, split! 222 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,288 Oh, she's down! 223 00:08:42,322 --> 00:08:43,890 Oh! 224 00:08:43,923 --> 00:08:47,560 - And the Jumping Spider takes out Teej. 225 00:08:47,594 --> 00:08:49,596 - Good job, Taylor! We love you! 226 00:08:49,629 --> 00:08:52,499 - We love you! - I had it for a second! 227 00:08:52,532 --> 00:08:54,434 Ah! 228 00:08:54,467 --> 00:08:57,404 - At 4'11", she needed every inch. 229 00:08:57,437 --> 00:08:59,606 And look at the extension with her legs. 230 00:08:59,639 --> 00:09:02,375 She did the Van Damme splits and landed it, 231 00:09:02,409 --> 00:09:04,911 but just couldn't stay up. 232 00:09:06,813 --> 00:09:10,717 - Still, what a season it's been for Taylor Johnson. 233 00:09:10,750 --> 00:09:12,652 - We love you, Tay! 234 00:09:12,686 --> 00:09:15,655 - Tonight, it's high stakes in Vegas 235 00:09:15,689 --> 00:09:19,693 as our top Ninjas take stage one for a spin. 236 00:09:19,726 --> 00:09:22,896 Najee Richardson is battling medical issues for what 237 00:09:22,929 --> 00:09:24,931 could be his final run. 238 00:09:25,031 --> 00:09:27,033 - I was not letting an asthma attack 239 00:09:27,067 --> 00:09:28,768 keep me from coming back. 240 00:09:28,802 --> 00:09:31,571 - While teen sensation, Taylor Greene, 241 00:09:31,604 --> 00:09:33,807 is hoping to make history. 242 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:35,308 - I'm absolutely ready to become 243 00:09:35,342 --> 00:09:38,078 the youngest woman to ever hit a stage one buzzer. 244 00:09:38,111 --> 00:09:42,115 - And Houston's Daniel Gil is ready for another shot 245 00:09:42,148 --> 00:09:44,050 at the stage four Rope Climb. 246 00:09:44,050 --> 00:09:46,586 - I want my rematch against Mount Midoriyama. 247 00:09:46,619 --> 00:09:49,356 - One thing's for sure, in two weeks, 248 00:09:49,389 --> 00:09:52,792 someone's hitting the jackpot for $1 million 249 00:09:52,826 --> 00:09:57,731 on the National Finals of "American Ninja Warrior." 250 00:10:04,270 --> 00:10:05,572 - Welcome back to Vegas, where a couple 251 00:10:05,605 --> 00:10:08,008 of Ninja artists brought the tools of their trade 252 00:10:08,041 --> 00:10:09,976 to the start line minutes ago. 253 00:10:10,010 --> 00:10:12,979 Speed metal drummer Jonathan Godbout 254 00:10:13,013 --> 00:10:15,715 showed he was ready to rock and roll on this course. 255 00:10:15,749 --> 00:10:17,851 - And he wants to show up and show out. 256 00:10:17,884 --> 00:10:20,387 - The 18-year-old from Massachusetts hit buzzers 257 00:10:20,420 --> 00:10:22,389 in Qualifying and Semifinals 258 00:10:22,422 --> 00:10:24,424 and had good tempo at the start... 259 00:10:24,457 --> 00:10:25,792 - Whoo! 260 00:10:25,825 --> 00:10:27,761 - Until he reached the Jumping Spider. 261 00:10:27,794 --> 00:10:29,262 - No! 262 00:10:29,295 --> 00:10:33,033 Wow, Matt, he hit the wrong beat on that one. 263 00:10:33,066 --> 00:10:36,503 - Then Houston ice sculptor Grant Kiningham revved up 264 00:10:36,536 --> 00:10:38,138 the crowd with his chainsaw. 265 00:10:38,171 --> 00:10:39,639 - Oh, that's scary. 266 00:10:39,673 --> 00:10:42,275 - With his mentor Daniel Gil and his very worried mom 267 00:10:42,308 --> 00:10:44,511 cheering him on, the 20-year-old rookie 268 00:10:44,544 --> 00:10:46,279 tried to carve up the course. 269 00:10:46,312 --> 00:10:48,682 - That's your spot. Nice. 270 00:10:48,715 --> 00:10:50,817 - He got into trouble on the Gambler, 271 00:10:50,850 --> 00:10:52,352 but was able to get out of it. 272 00:10:52,385 --> 00:10:54,054 - All right, he's just got to get straight up and go. 273 00:10:54,087 --> 00:10:56,056 Straight up. Nice. 274 00:10:56,089 --> 00:10:58,324 - But with time ticking away and down 275 00:10:58,358 --> 00:11:01,428 to less than 30 seconds, he had to rush his start 276 00:11:01,461 --> 00:11:02,696 on Thread the Needle. 277 00:11:02,729 --> 00:11:04,497 - Oh! 278 00:11:04,531 --> 00:11:07,534 - He came in hot and pulled the cane right off the hook. 279 00:11:07,567 --> 00:11:08,802 - That hurts. 280 00:11:08,835 --> 00:11:10,904 - Man, that was fun. 281 00:11:10,937 --> 00:11:14,374 - Kiningham's friend and housemate, the Kingdom Ninja, 282 00:11:14,407 --> 00:11:15,375 is up next. 283 00:11:15,408 --> 00:11:16,776 Zuri's gonna get him going. 284 00:11:16,810 --> 00:11:19,079 - Guys, he is one of the best ever. 285 00:11:19,112 --> 00:11:21,848 And Daniel Gil especially loves stage one. 286 00:11:21,881 --> 00:11:24,284 In fact, he's never fallen on it. 287 00:11:24,317 --> 00:11:27,087 He's been perfect on stage one and has 288 00:11:27,087 --> 00:11:29,556 made it as far as stage four in Vegas, 289 00:11:29,589 --> 00:11:31,791 with 22 career buzzers. 290 00:11:31,825 --> 00:11:35,128 - Daniel's a worship leader in the Houston area 291 00:11:35,161 --> 00:11:37,364 and saying prayers for him down on the sideline 292 00:11:37,397 --> 00:11:39,666 are his wife, Abby, and his mom, Kim, 293 00:11:39,699 --> 00:11:42,569 along with a big group of friends. 294 00:11:42,602 --> 00:11:45,405 [countdown clock beeping] 295 00:11:45,438 --> 00:11:47,374 Well, he is thrilled to be back in Vegas. 296 00:11:47,407 --> 00:11:50,810 Last time he was here, he was climbing for $1 million 297 00:11:50,844 --> 00:11:52,579 on stage four. 298 00:11:52,612 --> 00:11:54,647 Has a real chance to win it all. 299 00:11:54,681 --> 00:11:56,750 And Gil goes fast. 300 00:11:56,783 --> 00:11:59,019 - Yes, he does. Real fast too. 301 00:11:59,119 --> 00:12:02,055 Oh, we heard Zuri talk about it just in his intro. 302 00:12:02,088 --> 00:12:04,190 He's never fallen on stage one. 303 00:12:04,224 --> 00:12:07,193 - I feel like you and Zuri are both jinxing him, big man. 304 00:12:07,227 --> 00:12:08,828 - No, we just know the consistency 305 00:12:08,862 --> 00:12:10,296 that Daniel Gil brings. 306 00:12:10,330 --> 00:12:13,066 You talk about one of the best Ninjas ever, 307 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:14,501 that's Daniel Gil. 308 00:12:14,534 --> 00:12:18,104 - Looking just dialed in here, just an effortless pace. 309 00:12:18,138 --> 00:12:22,075 - Boy, this dude's as dialed in as his hair and his curls. 310 00:12:22,108 --> 00:12:24,277 [cheering] 311 00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:28,248 - The Jumping Spider can take out even the best Ninjas, 312 00:12:28,281 --> 00:12:31,084 but Daniel Gil sticks it. 313 00:12:32,619 --> 00:12:34,220 - Yeah, trying to get his traction there. 314 00:12:34,254 --> 00:12:36,923 Nice. - Really moving through it. 315 00:12:36,956 --> 00:12:38,958 Always makes it look so effortless. 316 00:12:38,992 --> 00:12:40,560 And he's through. 317 00:12:42,295 --> 00:12:45,098 Let's see how the Kingdom Ninja does on the Gambler. 318 00:12:45,131 --> 00:12:47,801 - Well, Matt, you know, he's a churchgoing fella, Matt. 319 00:12:47,834 --> 00:12:51,137 He doesn't spend a lot of time gambling. 320 00:12:51,171 --> 00:12:52,672 - Well, when you're as good as him, 321 00:12:52,706 --> 00:12:55,508 I don't know if it's gambling. 322 00:12:55,542 --> 00:12:57,344 Getting a little spun around. 323 00:12:57,377 --> 00:12:59,512 Oh-ho-ho, nice move! 324 00:12:59,546 --> 00:13:00,780 - Oh, boy. 325 00:13:00,814 --> 00:13:03,516 - That was a confident move, big man. 326 00:13:03,550 --> 00:13:05,752 - Get up! 327 00:13:05,785 --> 00:13:07,921 - Now, he's got it lined up. 328 00:13:07,954 --> 00:13:09,856 Tapped on the Roulette Wheel right onto the Ace of Spades. 329 00:13:09,889 --> 00:13:11,324 - Get out of there. 330 00:13:11,358 --> 00:13:12,592 Now, here's a guy-- there's a Ninja that doesn't 331 00:13:12,625 --> 00:13:15,261 want to spend any time gambling. 332 00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:17,964 - But a couple spins there, 333 00:13:18,064 --> 00:13:20,767 spending more time on this than he wanted. 334 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:22,168 - Nice. 335 00:13:22,202 --> 00:13:24,504 - Now keep in mind, where you finish affects 336 00:13:24,537 --> 00:13:26,172 your stage two seating. 337 00:13:26,206 --> 00:13:29,342 The faster you go, the slower your competitor will be. 338 00:13:29,376 --> 00:13:31,378 - Well, Matt, and the one thing about Daniel Gil, 339 00:13:31,411 --> 00:13:34,280 he doesn't necessarily have to worry about the competition 340 00:13:34,314 --> 00:13:36,616 because this dude can go fast, especially 341 00:13:36,649 --> 00:13:38,318 in a side by side race. 342 00:13:38,351 --> 00:13:40,720 - Always solid on balance obstacles. 343 00:13:40,754 --> 00:13:44,090 Should have no problem on Dipping Birds. 344 00:13:44,090 --> 00:13:46,526 - Boy, he's got some great traction here. 345 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,995 Nice. Whoo-hoo-hoo! 346 00:13:49,095 --> 00:13:51,097 - A little stumble. 347 00:13:51,097 --> 00:13:52,766 - All right, now he's just got to go, Matt. 348 00:13:52,799 --> 00:13:54,267 He's just got to do it. 349 00:13:54,300 --> 00:13:56,970 - Just avoid a mistake here. 350 00:13:57,003 --> 00:14:00,206 Good pace, won't have the fastest time, 351 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:05,211 but it looks like Gil will remain perfect on stage one. 352 00:14:05,245 --> 00:14:08,281 - That boy's got some air on that one. 353 00:14:09,115 --> 00:14:11,751 - Daniel Gil continues to show why he's 354 00:14:11,785 --> 00:14:14,087 considered one of the best. 355 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:15,555 [cheers and applause] 356 00:14:15,588 --> 00:14:18,558 [upbeat music] 357 00:14:18,591 --> 00:14:23,229 * * 358 00:14:23,263 --> 00:14:26,833 Our first finisher tonight showing how it's done. 359 00:14:26,866 --> 00:14:30,804 * * 360 00:14:30,837 --> 00:14:34,107 - Man, Daniel, how do you do it, man? 361 00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:37,610 - A lot of hard work, lot of training, perseverance, 362 00:14:37,644 --> 00:14:39,546 and a lot of grace and favor. 363 00:14:39,579 --> 00:14:41,314 - Amen. Amen. 364 00:14:41,348 --> 00:14:44,084 - Daniel, it's got to feel good to be back in Vegas. 365 00:14:44,084 --> 00:14:46,720 You know what's happening. You're going to stage two. 366 00:14:46,753 --> 00:14:48,388 - Let's go! 367 00:14:48,421 --> 00:14:50,090 - Let's go! 368 00:14:50,090 --> 00:14:51,858 * * 369 00:14:51,891 --> 00:14:53,093 - Coming up, 370 00:14:53,093 --> 00:14:55,862 it may look like a typical teen romance, 371 00:14:55,895 --> 00:14:58,565 but Addy Herman and Noah Meunier are ready 372 00:14:58,598 --> 00:15:01,334 to be Ninja's next power couple. 373 00:15:01,368 --> 00:15:05,238 They're coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 374 00:15:05,271 --> 00:15:07,440 * * 375 00:15:11,378 --> 00:15:12,879 - It was family time while we were away, 376 00:15:12,912 --> 00:15:16,349 as a couple of new dads took their shot at stage one. 377 00:15:16,383 --> 00:15:18,385 Florida plumber Vinnie Castranova 378 00:15:18,418 --> 00:15:20,253 had his fiancée and young daughter 379 00:15:20,286 --> 00:15:23,590 watching, as he did a gender reveal for a second child. 380 00:15:23,623 --> 00:15:25,892 - Uh-oh, which one is it, Matt? 381 00:15:25,925 --> 00:15:27,927 - Oh, it's going to be a girl! 382 00:15:30,463 --> 00:15:32,932 - Vinnie Castranova got to dig deep. 383 00:15:32,966 --> 00:15:35,301 - The 25-year-old was making his first 384 00:15:35,335 --> 00:15:37,137 trip to the National Finals. 385 00:15:37,170 --> 00:15:39,806 And though he had it flowing on the Giant Roller Coaster... 386 00:15:39,839 --> 00:15:41,074 - Nice! 387 00:15:41,074 --> 00:15:43,143 - He got flushed by the Jumping Spider. 388 00:15:43,176 --> 00:15:44,911 - Oh! 389 00:15:44,944 --> 00:15:46,379 And he just missed it. 390 00:15:46,413 --> 00:15:48,615 - Love you, baby! 391 00:15:48,648 --> 00:15:51,985 - Pro wakeboarder Austin Hair is another girl dad, 392 00:15:52,085 --> 00:15:55,722 and he had the ladies in his life cheering from Orlando. 393 00:15:55,755 --> 00:15:57,657 [cheering] 394 00:15:57,691 --> 00:16:00,393 It was also his first trip to the National Finals. 395 00:16:00,427 --> 00:16:01,661 - Nice. 396 00:16:01,695 --> 00:16:03,530 - And he was cruising along until he 397 00:16:03,563 --> 00:16:06,166 had trouble with traction on the Jumping Spider. 398 00:16:06,199 --> 00:16:08,435 - He's got to get out of the Jumping Spider. 399 00:16:08,468 --> 00:16:10,437 [upbeat music] 400 00:16:10,470 --> 00:16:13,807 - That ate up time and energy, and he was too 401 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:15,775 pumped out for the Gambler. 402 00:16:15,809 --> 00:16:17,844 - Oh, he just ran out of gas. 403 00:16:17,877 --> 00:16:20,046 - It's OK, babe! - It's OK! 404 00:16:20,046 --> 00:16:21,348 - Whoo! 405 00:16:21,381 --> 00:16:24,284 - Our next competitor is the Papal Ninja, 406 00:16:24,317 --> 00:16:26,853 Catholic Church worker Sean Bryan. 407 00:16:26,886 --> 00:16:29,222 He's going to say a little prayer before his run 408 00:16:29,255 --> 00:16:32,625 because stage one has been a mixed blessing. 409 00:16:32,659 --> 00:16:35,261 Sean has had plenty of success in Vegas, 410 00:16:35,295 --> 00:16:38,298 reaching stage three twice in his career. 411 00:16:38,331 --> 00:16:41,601 He is the first to hit the buzzer. 412 00:16:41,634 --> 00:16:45,105 But the Papal Ninja has had his struggles on stage one, 413 00:16:45,138 --> 00:16:47,707 including an injury on the Jumping Spider. 414 00:16:47,741 --> 00:16:49,275 - Oh, is he OK? 415 00:16:49,309 --> 00:16:50,677 He's holding that shoulder. 416 00:16:50,710 --> 00:16:52,746 - Oh, that shoulder is injured. 417 00:16:52,779 --> 00:16:55,382 And an early exit last year. 418 00:16:55,415 --> 00:16:57,317 - Holy Spirit, activate. 419 00:16:57,350 --> 00:17:00,520 - Oh, no! - No, no, no, no, no! 420 00:17:00,553 --> 00:17:03,056 - Thought he was going to levitate. 421 00:17:03,089 --> 00:17:05,258 - On stage one last year, I didn't perform as I wanted to, 422 00:17:05,291 --> 00:17:07,027 but being back in the National Finals, 423 00:17:07,027 --> 00:17:08,528 I feel the best I ever have in my whole career. 424 00:17:08,561 --> 00:17:10,263 I feel stronger and more confident. 425 00:17:10,296 --> 00:17:12,298 I think I'm prepared for this. 426 00:17:12,332 --> 00:17:14,067 [dramatic music] 427 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:17,037 - Sean Bryan's always got one of the most colorful 428 00:17:17,037 --> 00:17:20,740 cheering sections, including his priest and his parents, 429 00:17:20,774 --> 00:17:23,243 who brought along the family dog, Leah. 430 00:17:23,276 --> 00:17:26,046 [countdown clock beeping] 431 00:17:26,046 --> 00:17:28,214 Sean Bryan is one of the very best. 432 00:17:28,248 --> 00:17:30,316 In eight seasons, he has never failed 433 00:17:30,350 --> 00:17:33,053 to hit a qualifying buzzer, but he hasn't had 434 00:17:33,086 --> 00:17:34,921 that consistency on stage one. 435 00:17:34,954 --> 00:17:37,157 Here's his chance for revenge on the obstacle 436 00:17:37,190 --> 00:17:38,258 that took him out last season. 437 00:17:38,291 --> 00:17:39,592 - Yep, he's got it. 438 00:17:39,626 --> 00:17:42,128 He's not going back down on this obstacle again. 439 00:17:42,162 --> 00:17:43,563 I can tell you about that. 440 00:17:43,596 --> 00:17:45,799 Eight-time veteran, he means business. 441 00:17:45,832 --> 00:17:48,068 - Sean Bryan has so much skill. 442 00:17:48,068 --> 00:17:50,537 He was a top college athlete at Cal Berkeley, 443 00:17:50,570 --> 00:17:53,940 and despite pushing 40, still had the fastest time 444 00:17:53,973 --> 00:17:55,542 in his qualifying group. 445 00:17:55,575 --> 00:17:59,479 - You can tell, he's got a nice, aggressive pace going. 446 00:17:59,512 --> 00:18:02,549 He wants to get ahead here on the first four obstacles. 447 00:18:02,582 --> 00:18:05,018 That's a great plan. 448 00:18:05,051 --> 00:18:08,722 - And through Giant Roller Coaster, no problem. 449 00:18:08,755 --> 00:18:11,624 But this is another obstacle he has a history with, 450 00:18:11,658 --> 00:18:14,260 the Jumping Spider. 451 00:18:14,294 --> 00:18:16,529 Oh, got a good jump. 452 00:18:16,563 --> 00:18:19,065 He just got his pilot's license recently. 453 00:18:19,099 --> 00:18:21,334 Flies his plane above the Bay Area, 454 00:18:21,368 --> 00:18:23,436 but not exactly flying now. 455 00:18:23,470 --> 00:18:25,638 But taking a methodical slow approach 456 00:18:25,672 --> 00:18:27,140 here on Jumping Spider. 457 00:18:27,173 --> 00:18:28,708 - Well, he's got liftoff now. 458 00:18:28,742 --> 00:18:30,210 Now he's just got to land this baby. 459 00:18:30,243 --> 00:18:31,678 Nice. 460 00:18:31,711 --> 00:18:33,747 - Now the dangerous obstacle, the Gambler. 461 00:18:33,780 --> 00:18:35,548 And that's got Mom worried. 462 00:18:35,582 --> 00:18:38,218 That dog looks a little worried too. 463 00:18:38,251 --> 00:18:41,888 This new obstacle has ended a lot of seasons already. 464 00:18:41,921 --> 00:18:44,657 - I'm praying for him right now, going through the Casino, 465 00:18:44,691 --> 00:18:46,059 the Gambler. 466 00:18:46,059 --> 00:18:47,594 He's looking at that like, what is this? 467 00:18:47,627 --> 00:18:49,429 That's a poker chip. 468 00:18:49,462 --> 00:18:51,798 - So key to be efficient on this obstacle. 469 00:18:51,831 --> 00:18:54,067 It can eat up time and energy. 470 00:18:54,067 --> 00:18:56,603 Looking smooth, get to the end of the craps table. 471 00:18:56,636 --> 00:18:58,972 - Yeah, he's got to make his way down to the front edge. 472 00:18:59,072 --> 00:19:01,241 Nice. - Get it locked in. 473 00:19:01,274 --> 00:19:03,376 - That's great positioning. - This is the big move. 474 00:19:03,410 --> 00:19:06,479 It can make or break you on stage one. 475 00:19:08,415 --> 00:19:12,018 - Oh! - Oh, my goodness! 476 00:19:12,018 --> 00:19:15,021 And the Gambler gets Sean Bryan. 477 00:19:15,055 --> 00:19:17,891 Another surprising early exit for him. 478 00:19:17,924 --> 00:19:21,094 Sean just didn't get a good leap off the Roulette Wheel. 479 00:19:21,127 --> 00:19:24,030 He was trying to wrap his hands around the playing card, 480 00:19:24,030 --> 00:19:25,565 but couldn't hang on. 481 00:19:25,598 --> 00:19:27,033 That was a shock. 482 00:19:27,033 --> 00:19:31,271 - I can't believe it, and neither can Leah. 483 00:19:31,304 --> 00:19:34,040 - Well, our next competitor made it farther than any woman 484 00:19:34,074 --> 00:19:36,042 on stage one last year. 485 00:19:36,042 --> 00:19:38,511 This is 17-year-old Addy Herman. 486 00:19:38,545 --> 00:19:40,714 She's one of our top female competitors, 487 00:19:40,747 --> 00:19:43,049 and she's coming into Vegas this year along with 488 00:19:43,049 --> 00:19:46,152 her boyfriend, Noah Meunier. 489 00:19:46,186 --> 00:19:48,488 - Uh... [laughter] 490 00:19:48,521 --> 00:19:50,557 - This is so pink. - Your nose is frosting. 491 00:19:50,590 --> 00:19:52,225 - The first time that we actually met 492 00:19:52,258 --> 00:19:53,760 was at the Ninja gym. 493 00:19:53,793 --> 00:19:56,129 - Let's go, Addy! You got it. 494 00:19:56,162 --> 00:19:57,864 We both have the same values, and he's 495 00:19:57,897 --> 00:19:59,499 also just a super fun person. 496 00:19:59,532 --> 00:20:02,502 [upbeat music] 497 00:20:02,535 --> 00:20:03,937 * * 498 00:20:03,970 --> 00:20:06,773 - Even on days where she's down or days where I'm down, 499 00:20:06,806 --> 00:20:08,742 she's always giving it her fullest. 500 00:20:08,775 --> 00:20:10,844 Nice, yeah! 501 00:20:10,877 --> 00:20:13,079 - I tell Noah when he's slacking on a workout. 502 00:20:13,113 --> 00:20:14,247 - I'll just, like, cheer you on. 503 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:16,349 - No, you have to do it too. 504 00:20:16,383 --> 00:20:18,651 Noah helps me with technique. 505 00:20:18,685 --> 00:20:20,887 - Fast, fast, fast, fast, fast. 506 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:22,989 * * 507 00:20:23,023 --> 00:20:25,325 - This is so good, mm-mm-mm. 508 00:20:25,358 --> 00:20:27,060 You want some? - Oh, yeah. 509 00:20:27,093 --> 00:20:29,129 That's a big bite. 510 00:20:29,162 --> 00:20:30,764 - It's really a win-win situation. 511 00:20:30,797 --> 00:20:34,267 And we both help each other grow as athletes and people 512 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:35,602 more than anything else. 513 00:20:35,635 --> 00:20:38,371 All right, time to go work this off in training. 514 00:20:38,405 --> 00:20:39,906 - Sounds good to me. 515 00:20:39,939 --> 00:20:41,641 [laughter] 516 00:20:42,609 --> 00:20:44,010 Power, power! 517 00:20:44,044 --> 00:20:45,912 - She's been working a lot on the Warped Wall. 518 00:20:45,945 --> 00:20:48,148 And I feel like it's all coming together. 519 00:20:48,181 --> 00:20:50,617 Good job. - Whoo! 520 00:20:50,650 --> 00:20:54,521 - One thing is missing, and that's the buzzer. 521 00:20:54,554 --> 00:20:56,790 I know I can do it this time. 522 00:20:56,823 --> 00:20:58,725 * * 523 00:20:58,758 --> 00:21:01,194 - Yeah! [all cheering] 524 00:21:01,227 --> 00:21:03,863 - Noah's there behind Addy's mom, as well as 525 00:21:03,897 --> 00:21:05,365 her dad and training partners. 526 00:21:05,398 --> 00:21:07,534 Noah will be running next. 527 00:21:07,567 --> 00:21:08,635 - Let's go, let's go! 528 00:21:08,668 --> 00:21:12,172 [countdown clock beeping] 529 00:21:12,205 --> 00:21:15,275 Addy started this season by finishing as the runner-up 530 00:21:15,308 --> 00:21:17,744 in our Women's Championship, and followed that up 531 00:21:17,777 --> 00:21:19,579 with a strong run in Qualifying. 532 00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:21,848 And then won her race in Semifinals. 533 00:21:21,881 --> 00:21:23,783 - She's been putting in the work in the lab. 534 00:21:23,817 --> 00:21:27,120 When she's on the course, she turns into Herman Munster. 535 00:21:27,153 --> 00:21:29,823 She's got to be a monster on this stage one course. 536 00:21:29,856 --> 00:21:31,591 - She's been training especially 537 00:21:31,624 --> 00:21:33,226 hard on the Warped Wall. 538 00:21:33,259 --> 00:21:35,862 That's what doomed her stage one run last year. 539 00:21:35,895 --> 00:21:38,365 It took her multiple attempts to get past it. 540 00:21:38,398 --> 00:21:41,101 And you could see, Akbar, not even breathing heavily. 541 00:21:41,101 --> 00:21:44,337 An efficient approach, but keeping a good pace. 542 00:21:44,371 --> 00:21:45,739 Switch grip. - Nice. 543 00:21:45,772 --> 00:21:47,841 Come on, nice. - Locked in. 544 00:21:47,874 --> 00:21:50,010 That was some smooth technique there 545 00:21:50,110 --> 00:21:51,411 on the Giant Roller Coaster. 546 00:21:51,444 --> 00:21:52,912 - Matt, she's not just locked in physically, 547 00:21:52,946 --> 00:21:54,481 she's locked in mentally. 548 00:21:54,514 --> 00:21:56,950 - Now the Jumping Spider. - All right, let's go, Addy. 549 00:21:56,983 --> 00:21:58,251 - She saw her friend Taylor Johnson 550 00:21:58,284 --> 00:22:00,420 almost make history here minutes ago. 551 00:22:00,453 --> 00:22:03,757 - Nice. - And Addy sticks it. 552 00:22:03,790 --> 00:22:07,360 Addy's 5'4", and she's really moving. 553 00:22:07,394 --> 00:22:09,329 Put in hours of training this year. 554 00:22:09,362 --> 00:22:10,797 And it is showing. 555 00:22:10,830 --> 00:22:12,499 - Yeah, it's her relentless pursuit for excellence. 556 00:22:12,532 --> 00:22:14,901 That's what she wants. That's why she's out here. 557 00:22:14,934 --> 00:22:16,736 - Well, how will this 17-year-old 558 00:22:16,770 --> 00:22:18,505 handle the Gambler? 559 00:22:18,538 --> 00:22:22,308 And I like it, getting right out to that poker chip. 560 00:22:22,342 --> 00:22:26,246 Akbar, she is looking totally in control. 561 00:22:26,279 --> 00:22:27,681 - Oh, uh-oh, she thought about it. 562 00:22:27,714 --> 00:22:29,249 Now turning around. 563 00:22:29,282 --> 00:22:30,884 - Well, needed that extra spin, and that's 564 00:22:30,917 --> 00:22:33,920 been the first small misstep, but great correction. 565 00:22:33,953 --> 00:22:36,356 [cheers and applause] 566 00:22:36,389 --> 00:22:38,091 Let's see the power. 567 00:22:38,124 --> 00:22:40,260 Got to get this craps table extended. 568 00:22:40,293 --> 00:22:42,095 - She's just got to get towards the edge. 569 00:22:42,095 --> 00:22:45,098 Use that momentum to shift it. 570 00:22:45,098 --> 00:22:47,100 Nice. One more big shift. 571 00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:48,702 Oh, she's good. 572 00:22:48,735 --> 00:22:51,104 - Well, no woman has yet been able to make a clean leap 573 00:22:51,104 --> 00:22:52,739 across to the playing card. 574 00:22:52,772 --> 00:22:54,307 Here we go. 575 00:22:54,341 --> 00:22:56,109 - Move it, move it, move it. 576 00:22:56,109 --> 00:22:58,178 - Get it, nice! - OK, OK, Addy Herman! 577 00:22:58,211 --> 00:23:01,181 - Under a minute left, she's got a chance to finish, 578 00:23:01,214 --> 00:23:02,382 but will have to hurry. 579 00:23:02,415 --> 00:23:04,417 Barclay Stockett is the only other woman 580 00:23:04,451 --> 00:23:07,887 to get past the Gambler, but now it's the Warped Wall. 581 00:23:07,921 --> 00:23:10,123 And this is where she struggled last year. 582 00:23:10,156 --> 00:23:12,392 Needed multiple attempts to get past it. 583 00:23:12,425 --> 00:23:14,127 Gotta get it on the first attempt 584 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:15,462 if she wants to finish. 585 00:23:15,495 --> 00:23:17,230 - You got it. You got it. 586 00:23:17,263 --> 00:23:19,165 Ooh, oh! 587 00:23:19,199 --> 00:23:21,935 - Power, power! 588 00:23:21,968 --> 00:23:24,671 Power! - You got this! 589 00:23:24,704 --> 00:23:27,073 - 30 seconds left. 590 00:23:27,107 --> 00:23:29,943 This is seeming very familiar to last year. 591 00:23:29,976 --> 00:23:30,944 Oh! 592 00:23:30,977 --> 00:23:32,479 - This is tough. 593 00:23:32,512 --> 00:23:35,382 - And so frustrating, an obstacle that she could do, 594 00:23:35,415 --> 00:23:37,384 that she's done in her gym. 595 00:23:37,417 --> 00:23:39,853 But when the legs are exhausted, you just don't 596 00:23:39,886 --> 00:23:42,989 have that same explosiveness. 597 00:23:43,089 --> 00:23:44,424 - Go, power, power. 598 00:23:44,457 --> 00:23:47,293 - Those past five obstacles take their toll. 599 00:23:47,327 --> 00:23:50,363 And unfortunately, Addy Herman runs out of time. 600 00:23:50,397 --> 00:23:54,501 But, Akbar, the future is so bright for this young lady. 601 00:23:54,534 --> 00:23:55,969 - It is. 602 00:23:56,002 --> 00:23:57,203 [soft music] 603 00:23:57,237 --> 00:23:59,906 - You can just see her soaking it in, 604 00:23:59,939 --> 00:24:01,608 using it as motivation. 605 00:24:01,641 --> 00:24:03,677 I think that moment, next year, we're 606 00:24:03,710 --> 00:24:05,645 going to look back when she gets a buzzer and say, 607 00:24:05,679 --> 00:24:07,213 it started right here. 608 00:24:07,247 --> 00:24:09,049 - I see you, Addy! 609 00:24:09,049 --> 00:24:14,788 * * 610 00:24:14,821 --> 00:24:16,923 - She looked great on every obstacle 611 00:24:16,956 --> 00:24:18,858 until she reached the Warped Wall. 612 00:24:18,892 --> 00:24:21,494 She got her fingers on the top on her first attempt, 613 00:24:21,528 --> 00:24:23,163 right there. 614 00:24:23,196 --> 00:24:27,233 If she had made that, she may have had a shot to finish. 615 00:24:27,267 --> 00:24:30,136 - Addy, I can tell in your face that you're feeling 616 00:24:30,170 --> 00:24:31,204 some emotions right now. 617 00:24:31,237 --> 00:24:33,473 What's going through your mind? 618 00:24:33,506 --> 00:24:36,176 - Well, I mean, I'm not going to lie. 619 00:24:36,209 --> 00:24:38,178 It's pretty devastating to go out there, 620 00:24:38,211 --> 00:24:43,483 especially after last season, but this isn't the end. 621 00:24:43,516 --> 00:24:45,285 Not a step back, just a push forward. 622 00:24:45,318 --> 00:24:46,720 - Well, I love your perspective. 623 00:24:46,753 --> 00:24:48,688 It's been incredible to watch your season. 624 00:24:48,722 --> 00:24:50,490 Congratulations on an awesome one, OK. 625 00:24:50,523 --> 00:24:52,092 - Thank you so much. - Absolutely. 626 00:24:52,092 --> 00:24:53,360 Matt, Akbar, back to you. 627 00:24:53,393 --> 00:24:56,563 - Good job, Abby! - Nice job, Addy! 628 00:24:56,596 --> 00:24:59,599 - Coming up, he was just in the hospital, 629 00:24:59,632 --> 00:25:02,035 and he's battled breathing issues in the past, 630 00:25:02,035 --> 00:25:04,037 but Najee Richardson is going to give 631 00:25:04,037 --> 00:25:05,739 it everything he's got, 632 00:25:05,772 --> 00:25:09,275 next on "American Ninja Warrior." 633 00:25:15,348 --> 00:25:16,383 - One half of our Ninja power couple 634 00:25:16,416 --> 00:25:18,551 ran minutes ago when Addy Herman 635 00:25:18,585 --> 00:25:20,086 reached the Warped Wall. 636 00:25:20,120 --> 00:25:22,856 Now her boyfriend, 17-year-old Noah Meunier, 637 00:25:22,889 --> 00:25:24,758 gets his shot at the course. 638 00:25:24,791 --> 00:25:27,193 And he's got that Safety Pass on his shorts. 639 00:25:27,227 --> 00:25:30,196 Won it in a Semifinals race against Josiah Pippel. 640 00:25:30,230 --> 00:25:33,266 So if he falls, he can run the course again. 641 00:25:33,299 --> 00:25:36,236 But Addy still looks nervous on the sideline. 642 00:25:36,269 --> 00:25:38,304 She's over there with Noah's dad. 643 00:25:38,338 --> 00:25:41,374 [countdown clock beeping] 644 00:25:41,408 --> 00:25:44,244 Hit buzzers in Qualifying and Semifinals, 645 00:25:44,277 --> 00:25:47,847 in addition to his Safety Pass win. 646 00:25:47,881 --> 00:25:49,883 Meunier can fly. 647 00:25:49,916 --> 00:25:52,085 And having that Safety Pass gives 648 00:25:52,118 --> 00:25:54,421 him the freedom to let it go, let it float. 649 00:25:54,454 --> 00:25:56,990 If he falls, he gets a do-over. 650 00:25:57,090 --> 00:26:00,226 5'8", 145. 651 00:26:00,260 --> 00:26:03,229 [cheers and applause] 652 00:26:03,263 --> 00:26:06,533 And these young Ninjas, Akbar, have just been so impressive. 653 00:26:06,566 --> 00:26:09,169 What a rookie campaign. 654 00:26:12,572 --> 00:26:14,874 - Oh, you saw how he kind of controlled the speed 655 00:26:14,908 --> 00:26:17,610 there, lifted up his knees? 656 00:26:18,678 --> 00:26:20,613 - Come on, Noah! Let's go, Noah, come on! 657 00:26:20,647 --> 00:26:23,383 - Into the Jumping Spider. 658 00:26:23,416 --> 00:26:24,551 - Nice. Get in there deep. 659 00:26:24,584 --> 00:26:25,819 Good. 660 00:26:25,852 --> 00:26:27,420 - And you could just see him explode 661 00:26:27,454 --> 00:26:29,289 once he got into the chute. 662 00:26:29,322 --> 00:26:30,824 - Wow. Nice. 663 00:26:30,857 --> 00:26:32,592 - He is flying, Akbar. 664 00:26:32,625 --> 00:26:34,928 - Noah, you're so good! 665 00:26:34,961 --> 00:26:36,830 - Two minutes into the Gambler. 666 00:26:36,863 --> 00:26:38,398 He got to watch his girl, Addy, 667 00:26:38,431 --> 00:26:39,666 get through this obstacle. 668 00:26:39,699 --> 00:26:41,067 Let's see if he learned anything. 669 00:26:41,067 --> 00:26:42,402 Headed to the craps table. 670 00:26:42,435 --> 00:26:44,504 - Meunier looks in control. 671 00:26:44,537 --> 00:26:46,873 - And he's doing a spectacular job with his body 672 00:26:46,906 --> 00:26:50,610 controlling his momentum throughout this entire course. 673 00:26:50,643 --> 00:26:54,314 But the craps table giving him a little trouble. 674 00:26:55,882 --> 00:26:58,318 - Well, Matt, he is 145 pounds. 675 00:26:58,351 --> 00:27:00,220 Just got to use a little bit more momentum. 676 00:27:00,253 --> 00:27:02,422 Nice, he's got a good control of it now. 677 00:27:02,455 --> 00:27:03,723 Nice. 678 00:27:03,757 --> 00:27:05,592 - Real smooth. 679 00:27:05,625 --> 00:27:06,693 A little spin here. 680 00:27:06,726 --> 00:27:08,061 Can he stop it? 681 00:27:08,094 --> 00:27:09,429 - All right, don't want to spend too much. 682 00:27:09,462 --> 00:27:11,364 - Wow, great job. 683 00:27:12,899 --> 00:27:14,934 And he's through. 684 00:27:16,770 --> 00:27:19,773 This is where Addy's run ended, the Warped Wall. 685 00:27:19,806 --> 00:27:22,042 But no problem for Noah. 686 00:27:22,075 --> 00:27:23,877 - OK, Noah, I see you. 687 00:27:23,910 --> 00:27:27,747 - He's got time to catch his breath before Dipping Birds. 688 00:27:27,781 --> 00:27:30,050 - Let's go, Noah, let's go! 689 00:27:30,050 --> 00:27:32,218 - Don't underestimate any of these obstacles, 690 00:27:32,252 --> 00:27:35,121 especially Dipping Birds. 691 00:27:35,155 --> 00:27:38,124 [cheers and applause] 692 00:27:38,158 --> 00:27:40,326 - He's on pace for one of the faster times. 693 00:27:40,360 --> 00:27:42,829 That means he'll get a good seat for racing on stage two, 694 00:27:42,862 --> 00:27:45,265 but has to get past Thread the Needle. 695 00:27:45,298 --> 00:27:47,233 - You see he's getting high on the cane right there. 696 00:27:47,267 --> 00:27:49,536 That's important. Nice. 697 00:27:49,569 --> 00:27:52,238 Better control with the higher grip. 698 00:27:52,272 --> 00:27:55,709 - And look at that, really going to launch himself up. 699 00:27:55,742 --> 00:27:59,112 Had the Safety Pass, but didn't need it. 700 00:27:59,145 --> 00:28:02,449 Noah Meunier's going racing! 701 00:28:04,584 --> 00:28:08,021 Just making it look so easy. 702 00:28:08,054 --> 00:28:11,257 - First time to Vegas, look at that. 703 00:28:11,291 --> 00:28:13,293 [upbeat music] 704 00:28:13,326 --> 00:28:15,328 - I love you guys! 705 00:28:15,362 --> 00:28:17,063 * * 706 00:28:17,097 --> 00:28:19,399 That was, like, the most actual crazy thing 707 00:28:19,432 --> 00:28:21,534 I've done in my whole life. 708 00:28:21,568 --> 00:28:23,269 - Noah, I just heard you say this 709 00:28:23,303 --> 00:28:26,139 was the craziest thing you've done in your whole life. 710 00:28:26,172 --> 00:28:29,409 Man, try to explain, what are you feeling right now, bud? 711 00:28:29,442 --> 00:28:32,312 - This is just the beginning. We're going for all four. 712 00:28:32,345 --> 00:28:34,114 - We'll see you on stage two. 713 00:28:34,147 --> 00:28:35,615 - Let's go! 714 00:28:35,648 --> 00:28:36,683 - Yes. 715 00:28:36,716 --> 00:28:39,119 - Congratulations. 716 00:28:40,153 --> 00:28:43,089 Well, our next athlete is taking it all in because this 717 00:28:43,123 --> 00:28:45,258 might be his last run ever. 718 00:28:45,291 --> 00:28:48,228 It's the Phoenix, Najee Richardson, who's 719 00:28:48,261 --> 00:28:49,662 thinking about retirement. 720 00:28:49,696 --> 00:28:52,499 He's had a legendary Ninja career, despite 721 00:28:52,532 --> 00:28:54,668 a constant battle with asthma. 722 00:28:54,701 --> 00:28:57,570 [soft music] 723 00:28:57,604 --> 00:29:00,507 - But he looks wiped out! 724 00:29:03,009 --> 00:29:05,412 - Well, he's calling for his inhaler. 725 00:29:05,445 --> 00:29:07,047 Michael Torres is going to run it over, 726 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,082 so he can get his asthma medication. 727 00:29:09,115 --> 00:29:13,553 - My asthma has always been a factor in my Ninja career. 728 00:29:13,586 --> 00:29:15,555 - Oh, but coming up for air. 729 00:29:15,588 --> 00:29:19,325 You can see he's just gasping, trying to fight through this. 730 00:29:19,359 --> 00:29:21,795 - But it's something that I'm not ashamed of. 731 00:29:21,828 --> 00:29:23,229 You might know me as the Flying Pheonix 732 00:29:23,263 --> 00:29:24,464 from "America Ninja Warrior." 733 00:29:24,497 --> 00:29:26,800 I am very proud to go out there 734 00:29:26,833 --> 00:29:28,335 and represent asthmatics... 735 00:29:28,368 --> 00:29:31,338 Here we go. We are in the stair climb. 736 00:29:31,371 --> 00:29:33,039 Fight for Air Climb. 737 00:29:33,039 --> 00:29:35,608 And be representation for kids who also 738 00:29:35,642 --> 00:29:38,478 have asthma that might not be confident in themselves. 739 00:29:38,511 --> 00:29:42,549 So I wear my asthma badge with pride. 740 00:29:42,582 --> 00:29:46,453 A couple weeks ago, I had a very severe asthma attack. 741 00:29:46,486 --> 00:29:50,090 So severe, unfortunately, I had to be hospitalized for it. 742 00:29:50,123 --> 00:29:54,861 And I got cleared to train Ninja four days ago. 743 00:29:54,894 --> 00:29:57,097 I'm not in the physical condition 744 00:29:57,130 --> 00:30:00,600 that I want to be in, but I was not letting an asthma attack 745 00:30:00,633 --> 00:30:02,502 keep me from coming back. 746 00:30:02,535 --> 00:30:05,672 * * 747 00:30:06,940 --> 00:30:09,275 - And he's sending a kiss to his wife, McKenzie, 748 00:30:09,309 --> 00:30:12,245 who's back in Philly, along with Najee's parents. 749 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:15,382 There it is, 750 00:30:15,415 --> 00:30:16,549 the Phoenix pose. 751 00:30:16,583 --> 00:30:18,218 Can he rise tonight? 752 00:30:18,251 --> 00:30:20,653 [countdown clock beeping] 753 00:30:20,687 --> 00:30:23,390 After being in the hospital just a few weeks ago, 754 00:30:23,423 --> 00:30:25,992 this sprint on stage one is really going to test him. 755 00:30:26,026 --> 00:30:28,528 - He's definitely going to have to push it. 756 00:30:30,663 --> 00:30:33,800 - Well, he has so much power. 757 00:30:33,833 --> 00:30:35,402 Five World Records. 758 00:30:35,435 --> 00:30:38,805 Many of them for the longest laches ever recorded. 759 00:30:38,838 --> 00:30:41,541 The man can fly. 760 00:30:41,574 --> 00:30:44,377 - Breathe, Naj, breathe! Big breaths! 761 00:30:44,411 --> 00:30:46,813 - Moravsky telling Najee to take a breath 762 00:30:46,846 --> 00:30:48,481 before Giant Roller Coaster. 763 00:30:48,515 --> 00:30:49,716 - All right, nice. 764 00:30:49,749 --> 00:30:51,484 Wow. Yeah, this is it. 765 00:30:51,518 --> 00:30:52,952 - Great control there. 766 00:30:52,986 --> 00:30:54,287 - Well, Matt, that's that gymnastics background. 767 00:30:54,320 --> 00:30:56,256 You know he's got great body awareness. 768 00:30:56,289 --> 00:30:57,857 He's going to show it here in the Jumping Spider. 769 00:30:57,891 --> 00:31:01,094 Great flexibility there by Najee Richardson. 770 00:31:01,127 --> 00:31:03,563 - I love the veteran approach here. 771 00:31:03,596 --> 00:31:06,099 Efficient, a killer pace. 772 00:31:06,132 --> 00:31:08,868 This is his fifth time on stage one. 773 00:31:08,902 --> 00:31:10,904 Oh, a little slip. 774 00:31:10,937 --> 00:31:12,472 Fighting for his ever-loving live! 775 00:31:12,505 --> 00:31:13,473 - Oh! 776 00:31:13,506 --> 00:31:14,741 - Oh, be careful. 777 00:31:14,774 --> 00:31:17,110 - What a save! 778 00:31:17,143 --> 00:31:18,611 - This is where he's going to have 779 00:31:18,645 --> 00:31:20,113 to push himself a little bit. 780 00:31:20,146 --> 00:31:24,184 A minute 50, staring at the Gambler. 781 00:31:24,217 --> 00:31:25,752 Right up into it. 782 00:31:25,785 --> 00:31:26,953 - Nice. 783 00:31:26,986 --> 00:31:28,455 Taking a nice safe approach here. 784 00:31:28,488 --> 00:31:31,458 - Take that chip to the craps table. 785 00:31:33,093 --> 00:31:36,563 And you can just see how calm he looks, breathing easily. 786 00:31:36,596 --> 00:31:38,565 Really controlling it. 787 00:31:38,598 --> 00:31:40,500 - Nice. - Good transfer. 788 00:31:40,533 --> 00:31:42,602 Get to the front of the craps table. 789 00:31:42,635 --> 00:31:44,604 - Nice. 790 00:31:44,637 --> 00:31:46,840 He wants to get more on that front side. 791 00:31:46,873 --> 00:31:48,208 Nice. 792 00:31:48,241 --> 00:31:49,743 - And I think Najee is just going to launch it here. 793 00:31:49,776 --> 00:31:51,578 Go right--right atop the-- 794 00:31:51,611 --> 00:31:53,279 Oh. - Uh-oh. 795 00:31:53,313 --> 00:31:56,616 - And when the wheel spins, it can really eat up time. 796 00:31:56,649 --> 00:31:59,219 Najee was so efficient on the first half of the course, 797 00:31:59,252 --> 00:32:01,755 but this is going to put a lot of pressure on him. 798 00:32:01,788 --> 00:32:05,258 He's going to have to hustle through the final obstacles. 799 00:32:05,291 --> 00:32:08,294 And you can just see the seconds ticking away. 800 00:32:08,328 --> 00:32:10,630 Tenuous leap here. 801 00:32:10,663 --> 00:32:12,799 Got it. 802 00:32:14,067 --> 00:32:16,770 - Matt, this is going to tax him. 803 00:32:16,803 --> 00:32:19,339 - And now he's spinning on the Ace of Spades. 804 00:32:19,372 --> 00:32:21,541 - He's going to have to push it really fast. 805 00:32:21,574 --> 00:32:25,078 - Well, Najee Richardson just spent a minute on the Gambler, 806 00:32:25,078 --> 00:32:26,379 but he's through. 807 00:32:26,413 --> 00:32:29,082 Takes a deep breath and goes up the Warped Wall. 808 00:32:29,082 --> 00:32:30,583 - Nice. 809 00:32:30,617 --> 00:32:33,687 - But not a lot of time left, and you can see it on his face, 810 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:34,821 he's starting to feel it. 811 00:32:34,854 --> 00:32:36,322 He's definitely winded. 812 00:32:36,356 --> 00:32:38,558 Well, we know he can lache, Akbar. 813 00:32:38,591 --> 00:32:40,126 He should be good on Thread the Needle, 814 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:41,628 but gotta get going. 815 00:32:41,661 --> 00:32:45,865 And you can see, really struggling to find his breath. 816 00:32:45,899 --> 00:32:47,801 Oh, this is heartbreaking. 817 00:32:47,834 --> 00:32:50,437 - Oh, my goodness. 818 00:32:50,470 --> 00:32:55,575 - And Najee just is such a gutty competitor. 819 00:32:55,608 --> 00:32:57,610 - Oh, my goodness! 820 00:32:57,644 --> 00:32:59,546 [air horn blares] 821 00:32:59,579 --> 00:33:02,248 - That's OK. - Good job. 822 00:33:02,282 --> 00:33:03,883 - Get him. 823 00:33:03,917 --> 00:33:05,685 - Our crews are going to get him out of the water 824 00:33:05,719 --> 00:33:07,687 to catch his breath. 825 00:33:07,721 --> 00:33:09,522 - [coughing] 826 00:33:09,556 --> 00:33:12,092 - Well, so courageous just to be out here. 827 00:33:12,125 --> 00:33:15,462 That asthma has caught up. 828 00:33:15,495 --> 00:33:19,299 But he kept pushing till the very end. 829 00:33:19,332 --> 00:33:22,569 You could see he was hurting before Dipping Birds. 830 00:33:22,602 --> 00:33:25,638 This man is a Warrior and tried to keep going, 831 00:33:25,672 --> 00:33:28,575 but he just missed that last one. 832 00:33:28,608 --> 00:33:32,178 And could just barely get out of the water. 833 00:33:32,212 --> 00:33:34,914 Thankfully, Najee is back on his feet. 834 00:33:34,948 --> 00:33:36,683 We'll update you on his condition 835 00:33:36,716 --> 00:33:38,852 as soon as we know more. 836 00:33:46,092 --> 00:33:47,560 - Strike up the band, 837 00:33:47,594 --> 00:33:50,730 as two musical Ninjas tried to hit the right notes 838 00:33:50,764 --> 00:33:52,966 on stage one minutes ago. 839 00:33:52,999 --> 00:33:56,503 Max Feinberg has been playing the trombone since he was ten. 840 00:33:56,536 --> 00:33:58,705 And the self-described band geek was 841 00:33:58,738 --> 00:33:59,939 marching through the course. 842 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:02,542 - OK, Max Feinberg. 843 00:34:02,575 --> 00:34:04,944 - The 18-year-old, now living in Colorado, 844 00:34:05,045 --> 00:34:07,580 has qualified for Vegas all three seasons 845 00:34:07,614 --> 00:34:11,284 he's competed, and he's never fallen on stage one. 846 00:34:11,317 --> 00:34:14,154 - Max Feinberg with the great tempo, Matt. 847 00:34:14,187 --> 00:34:16,156 You know he wants to hit that buzzer. 848 00:34:16,189 --> 00:34:19,292 - But his luck changed when he reached the Gambler. 849 00:34:19,325 --> 00:34:21,394 - Oh! 850 00:34:21,428 --> 00:34:22,495 What? 851 00:34:22,529 --> 00:34:25,632 - I didn't see that one coming. 852 00:34:25,665 --> 00:34:27,767 - Florida's Alex Romer showed off 853 00:34:27,801 --> 00:34:30,570 his skills on the alto sax. 854 00:34:30,603 --> 00:34:32,305 And then the high school student showed 855 00:34:32,339 --> 00:34:34,207 off his skills on the course. 856 00:34:34,240 --> 00:34:36,543 - His rookie campaign started off great. 857 00:34:36,576 --> 00:34:38,111 Let's see if he can keep that momentum up. 858 00:34:38,144 --> 00:34:40,747 - He was cruising along until he too went 859 00:34:40,780 --> 00:34:42,449 for a spin on the roulette wheel, 860 00:34:42,482 --> 00:34:44,317 but was finally able to recover. 861 00:34:44,351 --> 00:34:45,885 - You got it, Alex! 862 00:34:45,919 --> 00:34:47,220 - That's a big jump. 863 00:34:47,253 --> 00:34:48,888 Nice! 864 00:34:48,922 --> 00:34:50,790 - That cost him a lot of time, and he had to scramble 865 00:34:50,824 --> 00:34:52,992 across the final obstacles. 866 00:34:53,093 --> 00:34:56,162 - Nice. Nice. Oh, whoo! 867 00:34:56,196 --> 00:34:58,998 - But he took too many swings on Thread the Needle. 868 00:34:59,099 --> 00:35:02,168 - Uh-oh, that's a rookie mistake. 869 00:35:02,202 --> 00:35:04,037 Oh, my goodness. 870 00:35:04,037 --> 00:35:06,840 - And he timed out as he climbed the cargo net. 871 00:35:06,873 --> 00:35:10,543 But the top 24 advance, and with just ten finishers 872 00:35:10,577 --> 00:35:13,480 so far between last week and tonight, Romer could 873 00:35:13,513 --> 00:35:16,316 still move on to stage two. 874 00:35:16,349 --> 00:35:18,051 And just starting his run right now 875 00:35:18,051 --> 00:35:21,154 is Santa Cruz California's David Campbell, 876 00:35:21,187 --> 00:35:24,557 known as the Godfather because he's competed on every season 877 00:35:24,591 --> 00:35:26,059 of Ninja Warrior. 878 00:35:26,059 --> 00:35:28,695 - All right, Dave, come on! - Whoo! 879 00:35:28,728 --> 00:35:30,663 He's the oldest male competitor to make it 880 00:35:30,697 --> 00:35:32,432 to the National Finals. 881 00:35:32,465 --> 00:35:35,902 Campbell, 45, triple the age of some of the athletes 882 00:35:35,935 --> 00:35:37,237 out here tonight. 883 00:35:37,270 --> 00:35:38,471 - Well, Matt, when you say it like that, 884 00:35:38,505 --> 00:35:40,607 as Kevin Hart would say, damn. 885 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:42,909 - Well, he's not had good luck on stage one. 886 00:35:42,942 --> 00:35:44,878 He's failed seven times. 887 00:35:44,911 --> 00:35:47,213 Seven times! 888 00:35:47,247 --> 00:35:49,816 [cheers and applause] 889 00:35:49,849 --> 00:35:52,752 On many of those runs, he just ran out of time. 890 00:35:52,786 --> 00:35:54,788 And you can see at 45, taking a little 891 00:35:54,821 --> 00:35:57,691 more methodical approach than some of the younger Ninjas. 892 00:35:57,724 --> 00:35:59,559 - Yeah, but he's going to need that time, Matt, 893 00:35:59,592 --> 00:36:01,661 especially on the back end. 894 00:36:01,695 --> 00:36:03,229 Nice. 895 00:36:03,263 --> 00:36:05,098 - Well, it's really going to come down to the Gambler, 896 00:36:05,131 --> 00:36:08,501 Akbar, and how efficient he can be there. 897 00:36:08,535 --> 00:36:10,437 Got to get there first. 898 00:36:11,838 --> 00:36:12,806 - Making his way. 899 00:36:12,839 --> 00:36:15,308 Get in there, nice. 900 00:36:15,342 --> 00:36:17,310 - David Campbell would love to get 901 00:36:17,344 --> 00:36:18,712 a shot at the million dollars. 902 00:36:18,745 --> 00:36:20,280 - Well, Matt, he's a little slow 903 00:36:20,313 --> 00:36:21,781 here through Jumping Spider. 904 00:36:21,815 --> 00:36:23,817 You can see, he's really trying 905 00:36:23,850 --> 00:36:25,652 to make sure he doesn't slip. 906 00:36:25,685 --> 00:36:28,955 - And this saps time, but more importantly, it's really 907 00:36:29,055 --> 00:36:30,590 going to sap the energy. 908 00:36:30,623 --> 00:36:32,559 - It's going to take about 30 seconds off the clock here. 909 00:36:32,592 --> 00:36:33,727 - Oh, boy. 910 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:36,463 No room for error on the Gambler. 911 00:36:36,496 --> 00:36:41,801 - Yeah, and he's got to go up high, and then drop down. 912 00:36:41,835 --> 00:36:43,703 Wow. 913 00:36:43,737 --> 00:36:46,072 [cheers and applause] 914 00:36:46,072 --> 00:36:47,907 - He has got to be feeling it. 915 00:36:47,941 --> 00:36:49,075 - Yeah, I know. 916 00:36:49,109 --> 00:36:50,343 He's gonna feel it in his legs. 917 00:36:50,377 --> 00:36:52,078 He's gonna feel it in his upper body. 918 00:36:52,078 --> 00:36:54,748 I'm telling you. - You got to go. 919 00:36:54,781 --> 00:36:57,884 - That Jumping Spider will tax your entire body. 920 00:36:57,917 --> 00:37:01,321 - Has to be perfect here on the Gambler. 921 00:37:01,354 --> 00:37:03,223 - Nice. OK, you can see it now. 922 00:37:03,256 --> 00:37:05,825 He's got the poker chip in his hand. 923 00:37:05,859 --> 00:37:08,028 - Well, he's looking like a long shot at this point, 924 00:37:08,028 --> 00:37:11,564 but the Godfather, does he have a little magic left? 925 00:37:11,598 --> 00:37:14,401 - And you can see he's got that resting poker face. 926 00:37:15,769 --> 00:37:17,270 - Getting it forward. 927 00:37:17,303 --> 00:37:20,106 Really has to make this transfer to the Ace of Spades. 928 00:37:20,140 --> 00:37:22,308 Just dance atop the roulette wheel. 929 00:37:22,342 --> 00:37:25,745 - Well, Matt, he's got to move with some urgency now. 930 00:37:25,779 --> 00:37:28,148 - Down to just 45 seconds. 931 00:37:28,181 --> 00:37:30,216 - Yes! OK. 932 00:37:30,250 --> 00:37:31,851 - And Campbell is still alive. 933 00:37:31,885 --> 00:37:33,286 - He made that look easy. 934 00:37:33,319 --> 00:37:35,121 - Gotta get off here. 935 00:37:35,155 --> 00:37:36,456 - Oh, he's spinning in a circle. 936 00:37:36,489 --> 00:37:38,458 He's starting to do like a little pirouette. 937 00:37:38,491 --> 00:37:40,527 - Time ticking away. 938 00:37:40,560 --> 00:37:42,896 - Oh, my goodness. 939 00:37:42,929 --> 00:37:45,465 - Oh, no! 940 00:37:45,498 --> 00:37:48,435 - Oh, sha-na-na! 941 00:37:48,468 --> 00:37:51,838 - The Godfather comes up short on the Gambler! 942 00:37:51,871 --> 00:37:54,874 His eighth time failing on stage one. 943 00:37:54,908 --> 00:37:57,477 The curse continues. 944 00:37:57,510 --> 00:38:00,013 Well, from 45-year-old David Campbell, 945 00:38:00,046 --> 00:38:04,317 we move on to the 15-year-old from Florida, Nacssa Garemore, 946 00:38:04,351 --> 00:38:06,286 and what a journey he's had to get here. 947 00:38:06,319 --> 00:38:09,889 Born in Africa and adopted in America about ten years ago. 948 00:38:09,923 --> 00:38:13,259 Now he's getting his first look at Las Vegas. 949 00:38:13,293 --> 00:38:15,829 [dramatic music] 950 00:38:15,862 --> 00:38:20,100 Nacssa Garemore delivers! 951 00:38:20,934 --> 00:38:22,769 - My season has been pretty good. 952 00:38:22,802 --> 00:38:25,472 I'm happy about how I've been doing. 953 00:38:25,505 --> 00:38:27,107 - Whoo! - Linking it. 954 00:38:27,140 --> 00:38:29,275 - Oh, my goodness. - Wow. 955 00:38:29,309 --> 00:38:34,047 Nacssa Garemore getting his second buzzer. 956 00:38:34,047 --> 00:38:36,282 - When I was a little kid in Africa, 957 00:38:36,316 --> 00:38:39,285 I could not imagine being here in Las Vegas. 958 00:38:39,319 --> 00:38:41,121 [upbeat music] 959 00:38:41,154 --> 00:38:42,856 I've actually never been to Vegas. 960 00:38:42,889 --> 00:38:45,091 So I'm taking it all in. 961 00:38:45,125 --> 00:38:46,860 I saw a castle. 962 00:38:46,893 --> 00:38:48,461 * * 963 00:38:48,495 --> 00:38:50,630 Then I saw the Statue of Liberty. 964 00:38:50,663 --> 00:38:52,065 I thought we were in New York. 965 00:38:52,098 --> 00:38:54,167 * * 966 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:57,837 And then I saw the Ninja courses, and they're huge. 967 00:38:57,871 --> 00:38:59,105 * * 968 00:38:59,139 --> 00:39:01,474 I've worked so hard for this moment. 969 00:39:01,508 --> 00:39:05,512 Seeing my training come into place is, like, 970 00:39:05,545 --> 00:39:07,047 really exciting for me. 971 00:39:07,080 --> 00:39:09,783 * * 972 00:39:10,583 --> 00:39:12,352 - Nacssa has got lots of extended family 973 00:39:12,385 --> 00:39:13,820 watching back home. 974 00:39:13,853 --> 00:39:15,889 That's his brother, Roberto, in the front row. 975 00:39:15,922 --> 00:39:17,657 He also competed this year. 976 00:39:17,691 --> 00:39:20,493 His mom's here on the sideline with a big group, 977 00:39:20,527 --> 00:39:22,762 including his coach, RJ Roman. 978 00:39:22,796 --> 00:39:25,498 [countdown clock beeping] 979 00:39:25,532 --> 00:39:27,667 Has two buzzers already this year. 980 00:39:27,701 --> 00:39:30,270 And we have seen, he is a speed demon. 981 00:39:30,303 --> 00:39:31,771 - Yes, he is, Matt. 982 00:39:31,805 --> 00:39:34,541 - He had some of the top times in Qualifying and Semis. 983 00:39:34,574 --> 00:39:37,610 And doing it at 15-years-old. 984 00:39:37,644 --> 00:39:40,046 Ninja training really helped Nacssa and his brother 985 00:39:40,046 --> 00:39:41,915 adjust to life in America, and they 986 00:39:41,948 --> 00:39:44,117 are naturals at the sport. 987 00:39:46,252 --> 00:39:47,721 5'8", 150. 988 00:39:47,754 --> 00:39:49,756 He's shown he likes to go fast. 989 00:39:49,789 --> 00:39:52,892 He is always running with a pedal to the metal. 990 00:39:54,060 --> 00:39:55,228 - Nice. Here we go. 991 00:39:55,261 --> 00:39:57,063 Be careful here on this last transition. 992 00:39:57,097 --> 00:39:59,833 Nice. 993 00:39:59,866 --> 00:40:02,836 - And he's quickly through three obstacles. 994 00:40:02,869 --> 00:40:04,971 But got to be careful on the Jumping Spider. 995 00:40:05,005 --> 00:40:07,907 - Here's a young kid that is so confident about his skills. 996 00:40:07,941 --> 00:40:09,609 He knows Ninja very well. 997 00:40:09,642 --> 00:40:11,311 Uh-oh, uh-oh! Don't slip. 998 00:40:11,344 --> 00:40:12,779 Be easy. 999 00:40:12,812 --> 00:40:14,447 - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. 1000 00:40:14,481 --> 00:40:17,350 And you can just see, struggling to get purchase. 1001 00:40:17,384 --> 00:40:20,920 And believe me, that is sapping a lot of energy, 1002 00:40:20,954 --> 00:40:23,089 especially in that upper body. 1003 00:40:23,123 --> 00:40:24,457 - And you can see 1004 00:40:24,491 --> 00:40:25,558 he's starting to grimace a little bit. 1005 00:40:25,592 --> 00:40:26,726 - Oh, no. - Oh, boy. 1006 00:40:26,760 --> 00:40:28,061 Now he's putting a little pressure 1007 00:40:28,094 --> 00:40:29,396 on the back side here. 1008 00:40:29,429 --> 00:40:32,165 He's fighting to get through Jumping Spider. 1009 00:40:32,198 --> 00:40:35,135 - And just makes a huge leap, but what does he have left? 1010 00:40:35,168 --> 00:40:37,070 - Oh, my goodness. 1011 00:40:38,805 --> 00:40:40,674 - That took a lot out of him. 1012 00:40:40,707 --> 00:40:42,175 He's staring down the Gambler. 1013 00:40:42,208 --> 00:40:44,611 Gotta get going. 1014 00:40:44,644 --> 00:40:48,314 And you know, he has got to be winded already, big man. 1015 00:40:48,348 --> 00:40:50,517 - Yeah, Nacssa really trying to put a game plan together, 1016 00:40:50,550 --> 00:40:52,552 and that's the thing about the National Finals. 1017 00:40:52,585 --> 00:40:55,255 This is a massive course. 1018 00:40:55,288 --> 00:40:57,624 - With those struggles there on the Jumping Spider, 1019 00:40:57,657 --> 00:41:00,093 he's going to have to one-touch the roulette wheel 1020 00:41:00,126 --> 00:41:01,628 and get right to the Ace of Spades. 1021 00:41:01,661 --> 00:41:02,896 - There you go. 1022 00:41:02,929 --> 00:41:04,898 - Go for it, kid. 1023 00:41:06,132 --> 00:41:07,701 - Yes, nice. 1024 00:41:07,734 --> 00:41:09,669 - Really well done, Nacssa! 1025 00:41:09,703 --> 00:41:11,938 - Yeah, and now he's trying to make up some of that time. 1026 00:41:11,971 --> 00:41:14,074 He's got a little over a minute left. 1027 00:41:14,074 --> 00:41:16,076 - Oh, but he's spinning. - But he's spinning! 1028 00:41:16,076 --> 00:41:18,578 - He survived the roulette, but got caught up 1029 00:41:18,611 --> 00:41:20,113 on the Ace of Spades. 1030 00:41:20,146 --> 00:41:21,214 Under a minute! 1031 00:41:21,247 --> 00:41:22,248 - I think he's going to be fine. 1032 00:41:22,282 --> 00:41:24,250 This is good time for Nacssa. 1033 00:41:24,284 --> 00:41:28,088 - He's got the speed, but we have seen some stumbles here. 1034 00:41:29,856 --> 00:41:32,258 Not a time to regroup, but that is the fatigue 1035 00:41:32,292 --> 00:41:34,994 from Jumping Spider catching up. 1036 00:41:36,262 --> 00:41:39,099 - Go, go, go, go, go, nice. 1037 00:41:39,132 --> 00:41:41,334 [cheers and applause] 1038 00:41:41,368 --> 00:41:44,771 - All about the efficiency on these transfers. 1039 00:41:46,306 --> 00:41:49,309 - He's got to catch the swing right into that circle. 1040 00:41:49,342 --> 00:41:51,011 - Up and out. - Nice! 1041 00:41:51,111 --> 00:41:52,712 - Oh, he held on! 1042 00:41:52,746 --> 00:41:55,648 Still needs to land up high on the cargo net. 1043 00:41:55,682 --> 00:41:57,317 This is going to be close. 1044 00:41:57,350 --> 00:41:59,352 Taking some extra swings. 1045 00:41:59,386 --> 00:42:00,387 - Nice. 1046 00:42:00,420 --> 00:42:02,355 - And a high transfer. 1047 00:42:02,389 --> 00:42:04,090 What a run! 1048 00:42:04,124 --> 00:42:05,458 - This kid is plenty confident. 1049 00:42:05,492 --> 00:42:08,728 - Nacssa, as the clock is ticking down! 1050 00:42:10,630 --> 00:42:13,233 - You better hurry up. Don't mess with us. 1051 00:42:13,266 --> 00:42:15,735 - Oh-ho-ho! 1052 00:42:15,769 --> 00:42:17,270 [cheering] 1053 00:42:17,303 --> 00:42:20,807 It looked like it was over on the Jumping Spider! 1054 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:25,445 But Nacssa Garemore is dancing at the buzzer! 1055 00:42:25,478 --> 00:42:29,582 A lot closer than he wanted, but now he's moving on. 1056 00:42:29,616 --> 00:42:33,520 We'll see Nacssa racing on stage two next week. 1057 00:42:33,553 --> 00:42:35,555 Nacssa and our other top Ninjas will 1058 00:42:35,588 --> 00:42:38,858 be going head-to-head in nail-biting races. 1059 00:42:38,892 --> 00:42:40,593 Oh, my goodness! 1060 00:42:40,627 --> 00:42:44,464 Only the best will move on to tackle the brutal stage three. 1061 00:42:44,497 --> 00:42:46,566 - Oh, my! 1062 00:42:46,599 --> 00:42:49,102 - And in two weeks, we'll be on stage four, 1063 00:42:49,135 --> 00:42:51,671 climbing for $1 million! 1064 00:42:51,705 --> 00:42:53,239 So close! 1065 00:42:53,273 --> 00:42:55,408 - Oh, oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! 1066 00:42:55,442 --> 00:42:59,479 - On the National Finals of "American Ninja Warrior." 1067 00:43:04,451 --> 00:43:06,720 - Welcome back to Las Vegas and the National Finals. 1068 00:43:06,753 --> 00:43:08,688 - These Ninjas have been burning up the course 1069 00:43:08,722 --> 00:43:10,557 in the last few minutes. 1070 00:43:10,590 --> 00:43:13,059 Minnesota teenager Jera Boyd 1071 00:43:13,059 --> 00:43:15,695 is having a perfect season so far, 1072 00:43:15,729 --> 00:43:17,797 with two buzzers and a Mega Wall, 1073 00:43:17,831 --> 00:43:19,799 and he started out hot tonight. 1074 00:43:19,833 --> 00:43:22,702 - Jera Boyd making quick work 1075 00:43:22,736 --> 00:43:24,871 of these first four obstacles. 1076 00:43:24,904 --> 00:43:27,674 - But then he ran into trouble on the Gambler. 1077 00:43:27,707 --> 00:43:29,642 He got hung up on the roulette wheel 1078 00:43:29,676 --> 00:43:31,678 and lost precious seconds. 1079 00:43:31,711 --> 00:43:33,413 - Down to a minute left. 1080 00:43:33,446 --> 00:43:35,582 - When he finally got through, he turned on the jets 1081 00:43:35,615 --> 00:43:38,785 and went flying through the final obstacles. 1082 00:43:38,818 --> 00:43:42,622 - He really accelerated after the Gambler! 1083 00:43:42,655 --> 00:43:45,925 - And the 19-year-old added another buzzer. 1084 00:43:45,959 --> 00:43:49,729 He's going to be racing on stage two. 1085 00:43:49,763 --> 00:43:51,331 And more good news-- 1086 00:43:51,364 --> 00:43:54,267 Najee Richardson recovered from his asthma attack 1087 00:43:54,300 --> 00:43:57,437 and made it on to the sideline for his training partner, 1088 00:43:57,470 --> 00:44:00,473 17-year-old Josiah Pippel. 1089 00:44:00,507 --> 00:44:02,242 The New Jersey high-school student 1090 00:44:02,275 --> 00:44:05,945 is another Ninja who's already hit two buzzers this season. 1091 00:44:06,046 --> 00:44:08,682 He finished stage one the past two years, 1092 00:44:08,715 --> 00:44:11,051 and he started strong tonight. 1093 00:44:11,051 --> 00:44:13,653 - Trying to line it up with that Ace of Spades. 1094 00:44:13,687 --> 00:44:15,088 Right into it. 1095 00:44:15,121 --> 00:44:18,058 - He was on pace for one of the fastest times 1096 00:44:18,091 --> 00:44:20,060 until he reached Dipping Birds. 1097 00:44:20,060 --> 00:44:22,562 - Oh, can he save it? 1098 00:44:22,595 --> 00:44:24,664 What a save! 1099 00:44:24,698 --> 00:44:29,069 - Pippel recovered and joined our list of finishers. 1100 00:44:29,102 --> 00:44:32,972 We'll see him racing next week on stage two. 1101 00:44:33,073 --> 00:44:35,675 Then Kyle Soderman sprinted out in search 1102 00:44:35,709 --> 00:44:38,078 of his third-straight stage one buzzer. 1103 00:44:38,111 --> 00:44:40,413 With his fiancée, Megan Johnson, 1104 00:44:40,447 --> 00:44:41,414 cheering him on... 1105 00:44:41,448 --> 00:44:43,083 - Let's go, Kyle! 1106 00:44:43,083 --> 00:44:46,653 - The stuntman put together a run that was action-packed. 1107 00:44:46,686 --> 00:44:48,588 - Ooh, got it. 1108 00:44:48,621 --> 00:44:51,825 - The four-time Ninja veteran made it interesting 1109 00:44:51,858 --> 00:44:54,728 and scrambled all the way to the final obstacle. 1110 00:44:54,761 --> 00:44:58,531 - So key to get this cane transfer up and over. 1111 00:44:58,565 --> 00:45:01,334 Oh, how did he hold on? 1112 00:45:01,368 --> 00:45:03,570 - Soderman had the second-fastest time 1113 00:45:03,603 --> 00:45:05,572 on stage one last year, 1114 00:45:05,605 --> 00:45:07,273 but tonight was a different story. 1115 00:45:07,307 --> 00:45:09,709 - No! - Oh, my goodness. 1116 00:45:09,743 --> 00:45:11,344 He was so close. 1117 00:45:11,378 --> 00:45:14,848 But he's still got a chance of landing in the top 24 1118 00:45:14,881 --> 00:45:17,917 and moving on to stage two. 1119 00:45:17,951 --> 00:45:20,286 - Now it's another one of our four moms 1120 00:45:20,320 --> 00:45:22,956 who qualified for the National Finals this season. 1121 00:45:23,056 --> 00:45:25,258 This is Spokane's Clarisa Morris. 1122 00:45:25,291 --> 00:45:28,528 She's known as the Bicep Babe, and you could see why. 1123 00:45:28,561 --> 00:45:31,498 She's a personal trainer and a strong role model 1124 00:45:31,531 --> 00:45:34,534 for her two young daughters. 1125 00:45:34,567 --> 00:45:36,369 - I like to peel the layers off. 1126 00:45:36,403 --> 00:45:37,871 - OK, we can peel the layers off. 1127 00:45:37,904 --> 00:45:39,806 - Ooh, can I, too? 1128 00:45:39,839 --> 00:45:42,409 - So when I got pregnant at 19, 1129 00:45:42,442 --> 00:45:44,944 it was definitely an unexpected thing. 1130 00:45:44,978 --> 00:45:47,080 I didn't know if I was going to choose to keep the baby 1131 00:45:47,080 --> 00:45:48,882 or give her up for adoption. 1132 00:45:48,915 --> 00:45:53,386 And through a lot of thought and a lot of prayer... 1133 00:45:53,420 --> 00:45:55,522 I decided to keep her. 1134 00:45:55,555 --> 00:45:59,359 Making that big choice as such a young person, 1135 00:45:59,392 --> 00:46:03,229 it was a difficult time, but then the love for my child 1136 00:46:03,263 --> 00:46:05,365 really was able to carry me through 1137 00:46:05,398 --> 00:46:08,501 and make everything else not seem so hard. 1138 00:46:08,535 --> 00:46:12,839 It feels almost surreal to be here in Vegas. 1139 00:46:12,872 --> 00:46:15,308 And I put so much hard work into it-- 1140 00:46:15,342 --> 00:46:18,511 like, so many hours of training. 1141 00:46:18,545 --> 00:46:22,682 And I hope to be inspiring to not only other moms 1142 00:46:22,716 --> 00:46:24,050 but all women. 1143 00:46:24,050 --> 00:46:26,252 It doesn't matter how far away from your goals 1144 00:46:26,286 --> 00:46:27,787 you feel like you are, 1145 00:46:27,821 --> 00:46:31,191 if you work hard, you can make your dreams come true. 1146 00:46:31,224 --> 00:46:33,326 * * 1147 00:46:33,360 --> 00:46:35,862 - And those daughters on the sideline. 1148 00:46:35,895 --> 00:46:37,897 Amalia fighting to stay awake. 1149 00:46:37,931 --> 00:46:40,300 Leiani, a little more excited. 1150 00:46:40,333 --> 00:46:43,370 Clarissa's friend and mentor, Sandy Zimmerman, 1151 00:46:43,403 --> 00:46:45,071 also over there. 1152 00:46:45,071 --> 00:46:47,073 [countdown clock beeping] 1153 00:46:47,073 --> 00:46:49,275 - Clarisa Morris, Matt, proud of her muscles. 1154 00:46:49,309 --> 00:46:52,445 She's going to need them muscles here on stage one. 1155 00:46:52,479 --> 00:46:54,080 Came so close to hitting a buzzer 1156 00:46:54,114 --> 00:46:56,816 in Qualifiers and Semis, going out on the fifth obstacle. 1157 00:46:56,850 --> 00:46:58,685 I believe she's going to get that buzzer. 1158 00:46:58,718 --> 00:47:00,020 She's going to do it. 1159 00:47:00,020 --> 00:47:02,355 - Well, stage one has been so unforgiving. 1160 00:47:02,389 --> 00:47:05,658 And this is where Sandy went out last week... 1161 00:47:05,692 --> 00:47:08,161 right here, trying to get that blind grab. 1162 00:47:08,194 --> 00:47:09,596 - Nice. Get it. 1163 00:47:09,629 --> 00:47:11,064 Oh, no! - Oh! 1164 00:47:11,097 --> 00:47:14,701 Made the same mistake as her buddy Sandy Zimmerman. 1165 00:47:14,734 --> 00:47:16,302 - Yeah, let's watch this one again. 1166 00:47:16,336 --> 00:47:19,506 She had a really good swing and gets the right hand on, 1167 00:47:19,539 --> 00:47:22,509 but her left hand was tangled up in the ring, 1168 00:47:22,542 --> 00:47:24,678 and she couldn't make the grab. 1169 00:47:24,711 --> 00:47:28,882 - Just learn from this and come back stronger next time. 1170 00:47:28,915 --> 00:47:30,550 - Up next, one of the favorites 1171 00:47:30,583 --> 00:47:32,519 to win the million dollars-- 1172 00:47:32,552 --> 00:47:35,955 It's the rock-and-roller from Florida, R.J. Roman. 1173 00:47:36,056 --> 00:47:39,826 He was fastest in his group in Qualifying and Semifinals 1174 00:47:39,859 --> 00:47:41,628 and then won the Safety Pass. 1175 00:47:41,661 --> 00:47:43,396 He's got it there on his pants. 1176 00:47:43,430 --> 00:47:47,300 That means if he falls, he'll get to run the course again. 1177 00:47:47,334 --> 00:47:50,103 And R.J. knows just how valuable that can be. 1178 00:47:50,136 --> 00:47:52,739 Two years ago, he could have used it 1179 00:47:52,772 --> 00:47:55,542 when he shockingly fell on the final obstacle. 1180 00:47:55,575 --> 00:47:59,279 With the Safety Pass, he's got the freedom to go fast. 1181 00:47:59,312 --> 00:48:01,414 - I'm not going to put myself in any situation 1182 00:48:01,448 --> 00:48:03,216 where I have a higher risk of falling, 1183 00:48:03,249 --> 00:48:04,551 but having the Safety Pass, 1184 00:48:04,584 --> 00:48:07,320 I am probably going to be a little bit more reckless 1185 00:48:07,354 --> 00:48:08,922 on stage one. 1186 00:48:09,022 --> 00:48:11,491 - Matt, let me translate-- he is going to be flying 1187 00:48:11,524 --> 00:48:15,161 so he can get a high seed for racing on stage two. 1188 00:48:15,195 --> 00:48:16,796 - His buddy Flip Rodriguez 1189 00:48:16,830 --> 00:48:19,032 leading the cheers on the sideline, 1190 00:48:19,032 --> 00:48:21,601 along with some of the students R.J. coaches. 1191 00:48:21,634 --> 00:48:24,738 [countdown clock beeping] 1192 00:48:24,771 --> 00:48:27,407 R.J. Roman's been one of the elite ninjas 1193 00:48:27,440 --> 00:48:30,276 since he started competing six years ago. 1194 00:48:30,310 --> 00:48:32,145 The last time we saw him in Vegas, 1195 00:48:32,178 --> 00:48:34,714 he was climbing for a million dollars. 1196 00:48:34,748 --> 00:48:38,318 And his mission is to get back to stage four. 1197 00:48:38,351 --> 00:48:41,221 Has not fallen since Season 13. 1198 00:48:41,254 --> 00:48:43,223 He just ran out of time last year. 1199 00:48:43,256 --> 00:48:45,258 - Yeah, now look at him-- running for time. 1200 00:48:45,291 --> 00:48:47,460 He's running for the fastest time. 1201 00:48:47,494 --> 00:48:48,762 Uh-oh. 1202 00:48:48,795 --> 00:48:50,463 - A little hung up-- that's all right. 1203 00:48:50,497 --> 00:48:51,731 - But you know what? 1204 00:48:51,765 --> 00:48:53,933 R.J. Roman can recover from that one. 1205 00:48:53,967 --> 00:48:56,503 - This is his sixth time competing at "Ninja Warrior"-- 1206 00:48:56,536 --> 00:48:58,938 just 26 years old. 1207 00:48:58,972 --> 00:49:00,674 He's got the experience. 1208 00:49:00,707 --> 00:49:04,444 Still a young man at the height of his powers. 1209 00:49:05,412 --> 00:49:07,147 And right into it. - He's going right into it. 1210 00:49:07,180 --> 00:49:09,049 Nice. And he does not hesitate. 1211 00:49:09,082 --> 00:49:10,583 He goes for broke every time. 1212 00:49:10,617 --> 00:49:12,218 And I know I'm saying he's going for broke. 1213 00:49:12,252 --> 00:49:14,788 He better not break down here on the Gambler. 1214 00:49:14,821 --> 00:49:16,423 [indistinct shouting] 1215 00:49:16,456 --> 00:49:17,891 - Well, he's going fast, but with R.J., 1216 00:49:17,924 --> 00:49:19,225 it never feels like gambling. 1217 00:49:19,259 --> 00:49:21,194 Always seems to be in control. 1218 00:49:21,227 --> 00:49:22,662 - All right, nice. 1219 00:49:22,696 --> 00:49:25,031 [indistinct shouting] 1220 00:49:25,031 --> 00:49:26,399 - Little spun around, 1221 00:49:26,433 --> 00:49:29,035 and a good job using his momentum to get right. 1222 00:49:29,035 --> 00:49:30,770 [cheers and applause] 1223 00:49:30,804 --> 00:49:32,639 R.J., just locked in. 1224 00:49:35,208 --> 00:49:37,510 See him kicking up, launching forward. 1225 00:49:37,544 --> 00:49:38,878 He's going for it. 1226 00:49:38,912 --> 00:49:40,547 - And this is where you want to go right now, 1227 00:49:40,580 --> 00:49:42,182 make that nice soft landing. 1228 00:49:42,215 --> 00:49:43,817 Go for it. Good. 1229 00:49:43,850 --> 00:49:45,352 - Got it. 1230 00:49:45,385 --> 00:49:47,654 R.J. looking solid on the Gambler. 1231 00:49:47,687 --> 00:49:50,090 - Look at the time. He's got a lot of time. 1232 00:49:50,123 --> 00:49:52,225 - Man, when you're that good, it ain't gambling. 1233 00:49:52,258 --> 00:49:54,694 1:23 left for the final three obstacles. 1234 00:49:54,728 --> 00:49:57,263 R.J. Roman's in the driver's seat. 1235 00:49:59,332 --> 00:50:00,700 - And that is so crucial. 1236 00:50:00,734 --> 00:50:02,702 The faster you finish means you'll be racing 1237 00:50:02,736 --> 00:50:05,638 against slower people on stage two. 1238 00:50:05,672 --> 00:50:07,207 Well, he is slowing down a little bit 1239 00:50:07,240 --> 00:50:08,975 here on these final obstacles. 1240 00:50:09,009 --> 00:50:11,211 He's been in a sprint to this point, 1241 00:50:11,244 --> 00:50:13,613 now looking a little winded. 1242 00:50:13,646 --> 00:50:15,315 On to the Dipping Birds. 1243 00:50:15,348 --> 00:50:17,083 Wants to avoid a mistake. 1244 00:50:17,117 --> 00:50:19,085 Doesn't want to use the Safety Pass 1245 00:50:19,119 --> 00:50:21,588 and doesn't need it so far. 1246 00:50:21,621 --> 00:50:22,689 - Whoo. 1247 00:50:22,722 --> 00:50:24,724 He stumbled across those Birds, 1248 00:50:24,758 --> 00:50:26,359 Matt, he looks out of breath. 1249 00:50:26,393 --> 00:50:27,994 - He's definitely slowed down. 1250 00:50:28,028 --> 00:50:29,829 Now going up on Thread The Needle. 1251 00:50:29,863 --> 00:50:32,665 - Oh, get that high grip. Yeah, there we go. 1252 00:50:32,699 --> 00:50:36,169 - When he fell two years ago, it was on a similar obstacle. 1253 00:50:36,202 --> 00:50:38,371 He struggled to make this move. 1254 00:50:38,405 --> 00:50:40,407 - You see what he's trying to do here 1255 00:50:40,440 --> 00:50:42,642 is get up high so he can go up and over. 1256 00:50:42,676 --> 00:50:44,611 - Oh, a little hung up. 1257 00:50:44,644 --> 00:50:47,247 Get the cane up and then over. 1258 00:50:47,280 --> 00:50:50,150 Oh, no! [buzzer sounds] 1259 00:50:52,052 --> 00:50:56,690 A shocking fall, but he has the Safety Pass. 1260 00:50:56,723 --> 00:50:59,225 He'll get another shot on stage one. 1261 00:51:00,760 --> 00:51:05,432 He's clearly upset, but he gets the chance to try again. 1262 00:51:05,465 --> 00:51:07,300 - Yeah, let's look at what happened. 1263 00:51:07,334 --> 00:51:10,070 He seemed a little gassed and couldn't get the cane 1264 00:51:10,070 --> 00:51:11,705 off the hook the first time. 1265 00:51:11,738 --> 00:51:15,608 He landed it the next time but just couldn't hold on. 1266 00:51:17,677 --> 00:51:20,313 - R.J., man, we are not used to seeing you wet. 1267 00:51:20,347 --> 00:51:21,981 What happened here? 1268 00:51:22,082 --> 00:51:23,116 - My hands slid off. 1269 00:51:23,149 --> 00:51:25,719 I couldn't hold it, I guess. 1270 00:51:25,752 --> 00:51:28,088 I had a little bit of a flashback 1271 00:51:28,088 --> 00:51:30,690 getting caught on that from Season 13, 1272 00:51:30,724 --> 00:51:32,092 which definitely threw me off, 1273 00:51:32,092 --> 00:51:34,227 but I think I'll be good on the next run. 1274 00:51:34,260 --> 00:51:35,729 - We'll see you out there in just a few, OK? 1275 00:51:35,762 --> 00:51:37,263 - Thank you so much. - Absolutely. 1276 00:51:37,297 --> 00:51:38,665 Matt, Akbar, back to you. 1277 00:51:38,698 --> 00:51:40,100 - Well, this is interesting. 1278 00:51:40,133 --> 00:51:42,936 It's not a certainty R.J. will have to run again, 1279 00:51:42,969 --> 00:51:45,572 because he's currently in the top 24, 1280 00:51:45,605 --> 00:51:47,574 with 14 more runners to go. 1281 00:51:47,607 --> 00:51:51,111 If he stays in the top 24, he'd still move on, 1282 00:51:51,111 --> 00:51:53,413 but he'd have a much lower seed. 1283 00:51:53,446 --> 00:51:55,448 So we'll wait and see what happens. 1284 00:51:55,482 --> 00:51:56,783 Still to come... 1285 00:51:56,816 --> 00:51:59,119 She's a nurse, she's a mom, 1286 00:51:59,119 --> 00:52:01,354 and she's one of our top ninjas, 1287 00:52:01,388 --> 00:52:04,391 but Mady Howard can't catch a break in Vegas. 1288 00:52:04,424 --> 00:52:06,059 - Oh, shoot! 1289 00:52:06,059 --> 00:52:09,062 - I have fallen on the third obstacle every single year. 1290 00:52:09,062 --> 00:52:10,597 - Plus, he's only 5'2", 1291 00:52:10,630 --> 00:52:14,367 but he's a huge inspiration to kids across the country. 1292 00:52:14,401 --> 00:52:15,535 - I'm truly changing lives, 1293 00:52:15,568 --> 00:52:17,203 and there's nothing better than that. 1294 00:52:17,237 --> 00:52:19,072 - Gnarly Nate Hansen is coming up 1295 00:52:19,072 --> 00:52:21,941 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1296 00:52:27,580 --> 00:52:30,083 - It's night two of the National Finals in Las Vegas, 1297 00:52:30,116 --> 00:52:31,418 and a couple of Chicago ninjas 1298 00:52:31,451 --> 00:52:33,787 hit the course while we were away. 1299 00:52:33,820 --> 00:52:35,789 College student Maggie Owen 1300 00:52:35,822 --> 00:52:38,224 had a Chi Town cheering section supporting her, 1301 00:52:38,258 --> 00:52:41,261 including Ninja legend Jesse "Flex" Labreck. 1302 00:52:41,294 --> 00:52:42,996 - You got this, buddy! 1303 00:52:43,096 --> 00:52:45,098 - The 5-foot, 105-pound Owen 1304 00:52:45,131 --> 00:52:46,933 is one of our smallest competitors, 1305 00:52:46,966 --> 00:52:50,537 but she came up big on the first and second obstacles. 1306 00:52:50,570 --> 00:52:51,705 - Whoo! 1307 00:52:51,738 --> 00:52:53,540 - I love how calm Maggie Owen was 1308 00:52:53,573 --> 00:52:55,108 on Three Ring Circus. 1309 00:52:55,108 --> 00:52:57,544 - Then she faced the Giant Roller Coaster, 1310 00:52:57,577 --> 00:52:59,646 the obstacle that took her out last year. 1311 00:52:59,679 --> 00:53:01,514 - Whoo. Here we go. 1312 00:53:01,548 --> 00:53:03,850 Nice. Great transition. 1313 00:53:03,883 --> 00:53:06,119 Whoa! [air horn blows] 1314 00:53:06,152 --> 00:53:08,688 - Good job, buddy! 1315 00:53:08,722 --> 00:53:11,057 - Then it was another Windy City Ninja, 1316 00:53:11,091 --> 00:53:13,226 The Stallion, Mike Silenzi, 1317 00:53:13,259 --> 00:53:16,830 who as usual had a stampede going on the sideline. 1318 00:53:16,863 --> 00:53:18,898 - Giddy up. [imitates horse neighing] 1319 00:53:18,932 --> 00:53:20,734 - The ten-time Ninja veteran has been having 1320 00:53:20,767 --> 00:53:23,403 a career resurgence the past few years 1321 00:53:23,436 --> 00:53:26,339 and has already hit two buzzers this season. 1322 00:53:26,373 --> 00:53:29,075 - At 36 years old, he's got a lot of experience, 1323 00:53:29,075 --> 00:53:31,778 and that's what he's relying on. 1324 00:53:31,811 --> 00:53:33,380 - Keep it up! Keep it up! 1325 00:53:33,413 --> 00:53:36,149 - But The Stallion ran into trouble on the homestretch 1326 00:53:36,182 --> 00:53:39,519 and saw his luck change when he got hung up on the Gambler. 1327 00:53:39,552 --> 00:53:41,087 - All right, sprint like it's the Derby. 1328 00:53:41,087 --> 00:53:42,822 Sprint like it's the Derby! 1329 00:53:42,856 --> 00:53:44,991 [air horn blows] 1330 00:53:45,091 --> 00:53:48,094 - Ah, The Stallion does not like water. 1331 00:53:48,128 --> 00:53:50,296 - Well, cats don't like water either, 1332 00:53:50,330 --> 00:53:53,166 and neither does the Cat Daddy, Jackson Twait, 1333 00:53:53,199 --> 00:53:54,901 who's on the course right now. 1334 00:53:54,934 --> 00:53:58,304 Team Twait out in force-- family, friends, and a pic 1335 00:53:58,338 --> 00:54:00,340 of his beloved cat, Hash Brown. 1336 00:54:00,373 --> 00:54:03,777 This pet sitter from Iowa is a five-time Ninja veteran-- 1337 00:54:03,810 --> 00:54:05,945 always one of the most fun guys 1338 00:54:06,046 --> 00:54:08,214 to watch on the course. 1339 00:54:08,248 --> 00:54:10,350 And you saw a great job just adjusting 1340 00:54:10,383 --> 00:54:14,087 with that switch grip there, making it look effortless. 1341 00:54:14,120 --> 00:54:15,488 - Nice. - Locked in. 1342 00:54:15,522 --> 00:54:18,158 Hash Brown's got to be happy. 1343 00:54:18,191 --> 00:54:19,659 - He's moving quickly. 1344 00:54:19,693 --> 00:54:22,095 Last year he barely made it to the buzzer in time. 1345 00:54:22,128 --> 00:54:24,764 So I know he's not going to be messing around here. 1346 00:54:24,798 --> 00:54:26,199 - Well, this was last season. 1347 00:54:26,232 --> 00:54:29,336 He finished but with less than a second to spare. 1348 00:54:29,369 --> 00:54:31,171 Doesn't want to cut it that close again. 1349 00:54:31,204 --> 00:54:33,907 He's in good shape time-wise right now. 1350 00:54:33,940 --> 00:54:36,343 Well, let's see what he does with the Gambler. 1351 00:54:36,376 --> 00:54:40,814 That chip--it's so easy to lose momentum, to lose energy, 1352 00:54:40,847 --> 00:54:42,349 and he's spinning. - Ooh, get it. 1353 00:54:42,382 --> 00:54:43,883 Control it. 1354 00:54:43,917 --> 00:54:46,252 I like the nice wide grip to control the poker chip. 1355 00:54:46,286 --> 00:54:47,587 Nice. - One of the bigger Ninjas 1356 00:54:47,620 --> 00:54:49,422 we'll see on stage one-- got a lot of power. 1357 00:54:49,456 --> 00:54:50,757 Can he control the craps table? 1358 00:54:50,790 --> 00:54:53,626 - Nice. - Got it fully extended. 1359 00:54:53,660 --> 00:54:55,161 - Takes mass to move mass. 1360 00:54:55,195 --> 00:54:57,697 And so he's using 160 pounds, get to the edge--nice. 1361 00:54:57,731 --> 00:55:00,066 - Oh, no! - Big grab. 1362 00:55:00,100 --> 00:55:03,737 - Those cat-like reflexes saved him there. 1363 00:55:03,770 --> 00:55:04,871 Spinning around. 1364 00:55:04,904 --> 00:55:07,507 Can he sink his claws into this one? 1365 00:55:07,540 --> 00:55:10,443 He's in great position. 1366 00:55:10,477 --> 00:55:12,879 Twait has plenty of time. 1367 00:55:12,912 --> 00:55:15,749 - All right, scratch and claw your way up to this one. 1368 00:55:15,782 --> 00:55:20,420 - His crazy fans are starting to smell a buzzer. 1369 00:55:20,453 --> 00:55:24,257 And the Cat Daddy now facing the Dipping Birds. 1370 00:55:24,290 --> 00:55:26,726 - Yeah, this is where you got to open up your gait here. 1371 00:55:26,760 --> 00:55:28,661 You know cats like chasing birds. 1372 00:55:28,695 --> 00:55:29,662 Go ahead, chase it. 1373 00:55:29,696 --> 00:55:32,098 Get it! Nice! [cheering] 1374 00:55:32,132 --> 00:55:34,734 - On now to Thread The Needle, and got to be careful. 1375 00:55:34,768 --> 00:55:37,203 We've seen a lot of runs end right here. 1376 00:55:37,237 --> 00:55:38,972 - But, Matt, he's set up with a good time. 1377 00:55:39,072 --> 00:55:40,807 He's got about 45 seconds. - Perfect! 1378 00:55:40,840 --> 00:55:42,909 - So he's in plenty good shape here. 1379 00:55:42,942 --> 00:55:45,679 - Well, from last season with just 7/10 of a second-- 1380 00:55:45,712 --> 00:55:47,414 I think Jackson Twait's going to have 1381 00:55:47,447 --> 00:55:49,249 a little more comfortable buzzer. 1382 00:55:49,282 --> 00:55:51,151 Remember, the faster you finish, 1383 00:55:51,184 --> 00:55:53,687 the better your seed for racing on stage two. 1384 00:55:53,720 --> 00:55:56,089 Should give Twait a top 10 time. 1385 00:55:56,089 --> 00:55:57,724 - He's like, I'm not messing around. 1386 00:55:57,757 --> 00:56:02,062 - Well, Jackson Twait really delivers. 1387 00:56:02,095 --> 00:56:04,397 Hash Brown's got to be proud 1388 00:56:04,431 --> 00:56:07,934 as he gets another stage one noggin buzzer. 1389 00:56:08,034 --> 00:56:10,036 [cheers and applause] 1390 00:56:10,036 --> 00:56:13,039 [upbeat music] 1391 00:56:13,073 --> 00:56:16,309 Ah, breaking out a new dance move--little wiggle, wiggle. 1392 00:56:16,343 --> 00:56:19,312 I see you, Cat Daddy. 1393 00:56:19,346 --> 00:56:22,048 - Well, I hope Hash Brown gave you some advice, 1394 00:56:22,082 --> 00:56:24,884 'cause we'll see you on stage two, Cat Daddy! 1395 00:56:24,918 --> 00:56:29,723 - [screams] - [laughs] 1396 00:56:29,756 --> 00:56:32,158 Up next, the third of our four moms 1397 00:56:32,192 --> 00:56:33,960 who qualified for Vegas this year-- 1398 00:56:34,060 --> 00:56:36,062 showing off her gymnastics skills, 1399 00:56:36,096 --> 00:56:38,331 this is Mady Howard, 1400 00:56:38,365 --> 00:56:40,800 the 27-year-old Ninja veteran from Utah. 1401 00:56:40,834 --> 00:56:43,169 Mady can seemingly do it all. 1402 00:56:43,203 --> 00:56:44,604 She's a nurse, 1403 00:56:44,637 --> 00:56:47,574 a mom to one-year-old son, Beckham, 1404 00:56:47,607 --> 00:56:51,211 and one of the top female ninjas in the world. 1405 00:56:51,244 --> 00:56:53,947 Mady Howard does it! 1406 00:56:53,980 --> 00:56:55,982 But this superhero's kryptonite 1407 00:56:56,082 --> 00:56:59,085 has been the third obstacle on stage one. 1408 00:56:59,119 --> 00:57:01,721 - So far, my years of competing in Vegas 1409 00:57:01,755 --> 00:57:04,324 haven't gone as well as I had hoped. 1410 00:57:05,425 --> 00:57:08,028 - Oh, shoot! Sha-na-na! 1411 00:57:08,061 --> 00:57:11,097 - I have fallen on the third obstacle every single year. 1412 00:57:13,500 --> 00:57:15,135 - Oh! 1413 00:57:15,168 --> 00:57:16,703 - Making it past the third obstacle 1414 00:57:16,736 --> 00:57:19,239 would be a victory in and of itself for me, 1415 00:57:19,272 --> 00:57:21,041 but I don't want to stop there. 1416 00:57:21,041 --> 00:57:23,943 I would love to be the first mom to hit a buzzer as well. 1417 00:57:24,044 --> 00:57:27,080 * * 1418 00:57:27,113 --> 00:57:29,683 - Ah, her son, Beckham, blowing her a kiss, 1419 00:57:29,716 --> 00:57:31,551 along with her husband, Tyler. 1420 00:57:31,584 --> 00:57:33,386 - Mama. 1421 00:57:33,420 --> 00:57:36,356 [countdown clock beeping] 1422 00:57:36,389 --> 00:57:39,659 Former college gymnast at Southern Utah University. 1423 00:57:39,693 --> 00:57:41,227 Good body awareness. 1424 00:57:41,261 --> 00:57:43,363 Want to be careful on Three Ring Circus. 1425 00:57:43,396 --> 00:57:46,399 This obstacle is already knocked out two of our moms. 1426 00:57:46,433 --> 00:57:47,901 - You got this, Mads. 1427 00:57:47,934 --> 00:57:50,737 - Go, Mady! - Go, Mady! Go, Mady! 1428 00:57:50,770 --> 00:57:51,871 - Nice. 1429 00:57:51,905 --> 00:57:53,440 - Smooth transition. 1430 00:57:53,473 --> 00:57:55,241 - Yeah, it's all about making those adjustments, 1431 00:57:55,275 --> 00:57:56,910 especially on that blind one, Matt. 1432 00:57:56,943 --> 00:57:59,079 - Still only three women who've hit a buzzer 1433 00:57:59,112 --> 00:58:00,413 on stage one. 1434 00:58:00,447 --> 00:58:02,482 - Mady Howard's got the skills to do it. 1435 00:58:02,515 --> 00:58:05,352 - She's through two obstacles. 1436 00:58:05,385 --> 00:58:07,554 Sets up a showdown with the third. 1437 00:58:07,587 --> 00:58:10,023 This is her third time on stage one. 1438 00:58:10,023 --> 00:58:13,693 Each of the past two times her run ended here. 1439 00:58:13,727 --> 00:58:14,694 - All right, here we go. 1440 00:58:14,728 --> 00:58:16,029 This thing goes fast. 1441 00:58:16,062 --> 00:58:17,731 Nice. - Good transfer. 1442 00:58:17,764 --> 00:58:20,166 Hold it into the cradle. - And it's the impact here. 1443 00:58:20,200 --> 00:58:21,701 Nice. - Got it! 1444 00:58:21,735 --> 00:58:25,638 - I love how she came in tight to absorb the impact! 1445 00:58:25,672 --> 00:58:30,076 - And Mady Howard--what a confidence boost that is. 1446 00:58:30,110 --> 00:58:33,213 [cheers and applause] 1447 00:58:33,246 --> 00:58:35,315 And now the Jumping Spider. 1448 00:58:35,348 --> 00:58:38,618 5'6", 125, gymnastics background. 1449 00:58:38,651 --> 00:58:40,687 Still got to get a big jump on this trampoline. 1450 00:58:40,720 --> 00:58:42,088 - Here we go. Big jump. 1451 00:58:42,122 --> 00:58:43,556 Nice, hit it. 1452 00:58:43,590 --> 00:58:45,258 both: Oh, no! 1453 00:58:45,291 --> 00:58:47,527 - She conquered the third obstacle 1454 00:58:47,560 --> 00:58:50,797 but got bit by the Jumping Spider. 1455 00:58:50,830 --> 00:58:54,067 Let's start with that victory on obstacle three. 1456 00:58:54,067 --> 00:58:57,737 Made the grab to the second bar and then made the landing 1457 00:58:57,771 --> 00:58:59,572 so she could celebrate, 1458 00:58:59,606 --> 00:59:02,909 but she just couldn't land the Jumping Spider. 1459 00:59:03,009 --> 00:59:04,911 - That was actually really fun. 1460 00:59:05,011 --> 00:59:07,914 [chuckles] [cheers and applause] 1461 00:59:08,014 --> 00:59:09,015 - Coming up... 1462 00:59:09,015 --> 00:59:10,350 it's the second half 1463 00:59:10,383 --> 00:59:13,720 of our first-ever father-son duo in Vegas. 1464 00:59:13,753 --> 00:59:16,356 And you know high schooler Ben Behrends 1465 00:59:16,389 --> 00:59:18,692 will have this crowd hyped up, 1466 00:59:18,725 --> 00:59:22,429 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1467 00:59:27,133 --> 00:59:28,335 - Welcome back to Vegas 1468 00:59:28,368 --> 00:59:30,737 and stage one of the National Finals. 1469 00:59:30,770 --> 00:59:33,673 24-year-old stuntman Ramcis Valdez 1470 00:59:33,707 --> 00:59:36,042 comes from the Bronx in New York City. 1471 00:59:36,042 --> 00:59:37,477 - Let's go, Ramcis! 1472 00:59:37,510 --> 00:59:38,745 - This rookie looked strong 1473 00:59:38,778 --> 00:59:40,480 through the first part of the course, 1474 00:59:40,513 --> 00:59:43,116 then lost a lot of time on the Gambler, 1475 00:59:43,149 --> 00:59:45,285 before finally getting through. 1476 00:59:45,318 --> 00:59:47,687 - OK, King Ramcis with the royal flush. 1477 00:59:47,721 --> 00:59:51,091 - But the 24-year-old stuntman was running on fumes 1478 00:59:51,124 --> 00:59:52,525 for the final obstacles. 1479 00:59:52,559 --> 00:59:54,260 - He's got to get going now. 1480 00:59:54,294 --> 00:59:57,697 - He reached Thread the Needle but had nothing left. 1481 00:59:57,731 --> 00:59:59,232 - Oh, he's starting to lose grip. 1482 00:59:59,265 --> 01:00:01,267 Oh! 1483 01:00:01,301 --> 01:00:02,902 - Pennsylvania's Cal Plohoros 1484 01:00:02,936 --> 01:00:05,338 fell on the Jumping Spider last year. 1485 01:00:05,372 --> 01:00:06,906 - He's been working on the splits, 1486 01:00:06,940 --> 01:00:09,242 trying to make sure he can nail it--nice. 1487 01:00:09,275 --> 01:00:10,543 - But not tonight. 1488 01:00:10,577 --> 01:00:13,113 Ninja Cal is known for going fast, 1489 01:00:13,146 --> 01:00:15,115 which can sometimes lead to mistakes. 1490 01:00:15,148 --> 01:00:17,751 - Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! 1491 01:00:17,784 --> 01:00:19,386 Oh, my goodness. 1492 01:00:19,419 --> 01:00:22,088 - The high schooler somehow survived a one-handed save 1493 01:00:22,122 --> 01:00:23,223 on the Gambler. 1494 01:00:23,256 --> 01:00:24,791 - What a save! 1495 01:00:24,824 --> 01:00:27,394 - But seconds later, he came up short on Dipping Birds. 1496 01:00:27,427 --> 01:00:29,929 - Oh, my-- What? 1497 01:00:29,963 --> 01:00:32,799 - A record four moms made it to Vegas this year, 1498 01:00:32,832 --> 01:00:35,402 and Visalia, California's Zhanique Lovett 1499 01:00:35,435 --> 01:00:37,470 was the final one to hit the course. 1500 01:00:37,504 --> 01:00:40,440 With her family watching, the personal trainer 1501 01:00:40,473 --> 01:00:43,109 looked strong heading into Three Ring Circus 1502 01:00:43,143 --> 01:00:44,711 but couldn't get a grip. 1503 01:00:44,744 --> 01:00:45,879 - Oh, no! 1504 01:00:45,912 --> 01:00:47,981 [air horn blows] 1505 01:00:48,014 --> 01:00:50,316 - I had it. I guess I slipped. 1506 01:00:50,350 --> 01:00:53,653 It happens. Dang it! 1507 01:00:53,687 --> 01:00:56,156 - Well, get ready to be fired up 1508 01:00:56,189 --> 01:00:59,592 because here comes Iowa teenager Ben Behrends. 1509 01:00:59,626 --> 01:01:01,361 He is The Hype Guy, 1510 01:01:01,394 --> 01:01:04,064 and his sideline is going to be into it. 1511 01:01:04,097 --> 01:01:07,734 There's his dad, Scott, who ran earlier. 1512 01:01:07,767 --> 01:01:11,371 Ben's little sister already has tears flowing. 1513 01:01:11,404 --> 01:01:13,273 Grandma and the whole family knows 1514 01:01:13,306 --> 01:01:15,275 just how much this means to him. 1515 01:01:15,308 --> 01:01:18,712 He's been The Hype Guy for so many other Iowa ninjas 1516 01:01:18,745 --> 01:01:21,614 over the years, screaming his heart out. 1517 01:01:21,648 --> 01:01:25,785 Now he finally gets his chance to shine. 1518 01:01:25,819 --> 01:01:27,220 Well, he and his dad-- 1519 01:01:27,253 --> 01:01:31,324 the first father-son duo ever to qualify for Vegas. 1520 01:01:31,358 --> 01:01:33,093 His dad made it to Gambler. 1521 01:01:33,093 --> 01:01:34,828 What can Ben do? 1522 01:01:34,861 --> 01:01:37,364 5'1", 115. 1523 01:01:37,397 --> 01:01:40,433 This kid trains so hard. 1524 01:01:40,467 --> 01:01:42,936 - Yeah, smallest male competitor here in Vegas. 1525 01:01:42,969 --> 01:01:44,204 But you don't tell him that 1526 01:01:44,237 --> 01:01:46,272 because his size doesn't mean anything. 1527 01:01:46,306 --> 01:01:48,308 - It's hard not to root for this kid. 1528 01:01:48,341 --> 01:01:50,744 With his size, it was tough to play other sports, 1529 01:01:50,777 --> 01:01:54,280 but he has found a home in Ninja. 1530 01:01:54,314 --> 01:01:55,982 - He's having a little trouble right here. 1531 01:01:56,016 --> 01:01:58,385 Got to line himself up with that landing pad. 1532 01:01:58,418 --> 01:02:01,054 - Just trying to keep it north, south--there he goes. 1533 01:02:01,054 --> 01:02:03,890 Couple extra swings heading into Giant Roller Coaster. 1534 01:02:03,923 --> 01:02:06,059 About to start his junior year in high school. 1535 01:02:06,059 --> 01:02:07,594 Should love this ride. - All right, let's go. 1536 01:02:07,627 --> 01:02:08,928 - Get hyped. 1537 01:02:08,962 --> 01:02:11,664 - You see how hyped he was for his dad. 1538 01:02:11,698 --> 01:02:13,433 Now you got to be hyped for yourself. 1539 01:02:13,466 --> 01:02:15,068 - Nice flow. - Let's go. I'm hyped. 1540 01:02:15,101 --> 01:02:16,436 Let's go! - Lands it! 1541 01:02:16,469 --> 01:02:17,771 He's got it. 1542 01:02:17,804 --> 01:02:21,207 - The hype is real, I'm telling you. 1543 01:02:21,241 --> 01:02:23,510 - But at 5'1", the Jumping Spider 1544 01:02:23,543 --> 01:02:25,111 will be a huge challenge. 1545 01:02:25,145 --> 01:02:27,914 - Well, Matt, he told us, he's been doing a lot of splits 1546 01:02:27,947 --> 01:02:29,516 in preparation for this. 1547 01:02:29,549 --> 01:02:33,720 Wow! What a save! That was a big ask for 5'1"! 1548 01:02:33,753 --> 01:02:35,288 - And if he gets through this, 1549 01:02:35,321 --> 01:02:37,557 he'd be tied with Tyler Yamauchi 1550 01:02:37,590 --> 01:02:40,527 as the shortest male to get through this obstacle. 1551 01:02:40,560 --> 01:02:44,464 Ben Behrends--what a big move on the Jumping Spider. 1552 01:02:44,497 --> 01:02:48,134 Now he can avenge his father on the Gambler. 1553 01:02:48,168 --> 01:02:50,837 - Matt, he needs to change that shirt from "The Hype Guy" 1554 01:02:50,870 --> 01:02:52,005 to "The Hype is Real." 1555 01:02:52,105 --> 01:02:53,973 - Bring the energy here on the Gambler. 1556 01:02:54,007 --> 01:02:56,209 - Here we go. Here we go. - Get to that chip. 1557 01:02:56,242 --> 01:02:58,712 5'1", this is a pretty big jump for him. 1558 01:02:58,745 --> 01:03:01,047 No problem. 1559 01:03:01,047 --> 01:03:03,717 At this point, with only a handful of runners left, 1560 01:03:03,750 --> 01:03:05,585 he'll need to get a buzzer 1561 01:03:05,618 --> 01:03:07,687 or at least reach the final obstacle 1562 01:03:07,721 --> 01:03:09,356 to be in the top 24 and move on. 1563 01:03:09,389 --> 01:03:10,557 - Can't waste a lot of time. 1564 01:03:10,590 --> 01:03:12,792 115 pounds, use that momentum. 1565 01:03:12,826 --> 01:03:13,927 Drag it out. - Wow. 1566 01:03:13,960 --> 01:03:15,528 - Good. He's wearing black. 1567 01:03:15,562 --> 01:03:18,131 Bet on black, and you win here on the Gambler. 1568 01:03:18,164 --> 01:03:20,166 - Dance across the top of that roulette wheel. 1569 01:03:20,200 --> 01:03:21,234 Go right to the ace. - Nice. 1570 01:03:21,267 --> 01:03:22,235 Oh, OK. 1571 01:03:22,268 --> 01:03:24,104 - Regroups, and he's got it! 1572 01:03:24,137 --> 01:03:25,905 Get going! 1573 01:03:25,939 --> 01:03:28,608 Ben Behrends is going to do what his father couldn't 1574 01:03:28,641 --> 01:03:31,277 if he can get this dismount. - Get it, get it. 1575 01:03:31,311 --> 01:03:33,480 Nice. - Now go, Ben, go! 1576 01:03:33,513 --> 01:03:36,349 [cheers and applause] 1577 01:03:36,383 --> 01:03:39,319 - It's a short run up here now on the curve Warped Wall. 1578 01:03:39,352 --> 01:03:42,155 Come on, power, power, power. - No problem! 1579 01:03:42,188 --> 01:03:44,124 Get going, 30 seconds! 1580 01:03:44,157 --> 01:03:46,192 - Go, young fella! - Go, man! 1581 01:03:46,226 --> 01:03:47,894 - Go, young fella! 1582 01:03:47,927 --> 01:03:49,963 - The Hype Man is closing in 1583 01:03:49,996 --> 01:03:51,831 on his first-ever buzzer. - Oh, boy. 1584 01:03:51,865 --> 01:03:54,334 - And he can see the clock counting down. 1585 01:03:54,367 --> 01:03:57,303 Got to go right here. - No extra swings. 1586 01:03:57,337 --> 01:03:58,471 - Oh! - Ooh! 1587 01:03:58,505 --> 01:03:59,839 Oh, boy. 1588 01:03:59,873 --> 01:04:01,841 - But if he can at least reach the cargo net, 1589 01:04:01,875 --> 01:04:04,044 it could get him into the top 24. 1590 01:04:04,077 --> 01:04:05,512 - Maybe there's a chance. 1591 01:04:05,545 --> 01:04:07,514 - A miracle! 1592 01:04:07,547 --> 01:04:09,416 Gets the cargo net! 1593 01:04:09,449 --> 01:04:12,419 [alarm blaring] 1594 01:04:12,452 --> 01:04:15,221 [buzzer sounds] 1595 01:04:15,255 --> 01:04:17,524 Didn't get the buzzer, but, Akbar, 1596 01:04:17,557 --> 01:04:20,293 you know his father couldn't be more proud of him. 1597 01:04:22,796 --> 01:04:25,432 - At 5'1", he had to really stretch out 1598 01:04:25,465 --> 01:04:27,600 to land it in the Jumping Spider, 1599 01:04:27,634 --> 01:04:29,069 but he did it. 1600 01:04:29,069 --> 01:04:30,937 Made big moves on the Gambler, 1601 01:04:30,970 --> 01:04:33,606 and that last-second leap to the cargo net 1602 01:04:33,640 --> 01:04:36,676 guaranteed him a spot in the top 24. 1603 01:04:36,710 --> 01:04:38,545 And Zuri's going to let him know. 1604 01:04:38,578 --> 01:04:40,547 - How did you feel out there on stage one? 1605 01:04:40,580 --> 01:04:42,615 - Oh, man, it was so fun. 1606 01:04:42,649 --> 01:04:45,118 It's just so much bigger than everything else. 1607 01:04:45,151 --> 01:04:46,453 Oh, man, it was so fun. 1608 01:04:46,486 --> 01:04:47,954 - So close. 1609 01:04:47,987 --> 01:04:50,423 I know you wanted a buzzer, but we have some good news. 1610 01:04:50,457 --> 01:04:51,958 You went far enough fast enough. 1611 01:04:51,991 --> 01:04:54,894 We'll see you on stage two. Congratulations, Ben. 1612 01:04:54,928 --> 01:04:59,432 [cheers and applause] Matt, Akbar, back to you. 1613 01:04:59,466 --> 01:05:01,534 - Well, with only seven athletes remaining, 1614 01:05:01,568 --> 01:05:05,305 the top 17 on our leaderboard are now guaranteed a spot 1615 01:05:05,338 --> 01:05:08,074 on stage two, including Ben Behrends. 1616 01:05:08,108 --> 01:05:09,576 But the remaining competitors 1617 01:05:09,609 --> 01:05:12,412 are in danger of being bumped out of the top 24, 1618 01:05:12,445 --> 01:05:16,282 including R.J. Roman, who does have a Safety Pass 1619 01:05:16,316 --> 01:05:18,752 if he needs to run stage one again. 1620 01:05:18,785 --> 01:05:20,053 Coming up... 1621 01:05:20,053 --> 01:05:22,122 15-year-old Taylor Greene 1622 01:05:22,155 --> 01:05:24,424 has already hit two buzzers this year. 1623 01:05:24,457 --> 01:05:26,426 Can she possibly get another? 1624 01:05:26,459 --> 01:05:27,761 We'll find out 1625 01:05:27,794 --> 01:05:31,331 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1626 01:05:36,436 --> 01:05:38,638 - Good friends Austin Gray and Nate Hansen 1627 01:05:38,672 --> 01:05:41,608 are back in Vegas for the third-straight year. 1628 01:05:41,641 --> 01:05:44,644 And first to hit stage one minutes ago was Gray-- 1629 01:05:44,678 --> 01:05:47,881 the 26-year-old Ninja veteran from Colorado. 1630 01:05:47,914 --> 01:05:50,517 Though he's a two-time runner-up on "Ninja Warrior," 1631 01:05:50,550 --> 01:05:53,653 he shockingly fell on the fifth obstacle last year. 1632 01:05:53,687 --> 01:05:56,289 - What the-- both: No! 1633 01:05:56,322 --> 01:05:59,159 - So he was extra careful on the fifth obstacle tonight. 1634 01:05:59,192 --> 01:06:01,728 - Nice. Oh, nice. There we go. 1635 01:06:01,761 --> 01:06:04,597 - And got through it. 1636 01:06:04,631 --> 01:06:07,267 He had plenty of time left on the clock. 1637 01:06:07,300 --> 01:06:09,169 - He knows he's getting very close to that buzzer. 1638 01:06:09,202 --> 01:06:11,938 - And sewed up his run on Thread The Needle 1639 01:06:12,038 --> 01:06:15,141 en route to his third career stage one buzzer. 1640 01:06:15,175 --> 01:06:18,445 - It eluded him last year, but he's back. 1641 01:06:18,478 --> 01:06:20,313 [cheers and applause] 1642 01:06:20,347 --> 01:06:24,050 - And now it's his buddy-- the Gnarly Ninja, Nate Hansen. 1643 01:06:24,084 --> 01:06:26,886 Just 5'2" but has a huge personality. 1644 01:06:26,920 --> 01:06:28,455 We've told you his story. 1645 01:06:28,488 --> 01:06:31,257 He was born with a growth-hormone deficiency, 1646 01:06:31,291 --> 01:06:36,129 and his inspirational runs have made him a fan favorite. 1647 01:06:36,162 --> 01:06:38,965 - I was once a kid who just got bullied all the time. 1648 01:06:39,065 --> 01:06:40,633 And I was the shortest in my class, 1649 01:06:40,667 --> 01:06:42,569 denied from every sport, sat on the sidelines. 1650 01:06:42,602 --> 01:06:44,704 But once I started Ninja... 1651 01:06:46,506 --> 01:06:48,508 - Yeah! [cheers and applause] 1652 01:06:48,541 --> 01:06:50,343 - It showed me who I truly was 1653 01:06:50,377 --> 01:06:52,479 and who I was capable of becoming... 1654 01:06:52,512 --> 01:06:55,382 Let's go! Whoo! 1655 01:06:55,415 --> 01:06:57,283 - Fastest time of the night! 1656 01:06:57,317 --> 01:06:59,786 - And how I could use this platform 1657 01:06:59,819 --> 01:07:01,521 to inspire everyone else. 1658 01:07:01,554 --> 01:07:02,822 I struggled with bullying 1659 01:07:02,856 --> 01:07:04,624 for, like, five or six years of my life. 1660 01:07:04,657 --> 01:07:06,326 And at the moment, I didn't see it through. 1661 01:07:06,359 --> 01:07:08,228 As I've grown more of a following, 1662 01:07:08,261 --> 01:07:10,030 I've gotten amazing opportunities 1663 01:07:10,030 --> 01:07:11,765 through nonprofit organizations 1664 01:07:11,798 --> 01:07:14,267 to come and speak and inspire kids across the country. 1665 01:07:14,300 --> 01:07:16,770 Now I can help other people who are struggling 1666 01:07:16,803 --> 01:07:19,606 with loneliness, rejection, not knowing who they are. 1667 01:07:19,639 --> 01:07:20,774 I'm truly changing lives, 1668 01:07:20,807 --> 01:07:22,409 and there's nothing better than that. 1669 01:07:25,612 --> 01:07:27,280 [cheers and applause] 1670 01:07:27,313 --> 01:07:29,616 - Lots of Nate Hansen fans here tonight, 1671 01:07:29,649 --> 01:07:32,519 along with a big group of friends and family. 1672 01:07:32,552 --> 01:07:36,056 [countdown clock beeping] 1673 01:07:36,056 --> 01:07:38,658 Last season he was just about flawless. 1674 01:07:38,692 --> 01:07:41,461 He hit four buzzers and made it all the way to stage three, 1675 01:07:41,494 --> 01:07:43,363 an unbelievable season. 1676 01:07:43,396 --> 01:07:45,298 Hasn't been as perfect this season, 1677 01:07:45,331 --> 01:07:47,767 but did manage to qualify for Vegas. 1678 01:07:47,801 --> 01:07:49,803 Maybe seeing his buddy Austin get a buzzer 1679 01:07:49,836 --> 01:07:51,471 will give him some inspiration. 1680 01:07:51,504 --> 01:07:54,374 - We know he can go far, Matt. We saw that last year. 1681 01:07:54,407 --> 01:07:56,810 How exciting was that to see Gnarly Nate 1682 01:07:56,843 --> 01:07:58,278 make it to stage three. 1683 01:07:58,311 --> 01:08:00,580 - Truly one of the most inspirational seasons 1684 01:08:00,613 --> 01:08:02,515 we've ever had on "Ninja Warrior." 1685 01:08:02,549 --> 01:08:06,019 Getting ready to go for a ride on the Giant Roller Coaster. 1686 01:08:06,052 --> 01:08:09,089 - All right, here we go. 1687 01:08:09,122 --> 01:08:10,690 - Real smooth. 1688 01:08:10,724 --> 01:08:12,158 - Nice. 1689 01:08:12,192 --> 01:08:14,661 - Nate trains so hard. 1690 01:08:14,694 --> 01:08:16,096 [cheers and applause] 1691 01:08:16,129 --> 01:08:18,798 Jumping Spider is going to be a test at his size. 1692 01:08:18,832 --> 01:08:20,433 This took him out last year, 1693 01:08:20,467 --> 01:08:22,836 but he used his Safety Pass to get another shot, 1694 01:08:22,869 --> 01:08:23,870 and he beat it. 1695 01:08:23,903 --> 01:08:25,538 - Big jump. Big jump. 1696 01:08:25,572 --> 01:08:28,942 - And he's got it again. - OK, I see you. 1697 01:08:29,042 --> 01:08:30,810 - Nate, though, we talk about it. 1698 01:08:30,844 --> 01:08:32,278 It's not just the physical, 1699 01:08:32,312 --> 01:08:34,247 you have to be such a problem solver. 1700 01:08:34,280 --> 01:08:38,184 And Nate always has a strong mental game with Ninja. 1701 01:08:39,686 --> 01:08:42,455 Gets through Jumping Spider. 1702 01:08:42,489 --> 01:08:44,624 Heading into the Gambler. 1703 01:08:44,657 --> 01:08:47,794 Not an especially fast pace, though. 1704 01:08:47,827 --> 01:08:50,463 - All right, big move here. 1705 01:08:50,497 --> 01:08:52,465 - We've seen a lot of falls right here 1706 01:08:52,499 --> 01:08:55,735 and can eat up a lot of time, even if you do get through it. 1707 01:08:55,769 --> 01:08:57,871 Well, this one has been diabolical. 1708 01:08:57,904 --> 01:09:01,641 He's a Business major. He understands the odds. 1709 01:09:01,675 --> 01:09:03,376 - Well, he better mean business here. 1710 01:09:03,410 --> 01:09:05,478 - And you can see, it's just been such a challenge 1711 01:09:05,512 --> 01:09:07,647 to get this craps table extended 1712 01:09:07,681 --> 01:09:10,116 to give you a straight path across the roulette wheel 1713 01:09:10,150 --> 01:09:11,317 to that ace of spades. 1714 01:09:11,351 --> 01:09:12,552 - He's got to make that right landing, 1715 01:09:12,585 --> 01:09:14,120 right there in about the middle, and then sprint. 1716 01:09:14,154 --> 01:09:15,155 Go for it. 1717 01:09:15,188 --> 01:09:16,690 - No! - Oh! 1718 01:09:16,723 --> 01:09:18,725 - Oh, he didn't have enough boosty to make 1719 01:09:18,758 --> 01:09:20,260 it to the ace of spades. 1720 01:09:20,293 --> 01:09:21,594 Oh. 1721 01:09:21,628 --> 01:09:24,431 - Last season everything went right for Nate Hansen, 1722 01:09:24,464 --> 01:09:26,232 but not this year. 1723 01:09:26,266 --> 01:09:29,269 - His first big test was the Jumping Spider, 1724 01:09:29,302 --> 01:09:31,604 and he got through that, but on the Gambler, 1725 01:09:31,638 --> 01:09:34,274 had a little stumble coming across the roulette wheel. 1726 01:09:34,307 --> 01:09:37,844 and couldn't get a good jump and missed the grab. 1727 01:09:39,813 --> 01:09:42,115 - I gambled a little too much this time. 1728 01:09:42,148 --> 01:09:43,283 It got me. 1729 01:09:43,316 --> 01:09:44,651 Fun course. 1730 01:09:44,684 --> 01:09:47,854 And we'll see if we can bring it back next season. 1731 01:09:47,887 --> 01:09:49,923 - Next up, one of Nate's training partners 1732 01:09:49,956 --> 01:09:52,792 back in Colorado-- Zuri's going to get her going. 1733 01:09:52,826 --> 01:09:54,928 - Guys, she came in with a lot of hype, 1734 01:09:54,961 --> 01:09:58,131 but 15-year-old Taylor Greene has lived up to it, 1735 01:09:58,164 --> 01:10:00,633 hitting two buzzers in her rookie season. 1736 01:10:00,667 --> 01:10:03,737 The first woman ever to do so. 1737 01:10:03,770 --> 01:10:05,705 She's been on the path to stardom 1738 01:10:05,739 --> 01:10:07,640 since she was ten years old, 1739 01:10:07,674 --> 01:10:10,310 winning race after race during three seasons 1740 01:10:10,343 --> 01:10:11,644 of "Ninja Junior." 1741 01:10:11,678 --> 01:10:15,215 - Taylor Greene continues to dominate! 1742 01:10:15,248 --> 01:10:18,518 - And the spotlight of the big show didn't slow her down. 1743 01:10:18,551 --> 01:10:21,187 - And Greene is golden! 1744 01:10:21,221 --> 01:10:25,458 Her perfect rookie season continues. 1745 01:10:25,492 --> 01:10:28,528 - Tonight she looks to add her name to the record books 1746 01:10:28,561 --> 01:10:29,829 once again. 1747 01:10:29,863 --> 01:10:31,131 - I'm definitely a little nervous, 1748 01:10:31,164 --> 01:10:32,432 but I would say I'm more excited 1749 01:10:32,465 --> 01:10:34,634 because I feel like I've already proven myself 1750 01:10:34,668 --> 01:10:36,102 and my abilities. 1751 01:10:36,136 --> 01:10:38,505 I'm absolutely ready to become the youngest woman 1752 01:10:38,538 --> 01:10:40,507 to ever hit a stage one buzzer. 1753 01:10:40,540 --> 01:10:44,044 [cheers and applause] 1754 01:10:44,077 --> 01:10:46,513 - She's got friends and family on the sideline, 1755 01:10:46,546 --> 01:10:49,582 including Katie Bone, the reigning women's champ, 1756 01:10:49,616 --> 01:10:52,352 but Taylor Greene might be coming for that title. 1757 01:10:52,385 --> 01:10:54,788 [countdown clock beeping] 1758 01:10:54,821 --> 01:10:56,856 Three women in history have finished stage one-- 1759 01:10:56,890 --> 01:11:00,060 Jessie Graff, Allyssa Beird, and Flex Labreck. 1760 01:11:00,093 --> 01:11:02,662 This 15-year-old trying to join them. 1761 01:11:02,696 --> 01:11:05,131 Well, stage one has been unkind to all of our ninjas, 1762 01:11:05,165 --> 01:11:06,466 especially the women. 1763 01:11:06,499 --> 01:11:08,868 Addy Herman has the best performance so far, 1764 01:11:08,902 --> 01:11:11,905 making it to the Warped Wall. 1765 01:11:11,938 --> 01:11:13,973 - You and I, we've watched Taylor Greene 1766 01:11:14,074 --> 01:11:15,709 grow up on "Ninja Warrior." 1767 01:11:15,742 --> 01:11:17,177 We saw her on "Ninja Junior." 1768 01:11:17,210 --> 01:11:18,778 She is outstanding. 1769 01:11:18,812 --> 01:11:21,614 - Well, her social media handle's SweetNinjaGirl, 1770 01:11:21,648 --> 01:11:22,816 but you gave her a nickname 1771 01:11:22,849 --> 01:11:24,551 after seeing her compete, Akbar. 1772 01:11:24,584 --> 01:11:26,986 - Yeah, that's right-- Mean Taylor Greene. 1773 01:11:27,087 --> 01:11:29,689 When she's out here, she's mean, lean, hostile, 1774 01:11:29,723 --> 01:11:31,558 agile, highly motivated-- Ah, ha ha! 1775 01:11:31,591 --> 01:11:33,827 - We'll see-- going for a ride here 1776 01:11:33,860 --> 01:11:37,263 on the Giant Roller Coaster-- a 60-foot trip down the rails. 1777 01:11:37,297 --> 01:11:39,599 - Mean Taylor Greene, let's go. 1778 01:11:39,632 --> 01:11:40,600 Come on. 1779 01:11:40,633 --> 01:11:42,869 - Got it. 1780 01:11:42,902 --> 01:11:44,204 - Nice. 1781 01:11:44,237 --> 01:11:46,473 Mean Taylor Greene, you see what I mean? 1782 01:11:46,506 --> 01:11:48,274 - She is looking strong. 1783 01:11:48,308 --> 01:11:52,178 And right now still on time for a buzzer, Akbar. 1784 01:11:52,212 --> 01:11:55,215 5'5"--should have plenty of length for the Jumping Spider. 1785 01:11:55,248 --> 01:11:59,753 She's on her high-school track team, does the long jump. 1786 01:11:59,786 --> 01:12:01,688 - Great leap. Come on, now. 1787 01:12:01,721 --> 01:12:03,523 [cheers and applause] 1788 01:12:03,556 --> 01:12:05,925 - Looks a little tentative here moving forward. 1789 01:12:05,959 --> 01:12:08,294 Now finding that confidence. 1790 01:12:08,328 --> 01:12:10,430 - Well, Matt, she's thinking about not making a mistake, 1791 01:12:10,463 --> 01:12:12,532 but she's got to remember here, stage one is different. 1792 01:12:12,565 --> 01:12:14,968 You're racing against the clock. 1793 01:12:15,068 --> 01:12:18,805 - And this is eating up a lot of time and energy. 1794 01:12:18,838 --> 01:12:20,273 - Ah, little fist pump. 1795 01:12:20,306 --> 01:12:21,908 She's happy to be through that one. 1796 01:12:21,941 --> 01:12:24,678 [cheers and applause] 1797 01:12:24,711 --> 01:12:26,946 - Well, Taylor Greene has been all-in 1798 01:12:26,980 --> 01:12:29,249 since she started Ninja years ago. 1799 01:12:29,282 --> 01:12:30,850 - If I'm going to be a gambling man, 1800 01:12:30,884 --> 01:12:33,887 I'm gambling everything on Mean Taylor Greene. 1801 01:12:33,920 --> 01:12:34,888 Let's go. 1802 01:12:34,921 --> 01:12:36,589 Now on to the poker chip. 1803 01:12:36,623 --> 01:12:38,491 - Look how calm she looks, Akbar-- 1804 01:12:38,525 --> 01:12:40,527 not even breathing heavily. 1805 01:12:40,560 --> 01:12:42,696 Looking really in charge. 1806 01:12:42,729 --> 01:12:44,431 - She is the real deal. 1807 01:12:44,464 --> 01:12:46,099 - All right, got to get some power here. 1808 01:12:46,132 --> 01:12:48,368 Extend right at the end of the craps table. 1809 01:12:48,401 --> 01:12:49,736 - Nice. - Great technique. 1810 01:12:49,769 --> 01:12:51,538 - Oh, she's got that power. - Look at that power. 1811 01:12:51,571 --> 01:12:53,006 - And that was in one move, too. 1812 01:12:53,106 --> 01:12:54,407 - Well, this is it, Akbar. - Come on. 1813 01:12:54,441 --> 01:12:56,676 - Can she dance across the top of the roulette wheel? 1814 01:12:56,710 --> 01:12:57,811 - Nice! Okay! - Yes! 1815 01:12:57,844 --> 01:12:59,346 Yes! - I see you! 1816 01:12:59,379 --> 01:13:01,948 You go, girl! - And she's got time, Akbar! 1817 01:13:02,048 --> 01:13:05,051 We could be witnessing history! Taylor Greene! 1818 01:13:05,051 --> 01:13:06,519 - Yeah, if she gets this, 1819 01:13:06,553 --> 01:13:09,155 oh, my goodness, Matt, you better hold me in this booth. 1820 01:13:09,189 --> 01:13:10,390 She gets this-- 1821 01:13:10,423 --> 01:13:11,591 - Oh, my, the Warped Wall. - Come on. 1822 01:13:11,624 --> 01:13:13,460 - Yes! - All right, let's go. 1823 01:13:13,493 --> 01:13:15,295 - Taylor Greene is rolling. 30 seconds. 1824 01:13:15,328 --> 01:13:17,397 - She is moving! Come on! 1825 01:13:17,430 --> 01:13:20,400 - Akbar, this is remarkable! - Come on, come on. 1826 01:13:20,433 --> 01:13:21,568 - Get through the Dipping Birds. 1827 01:13:21,601 --> 01:13:23,103 - I need that clock to slow down. 1828 01:13:23,136 --> 01:13:25,405 I need that clock to slow down. My girl got to get up there. 1829 01:13:25,438 --> 01:13:27,207 - No! - Oh! 1830 01:13:27,240 --> 01:13:29,509 - So close! - Oh! 1831 01:13:29,542 --> 01:13:32,145 Oh, my goodness, that one hurts right here. 1832 01:13:32,178 --> 01:13:35,115 - But Taylor Greene-- the best performance 1833 01:13:35,148 --> 01:13:37,984 of any woman on stage one this season. 1834 01:13:38,084 --> 01:13:40,854 She was spectacular. 1835 01:13:40,887 --> 01:13:43,656 - She was impressive through the whole run. 1836 01:13:43,690 --> 01:13:46,626 Everyone, including me, was getting excited 1837 01:13:46,659 --> 01:13:48,928 when she made that move to the ace of spades. 1838 01:13:48,962 --> 01:13:51,331 It even made her smile. 1839 01:13:51,364 --> 01:13:53,533 At Dipping Birds, she was rushing 1840 01:13:53,566 --> 01:13:55,669 and came up just a little short, 1841 01:13:55,702 --> 01:13:59,606 but what a season for Taylor Greene. 1842 01:13:59,639 --> 01:14:02,375 - Up next, he's on an unbelievable 1843 01:14:02,409 --> 01:14:04,511 winning streak in Vegas. [air horn blows] 1844 01:14:04,544 --> 01:14:09,149 In two seasons, Kaden Lebsack's never fallen. 1845 01:14:09,182 --> 01:14:10,950 He'll try to keep his streak alive, 1846 01:14:20,627 --> 01:14:21,695 - Welcome back to Vegas, where it's nail-biting time 1847 01:14:23,363 --> 01:14:25,965 for top competitor R.J. Roman, 1848 01:14:26,066 --> 01:14:28,635 who sat in 22nd minutes ago. 1849 01:14:28,668 --> 01:14:31,137 He watched Isaiah Wakeham take the course 1850 01:14:31,171 --> 01:14:33,807 in search of his second stage one buzzer. 1851 01:14:33,840 --> 01:14:36,109 The videographer wasn't picture perfect... 1852 01:14:36,142 --> 01:14:37,811 - Oh, boy, he stumbled a little bit. 1853 01:14:37,844 --> 01:14:40,080 - And had a few close calls on the course. 1854 01:14:40,080 --> 01:14:42,649 - Ooh, he barely made that transition. 1855 01:14:42,682 --> 01:14:45,719 - But he made it to the final obstacle with a good time. 1856 01:14:45,752 --> 01:14:47,087 - Oh! [air horn blows] 1857 01:14:47,087 --> 01:14:49,222 The cane is still on, but he's off. 1858 01:14:49,255 --> 01:14:50,423 - Though he didn't finish, 1859 01:14:50,457 --> 01:14:52,092 his faster time to Thread The Needle 1860 01:14:52,092 --> 01:14:56,096 pushed R.J. Roman down to 23rd on the leaderboard. 1861 01:14:56,129 --> 01:14:59,232 Then Montana's Evan Andrews hit the course, 1862 01:14:59,265 --> 01:15:01,501 celebrating his high-school graduation 1863 01:15:01,534 --> 01:15:04,571 and being his class co-valedictorian. 1864 01:15:04,604 --> 01:15:06,706 In his second year on stage one, 1865 01:15:06,740 --> 01:15:08,875 the 18-year-old looked confident. 1866 01:15:08,908 --> 01:15:11,711 - I mean, he went right into it, wasting no time. 1867 01:15:11,745 --> 01:15:14,481 - He's starting at the University of Utah this fall, 1868 01:15:14,514 --> 01:15:16,583 and he showed he's a quick study, 1869 01:15:16,616 --> 01:15:17,951 figuring out the Gambler... 1870 01:15:18,051 --> 01:15:19,953 - Nice! OK! 1871 01:15:20,053 --> 01:15:23,189 - And ran nonstop through the final obstacles. 1872 01:15:23,223 --> 01:15:25,759 - Evan Andrews going into a full-on sprint now. 1873 01:15:25,792 --> 01:15:28,161 - He was perfect on Thread The Needle 1874 01:15:28,194 --> 01:15:32,065 and edged out Caleb Bergstrom for the best finish so far. 1875 01:15:32,065 --> 01:15:34,367 - Fastest time! - Let's go! 1876 01:15:34,401 --> 01:15:37,370 - And by finishing, he pushed R.J. Roman down 1877 01:15:37,404 --> 01:15:39,272 to 24th on the leaderboard. 1878 01:15:39,305 --> 01:15:42,075 He's on the bubble, with one ninja still to run, 1879 01:15:42,075 --> 01:15:44,511 and that final athlete is one of the very best. 1880 01:15:44,544 --> 01:15:46,713 Zuri's going to get him started. 1881 01:15:46,746 --> 01:15:50,283 - Guys, he has to be considered the one to beat here in Vegas. 1882 01:15:50,316 --> 01:15:53,520 Kaden Lebsack has been the last ninja standing 1883 01:15:53,553 --> 01:15:55,221 the past two years. 1884 01:15:55,255 --> 01:15:57,624 And he's been near perfect in his career. 1885 01:15:57,657 --> 01:16:00,860 In three seasons, he's never fallen in the water once. 1886 01:16:00,894 --> 01:16:03,196 The only thing missing from his Ninja résumé, 1887 01:16:03,229 --> 01:16:05,498 a stage four buzzer. 1888 01:16:05,532 --> 01:16:08,068 - And, Akbar, as if his record weren't impressive enough, 1889 01:16:08,101 --> 01:16:11,037 he's also running with the Safety Pass. 1890 01:16:11,071 --> 01:16:13,740 He beat Kai Beckstrand back in the Semis to earn it. 1891 01:16:13,773 --> 01:16:17,077 So, if he should fall right now, he will get to run again. 1892 01:16:17,110 --> 01:16:18,311 - Come on. 1893 01:16:18,345 --> 01:16:20,046 - He's got a big group on the sideline, 1894 01:16:20,046 --> 01:16:21,314 including his parents 1895 01:16:21,348 --> 01:16:23,616 and reigning women's champ, Katie Bone, 1896 01:16:23,650 --> 01:16:25,652 who's out this season with an injury. 1897 01:16:25,685 --> 01:16:28,121 [countdown clock beeping] 1898 01:16:28,154 --> 01:16:29,823 - Matt, I think you and I both know, 1899 01:16:29,856 --> 01:16:32,892 Kaden Lebsack does not need that Safety Pass. 1900 01:16:32,926 --> 01:16:34,527 Just look at his history. 1901 01:16:34,561 --> 01:16:36,663 I mean, everything has been completed, 1902 01:16:36,696 --> 01:16:38,431 completed, completed, completed. 1903 01:16:38,465 --> 01:16:41,568 - He's never fallen on "Ninja Warrior," 1904 01:16:41,601 --> 01:16:44,070 never fell on "Ninja Junior," 1905 01:16:44,070 --> 01:16:45,739 only run out of time. 1906 01:16:45,772 --> 01:16:47,674 - This kid was born to be a ninja. 1907 01:16:47,707 --> 01:16:50,276 [cheers and applause] 1908 01:16:50,310 --> 01:16:52,645 - 5'10", 155. 1909 01:16:52,679 --> 01:16:54,681 - If you were to design the perfect ninja, 1910 01:16:54,714 --> 01:16:56,449 he'd be 5'10", 155 pounds, 1911 01:16:56,483 --> 01:16:59,352 and his name would be Kaden Lebsack. 1912 01:16:59,386 --> 01:17:01,521 [cheers and applause] 1913 01:17:01,554 --> 01:17:04,024 - And he's quickly through three obstacles. 1914 01:17:04,024 --> 01:17:07,227 Having that Safety Pass means he's free to go all out. 1915 01:17:07,260 --> 01:17:11,031 Just so strong, but, Akbar, anything can happen. 1916 01:17:11,031 --> 01:17:13,199 Locked in there on Jumping Spider. 1917 01:17:13,233 --> 01:17:16,036 The only mystery is, how fast can he go? 1918 01:17:16,036 --> 01:17:18,304 Because we always just expect him to finish. 1919 01:17:18,338 --> 01:17:20,106 - Here we go-- the Gambler. 1920 01:17:20,140 --> 01:17:22,709 He is not a gambler. He's a for-sure thing. 1921 01:17:22,742 --> 01:17:25,845 We're going to see him racing on stage two. 1922 01:17:25,879 --> 01:17:28,481 - Getting to that craps table. 1923 01:17:28,515 --> 01:17:29,649 - Nice. - Wow. 1924 01:17:29,683 --> 01:17:31,151 - Nice move. I love it. 1925 01:17:31,184 --> 01:17:33,653 He just spun around and took the momentum. 1926 01:17:33,687 --> 01:17:36,589 - That looked like Dr. J doing a 360 there. 1927 01:17:36,623 --> 01:17:38,792 Dance across the top of the roulette wheel, 1928 01:17:38,825 --> 01:17:40,493 get to that ace of spades. 1929 01:17:40,527 --> 01:17:42,362 - Nice. - Perfect. 1930 01:17:42,395 --> 01:17:45,065 - Matt, Kaden Lebsack is about as close as you get 1931 01:17:45,065 --> 01:17:46,700 to a sure thing in Ninja. 1932 01:17:46,733 --> 01:17:48,735 [cheers and applause] 1933 01:17:48,768 --> 01:17:51,071 - Real smooth! 1934 01:17:51,071 --> 01:17:52,505 And no surprise-- 1935 01:17:52,539 --> 01:17:54,841 he's on a pace where he could beat Evan Andrews 1936 01:17:54,874 --> 01:17:57,844 for the fastest time on stage one. 1937 01:17:57,877 --> 01:18:01,181 And we talked about it-- how fast you finish 1938 01:18:01,214 --> 01:18:04,617 impacts who you'll race in stage two. 1939 01:18:04,651 --> 01:18:06,186 - Well, I can tell you one thing, Matt. 1940 01:18:06,219 --> 01:18:08,321 At this speed right now... - Oh-ho! 1941 01:18:08,355 --> 01:18:10,457 - He's looking to get the fastest time. 1942 01:18:10,490 --> 01:18:13,793 - Akbar, and the craziest thing is, he has made it look easy-- 1943 01:18:13,827 --> 01:18:15,328 so efficient. 1944 01:18:15,362 --> 01:18:17,030 - And we've seen some of the other ninjas 1945 01:18:17,063 --> 01:18:18,298 breathing heavily. 1946 01:18:18,331 --> 01:18:20,433 I don't even think he's breathing heavily. 1947 01:18:20,467 --> 01:18:23,703 Nice! - Oh, my, what a high transfer! 1948 01:18:23,737 --> 01:18:26,339 And it's going to be close to beat Evan Andrews! 1949 01:18:26,373 --> 01:18:28,141 How fast can he climb? 1950 01:18:28,174 --> 01:18:29,576 - Come on, come on! 1951 01:18:29,609 --> 01:18:34,414 - And by less than a second, Kaden Lebsack has done it! 1952 01:18:34,447 --> 01:18:36,149 - He doesn't need a Safety Pass! 1953 01:18:36,182 --> 01:18:37,350 He is the pass! 1954 01:18:37,384 --> 01:18:39,152 [cheers and applause] 1955 01:18:39,185 --> 01:18:41,054 Kaden Lebsack... 1956 01:18:41,054 --> 01:18:45,759 making his case to be the best ninja on the planet. 1957 01:18:45,792 --> 01:18:49,496 - How excited are you about this racing on stage two? 1958 01:18:49,529 --> 01:18:52,332 - I really don't like speed, so... 1959 01:18:52,365 --> 01:18:54,601 hopefully the person I'm racing will go slow. 1960 01:18:54,634 --> 01:18:57,203 - [laughing] All right. 1961 01:18:57,237 --> 01:18:59,205 - Did he just say he doesn't like speed, Akbar? 1962 01:18:59,239 --> 01:19:00,407 - I don't know. 1963 01:19:00,440 --> 01:19:02,208 - He had the fastest time of the night 1964 01:19:02,242 --> 01:19:03,710 and barely broke a sweat. 1965 01:19:03,743 --> 01:19:05,812 This kid is good. 1966 01:19:05,845 --> 01:19:09,916 And that run has pushed R.J. Roman out of the top 24, 1967 01:19:10,016 --> 01:19:12,419 so he's going to have to use that Safety Pass 1968 01:19:12,452 --> 01:19:14,454 and run again. 1969 01:19:14,487 --> 01:19:18,525 We'll see him next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1970 01:19:23,697 --> 01:19:25,598 - It was one of the biggest shocks of the night. 1971 01:19:25,632 --> 01:19:28,368 RJ Roman looked like he'd have one of the fastest 1972 01:19:28,401 --> 01:19:32,539 times on stage one, but he fell on the final obstacle... 1973 01:19:32,572 --> 01:19:33,940 [air horn blares] 1974 01:19:34,040 --> 01:19:37,210 And was eventually pushed out of the top 24. 1975 01:19:37,243 --> 01:19:40,613 Luckily, he had a Safety Pass to play. 1976 01:19:40,647 --> 01:19:42,615 So he gets to run the course again. 1977 01:19:42,649 --> 01:19:44,451 And he's at the start line ready to go, 1978 01:19:44,484 --> 01:19:47,253 hoping to get back into the top 24 1979 01:19:47,287 --> 01:19:49,122 and move on to stage two. 1980 01:19:49,155 --> 01:19:51,157 - Matt, look at the intensity in his eyes. 1981 01:19:51,191 --> 01:19:52,459 He looks mad. 1982 01:19:52,492 --> 01:19:54,227 You do not want to make RJ mad. 1983 01:19:54,260 --> 01:19:56,796 - No, but no patch on his pants this time. 1984 01:19:56,830 --> 01:19:59,332 This will be his last chance to move on. 1985 01:19:59,366 --> 01:20:01,067 His students and friends are going to be screaming 1986 01:20:01,101 --> 01:20:02,802 loudly during this run. 1987 01:20:02,836 --> 01:20:04,137 [cheering] 1988 01:20:04,170 --> 01:20:06,806 [countdown clock beeping] 1989 01:20:08,208 --> 01:20:10,276 RJ should feel comfortable on these obstacles, 1990 01:20:10,310 --> 01:20:13,013 having run them earlier tonight. 1991 01:20:13,046 --> 01:20:15,882 Well, we know he can go fast, Akbar. 1992 01:20:15,915 --> 01:20:17,384 - But he doesn't need to. 1993 01:20:17,417 --> 01:20:19,853 His half speed is faster than most. 1994 01:20:19,886 --> 01:20:22,889 So if he can just do that, stay in control, 1995 01:20:22,922 --> 01:20:25,058 and come in just in time, he's good. 1996 01:20:25,091 --> 01:20:27,594 - Well, this is a guy who expects to go far. 1997 01:20:27,627 --> 01:20:31,664 Last year, he was climbing stage four for $1 million, 1998 01:20:31,698 --> 01:20:33,667 and he has said he has worked hard to get back there 1999 01:20:33,700 --> 01:20:35,068 and complete it. 2000 01:20:35,101 --> 01:20:37,337 - He knows to come that close to $1 million, 2001 01:20:37,370 --> 01:20:38,805 he can taste it. 2002 01:20:38,838 --> 01:20:40,306 He knows what he's capable of doing. 2003 01:20:40,340 --> 01:20:41,541 Uh-oh, don't rush it. 2004 01:20:41,574 --> 01:20:42,842 Nice. 2005 01:20:42,876 --> 01:20:44,177 - He's definitely not playing it safe. 2006 01:20:44,210 --> 01:20:46,279 To get into the top 24, he needs to reach 2007 01:20:46,312 --> 01:20:49,716 Thread the Needle with about 55 seconds on the clock. 2008 01:20:49,749 --> 01:20:51,685 [cheering] 2009 01:20:51,718 --> 01:20:54,988 Knowing RJ, he doesn't want to just sneak into the top 24. 2010 01:20:55,021 --> 01:20:57,090 He wants a buzzer with a fast time, 2011 01:20:57,123 --> 01:21:00,827 so that way, he'll have a good seed racing on stage two. 2012 01:21:02,062 --> 01:21:03,730 Well, just look at his eyes, Akbar. 2013 01:21:03,763 --> 01:21:06,966 You see, he looks calm, looks in control. 2014 01:21:07,067 --> 01:21:08,168 - He's always in control. 2015 01:21:08,201 --> 01:21:10,170 - Good power. - That's RJ Roman. 2016 01:21:10,203 --> 01:21:12,072 - Using his full body there. 2017 01:21:12,072 --> 01:21:13,840 - Ooh, he's a little off center. 2018 01:21:13,873 --> 01:21:14,874 - Nice leap. 2019 01:21:14,908 --> 01:21:16,076 - OK. 2020 01:21:16,076 --> 01:21:17,444 - Control the spinning. 2021 01:21:17,477 --> 01:21:19,779 - Boy, that was a good leap, and good hair, by the way. 2022 01:21:19,813 --> 01:21:21,181 - RJ Roman. 2023 01:21:21,214 --> 01:21:24,384 Well, this is a repeat of his first run, Akbar. 2024 01:21:24,417 --> 01:21:26,252 He got to the last obstacle quickly. 2025 01:21:26,286 --> 01:21:28,388 Just couldn't hold on to the cane. 2026 01:21:28,421 --> 01:21:31,091 And none of this counts at all because it's going to come 2027 01:21:31,091 --> 01:21:33,093 down to Thread the Needle. 2028 01:21:33,093 --> 01:21:34,761 [cheering] 2029 01:21:34,794 --> 01:21:36,596 Well, we've seen it in "Ninja Warrior." 2030 01:21:36,629 --> 01:21:40,233 A Safety Pass has meant $1 million. 2031 01:21:40,266 --> 01:21:42,469 Just needs to get across Dipping Birds, 2032 01:21:42,502 --> 01:21:43,870 and he'll be moving on. 2033 01:21:43,903 --> 01:21:45,405 - But don't overthink it. 2034 01:21:45,438 --> 01:21:47,540 Overthinking it on the Dipping Bird can cause you to stumble. 2035 01:21:47,574 --> 01:21:48,875 Nice. - And that's it. 2036 01:21:48,908 --> 01:21:51,745 He's in the top 24, but, you know, he wants a rematch 2037 01:21:51,778 --> 01:21:52,812 with Thread the Needle. 2038 01:21:52,846 --> 01:21:53,913 - Hold on. 2039 01:21:53,947 --> 01:21:55,749 He gave himself enough time. 2040 01:21:55,782 --> 01:21:56,816 - Got it! 2041 01:21:56,850 --> 01:21:58,418 - Boy, that's how you do it. 2042 01:21:58,451 --> 01:22:01,821 That's how you capitalize on a Safety Pass. 2043 01:22:01,855 --> 01:22:04,124 - High on the cargo net! Whoo! 2044 01:22:04,157 --> 01:22:06,893 And RJ Roman, despite regrouping, 2045 01:22:06,926 --> 01:22:10,864 will come within seconds of the fastest time. 2046 01:22:10,897 --> 01:22:13,800 He's going racing! 2047 01:22:13,833 --> 01:22:15,769 [upbeat music] 2048 01:22:15,802 --> 01:22:17,170 He is fired up! 2049 01:22:17,203 --> 01:22:18,838 - He is fired up. 2050 01:22:18,872 --> 01:22:20,674 - Yeah! - Wow. 2051 01:22:20,707 --> 01:22:22,375 - Let's go! 2052 01:22:22,409 --> 01:22:24,611 * * 2053 01:22:24,644 --> 01:22:28,415 - RJ, man, you capitalized on that Safety Pass. 2054 01:22:28,448 --> 01:22:30,850 Where's that energy coming from right now? 2055 01:22:30,884 --> 01:22:34,454 - Man, I just--I couldn't let that be the end. 2056 01:22:34,487 --> 01:22:36,189 - The last year, you came so close. 2057 01:22:36,222 --> 01:22:38,091 I know you've worked so hard. 2058 01:22:38,124 --> 01:22:40,393 Can this be your year, RJ? 2059 01:22:40,427 --> 01:22:42,262 - Absolutely, without a doubt. 2060 01:22:42,295 --> 01:22:43,396 - Let's go, man. 2061 01:22:43,430 --> 01:22:45,098 Hey, we're gonna see you over there. 2062 01:22:45,131 --> 01:22:46,366 I can't wait, man. 2063 01:22:46,399 --> 01:22:47,667 Let's go racing! 2064 01:22:47,701 --> 01:22:49,269 - Let's do it. 2065 01:22:49,302 --> 01:22:52,339 - So our match-ups for racing on stage two are now set. 2066 01:22:52,372 --> 01:22:55,275 Top seed Kaden Lebsack will face his good friend, 2067 01:22:55,308 --> 01:22:56,676 Elijah Browning. 2068 01:22:56,710 --> 01:22:58,712 Evan Andrews gets the number two seed. 2069 01:22:58,745 --> 01:23:00,580 He'll face Jonathan Bange. 2070 01:23:00,613 --> 01:23:03,216 Good buddies Caleb Bergstrom and Kyle Soderman 2071 01:23:03,249 --> 01:23:05,318 will have to race each other. 2072 01:23:05,352 --> 01:23:08,054 And that run we just saw from RJ Roman earned him 2073 01:23:08,054 --> 01:23:10,056 a number four seed, so he'll be racing 2074 01:23:10,056 --> 01:23:11,925 against Ben Behrends. 2075 01:23:11,958 --> 01:23:14,060 16-year-old high schooler Hans Hertz 2076 01:23:14,094 --> 01:23:17,197 is paired up against top veteran Flip Rodriguez. 2077 01:23:17,230 --> 01:23:20,934 Rookies Noah Meunier and Alex Romer will go head-to-head. 2078 01:23:20,967 --> 01:23:23,570 And Florida's Enzo Deferrari Wilson 2079 01:23:23,603 --> 01:23:25,939 will face Rhode Island's Luke Dillon. 2080 01:23:25,972 --> 01:23:28,675 The Cat Daddy Jackson Twait has a big test, 2081 01:23:28,708 --> 01:23:31,945 as he'll face impressive rookie Nacssa Garemore. 2082 01:23:31,978 --> 01:23:34,814 New Jersey's Josiah Pippel, a number nine seed, 2083 01:23:34,848 --> 01:23:38,451 will try to outrun two-time runner-up Austin Gray. 2084 01:23:38,485 --> 01:23:41,087 Former Ninja Junior champ Vance Walker 2085 01:23:41,087 --> 01:23:43,423 will go head-to-head with his old training partner, 2086 01:23:43,456 --> 01:23:45,091 Ethan Bartnicki. 2087 01:23:45,125 --> 01:23:48,728 It'll be a Texas showdown when the 11th seed, Isaiah Thomas, 2088 01:23:48,762 --> 01:23:51,931 tries to outdo one of the greats, Daniel Gil. 2089 01:23:51,965 --> 01:23:54,968 And finally, 34-year-old Joe Moravsky will 2090 01:23:55,001 --> 01:23:57,237 race 19-year-old Jera Boyd. 2091 01:23:57,270 --> 01:23:59,706 - I can't wait for that. - Me neither, big man. 2092 01:23:59,739 --> 01:24:02,575 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2093 01:24:02,609 --> 01:24:07,147 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior"! 2094 01:24:07,180 --> 01:24:10,150 [dramatic music] 2095 01:24:10,183 --> 01:24:17,223 * *