1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,539 [cheers and applause] 2 00:00:06,573 --> 00:00:09,509 - Vance Walker wins a million dollars! 3 00:00:09,542 --> 00:00:11,211 He's the new 4 00:00:11,244 --> 00:00:14,314 "American Ninja Warrior" champion! 5 00:00:14,347 --> 00:00:16,883 - The Mountain went down last season. 6 00:00:16,916 --> 00:00:20,720 Now, the question is, can it be done two years in a row? 7 00:00:20,754 --> 00:00:24,324 - * The best is yet to come * 8 00:00:24,357 --> 00:00:26,726 - I don't think there's a single person here 9 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:28,928 that wants that million dollars more than me. 10 00:00:28,962 --> 00:00:32,432 - * Keep your eyes wide open * 11 00:00:32,465 --> 00:00:34,300 - Nobody that's won "American Ninja Warrior" 12 00:00:34,334 --> 00:00:35,769 has come back and done it again, 13 00:00:35,802 --> 00:00:37,904 and to be the first person to be able to do that 14 00:00:37,937 --> 00:00:39,839 would be absolutely insane. 15 00:00:39,873 --> 00:00:42,242 - * We won't stop, we won't stop, yeah * 16 00:00:42,275 --> 00:00:43,877 * We won't drop, we won't drop * 17 00:00:43,910 --> 00:00:46,046 * We won't stop, we won't stop * 18 00:00:46,079 --> 00:00:48,415 - Any dream can come true 19 00:00:48,448 --> 00:00:51,084 if you truly want it. 20 00:00:51,117 --> 00:00:53,987 - I want to be the first mom to beat Stage One. 21 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:56,089 - * We won't stop, we won't stop * 22 00:00:56,122 --> 00:00:58,591 * The best is yet to come * 23 00:00:58,625 --> 00:01:01,061 - It's time for the National Finals. 24 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:02,295 This is so exciting. 25 00:01:02,328 --> 00:01:04,364 [laughs] 26 00:01:04,397 --> 00:01:06,199 - There are lots of great shows in Vegas, 27 00:01:06,232 --> 00:01:07,867 but there's nothing like the bright lights 28 00:01:07,901 --> 00:01:11,371 of the Nation Finals on "American Ninja Warrior"! 29 00:01:11,404 --> 00:01:13,073 Hello, and thanks for joining us. 30 00:01:13,073 --> 00:01:15,442 I'm Matt Iseman. - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 31 00:01:15,475 --> 00:01:17,177 Matt, here we go. 32 00:01:17,210 --> 00:01:19,946 This is when the "Ninja" season gets real. 33 00:01:19,979 --> 00:01:22,582 We crowned a champion last year, so let's do it again. 34 00:01:22,615 --> 00:01:23,850 - Absolutely, big man, 35 00:01:23,883 --> 00:01:25,552 but to win the million dollars, 36 00:01:25,585 --> 00:01:28,421 the ninjas must survive the four intense stages 37 00:01:28,455 --> 00:01:29,656 here in Vegas, 38 00:01:29,689 --> 00:01:32,359 including head-to-head races on Stage Two. 39 00:01:32,392 --> 00:01:35,328 And it all begins tonight on Stage One. 40 00:01:35,362 --> 00:01:37,731 For a preview, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 41 00:01:37,764 --> 00:01:40,100 - Guys, Stage One is an all-out sprint 42 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:42,102 through eight obstacles with a few surprises 43 00:01:42,135 --> 00:01:43,770 waiting for our ninjas. 44 00:01:43,803 --> 00:01:46,106 First up is Slide Surfer. 45 00:01:46,139 --> 00:01:48,475 Then making its first appearance 46 00:01:48,508 --> 00:01:50,777 in the National Finals is Barrel Roll. 47 00:01:50,810 --> 00:01:55,115 That's followed by a slide down the Giant Rollercoaster, 48 00:01:55,115 --> 00:01:58,151 and a leap into the Jumping Spider. 49 00:01:58,184 --> 00:02:00,920 Since we're in Vegas, the Gambler is back 50 00:02:00,954 --> 00:02:03,356 with a craps table, a roulette wheel... 51 00:02:03,390 --> 00:02:05,225 - Ooh, spin it, spin it, spin it. 52 00:02:05,258 --> 00:02:06,693 - And a spinning ace of spades. 53 00:02:06,726 --> 00:02:09,062 They all can eat up a lot of time. 54 00:02:09,062 --> 00:02:12,699 And in the homestretch, ninjas will face the Warped Wall, 55 00:02:12,732 --> 00:02:15,201 a sprint across Dipping Birds, 56 00:02:15,235 --> 00:02:17,704 and have to precise on Thread the Needle... 57 00:02:17,737 --> 00:02:18,705 - Yes! 58 00:02:18,738 --> 00:02:21,408 - Which leads to the buzzer. 59 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:24,511 And don't forget, there is a time limit on Stage One. 60 00:02:24,544 --> 00:02:27,080 They've got to finish in under 2 minutes and 50 seconds. 61 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:28,214 Guys? 62 00:02:28,248 --> 00:02:30,083 - It's going to be a big night, 63 00:02:30,083 --> 00:02:31,251 and we're going to start off 64 00:02:31,284 --> 00:02:33,086 with one of our smallest competitors. 65 00:02:33,086 --> 00:02:35,221 It's 5' tall Sydney Yee. 66 00:02:35,255 --> 00:02:38,425 She's only 15 years old, but this Ohio high schooler 67 00:02:38,458 --> 00:02:41,861 has an impressive résumé. 68 00:02:41,895 --> 00:02:43,897 - I'm involved in a lot. 69 00:02:43,930 --> 00:02:45,398 I play the violin. 70 00:02:45,432 --> 00:02:47,534 I do track and field. 71 00:02:47,567 --> 00:02:49,102 I'm part of the Mensa. 72 00:02:49,102 --> 00:02:50,403 I'm in the Boy Scouts. 73 00:02:50,437 --> 00:02:52,138 Be careful on the bridge. 74 00:02:52,172 --> 00:02:55,175 And on top of all of that, I'm a ninja. 75 00:02:55,208 --> 00:02:57,143 - Yeah. Whoo! 76 00:02:57,177 --> 00:02:59,679 - I love having Michelle Warnky as my coach... 77 00:02:59,713 --> 00:03:01,414 - Yeah, nice. You got it. 78 00:03:01,448 --> 00:03:03,383 - Because she shows me that, as a girl, 79 00:03:03,416 --> 00:03:05,685 I can do all these crazy obstacles 80 00:03:05,719 --> 00:03:07,120 and I can hit buzzers. 81 00:03:07,153 --> 00:03:08,521 - Nice job. 82 00:03:08,555 --> 00:03:10,523 It's been awesome to see Sydney just get better 83 00:03:10,557 --> 00:03:12,058 and better and better 84 00:03:12,058 --> 00:03:13,693 and just encourage so many people along the way. 85 00:03:13,727 --> 00:03:15,061 - She's got it! 86 00:03:15,095 --> 00:03:16,796 - Oh, I like this! 87 00:03:16,830 --> 00:03:20,066 - I really, really want that buzzer. 88 00:03:20,066 --> 00:03:21,267 [cheers and applause] 89 00:03:21,301 --> 00:03:22,769 - What an overachiever. 90 00:03:22,802 --> 00:03:25,472 And she's showing some love to her coach, Michelle, 91 00:03:25,505 --> 00:03:27,140 who's watching back in Ohio. 92 00:03:27,173 --> 00:03:30,677 And Sydney's family and friends are on the sideline. 93 00:03:30,710 --> 00:03:34,080 The clock will count down from 2 minutes, 50 seconds. 94 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:35,915 [countdown clock beeping] 95 00:03:35,949 --> 00:03:37,884 At 5' tall, she's going to need 96 00:03:37,917 --> 00:03:39,753 big strides on Slide Surfer. 97 00:03:39,786 --> 00:03:41,388 And good job there. 98 00:03:41,421 --> 00:03:43,790 On now to the Barrel Roll. 99 00:03:43,823 --> 00:03:46,559 First time we've had this obstacle in Las Vegas. 100 00:03:46,593 --> 00:03:51,097 We saw this in Tacoma. You go for a ride on this one. 101 00:03:51,131 --> 00:03:52,999 She makes the first grab. 102 00:03:53,099 --> 00:03:54,934 Has to build up momentum 103 00:03:54,968 --> 00:03:57,170 to swing up to grab that second barrel. 104 00:03:57,203 --> 00:03:59,572 She only weighs 109 pounds, 105 00:03:59,606 --> 00:04:03,309 so it may be hard for her to generate swing. 106 00:04:03,343 --> 00:04:06,479 Now has to climb to the top for an even bigger move. 107 00:04:06,513 --> 00:04:10,050 She'll need to fly all the way over to the landing pad. 108 00:04:10,050 --> 00:04:11,484 And she does it. 109 00:04:11,518 --> 00:04:13,453 [cheers and applause] 110 00:04:13,486 --> 00:04:15,689 First time facing these obstacles, 111 00:04:15,722 --> 00:04:17,457 but she looks confident. 112 00:04:17,490 --> 00:04:20,326 - Okay, here we go-- Rollercoaster. 113 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,062 And it's is all about that timing. 114 00:04:22,062 --> 00:04:23,229 Nice! - Nice! 115 00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:25,532 Real smooth transfer. Get that cradle. 116 00:04:25,565 --> 00:04:27,534 - Nice. - She's got it! 117 00:04:27,567 --> 00:04:30,637 [cheers and applause] 118 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:32,672 And she rolls through. 119 00:04:34,274 --> 00:04:36,309 There's the smile looking at her family. 120 00:04:36,343 --> 00:04:38,545 - Go, Sydney. - Come on, come on, come on. 121 00:04:38,578 --> 00:04:40,814 - But this next obstacle, Jumping Spider, 122 00:04:40,847 --> 00:04:42,415 will be a real test. 123 00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:45,719 Only one ninja her size has ever gotten through it. 124 00:04:45,752 --> 00:04:48,588 That's Barclay Stockett. 125 00:04:48,621 --> 00:04:50,490 Oh, wow! - Oh, oh! 126 00:04:50,523 --> 00:04:53,393 Oh, keep it, keep it. Fight it, fight it. 127 00:04:53,426 --> 00:04:55,228 Come on. Oh, she's slick. 128 00:04:55,261 --> 00:04:56,629 Oh! - Oh! 129 00:04:56,663 --> 00:04:58,665 - The walls over there are a little slick. 130 00:04:58,698 --> 00:05:00,934 - And look at her fighting. 131 00:05:01,034 --> 00:05:03,603 This girl is so good. - Oh, come on. 132 00:05:03,636 --> 00:05:06,439 - We told you she's an overachiever. 133 00:05:06,473 --> 00:05:08,775 That is remarkable. 134 00:05:08,808 --> 00:05:11,177 - Wow. What an amazing-- 135 00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:15,448 5', 109 pounds Sydney Yee. 136 00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:16,683 Whoo. 137 00:05:16,716 --> 00:05:18,518 - Probably won't have enough time left 138 00:05:18,551 --> 00:05:20,120 to finish the full course, 139 00:05:20,153 --> 00:05:22,188 but if she can get through this obstacle, 140 00:05:22,222 --> 00:05:23,690 that is a real accomplishment. 141 00:05:23,723 --> 00:05:24,858 - Get this Jumping Spider. 142 00:05:24,891 --> 00:05:26,292 Get this Jumping Spider. - Come on! 143 00:05:26,326 --> 00:05:29,195 It's so amazing-- 15 years old-- 144 00:05:29,229 --> 00:05:31,664 how these athletes rise to the occasion 145 00:05:31,698 --> 00:05:33,700 here in the bright lights of Vegas. 146 00:05:33,733 --> 00:05:35,468 And she's going do it! 147 00:05:35,502 --> 00:05:37,103 [cheers and applause] 148 00:05:37,137 --> 00:05:38,872 She just made "Ninja" history. 149 00:05:38,905 --> 00:05:41,374 She and Barclay Stockett are now the only ninjas 150 00:05:41,408 --> 00:05:44,544 at 5' tall to get past the Jumping Spider. 151 00:05:44,577 --> 00:05:47,080 And she's exhausted. - Hey! 152 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,082 - Hi, Sydney! 153 00:05:49,082 --> 00:05:50,550 - Oh, I'm so happy for her. 154 00:05:50,583 --> 00:05:53,386 15 years old, out here doing her thing. 155 00:05:53,420 --> 00:05:55,388 - The clock is ticking away, 156 00:05:55,422 --> 00:05:58,858 but she's going to start the next obstacle, the Gambler. 157 00:05:58,892 --> 00:06:00,760 Time's running out, but that's a-- 158 00:06:00,794 --> 00:06:04,531 Aw! [air horn blares] 159 00:06:04,564 --> 00:06:08,034 No buzzer, but that one was a victory for Sydney Yee. 160 00:06:08,068 --> 00:06:11,204 At just 5' tall, she makes it to the fifth obstacle 161 00:06:11,237 --> 00:06:14,174 in her debut on Stage One. 162 00:06:14,207 --> 00:06:15,842 You really have to do the splits 163 00:06:15,875 --> 00:06:18,044 to land inside the chute on Jumping Spider, 164 00:06:18,044 --> 00:06:20,547 and Sydney used every inch. 165 00:06:20,580 --> 00:06:22,716 And then she kept herself from slipping 166 00:06:22,749 --> 00:06:26,953 as she fought her way through, and she makes "Ninja" history. 167 00:06:27,053 --> 00:06:29,956 [cheers and applause] 168 00:06:30,056 --> 00:06:32,859 What a great rookie season for Sydney Yee-- 169 00:06:32,892 --> 00:06:35,729 just 15 years old. 170 00:06:35,762 --> 00:06:38,164 Well, it is time for a sugar rush. 171 00:06:38,198 --> 00:06:41,868 Smearing himself with frosting is the Cake Ninja, 172 00:06:41,901 --> 00:06:43,536 David Bergstrom-Wright. 173 00:06:43,570 --> 00:06:45,972 He always eats cake before his run. 174 00:06:46,072 --> 00:06:50,710 And getting married recently hasn't improved his diet. 175 00:06:50,744 --> 00:06:52,612 - The National Finals, season 11 176 00:06:52,645 --> 00:06:54,714 was actually where I met my wife. 177 00:06:54,748 --> 00:06:57,851 So it's amazing to be able to go back with her 178 00:06:57,884 --> 00:06:59,619 to where it all started. 179 00:06:59,652 --> 00:07:00,887 I love it. 180 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:04,024 [upbeat music] 181 00:07:04,024 --> 00:07:05,658 - Pick a cake. Pick a cake. - Ooh. 182 00:07:05,692 --> 00:07:06,893 - You know I want chocolate. 183 00:07:06,926 --> 00:07:09,229 - Being part of the Bergstroms, 184 00:07:09,262 --> 00:07:10,563 it's been great. 185 00:07:10,597 --> 00:07:13,500 Honestly, I couldn't imagine a more welcoming family. 186 00:07:13,533 --> 00:07:15,635 - Bring it in. Yeah. - Oh. 187 00:07:15,669 --> 00:07:17,771 So coming back from LA, I kind of celebrated 188 00:07:17,804 --> 00:07:19,072 a little bit too much. 189 00:07:19,105 --> 00:07:21,741 I went all out on the food and the dessert, 190 00:07:21,775 --> 00:07:23,043 and gained a couple of pounds. 191 00:07:23,076 --> 00:07:25,345 I gained five pounds from LA. 192 00:07:25,378 --> 00:07:26,846 Caitlyn tried to stop me. 193 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:28,748 She was like, hey, your six-pack's disappearing. 194 00:07:28,782 --> 00:07:31,518 But, unfortunately, I did not. 195 00:07:31,551 --> 00:07:33,353 And it just slid down the slope. 196 00:07:33,386 --> 00:07:34,354 No fruit for me. 197 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:35,655 - This one? - No. 198 00:07:35,689 --> 00:07:36,923 - Banana? - No. 199 00:07:36,956 --> 00:07:38,391 You can take the cake out of the ninja, 200 00:07:38,425 --> 00:07:40,527 but you can't take the ninja out of the cake. 201 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,064 * * 202 00:07:44,097 --> 00:07:45,398 [cheers and applause] 203 00:07:45,432 --> 00:07:47,534 - Caitlyn and her brother Caleb 204 00:07:47,567 --> 00:07:48,868 are also running tonight. 205 00:07:48,902 --> 00:07:52,706 Everyone on that sideline has a cupcake... 206 00:07:52,739 --> 00:07:55,308 and wasting good frosting! 207 00:07:55,342 --> 00:07:57,143 - Here we go! Here we go! 208 00:07:57,177 --> 00:07:58,478 - And for motivation, 209 00:07:58,511 --> 00:08:00,814 there's a cupcake waiting at the buzzer. 210 00:08:00,847 --> 00:08:04,017 - Matt, he's still chewing that cake. 211 00:08:04,017 --> 00:08:06,419 [countdown clock beeping] 212 00:08:06,453 --> 00:08:08,655 - Maybe he's trying to change his look. 213 00:08:08,688 --> 00:08:11,658 In five seasons, he's never hit a buzzer in Vegas. 214 00:08:11,691 --> 00:08:13,093 - Matt, you talk about chewing cake 215 00:08:13,126 --> 00:08:14,694 and doing Ninja at the same time. 216 00:08:14,728 --> 00:08:16,096 - I felt like my mom said at one point, 217 00:08:16,129 --> 00:08:17,864 don't run with your mouth full. 218 00:08:17,897 --> 00:08:19,866 But Cake Ninja, he's doing it his way. 219 00:08:19,899 --> 00:08:24,304 - I can barely chew gum and walk at the same time. 220 00:08:24,337 --> 00:08:26,272 - Looks a little unusual with frosting on his face, 221 00:08:26,306 --> 00:08:27,774 but let's be honest-- 222 00:08:27,807 --> 00:08:29,743 - Matt, he's not digesting it. He's still chewing. 223 00:08:29,776 --> 00:08:32,512 He's not done. 224 00:08:32,545 --> 00:08:34,848 - Well, last season, had a great run going 225 00:08:34,881 --> 00:08:36,583 till he got to the Gambler. 226 00:08:36,616 --> 00:08:39,953 - Matt, he's still chewing. I hope he doesn't choke. 227 00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:42,389 [cheers and applause] 228 00:08:42,422 --> 00:08:45,225 - He's looking so easy and being efficient here. 229 00:08:45,258 --> 00:08:47,193 - Nice. 230 00:08:47,227 --> 00:08:48,695 - Struggling to get locked up. 231 00:08:48,728 --> 00:08:50,764 This is what we saw last time, Akbar. 232 00:08:50,797 --> 00:08:53,700 And this sapped his energy, and it's happening again. 233 00:08:53,733 --> 00:08:56,469 - And, Matt, this has a lot to do with his hip flexibility. 234 00:08:56,503 --> 00:08:58,538 - This sideways technique he's using 235 00:08:58,571 --> 00:08:59,873 is making him work harder. 236 00:08:59,906 --> 00:09:02,175 - Oh, man. He's slipping on the frosting. 237 00:09:02,208 --> 00:09:04,344 - And this is expending so much energy. 238 00:09:04,377 --> 00:09:06,346 You can see him fighting to maintain it. 239 00:09:06,379 --> 00:09:08,748 - And his cheeks are still full of cupcakes. 240 00:09:08,782 --> 00:09:12,352 [cheers and applause] 241 00:09:12,385 --> 00:09:13,820 - Well, as we said, this is where 242 00:09:13,853 --> 00:09:15,822 his season ended last year-- 243 00:09:15,855 --> 00:09:17,791 a dramatic fall here on the Gambler. 244 00:09:17,824 --> 00:09:19,392 This is a challenge. 245 00:09:19,426 --> 00:09:22,862 Last season, this took out so many ninjas. 246 00:09:22,896 --> 00:09:24,397 - Lock it in. 247 00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:26,700 - Right up onto the chip, headed to the craps table. 248 00:09:26,733 --> 00:09:28,868 - Know the plan! - Come on! 249 00:09:28,902 --> 00:09:31,304 - No problem. 250 00:09:31,338 --> 00:09:33,573 Just slide it down. Use that momentum. 251 00:09:33,606 --> 00:09:36,309 And you can see-- just fighting it here. 252 00:09:36,343 --> 00:09:39,112 Keep in mind, though, that clock is ticking down. 253 00:09:39,145 --> 00:09:40,914 Going to need to really just dance 254 00:09:40,947 --> 00:09:42,248 across the top of this roulette wheel. 255 00:09:42,282 --> 00:09:44,551 - Dance, dance, dance. Nice! - Got it. Good. 256 00:09:44,584 --> 00:09:49,055 Got to rotate around, try to launch to the landing pad. 257 00:09:49,055 --> 00:09:51,257 - Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, oh. 258 00:09:51,291 --> 00:09:52,859 All right, I'm entertained. 259 00:09:52,892 --> 00:09:55,428 - Come on, David, you got this. - Go, go! 260 00:09:55,462 --> 00:09:58,698 - And it took a while, but he's through the Gambler. 261 00:09:58,732 --> 00:10:00,533 But no time to celebrate. 262 00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:02,202 He's now got less than a minute 263 00:10:02,235 --> 00:10:04,037 for the final few obstacles. 264 00:10:04,070 --> 00:10:07,240 Gets up the Warped Wall, but he is not moving fast. 265 00:10:07,273 --> 00:10:09,442 [cheering] 266 00:10:09,476 --> 00:10:11,511 And you can see now that it's catching up. 267 00:10:11,544 --> 00:10:12,946 He's a bit winded. 268 00:10:14,814 --> 00:10:17,751 - Get going, Cake! The clock is running! 269 00:10:17,784 --> 00:10:19,853 This is what makes Stage One a challenge. 270 00:10:19,886 --> 00:10:21,588 There's no time to rest. 271 00:10:21,621 --> 00:10:23,490 He's got two more obstacles to go. 272 00:10:23,523 --> 00:10:25,125 Now the Dipping Birds. 273 00:10:25,158 --> 00:10:26,826 - Nice! Nice! Ooh! 274 00:10:26,860 --> 00:10:28,695 - Just survives! 275 00:10:28,728 --> 00:10:29,996 Under 30 seconds. 276 00:10:30,030 --> 00:10:33,233 Got to be perfect here on Thread The Needle. 277 00:10:33,266 --> 00:10:35,669 Got to get that cane into the wind. 278 00:10:35,702 --> 00:10:37,170 - Ooh! - Oh! 279 00:10:37,203 --> 00:10:40,240 Does he have the power to get that cane unhooked. 280 00:10:40,273 --> 00:10:42,409 Got it, but the clock is ticking. 281 00:10:42,442 --> 00:10:44,511 Get high on that cargo net. 282 00:10:44,544 --> 00:10:46,980 Oh, no! That's the swing! - Oh. 283 00:10:47,013 --> 00:10:49,516 - Oh, my goodness. He's still chewing. 284 00:10:49,549 --> 00:10:52,318 - Wants to get to the cupcake at the buzzer. 285 00:10:52,352 --> 00:10:54,387 - He might have spent a little bit too much time 286 00:10:54,421 --> 00:10:56,256 chewing instead of moving! 287 00:10:56,289 --> 00:10:57,557 Oh! 288 00:10:57,590 --> 00:10:59,259 He's going to end up choking! [buzzer blares] 289 00:10:59,292 --> 00:11:01,761 - And that has to be heartbreaking. 290 00:11:01,795 --> 00:11:05,732 He was so close, but that cupcake remains at the buzzer, 291 00:11:05,765 --> 00:11:08,568 just out of his reach. 292 00:11:08,601 --> 00:11:10,136 And that says it all. 293 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:12,272 No buzzer and no cupcake. 294 00:11:12,305 --> 00:11:15,308 A disappointing run for the Cake Ninja. 295 00:11:15,342 --> 00:11:18,745 But, Akbar, I believe we earned ours. 296 00:11:18,778 --> 00:11:20,613 - Cheers. - Cheers. 297 00:11:23,216 --> 00:11:25,952 The first night of the National Finals 298 00:11:25,985 --> 00:11:28,588 is packed with Ninja superstars, 299 00:11:28,621 --> 00:11:31,591 including last season's million-dollar winner, 300 00:11:31,624 --> 00:11:33,193 Vance Walker, 301 00:11:33,226 --> 00:11:36,396 who's trying to be "Ninja's" first back-to-back champion. 302 00:11:36,429 --> 00:11:38,231 - I'm trying to get that double victory. 303 00:11:38,264 --> 00:11:40,100 - Last year's runner-up, Daniel Gil, 304 00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:42,736 could really use that million dollars this year. 305 00:11:42,769 --> 00:11:44,838 He's going to be a dad. 306 00:11:44,871 --> 00:11:46,239 - Having a baby! 307 00:11:46,272 --> 00:11:48,742 - Plus, our women's champion, Addy Herman, 308 00:11:48,775 --> 00:11:50,310 has been close before. 309 00:11:50,343 --> 00:11:53,113 She's gunning to be the fourth woman ever 310 00:11:53,146 --> 00:11:54,280 to finish Stage One. 311 00:11:54,314 --> 00:11:55,682 - She is determined. 312 00:11:55,715 --> 00:11:58,418 - And the first woman do it eight years ago, 313 00:11:58,451 --> 00:12:01,254 the trailblazer Jessie Graff is back. 314 00:12:01,287 --> 00:12:03,356 Can she pull out another "Ninja" miracle? 315 00:12:03,390 --> 00:12:05,058 [buzzer blares] 316 00:12:05,058 --> 00:12:07,761 It's all coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 317 00:12:07,794 --> 00:12:10,830 [cheers and applause] 318 00:12:15,268 --> 00:12:17,070 - A cake-covered David Bergstrom-Wright 319 00:12:17,103 --> 00:12:19,072 timed out on Stage One minutes ago. 320 00:12:19,072 --> 00:12:21,307 - So close. - No! 321 00:12:21,341 --> 00:12:23,143 - And while we were away, his wife, Caitlyn, 322 00:12:23,176 --> 00:12:24,611 got her shot at the course. 323 00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:25,979 - Let's go, baby! 324 00:12:26,079 --> 00:12:27,914 - They're just the second husband-wife team 325 00:12:27,947 --> 00:12:29,816 to qualify for the National Finals. 326 00:12:29,849 --> 00:12:32,952 And Caitlyn had no problem with the first two obstacles. 327 00:12:32,986 --> 00:12:34,487 - She made that look easy. 328 00:12:34,521 --> 00:12:36,556 - But then came the Giant Rollercoaster. 329 00:12:36,589 --> 00:12:38,224 - No! 330 00:12:38,258 --> 00:12:40,093 [air horn blares] 331 00:12:40,126 --> 00:12:42,762 - Massachusetts teenager Jacob Arnstein 332 00:12:42,796 --> 00:12:45,365 was making his second trip to the National Finals, 333 00:12:45,398 --> 00:12:47,334 but his run started off rough. 334 00:12:47,367 --> 00:12:48,768 - Ooh! My goodness! 335 00:12:48,802 --> 00:12:51,104 - The high schooler had an early face-off 336 00:12:51,137 --> 00:12:53,106 with the Barrel Roll but kept going. 337 00:12:53,106 --> 00:12:54,541 - You know he's feeling that one, 338 00:12:54,574 --> 00:12:56,376 but he's still pushing through the pain. 339 00:12:56,409 --> 00:12:59,512 - He was able to roll his way past Giant Rollercoaster. 340 00:12:59,546 --> 00:13:01,281 - Ooh, boy, he is taking a beating 341 00:13:01,314 --> 00:13:03,049 through the first three obstacles. 342 00:13:03,083 --> 00:13:04,217 - But at 5'3", 343 00:13:04,250 --> 00:13:05,719 the Jumping Spider was a challenge. 344 00:13:05,752 --> 00:13:08,121 - Get in there. Oh! 345 00:13:08,154 --> 00:13:09,556 Whoo. 346 00:13:09,589 --> 00:13:12,359 - 30-year-old Vincent Pane just earned his PhD 347 00:13:12,392 --> 00:13:14,194 in chemistry from Stanford, 348 00:13:14,227 --> 00:13:17,330 and he was in his element on the early obstacles. 349 00:13:17,364 --> 00:13:18,698 - No pain, no gain. 350 00:13:18,732 --> 00:13:21,568 - This Renaissance man is an artist, a dancer, 351 00:13:21,601 --> 00:13:22,869 and makes his own clothes. 352 00:13:22,902 --> 00:13:25,472 But he is not apparently a gambling man. 353 00:13:25,505 --> 00:13:27,574 - There's a little bit of science in gambling. 354 00:13:27,607 --> 00:13:29,075 Oh! 355 00:13:29,075 --> 00:13:33,079 The scientist got a lesson in gravity right there. 356 00:13:33,113 --> 00:13:35,348 - And now it's time for the Reach, 357 00:13:35,382 --> 00:13:37,984 Utah's 6'5" John Mack. 358 00:13:38,084 --> 00:13:40,186 And you see him make that point to the sky. 359 00:13:40,220 --> 00:13:41,921 That's for his late father, 360 00:13:41,955 --> 00:13:45,759 who got him into Ninja ten years ago. 361 00:13:45,792 --> 00:13:48,094 [somber music] 362 00:13:48,128 --> 00:13:51,097 - When I was 13, my dad committed suicide. 363 00:13:51,131 --> 00:13:53,466 * * 364 00:13:53,500 --> 00:13:57,103 - * I held the weight of the world on my shoulders * 365 00:13:57,103 --> 00:13:59,305 - We discovered "Ninja Warrior" together, 366 00:13:59,339 --> 00:14:02,609 and I do "Ninja Warrior" to run in his memory 367 00:14:02,642 --> 00:14:03,877 and in honor of him. 368 00:14:03,910 --> 00:14:05,912 * * 369 00:14:05,945 --> 00:14:08,214 - * We thought that time was on our side * 370 00:14:08,248 --> 00:14:11,051 * But nobody tells you * 371 00:14:11,051 --> 00:14:13,153 - [voice breaking] I'm so proud of John, 372 00:14:13,186 --> 00:14:15,955 because it wasn't easy to be 13 years old 373 00:14:16,056 --> 00:14:17,624 and have your dad die. 374 00:14:17,657 --> 00:14:21,361 But he shares the compassion that he's learned 375 00:14:21,394 --> 00:14:25,165 from his dad to help others. 376 00:14:25,198 --> 00:14:29,369 - * I don't want to say goodbye * 377 00:14:29,402 --> 00:14:31,137 - Recently, I had a wonderful opportunity 378 00:14:31,171 --> 00:14:33,239 to speak for a suicide-prevention group 379 00:14:33,273 --> 00:14:36,409 called Mae's Way Foundation at one of their kid's camps. 380 00:14:36,443 --> 00:14:37,677 They flew me out to Indiana, 381 00:14:37,711 --> 00:14:39,779 and I got to speak at their first-ever event. 382 00:14:39,813 --> 00:14:42,582 My heart was broken in that moment when I lost my dad, 383 00:14:42,615 --> 00:14:46,086 but my family and friends, they fixed my heart. 384 00:14:46,086 --> 00:14:47,754 Mental health is a topic that often gets 385 00:14:47,787 --> 00:14:49,155 shoved under the rug. 386 00:14:49,189 --> 00:14:51,725 So, having an opportunity to talk about it, 387 00:14:51,758 --> 00:14:53,360 it was pretty special. 388 00:14:53,393 --> 00:14:57,097 - * What if I'm not the type * 389 00:14:57,130 --> 00:15:01,601 * To say goodbye? * 390 00:15:01,634 --> 00:15:03,870 - If I can help just one person, one kid, 391 00:15:03,903 --> 00:15:05,538 then it's all worth it. 392 00:15:05,572 --> 00:15:07,374 [cheers and applause] 393 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:09,709 - You can see the pride on his mom's face. 394 00:15:09,743 --> 00:15:13,079 She's on the sideline with a big group from Utah. 395 00:15:13,113 --> 00:15:14,748 [countdown clock beeping] 396 00:15:14,781 --> 00:15:16,716 Well, it's always special to make it to Vegas, 397 00:15:16,750 --> 00:15:19,219 but for John Mack, this is a moment 398 00:15:19,252 --> 00:15:21,654 over a decade in the making. 399 00:15:21,688 --> 00:15:24,057 Started watching back in season five, 400 00:15:24,057 --> 00:15:25,558 had some success 401 00:15:25,592 --> 00:15:27,560 but never qualified for the National Finals 402 00:15:27,594 --> 00:15:28,728 until this season. 403 00:15:28,762 --> 00:15:30,597 Well, Big Mack is ready for this. 404 00:15:30,630 --> 00:15:32,899 He's lost ten pounds since the semis. 405 00:15:32,932 --> 00:15:36,403 - Don't be fooled by his size. This big fella can move. 406 00:15:36,436 --> 00:15:37,871 He's got some speed to him. 407 00:15:37,904 --> 00:15:40,674 And he recognizes, being a big and heavier ninja, 408 00:15:40,707 --> 00:15:43,076 he can't spend too much time on these obstacles. 409 00:15:43,076 --> 00:15:45,345 - Well, that's why he lost 10 pounds, and he knows it. 410 00:15:45,378 --> 00:15:50,083 Lost that safety pass to Sam Folsom--such a good race. 411 00:15:50,083 --> 00:15:52,952 Running without a net, but he has got speed. 412 00:15:52,986 --> 00:15:54,854 [cheers and applause] - Come on, buddy! 413 00:15:54,888 --> 00:15:57,590 - At 6'5", watch the flexibility here 414 00:15:57,624 --> 00:15:59,926 to get locked in on Jumping Spider. 415 00:16:00,026 --> 00:16:02,095 - Nice. He's super comfortable. 416 00:16:02,128 --> 00:16:04,798 He says he ain't scared of none of these obstacles. 417 00:16:04,831 --> 00:16:07,367 - You can see a little slow progress here. 418 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,403 - He better get going. - Every second counts. 419 00:16:10,437 --> 00:16:11,905 - And then a big drop-off. 420 00:16:11,938 --> 00:16:13,940 Well done! 421 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:17,577 - On now to the Gambler. 422 00:16:17,610 --> 00:16:19,879 Can he handle being on this chip? 423 00:16:19,913 --> 00:16:23,249 - He literally can just reach out and touch the craps table. 424 00:16:23,283 --> 00:16:25,352 - Wow, he was in total control there. 425 00:16:25,385 --> 00:16:29,322 Can he use his big frame to launch this craps table out? 426 00:16:29,356 --> 00:16:31,524 - This is where the heavy weight makes it very easy. 427 00:16:31,558 --> 00:16:33,626 Look at how long those arms are. 428 00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:36,429 My goodness. - See his balance here. 429 00:16:36,463 --> 00:16:39,199 - Matt, he-- - Oh, fingertips! Fingertips! 430 00:16:39,232 --> 00:16:41,468 - Matt, he barely had to even reach out there 431 00:16:41,501 --> 00:16:43,103 to get on the roulette wheel. 432 00:16:43,136 --> 00:16:46,940 - Well, he's 6'5", got a 6'10" wingspan, and, Akbar, 433 00:16:46,973 --> 00:16:50,343 he was down to the fingertips on the Ace of Spades. 434 00:16:50,377 --> 00:16:51,678 - Nice. - Well, here we go. 435 00:16:51,711 --> 00:16:53,847 Over a minute left. 436 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:55,915 Does he have the wind? - Just reach up. 437 00:16:55,949 --> 00:16:57,250 You don't even have to run. 438 00:16:57,283 --> 00:16:59,919 Just literally reach up, grab, and pull yourself up. 439 00:17:00,020 --> 00:17:02,155 - And, Akbar, it can be so misleading 440 00:17:02,188 --> 00:17:04,424 because we have seen Thread The Needle 441 00:17:04,457 --> 00:17:06,259 eat up so much time. 442 00:17:06,292 --> 00:17:08,428 - Well, there's 51 seconds. 443 00:17:08,461 --> 00:17:10,864 I think he's got to go. 444 00:17:11,931 --> 00:17:14,134 He said, these Dipping Birds don't worry him. 445 00:17:14,167 --> 00:17:15,835 - Ooh. A little smile there. - Nice. 446 00:17:15,869 --> 00:17:17,370 - He knows his getting close. 447 00:17:17,404 --> 00:17:19,139 Goes right into Thread The Needle. 448 00:17:19,172 --> 00:17:21,141 With the cane, the secret is you got to get it up 449 00:17:21,174 --> 00:17:22,709 before you go forward. - Up and over. 450 00:17:22,742 --> 00:17:23,843 Nice. - Perfect. 451 00:17:23,877 --> 00:17:25,211 - Wow. And I love how he came in. 452 00:17:25,245 --> 00:17:27,647 All 6'5" came in super compact. 453 00:17:27,681 --> 00:17:30,050 All right, this one, he's got to let go right now. 454 00:17:30,050 --> 00:17:32,452 - John Mack... - Now. 455 00:17:32,485 --> 00:17:34,054 - And just reaches out to the cargo net. 456 00:17:34,087 --> 00:17:35,689 - Nice! Did you see that? Wow! 457 00:17:35,722 --> 00:17:37,824 - I don't know that we've ever seen someone just do 458 00:17:37,857 --> 00:17:40,660 a hand-over-hand like that. - He just reached out. 459 00:17:40,694 --> 00:17:44,364 - And John Mack is going to do it with plenty of time 460 00:17:44,397 --> 00:17:45,765 to spare. 461 00:17:45,799 --> 00:17:48,101 And he's going to be our first finisher of the night! 462 00:17:48,134 --> 00:17:51,705 [cheers and applause] 463 00:17:51,738 --> 00:17:54,207 It wasn't a reach for the Reach. 464 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,811 [upbeat music] 465 00:17:57,844 --> 00:18:00,480 You can see he's physically exhausted. 466 00:18:00,513 --> 00:18:04,851 This has got to be an emotional moment for him and his mom. 467 00:18:04,884 --> 00:18:06,286 With those long arms, 468 00:18:06,319 --> 00:18:09,422 John Mack made some of these moves look easy. 469 00:18:09,456 --> 00:18:14,194 He gets our first buzzer, and he's moving on to Stage Two. 470 00:18:14,227 --> 00:18:16,363 Well, John, we know this has been a dream 471 00:18:16,396 --> 00:18:18,198 over a decade in the making. - Yeah. 472 00:18:18,231 --> 00:18:20,567 - We know all that your family has been through. 473 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:23,169 How great is it not just to get that buzzer, 474 00:18:23,203 --> 00:18:26,039 but to do it with your mom here watching it live? 475 00:18:26,072 --> 00:18:27,440 - Johnny. 476 00:18:27,474 --> 00:18:30,310 - I remember being a little kid, like, 12 years old, 477 00:18:30,343 --> 00:18:32,045 watching the show in my basement for the first time, 478 00:18:32,078 --> 00:18:34,447 and now I'm here in Vegas, and I got a buzzer. 479 00:18:34,481 --> 00:18:36,282 And, man, there's nothing better than living your dream, 480 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:37,717 and I'm just lucky enough to do it. 481 00:18:37,751 --> 00:18:38,918 I really am blessed. 482 00:18:38,952 --> 00:18:41,154 - I can say, I am tearing up right here. 483 00:18:41,187 --> 00:18:44,424 I don't think there's anything outside of your reach, bud. 484 00:18:44,457 --> 00:18:46,059 - Wow, man. - That got me. 485 00:18:46,059 --> 00:18:50,063 - A dream come true. - I'm so proud of you. 486 00:18:50,063 --> 00:18:51,331 - Coming up... 487 00:18:51,364 --> 00:18:52,699 she's a crowd favorite 488 00:18:52,732 --> 00:18:55,735 and was the first woman to conquer Stage One. 489 00:18:55,769 --> 00:19:00,306 Jessie Graff runs next on "American Ninja Warrior." 490 00:19:05,412 --> 00:19:07,213 - It's the National Finals in Las Vegas, 491 00:19:07,247 --> 00:19:09,182 and our ninjas are going all-in. 492 00:19:09,215 --> 00:19:12,018 Moments ago, 4'11" Taylor Johnson, 493 00:19:12,052 --> 00:19:15,155 our smallest competitor, showed off her big energy. 494 00:19:15,188 --> 00:19:16,623 - Let's go! 495 00:19:16,656 --> 00:19:19,059 - The 30-year-old from Foxborough, Massachusetts, 496 00:19:19,092 --> 00:19:21,594 who's known as Teej, was back in Vegas 497 00:19:21,628 --> 00:19:23,129 for her second year in a row. 498 00:19:23,163 --> 00:19:24,497 - Okay, Teej! 499 00:19:24,531 --> 00:19:26,466 - Last season, she almost set the record 500 00:19:26,499 --> 00:19:29,903 as the shortest person ever to conquer the Jumping Spider. 501 00:19:29,936 --> 00:19:31,571 - Banana split. Split, split! 502 00:19:31,604 --> 00:19:33,239 Oh, down--damn! 503 00:19:33,273 --> 00:19:35,775 - Tonight she got another chance to make history. 504 00:19:35,809 --> 00:19:37,410 - Matt, I think she's going to do it. 505 00:19:37,444 --> 00:19:38,912 She's got it. 506 00:19:38,945 --> 00:19:41,047 No! 507 00:19:41,047 --> 00:19:43,116 - Not again! 508 00:19:43,149 --> 00:19:45,552 - New York City's Xavier Dantzler 509 00:19:45,585 --> 00:19:47,587 had one of the wildest runs of the night. 510 00:19:47,620 --> 00:19:48,955 - X going to give it to you. 511 00:19:49,055 --> 00:19:50,357 - On Giant Rollercoaster, 512 00:19:50,390 --> 00:19:52,492 X didn't release to the second bar... 513 00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:54,094 - Oh, no. 514 00:19:54,127 --> 00:19:56,896 - But built up speed for a second attempt. 515 00:19:56,930 --> 00:19:58,365 - Hell of a save right there. 516 00:19:58,398 --> 00:20:00,066 - And then tumbled over the landing pad. 517 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,234 - That's a hard fall. 518 00:20:01,267 --> 00:20:02,936 - He barely survived his bounce 519 00:20:02,969 --> 00:20:04,371 into the Jumping Spider. 520 00:20:04,404 --> 00:20:06,473 - Stumbling and bumbling, but he's still through. 521 00:20:06,506 --> 00:20:08,808 - But when he reached the Gambler, his luck ran out. 522 00:20:08,842 --> 00:20:10,010 - Nice. Nice. 523 00:20:10,043 --> 00:20:12,412 Oh! 524 00:20:12,445 --> 00:20:14,280 He looks like he is spent. 525 00:20:14,314 --> 00:20:17,884 - The Flamingo Kid, Arkansas teenager Owen Dyer, 526 00:20:17,917 --> 00:20:19,552 also had a wild ride. 527 00:20:19,586 --> 00:20:21,955 - Ooh, looking like a ballerina there 528 00:20:21,988 --> 00:20:23,256 on the poker chip. 529 00:20:23,289 --> 00:20:25,125 - He got hung up and spent precious seconds 530 00:20:25,158 --> 00:20:26,559 spinning around on the Gambler. 531 00:20:26,593 --> 00:20:28,461 - I'm getting dizzy just watching him. 532 00:20:28,495 --> 00:20:30,397 - With the clock ticking away, 533 00:20:30,430 --> 00:20:32,298 he tried to sprint across the Dipping Birds. 534 00:20:32,332 --> 00:20:33,900 - Long legs, 5'11"-- Ooh! 535 00:20:33,933 --> 00:20:35,869 Oh, my goodness! 536 00:20:35,902 --> 00:20:38,104 That didn't feel good. 537 00:20:38,138 --> 00:20:40,907 - He survived, but the three-time "Ninja" veteran 538 00:20:40,940 --> 00:20:43,443 didn't have anything left for Thread The Needle. 539 00:20:43,476 --> 00:20:44,978 - His grip is a little funky, 540 00:20:45,011 --> 00:20:46,780 and it's actually starting to slip. 541 00:20:46,813 --> 00:20:48,882 - And he ended up back on the platform. 542 00:20:48,915 --> 00:20:50,684 [air horn blares] - He just couldn't recover. 543 00:20:50,717 --> 00:20:54,654 - He is just heartbroken. 544 00:20:54,688 --> 00:20:57,223 - Jessie Graff made history as the first woman 545 00:20:57,257 --> 00:20:58,458 to conquer Stage One. 546 00:20:58,491 --> 00:21:00,794 And tonight she's ready to do it again. 547 00:21:00,827 --> 00:21:04,230 She's had surgery on her knee and both shoulders 548 00:21:04,264 --> 00:21:06,833 since she hit her buzzer here eight years ago, 549 00:21:06,866 --> 00:21:08,735 but she's finally healthy and ready 550 00:21:08,768 --> 00:21:12,872 for another heroic performance. 551 00:21:12,906 --> 00:21:15,508 - Oh, beautiful! 552 00:21:15,542 --> 00:21:17,344 Yes! 553 00:21:17,377 --> 00:21:19,713 - When I think about season eight 554 00:21:19,746 --> 00:21:21,715 and clearing Stage One, 555 00:21:21,748 --> 00:21:24,150 it definitely blows my mind that that moment 556 00:21:24,184 --> 00:21:26,286 is so well-known to so many people. 557 00:21:26,319 --> 00:21:27,687 [buzzer blares] 558 00:21:27,721 --> 00:21:31,291 - The first woman ever to complete Stage One! 559 00:21:31,324 --> 00:21:34,127 Jessie Graff has done it! 560 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:35,495 - As the years have passed, 561 00:21:35,528 --> 00:21:38,531 I've become more aware of how many adult women 562 00:21:38,565 --> 00:21:40,500 don't feel like they can grow and get stronger 563 00:21:40,533 --> 00:21:42,836 and be amazing athletes. 564 00:21:42,869 --> 00:21:45,605 [upbeat music] 565 00:21:45,638 --> 00:21:47,607 * * 566 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:49,309 I think after everything I've been through, 567 00:21:49,342 --> 00:21:51,111 with so many injuries, 568 00:21:51,111 --> 00:21:55,115 I want to show that that's still possible for adult women. 569 00:21:55,148 --> 00:21:57,917 I know my first Stage One buzzer 570 00:21:57,951 --> 00:22:01,388 was the one that was impactful for the world, 571 00:22:01,421 --> 00:22:03,823 but it would mean so much more this time. 572 00:22:03,857 --> 00:22:06,092 * * 573 00:22:06,126 --> 00:22:07,761 [sighs] 574 00:22:07,794 --> 00:22:10,830 [cheers and applause] 575 00:22:12,866 --> 00:22:15,468 - A perfect example of the women Jessie's influenced 576 00:22:15,502 --> 00:22:16,770 is her mom, Ginny, 577 00:22:16,803 --> 00:22:19,139 who started Ninja training a few years ago. 578 00:22:19,172 --> 00:22:21,908 And last season, at 71, Ginny became 579 00:22:21,941 --> 00:22:25,111 the oldest athlete to get through one of our obstacles. 580 00:22:25,145 --> 00:22:27,080 - Go, Jessie! [countdown clock beeping] 581 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:28,515 You got this! 582 00:22:28,548 --> 00:22:30,517 - She's been a Hollywood stuntwoman for over a decade, 583 00:22:30,550 --> 00:22:32,419 works on a lot of big action movies, 584 00:22:32,452 --> 00:22:35,455 including the "Wonder Woman" films. 585 00:22:36,956 --> 00:22:38,558 5'8", 135-- 586 00:22:38,591 --> 00:22:42,095 she was a near Olympic-caliber pole vaulter. 587 00:22:42,095 --> 00:22:44,431 Such great skills. 588 00:22:44,464 --> 00:22:46,232 Jessie is looking so strong. 589 00:22:46,266 --> 00:22:48,201 And what's crazy-- the reason is, 590 00:22:48,234 --> 00:22:50,003 is because she's training less, 591 00:22:50,103 --> 00:22:52,772 giving her body a chance to recover more. 592 00:22:52,806 --> 00:22:56,209 - Yeah, she's used to go in overdrive all the time. 593 00:22:56,242 --> 00:22:59,179 - And that led to a lot of injuries. 594 00:22:59,212 --> 00:23:01,548 [cheers and applause] 595 00:23:01,581 --> 00:23:03,950 But now she's healthy once again. 596 00:23:04,050 --> 00:23:06,920 Going for a ride on the Giant Rollercoaster, 597 00:23:06,953 --> 00:23:09,689 like she's in her invisible jet. 598 00:23:09,723 --> 00:23:11,691 - Oh. Ooh. 599 00:23:11,725 --> 00:23:13,226 Ooh, watch that shoulder. 600 00:23:13,259 --> 00:23:14,394 Nice. 601 00:23:14,427 --> 00:23:15,662 Came in tight. 602 00:23:15,695 --> 00:23:17,597 Look, she looks healthy. 603 00:23:17,630 --> 00:23:20,667 She's got great symmetry... - Oh-ho! 604 00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:22,635 - And enough energy to do a flip. 605 00:23:22,669 --> 00:23:25,572 [cheers and applause] 606 00:23:25,605 --> 00:23:28,942 - Can she get through the Jumping Spider? 607 00:23:28,975 --> 00:23:31,111 - Nice! - Locked in! 608 00:23:31,144 --> 00:23:32,912 - Hey! 609 00:23:32,946 --> 00:23:35,081 Yeah, she looks like she's in great form. 610 00:23:35,081 --> 00:23:36,583 She's back to Jessie Graff. 611 00:23:36,616 --> 00:23:39,285 - Well, she studies movement, kinesiology. 612 00:23:39,319 --> 00:23:41,087 Wants to be a fitness guru. 613 00:23:41,087 --> 00:23:43,289 - She is a fitness guru. - Absolutely. 614 00:23:43,323 --> 00:23:45,091 - Matt, have you ever worked out with her before? 615 00:23:45,091 --> 00:23:46,826 - No, Akbar, and I never will 616 00:23:46,860 --> 00:23:49,195 because I don't think I could keep up. 617 00:23:49,229 --> 00:23:50,463 In fact, I know I couldn't. 618 00:23:50,497 --> 00:23:52,298 - Go, Jessie! You got this! 619 00:23:52,332 --> 00:23:54,100 - Jessie Graff, very calculated. 620 00:23:54,134 --> 00:23:55,802 What can she do here on the Gambler? 621 00:23:55,835 --> 00:23:57,103 - Yes! - Nice. 622 00:23:57,103 --> 00:23:59,739 - Controls the spin. 623 00:23:59,773 --> 00:24:03,309 You can just see how strong as she is. 624 00:24:03,343 --> 00:24:04,778 - Very strong. 625 00:24:04,811 --> 00:24:07,947 - So great that she says she's finally feeling healthy. 626 00:24:08,048 --> 00:24:10,550 - You can see the striations in her muscles. 627 00:24:10,583 --> 00:24:11,918 - There she goes. - Back muscles-- 628 00:24:11,951 --> 00:24:13,086 my goodness. 629 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,289 Nice. Nice. - Oh! She got it! 630 00:24:16,322 --> 00:24:17,724 Now down to a minute. 631 00:24:17,757 --> 00:24:20,060 Only two other women have finished Stage One 632 00:24:20,060 --> 00:24:22,328 since Jessie did it eight years ago-- 633 00:24:22,362 --> 00:24:24,197 Allyssa Beird and Flex Labreck. 634 00:24:24,230 --> 00:24:28,802 It is not easy, especially with that clock ticking. 635 00:24:28,835 --> 00:24:32,906 Jessie Graff shaking out those forearms, a little smile. 636 00:24:32,939 --> 00:24:34,874 - She can make up that time, I know it. 637 00:24:34,908 --> 00:24:37,077 Yeah, she's got about 38 seconds. 638 00:24:37,077 --> 00:24:38,278 She can do it. 639 00:24:38,311 --> 00:24:40,380 [cheers and applause] 640 00:24:40,413 --> 00:24:42,649 - Ooh. - Oh! 641 00:24:42,682 --> 00:24:45,952 And you can see-- even Jessie Graff is human. 642 00:24:45,985 --> 00:24:48,121 - Come on, Jessie! 643 00:24:48,154 --> 00:24:50,623 - This course takes its toll. 644 00:24:50,657 --> 00:24:52,792 [cheers and applause] 645 00:24:52,826 --> 00:24:55,628 - You got it, Jessie! 646 00:24:55,662 --> 00:24:57,230 - Ooh. - Oh. 647 00:24:57,263 --> 00:24:59,766 - Oh, boy. This is tough. 648 00:24:59,799 --> 00:25:02,035 [crowd chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 649 00:25:02,035 --> 00:25:03,336 Beat that wall! 650 00:25:03,370 --> 00:25:06,573 - Those legs are tired when you reach this point. 651 00:25:06,606 --> 00:25:09,509 [alarm blaring] both: Oh. 652 00:25:09,542 --> 00:25:12,512 - Well, Jessie Graff just couldn't recapture 653 00:25:12,545 --> 00:25:14,748 the magic of season eight. [buzzer blares] 654 00:25:14,781 --> 00:25:18,785 But still, another strong performance. 655 00:25:18,818 --> 00:25:21,154 - Good job, Jessie! 656 00:25:21,187 --> 00:25:24,924 - Jessie, you have been a hero to so many. 657 00:25:24,958 --> 00:25:26,793 For the ones who are watching at home, 658 00:25:26,826 --> 00:25:29,729 those young girls, what do you want to tell them? 659 00:25:29,763 --> 00:25:31,765 - Take on impossible challenges 660 00:25:31,798 --> 00:25:33,466 and have fun all along the way. 661 00:25:33,500 --> 00:25:35,802 - All right, I love it. I love it. 662 00:25:35,835 --> 00:25:38,905 - Beautifully said from a real-life Wonder Woman. 663 00:25:38,938 --> 00:25:41,374 Jessie, always great seeing you complete. 664 00:25:41,408 --> 00:25:43,243 [cheers and applause] 665 00:25:43,276 --> 00:25:46,613 [upbeat music] 666 00:25:46,646 --> 00:25:50,450 Still to come, a fan favorite is back. 667 00:25:50,483 --> 00:25:53,286 Najee Richardson makes his return. 668 00:25:53,319 --> 00:25:55,655 - This is vintage Najee Richardson. 669 00:25:55,689 --> 00:25:56,790 - We'll tell you why. 670 00:25:56,823 --> 00:25:57,924 - Aah! 671 00:25:57,957 --> 00:26:00,293 Plus, it's been a dream season 672 00:26:00,326 --> 00:26:02,796 for the Deaf Ninja, Kyle Schulze. 673 00:26:04,397 --> 00:26:06,366 - Can he keep it alive on Stage One? 674 00:26:06,399 --> 00:26:07,867 - Whoo! 675 00:26:07,901 --> 00:26:11,805 - It's all coming up on "American Ninja Warrior." 676 00:26:16,076 --> 00:26:17,444 - Welcome back to Vegas, 677 00:26:17,477 --> 00:26:19,846 where we had three dramatic runs minutes ago. 678 00:26:19,879 --> 00:26:21,881 Sparks were flying when Tennessee welder 679 00:26:21,915 --> 00:26:23,817 Jonah Brown hit the course. 680 00:26:23,850 --> 00:26:26,653 - He's got a lot of potential here as a rookie. 681 00:26:26,686 --> 00:26:29,289 - The 19-year-old hit a buzzer back in qualifying, 682 00:26:29,322 --> 00:26:31,658 but tonight on the Giant Rollercoaster, 683 00:26:31,691 --> 00:26:35,295 he went off the tracks and went right back to the ground. 684 00:26:35,328 --> 00:26:39,933 Wow! We've never seen that before! 685 00:26:39,966 --> 00:26:41,534 Another 19-year-old, 686 00:26:41,568 --> 00:26:43,837 Colorado's Anabella Heinrichs, 687 00:26:43,870 --> 00:26:46,172 was making her first trip to the National Finals. 688 00:26:46,206 --> 00:26:47,674 - Oh, she got it. 689 00:26:47,707 --> 00:26:50,410 - The cosmetology student was looking good 690 00:26:50,443 --> 00:26:53,079 through three obstacles. 691 00:26:53,113 --> 00:26:55,815 But she got a little ahead of herself on the Jumping Spider. 692 00:26:55,849 --> 00:26:57,317 - No! 693 00:26:57,350 --> 00:27:00,754 Oh, face-first. 694 00:27:00,787 --> 00:27:03,523 - One of the most popular ninjas, Nick Hanson, 695 00:27:03,556 --> 00:27:04,858 started off with a bang. 696 00:27:04,891 --> 00:27:06,259 - Ooh! 697 00:27:06,292 --> 00:27:07,427 - The nine-time "Ninja" veteran 698 00:27:07,460 --> 00:27:08,895 from Unalakleet, Alaska, 699 00:27:08,928 --> 00:27:11,031 had of big group cheering for him, 700 00:27:11,031 --> 00:27:13,299 including his wife and young son Christopher. 701 00:27:13,333 --> 00:27:15,201 - Go, Nick! You got this! 702 00:27:15,235 --> 00:27:17,437 - The 36-year-old handled the first part 703 00:27:17,470 --> 00:27:19,773 of the course with ease... 704 00:27:19,806 --> 00:27:22,275 but started to slow down on the back half. 705 00:27:22,308 --> 00:27:24,344 - All right, Matt, he is dragging a little bit. 706 00:27:24,377 --> 00:27:27,047 - With time running out, he made a last-ditch dash 707 00:27:27,047 --> 00:27:28,281 across Dipping Birds. 708 00:27:28,314 --> 00:27:29,916 - Oh! 709 00:27:29,949 --> 00:27:32,252 I saw it coming. I saw it coming. 710 00:27:32,285 --> 00:27:34,954 - [breathing heavily] 711 00:27:35,055 --> 00:27:37,323 [laughs] 712 00:27:37,357 --> 00:27:40,660 - Our next competitor loves to monkey around. 713 00:27:40,694 --> 00:27:43,530 It's fun-loving college student Colton Skuster. 714 00:27:43,563 --> 00:27:45,965 - Vegas, baby! Okay! 715 00:27:46,066 --> 00:27:48,601 - This energetic 19-year-old is nicknamed Monkey. 716 00:27:48,635 --> 00:27:50,103 - He's got a banana! 717 00:27:50,136 --> 00:27:51,971 He's going to have a little snack before the run! 718 00:27:52,072 --> 00:27:55,875 - As you can see, he doesn't take things too seriously. 719 00:27:55,909 --> 00:27:58,878 [mellow music] 720 00:27:58,912 --> 00:28:00,447 - I think being a monkey is great for Ninja 721 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:02,649 because monkeys do what ninjas do. 722 00:28:02,682 --> 00:28:05,518 We climb things. We swing from things. 723 00:28:05,552 --> 00:28:08,288 And I like bananas, so why not? 724 00:28:08,321 --> 00:28:10,156 What I'm known for in the friend group 725 00:28:10,190 --> 00:28:12,926 is having, like, the most adventurous, crazy ideas. 726 00:28:13,026 --> 00:28:14,294 - Oh! 727 00:28:14,327 --> 00:28:17,831 I love skiing, hiking, boating, cliff jumping. 728 00:28:17,864 --> 00:28:19,299 - Ooh! 729 00:28:19,332 --> 00:28:20,767 - I love to golf. 730 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:22,369 Besides Ninja, golf is definitely 731 00:28:22,402 --> 00:28:25,171 my main athletic pursuit. 732 00:28:25,205 --> 00:28:27,240 There's definitely a lot more on my plate this year, 733 00:28:27,273 --> 00:28:29,075 with college, balancing dorm life, 734 00:28:29,109 --> 00:28:30,210 friend life, family life. 735 00:28:30,243 --> 00:28:32,579 But I'm still harnessing the inner monkey 736 00:28:32,612 --> 00:28:34,180 and having fun with it all. 737 00:28:34,214 --> 00:28:37,083 [monkey chattering happily] 738 00:28:37,117 --> 00:28:38,184 Yeah! 739 00:28:38,218 --> 00:28:39,886 - Well, the monkey suit is off. 740 00:28:39,919 --> 00:28:41,621 He's ready for business. 741 00:28:41,654 --> 00:28:43,923 And he's got his bros back at the University of Utah 742 00:28:43,957 --> 00:28:45,291 cheering him on, 743 00:28:45,325 --> 00:28:48,495 along with his parents, who are on the sideline. 744 00:28:48,528 --> 00:28:51,564 - Let's go! Yeah! 745 00:28:51,598 --> 00:28:54,601 [countdown clock beeping] 746 00:28:54,634 --> 00:28:57,070 - 6', 180-- on the bigger side. 747 00:28:57,103 --> 00:28:59,439 - He took his shirt off to show off those muscles. 748 00:28:59,472 --> 00:29:01,708 - He is having a breakout season. 749 00:29:01,741 --> 00:29:03,643 Put up one of the fastest times 750 00:29:03,677 --> 00:29:05,745 as he won his race back in semis. 751 00:29:05,779 --> 00:29:08,014 That was his very first buzzer. 752 00:29:08,014 --> 00:29:09,716 - He can use his monkey skills here 753 00:29:09,749 --> 00:29:11,651 to fly through Barrel Roll... 754 00:29:11,685 --> 00:29:14,087 just like that. 755 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:15,755 - Waves to his sideline 756 00:29:15,789 --> 00:29:17,891 as he heads up to Giant Rollercoaster. 757 00:29:17,924 --> 00:29:19,392 - Matt, this is one obstacle 758 00:29:19,426 --> 00:29:21,428 you don't want to monkey around on. 759 00:29:21,461 --> 00:29:22,929 You really got to be precise. 760 00:29:23,029 --> 00:29:26,266 Brace for impact! Nice! 761 00:29:26,299 --> 00:29:29,035 - Good. Good. 762 00:29:29,069 --> 00:29:31,438 Well, Colton Skuster 763 00:29:31,471 --> 00:29:33,773 skates through those first three obstacles. 764 00:29:33,807 --> 00:29:36,343 He's looking like one of those powered scooters. 765 00:29:36,376 --> 00:29:39,145 He is moving, especially for a big man. 766 00:29:39,179 --> 00:29:40,547 I love the efficiency. 767 00:29:40,580 --> 00:29:42,682 He is attacking this course. 768 00:29:42,716 --> 00:29:44,617 - Now he's just got to keep it up. 769 00:29:44,651 --> 00:29:47,053 Keep that speed and that pace up. 770 00:29:47,053 --> 00:29:49,222 [cheers and applause] 771 00:29:49,255 --> 00:29:51,758 This is the fastest we've seen anyone reach the Gambler. 772 00:29:51,791 --> 00:29:53,827 Not looking like it's first time here. 773 00:29:53,860 --> 00:29:55,662 - The kid is moving. 774 00:29:55,695 --> 00:29:57,564 6', 180--on the bigger side. 775 00:29:57,597 --> 00:29:59,299 Got to be efficient here, Akbar. 776 00:29:59,332 --> 00:30:01,868 We've seen the Gambler end a lot of runs. 777 00:30:01,901 --> 00:30:04,037 - Matt, yeah, but look at the way he's moving through this. 778 00:30:04,070 --> 00:30:06,406 He's like--he knows exactly what he's doing. 779 00:30:06,439 --> 00:30:10,977 He's got a game plan, and he's executing. 780 00:30:11,011 --> 00:30:13,213 - Good footwork. 781 00:30:13,246 --> 00:30:18,118 Control the spin and get off this obstacle. 782 00:30:18,151 --> 00:30:19,886 - Plenty of time. 783 00:30:19,919 --> 00:30:21,554 He's right on time. 784 00:30:21,588 --> 00:30:23,823 - And Skuster shooting along. 785 00:30:23,857 --> 00:30:25,658 - He's scooting along. 786 00:30:25,692 --> 00:30:29,963 [cheers and applause] 787 00:30:29,996 --> 00:30:33,433 - Mom's getting excited as he gets closer to a buzzer. 788 00:30:33,466 --> 00:30:35,235 Two more obstacles. 789 00:30:35,268 --> 00:30:37,704 Got to run past Dipping Birds. 790 00:30:37,737 --> 00:30:40,507 - Nice! - Here it is! 791 00:30:40,540 --> 00:30:42,308 Well, plenty of time here, Akbar. 792 00:30:42,342 --> 00:30:44,878 But at 180, it's a decent amount of mass, 793 00:30:44,911 --> 00:30:47,247 got to get that cane off the hook. 794 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:49,015 - Good. Get high placement. 795 00:30:49,049 --> 00:30:52,318 Control the cane. Get it up and off the hook. 796 00:30:52,352 --> 00:30:54,854 - Couple extra swings. - Right into that circle. 797 00:30:54,888 --> 00:30:56,523 Nice. - Lands it. 798 00:30:56,556 --> 00:30:58,158 - Smooth, baby. 799 00:30:58,191 --> 00:31:02,962 - And Colton Skuster, his first time in Vegas... 800 00:31:03,063 --> 00:31:05,632 - That's amazing. 19 years old. 801 00:31:05,665 --> 00:31:08,134 - What a debut here on Stage One. 802 00:31:08,168 --> 00:31:10,837 - Out of Salt Lake City. 803 00:31:10,870 --> 00:31:14,174 - An absolute stud. 804 00:31:14,207 --> 00:31:16,576 - This college kid knows what's up. 805 00:31:16,609 --> 00:31:19,979 - He's going to be the big man on campus after this. 806 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:22,782 Our second finisher of the night. 807 00:31:22,816 --> 00:31:25,218 [upbeat music] 808 00:31:25,251 --> 00:31:28,455 - Let's go! 809 00:31:28,488 --> 00:31:32,192 [cheers and applause] 810 00:31:32,225 --> 00:31:33,760 Let's go, baby! 811 00:31:33,793 --> 00:31:38,431 * * 812 00:31:38,465 --> 00:31:40,567 - Let's go! 813 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:42,769 - Let's go! - Oh, man! 814 00:31:42,802 --> 00:31:44,371 I thought you were going to be nervous 815 00:31:44,404 --> 00:31:48,341 for your very first trip to Las Vegas in the semifinals! 816 00:31:48,375 --> 00:31:50,110 But you didn't look nervous, man. 817 00:31:50,143 --> 00:31:51,378 - I have been so determined. 818 00:31:51,411 --> 00:31:53,413 This is just absolutely surreal. 819 00:31:53,446 --> 00:31:55,682 I remember coming here as a 12-year-old kid 820 00:31:55,715 --> 00:31:57,250 watching the Vegas Finals, 821 00:31:57,283 --> 00:31:59,719 and being on top of Stage One is just-- 822 00:31:59,753 --> 00:32:01,688 it doesn't feel real, bro. 823 00:32:01,721 --> 00:32:03,590 - [laughs] 824 00:32:03,623 --> 00:32:05,158 - Hit that buzzer one more time, Colton! 825 00:32:05,191 --> 00:32:06,960 - Let's go, baby! 826 00:32:07,060 --> 00:32:10,530 [cheers and applause] 827 00:32:10,563 --> 00:32:12,065 - Still to come... 828 00:32:12,065 --> 00:32:16,469 He was a Ninja elite but took time off to be a dad. 829 00:32:16,503 --> 00:32:18,705 - The main reason I'm back to compete on "Ninja Warrior" 830 00:32:18,738 --> 00:32:20,740 is I want to create memories for my daughter. 831 00:32:20,774 --> 00:32:23,977 - Josh Salinas does it for the girl dads 832 00:32:24,077 --> 00:32:26,880 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 833 00:32:33,086 --> 00:32:34,354 - A trio of Texans 834 00:32:34,387 --> 00:32:36,089 took on Stage One minutes ago. 835 00:32:36,089 --> 00:32:37,957 One of our youngest competing tonight, 836 00:32:37,991 --> 00:32:41,127 16-year-old Madelyn Madaras, hit a buzzer in semis 837 00:32:41,161 --> 00:32:42,996 and was back in the National Finals 838 00:32:43,096 --> 00:32:44,664 for the second year in a row. 839 00:32:44,698 --> 00:32:47,801 Last season, she got hung up on the Giant Rollercoaster. 840 00:32:47,834 --> 00:32:50,003 - Uh-oh! This could be hard. 841 00:32:50,103 --> 00:32:52,005 No! 842 00:32:52,105 --> 00:32:54,407 - But tonight the Houston high schooler 843 00:32:54,441 --> 00:32:55,709 passed with flying colors. 844 00:32:55,742 --> 00:32:57,110 - That's how you do it! 845 00:32:57,110 --> 00:32:59,612 - But at only 106 pounds, 846 00:32:59,646 --> 00:33:01,381 she couldn't generate a big-enough bounce 847 00:33:01,414 --> 00:33:02,549 for the Jumping Spider. 848 00:33:02,582 --> 00:33:05,218 - Ooh! 849 00:33:05,251 --> 00:33:07,921 - Houston's Grant Kiningham, an ice sculptor, 850 00:33:07,954 --> 00:33:10,790 carved his way through the first part of the course. 851 00:33:10,824 --> 00:33:12,859 But his mom couldn't relax, 852 00:33:12,892 --> 00:33:15,061 because the Gambler gave him problems last year, 853 00:33:15,061 --> 00:33:16,896 and he got hung up there again tonight. 854 00:33:16,930 --> 00:33:18,164 - You could see the wheels 855 00:33:18,198 --> 00:33:19,532 spinning in his head right now, 856 00:33:19,566 --> 00:33:21,101 like, how am I going to get out of this? 857 00:33:21,134 --> 00:33:22,302 Ooh. 858 00:33:22,335 --> 00:33:23,870 - Though he finally got through it, 859 00:33:23,903 --> 00:33:25,739 his only hope was a dead sprint. 860 00:33:25,772 --> 00:33:28,441 - He's going to have to go all out. 861 00:33:28,475 --> 00:33:31,077 - And just like last year, his run ended 862 00:33:31,077 --> 00:33:33,179 just a few feet short of the buzzer. 863 00:33:33,213 --> 00:33:34,914 - Oh, my goodness, he's in his head. 864 00:33:34,948 --> 00:33:36,416 [buzzer blares] 865 00:33:36,449 --> 00:33:39,085 Oh, no. 866 00:33:39,085 --> 00:33:42,288 - Another Texan, 19-year-old Isaiah Thomas, 867 00:33:42,322 --> 00:33:44,090 AKA the Flyboy, 868 00:33:44,090 --> 00:33:46,693 took off, aiming for his third Stage One buzzer. 869 00:33:46,726 --> 00:33:49,462 - No ninja's got more swag than the Flyboy. 870 00:33:49,496 --> 00:33:51,598 - Come on, Isaiah, let's go! 871 00:33:51,631 --> 00:33:53,633 - Unlike many of the others, 872 00:33:53,667 --> 00:33:55,769 he had perfect technique on the Gambler. 873 00:33:55,802 --> 00:33:58,338 - This kid is always betting on himself. 874 00:33:58,371 --> 00:34:00,907 - He was on autopilot for the final obstacle... 875 00:34:00,940 --> 00:34:05,178 - This Isaiah Thomas ain't only a bad boy, he's a flyboy. 876 00:34:05,211 --> 00:34:06,479 Look at him fly. 877 00:34:06,513 --> 00:34:09,883 - And put up the fastest finish so far. 878 00:34:09,916 --> 00:34:11,718 We'll see him racing on Stage Two 879 00:34:11,751 --> 00:34:13,319 for the second year in a row. 880 00:34:13,353 --> 00:34:17,057 - Let's go! 881 00:34:17,057 --> 00:34:19,192 - Our next athlete delivered 882 00:34:19,225 --> 00:34:21,828 some of the most inspirational moments of the season. 883 00:34:21,861 --> 00:34:24,731 This is the Deaf Ninja, Kyle Schulze, 884 00:34:24,764 --> 00:34:27,634 using sign language for "Ninja" at the start line. 885 00:34:27,667 --> 00:34:31,071 He's having a remarkable year, with two buzzers, 886 00:34:31,071 --> 00:34:34,174 and he's excited for his return to Vegas. 887 00:34:34,207 --> 00:34:36,176 [dramatic music] 888 00:34:36,209 --> 00:34:38,878 - Kyle Schulze quickly becoming-- 889 00:34:38,912 --> 00:34:42,082 - whoa. Oh, no, no, no, no! - No! 890 00:34:42,082 --> 00:34:45,485 - That's not the way it was supposed to go! 891 00:34:45,518 --> 00:34:48,755 - I've been itching to come back here and redeem myself, 892 00:34:48,788 --> 00:34:50,857 because there's nothing bigger 893 00:34:50,890 --> 00:34:54,661 than that National Finals Las Vegas course. 894 00:34:54,694 --> 00:34:57,330 I think for me to be able to compete again 895 00:34:57,364 --> 00:34:59,866 is, in a way, to help spread that awareness 896 00:34:59,899 --> 00:35:01,568 for the whole world. 897 00:35:01,601 --> 00:35:03,903 * * 898 00:35:03,937 --> 00:35:07,807 Don't let a person not be able to do what they want to do 899 00:35:07,841 --> 00:35:09,676 just because of what disabilities they have, 900 00:35:09,709 --> 00:35:11,811 what adversities they have. 901 00:35:11,845 --> 00:35:13,146 Nice. 902 00:35:13,179 --> 00:35:15,048 Good job. Awesome. 903 00:35:15,081 --> 00:35:17,684 Give them a shot, give them the opportunity, 904 00:35:17,717 --> 00:35:19,052 just like "American Ninja Warrior" 905 00:35:19,085 --> 00:35:20,153 did for me. 906 00:35:20,186 --> 00:35:22,689 * * 907 00:35:22,722 --> 00:35:24,624 [cheers and applause] 908 00:35:24,657 --> 00:35:26,593 - He's got his girlfriend on the sidelines, 909 00:35:26,626 --> 00:35:27,927 along with a big group. 910 00:35:27,961 --> 00:35:30,397 Everyone roots for Kyle Schulze. 911 00:35:30,430 --> 00:35:32,465 - He's staring down this first obstacle, 912 00:35:32,499 --> 00:35:34,234 does not want to fall here again. 913 00:35:34,267 --> 00:35:36,503 Just wants to get one behind him. 914 00:35:36,536 --> 00:35:38,938 [countdown clock beeping] 915 00:35:38,972 --> 00:35:40,640 All right, here we go. 916 00:35:40,674 --> 00:35:41,941 - No problem. 917 00:35:41,975 --> 00:35:44,244 Not going to let that happen twice. 918 00:35:44,277 --> 00:35:46,112 - He said, nope. Never. Never. 919 00:35:46,146 --> 00:35:48,348 - This is what's amazing-- in eight seasons 920 00:35:48,381 --> 00:35:50,083 of "Ninja Warrior," never hit a buzzer. 921 00:35:50,083 --> 00:35:52,285 This season he's already got two. 922 00:35:52,318 --> 00:35:54,854 This guy will continue to fight. 923 00:35:54,888 --> 00:35:56,890 He has been such an inspiration. 924 00:35:56,923 --> 00:35:59,092 Never lets his deafness hold him back. 925 00:35:59,125 --> 00:36:01,261 - He's just a good athlete, Matt. 926 00:36:01,294 --> 00:36:03,196 - Jump back. Go. Go. 927 00:36:03,229 --> 00:36:05,532 - And now already on to the third obstacle, 928 00:36:05,565 --> 00:36:07,033 Giant Rollercoaster. 929 00:36:07,033 --> 00:36:08,401 - Come on, Kyle. - Let's go. 930 00:36:08,435 --> 00:36:10,070 - Well, Kyle Schulze, an engineering student, 931 00:36:10,103 --> 00:36:11,638 understands the physics. 932 00:36:11,671 --> 00:36:13,139 Can he execute here? 933 00:36:13,173 --> 00:36:15,041 Going for a big ride. - Ooh, boy. 934 00:36:15,075 --> 00:36:17,310 This is a different type of physics right here. 935 00:36:17,344 --> 00:36:20,146 It's physical. - Real smooth out of Schulze. 936 00:36:20,180 --> 00:36:21,781 This kid has so much gut. 937 00:36:21,815 --> 00:36:23,149 You remember him 938 00:36:23,183 --> 00:36:25,151 fighting through a shoulder injury in Tacoma... 939 00:36:25,185 --> 00:36:27,554 - Oh, man. - Refusing to quit. 940 00:36:27,587 --> 00:36:29,889 - Man, I gained so much respect for Kyle Schulze 941 00:36:29,923 --> 00:36:31,157 during that point. 942 00:36:31,191 --> 00:36:33,526 - Well, he's shown such perseverance. 943 00:36:33,560 --> 00:36:35,729 He went eight years before he got his first buzzer. 944 00:36:35,762 --> 00:36:38,865 Would have been easy to quit, but he kept coming back 945 00:36:38,898 --> 00:36:41,267 and is having his best season ever at 34. 946 00:36:41,301 --> 00:36:44,471 Well, Kyle Schulze getting ready to gamble 947 00:36:44,504 --> 00:36:46,373 here in Vegas. 948 00:36:46,406 --> 00:36:48,942 And this obstacle has been such a separator. 949 00:36:48,975 --> 00:36:52,078 Even those who survive it, it can end their run later. 950 00:36:52,112 --> 00:36:53,380 It's so taxing. 951 00:36:53,413 --> 00:36:55,648 - Yeah, and keep an eye on the clock here. 952 00:36:55,682 --> 00:36:57,784 About a minute and a half. 953 00:36:57,817 --> 00:36:59,352 You need to get off this obstacle 954 00:36:59,386 --> 00:37:01,888 with at least a minute to have a chance. 955 00:37:01,921 --> 00:37:04,891 - And here it is, starting to spin around on the chip. 956 00:37:04,924 --> 00:37:08,628 And this is the challenge--so hard to control your momentum, 957 00:37:08,661 --> 00:37:10,797 so hard to even adjust your hands. 958 00:37:10,830 --> 00:37:12,432 - Nice. Okay, good. - Got it. 959 00:37:12,465 --> 00:37:13,667 - He's staying very focused. 960 00:37:13,700 --> 00:37:15,468 You know he's starting to feel the burn 961 00:37:15,502 --> 00:37:17,570 right in his forearms. 962 00:37:17,604 --> 00:37:19,639 All right, here we go. Good balance. 963 00:37:19,673 --> 00:37:22,275 - Not fully extended, going to make it a little riskier here. 964 00:37:22,308 --> 00:37:24,310 - Proprioception comes into play here. 965 00:37:24,344 --> 00:37:25,779 - No! - No! 966 00:37:25,812 --> 00:37:28,715 [air horn blares] 967 00:37:28,748 --> 00:37:33,653 Touched the rim of Ace of Spades, but no go. 968 00:37:33,687 --> 00:37:35,555 - He wasn't going to let the first obstacle 969 00:37:35,588 --> 00:37:36,890 get him this time. 970 00:37:36,923 --> 00:37:38,258 He looked very confident 971 00:37:38,291 --> 00:37:40,827 and made it all the way to the fifth obstacle 972 00:37:40,860 --> 00:37:43,329 before coming up just a fingertip short 973 00:37:43,363 --> 00:37:44,898 on the Gambler. 974 00:37:46,533 --> 00:37:50,203 - Kyle, it's so good to see you back at the National Finals. 975 00:37:50,236 --> 00:37:52,939 How excited were you to be back in Vegas this year? 976 00:37:58,478 --> 00:37:59,746 - Mm-hmm. 977 00:38:02,649 --> 00:38:04,184 - Well, you have a lot to be proud of. 978 00:38:04,217 --> 00:38:06,453 It was an incredible season. Congratulations on it. 979 00:38:06,486 --> 00:38:08,021 - Thank you so much. - Absolutely. 980 00:38:08,021 --> 00:38:09,189 Guys, back to you. 981 00:38:09,222 --> 00:38:10,623 - Coming up... 982 00:38:10,657 --> 00:38:14,327 two top ninjas looking for redemption in Vegas. 983 00:38:14,361 --> 00:38:17,030 Addy Herman had a chance to finish Stage One 984 00:38:17,063 --> 00:38:19,299 till the Warped Wall got in the way. 985 00:38:19,332 --> 00:38:21,668 Now she's ready for another shot. 986 00:38:21,701 --> 00:38:24,471 Plus, last year Daniel Gil missed out 987 00:38:24,504 --> 00:38:25,805 on the million dollars. 988 00:38:25,839 --> 00:38:28,308 And he's got extra motivation this year. 989 00:38:28,341 --> 00:38:32,212 They're next on "American Ninja Warrior." 990 00:38:37,484 --> 00:38:40,353 - Welcome back to Vegas and "ANW"'s National Finals, 991 00:38:40,387 --> 00:38:42,355 where we're about halfway through the night. 992 00:38:42,389 --> 00:38:43,857 - And in the last few minutes, 993 00:38:43,890 --> 00:38:46,493 these ninjas have been on a hot streak. 994 00:38:46,526 --> 00:38:49,462 - That includes two teenagers with similar haircuts 995 00:38:49,496 --> 00:38:51,731 who had it flowing on the course. 996 00:38:51,765 --> 00:38:55,068 First up was Rhode Island's Kevin Rodriguez, 997 00:38:55,068 --> 00:38:57,370 who roared across the early obstacles... 998 00:38:57,404 --> 00:38:58,838 - Yes, let's go! 999 00:38:58,872 --> 00:39:01,074 - Then hit a speed bump on the Gambler. 1000 00:39:01,107 --> 00:39:05,278 And just spinning again, and that sops up energy and time. 1001 00:39:05,311 --> 00:39:07,681 Though he finally got through... 1002 00:39:07,714 --> 00:39:10,016 he was out of breath for the final stretch. 1003 00:39:10,050 --> 00:39:12,152 That ninja haircut looking real good. 1004 00:39:12,185 --> 00:39:14,120 But, Akbar, you can see-- 1005 00:39:14,154 --> 00:39:16,389 it's catching up to the 17-year-old. 1006 00:39:16,423 --> 00:39:18,658 But the second-year ninja kept battling 1007 00:39:18,692 --> 00:39:21,661 and got his first Stage One buzzer. 1008 00:39:21,695 --> 00:39:25,165 He looks spent, but he did what he had to do. 1009 00:39:25,198 --> 00:39:27,500 He's moving on. 1010 00:39:27,534 --> 00:39:30,503 And it was another curly-haired ninja, 1011 00:39:30,537 --> 00:39:33,039 Massachusetts' Noah Meunier, 1012 00:39:33,039 --> 00:39:35,041 who was cheered on by girlfriend, 1013 00:39:35,041 --> 00:39:37,110 women's champion Addy Herman. 1014 00:39:37,143 --> 00:39:41,214 Meunier is an absolute beast-- a motor that just won't quit. 1015 00:39:41,247 --> 00:39:43,683 Meunier made it all the way to Stage Four 1016 00:39:43,717 --> 00:39:45,051 last season as a rookie, 1017 00:39:45,051 --> 00:39:46,820 and in a season and a half of "Ninja," 1018 00:39:46,853 --> 00:39:49,289 he has yet to fall on a course. 1019 00:39:49,322 --> 00:39:51,191 Oh, my. 1020 00:39:51,224 --> 00:39:54,761 Look at how much time he has left. 1021 00:39:54,794 --> 00:39:57,197 He sprinted through the final two obstacles 1022 00:39:57,230 --> 00:39:58,631 without stopping... 1023 00:39:58,665 --> 00:40:03,269 Meunier proving last season was not a fluke. 1024 00:40:03,303 --> 00:40:06,039 And put up the fastest finish by far 1025 00:40:06,072 --> 00:40:07,807 by more than 30 seconds. 1026 00:40:07,841 --> 00:40:09,209 [buzzer blares] 1027 00:40:09,242 --> 00:40:12,712 Wow. This kid is good. 1028 00:40:12,746 --> 00:40:14,681 [cheers and applause] 1029 00:40:14,714 --> 00:40:17,550 And so now his girlfriend, Addy Herman, gets her shot. 1030 00:40:17,584 --> 00:40:20,820 She is coming in with a lot of confidence. 1031 00:40:20,854 --> 00:40:21,988 She won our Women's 1032 00:40:22,022 --> 00:40:23,189 Championship earlier 1033 00:40:23,223 --> 00:40:24,624 this year, and she's come 1034 00:40:24,657 --> 00:40:26,326 close to finishing Stage One 1035 00:40:26,359 --> 00:40:27,660 in the past. 1036 00:40:27,694 --> 00:40:30,063 Her parents will be cheering on, 1037 00:40:30,096 --> 00:40:32,065 along with boyfriend, Noah Meunier, 1038 00:40:32,098 --> 00:40:33,566 who just got his buzzer. 1039 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:35,435 [countdown clock beeping] 1040 00:40:35,468 --> 00:40:37,871 We haven't had a woman finish Stage One 1041 00:40:37,904 --> 00:40:40,073 since Flex Labreck three years ago, 1042 00:40:40,106 --> 00:40:42,375 but I think Addy Herman has a real shot. 1043 00:40:42,409 --> 00:40:43,743 She's had strong runs 1044 00:40:43,777 --> 00:40:46,046 but ran out of time the last two years. 1045 00:40:46,079 --> 00:40:47,414 She knows it's important 1046 00:40:47,447 --> 00:40:49,416 to get through the early obstacles quickly. 1047 00:40:49,449 --> 00:40:52,719 - Matt, and my takeaway is that back-to-back seasons 1048 00:40:52,752 --> 00:40:55,689 of timing out on Stage One-- I think she's got it. 1049 00:40:55,722 --> 00:40:57,257 I think third time is a charm. 1050 00:40:57,290 --> 00:40:59,092 [cheers and applause] 1051 00:40:59,125 --> 00:41:02,696 - Well, last year timed out on the Warped Wall. 1052 00:41:02,729 --> 00:41:04,064 It's just so taxing. 1053 00:41:04,064 --> 00:41:06,299 These obstacles keep getting more difficult. 1054 00:41:06,332 --> 00:41:08,468 So she knows she's got to be efficient, 1055 00:41:08,501 --> 00:41:10,370 been working on her endurance. 1056 00:41:10,403 --> 00:41:12,505 She's looking good. 1057 00:41:12,539 --> 00:41:14,507 - That's it. There you go. 1058 00:41:14,541 --> 00:41:16,376 And then launch. Nice. 1059 00:41:16,409 --> 00:41:18,945 [cheers and applause] 1060 00:41:18,978 --> 00:41:21,981 - 5'4", needs a big bounce here on Jumping Spider. 1061 00:41:22,082 --> 00:41:23,583 - It's a full-body taxation. 1062 00:41:23,616 --> 00:41:26,553 - And you see, she's running with good urgency out there, 1063 00:41:26,586 --> 00:41:29,255 wants to give herself every chance to get that buzzer. 1064 00:41:29,289 --> 00:41:32,092 - That's exactly what she's doing right there. 1065 00:41:32,092 --> 00:41:34,894 Boy, that was real quick through Jumping Spider. 1066 00:41:34,928 --> 00:41:36,262 - Long drop. 1067 00:41:36,296 --> 00:41:39,099 [cheers and applause] 1068 00:41:39,099 --> 00:41:42,836 the Gambler, another one that saps your strength 1069 00:41:42,869 --> 00:41:44,838 and the seconds. 1070 00:41:44,871 --> 00:41:47,307 She is looking dialed in, Akbar. 1071 00:41:47,340 --> 00:41:48,675 - Yes, she is. 1072 00:41:48,708 --> 00:41:51,144 When you've timed out two times on Stage One, 1073 00:41:51,177 --> 00:41:54,114 you're not looking to do it a third time. 1074 00:41:54,114 --> 00:41:57,183 Wow. Nice transition there, Matt. 1075 00:41:58,518 --> 00:42:00,620 All right, here we go. 1076 00:42:00,653 --> 00:42:02,222 - You can see, a little trouble 1077 00:42:02,255 --> 00:42:03,857 getting this craps table extended, 1078 00:42:03,890 --> 00:42:05,258 but staying calm. 1079 00:42:05,291 --> 00:42:09,362 - 5'4", 125 pounds, very strong. 1080 00:42:09,396 --> 00:42:11,865 - Let's see that agility on the roulette wheel. 1081 00:42:11,898 --> 00:42:13,199 - Nice. Nice. 1082 00:42:13,233 --> 00:42:14,534 - Got it! - Ooh! 1083 00:42:14,567 --> 00:42:16,536 - Oh, man! That was big! 1084 00:42:16,569 --> 00:42:19,673 [cheers and applause] 1085 00:42:19,706 --> 00:42:22,075 - All right. - Can she stop the spin here? 1086 00:42:22,075 --> 00:42:24,077 - Oh, oh, she's spinning out of control. 1087 00:42:24,077 --> 00:42:25,879 That's all right. She's got good time. 1088 00:42:25,912 --> 00:42:28,081 She's still got good time. 1089 00:42:28,081 --> 00:42:30,850 - But this has taken a lot of energy. 1090 00:42:30,884 --> 00:42:33,987 Oh, my! - Ooh! Wow. 1091 00:42:34,087 --> 00:42:35,789 - Well, get going-- 50 seconds. 1092 00:42:35,822 --> 00:42:38,091 This is where she went out last year. 1093 00:42:38,091 --> 00:42:40,960 With tired legs, she tried and failed multiple times 1094 00:42:40,994 --> 00:42:42,462 to get up the wall. 1095 00:42:42,495 --> 00:42:46,099 If she can get it on her first attempt, that'll be huge. 1096 00:42:46,099 --> 00:42:48,601 - But she's got to going. 1097 00:42:48,635 --> 00:42:51,471 - Got it! - Nice! 1098 00:42:51,504 --> 00:42:54,107 - Way to go. Now hustle. 1099 00:42:54,140 --> 00:42:56,843 Turn up. Turn up on the turn-up. 1100 00:42:56,876 --> 00:43:00,914 - Well, two years ago, she timed out right here. 1101 00:43:00,947 --> 00:43:03,049 - Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it. 1102 00:43:03,049 --> 00:43:04,918 - Oh, no! 1103 00:43:04,951 --> 00:43:07,053 [all groan] 1104 00:43:07,087 --> 00:43:09,322 - Tripped up on Dipping Birds, 1105 00:43:09,356 --> 00:43:12,292 but Addy Hermann comes close to finishing once again. 1106 00:43:12,325 --> 00:43:15,061 - Good job, Addy! We love you! Whoo! 1107 00:43:15,061 --> 00:43:17,197 - She looked strong on the first half of the course 1108 00:43:17,230 --> 00:43:20,066 and got up the Warped Wall on her first attempt. 1109 00:43:20,066 --> 00:43:24,070 But on tired legs, she couldn't finish Dipping Birds. 1110 00:43:24,070 --> 00:43:26,139 [cheers and applause] 1111 00:43:26,172 --> 00:43:28,475 So a bittersweet ending for Addy. 1112 00:43:28,508 --> 00:43:30,977 And our next ninja knows all about that. 1113 00:43:31,077 --> 00:43:33,313 Daniel Gil had a million dollars 1114 00:43:33,346 --> 00:43:36,583 in his pocket last year after his climb on Stage Four, 1115 00:43:36,616 --> 00:43:39,219 until Vance Walker beat his time. 1116 00:43:39,252 --> 00:43:41,888 And this season, he's got extra motivation 1117 00:43:41,921 --> 00:43:43,890 to win that money. 1118 00:43:43,923 --> 00:43:46,226 - Abby and I have got some exciting news 1119 00:43:46,259 --> 00:43:47,394 to share with you all. 1120 00:43:47,427 --> 00:43:49,195 - We're having a baby! 1121 00:43:49,229 --> 00:43:51,097 - I'm going to be a girl dad. 1122 00:43:51,131 --> 00:43:53,099 Can you imagine how beautiful she's going to be? 1123 00:43:53,099 --> 00:43:55,735 She'll have hair like her mom and her dad. 1124 00:43:55,769 --> 00:43:58,905 She's already got me wrapped around her finger, 1125 00:43:58,938 --> 00:44:00,640 and she hasn't even arrived yet. 1126 00:44:00,674 --> 00:44:04,077 I've wanted to be a father for as long as I can remember. 1127 00:44:04,110 --> 00:44:05,712 Whoo-hoo. 1128 00:44:05,745 --> 00:44:08,314 Now I've got even more riding on the success of this year. 1129 00:44:08,348 --> 00:44:10,817 So I am motivated more than ever before 1130 00:44:10,850 --> 00:44:12,252 to win that million dollars. 1131 00:44:12,285 --> 00:44:16,156 - Daniel Gil-- he looks unstoppable! 1132 00:44:16,189 --> 00:44:19,359 - I've been there so close so many times now, 1133 00:44:19,392 --> 00:44:23,196 and I believe that, you know, this could be the year. 1134 00:44:23,229 --> 00:44:24,731 [cheers and applause] 1135 00:44:24,764 --> 00:44:27,534 - Big congrats to Daniel and Abby, 1136 00:44:27,567 --> 00:44:30,136 who's leading the big group on his sideline. 1137 00:44:30,170 --> 00:44:32,672 [countdown clock beeping] 1138 00:44:32,706 --> 00:44:35,375 Daniel Gil, one of the best to ever do it-- 1139 00:44:35,408 --> 00:44:38,078 just effortless flow out of this ninja, 1140 00:44:38,111 --> 00:44:39,813 not just talking about his hair. 1141 00:44:39,846 --> 00:44:42,482 And Daniel Gil has never failed on Stage One. 1142 00:44:42,515 --> 00:44:43,983 He's probably already thinking 1143 00:44:44,084 --> 00:44:45,819 about getting back to Stage Four 1144 00:44:45,852 --> 00:44:48,421 and getting another shot at a million dollars. 1145 00:44:48,455 --> 00:44:50,423 That can buy a lot of diapers. 1146 00:44:50,457 --> 00:44:51,891 - He wants it badly. 1147 00:44:51,925 --> 00:44:55,695 - He climbed that tower before back in season 11, 1148 00:44:55,729 --> 00:44:57,097 came up short. 1149 00:44:57,097 --> 00:45:00,033 So felt so proud that he actually made it up 1150 00:45:00,066 --> 00:45:02,035 in under 30 seconds. 1151 00:45:02,035 --> 00:45:05,305 [cheers and applause] 1152 00:45:05,338 --> 00:45:07,907 Just motivated him for this year. 1153 00:45:10,510 --> 00:45:13,046 Oh, you can see--struggling to get some traction there. 1154 00:45:13,046 --> 00:45:14,848 Good recovery. - Oh. 1155 00:45:14,881 --> 00:45:18,051 Oh, no, he's got great traction, Matt. 1156 00:45:18,051 --> 00:45:19,719 [cheers and applause] 1157 00:45:19,753 --> 00:45:22,055 - A little smile after Jumping Spider. 1158 00:45:22,055 --> 00:45:24,457 No one has more fun on the course than Daniel Gil. 1159 00:45:24,491 --> 00:45:26,226 This is his playground. 1160 00:45:26,259 --> 00:45:30,397 And Gil just has such an effortless speed, Akbar. 1161 00:45:30,430 --> 00:45:33,199 Such athleticism, such control. 1162 00:45:33,233 --> 00:45:37,270 - Ooh. Oh, he came in there hot. 1163 00:45:37,303 --> 00:45:38,705 He is on a mission, Matt. 1164 00:45:38,738 --> 00:45:40,540 He's not going to let 1165 00:45:40,573 --> 00:45:43,810 what happened to him last year be a distraction. 1166 00:45:43,843 --> 00:45:46,079 He is driven by faith. 1167 00:45:46,079 --> 00:45:47,414 Got it. - Whoa. 1168 00:45:47,447 --> 00:45:48,448 - Nice. 1169 00:45:48,481 --> 00:45:49,883 - Little spin here. 1170 00:45:49,916 --> 00:45:52,952 [cheers and applause 1171 00:45:52,986 --> 00:45:54,654 - So hard to control that spin 1172 00:45:54,688 --> 00:45:56,923 when it starts going out of control like that. 1173 00:45:56,956 --> 00:45:59,459 - And there, he's got his hands opposite, 180 degrees, 1174 00:45:59,492 --> 00:46:02,062 but he's still spinning. - Yeah, the wide base. 1175 00:46:02,095 --> 00:46:03,897 Ooh, boy. 1176 00:46:03,930 --> 00:46:06,199 Wow. It's sapping up some time now. 1177 00:46:06,232 --> 00:46:10,103 He's going to have to hustle. - And some energy. 1178 00:46:10,136 --> 00:46:11,838 Well, watch that grip. 1179 00:46:11,871 --> 00:46:14,741 Those shoulders, those forearms had to be taxed by that. 1180 00:46:14,774 --> 00:46:17,043 And, remember, how you finish on Stage One 1181 00:46:17,043 --> 00:46:18,211 affects your seeding 1182 00:46:18,244 --> 00:46:20,580 in the head-to-head races on Stage Two, 1183 00:46:20,613 --> 00:46:24,351 so those extra spins could cost him, even if he does finish. 1184 00:46:24,384 --> 00:46:27,554 - He's got to get going. 1185 00:46:27,587 --> 00:46:28,822 Nice. 1186 00:46:28,855 --> 00:46:30,824 - And he should have enough time to finish, 1187 00:46:30,857 --> 00:46:33,360 but Daniel Gil's normally one of the fastest ninjas 1188 00:46:33,393 --> 00:46:34,861 but not tonight. 1189 00:46:34,894 --> 00:46:36,563 Wants a good seed. 1190 00:46:36,596 --> 00:46:38,865 It is going to be a loaded field in Stage Two, Akbar. 1191 00:46:38,898 --> 00:46:41,067 - Ooh. Nice. - Got it. That was close. 1192 00:46:41,101 --> 00:46:42,469 - He almost peeled off. 1193 00:46:42,502 --> 00:46:44,270 - His hands slipping down. 1194 00:46:44,304 --> 00:46:46,239 - Boy, he better readjust here-- 1195 00:46:46,272 --> 00:46:48,708 that or throw himself into the net immediately. 1196 00:46:48,742 --> 00:46:51,111 - Got it. - Good. Good. 1197 00:46:51,144 --> 00:46:52,879 - Breathe a sigh of relief. 1198 00:46:52,912 --> 00:46:57,684 Daniel Gil gets another Stage One buzzer. 1199 00:46:58,918 --> 00:47:00,286 [buzzer blares] 1200 00:47:00,320 --> 00:47:04,257 [upbeat music] 1201 00:47:04,290 --> 00:47:06,059 - Abby may have been a little worried. 1202 00:47:06,092 --> 00:47:08,495 That wasn't Daniel Gil's best run, 1203 00:47:08,528 --> 00:47:11,064 but he is moving on. 1204 00:47:11,097 --> 00:47:13,833 Well, Daniel, last time you were in Vegas, you did it. 1205 00:47:13,867 --> 00:47:15,669 You conquered Stage Four, 1206 00:47:15,702 --> 00:47:18,204 only to have Vance Walker do it faster. 1207 00:47:18,238 --> 00:47:20,340 What's it like being back here, bud? 1208 00:47:20,373 --> 00:47:23,510 - Oh, man, I've tasted total victory, 1209 00:47:23,543 --> 00:47:25,845 but now I'd like the million dollars, too. 1210 00:47:25,879 --> 00:47:27,380 [laughter] - Well, hit that buzzer. 1211 00:47:27,414 --> 00:47:30,383 You're going racing. [buzzer blares] 1212 00:47:30,417 --> 00:47:33,453 [cheers and applause] 1213 00:47:35,488 --> 00:47:36,623 - Coming up... 1214 00:47:36,656 --> 00:47:38,692 the ninja that edged out Daniel Gil 1215 00:47:38,725 --> 00:47:39,893 for the million dollars... 1216 00:47:39,926 --> 00:47:41,661 - Oh, my gosh! 1217 00:47:41,695 --> 00:47:45,799 - Vance Walker is trying to be our first repeat champion, 1218 00:47:45,832 --> 00:47:48,568 but he'll have to survive Stage One. 1219 00:47:48,601 --> 00:47:51,705 And he thought his ninja career was over... 1220 00:47:51,738 --> 00:47:53,306 - Oh, no! 1221 00:47:53,340 --> 00:47:54,541 - But Najee Richardson 1222 00:47:54,574 --> 00:47:57,610 is going get at least one more run. 1223 00:47:57,644 --> 00:48:00,347 We'll see the Phoenix next 1224 00:48:00,380 --> 00:48:02,615 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1225 00:48:08,722 --> 00:48:11,524 - It's opening night of our National Finals in Las Vegas. 1226 00:48:11,558 --> 00:48:14,361 And moments ago, teenager Ixchel Valentino 1227 00:48:14,394 --> 00:48:16,363 made her debut on Stage One. 1228 00:48:16,396 --> 00:48:18,031 The engineering student 1229 00:48:18,064 --> 00:48:21,334 is an award-winning robotics competitor back in New Mexico. 1230 00:48:21,368 --> 00:48:23,536 But tonight, on the very first obstacle, 1231 00:48:23,570 --> 00:48:26,039 she short-circuited. 1232 00:48:26,039 --> 00:48:28,375 - Oh, no! 1233 00:48:28,408 --> 00:48:30,877 - "Ninja" veteran Donovan Metoyer 1234 00:48:30,910 --> 00:48:33,880 was extra careful when he went across the Slide Surfer. 1235 00:48:33,913 --> 00:48:36,649 - Donovan Metoyer going surfing in Las Vegas. 1236 00:48:36,683 --> 00:48:39,052 - Known as the Classy Ninja because he's always dressed 1237 00:48:39,085 --> 00:48:40,620 for success on the course, 1238 00:48:40,653 --> 00:48:43,056 the nine-time "Ninja" veteran is looking to get 1239 00:48:43,089 --> 00:48:46,126 back to Stage Two for the third time in his career. 1240 00:48:46,159 --> 00:48:47,927 - No! 1241 00:48:47,961 --> 00:48:50,497 - But a shocking fall on Jumping Spider 1242 00:48:50,530 --> 00:48:51,731 ended his season. 1243 00:48:51,765 --> 00:48:54,467 - Super disappointing. Super disappointing. 1244 00:48:54,501 --> 00:48:56,469 - Gavin Obey came out of nowhere 1245 00:48:56,503 --> 00:48:58,405 to get a buzzer in semis 1246 00:48:58,438 --> 00:49:00,573 and then missed out winning the Safety Pass 1247 00:49:00,607 --> 00:49:02,075 by just a few seconds. 1248 00:49:02,108 --> 00:49:04,577 - Wow! - What a race! 1249 00:49:04,611 --> 00:49:07,681 Tonight the 18-year-old from Massachusetts 1250 00:49:07,714 --> 00:49:10,116 tried to keep his impressive rookie season going. 1251 00:49:10,150 --> 00:49:11,451 - How cool would that be, 1252 00:49:11,484 --> 00:49:13,319 being able to get that Stage One buzzer? 1253 00:49:13,353 --> 00:49:16,022 - Wearing his trademark khaki cargo shorts, 1254 00:49:16,022 --> 00:49:17,657 the 5'3" high schooler 1255 00:49:17,691 --> 00:49:19,693 handled the Jumping Spider with ease. 1256 00:49:19,726 --> 00:49:21,361 - Matt, this is picture perfect. 1257 00:49:21,394 --> 00:49:23,096 - But then came the Gambler. 1258 00:49:23,129 --> 00:49:24,864 - Oh! - Oh! 1259 00:49:24,898 --> 00:49:28,101 - Obey had one move left. 1260 00:49:28,134 --> 00:49:30,203 He wishes he had that Safety Pass. 1261 00:49:30,236 --> 00:49:32,472 He'd get another shot. 1262 00:49:32,505 --> 00:49:35,041 - And look who's coming to the start line. 1263 00:49:35,075 --> 00:49:37,377 It's the Phoenix, Najee Richardson. 1264 00:49:37,410 --> 00:49:40,447 It's his final season, and we thought it ended 1265 00:49:40,480 --> 00:49:42,449 when he lost back in the semis. 1266 00:49:42,482 --> 00:49:45,618 But injuries to other athletes opened the door for Najee 1267 00:49:45,652 --> 00:49:47,387 to compete here in Vegas. 1268 00:49:47,420 --> 00:49:50,957 So this legendary ninja will get at least one more run. 1269 00:49:51,057 --> 00:49:53,526 [soft music] 1270 00:49:53,560 --> 00:49:57,397 - This is my final season of "American Ninja Warrior." 1271 00:49:57,430 --> 00:50:00,000 * * 1272 00:50:00,033 --> 00:50:03,003 - The crowd chanting his name. 1273 00:50:03,036 --> 00:50:04,237 - It's a tough one. 1274 00:50:04,270 --> 00:50:05,739 I have mixed emotions about it. 1275 00:50:05,772 --> 00:50:06,906 But thinking back about, 1276 00:50:06,940 --> 00:50:09,175 what have I done that's significant? 1277 00:50:09,209 --> 00:50:12,479 - * It's time to go, take control, yeah * 1278 00:50:12,512 --> 00:50:14,748 * 'Cause I am waiting no more * 1279 00:50:14,781 --> 00:50:17,083 - It was really, really cool for me to come in 1280 00:50:17,117 --> 00:50:19,519 and just represent young kids who look like me 1281 00:50:19,552 --> 00:50:23,089 and show that they are capable of things 1282 00:50:23,123 --> 00:50:24,758 other than just what's stereotypical 1283 00:50:24,791 --> 00:50:25,925 for their neighborhood. 1284 00:50:25,959 --> 00:50:28,428 - * Taking all I've got * 1285 00:50:28,461 --> 00:50:30,430 * And I will never stop * 1286 00:50:30,463 --> 00:50:34,567 [buzzer blares] - Yeah! 1287 00:50:34,601 --> 00:50:36,102 - Najee, this is 1288 00:50:36,136 --> 00:50:37,937 the final go-round for you. - Yep. 1289 00:50:37,971 --> 00:50:40,240 - What's it like getting another buzzer? 1290 00:50:40,273 --> 00:50:41,741 - Just to hit this, it feels great. 1291 00:50:41,775 --> 00:50:44,978 This is the last one--last qualifier, so it feels good. 1292 00:50:45,011 --> 00:50:46,846 [cheers and applause] 1293 00:50:46,880 --> 00:50:49,416 When I'm 80 years old and I'm talking to my grandkids 1294 00:50:49,449 --> 00:50:51,251 and they're asking me about my life, 1295 00:50:51,284 --> 00:50:53,186 I'm going to go back to those moments. 1296 00:50:53,219 --> 00:50:55,121 - * And I will never stop * 1297 00:50:55,155 --> 00:50:57,290 * It's time to go * 1298 00:50:57,323 --> 00:51:01,127 - I am so truly blessed and truly grateful 1299 00:51:01,161 --> 00:51:04,130 to have gone on this journey with all of you at home, 1300 00:51:04,164 --> 00:51:06,433 and I want to make my final season 1301 00:51:06,466 --> 00:51:08,368 the best season that I've ever had. 1302 00:51:08,401 --> 00:51:11,905 - * I will never stop, it's time to go * 1303 00:51:11,938 --> 00:51:13,773 * It's time to go * 1304 00:51:13,807 --> 00:51:15,742 [cheers and applause] 1305 00:51:15,775 --> 00:51:18,411 - He's sending some love to his wife, McKenzie, 1306 00:51:18,445 --> 00:51:21,881 and his parents, who are watching back in Philly. 1307 00:51:21,915 --> 00:51:24,217 - And look at all the fans in the stands 1308 00:51:24,250 --> 00:51:27,420 and other ninjas who want to show their respect for Najee! 1309 00:51:27,454 --> 00:51:29,255 [countdown clock beeping] 1310 00:51:29,289 --> 00:51:30,924 - It looked like Najee's career ended 1311 00:51:30,957 --> 00:51:32,959 when he lost his race in the semifinals, 1312 00:51:32,992 --> 00:51:35,929 but Jay Lewis and other ninjas got injured, 1313 00:51:35,962 --> 00:51:37,997 and that allowed Najee to take their spot here. 1314 00:51:38,098 --> 00:51:40,734 The Phoenix wanted to rise one last time. 1315 00:51:40,767 --> 00:51:43,236 What will he do here on Stage One? 1316 00:51:43,269 --> 00:51:45,405 After his gymnastics career stopped, 1317 00:51:45,438 --> 00:51:48,108 he just lost direction, was struggling in life. 1318 00:51:48,108 --> 00:51:50,143 He said Ninja saved his life. 1319 00:51:50,176 --> 00:51:53,113 Now at 33, he's going to move on to the next chapter 1320 00:51:53,113 --> 00:51:54,280 for him. 1321 00:51:54,314 --> 00:51:56,282 He's pursuing his career as an actor. 1322 00:51:56,316 --> 00:51:58,485 He's already had some roles in TV and movies. 1323 00:51:58,518 --> 00:52:01,354 Always fun to watch this guy compete. 1324 00:52:01,388 --> 00:52:03,156 Such a stud athlete. 1325 00:52:03,189 --> 00:52:05,558 He's run at our skills event, 1326 00:52:05,592 --> 00:52:08,361 been part of our USA vs. the World competition. 1327 00:52:08,395 --> 00:52:09,763 He's done it all in Ninja. 1328 00:52:09,796 --> 00:52:11,564 - Nice. Get in there. 1329 00:52:11,598 --> 00:52:13,066 Ooh, ooh. 1330 00:52:13,066 --> 00:52:15,201 - Breathing nice and calm, like seeing that. 1331 00:52:15,235 --> 00:52:18,071 - Yeah. It feels comfortable. 1332 00:52:18,104 --> 00:52:20,306 [cheers and applause] 1333 00:52:20,340 --> 00:52:23,076 - He's made good time through the first half of the course, 1334 00:52:23,076 --> 00:52:26,413 but as we've seen, the Gambler can eat away the seconds 1335 00:52:26,446 --> 00:52:28,515 if you don't handle it correctly. 1336 00:52:28,548 --> 00:52:29,916 - But he's on a mission. 1337 00:52:29,949 --> 00:52:31,584 He's not thinking about retirement 1338 00:52:31,618 --> 00:52:33,586 right now while he's on the course. 1339 00:52:33,620 --> 00:52:36,356 [cheers and applause] 1340 00:52:36,389 --> 00:52:39,826 - Near Olympic-level gymnast. Injuries ended that career. 1341 00:52:39,859 --> 00:52:42,395 And a little hung up, Akbar. 1342 00:52:42,429 --> 00:52:44,464 - But the great athletes adjust, 1343 00:52:44,497 --> 00:52:46,933 and Najee Richardson is great at adjustment. 1344 00:52:46,966 --> 00:52:48,201 Oh! - Ooh! 1345 00:52:48,234 --> 00:52:49,336 - No! 1346 00:52:49,369 --> 00:52:51,271 - He just whiffed. 1347 00:52:51,304 --> 00:52:54,341 - And a remarkable career comes to an end. 1348 00:52:54,374 --> 00:52:57,477 Everybody on their feet, saluting one of the greats. 1349 00:52:57,510 --> 00:52:59,145 - Good job! 1350 00:52:59,179 --> 00:53:01,181 - Najee Richardson. 1351 00:53:01,214 --> 00:53:04,718 While he was able to soak it all in on his final run, 1352 00:53:04,751 --> 00:53:06,953 it didn't end the way he wanted, 1353 00:53:07,053 --> 00:53:10,390 but Najee Richardson leaves behind an amazing legacy. 1354 00:53:10,423 --> 00:53:12,492 - Najee, what does it mean to you 1355 00:53:12,525 --> 00:53:14,861 when you look back at all that you've accomplished 1356 00:53:14,894 --> 00:53:16,563 to know that it's coming to an end now 1357 00:53:16,596 --> 00:53:19,065 and you've done incredibly well? 1358 00:53:19,065 --> 00:53:20,900 - Thank you, first of all. I'm proud. 1359 00:53:20,934 --> 00:53:22,736 It's not the way I wanted to end the career, 1360 00:53:22,769 --> 00:53:25,772 but at the end of the day, I have to be able to look back 1361 00:53:25,805 --> 00:53:27,874 and just, you know, take pride in the fact 1362 00:53:27,907 --> 00:53:29,275 that I did some really incredible things 1363 00:53:29,309 --> 00:53:30,777 over the last nine years. 1364 00:53:30,810 --> 00:53:33,079 And some people don't even get the opportunity 1365 00:53:33,079 --> 00:53:34,414 to do that once. - Yeah. 1366 00:53:34,447 --> 00:53:37,250 - I've gotten to do it nine times, almost a decade, 1367 00:53:37,283 --> 00:53:39,419 and I'm proud of that. 1368 00:53:39,452 --> 00:53:42,355 - Well, we're proud of you. We love you. We'll miss you. 1369 00:53:42,389 --> 00:53:44,758 Come back anytime, all right? Just pull up on the sidelines. 1370 00:53:44,791 --> 00:53:45,959 You can kick it with me. 1371 00:53:45,992 --> 00:53:48,094 - Will do. I'll be here. - Okay. Sounds good. 1372 00:53:48,094 --> 00:53:49,396 Guys, back to you. 1373 00:53:49,429 --> 00:53:51,097 - Well, Akbar, the career comes to an end, 1374 00:53:51,097 --> 00:53:53,099 but I speak for both of us when I say 1375 00:53:53,133 --> 00:53:54,768 it's been an honor to call his runs. 1376 00:53:54,801 --> 00:53:57,237 - Absolutely. It's been an honor to watch him, 1377 00:53:57,270 --> 00:53:59,105 to see him do his thing, 1378 00:53:59,139 --> 00:54:01,274 to mature, to grow, to be at this point. 1379 00:54:01,307 --> 00:54:03,443 He really is an icon. 1380 00:54:03,476 --> 00:54:06,446 [upbeat music] 1381 00:54:06,479 --> 00:54:08,515 [cheers and applause] 1382 00:54:12,085 --> 00:54:13,586 - It was a family affair, 1383 00:54:13,620 --> 00:54:15,588 as two second-generation ninjas 1384 00:54:15,622 --> 00:54:19,059 tackled Stage One minutes ago. 1385 00:54:19,059 --> 00:54:20,226 - Yeah! 1386 00:54:20,260 --> 00:54:22,429 - The Hype Guy, teenager Ben Behrends, 1387 00:54:22,462 --> 00:54:24,698 is the son of Scott Behrends, 1388 00:54:24,731 --> 00:54:26,533 from that big ninja family in Iowa. 1389 00:54:26,566 --> 00:54:29,336 Both father and son made it to Vegas last year, 1390 00:54:29,369 --> 00:54:31,838 but this season Ben was representing 1391 00:54:31,871 --> 00:54:33,106 the family by himself. 1392 00:54:33,139 --> 00:54:34,574 [cheers and applause] 1393 00:54:34,607 --> 00:54:38,111 Just 5'1", Ben's among the shortest competitors 1394 00:54:38,144 --> 00:54:40,213 to ever conquer the Jumping Spider. 1395 00:54:40,246 --> 00:54:41,715 - He made that look easy. 1396 00:54:41,748 --> 00:54:45,085 - The high schooler made it to Stage Two last year 1397 00:54:45,118 --> 00:54:47,387 but cashed out on the Gambler tonight. 1398 00:54:47,420 --> 00:54:48,455 [all groan] 1399 00:54:48,488 --> 00:54:51,825 - Check this out again. Wow! 1400 00:54:51,858 --> 00:54:54,461 - Utah 16-year-old Luke Beckstrand 1401 00:54:54,494 --> 00:54:57,197 is also keeping up a family tradition. 1402 00:54:57,230 --> 00:55:00,600 His mom, Holly, dad, Brian, and big brother, Kai, 1403 00:55:00,633 --> 00:55:03,103 are all "Ninja Warrior" competitors. 1404 00:55:03,136 --> 00:55:05,705 Luke and Kai are just the second brother duo 1405 00:55:05,739 --> 00:55:08,475 to qualify and compete in the National Finals, 1406 00:55:08,508 --> 00:55:11,044 and the younger Beckstrand did not disappoint. 1407 00:55:11,044 --> 00:55:13,046 - Luke. 1408 00:55:13,046 --> 00:55:15,048 Luke right here is smashing the course. 1409 00:55:15,048 --> 00:55:17,050 - The high schooler was smiling 1410 00:55:17,050 --> 00:55:19,085 as he reached the final obstacle, 1411 00:55:19,119 --> 00:55:22,689 and he cruised to a buzzer on his first try on Stage One. 1412 00:55:22,722 --> 00:55:26,159 [buzzer blares] - Yeah! 1413 00:55:26,192 --> 00:55:30,063 Now big brother, Kai, is going to get his shot at Stage One. 1414 00:55:30,096 --> 00:55:33,166 This is a guy with the talent to win it all. 1415 00:55:33,199 --> 00:55:35,969 He's one of the fastest ninjas on the planet, 1416 00:55:36,069 --> 00:55:38,838 and he'll be running with a Safety Pass if he needs it. 1417 00:55:38,872 --> 00:55:42,776 He won it in a race against Kaden Lebsack in semifinals 1418 00:55:42,809 --> 00:55:45,111 one of the fastest we've ever seen. 1419 00:55:45,145 --> 00:55:47,614 [buzzer blares] 1420 00:55:47,647 --> 00:55:49,582 [countdown clock beeping] 1421 00:55:49,616 --> 00:55:51,785 Well last year that speed caught up with him. 1422 00:55:51,818 --> 00:55:53,586 He went out on the Jumping Spider. 1423 00:55:53,620 --> 00:55:56,156 - Last year he didn't have a Safety Pass. 1424 00:55:56,189 --> 00:55:58,792 So we know he's got a little bit of insurance, 1425 00:55:58,825 --> 00:56:00,493 so he is not going to hesitate. 1426 00:56:00,527 --> 00:56:02,595 - 5'10", 180-- 1427 00:56:02,629 --> 00:56:05,799 a pretty big boy for Ninja, but he just flies. 1428 00:56:05,832 --> 00:56:07,934 - Yeah, Kai Beckstrand got swole on us 1429 00:56:08,034 --> 00:56:09,469 the last couple of years. 1430 00:56:09,502 --> 00:56:11,404 He's been in that weight room putting in that work. 1431 00:56:11,438 --> 00:56:13,406 - And with that Safety Pass, he's going to send it, 1432 00:56:13,440 --> 00:56:15,842 wants to get a top seed for Stage Two. 1433 00:56:15,875 --> 00:56:17,911 - And watch this--he'll go right off the dismount 1434 00:56:17,944 --> 00:56:19,245 right into the Jumping Spider. 1435 00:56:19,279 --> 00:56:20,914 - But this is what took him out last year. 1436 00:56:20,947 --> 00:56:22,816 A little regroup... - He won't go out again. 1437 00:56:22,849 --> 00:56:25,118 - Got it. - Yes. Nice. 1438 00:56:25,151 --> 00:56:27,354 - Well, the Beckstrands have two gyms 1439 00:56:27,387 --> 00:56:29,222 back in St. George, Utah. 1440 00:56:29,255 --> 00:56:33,059 And Kai has been putting the time in since last season. 1441 00:56:33,059 --> 00:56:35,428 [indistinct shouting] 1442 00:56:35,462 --> 00:56:37,964 [cheers and applause] 1443 00:56:38,064 --> 00:56:40,600 - On now to the Gambler-- first time experiencing this. 1444 00:56:40,633 --> 00:56:42,902 This is a challenge. - Nice. 1445 00:56:44,137 --> 00:56:45,972 - Great job controlling his momentum 1446 00:56:46,072 --> 00:56:47,841 on that spinning chip. 1447 00:56:49,476 --> 00:56:51,444 To the craps table, get it extended. 1448 00:56:51,478 --> 00:56:53,246 - Nice. - Wow! 1449 00:56:53,279 --> 00:56:56,116 - That's the way you use that momentum and 180 pounds. 1450 00:56:56,149 --> 00:56:58,118 It takes mass to move mass. 1451 00:56:58,151 --> 00:56:59,919 - He has got a lot of power. 1452 00:57:00,020 --> 00:57:01,454 - Yes, he does. 1453 00:57:01,488 --> 00:57:03,857 - And the faster you finish on Stage One, 1454 00:57:03,890 --> 00:57:06,359 the better your seed for racing on Stage Two. 1455 00:57:06,393 --> 00:57:09,029 - No one is going to want to face Kai Beckstrand in a race. 1456 00:57:09,029 --> 00:57:11,231 - Well, here we go. 1457 00:57:11,264 --> 00:57:13,066 Second time we've had brothers here. 1458 00:57:13,099 --> 00:57:15,802 This could be the first time they both get buzzers. 1459 00:57:15,835 --> 00:57:18,805 Chris and Brian Wilczewski were the first brother duo 1460 00:57:18,838 --> 00:57:21,141 to qualify and compete in Vegas, 1461 00:57:21,174 --> 00:57:23,109 but they didn't advance to Stage Two. 1462 00:57:23,143 --> 00:57:25,278 Well, he and his dad made history. 1463 00:57:25,311 --> 00:57:28,915 The first father and son to hit buzzers in the same season. 1464 00:57:28,948 --> 00:57:30,784 - Nice. - Oh, one obstacle closer! 1465 00:57:30,817 --> 00:57:33,420 - Ooh, get up higher. Get a little higher, readjust. 1466 00:57:33,453 --> 00:57:35,121 - Look at the power, Akbar. 1467 00:57:35,155 --> 00:57:37,090 - You see him readjusting on the cane. 1468 00:57:37,123 --> 00:57:39,359 Nice. - Full swings. 1469 00:57:39,392 --> 00:57:42,095 I don't think he's even worked up a sweat on Stage One. 1470 00:57:42,128 --> 00:57:45,065 He's going to end up being a high seed on Stage Two. 1471 00:57:45,065 --> 00:57:47,567 I pity the ninja who has to race him. 1472 00:57:47,600 --> 00:57:50,236 Kai Beckstrand is back. 1473 00:57:50,270 --> 00:57:52,238 - We're going to have two Beckstrands on Stage Two. 1474 00:57:52,272 --> 00:57:53,506 - How about that? 1475 00:57:53,540 --> 00:57:55,975 The first time brothers have gotten buzzers 1476 00:57:56,076 --> 00:57:57,243 in Vegas together. 1477 00:57:57,277 --> 00:58:00,180 History is made! [buzzer blares] 1478 00:58:00,213 --> 00:58:02,749 [cheers and applause] 1479 00:58:02,782 --> 00:58:06,686 [upbeat music] 1480 00:58:06,720 --> 00:58:09,923 The Beckstrands are getting used to that. 1481 00:58:10,023 --> 00:58:11,891 - He learned from his mistakes. 1482 00:58:11,925 --> 00:58:13,560 Last season Kai was stunned 1483 00:58:13,593 --> 00:58:15,929 when he fell early on Jumping Spider. 1484 00:58:16,029 --> 00:58:20,367 This year, he coasts to a buzzer, making it look easy. 1485 00:58:20,400 --> 00:58:23,737 And the Beckstrands are going to have two kids to cheer on 1486 00:58:23,770 --> 00:58:27,574 when they race on Stage Two. 1487 00:58:27,607 --> 00:58:30,210 Up next is an old friend-- 1488 00:58:30,243 --> 00:58:32,045 Houston's Josh Salinas. 1489 00:58:32,045 --> 00:58:34,748 He's back after taking five years off 1490 00:58:34,781 --> 00:58:36,282 when he became a dad. 1491 00:58:36,316 --> 00:58:38,518 - He can still do the superhero pose! 1492 00:58:38,551 --> 00:58:40,653 We used to call him Iron Josh. 1493 00:58:40,687 --> 00:58:43,323 - Well, he made his return to competition this season 1494 00:58:43,356 --> 00:58:44,691 because of his daughter. 1495 00:58:44,724 --> 00:58:46,092 This will be her first time 1496 00:58:46,126 --> 00:58:48,595 watching him from the sidelines. 1497 00:58:48,628 --> 00:58:50,764 [soft music] 1498 00:58:50,797 --> 00:58:52,265 - For as long as I can remember, 1499 00:58:52,298 --> 00:58:55,301 the one thing I ever wanted was to be a father. 1500 00:58:55,335 --> 00:58:56,436 Boop. 1501 00:58:56,469 --> 00:58:57,904 - Good job! 1502 00:58:57,937 --> 00:59:01,207 - Could I have some sprinkles on my ice cream? 1503 00:59:01,241 --> 00:59:03,410 And I think that really stems from the fact 1504 00:59:03,443 --> 00:59:06,279 that I didn't have a father growing up. 1505 00:59:06,312 --> 00:59:08,782 He, unfortunately, passed away when I was five years old 1506 00:59:08,815 --> 00:59:10,483 in a car accident. 1507 00:59:11,618 --> 00:59:13,687 So, when my daughter was born, 1508 00:59:13,720 --> 00:59:16,189 it was just a roller coaster of emotions. 1509 00:59:16,222 --> 00:59:18,391 Who is that? 1510 00:59:18,425 --> 00:59:20,360 - And who is in her belly? 1511 00:59:20,393 --> 00:59:22,529 - That's you inside Mommy's belly. 1512 00:59:22,562 --> 00:59:24,898 The main reason I'm back to compete on "Ninja Warrior" 1513 00:59:24,931 --> 00:59:28,234 is I want to create memories for my daughter. 1514 00:59:28,268 --> 00:59:29,803 [grunting] 1515 00:59:29,836 --> 00:59:30,937 [laughs] 1516 00:59:31,037 --> 00:59:33,306 - [laughs] - [screams] 1517 00:59:33,340 --> 00:59:37,410 - My dad was taken when I was really young. 1518 00:59:38,778 --> 00:59:43,750 * * 1519 00:59:43,783 --> 00:59:46,786 - Our Father, who art in heaven, 1520 00:59:46,820 --> 00:59:49,489 hallowed be Thy name. 1521 00:59:49,522 --> 00:59:55,261 * * 1522 00:59:55,295 --> 00:59:56,896 - [sniffles] 1523 00:59:57,964 --> 01:00:01,267 I actually just passed my father in age. 1524 01:00:01,301 --> 01:00:05,372 None of us know how long we actually have. 1525 01:00:05,405 --> 01:00:08,341 So, when I step onstage in Las Vegas, 1526 01:00:08,375 --> 01:00:10,443 this is going to be the very first time 1527 01:00:10,477 --> 01:00:12,112 my daughter gets to see me compete 1528 01:00:12,145 --> 01:00:13,613 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1529 01:00:13,646 --> 01:00:15,882 So, Skyler, if you're watching this, 1530 01:00:15,915 --> 01:00:17,484 I hope you're proud of your father, 1531 01:00:17,517 --> 01:00:21,154 because I am so proud of you. 1532 01:00:21,187 --> 01:00:24,624 * * 1533 01:00:24,657 --> 01:00:26,126 [cheers and applause] 1534 01:00:26,159 --> 01:00:28,395 - What a beautiful sentiment. 1535 01:00:28,428 --> 01:00:30,797 And Skyler will be watching closely 1536 01:00:30,830 --> 01:00:34,534 with Josh's wife, Chelsea, and other family and friends. 1537 01:00:34,567 --> 01:00:37,470 [countdown clock beeping] 1538 01:00:37,504 --> 01:00:39,639 Skyler may not know it, 1539 01:00:39,673 --> 01:00:43,143 but her dad was an elite ninja before he took time away, 1540 01:00:43,176 --> 01:00:47,614 now making a comeback at 33 years old. 1541 01:00:47,647 --> 01:00:49,315 [cheers and applause] 1542 01:00:49,349 --> 01:00:52,552 - A lot has changed in the last five seasons. 1543 01:00:52,585 --> 01:00:55,822 He was 27 the last time he competed on "Ninja Warrior." 1544 01:00:55,855 --> 01:00:57,657 - Go, Josh. - It's Daddy! 1545 01:00:57,691 --> 01:00:59,759 - Let's go, Josh. - You got this. 1546 01:00:59,793 --> 01:01:02,929 - Well, he is an absolute beast. 1547 01:01:02,962 --> 01:01:06,166 Made it to Vegas all three seasons he competed 1548 01:01:06,199 --> 01:01:07,500 before his hiatus. 1549 01:01:07,534 --> 01:01:09,936 And last time we saw him went to Stage Three. 1550 01:01:09,969 --> 01:01:11,705 But now because he's a dad, 1551 01:01:11,738 --> 01:01:13,540 because he's a coach, only trains once a week. 1552 01:01:13,573 --> 01:01:16,609 But, Akbar, there's no rust on this man. 1553 01:01:16,643 --> 01:01:18,712 - I can't believe how fast he's going. 1554 01:01:18,745 --> 01:01:21,181 He didn't slow down at all going into Jumping Spider. 1555 01:01:21,214 --> 01:01:23,616 - Well, it's the arc reactor in his chest. 1556 01:01:23,650 --> 01:01:26,086 Let's see how he handles the Gambler. 1557 01:01:26,086 --> 01:01:28,088 - And, Matt, I know that being a father of four, 1558 01:01:28,088 --> 01:01:30,290 it can be hard to get yourself in the gym. 1559 01:01:30,323 --> 01:01:31,458 But you know what? 1560 01:01:31,491 --> 01:01:32,859 He's going off of muscle memory, too. 1561 01:01:32,892 --> 01:01:35,595 He's got the skills. - 6', 175-- 1562 01:01:35,628 --> 01:01:40,133 on the bigger side for a ninja, but he is looking great. 1563 01:01:40,166 --> 01:01:43,269 Just amazing to think this guy for the past five seasons 1564 01:01:43,303 --> 01:01:45,105 has just been coaching. 1565 01:01:45,105 --> 01:01:46,840 - He's got that extra motivation 1566 01:01:46,873 --> 01:01:48,708 knowing that Skyler is watching. 1567 01:01:48,742 --> 01:01:50,810 He wants to show off for his daughter. 1568 01:01:50,844 --> 01:01:52,412 - Got it. - Okay. 1569 01:01:52,445 --> 01:01:54,814 - And, Akbar, this is as fast as we've seen anyone get 1570 01:01:54,848 --> 01:01:55,815 to this point. 1571 01:01:55,849 --> 01:01:57,917 Can he get that dismount? 1572 01:01:57,951 --> 01:01:58,918 - Nice. 1573 01:01:58,952 --> 01:02:00,286 Got to activate-- 1574 01:02:00,320 --> 01:02:01,821 Nice. 1575 01:02:01,855 --> 01:02:03,056 Got to activate the core. - Extra swings. 1576 01:02:03,056 --> 01:02:04,257 - Nice. - Got it. 1577 01:02:04,290 --> 01:02:05,558 Plenty of time left. 1578 01:02:05,592 --> 01:02:08,094 He's sprinted through the course so far. 1579 01:02:08,128 --> 01:02:09,963 But that is catching up to him, Akbar. 1580 01:02:10,063 --> 01:02:12,198 You can see, he's slowing down a little bit. 1581 01:02:12,232 --> 01:02:15,068 - Let's go, babe! 1582 01:02:15,068 --> 01:02:16,269 - You got it! 1583 01:02:16,302 --> 01:02:17,704 - You good? - Skyler's back there. 1584 01:02:17,737 --> 01:02:19,539 She's watching! Go, go! 1585 01:02:19,572 --> 01:02:21,541 - [laughs] He's looking. 1586 01:02:21,574 --> 01:02:23,610 He said, make sure she can see what Daddy's doing. 1587 01:02:23,643 --> 01:02:25,545 - I know! Just want to make sure 1588 01:02:25,578 --> 01:02:27,247 he doesn't run out of time. 1589 01:02:27,280 --> 01:02:29,816 As we have seen it, Akbar, it's very easy 1590 01:02:29,849 --> 01:02:32,719 to get hung up right here on Thread the Needle. 1591 01:02:32,752 --> 01:02:35,622 - Matt, for a ninja that's barely training once a week, 1592 01:02:35,655 --> 01:02:37,290 he's looking really good. 1593 01:02:37,323 --> 01:02:39,192 This is a dedicated father. 1594 01:02:39,225 --> 01:02:41,294 - Well, the three seasons he competed, 1595 01:02:41,327 --> 01:02:44,798 he just blew us away-- incredible talent. 1596 01:02:44,831 --> 01:02:46,499 - Nice. He's got the high grip. 1597 01:02:46,533 --> 01:02:48,201 Nice. Get up and over. 1598 01:02:48,234 --> 01:02:50,437 - You can see, getting that cane off the hook 1599 01:02:50,470 --> 01:02:51,971 is a challenge. 1600 01:02:52,005 --> 01:02:53,907 Oh, no! - He's going to have to go up. 1601 01:02:53,940 --> 01:02:55,975 If he does a couple more up and over-- 1602 01:02:56,009 --> 01:02:59,346 Oh! Ooh! - Oh, my goodness. 1603 01:02:59,379 --> 01:03:01,481 And that cane is-- - Nice! 1604 01:03:01,514 --> 01:03:02,582 - How did he do it? 1605 01:03:02,615 --> 01:03:04,484 - Oh, my goodness! Great recovery! 1606 01:03:04,517 --> 01:03:06,886 For a lot of ninjas, they would have peeled off. 1607 01:03:06,920 --> 01:03:09,055 - Can his grip hang on, though? 1608 01:03:09,055 --> 01:03:11,591 - If I'm him, I'm going to get to the cargo net right now. 1609 01:03:11,624 --> 01:03:12,959 - Oh, my, he's not going to be high, Akbar. 1610 01:03:13,059 --> 01:03:14,594 It's going to be a long climb. 1611 01:03:14,627 --> 01:03:16,563 - Oh! - Oh, no! 1612 01:03:16,596 --> 01:03:18,765 - Oh, no. 1613 01:03:18,798 --> 01:03:20,867 - Oh, my word. 1614 01:03:20,900 --> 01:03:23,103 - It looked like all seven obstacles 1615 01:03:23,136 --> 01:03:25,405 caught up to him right there. 1616 01:03:25,438 --> 01:03:27,607 He was flying through the course early, 1617 01:03:27,640 --> 01:03:29,943 but by the end, he was so exhausted, 1618 01:03:29,976 --> 01:03:32,278 he had trouble getting the cane off the hook. 1619 01:03:32,312 --> 01:03:33,780 When he finally did, 1620 01:03:33,813 --> 01:03:36,683 he couldn't grab the net and tumbled in. 1621 01:03:39,819 --> 01:03:41,688 - I gassed out. [chuckles] 1622 01:03:41,721 --> 01:03:43,790 - But his daughter did get to see him run. 1623 01:03:43,823 --> 01:03:45,792 - Oh, and Skyler's crying. 1624 01:03:45,825 --> 01:03:47,594 Aw. 1625 01:03:47,627 --> 01:03:49,629 - Don't worry, Skyler. Dad's okay. 1626 01:03:49,662 --> 01:03:53,133 He just came up a little short on his return to Stage One. 1627 01:03:53,166 --> 01:03:54,467 Coming up... 1628 01:03:54,501 --> 01:03:57,637 Utah nurse Mady Howard's the only mom to make it 1629 01:03:57,671 --> 01:04:00,040 to the National Finals this season. 1630 01:04:00,073 --> 01:04:02,709 She'll get her shot at Stage One 1631 01:04:02,742 --> 01:04:05,712 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1632 01:04:10,350 --> 01:04:12,252 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior," 1633 01:04:12,285 --> 01:04:14,621 where it's night one of our National Finals. 1634 01:04:14,654 --> 01:04:17,457 Moments ago, Ohio's Jenn Sanders, 1635 01:04:17,490 --> 01:04:20,060 who's been open about her battle with anxiety, 1636 01:04:20,060 --> 01:04:23,263 was feeling the nerves before her first go at Stage One. 1637 01:04:23,296 --> 01:04:25,298 - Don't overthink it. Go. You got this. 1638 01:04:25,331 --> 01:04:27,534 - After conquering the first obstacle, 1639 01:04:27,567 --> 01:04:29,969 she had trouble building up her swing on the second. 1640 01:04:30,070 --> 01:04:31,805 And though she made it to the landing pad... 1641 01:04:31,838 --> 01:04:33,807 - Hold on for your life here. 1642 01:04:33,840 --> 01:04:35,408 No. 1643 01:04:35,442 --> 01:04:37,977 - She became the night's first victim of the Barrel Roll. 1644 01:04:38,078 --> 01:04:39,312 - I thought that my anxiety 1645 01:04:39,346 --> 01:04:41,147 would hold me back from this goal, 1646 01:04:41,181 --> 01:04:43,316 but I'm so grateful to be here. 1647 01:04:43,350 --> 01:04:44,984 - No one came out faster 1648 01:04:45,085 --> 01:04:47,420 than New Jersey teenager James Sannella, 1649 01:04:47,454 --> 01:04:49,656 who raced through the first part of the course 1650 01:04:49,689 --> 01:04:51,958 and never stopped between obstacles. 1651 01:04:51,991 --> 01:04:54,361 - Look how fast he's moving. Oh, he's going for that time. 1652 01:04:54,394 --> 01:04:56,830 - The 18-year-old made it all the way to Stage Two 1653 01:04:56,863 --> 01:04:58,698 the last time he was in Vegas 1654 01:04:58,732 --> 01:05:01,301 and looked like he might have the night's fastest time, 1655 01:05:01,334 --> 01:05:02,669 until the Gambler. 1656 01:05:02,702 --> 01:05:04,170 - No! 1657 01:05:04,204 --> 01:05:06,072 He just completely missed it. 1658 01:05:06,106 --> 01:05:09,743 - Went Superman, but came up short. 1659 01:05:09,776 --> 01:05:11,678 - The Papal Ninja, Sean Bryan, 1660 01:05:11,711 --> 01:05:13,613 is one of the oldest competitors to qualify 1661 01:05:13,646 --> 01:05:15,281 for the National Finals. 1662 01:05:15,315 --> 01:05:17,617 But tonight he looked spry on Stage One. 1663 01:05:17,650 --> 01:05:19,953 - Nice. Here we go. Here we go. Big move. 1664 01:05:20,053 --> 01:05:21,154 Nice. 1665 01:05:21,187 --> 01:05:22,622 - The former college gymnast 1666 01:05:22,655 --> 01:05:24,491 showed he's still got some moves, 1667 01:05:24,524 --> 01:05:26,926 as he took down one obstacle after another. 1668 01:05:26,960 --> 01:05:28,862 - Just like that-- pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. 1669 01:05:28,895 --> 01:05:29,863 Nice. 1670 01:05:29,896 --> 01:05:31,464 - The nine-time veteran 1671 01:05:31,498 --> 01:05:33,633 hasn't always had good luck on Stage One, 1672 01:05:33,667 --> 01:05:35,535 but he looked strong tonight. 1673 01:05:35,568 --> 01:05:38,204 [buzzer blares] 1674 01:05:38,238 --> 01:05:39,939 - I feel, like, on top of the world. 1675 01:05:39,973 --> 01:05:42,308 Soon, top of Mount Midoriyama. - Whoa! 1676 01:05:42,342 --> 01:05:44,077 - He's calling his shot! - That's a bold move! 1677 01:05:44,110 --> 01:05:46,713 That's a bold call! 1678 01:05:46,746 --> 01:05:48,148 - Our next ninja 1679 01:05:48,181 --> 01:05:50,283 is representing for the moms tonight. 1680 01:05:50,316 --> 01:05:51,985 Flipping her way to the start line 1681 01:05:52,085 --> 01:05:54,220 is Utah nurse Mady Howard. 1682 01:05:54,254 --> 01:05:55,789 She's the only mom to qualify 1683 01:05:55,822 --> 01:05:57,791 for the National Finals this season. 1684 01:05:57,824 --> 01:05:59,392 And there's her son, Beckham. 1685 01:05:59,426 --> 01:06:01,227 He was on the sideline last year, 1686 01:06:01,261 --> 01:06:03,096 as she had her best Vegas run. 1687 01:06:03,129 --> 01:06:07,033 But now Mady wants more. 1688 01:06:07,033 --> 01:06:09,669 This is her third time on Stage One. 1689 01:06:09,703 --> 01:06:14,774 Each of the past two times, her run ended here. 1690 01:06:14,808 --> 01:06:16,443 Got it! - Nice! 1691 01:06:16,476 --> 01:06:20,246 - I finally got past my nemesis, the Rollercoaster. 1692 01:06:20,280 --> 01:06:23,283 [cheers and applause] 1693 01:06:23,316 --> 01:06:26,319 I think Beckham was my good-luck charm. 1694 01:06:26,353 --> 01:06:29,389 He was right there cheering me on. 1695 01:06:29,422 --> 01:06:31,691 If there's other moms out there watching 1696 01:06:31,725 --> 01:06:33,560 that want to attempt "Ninja Warrior," 1697 01:06:33,593 --> 01:06:34,961 I say go for it. 1698 01:06:35,061 --> 01:06:37,797 I think that our kids will only be stronger 1699 01:06:37,831 --> 01:06:40,467 and more resilient from seeing us do hard things. 1700 01:06:40,500 --> 01:06:41,801 Whoo-hoo! 1701 01:06:41,835 --> 01:06:43,636 There has still yet to be a mom 1702 01:06:43,670 --> 01:06:46,539 to hit a Stage One buzzer in Vegas. 1703 01:06:46,573 --> 01:06:49,576 I want to be the first mom to beat Stage One. 1704 01:06:49,609 --> 01:06:52,479 [soft music] 1705 01:06:52,512 --> 01:06:54,214 [cheers and applause] 1706 01:06:54,247 --> 01:06:56,483 - Beckham's watching back in Utah with the grandparents. 1707 01:06:56,516 --> 01:06:58,451 - Go, Mama, go. 1708 01:06:58,485 --> 01:07:01,321 - Mady's husband and friends are on the sideline. 1709 01:07:01,354 --> 01:07:03,823 [countdown clock beeping] 1710 01:07:03,857 --> 01:07:05,325 Well, only three women 1711 01:07:05,358 --> 01:07:07,727 have ever hit a buzzer on Stage One. 1712 01:07:07,761 --> 01:07:10,063 The last one to do it-- Flex Labreck in season 13. 1713 01:07:10,096 --> 01:07:11,931 We've had a few women come close, 1714 01:07:12,032 --> 01:07:14,401 including Addy Herman earlier tonight. 1715 01:07:14,434 --> 01:07:17,270 - Mady has to juggle taking care of baby Beckham 1716 01:07:17,303 --> 01:07:18,605 and her job as a nurse. 1717 01:07:18,638 --> 01:07:20,940 It's not easy to find time to train, 1718 01:07:21,041 --> 01:07:24,044 but she still competes on a high level. 1719 01:07:24,044 --> 01:07:25,278 - Such good power. 1720 01:07:25,311 --> 01:07:27,047 It was Tacoma where we met her, 1721 01:07:27,080 --> 01:07:29,282 so she's been on the Barrel Roll before. 1722 01:07:29,315 --> 01:07:30,617 Smooth. - Nice. 1723 01:07:30,650 --> 01:07:32,285 Ooh, great landing, great dismount. 1724 01:07:32,318 --> 01:07:33,787 - Now to Giant Rollercoaster. 1725 01:07:33,820 --> 01:07:35,955 This used to be a roadblock for her, 1726 01:07:36,056 --> 01:07:37,657 but she conquered it last year. 1727 01:07:37,691 --> 01:07:42,295 A nurse, a mom, a long-time gymnast--potent combination. 1728 01:07:42,328 --> 01:07:43,963 - Here we go. Nice. - Real smooth. 1729 01:07:44,064 --> 01:07:46,566 - All right, here it is. This is usually that impact. 1730 01:07:46,599 --> 01:07:48,468 You see the way she braced for impact? 1731 01:07:48,501 --> 01:07:49,769 Nice and tight. 1732 01:07:49,803 --> 01:07:51,071 - Great job. 1733 01:07:51,104 --> 01:07:54,074 [cheers and applause] 1734 01:07:54,074 --> 01:07:57,811 And now a rematch with the Jumping Spider. 1735 01:07:57,844 --> 01:08:00,347 And you can see she doesn't want to rush it. 1736 01:08:00,380 --> 01:08:02,349 [crowd chanting] Mady! Mady! 1737 01:08:02,382 --> 01:08:05,452 - 5'6", 125, plenty of length. 1738 01:08:05,485 --> 01:08:07,153 - All right, let's go. Hit that tramp. 1739 01:08:07,187 --> 01:08:08,388 Nice. Boom! - Got it! 1740 01:08:08,421 --> 01:08:10,190 - Whoo! - And she's smiling. 1741 01:08:10,223 --> 01:08:12,092 You can see it. - [chuckling] Yeah. 1742 01:08:12,125 --> 01:08:14,027 Last year she beat the Giant Rollercoaster. 1743 01:08:14,027 --> 01:08:16,062 This year she's beating the Jumping Spider. 1744 01:08:16,096 --> 01:08:18,031 - But got to get going now. 1745 01:08:18,031 --> 01:08:19,366 - Got to keep up the speed. 1746 01:08:19,399 --> 01:08:23,436 Remember, you're racing against the clock. 1747 01:08:23,470 --> 01:08:26,239 - Well, now we'll see if the nurse from Utah 1748 01:08:26,272 --> 01:08:28,141 likes to gamble. 1749 01:08:28,174 --> 01:08:29,776 - Whoo! 1750 01:08:29,809 --> 01:08:32,145 - Good job, Mady! 1751 01:08:32,178 --> 01:08:34,280 - Beckham's got his money on his mom, 1752 01:08:34,314 --> 01:08:36,583 but this obstacle has ended the runs 1753 01:08:36,616 --> 01:08:40,520 of a lot of ninjas over the past few seasons. 1754 01:08:40,553 --> 01:08:42,489 Good leap. 1755 01:08:42,522 --> 01:08:45,658 Positions those hands but now going for a little ride. 1756 01:08:45,692 --> 01:08:47,127 - She's an RN-- 1757 01:08:47,160 --> 01:08:50,196 a registered nurse and a registered ninja. 1758 01:08:51,531 --> 01:08:53,967 - You can just see, as it spins, makes it hard. 1759 01:08:54,067 --> 01:08:56,236 - Nice. - Good throw. 1760 01:08:56,269 --> 01:09:00,473 And Mady Howard fighting her way on the craps table. 1761 01:09:00,507 --> 01:09:02,142 [indistinct shouting] 1762 01:09:02,175 --> 01:09:03,309 - Nice. Get it. 1763 01:09:03,343 --> 01:09:05,145 Use that momentum. Nice. 1764 01:09:05,178 --> 01:09:07,280 - And you see, when you get it extended, you line up, 1765 01:09:07,313 --> 01:09:10,417 you can run straight across the top to the Ace of Spades. 1766 01:09:10,450 --> 01:09:11,685 - Yeah, and then just keeping that--nice. 1767 01:09:11,718 --> 01:09:13,586 Keep that balance. Nice! - Yes! 1768 01:09:13,620 --> 01:09:15,689 - Great position. - What a run! 1769 01:09:15,722 --> 01:09:18,792 - Now, Matt, she's got to reorient her hand, though. 1770 01:09:18,825 --> 01:09:22,595 This will be the furthest a mom has ever gone on "Ninja," 1771 01:09:22,629 --> 01:09:24,264 if she can get past this obstacle. 1772 01:09:24,297 --> 01:09:27,100 - But now she's spun up, going for a ride. 1773 01:09:27,133 --> 01:09:29,436 Get that dismount, Mady! 1774 01:09:29,469 --> 01:09:30,937 - I like how she stayed calm. 1775 01:09:31,037 --> 01:09:32,439 - Yes! - Nice. 1776 01:09:32,472 --> 01:09:35,275 - 12 seconds left! Can she add to it? 1777 01:09:35,308 --> 01:09:36,943 - Keep going. Keep going. 1778 01:09:37,043 --> 01:09:39,279 You keep going. - Yes! 1779 01:09:39,312 --> 01:09:40,947 - Go. Keep going. Keep going. 1780 01:09:41,047 --> 01:09:44,584 - Mady Howard breaking new ground for moms. 1781 01:09:44,617 --> 01:09:46,619 [buzzer blares] - Wow. 1782 01:09:46,653 --> 01:09:48,621 [cheers and applause] 1783 01:09:48,655 --> 01:09:52,225 - And got to be thrilled with that run. 1784 01:09:52,258 --> 01:09:55,261 - Well done. Well done. 1785 01:09:55,295 --> 01:09:58,631 - And best of all, Beckham got to see it. 1786 01:09:58,665 --> 01:10:00,967 - Good job, Mama. 1787 01:10:01,001 --> 01:10:02,802 - Mady had it rolling tonight. 1788 01:10:02,836 --> 01:10:04,971 She got past the Giant Rollercoaster 1789 01:10:05,005 --> 01:10:07,474 and the other obstacle that had taken her out-- 1790 01:10:07,507 --> 01:10:08,908 the Jumping Spider. 1791 01:10:08,942 --> 01:10:11,311 She made it past the Warped Wall-- 1792 01:10:11,344 --> 01:10:15,682 her best performance ever on Stage One. 1793 01:10:15,715 --> 01:10:18,385 - Mady, what an awesome run that was. 1794 01:10:18,418 --> 01:10:21,121 You're dry, you're happy, wins all around. 1795 01:10:21,154 --> 01:10:24,190 How are you feeling? - Wow. I feel amazing. 1796 01:10:24,224 --> 01:10:26,326 To put it all together and make it that far, 1797 01:10:26,359 --> 01:10:28,361 I'm really happy about that run. 1798 01:10:28,395 --> 01:10:31,564 - You have made it farther than any mother on Stage One 1799 01:10:31,598 --> 01:10:33,667 in the history of "Ninja Warrior." 1800 01:10:33,700 --> 01:10:35,001 Congratulations. 1801 01:10:35,035 --> 01:10:36,903 - Whoo! 1802 01:10:36,936 --> 01:10:39,739 - Great job, Mady. Matt, Akbar, back to you. 1803 01:10:41,374 --> 01:10:42,475 - Up next... 1804 01:10:42,509 --> 01:10:43,910 - Whoa! 1805 01:10:43,943 --> 01:10:46,346 - Two good friends get their shot at Stage One. 1806 01:10:46,379 --> 01:10:48,515 No one's been to the National Finals 1807 01:10:48,548 --> 01:10:51,084 more than the veteran Flip Rodriquez. 1808 01:10:51,117 --> 01:10:52,352 - Go get it! 1809 01:10:52,385 --> 01:10:54,154 Yes! Yes! 1810 01:10:54,187 --> 01:10:56,189 - And no one's climbed Stage Four more 1811 01:10:56,222 --> 01:10:58,024 than the speedster RJ Roman. 1812 01:10:58,058 --> 01:10:59,025 - Here we go. 1813 01:10:59,059 --> 01:11:00,360 - We'll see them both 1814 01:11:00,393 --> 01:11:03,263 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1815 01:11:09,169 --> 01:11:10,437 - A couple of "Ninja" veterans 1816 01:11:10,470 --> 01:11:12,272 rocked the course while we were away. 1817 01:11:12,305 --> 01:11:14,908 Chicago's Cam "The Bomb" Baumgartner 1818 01:11:14,941 --> 01:11:18,678 came out hot and had his bomb squad screaming. 1819 01:11:18,712 --> 01:11:20,980 The six-time "Ninja" veteran took a moment 1820 01:11:21,081 --> 01:11:23,983 at Jumping Spider, which ended his season last year. 1821 01:11:24,084 --> 01:11:26,920 - He wasn't going to let that happen again. 1822 01:11:26,953 --> 01:11:29,189 - Like many others, the 26-year-old 1823 01:11:29,222 --> 01:11:31,658 lost valuable time on the Gambler, 1824 01:11:31,691 --> 01:11:33,793 which set up a mad dash to the finish. 1825 01:11:33,827 --> 01:11:35,362 - All right, now he's got a sprint. 1826 01:11:35,395 --> 01:11:36,863 - With the clock ticking away, 1827 01:11:36,896 --> 01:11:39,099 he needed to be perfect on Thread The Needle... 1828 01:11:39,099 --> 01:11:40,367 - Nice! 1829 01:11:40,400 --> 01:11:42,202 - And had to scramble up the cargo net, 1830 01:11:42,235 --> 01:11:43,536 but he was able to finish 1831 01:11:43,570 --> 01:11:45,372 with just over three seconds to spare. 1832 01:11:45,405 --> 01:11:46,706 [buzzer blares] 1833 01:11:46,740 --> 01:11:48,541 - Okay! I see you, Cam "The Bomb." 1834 01:11:48,575 --> 01:11:50,910 - Let's go! 1835 01:11:50,944 --> 01:11:53,213 - The Cat Daddy Jackson Twait also had 1836 01:11:53,246 --> 01:11:55,215 a rowdy crew on his sidelines. 1837 01:11:55,248 --> 01:11:58,251 The pet-sitter from Iowa likes to have fun on the course 1838 01:11:58,284 --> 01:12:01,888 and also likes to go fast, and he did both tonight. 1839 01:12:01,921 --> 01:12:04,257 - Cat Daddy's got a little dog in him--he can go. 1840 01:12:04,290 --> 01:12:05,792 - The six-time "Ninja" veteran 1841 01:12:05,825 --> 01:12:08,828 had catlike quickness on the first part of the course. 1842 01:12:08,862 --> 01:12:10,830 And even with a quick wave to us... 1843 01:12:10,864 --> 01:12:12,499 Hey, buddy. 1844 01:12:12,532 --> 01:12:15,301 He was able to finish with the second-best time of the night. 1845 01:12:15,335 --> 01:12:17,604 [buzzer blares] 1846 01:12:17,637 --> 01:12:20,173 It's his third-straight buzzer on Stage One. 1847 01:12:20,206 --> 01:12:21,775 [cheers and applause] 1848 01:12:21,808 --> 01:12:24,577 And another crowd favorite has already started his run. 1849 01:12:24,611 --> 01:12:27,614 It's "Ninja" veteran Flip Rodriguez, 1850 01:12:27,647 --> 01:12:31,184 making his 11th appearance at the National Finals. 1851 01:12:31,217 --> 01:12:33,086 No one's been here more. 1852 01:12:33,086 --> 01:12:36,423 Already through three obstacles. 1853 01:12:36,456 --> 01:12:39,626 Everyone old and young-- everyone watches 1854 01:12:39,659 --> 01:12:41,695 when Flip Rodriguez takes to the course. 1855 01:12:41,728 --> 01:12:45,098 And, Akbar, I remember when he came on--a brash, young man, 1856 01:12:45,098 --> 01:12:48,468 the man behind the mask, who just ran so aggressively. 1857 01:12:48,501 --> 01:12:50,570 But the thing we see out of Flip-- 1858 01:12:50,603 --> 01:12:53,773 while he has a good past, it's a much more mature Flip. 1859 01:12:53,807 --> 01:12:55,108 That's why I think 1860 01:12:55,108 --> 01:12:57,377 he's racking up the buzzers, big man. 1861 01:12:57,410 --> 01:13:00,046 How does he handle the Gambler? 1862 01:13:00,046 --> 01:13:01,948 - Well, yeah, as the young Flip Rodriguez, 1863 01:13:02,048 --> 01:13:03,516 he used to take gambles, 1864 01:13:03,550 --> 01:13:05,185 but now he relies 1865 01:13:05,218 --> 01:13:07,887 strictly on his skills and his expertise. 1866 01:13:07,921 --> 01:13:12,559 He's already on his 14th season competing. 1867 01:13:12,592 --> 01:13:15,161 - We talk a lot about watching the Ninja Juniors grow up. 1868 01:13:15,195 --> 01:13:16,830 We've watched Flip grow up. 1869 01:13:16,863 --> 01:13:20,400 What a remarkable man he has become. 1870 01:13:20,433 --> 01:13:24,337 Great footwork. - Ooh, explosive. 1871 01:13:24,371 --> 01:13:26,773 Look at the way he's controlling the Ace of Spades. 1872 01:13:26,806 --> 01:13:28,541 Oh, nice. - Good flip around. 1873 01:13:28,575 --> 01:13:33,847 - Matt, he's got a great understanding of movement. 1874 01:13:33,880 --> 01:13:36,349 - He's 34 years old, 1875 01:13:36,383 --> 01:13:38,651 and he is looking like he's 21 again. 1876 01:13:38,685 --> 01:13:40,854 - I was just getting ready to say that number, too. 1877 01:13:40,887 --> 01:13:42,956 He's moving like he's 21. 1878 01:13:42,989 --> 01:13:45,692 - He's having a career resurgence in his 30s. 1879 01:13:45,725 --> 01:13:48,661 Flip made it all the way to Stage Three two years ago. 1880 01:13:48,695 --> 01:13:51,331 He's still a contender for the million dollars, 1881 01:13:51,364 --> 01:13:53,867 competing against many of the kids he's trained. 1882 01:13:53,900 --> 01:13:55,702 - Nice. Nice. 1883 01:13:55,735 --> 01:13:58,571 - Right into it. Plenty of time. 1884 01:13:58,605 --> 01:14:00,140 But we have seen on Thread The Needle, 1885 01:14:00,173 --> 01:14:02,876 getting this cane off the hook can be a challenge, 1886 01:14:02,909 --> 01:14:04,711 especially when you're fatigued. 1887 01:14:04,744 --> 01:14:05,779 - Here we go. - Yeah. 1888 01:14:05,812 --> 01:14:07,080 - Come on. - Let's go, Flip. 1889 01:14:07,113 --> 01:14:08,281 - Can Flip fly? 1890 01:14:08,314 --> 01:14:11,618 - Come on, come on, come on. - Nice! 1891 01:14:11,651 --> 01:14:14,454 Yeah, remember, last year he timed out on the cargo net. 1892 01:14:14,487 --> 01:14:16,589 - Well, he's making sure that won't happen again. 1893 01:14:16,623 --> 01:14:20,060 Get high up on the net. - Absolutely. 1894 01:14:20,060 --> 01:14:21,928 - Just needs to get up the cargo net, 1895 01:14:21,961 --> 01:14:25,899 and Flip will be going to Stage Two for the ninth time. 1896 01:14:25,932 --> 01:14:28,168 - Man, unbelievable. 1897 01:14:28,201 --> 01:14:32,339 Flip Rodriguez, you, my friend, are a legend. 1898 01:14:32,372 --> 01:14:33,840 [buzzer blares] 1899 01:14:33,873 --> 01:14:37,077 - And that had to feel good for Flip. 1900 01:14:37,077 --> 01:14:38,411 - Feels good, baby. 1901 01:14:38,445 --> 01:14:41,414 [cheers and applause] 1902 01:14:41,448 --> 01:14:45,485 [upbeat music] 1903 01:14:45,518 --> 01:14:49,522 - Flip, an electrifying run-- thrilling the fans as always. 1904 01:14:49,556 --> 01:14:50,724 - Let's go, baby! 1905 01:14:50,757 --> 01:14:53,393 - You got it! - Whoo! 1906 01:14:53,426 --> 01:14:58,098 - Flip Rodriguez, does it ever get old hitting buzzers, buddy? 1907 01:14:58,098 --> 01:14:59,599 - Never. I just get older. 1908 01:14:59,632 --> 01:15:01,701 - Oh, yeah! - Okay. 1909 01:15:01,735 --> 01:15:03,603 - Hit that buzzer one more time! 1910 01:15:03,636 --> 01:15:06,539 You're going racing! 1911 01:15:06,573 --> 01:15:09,376 - Let's go! 1912 01:15:09,409 --> 01:15:12,178 [cheers and applause] 1913 01:15:12,212 --> 01:15:13,813 - Now buckle your seat belt, 1914 01:15:13,847 --> 01:15:16,816 because up next is Flip's good friend and training partner, 1915 01:15:16,850 --> 01:15:18,818 the speedster RJ Roman. 1916 01:15:18,852 --> 01:15:22,322 He's a heavy-metal musician, as well as a top Ninja coach. 1917 01:15:22,355 --> 01:15:25,091 And RJ's recently made some big changes. 1918 01:15:25,125 --> 01:15:27,494 The Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card 1919 01:15:27,527 --> 01:15:30,430 is giving fans unlimited access 1920 01:15:30,463 --> 01:15:33,233 with this behind-the-scenes look at his new life. 1921 01:15:33,266 --> 01:15:35,235 [dramatic music] 1922 01:15:35,268 --> 01:15:38,071 - A lot of things have changed since last season. 1923 01:15:38,104 --> 01:15:40,106 I'm a person that likes to welcome change, 1924 01:15:40,140 --> 01:15:42,075 and I kind of felt like I did all I could 1925 01:15:42,075 --> 01:15:43,610 in the Orlando Ninja community. 1926 01:15:43,643 --> 01:15:45,278 You're crushing it. Great job. 1927 01:15:45,311 --> 01:15:47,180 So I found a new spot... 1928 01:15:47,213 --> 01:15:50,250 - * Get a, get a second chance * 1929 01:15:50,283 --> 01:15:51,518 - Down here in South Florida. 1930 01:15:51,551 --> 01:15:53,086 So we're opening a new gym 1931 01:15:53,086 --> 01:15:56,089 called SOFLO Ninja Academy here in Pompano Beach. 1932 01:15:56,089 --> 01:15:58,458 So this ring is going to be over here. 1933 01:15:58,491 --> 01:16:01,361 So you can slide down and dismount. 1934 01:16:01,394 --> 01:16:03,530 The reason why I am so interested 1935 01:16:03,563 --> 01:16:05,031 in building the community 1936 01:16:05,065 --> 01:16:07,667 is just feeling like I can give back. 1937 01:16:07,701 --> 01:16:09,202 If you're going on the right side, 1938 01:16:09,235 --> 01:16:10,870 your right hand should be in the middle 1939 01:16:10,904 --> 01:16:12,639 so that you can push it with your left hand. 1940 01:16:12,672 --> 01:16:14,474 I have something to offer to people. 1941 01:16:14,507 --> 01:16:16,743 It makes me feel like I have a purpose. 1942 01:16:16,776 --> 01:16:18,411 In a way, it's selfish, right? 1943 01:16:18,445 --> 01:16:20,380 Because I'm just trying to have a good time. 1944 01:16:20,413 --> 01:16:23,316 * * 1945 01:16:23,350 --> 01:16:26,152 - He's one of the favorites to win the million dollars. 1946 01:16:26,186 --> 01:16:28,254 - Let's go, RJ! 1947 01:16:28,288 --> 01:16:29,723 [countdown clock beeping] 1948 01:16:29,756 --> 01:16:34,494 - Well, RJ Roman-- back-to-back amazing seasons. 1949 01:16:34,527 --> 01:16:37,163 Making it to Stage Four twice 1950 01:16:37,197 --> 01:16:39,666 but coming up just short on that climb. 1951 01:16:39,699 --> 01:16:41,501 He wants another shot. 1952 01:16:41,534 --> 01:16:45,171 - I think he could be a three-time Stage Four guy. 1953 01:16:45,205 --> 01:16:47,474 - Kaden Lebsack, Daniel Gil, and RJ Roman-- 1954 01:16:47,507 --> 01:16:50,343 the only ones who've made it to Stage Four twice. 1955 01:16:50,377 --> 01:16:51,878 - Always fun to watch on the course 1956 01:16:51,911 --> 01:16:53,780 because he throws caution to the wind. 1957 01:16:53,813 --> 01:16:56,249 - That speed can sometimes lead to mistakes. 1958 01:16:56,282 --> 01:16:59,419 He fell on Stage One last year but had a Safety Pass, 1959 01:16:59,452 --> 01:17:01,187 so he got a second chance 1960 01:17:01,221 --> 01:17:03,523 and ended up making it to Stage Four. 1961 01:17:03,556 --> 01:17:05,425 But no Safety Pass tonight. 1962 01:17:05,458 --> 01:17:07,127 And goes right into the Jumping Spider 1963 01:17:07,160 --> 01:17:08,561 without stopping. 1964 01:17:08,595 --> 01:17:09,929 He's flying through there. 1965 01:17:10,030 --> 01:17:12,298 And he got through that in about five seconds. 1966 01:17:12,332 --> 01:17:14,134 He may going for the fastest time 1967 01:17:14,167 --> 01:17:15,769 and a top seed on Stage Two. 1968 01:17:15,802 --> 01:17:18,738 Akbar, we got a loaded field. - A lot of talent. 1969 01:17:18,772 --> 01:17:20,640 - Now to that poker chip. - Nice. 1970 01:17:20,674 --> 01:17:22,642 - Now riding it to the craps table. 1971 01:17:22,676 --> 01:17:24,210 - All right, nice. 1972 01:17:24,244 --> 01:17:27,881 He's trying to get that nice control of the poker chip. 1973 01:17:27,914 --> 01:17:29,716 - 5'6", 145-- 1974 01:17:29,749 --> 01:17:31,484 this guy has just been so consistent, 1975 01:17:31,518 --> 01:17:34,854 but it comes because he works so hard at it. 1976 01:17:34,888 --> 01:17:36,656 - Come on, RJ. 1977 01:17:36,690 --> 01:17:39,793 - And because he loves it, too, Matt, and you can tell. 1978 01:17:39,826 --> 01:17:42,662 Last year when he wasn't able to beat the time 1979 01:17:42,696 --> 01:17:45,498 on Stage Four, he was visibly upset, 1980 01:17:45,532 --> 01:17:46,833 and as he should be. 1981 01:17:46,866 --> 01:17:49,069 When you put that much time into something you love, 1982 01:17:49,102 --> 01:17:50,503 you expect-- 1983 01:17:50,537 --> 01:17:52,205 - Oh! - Oh. Oh, no! 1984 01:17:52,238 --> 01:17:54,074 - Oh, whoa! 1985 01:17:54,074 --> 01:17:57,077 - Falls off the course. It's over. 1986 01:17:58,478 --> 01:18:00,180 Though he didn't hit the water, 1987 01:18:00,213 --> 01:18:04,017 the metal truss is out of bounds, and RJ knows it. 1988 01:18:04,050 --> 01:18:06,319 Everyone is just stunned. 1989 01:18:06,353 --> 01:18:08,121 - Oh. 1990 01:18:08,154 --> 01:18:10,857 - A heartbreaking finish. 1991 01:18:10,890 --> 01:18:13,526 - I love you, RJ! 1992 01:18:13,560 --> 01:18:15,128 - Look at it again. 1993 01:18:15,161 --> 01:18:17,831 The card was still spinning when he tried to dismount, 1994 01:18:17,864 --> 01:18:20,133 so he was off-balance when he landed 1995 01:18:20,166 --> 01:18:21,801 and fell off the course. 1996 01:18:21,835 --> 01:18:24,404 He grabbed the truss, and his feet hit the ground, 1997 01:18:24,437 --> 01:18:27,474 and that ends his run. 1998 01:18:27,507 --> 01:18:29,476 - Talk to me. What happened here? 1999 01:18:29,509 --> 01:18:32,212 - Yeah, I felt the card going around in circles, 2000 01:18:32,245 --> 01:18:34,647 and instead of trying to stop myself 2001 01:18:34,681 --> 01:18:36,816 and, you know, take a bunch of swings to fix it, 2002 01:18:36,850 --> 01:18:39,319 I tried to just go with the spin and just throw it 2003 01:18:39,352 --> 01:18:41,755 and just ended up on the side of the platform a little bit, 2004 01:18:41,788 --> 01:18:44,157 but it happens. - It does happen. 2005 01:18:44,190 --> 01:18:46,726 Well, look, it doesn't happen often with you--I'll say that. 2006 01:18:46,760 --> 01:18:48,228 We're so used to seeing you hit buzzers. 2007 01:18:48,261 --> 01:18:49,796 I hate that it didn't happen tonight. 2008 01:18:49,829 --> 01:18:51,698 But your career is so incredible. 2009 01:18:51,731 --> 01:18:53,333 We can't wait to see what you do next. 2010 01:18:53,366 --> 01:18:55,402 So thanks for being out here. - All right, thank you so much. 2011 01:18:55,435 --> 01:18:57,904 - Absolutely. Matt, Akbar, back to you. 2012 01:18:57,937 --> 01:19:01,041 - Well, a stunner on Stage One of the National Finals. 2013 01:19:01,074 --> 01:19:04,411 One of the favorites to win it all is out. 2014 01:19:05,311 --> 01:19:06,579 Coming up... 2015 01:19:06,613 --> 01:19:08,848 last year's champ, Vance Walker's going 2016 01:19:08,882 --> 01:19:11,418 for four buzzers and another million dollars. 2017 01:19:11,451 --> 01:19:13,119 - Four more, baby. Let's get it. 2018 01:19:13,153 --> 01:19:16,856 - He's up next on "American Ninja Warrior." 2019 01:19:22,162 --> 01:19:23,663 - Welcome back. 2020 01:19:23,697 --> 01:19:26,499 Everyone comes here to Sin City to strike it rich, 2021 01:19:26,533 --> 01:19:29,035 and our next ninja actually did. 2022 01:19:29,069 --> 01:19:31,504 The last time Vance Walker was in Vegas, 2023 01:19:31,538 --> 01:19:34,207 he hit a hot streak and won a million dollars. 2024 01:19:34,240 --> 01:19:36,509 Now he's got a chance to do something 2025 01:19:36,543 --> 01:19:38,912 no ninja has ever been able to do-- 2026 01:19:38,945 --> 01:19:43,683 win it all in back-to-back seasons. 2027 01:19:43,717 --> 01:19:47,053 - Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness! 2028 01:19:47,053 --> 01:19:49,856 - Slowing down! - He's right there. 2029 01:19:49,889 --> 01:19:51,925 [air horn blares] 2030 01:19:51,958 --> 01:19:54,194 - I am very excited to get another shot at that tower. 2031 01:19:54,227 --> 01:19:58,665 - Vance Walker just won him a million dollars! 2032 01:19:58,698 --> 01:20:00,800 - Being a part of something so big is... 2033 01:20:00,834 --> 01:20:02,402 - What a moment. 2034 01:20:02,435 --> 01:20:03,737 - Unbelievable. 2035 01:20:03,770 --> 01:20:05,372 Definitely feeling a little bit of pressure 2036 01:20:05,405 --> 01:20:07,207 coming back from winning it all last year. 2037 01:20:07,240 --> 01:20:11,311 - A storybook finish to an incredible season! 2038 01:20:11,344 --> 01:20:14,180 - I'm ready to put in the work. 2039 01:20:14,214 --> 01:20:16,182 So far this season, I've been able to come back 2040 01:20:16,216 --> 01:20:17,884 and hit two buzzers. 2041 01:20:17,917 --> 01:20:20,053 [buzzers blaring] 2042 01:20:20,086 --> 01:20:23,223 I'm ready to hit four more. 2043 01:20:23,256 --> 01:20:25,392 [cheers and applause] 2044 01:20:25,425 --> 01:20:26,559 - He's smiling. 2045 01:20:26,593 --> 01:20:27,927 You can do that 2046 01:20:27,961 --> 01:20:29,629 when you're a teenager with a million dollars. 2047 01:20:29,662 --> 01:20:30,997 - Good to be back! 2048 01:20:31,031 --> 01:20:33,133 - His family and a big group of supporters 2049 01:20:33,166 --> 01:20:34,334 will be cheering him on. 2050 01:20:34,367 --> 01:20:37,070 [countdown clock beeping] 2051 01:20:37,103 --> 01:20:39,072 I don't know, Akbar-- more pressure or less? 2052 01:20:39,105 --> 01:20:41,608 You've already won. What's it like coming back? 2053 01:20:41,641 --> 01:20:42,876 - You know what, Matt? 2054 01:20:42,909 --> 01:20:44,944 I'm going to say there's more pressure, 2055 01:20:44,978 --> 01:20:47,580 because now that you've won the million dollars, 2056 01:20:47,614 --> 01:20:50,250 everyone's expecting you to do it. 2057 01:20:50,283 --> 01:20:52,585 You got to live up to those expectations. 2058 01:20:52,619 --> 01:20:55,088 But for Vance Walker, I think the secret is, 2059 01:20:55,121 --> 01:20:56,589 run your own race, baby. 2060 01:20:56,623 --> 01:20:58,258 And that's what he did last year. 2061 01:20:58,291 --> 01:21:00,760 - Well, just amazing-- we've talked about his story. 2062 01:21:00,794 --> 01:21:03,697 Born with cerebral palsy, told he might not ever walk, 2063 01:21:03,730 --> 01:21:06,199 and he is running. 2064 01:21:06,232 --> 01:21:09,269 [cheers and applause] 2065 01:21:10,603 --> 01:21:13,373 5'6", 150--going into the Jumping Spider. 2066 01:21:13,406 --> 01:21:14,841 - He's got to be careful. 2067 01:21:14,874 --> 01:21:17,377 He actually fell on this obstacle two years ago. 2068 01:21:17,410 --> 01:21:19,079 Not going to let that happen again. 2069 01:21:19,079 --> 01:21:20,880 - Well, we met him on "Ninja Junior." 2070 01:21:20,914 --> 01:21:23,516 Was a back-to-back champion there, Akbar. 2071 01:21:23,550 --> 01:21:25,085 We were talking to him-- 2072 01:21:25,085 --> 01:21:26,720 I remember giving him a hug last year. 2073 01:21:26,753 --> 01:21:29,089 The dude is muscled. He's jacked. 2074 01:21:29,089 --> 01:21:31,091 - Yeah, he's got about 2% body fat. 2075 01:21:31,091 --> 01:21:33,193 - I got the rest. - [laughs] 2076 01:21:33,226 --> 01:21:35,328 - But there are no guarantees in "Ninja." 2077 01:21:35,362 --> 01:21:38,965 We just saw a top competitor, RJ Roman, get eliminated. 2078 01:21:38,998 --> 01:21:41,234 Finishing Stage One is hard enough. 2079 01:21:41,267 --> 01:21:43,636 Then you have to go racing on Stage Two, 2080 01:21:43,670 --> 01:21:46,272 then survive the brutal Stage Three, 2081 01:21:46,306 --> 01:21:48,141 and then it's Stage Four. 2082 01:21:48,174 --> 01:21:49,743 You can see it in the distance. 2083 01:21:49,776 --> 01:21:51,978 You have to climb that in 30 seconds 2084 01:21:52,012 --> 01:21:54,114 to win the million dollars. 2085 01:21:54,114 --> 01:21:56,216 Little extra swings. - Nice. 2086 01:21:56,249 --> 01:21:58,918 - Got it. Real good footwork. 2087 01:21:58,952 --> 01:22:01,554 - Matt, and you can tell-- not only does he look richer, 2088 01:22:01,588 --> 01:22:04,057 he looks more confident. 2089 01:22:04,057 --> 01:22:05,425 - Well, he was coming off 2090 01:22:05,458 --> 01:22:07,961 a very disappointing season 14. 2091 01:22:08,061 --> 01:22:09,596 But you're right, Akbar. 2092 01:22:09,629 --> 01:22:12,065 This is a new and improved Vance Walker. 2093 01:22:12,065 --> 01:22:14,434 - And, Matt, he came in qualifying, crushed it. 2094 01:22:14,467 --> 01:22:17,070 He came into the semis, crushed it. 2095 01:22:17,070 --> 01:22:18,805 - Nice! Let's go! 2096 01:22:18,838 --> 01:22:21,374 - Has about a minute left for these final two obstacles. 2097 01:22:21,408 --> 01:22:23,209 Remember, the faster you finish, 2098 01:22:23,243 --> 01:22:25,445 the better your seed for racing on Stage Two. 2099 01:22:25,478 --> 01:22:27,080 - Nice. - Right into it. 2100 01:22:27,113 --> 01:22:28,615 One obstacle left. 2101 01:22:28,648 --> 01:22:31,751 And, Akbar, I got to say this Stage Two is shaping up 2102 01:22:31,785 --> 01:22:33,219 to be a barn burner. 2103 01:22:33,253 --> 01:22:35,388 There'll be some talented ninjas on there. 2104 01:22:35,422 --> 01:22:38,558 Vance Walker looks like he's about to add his name 2105 01:22:38,591 --> 01:22:40,093 to that list. - Yes, he is. 2106 01:22:40,093 --> 01:22:41,561 - Oh-ho! - A nice high throw 2107 01:22:41,594 --> 01:22:43,229 off to the top of the cargo net. 2108 01:22:43,263 --> 01:22:45,298 Wasn't trying to go for the fastest time, 2109 01:22:45,331 --> 01:22:47,200 but he's got plenty of speed on it. 2110 01:22:47,233 --> 01:22:49,235 [buzzer blares] 2111 01:22:49,269 --> 01:22:50,904 - Gets the first of the four buzzers 2112 01:22:50,937 --> 01:22:53,907 he wants here in Vegas and keeps his dream alive 2113 01:22:53,940 --> 01:22:55,909 of being a back-to-back champion. 2114 01:22:55,942 --> 01:22:58,111 - Yeah! 2115 01:22:58,111 --> 01:23:01,414 [cheers and applause] 2116 01:23:01,448 --> 01:23:03,917 - Vance Walker, congratulations! 2117 01:23:03,950 --> 01:23:05,118 - Thank you. 2118 01:23:05,151 --> 01:23:06,920 - I think you can see it in the background-- 2119 01:23:06,953 --> 01:23:08,421 the Stage Four tower! - Oh, yeah. 2120 01:23:08,455 --> 01:23:10,256 - You've already won big in Vegas. 2121 01:23:10,290 --> 01:23:13,059 What's like being back here? - It's so good. 2122 01:23:13,059 --> 01:23:14,694 I've been training this last year, 2123 01:23:14,728 --> 01:23:16,930 just wanting to get back to where I was last time. 2124 01:23:16,963 --> 01:23:19,065 - Well, go hit that buzzer one more time. 2125 01:23:19,065 --> 01:23:20,333 We'll see you on Stage Two. 2126 01:23:20,367 --> 01:23:23,069 [buzzer blares] - Let's go! 2127 01:23:23,069 --> 01:23:26,539 - And nobody wants to be racing him. 2128 01:23:26,573 --> 01:23:28,541 That run by Vance was 2129 01:23:28,575 --> 01:23:30,076 the fourth best tonight. 2130 01:23:30,076 --> 01:23:31,478 Teenager Noah Meunier 2131 01:23:31,511 --> 01:23:32,779 was the fastest. 2132 01:23:32,812 --> 01:23:34,714 All these finishers will be moving on 2133 01:23:34,748 --> 01:23:37,984 to race head-to-head on Stage Two in two weeks. 2134 01:23:38,084 --> 01:23:40,086 But this is only half the field. 2135 01:23:40,086 --> 01:23:42,122 The rest of our National Finalists 2136 01:23:42,155 --> 01:23:44,958 get their shot at Stage One next week. 2137 01:23:46,259 --> 01:23:48,361 Among the top competitors we'll see 2138 01:23:48,395 --> 01:23:50,397 are "The Weatherman" Joe Moravsky, 2139 01:23:50,430 --> 01:23:53,733 two-time Last Ninja Standing Kaden Lebsack, 2140 01:23:53,767 --> 01:23:57,103 plus teen sensation Taylor Greene. 2141 01:23:57,137 --> 01:23:59,906 And that wraps up our first night at the National Finals. 2142 01:23:59,939 --> 01:24:03,176 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2143 01:24:03,209 --> 01:24:07,080 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior"! 2144 01:24:07,113 --> 01:24:10,083 [dramatic music] 2145 01:24:10,116 --> 01:24:17,157 * *