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[exciting music]
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- Come on, go get it.
Go get it.
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- Come on!
- He's doing the 25, yeah!
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- Whoa!
What?
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What?
[buzzer blaring]
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- Tonight, the biggest stars
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are gonna shine
in St. Louis...
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- Let's go!
- ♪ Show me how it's done
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- Including the Weatherman,
Joe Moravsky.
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- My goodness, look at him.
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- He's competed eight seasons,
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and this year he's giving
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a couple
of young ninjas their shot.
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- I'm really excited to show
'em, you know,
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hopefully how it's done,
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and they can follow
in my footsteps.
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- ♪ Never gonna show me
how it's done ♪
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- And we've got Sweet T,
stuntwoman Tiana Webberley.
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- Nice!
She's done it!
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- She's invited a couple
of ninjas
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with incredible stories.
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- My team is all connected
by some medical miracles.
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- ♪ Gonna show me
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- And Chicago's Michael Torres
is back...
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- [screaming]
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- With two veteran ninjas
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who inspire him every day.
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- This season means more to me
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than any other season
in the past.
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- ♪ Never gonna show me
how it's done ♪
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♪
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- Hello, everybody.
Thanks for being with us.
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I'm Matt Iseman.
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- And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila,
and, Matt,
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I am ready to rock the Dome.
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- Well, there's definitely
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a lot of excitement
here tonight.
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This is the fourth
and final night of qualifying.
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Next week, we move on
to the semifinals.
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- Yeah, and like most
sporting events these days,
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for safety,
no fans in the stands,
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but don't worry, we're still
gonna make some noise.
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- You know it, big man,
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and keeping
the excitement going
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down on the sidelines,
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the third member of our team,
Zuri Hall.
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- Matt, Akbar, our ninjas
usually have to tackle
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this course head-on,
but tonight we've got
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a brand-new obstacle
coming at 'em sideways.
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The course is
six obstacles in all,
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including one that
created buzz last week,
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the Beehive...
- Oh!
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- Followed by Spinning Bridge.
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Then it's the new
fifth obstacle, Sideways.
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The ninjas will need
quick hands
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to work their way
across those rotating boards.
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The final obstacle
is the Warped Wall,
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which leads to the buzzer.
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And the night ends here
at the Power Tower,
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where the two fastest
will race head-to-head.
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The winner gets to pull
both of their teammates
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into the semifinals.
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[buzzer blares]
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You don't wanna miss
the latest showdown
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at the end of the night.
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Guys.
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- Well, we're gonna kick it
off with something crazy.
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This is Brandon White,
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a rookie out of
San Jose, California,
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and he has one of
the most unique talents
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we've ever seen.
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This former football player
was invited
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by longtime ninja
veteran Brian Kretsch,
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who also invited another
Northern California ninja,
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Vance Harris, who's shooting
a marshmallow gun,
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and that's because
Brandon White
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has a very special talent.
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Forget about
eye-hand coordination.
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This guy has eye-mouth
coordination.
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- I'm the greatest marshmallow
catcher in the world.
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Don't believe me?
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- He's caught marshmallows
from as far away as 90 feet.
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- [yelling]
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- All right, get ready!
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Yeah!
- And he's hoping to establish
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a new Guinness world record
for longest catch.
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- Now do you believe me?
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[bell dinging]
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- Oh!
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[cheers and applause]
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- And we're gonna put him
to the test here, Akbar.
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- All right, let's put him
to the test.
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- Of course, because of COVID,
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we have to throw them
on the big screen.
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Here we go, Akbar,
getting ready to launch these.
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- Best marshmallow
catcher in the world.
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- Oh.
- Oh, I'm eating this one.
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- Oh, nailed it!
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- Hey, let's look at it again.
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Boom, right in his mouth.
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- And lots of love
for this marshmallow catcher.
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He's got his fiancée
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and a big group of friends
and family watching.
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[countdown clock beeping]
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Brandon was
a four-year starter
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as a wide receiver
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for the University
of San Diego,
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but football players
don't always have
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great success
on our course.
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An extra swing,
he's through.
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Now the 6'3",
200-pound rookie
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will try Off the Hook.
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You gotta generate power
with the hips
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to make this transfer.
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- Drive 'em forward.
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Drive 'em back.
- Come on.
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This is like a power clean
in the weight room.
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Come on, I'ma talk
football talk to you.
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- And you see, just not
getting much thrust.
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You gotta get that lower body
moving for the transfer.
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- Nice!
- He got it.
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- Okay!
- And dismounts.
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- Hey, signs of
a good wide receiver,
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you gotta have strong hands,
and he held on to that one.
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- You wanna be efficient on
these upper-body obstacles
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because here comes
another one, the Beehive.
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You go sideways.
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This middle one's
gonna rotate 270 degrees.
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- It's all about rotating
and generating from the hip.
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Get that side-to-side
pendulum motion going.
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Nice.
- Excellent.
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- Nice pendulum motion.
- A lot of these skills ninjas
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have to develop,
a lot of it is moving,
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generating power
with the lower body,
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but good use of those hips
there, great shot.
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You can see that momentum.
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- Nice.
- All right, now this is where
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that wide receiver skill
goes in.
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You gotta see it--nice.
- Oh.
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- That's a big deal, 6'3",
200 pounds.
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- And you see there's
Plexiglas on the close side.
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There it is,
a great shot of the handles,
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where you have to
get your hands,
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and that is not easy.
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- Nice!
- And he's through.
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[cheers and applause]
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Now facing the balance
obstacle, Spinning Bridge.
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- Absorb that second step.
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- Kretsch giving him
some advice.
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- Suck it up, suck it up,
suck it up!
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- Oh, no!
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- He was too slow and
methodical on Spinning Bridge!
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- Brandon White
the marshmallow eater
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00:05:26,153 --> 00:05:27,913
bit off more
than he could chew
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on the Spinning Bridge.
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- Well, he looked more like
the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man,
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moving too slow,
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and when he hit
the third ball,
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it just spun right under him,
tripped him up,
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and there was
no way to recover.
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[crowd groans]
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- And now it's another member
of Brian Kretsch's crew.
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This is Vance Harris.
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No marshmallows for him.
He's bringing a paddle.
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That's because he's a kayaker.
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He spends his days
on the river,
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and he is one gnarly dude.
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♪
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- Kayaking is
a dangerous activity.
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- Get it, Vance!
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- As I'm paddling down
the river,
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I gotta be looking out
for rocks.
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I gotta be looking out
for sieves and for holes,
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and I gotta look out
for horizon lines,
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'cause that means the water's
going off something.
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Could be a 50-foot waterfall,
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or it could be
a little 2-foot drop.
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♪
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- Whoo, Vance!
Whoo!
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- I have not trained for
"American Ninja Warrior,"
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but it'll be cool to show
everyone around the world,
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like, kind of what we do
as paddlers
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and that kayakers
are awesome,
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and we can be ninjas too.
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♪
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Whoa!
I'm the Kayak Ninja,
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but I'm gonna avoid the water
on this course.
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♪
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- This guy's Spicoli
from "Fast Times."
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Clearly got personality,
and you can see
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got a lot of rowdy
friends and family
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ready to cheer him on.
- They are going nuts already.
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[all cheering]
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00:06:54,828 --> 00:06:57,382
Kayakers look like
a crazy bunch.
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- Well, he admits he's trained
very little for this.
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00:06:59,936 --> 00:07:04,147
He's just a fun-loving dude
who wanted to try ninja.
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00:07:04,182 --> 00:07:06,322
[countdown clock beeping]
198
00:07:06,356 --> 00:07:07,806
Brian Kretsch saw this guy
199
00:07:07,841 --> 00:07:09,774
the one time he came
to a ninja gym
200
00:07:09,808 --> 00:07:12,466
and thought he had incredible
natural athletic ability
201
00:07:12,501 --> 00:07:13,950
and boundless energy.
202
00:07:13,985 --> 00:07:16,263
- He's built like a ninja,
long and lean.
203
00:07:16,297 --> 00:07:18,714
- And going right into
Off the Hook.
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00:07:18,748 --> 00:07:22,752
A good effortless start here,
really in control.
205
00:07:22,787 --> 00:07:25,479
- Yes, awesome.
206
00:07:25,514 --> 00:07:26,963
- We had this last year
in Atlanta,
207
00:07:26,998 --> 00:07:28,689
and we saw
some of the challenges.
208
00:07:28,724 --> 00:07:29,897
You see that hook?
209
00:07:29,932 --> 00:07:31,485
You're going
from a sideways hook
210
00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:34,661
to then a front mount.
- Got it!
211
00:07:34,695 --> 00:07:36,559
Yeah, that can be challenging
when you gotta take it
212
00:07:36,594 --> 00:07:38,216
from the side to the front.
213
00:07:38,250 --> 00:07:40,839
- Down, keep the hips down.
Keep the hips down.
214
00:07:40,874 --> 00:07:42,151
- What?
It's hard.
215
00:07:42,185 --> 00:07:44,291
- And, look, he's smiling
back at Kretsch.
216
00:07:44,325 --> 00:07:46,569
Vance has never been
on a ninja course before,
217
00:07:46,604 --> 00:07:47,950
and you're seeing it here.
218
00:07:47,984 --> 00:07:51,401
- Get out of there!
- But he gets through.
219
00:07:51,436 --> 00:07:53,645
- Nice job!
- We'll see what he has left
220
00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:56,614
in the tank
as he takes on the Beehive.
221
00:07:57,477 --> 00:07:59,133
- Yeah!
Ohh!
222
00:07:59,168 --> 00:08:01,377
- Okay, look at this dude,
flexing.
223
00:08:01,411 --> 00:08:03,586
He's gonna have fun no matter
how far he gets.
224
00:08:03,621 --> 00:08:05,968
- Well, now he's gotta face
a serious challenge
225
00:08:06,002 --> 00:08:07,521
in the Beehive.
226
00:08:07,556 --> 00:08:09,212
This knocked out some
great competitors last week,
227
00:08:09,247 --> 00:08:11,111
and with limited ninja skills,
228
00:08:11,145 --> 00:08:13,907
this could be
a real challenge for Harris.
229
00:08:13,941 --> 00:08:15,115
- Nice.
- As you see obstacles,
230
00:08:15,149 --> 00:08:16,565
you learn
different skill sets,
231
00:08:16,599 --> 00:08:20,223
that 270-degree rotation
a challenge.
232
00:08:20,258 --> 00:08:21,535
- Turn the hips
when you go, yes.
233
00:08:21,570 --> 00:08:23,019
- Breathe.
- Awesome.
234
00:08:23,054 --> 00:08:24,607
You're gonna go up
on this one.
235
00:08:24,642 --> 00:08:25,815
- Hopefully he has
the grip strength
236
00:08:25,850 --> 00:08:27,437
to be able to carry
his body weight.
237
00:08:27,472 --> 00:08:29,094
Now he's starting to get
that swing momentum.
238
00:08:29,129 --> 00:08:30,406
Make that transition!
239
00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:32,926
- Oh, my!
- Okay, my bad, 19-year-old!
240
00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,515
- You got this, Vance!
241
00:08:35,549 --> 00:08:37,171
- And he gets through Beehive.
242
00:08:37,206 --> 00:08:39,588
[cheering]
243
00:08:39,622 --> 00:08:41,797
- His family can't believe
he's doing this well.
244
00:08:41,831 --> 00:08:43,350
And neither can I!
245
00:08:43,384 --> 00:08:46,042
- Well, Brian Kretsch
saw something in this kid,
246
00:08:46,077 --> 00:08:48,769
and he is proving kayakers
are good athletes.
247
00:08:48,804 --> 00:08:50,702
- They definitely know
how to have fun.
248
00:08:50,737 --> 00:08:52,946
- Now the balance obstacle,
Spinning Bridge.
249
00:08:52,980 --> 00:08:55,465
- Let's go!
- You got this, Vance.
250
00:08:55,500 --> 00:08:57,571
- This is like
a class five rapid,
251
00:08:57,606 --> 00:08:59,608
but you wanna stay
out of the water.
252
00:08:59,642 --> 00:09:01,333
Nice, nice, nice.
- Oh! Oh!
253
00:09:01,368 --> 00:09:04,095
- Oh, Supermans
over the final ball.
254
00:09:04,129 --> 00:09:07,167
[cheering]
255
00:09:07,201 --> 00:09:09,100
- Let's go, ninja!
- You look shocked!
256
00:09:09,134 --> 00:09:10,619
You look shocked!
- Yeah!
257
00:09:10,653 --> 00:09:12,759
- Well, his friends
are definitely shocked.
258
00:09:12,793 --> 00:09:15,520
This kid has made it
to the fifth obstacle.
259
00:09:15,555 --> 00:09:16,970
How is he doing this?
260
00:09:17,004 --> 00:09:20,594
And now going right into
the new obstacle, Sideways.
261
00:09:21,491 --> 00:09:23,183
Every handle rotates
completely,
262
00:09:23,217 --> 00:09:26,462
so you have to grab it
front and back.
263
00:09:26,496 --> 00:09:28,050
Now has to change
hand placement
264
00:09:28,084 --> 00:09:30,397
and jump to this slider.
265
00:09:30,431 --> 00:09:32,157
- Got it!
My goodness!
266
00:09:32,192 --> 00:09:33,711
This kid may get
the buzzer!
267
00:09:33,745 --> 00:09:36,748
This is unheard of!
[cheering]
268
00:09:36,783 --> 00:09:38,508
- Oh, yes!
269
00:09:38,543 --> 00:09:41,960
- Vance is shocking the world
right now, Matt.
270
00:09:41,995 --> 00:09:45,170
- One more board to go...
271
00:09:45,205 --> 00:09:47,863
and he's got it!
Unreal!
272
00:09:47,897 --> 00:09:50,072
But has to get over
this spinning wall.
273
00:09:50,106 --> 00:09:52,833
- Yeah, he's trying to get
that swing to get over.
274
00:09:52,868 --> 00:09:54,455
He's been hanging on
for a while now.
275
00:09:54,490 --> 00:09:56,354
- Oh, yeah!
276
00:09:56,388 --> 00:09:57,355
- Nice!
277
00:09:57,389 --> 00:10:00,116
[cheering]
278
00:10:01,497 --> 00:10:03,257
- Yeah, he can't believe
he's here.
279
00:10:03,292 --> 00:10:04,914
And we can't either!
280
00:10:04,949 --> 00:10:06,640
- 100%!
281
00:10:08,297 --> 00:10:12,508
- The Kayak Ninja,
his first time here,
282
00:10:12,542 --> 00:10:14,683
his first shot
at the Warped Wall,
283
00:10:14,717 --> 00:10:16,719
and look at him!
284
00:10:16,754 --> 00:10:18,928
He's blowing kisses!
285
00:10:18,963 --> 00:10:20,171
You still got work to do!
286
00:10:20,205 --> 00:10:21,551
- You got this.
287
00:10:21,586 --> 00:10:25,141
- Can the rookie get a buzzer?
288
00:10:25,176 --> 00:10:26,142
Yes!
- Yes!
289
00:10:26,177 --> 00:10:27,488
- He's got it!
290
00:10:27,523 --> 00:10:29,111
- Oh, I can't believe this!
291
00:10:29,145 --> 00:10:32,908
[buzzer blaring]
- Ohh!
292
00:10:32,942 --> 00:10:35,980
[cheering]
293
00:10:36,014 --> 00:10:38,914
Let's go, baby!
- Who would have guessed it?
294
00:10:38,948 --> 00:10:42,572
The Kayak Ninja
our first finisher tonight.
295
00:10:42,607 --> 00:10:46,853
- Ninja, baby!
Kayak Ninja!
296
00:10:46,887 --> 00:10:49,372
- Vance, your first time
out here,
297
00:10:49,407 --> 00:10:50,753
you made it look easy.
298
00:10:50,788 --> 00:10:53,169
How'd it feel being
on the course?
299
00:10:53,204 --> 00:10:56,310
- That felt
pretty freaking awesome.
300
00:10:56,345 --> 00:10:57,587
- Let me tell you
something, man.
301
00:10:57,622 --> 00:11:00,349
You off the hook, man.
302
00:11:00,383 --> 00:11:01,799
[cheering]
303
00:11:01,833 --> 00:11:03,248
- I love you guys!
304
00:11:04,733 --> 00:11:07,908
- Tonight, it's the final
night of qualifying,
305
00:11:07,943 --> 00:11:10,808
and the stars are out.
- Whoo!
306
00:11:10,842 --> 00:11:14,259
- Karsten Williams crushed
the course last year.
307
00:11:14,294 --> 00:11:16,158
- Let's go!
308
00:11:16,192 --> 00:11:19,023
- Now he's paying it forward
with an auto worker...
309
00:11:19,057 --> 00:11:20,265
[power tool whirrs]
310
00:11:20,300 --> 00:11:21,784
And a World Series winner.
311
00:11:21,819 --> 00:11:22,889
- Let's see what
we can do out there,
312
00:11:22,923 --> 00:11:24,131
make some heads turn.
313
00:11:24,166 --> 00:11:26,030
- No one brings
more joy to the course
314
00:11:26,064 --> 00:11:28,411
than Jeri D'Aurelio.
- Okay, D'Aurelio.
315
00:11:28,446 --> 00:11:29,654
I see you.
316
00:11:29,689 --> 00:11:31,069
- And the Army captain's
recruited
317
00:11:31,104 --> 00:11:33,244
two of her Army buddies.
318
00:11:33,278 --> 00:11:36,212
- We're here to support each
other, and we absolutely do.
319
00:11:36,247 --> 00:11:40,320
- It's all ahead on
"American Ninja Warrior."
320
00:11:44,151 --> 00:11:45,601
- Welcome back, everyone.
321
00:11:45,635 --> 00:11:48,431
We're inside the massive
Dome at America's Center,
322
00:11:48,466 --> 00:11:49,916
and it's our home
for this season of
323
00:11:49,950 --> 00:11:51,780
"American Ninja Warrior."
324
00:11:51,814 --> 00:11:54,886
This is the last
of our four qualifying nights.
325
00:11:54,921 --> 00:11:57,371
The top 12 individuals
and top three women
326
00:11:57,406 --> 00:12:00,340
will move on
to one of our two semifinals,
327
00:12:00,374 --> 00:12:03,274
and only the best
will advance to the finals,
328
00:12:03,308 --> 00:12:06,864
where the winner
takes home $100,000.
329
00:12:09,245 --> 00:12:11,040
And headed to
the start line now,
330
00:12:11,075 --> 00:12:13,353
carrying a huge pair
of scissors
331
00:12:13,387 --> 00:12:16,494
45-year-old Kat Henschen
from Lebanon, Indiana,
332
00:12:16,528 --> 00:12:17,944
and she's a dog groomer.
333
00:12:17,978 --> 00:12:19,669
- Hey, she better not be
running with them scissors.
334
00:12:19,704 --> 00:12:20,981
That's dangerous!
335
00:12:21,016 --> 00:12:22,500
- Well, she was invited
to compete this year
336
00:12:22,534 --> 00:12:25,779
by none other than
the Cowboy Ninja, Lance Pekus,
337
00:12:25,814 --> 00:12:28,368
because these two share
a powerful bond.
338
00:12:28,402 --> 00:12:29,541
- Yeah!
339
00:12:29,576 --> 00:12:32,752
[gentle upbeat music]
340
00:12:32,786 --> 00:12:35,064
Kat--Kat's just
inspiring all around.
341
00:12:35,099 --> 00:12:37,446
She's very passionate
about what she does.
342
00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:39,137
She's very passionate
about animals
343
00:12:39,172 --> 00:12:41,277
and being around animals.
344
00:12:41,312 --> 00:12:43,935
We embody that cowboy spirit,
345
00:12:43,970 --> 00:12:45,799
but Kat and I
have this special bond
346
00:12:45,834 --> 00:12:50,252
because we both deal with
our spouses dealing with MS.
347
00:12:50,286 --> 00:12:52,875
[somber music]
348
00:12:52,910 --> 00:12:56,430
- My husband was diagnosed
in 2012 with MS.
349
00:12:56,465 --> 00:12:57,707
♪
350
00:12:57,742 --> 00:13:00,745
Probably a month later,
we woke up,
351
00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:03,990
and he couldn't walk.
352
00:13:04,024 --> 00:13:09,547
My husband is the most
inspirational person to me.
353
00:13:09,581 --> 00:13:12,412
Before MS,
we did scuba diving,
354
00:13:12,446 --> 00:13:15,001
and jumped out
of airplanes together,
355
00:13:15,035 --> 00:13:18,176
a lot of horseback riding.
356
00:13:18,211 --> 00:13:20,109
[sighs]
357
00:13:20,144 --> 00:13:21,939
♪
358
00:13:21,973 --> 00:13:24,424
It's hard for him
to get on the horse now,
359
00:13:24,458 --> 00:13:26,150
but he'll do it, so...
360
00:13:26,184 --> 00:13:27,358
♪
361
00:13:27,392 --> 00:13:28,738
A lot of times
people will say,
362
00:13:28,773 --> 00:13:30,188
"I'm so sorry
you're going through
363
00:13:30,223 --> 00:13:32,535
what you're going through.
I hate to hear that,"
364
00:13:32,570 --> 00:13:34,089
but Lance knows.
365
00:13:34,123 --> 00:13:37,886
♪
366
00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:40,820
- My wife's been battling
multiple sclerosis,
367
00:13:40,854 --> 00:13:42,304
so I definitely know
368
00:13:42,338 --> 00:13:44,064
the strength it takes
to be a caregiver,
369
00:13:44,099 --> 00:13:45,617
and I know Kat
has that strength.
370
00:13:45,652 --> 00:13:47,792
She shows it every day.
371
00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:50,830
♪
372
00:13:50,864 --> 00:13:53,246
- I feel like being able
to talk to Lance
373
00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:54,868
even after the show is over
374
00:13:54,903 --> 00:13:57,595
is going to be
a blessing for sure.
375
00:14:02,462 --> 00:14:04,153
[cheers and applause]
376
00:14:04,188 --> 00:14:06,880
- And she's blowing kisses
to her husband, B.C.,
377
00:14:06,915 --> 00:14:10,539
who's watching back in Indiana
along with some of the family.
378
00:14:10,573 --> 00:14:12,955
They've got seven grandkids
or step-grandkids.
379
00:14:12,990 --> 00:14:14,992
- Kat out here showing
grandmas can ninja too!
380
00:14:15,026 --> 00:14:16,683
- MS warrior!
Let's do this!
381
00:14:16,717 --> 00:14:19,651
- Lance Pekus calling her
an MS warrior.
382
00:14:19,686 --> 00:14:21,999
He'll be on the sideline
along with the other ninja
383
00:14:22,033 --> 00:14:23,793
he invited,
Luke Mickelson.
384
00:14:23,828 --> 00:14:26,900
[countdown clock beeping]
385
00:14:26,935 --> 00:14:29,696
She's the oldest competitor
tonight at 45.
386
00:14:29,730 --> 00:14:30,731
- Looking good.
- Attagirl.
387
00:14:30,766 --> 00:14:31,732
- Whoo!
- No!
388
00:14:31,767 --> 00:14:33,148
- No!
- Extra swing.
389
00:14:33,182 --> 00:14:35,046
- Did not touch the water,
though, Akbar. So close.
390
00:14:35,081 --> 00:14:36,806
- She--I mean,
came very close.
391
00:14:36,841 --> 00:14:39,257
- She's still alive.
- Keep your foot up.
392
00:14:39,292 --> 00:14:41,190
Nice.
- She survives!
393
00:14:41,225 --> 00:14:43,158
[cheering]
394
00:14:43,192 --> 00:14:46,920
Used up a lot of energy
on that, but she stays alive.
395
00:14:46,955 --> 00:14:48,611
- Don't let that get
in your head!
396
00:14:48,646 --> 00:14:50,372
- Good advice there.
Now Off the Hook.
397
00:14:50,406 --> 00:14:53,616
Only 5'2"--gonna take
a big reach to get started.
398
00:14:53,651 --> 00:14:55,273
- Yeah, she was
a top-ranked gymnast
399
00:14:55,308 --> 00:14:56,688
when she was a teenager.
400
00:14:56,723 --> 00:14:58,069
- And you can see her
generating that power
401
00:14:58,104 --> 00:14:59,277
with that lower body.
- Yeah.
402
00:14:59,312 --> 00:15:01,141
- Big hip swing.
403
00:15:01,176 --> 00:15:03,074
Just on the trapeze--
like on the trapeze.
404
00:15:03,109 --> 00:15:04,351
Yeah, there you go.
405
00:15:04,386 --> 00:15:06,146
- There you go.
- Good form.
406
00:15:06,181 --> 00:15:08,597
- Bring it out, bring it out.
- Go for it!
407
00:15:09,632 --> 00:15:11,117
- Oh, no!
408
00:15:11,151 --> 00:15:13,050
- Aww!
- The hook stuck.
409
00:15:13,084 --> 00:15:15,673
It looked like the hook
caught on her dismount,
410
00:15:15,707 --> 00:15:18,400
and Kat Henschen's
run ends early.
411
00:15:18,434 --> 00:15:20,574
- That's a tough one.
I'm proud of you.
412
00:15:20,609 --> 00:15:21,921
- She showed
that she's a fighter
413
00:15:21,955 --> 00:15:24,475
on that first obstacle,
and then on the second,
414
00:15:24,509 --> 00:15:27,409
her ring got hung up
coming off that first hook,
415
00:15:27,443 --> 00:15:29,273
and she didn't have
the distance,
416
00:15:29,307 --> 00:15:32,759
but you know her husband
is proud of that effort.
417
00:15:32,793 --> 00:15:34,968
[organ playing "Charge"]
418
00:15:35,003 --> 00:15:38,385
- Well, that music should tell
you it's time to play ball!
419
00:15:38,420 --> 00:15:39,869
Our next athlete
420
00:15:39,904 --> 00:15:42,976
is World Series champion
Gary Brown.
421
00:15:43,011 --> 00:15:44,150
This former outfielder
was recruited
422
00:15:44,184 --> 00:15:46,428
by ninja great
Karsten Williams,
423
00:15:46,462 --> 00:15:49,017
who's got the speed gun
going on the sidelines,
424
00:15:49,051 --> 00:15:52,192
because he thinks this guy
can bring the heat.
425
00:15:54,988 --> 00:15:56,921
- Let's go.
Let's go, nice.
426
00:15:56,956 --> 00:15:58,716
Gary Brown,
he's a unique athlete.
427
00:15:58,750 --> 00:15:59,820
He's very quick.
428
00:15:59,855 --> 00:16:01,684
He's very confident
on the course.
429
00:16:01,719 --> 00:16:04,135
Way to flow.
Way to flow.
430
00:16:04,170 --> 00:16:05,481
Yeah!
431
00:16:05,516 --> 00:16:08,484
And he has a background
in hitting baseballs.
432
00:16:08,519 --> 00:16:10,245
- In high school
my senior year,
433
00:16:10,279 --> 00:16:12,247
I think I hit .612.
434
00:16:12,281 --> 00:16:14,352
Pretty good year.
[laughs]
435
00:16:14,387 --> 00:16:16,630
- Safe!
- I was selected 24th overall
436
00:16:16,665 --> 00:16:19,012
in the first round
by the San Francisco Giants.
437
00:16:19,047 --> 00:16:21,083
After four seasons
in the minor leagues,
438
00:16:21,118 --> 00:16:22,119
I got called up
to the big leagues
439
00:16:22,153 --> 00:16:23,396
at the end of the year,
440
00:16:23,430 --> 00:16:25,122
and we had
an unbelievable run
441
00:16:25,156 --> 00:16:27,296
that ended in San Francisco
with a dog pile
442
00:16:27,331 --> 00:16:28,711
and a World Series
championship.
443
00:16:28,746 --> 00:16:32,715
- And the Giants have won
the World Series!
444
00:16:32,750 --> 00:16:34,476
- To get into the big leagues
is one thing.
445
00:16:34,510 --> 00:16:37,272
Staying in the big leagues
is another.
446
00:16:37,306 --> 00:16:39,481
But I left it
all on the field,
447
00:16:39,515 --> 00:16:41,690
and I've got no regrets.
448
00:16:41,724 --> 00:16:44,244
[crowd cheering]
449
00:16:44,279 --> 00:16:46,350
I watched
"American Ninja Warrior."
450
00:16:46,384 --> 00:16:48,869
It was actually a fun thing for
us to watch in the locker room,
451
00:16:48,904 --> 00:16:51,217
and we'd all joke about
how we think we could do it,
452
00:16:51,251 --> 00:16:52,425
and here I am.
453
00:16:52,459 --> 00:16:54,461
- Nice.
Excellent job.
454
00:16:54,496 --> 00:16:56,843
- Karsten's been unbelievable,
and I'm very grateful.
455
00:16:56,877 --> 00:16:59,018
- Let's go, let's go.
Nice.
456
00:16:59,052 --> 00:17:00,502
- I already got a ring.
[bell dings]
457
00:17:00,536 --> 00:17:01,986
Now it's time to get a buzzer.
458
00:17:02,021 --> 00:17:02,987
[bat cracks]
459
00:17:03,022 --> 00:17:05,024
[crowd cheering]
460
00:17:05,955 --> 00:17:07,681
- He's calling his shot!
- Oh, okay!
461
00:17:07,716 --> 00:17:09,959
- He's calling his shot!
- All right! Bai-yah!
462
00:17:09,994 --> 00:17:11,271
- Oh, that's a good swing.
Oh!
463
00:17:11,306 --> 00:17:13,308
- It's going, going, gone!
- Bat flip!
464
00:17:13,342 --> 00:17:15,793
- Yeah, let's go, baby!
465
00:17:15,827 --> 00:17:18,071
- Gary Brown is jacked up.
466
00:17:18,106 --> 00:17:21,074
Now he's blowing kisses
to his wife, his kids,
467
00:17:21,109 --> 00:17:22,972
his mother-in-law
back home in Texas.
468
00:17:23,007 --> 00:17:25,561
And there, his former
Giants teammate,
469
00:17:25,596 --> 00:17:28,150
All-Star shortstop
Brandon Crawford.
470
00:17:28,185 --> 00:17:30,083
- Let's go, Gary.
- And his buddy Karsten
471
00:17:30,118 --> 00:17:32,637
will be on the sidelines,
along with the third member
472
00:17:32,672 --> 00:17:34,225
of their group,
Kaleaha Rayner.
473
00:17:34,260 --> 00:17:35,364
- Let's go, baby!
474
00:17:35,399 --> 00:17:38,816
[countdown clock beeping]
475
00:17:38,850 --> 00:17:40,231
- But, Matt, running the bases
476
00:17:40,266 --> 00:17:42,475
is a lot different
than running a ninja course.
477
00:17:42,509 --> 00:17:43,959
- Nice.
Good swing, there you go.
478
00:17:43,993 --> 00:17:45,650
[cheering]
479
00:17:45,685 --> 00:17:47,652
- But through
the first obstacle.
480
00:17:47,687 --> 00:17:50,483
Now he is on Off the Hook.
- Up and down.
481
00:17:50,517 --> 00:17:52,692
- Generate a little power
with--that's how you hit.
482
00:17:52,726 --> 00:17:54,107
- Yeah, he knows this.
- Use your hips
483
00:17:54,142 --> 00:17:55,729
to really generate power,
gotta do it here.
484
00:17:55,764 --> 00:17:57,317
- Yeah, he knows this very
well from his baseball days.
485
00:17:57,352 --> 00:17:58,594
- Oh, my!
486
00:17:58,629 --> 00:18:00,217
Use your hips!
487
00:18:00,251 --> 00:18:01,528
- He's going now.
488
00:18:01,563 --> 00:18:05,325
- A bit outside,
but still hanging on.
489
00:18:05,360 --> 00:18:06,326
- Okay, you got it.
Here you go.
490
00:18:06,361 --> 00:18:08,121
Now you got plenty.
491
00:18:08,156 --> 00:18:09,985
Pull that chest forward.
Nice, there we go.
492
00:18:10,019 --> 00:18:11,987
- Matt, he avoided
a strikeout there.
493
00:18:12,021 --> 00:18:13,575
[cheering]
- He turned two.
494
00:18:13,609 --> 00:18:16,198
Now he's looking to the third
obstacle, the Beehive.
495
00:18:16,233 --> 00:18:18,097
Could be a little
chin music up here.
496
00:18:18,131 --> 00:18:19,926
- Well, Matt, at the top
of the third, so far,
497
00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:22,066
so good for Gary Brown.
498
00:18:22,101 --> 00:18:23,447
- Nice.
- Nice grab.
499
00:18:23,481 --> 00:18:25,069
- Are you sure
he's a baseball player?
500
00:18:25,104 --> 00:18:27,934
- Akbar, bite your tongue.
Baseball players are athletes.
501
00:18:27,968 --> 00:18:29,246
Watch it, a flying grab here.
- Excellent work, Gary.
502
00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:30,833
Make sure to breathe.
- My goodness.
503
00:18:30,868 --> 00:18:32,594
- It'll be a real challenge.
- He looking real smooth.
504
00:18:32,628 --> 00:18:34,043
- Gary Brown!
- Nice.
505
00:18:34,078 --> 00:18:37,599
- And this rookie is
knocking it out of the park,
506
00:18:37,633 --> 00:18:40,015
and he is through.
- Come on, come on!
507
00:18:40,049 --> 00:18:41,913
- Now facing Spinning Bridge.
508
00:18:41,948 --> 00:18:44,019
- Well, he set a record
for stolen bases
509
00:18:44,053 --> 00:18:46,987
at Cal State Fullerton,
so we know he has speed.
510
00:18:47,022 --> 00:18:49,093
- And the Big Kat's
gonna use that speed gun
511
00:18:49,128 --> 00:18:50,543
to see just how fast
512
00:18:50,577 --> 00:18:53,166
Brown runs across
this obstacle.
513
00:18:53,201 --> 00:18:54,892
- Nice, nice!
- Yeah!
514
00:18:54,926 --> 00:18:57,170
- Okay!
- Through the Spinning Bridge!
515
00:18:57,205 --> 00:18:59,276
- Nice, whoo!
- Hey, Gary!
516
00:18:59,310 --> 00:19:00,553
Gary!
517
00:19:00,587 --> 00:19:01,864
Safe!
Safe!
518
00:19:01,899 --> 00:19:04,143
- Come on, buddy.
[laughter]
519
00:19:04,177 --> 00:19:06,490
Now gotta face Sideways.
520
00:19:06,524 --> 00:19:09,631
His job as a baseball scout
is to find talented athletes.
521
00:19:09,665 --> 00:19:11,943
I think we've found a new one
in Gary Brown.
522
00:19:11,978 --> 00:19:14,014
- Matt, he's
our first competitor ever
523
00:19:14,049 --> 00:19:15,568
with a World Series ring,
524
00:19:15,602 --> 00:19:18,398
but I bet he'd like a buzzer
to go with it.
525
00:19:18,433 --> 00:19:19,813
- This is so impressive.
526
00:19:19,848 --> 00:19:21,539
Again, Akbar, this is not a--
527
00:19:21,574 --> 00:19:22,678
- No!
528
00:19:22,713 --> 00:19:24,128
Going, going, gone!
529
00:19:24,163 --> 00:19:26,820
- The grip gives out!
530
00:19:26,855 --> 00:19:30,238
Swinging Gary Brown
strikes out there
531
00:19:30,272 --> 00:19:32,757
on our fifth obstacle,
Sideways.
532
00:19:32,792 --> 00:19:34,897
- He was having a big night,
533
00:19:34,932 --> 00:19:37,141
four for four heading
into Sideways,
534
00:19:37,176 --> 00:19:40,282
but he made an error, couldn't
grab the slider cleanly,
535
00:19:40,317 --> 00:19:42,905
and it was game over
for Gary Brown.
536
00:19:42,940 --> 00:19:45,218
[crowd groans]
537
00:19:45,253 --> 00:19:46,840
- Oh, I whiffed.
538
00:19:46,875 --> 00:19:49,705
Swing and a miss.
Dang.
539
00:19:49,740 --> 00:19:52,605
- Up next...
- Oh!
540
00:19:52,639 --> 00:19:56,229
- She's been close before.
[crowd groans]
541
00:19:56,264 --> 00:19:59,853
- No, again? Again?
Again? No!
542
00:19:59,888 --> 00:20:03,098
- Now Tiana Webberley's
ready for her first buzzer.
543
00:20:03,132 --> 00:20:04,927
- Ready to take one obstacle
at a time.
544
00:20:04,962 --> 00:20:07,067
Smooth is fast.
Let's go.
545
00:20:07,102 --> 00:20:09,622
- When "American Ninja
Warrior" returns.
546
00:20:12,245 --> 00:20:14,558
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior"
547
00:20:14,592 --> 00:20:17,837
inside the Dome at
America's Center in St. Louis.
548
00:20:17,871 --> 00:20:21,254
While we were away, seven-time
ninja veteran Kevin Bull
549
00:20:21,289 --> 00:20:22,566
charged onto the course
550
00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:24,671
with the ninjas
he brought this year.
551
00:20:24,706 --> 00:20:27,433
- Come on!
- First up was Isaiah Barney.
552
00:20:27,467 --> 00:20:29,538
- [chanting in native language]
- Who led his trio
553
00:20:29,573 --> 00:20:31,816
in a traditional
Maori haka dance
554
00:20:31,851 --> 00:20:34,129
to honor his Polynesian roots.
555
00:20:34,163 --> 00:20:37,201
- [chanting in native language]
556
00:20:38,444 --> 00:20:39,548
- Whoo!
All right!
557
00:20:39,583 --> 00:20:41,032
- That just got me pumped up.
558
00:20:41,067 --> 00:20:42,344
Let's go run the course.
Come on, Matt.
559
00:20:42,379 --> 00:20:45,036
- We didn't run the course,
but Barney did,
560
00:20:45,071 --> 00:20:47,211
and the 22-year-old
came out strong.
561
00:20:47,246 --> 00:20:49,178
- Nice!
- Barney's a decathlete
562
00:20:49,213 --> 00:20:50,283
like Kevin Bull,
563
00:20:50,318 --> 00:20:52,147
but the 6'3" track athlete
564
00:20:52,181 --> 00:20:53,976
surprisingly lost his footing
565
00:20:54,011 --> 00:20:55,495
on the Spinning Bridge.
566
00:20:55,530 --> 00:20:57,290
- Go, go! Oh, no!
- Oh!
567
00:20:57,325 --> 00:20:58,878
[groaning]
568
00:20:58,912 --> 00:21:02,019
Next up was Stillwater,
Minnesota's Abbey Steffl.
569
00:21:02,053 --> 00:21:05,091
She got into ninja because
of her daughter, Molly.
570
00:21:05,125 --> 00:21:08,025
Molly has alopecia
like Kevin Bull,
571
00:21:08,059 --> 00:21:10,476
and the two met at a camp
for alopecia kids
572
00:21:10,510 --> 00:21:12,271
and became best friends.
573
00:21:12,305 --> 00:21:14,859
- This is why Kevin Bull
has her on his team.
574
00:21:14,894 --> 00:21:16,827
It's great.
- And with Molly and the rest
575
00:21:16,861 --> 00:21:18,656
of her family
watching from home,
576
00:21:18,691 --> 00:21:21,210
this 39-year-old
showed her mom strength...
577
00:21:21,245 --> 00:21:23,247
- Nice!
Just like that!
578
00:21:23,282 --> 00:21:25,939
- And conquered
the first two obstacles.
579
00:21:25,974 --> 00:21:27,803
- We'll call that
the Steffl Shuffle.
580
00:21:27,838 --> 00:21:30,289
- She battled her way
across the Beehive
581
00:21:30,323 --> 00:21:32,429
before finally losing
her grip.
582
00:21:32,463 --> 00:21:33,706
- Grab it, grab--oh!
583
00:21:33,740 --> 00:21:35,984
She had it and missed!
Ohh!
584
00:21:36,018 --> 00:21:38,366
- Good job, Abbey!
- Good effort, good effort.
585
00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:40,471
- Oh, my gosh,
I love those people.
586
00:21:40,506 --> 00:21:43,025
- Then it was the first
of the California crew
587
00:21:43,060 --> 00:21:45,787
led by six-time veteran
Tiana Webberley,
588
00:21:45,821 --> 00:21:48,652
and leading it off for them
was an inspirational rookie
589
00:21:48,686 --> 00:21:52,034
from Marina del Ray,
Chinna Balachandran.
590
00:21:52,069 --> 00:21:54,347
[cheering]
- This school psychologist
591
00:21:54,382 --> 00:21:58,178
suffered a life-threatening
brain injury in 2019.
592
00:21:58,213 --> 00:21:59,939
He had a huge piece
of his skull removed
593
00:21:59,973 --> 00:22:02,700
and had to go through
a long rehab process
594
00:22:02,735 --> 00:22:05,082
to learn to walk
and talk again.
595
00:22:05,116 --> 00:22:06,670
- Hi, Chinna.
- Hey, Dad.
596
00:22:06,704 --> 00:22:08,430
- You got this!
- Miraculously,
597
00:22:08,465 --> 00:22:11,813
just a year later he came out
to take on our course.
598
00:22:11,847 --> 00:22:13,677
- Nice!
- Yes, get off, perfect.
599
00:22:13,711 --> 00:22:15,851
- After surviving
the Shrinking Steps,
600
00:22:15,886 --> 00:22:18,578
the 31-year-old
saw his inspiring run end
601
00:22:18,613 --> 00:22:19,786
on Off the Hook.
602
00:22:19,821 --> 00:22:21,823
- Oh, no!
- Oh!
603
00:22:21,857 --> 00:22:24,619
- Considering what he's been
through, that's pretty good.
604
00:22:26,068 --> 00:22:27,863
- Now heading up
to the start line,
605
00:22:27,898 --> 00:22:30,694
another member of Sweet T's
inspiring trio,
606
00:22:30,728 --> 00:22:33,800
32-year-old
stay-at-home mom Katie Lanza.
607
00:22:33,835 --> 00:22:35,284
- Go, Katie!
- Whoo!
608
00:22:35,319 --> 00:22:36,424
- Tiana helped her mom
get through
609
00:22:36,458 --> 00:22:38,426
a kidney transplant
last year,
610
00:22:38,460 --> 00:22:40,393
so she's totally bonded
with Katie,
611
00:22:40,428 --> 00:22:42,050
who's been dealing with
the life-threatening illness
612
00:22:42,084 --> 00:22:44,397
of her son Nolan,
613
00:22:44,432 --> 00:22:46,710
or as she calls him,
Nolan the Champ.
614
00:22:50,679 --> 00:22:51,818
- You know,
from the start,
615
00:22:51,853 --> 00:22:53,924
Nolan had to
come out fighting.
616
00:22:53,958 --> 00:22:55,684
He was born premature.
617
00:22:55,719 --> 00:22:58,618
He was very small.
He was four pounds.
618
00:22:58,653 --> 00:23:00,517
When we brought him home,
he was fine,
619
00:23:00,551 --> 00:23:01,794
but then all of a sudden
620
00:23:01,828 --> 00:23:04,003
he started getting
really, really sick.
621
00:23:04,037 --> 00:23:05,418
[somber music]
622
00:23:05,453 --> 00:23:06,730
He ended up being diagnosed
623
00:23:06,764 --> 00:23:10,768
with a genetic condition
known as HLH.
624
00:23:10,803 --> 00:23:14,565
In order to survive, he had to
have a bone marrow transplant.
625
00:23:16,187 --> 00:23:19,363
It was the most
devastating news
626
00:23:19,398 --> 00:23:22,159
that I've ever heard
in my life.
627
00:23:22,193 --> 00:23:24,817
I thought I was going
to lose my baby boy.
628
00:23:27,475 --> 00:23:29,856
He was getting chemotherapy
every week
629
00:23:29,891 --> 00:23:31,824
and steroids every day.
630
00:23:31,858 --> 00:23:34,067
We were in the hospital
for over a month,
631
00:23:34,102 --> 00:23:39,210
but at the same time, like,
Nolan was just so joyful.
632
00:23:39,245 --> 00:23:42,179
[laughter]
633
00:23:42,213 --> 00:23:43,939
He'd have dance parties
with the nurses.
634
00:23:43,974 --> 00:23:46,770
They would play music, and
he'd kick his arms and legs.
635
00:23:46,804 --> 00:23:48,703
It gave me peace
that he was going to fight
636
00:23:48,737 --> 00:23:51,153
with everything inside of him
637
00:23:51,188 --> 00:23:54,260
to be able to live
and live joyfully.
638
00:23:54,294 --> 00:23:57,815
- ♪ I am not afraid
to take chances ♪
639
00:23:57,850 --> 00:24:00,611
- You ready to go
to the ninja gym?
640
00:24:00,646 --> 00:24:02,061
- Yeah.
641
00:24:02,095 --> 00:24:04,615
I started training
for "American Ninja Warrior"
642
00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:06,375
when we were in the hospital
with Nolan,
643
00:24:06,410 --> 00:24:08,274
and that's when I met
Tiana Webberley.
644
00:24:08,308 --> 00:24:10,379
- Hey!
- Hi, there!
645
00:24:10,414 --> 00:24:12,036
- I met Katie at a gym,
646
00:24:12,071 --> 00:24:14,970
and just coming out
of my mom's surgery,
647
00:24:15,005 --> 00:24:16,627
we just really connected,
648
00:24:16,662 --> 00:24:19,423
and Nolan is just--
he's adorable.
649
00:24:19,458 --> 00:24:21,667
- ♪ 'Cause I
650
00:24:21,701 --> 00:24:24,359
♪ I've got you
651
00:24:24,393 --> 00:24:27,431
- His will to live...
- Yay, Mama!
652
00:24:27,466 --> 00:24:28,639
- Just with so much happiness
653
00:24:28,674 --> 00:24:30,261
has really inspired me
654
00:24:30,296 --> 00:24:31,918
to live my life to the fullest.
655
00:24:31,953 --> 00:24:33,575
That's why he's the Champ.
656
00:24:33,610 --> 00:24:35,335
No matter what obstacles
are thrown at him,
657
00:24:35,370 --> 00:24:36,475
he's gonna fight it.
658
00:24:36,509 --> 00:24:39,478
- ♪ And I got you
659
00:24:39,512 --> 00:24:41,583
♪
660
00:24:41,618 --> 00:24:43,067
- Just makes you smile,
661
00:24:43,102 --> 00:24:45,380
that connection
between Katie and Tiana,
662
00:24:45,414 --> 00:24:48,417
that's what this season
is all about, rising together.
663
00:24:48,452 --> 00:24:50,212
[cheering]
664
00:24:50,247 --> 00:24:52,145
And there's Nolan cheering
for his mom
665
00:24:52,180 --> 00:24:54,493
along with Katie's husband
and parents.
666
00:24:55,770 --> 00:24:58,531
- Well, Matt, you can see
Katie at the start line
667
00:24:58,566 --> 00:24:59,739
getting a little emotional.
668
00:24:59,774 --> 00:25:01,638
You know, Matt,
her being here,
669
00:25:01,672 --> 00:25:03,467
she's a champ too.
670
00:25:03,502 --> 00:25:05,504
[countdown clock beeping]
- Says she dreamed
671
00:25:05,538 --> 00:25:06,884
of competing
on "Ninja Warrior"
672
00:25:06,919 --> 00:25:08,817
when she was in the hospital
with Nolan,
673
00:25:08,852 --> 00:25:10,301
so you know how much
this means to her.
674
00:25:10,336 --> 00:25:11,682
- Come on, come on.
Oh, nope, no, no, no, no.
675
00:25:11,717 --> 00:25:13,235
Come on.
- Good save!
676
00:25:13,270 --> 00:25:14,443
- Oh, no, no!
- Oh, yes!
677
00:25:14,478 --> 00:25:15,962
- My word!
- Yes! Yes!
678
00:25:15,997 --> 00:25:18,793
- Are you kidding me?
- A great save.
679
00:25:18,827 --> 00:25:20,311
[cheering]
680
00:25:20,346 --> 00:25:22,521
- Whoo-hoo!
- My goodness!
681
00:25:22,555 --> 00:25:24,868
She was barely able
to keep her left foot
682
00:25:24,902 --> 00:25:27,733
out of the water,
not once but twice.
683
00:25:27,767 --> 00:25:30,425
She's a fighter.
I see you, Katie Lanza!
684
00:25:30,459 --> 00:25:33,808
- Well, she learned from
watching her son Nolan.
685
00:25:33,842 --> 00:25:35,603
Here she is on Off the Hook.
686
00:25:35,637 --> 00:25:39,365
- Go, Mama! Say, "Go!"
So excited!
687
00:25:39,399 --> 00:25:41,609
- Nolan spent
two months in the hospital
688
00:25:41,643 --> 00:25:42,920
during his transplant.
689
00:25:42,955 --> 00:25:44,473
Katie said she would watch
"Ninja Warrior"
690
00:25:44,508 --> 00:25:46,821
in the waiting room
every day for comfort,
691
00:25:46,855 --> 00:25:48,029
and she got hooked.
692
00:25:48,063 --> 00:25:49,202
- Now she needs to get
that ring
693
00:25:49,237 --> 00:25:50,825
and put it on the hook.
694
00:25:50,859 --> 00:25:52,067
- Generating a little bit
of power,
695
00:25:52,102 --> 00:25:53,724
may need a little more.
696
00:25:53,759 --> 00:25:56,520
- Ooh.
- That's all right.
697
00:25:56,555 --> 00:25:58,073
- You know what?
Some runs are
698
00:25:58,108 --> 00:25:59,558
so much bigger than a buzzer.
699
00:25:59,592 --> 00:26:02,284
- Awesome job, Katie!
- Just by being out here,
700
00:26:02,319 --> 00:26:04,770
Katie showed
that same spirit her son
701
00:26:04,804 --> 00:26:07,013
Nolan has,
that champion spirit.
702
00:26:07,048 --> 00:26:09,153
- We love you, Mom!
703
00:26:09,188 --> 00:26:10,396
- It was just so amazing,
704
00:26:10,430 --> 00:26:12,087
and I'm just so grateful
to be here.
705
00:26:12,122 --> 00:26:13,537
Thank you.
706
00:26:13,572 --> 00:26:15,435
- Well, if you're like Katie
and you've dreamed
707
00:26:15,470 --> 00:26:17,058
of being
an American Ninja Warrior,
708
00:26:17,092 --> 00:26:18,818
why not apply for next year?
709
00:26:18,853 --> 00:26:21,200
Just go to ANWcasting.com,
710
00:26:21,234 --> 00:26:23,754
and we could see you
on the course next season.
711
00:26:23,789 --> 00:26:25,100
[cheers and applause]
712
00:26:25,135 --> 00:26:26,826
Well, now it's time
for Katie's mentor,
713
00:26:26,861 --> 00:26:28,379
Tiana Webberley.
714
00:26:28,414 --> 00:26:29,726
Sweet T has become
715
00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:32,142
one of ninja's
most popular women athletes,
716
00:26:32,176 --> 00:26:35,594
and she always has
a ton of family support.
717
00:26:35,628 --> 00:26:37,630
And that's her mom,
who we mentioned earlier.
718
00:26:37,665 --> 00:26:39,632
She had the kidney transplant.
719
00:26:39,667 --> 00:26:41,565
She's watching
with Tiana's aunt,
720
00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:43,532
plus Tiana's sister and dad,
721
00:26:43,567 --> 00:26:45,534
and Nolan the Champ
has changed shirts.
722
00:26:45,569 --> 00:26:47,847
Now he's cheering for Tiana.
723
00:26:47,882 --> 00:26:50,263
So far this season,
four women have hit buzzers.
724
00:26:50,298 --> 00:26:52,196
Can Tiana
finally get her first
725
00:26:52,231 --> 00:26:54,405
and add her name to that list?
726
00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:57,650
[countdown clock beeping]
727
00:26:57,685 --> 00:27:00,446
This is Sweet T's
sixth season competing.
728
00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:03,276
She qualified for the national
finals the past two years.
729
00:27:03,311 --> 00:27:05,485
- Whoo!
- Just a good, confident
730
00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:06,797
start here out of Sweet T,
731
00:27:06,832 --> 00:27:09,248
now on to Off the Hook.
732
00:27:09,282 --> 00:27:10,525
This hook can be tricky,
733
00:27:10,559 --> 00:27:13,045
getting it off
that side hook there.
734
00:27:13,079 --> 00:27:15,357
Sometimes the hook sticks,
but as a pole vaulter,
735
00:27:15,392 --> 00:27:17,014
understands
how to generate power.
736
00:27:17,049 --> 00:27:18,291
- Yeah, spatial awareness,
737
00:27:18,326 --> 00:27:20,190
get that ring,
put it on that peg.
738
00:27:20,224 --> 00:27:21,570
- Got it.
- Nice.
739
00:27:21,605 --> 00:27:24,056
- She got it!
- This obstacle ended the runs
740
00:27:24,090 --> 00:27:25,644
of the two ninjas she brought,
741
00:27:25,678 --> 00:27:28,336
but doesn't look like
it's gonna get Tiana.
742
00:27:28,370 --> 00:27:29,544
and she is through.
743
00:27:29,578 --> 00:27:31,063
- Yeah!
Good job.
744
00:27:31,097 --> 00:27:32,961
[cheers and applause]
745
00:27:32,996 --> 00:27:34,653
- Now facing the Beehive.
746
00:27:34,687 --> 00:27:36,689
Tiana now 28 years old,
747
00:27:36,724 --> 00:27:40,141
says she's in the best shape
she's been in in years.
748
00:27:40,175 --> 00:27:41,142
5'4".
749
00:27:41,176 --> 00:27:42,488
- Look at that!
- Wow.
750
00:27:42,522 --> 00:27:43,731
Goes just super-aggressive
on that 270!
751
00:27:43,765 --> 00:27:45,249
- Now, this is
the hard transfer
752
00:27:45,284 --> 00:27:48,874
'cause as you can see,
you're moving parallel here
753
00:27:48,908 --> 00:27:51,393
to the handles.
754
00:27:51,428 --> 00:27:52,809
Gets it.
- Okay.
755
00:27:52,843 --> 00:27:56,778
- Great veteran move
out of Sweet T,
756
00:27:56,813 --> 00:27:59,919
and she sticks it,
looking strong!
757
00:28:00,748 --> 00:28:03,474
Now the former pole vaulter
at Cal State Northridge
758
00:28:03,509 --> 00:28:05,200
facing Spinning Bridge.
759
00:28:05,235 --> 00:28:06,201
- Look at that.
You see her doing
760
00:28:06,236 --> 00:28:07,409
that little track thing,
761
00:28:07,444 --> 00:28:08,445
like, that little
bouncing back.
762
00:28:08,479 --> 00:28:09,446
Nice.
- Oh!
763
00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:10,585
- Nice--oh, hold on!
764
00:28:10,619 --> 00:28:11,793
You better fight
for your life!
765
00:28:11,828 --> 00:28:13,243
You better
fight for your life!
766
00:28:13,277 --> 00:28:14,347
[cheering]
767
00:28:14,382 --> 00:28:16,695
- Yes, come on!
Yes!
768
00:28:16,729 --> 00:28:19,042
- We may have to look
at that one again.
769
00:28:19,076 --> 00:28:20,837
- She stumbled
and went airborne
770
00:28:20,871 --> 00:28:23,011
over that last one,
slammed into the pad,
771
00:28:23,046 --> 00:28:25,565
and was just barely able
to hang on.
772
00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,465
- One more obstacle
before the Warped Wall.
773
00:28:28,499 --> 00:28:30,881
- Hey, go get
that buzzer, girl!
774
00:28:30,916 --> 00:28:33,815
- The fifth obstacle used to
be a roadblock for her.
775
00:28:33,850 --> 00:28:35,886
She fell on it
three straight years
776
00:28:35,921 --> 00:28:37,854
before breaking through
in season ten
777
00:28:37,888 --> 00:28:39,165
at the city finals,
778
00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:41,305
but still has not hit
her first buzzer.
779
00:28:41,340 --> 00:28:42,686
- Matt, I think this
is her year.
780
00:28:42,721 --> 00:28:44,067
She looks so strong.
781
00:28:44,101 --> 00:28:45,551
- Nice, simultaneously,
and look at--
782
00:28:45,585 --> 00:28:47,035
- Great grab.
- And she's getting
783
00:28:47,070 --> 00:28:49,348
a lot of air time as well,
and that really helps.
784
00:28:49,382 --> 00:28:50,729
- This is a pre--
it's a precise obstacle.
785
00:28:50,763 --> 00:28:52,765
You have to grab front
and back simultaneously.
786
00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:54,111
- Look at that, showing off.
- Otherwise, that handle
787
00:28:54,146 --> 00:28:55,975
will spin.
- Oh, look at that.
788
00:28:56,010 --> 00:28:57,149
All right,
she's getting ready.
789
00:28:57,183 --> 00:28:58,944
Now look at the air time
she gets.
790
00:28:58,978 --> 00:29:00,773
The hang time allows her
to grab it simultaneously.
791
00:29:00,808 --> 00:29:02,361
Nice.
- Great job.
792
00:29:02,395 --> 00:29:04,397
And you can see,
kipping those hips up
793
00:29:04,432 --> 00:29:06,123
while pulling the arms
down and around.
794
00:29:06,158 --> 00:29:07,815
- Come on, Sweet T.
Come on, Sweet T!
795
00:29:07,849 --> 00:29:09,057
- Oh, that was great form.
796
00:29:09,092 --> 00:29:11,197
- Yeah, she almost got
in the way.
797
00:29:11,232 --> 00:29:13,613
Nice.
- Oh, watch that wall.
798
00:29:13,648 --> 00:29:15,961
Yes!
- Yes!
799
00:29:15,995 --> 00:29:18,791
- 14 1/2 feet away
from her first buzzer!
800
00:29:18,826 --> 00:29:20,068
- Go get it!
801
00:29:20,103 --> 00:29:22,312
- Her family's going crazy!
802
00:29:22,346 --> 00:29:25,798
A moment six years in
the making here in St. Louis.
803
00:29:25,833 --> 00:29:27,627
all: [chanting] Beat that wall!
- Sweet T...
804
00:29:27,662 --> 00:29:28,905
The Warped Wall!
- History in the room!
805
00:29:28,939 --> 00:29:30,492
History in the room!
- Got it!
806
00:29:30,527 --> 00:29:32,287
- Yes!
807
00:29:32,322 --> 00:29:33,875
- Her first buzzer!
[buzzer blares]
808
00:29:33,910 --> 00:29:36,153
- ♪ This is all we ever want
809
00:29:36,188 --> 00:29:39,156
[cheering]
810
00:29:39,191 --> 00:29:41,780
[triumphant music]
811
00:29:41,814 --> 00:29:43,540
A long time coming.
812
00:29:43,574 --> 00:29:46,267
- Yes!
Yes!
813
00:29:46,301 --> 00:29:48,510
- Enjoy that moment.
814
00:29:48,545 --> 00:29:50,029
- I love you all!
815
00:29:50,064 --> 00:29:51,306
- This is where you gotta
816
00:29:51,341 --> 00:29:53,481
just let that sizzle
in your spirit right there.
817
00:29:53,515 --> 00:29:55,448
Let this sizzle
in your spirit,
818
00:29:55,483 --> 00:29:57,623
your first buzzer!
819
00:29:57,657 --> 00:29:59,314
- Oh!
- Congratulations!
820
00:29:59,349 --> 00:30:00,902
- Thank you all.
Thank you so much.
821
00:30:00,937 --> 00:30:02,939
- She had been close before,
822
00:30:02,973 --> 00:30:04,492
but after six years,
823
00:30:04,526 --> 00:30:06,908
she finally pulled herself
over the top
824
00:30:06,943 --> 00:30:09,117
and got her first buzzer.
825
00:30:09,152 --> 00:30:10,670
Her family knew what it meant.
826
00:30:10,705 --> 00:30:12,776
She joins
an elite group of women
827
00:30:12,811 --> 00:30:14,709
who hit buzzers in qualifying.
828
00:30:14,743 --> 00:30:17,539
- I gotta say, we get some
special moments on this show.
829
00:30:17,574 --> 00:30:18,609
This is one of them.
830
00:30:18,644 --> 00:30:20,025
Let's go down to Zuri.
831
00:30:20,059 --> 00:30:23,235
- Sweet T, what a run,
competing for six years,
832
00:30:23,269 --> 00:30:25,237
and to finally hit
your first buzzer.
833
00:30:25,271 --> 00:30:26,928
What does that mean to you?
834
00:30:26,963 --> 00:30:29,103
- It means the world,
and it just, I hope,
835
00:30:29,137 --> 00:30:31,864
shows that, you know, no matter
how many times you fall,
836
00:30:31,899 --> 00:30:33,762
just keep working hard
and never give up,
837
00:30:33,797 --> 00:30:35,695
and you can definitely
achieve your goals.
838
00:30:35,730 --> 00:30:37,042
- I love it.
I love it.
839
00:30:37,076 --> 00:30:39,527
Well, congratulations.
Hey, fam, hey, friends.
840
00:30:39,561 --> 00:30:41,425
I know you guys are proud
of this one right here.
841
00:30:41,460 --> 00:30:43,634
Her first buzzer!
- Love you guys.
842
00:30:43,669 --> 00:30:45,671
- And we've got lots
more action still ahead
843
00:30:45,705 --> 00:30:47,846
on "American Ninja Warrior."
844
00:30:50,952 --> 00:30:54,059
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior."
845
00:30:54,093 --> 00:30:55,405
While we were away,
846
00:30:55,439 --> 00:30:56,889
it was the remaining members
of the group
847
00:30:56,924 --> 00:31:01,273
led by the Cowboy Ninja,
Idaho rancher Lance Pekus.
848
00:31:01,307 --> 00:31:04,034
First up was fellow Idahoan
Luke Mickelson.
849
00:31:04,069 --> 00:31:06,519
He wanted to raise awareness
for his nonprofit
850
00:31:06,554 --> 00:31:09,488
that builds bunk beds
for underprivileged kids.
851
00:31:09,522 --> 00:31:12,215
- No kid sleeps on the floor
in our town.
852
00:31:12,249 --> 00:31:15,011
- The father of three admits
he's got a dad bod,
853
00:31:15,045 --> 00:31:17,151
but even at 215 pounds,
854
00:31:17,185 --> 00:31:19,808
he managed to dance
across the Shrinking Steps.
855
00:31:19,843 --> 00:31:21,086
- All right, come on,
big fella.
856
00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:22,432
- Nice and easy!
857
00:31:22,466 --> 00:31:25,159
- But on Off the Hook,
it was lights out.
858
00:31:25,193 --> 00:31:26,505
No!
859
00:31:26,539 --> 00:31:28,438
[all groaning]
860
00:31:28,472 --> 00:31:31,924
- "Goodnight Irene" song
from Luke Mickelson.
861
00:31:31,959 --> 00:31:34,823
- Then it was time for
the Cowboy Ninja to saddle up.
862
00:31:34,858 --> 00:31:37,688
With his wife, Heather,
and kids cheering him on,
863
00:31:37,723 --> 00:31:39,759
Pekus put on a show.
864
00:31:39,794 --> 00:31:42,176
The cattle rancher
stampeded through
865
00:31:42,210 --> 00:31:44,833
the first few obstacles.
- Whoo!
866
00:31:44,868 --> 00:31:46,456
- Oh!
- The shirt comes off!
867
00:31:46,490 --> 00:31:49,114
- Shirt comes off!
- Yeah, Daddy!
868
00:31:49,148 --> 00:31:50,529
- He's powered by beef.
869
00:31:50,563 --> 00:31:52,324
Even though I'm vegan,
I'm down with it.
870
00:31:52,358 --> 00:31:53,670
[cheering]
871
00:31:53,704 --> 00:31:56,190
- He even took a shot
at the Mega Wall.
872
00:31:56,224 --> 00:31:57,985
Oh!
- It was the baggy jeans.
873
00:31:58,019 --> 00:31:59,641
- You got this, right here.
- This is it.
874
00:31:59,676 --> 00:32:02,161
- But he came back to clear
the regular wall
875
00:32:02,196 --> 00:32:04,232
and became the third finisher
of the night.
876
00:32:04,267 --> 00:32:05,889
[buzzer blaring]
[cheering]
877
00:32:05,924 --> 00:32:08,892
- I wanted that one,
but I'll take it.
878
00:32:10,100 --> 00:32:12,827
- And now it's a new group
starting on the course.
879
00:32:12,861 --> 00:32:15,416
This is Amir Malik.
880
00:32:15,450 --> 00:32:16,762
He's a 20-year-old rookie
881
00:32:16,796 --> 00:32:18,902
from tiny Essex Junction,
Vermont.
882
00:32:18,937 --> 00:32:21,663
He was selected by one of
last year's top rookies,
883
00:32:21,698 --> 00:32:23,872
David Wright...
- Let's go, Amir!
884
00:32:23,907 --> 00:32:25,391
- Better known
as Da Cake Ninja.
885
00:32:25,426 --> 00:32:27,186
- You got this, playa!
- With their other member,
886
00:32:27,221 --> 00:32:30,224
Alex Carson, this trio
has got something cooking.
887
00:32:30,258 --> 00:32:32,226
- It's you, buddy!
888
00:32:32,260 --> 00:32:33,986
- It's cake time.
889
00:32:34,021 --> 00:32:35,988
I'm floured up.
Let's go.
890
00:32:36,023 --> 00:32:38,163
[exciting music]
891
00:32:38,197 --> 00:32:40,027
- Amir is a baker,
892
00:32:40,061 --> 00:32:41,614
and he's fantastic.
893
00:32:41,649 --> 00:32:45,411
♪
894
00:32:45,446 --> 00:32:48,380
- Cheesecakes, tarts,
meringues.
895
00:32:49,277 --> 00:32:50,761
- There's a lot of things
that go into
896
00:32:50,796 --> 00:32:52,004
making a good cake, you know.
897
00:32:52,039 --> 00:32:54,489
A lot of love,
gotta measure correctly.
898
00:32:54,524 --> 00:32:57,285
- Baking's serious, man.
You mess up, you done.
899
00:32:57,320 --> 00:32:58,700
- [laughs]
900
00:32:58,735 --> 00:32:59,978
♪
901
00:33:00,012 --> 00:33:01,427
- ♪ Whoo!
902
00:33:01,462 --> 00:33:04,223
- And then Alex makes
cheesecakes, which is...
903
00:33:04,258 --> 00:33:05,500
♪
904
00:33:05,535 --> 00:33:07,744
Kinda like cake.
905
00:33:07,778 --> 00:33:08,917
- ♪ Come on
906
00:33:08,952 --> 00:33:10,712
- It takes time,
but thankfully,
907
00:33:10,747 --> 00:33:13,163
I have two gentlemen
that really appreciate
908
00:33:13,198 --> 00:33:14,578
the time it takes
to make a cake.
909
00:33:14,613 --> 00:33:15,821
- Oh.
- Oh, yeah.
910
00:33:15,855 --> 00:33:17,581
- Well done, Alex, well done.
- Yes, sir.
911
00:33:17,616 --> 00:33:19,031
- They like to bake the cakes,
912
00:33:19,066 --> 00:33:20,653
and I like
to devour the cakes.
913
00:33:20,688 --> 00:33:22,034
- That's nice.
That's nice.
914
00:33:22,069 --> 00:33:23,794
- Being able to have two guys
915
00:33:23,829 --> 00:33:25,141
who can make cakes
for me is...
916
00:33:25,175 --> 00:33:26,935
♪
917
00:33:26,970 --> 00:33:29,214
Kinda awesome.
[laughs]
918
00:33:29,248 --> 00:33:30,456
- ♪ Ow!
919
00:33:30,491 --> 00:33:31,975
[can splurting]
920
00:33:32,010 --> 00:33:33,908
- The three of us
are really bonding well.
921
00:33:33,942 --> 00:33:35,289
[laughter]
922
00:33:35,323 --> 00:33:37,049
We're all connecting,
and it's definitely gonna show
923
00:33:37,084 --> 00:33:38,464
on the "Ninja Warrior" course.
924
00:33:38,499 --> 00:33:42,813
♪
925
00:33:42,848 --> 00:33:44,022
- ♪ Whoo!
926
00:33:44,056 --> 00:33:45,471
- David, he did good
his rookie year,
927
00:33:45,506 --> 00:33:46,886
but, you know,
it's my rookie year,
928
00:33:46,921 --> 00:33:48,785
so I have to show him
what I got.
929
00:33:48,819 --> 00:33:54,929
♪
930
00:33:54,963 --> 00:33:56,862
- Our team's totally gonna be
on a sugar high.
931
00:33:56,896 --> 00:34:00,762
♪
932
00:34:00,797 --> 00:34:01,832
- ♪ Ow!
933
00:34:01,867 --> 00:34:03,627
- Go!
- Amir and this group
934
00:34:03,662 --> 00:34:06,044
have really bonded
over their baking.
935
00:34:06,078 --> 00:34:08,667
Amir's gonna have his family
watching back in Vermont.
936
00:34:08,701 --> 00:34:11,980
Got his parents, brother,
and grandma cheering him on.
937
00:34:13,327 --> 00:34:16,330
[countdown clock beeping]
938
00:34:16,364 --> 00:34:17,814
- All right, let's go!
- He's got one of
939
00:34:17,848 --> 00:34:21,024
the nicest ninja nicknames,
the Sonic Ninja.
940
00:34:21,059 --> 00:34:23,371
- Yeah, Amir!
- You can see the Sonic logo
941
00:34:23,406 --> 00:34:24,924
on his shirt there.
942
00:34:24,959 --> 00:34:26,788
- He started watching
"American Ninja Warrior"
943
00:34:26,823 --> 00:34:30,654
as a kid, now finally
old enough to compete.
944
00:34:30,689 --> 00:34:33,968
- Yeah, come on, Amir.
Good, good!
945
00:34:34,002 --> 00:34:36,557
- And he is quickly through.
[cheering]
946
00:34:36,591 --> 00:34:38,352
Real strong start, Akbar.
947
00:34:38,386 --> 00:34:40,423
- Yeah,
Amir Malik looking good.
948
00:34:40,457 --> 00:34:43,357
- Twenty years old,
5'5", 115.
949
00:34:43,391 --> 00:34:45,497
Not a big guy.
He may bake cakes,
950
00:34:45,531 --> 00:34:47,947
but it sure doesn't look like
he's eating any.
951
00:34:47,982 --> 00:34:49,742
- Well, he could use
some cheesecake.
952
00:34:49,777 --> 00:34:52,090
Extra calories
won't hurt anybody.
953
00:34:52,124 --> 00:34:53,332
- I'm impressed
with his technique.
954
00:34:53,367 --> 00:34:55,541
Look at him
moving his hips, Akbar.
955
00:34:55,576 --> 00:34:57,095
- Yeah, there you go!
956
00:34:57,129 --> 00:34:58,717
Get it!
Go!
957
00:34:58,751 --> 00:35:00,443
There we go.
Take a second.
958
00:35:00,477 --> 00:35:01,961
Breathe, Amir!
You got this!
959
00:35:01,996 --> 00:35:03,170
- Already to
the Spinning Bridge.
960
00:35:03,204 --> 00:35:05,344
He is flying!
- High feet, let's go!
961
00:35:05,379 --> 00:35:07,450
- You gotta hit it
hard and fast.
962
00:35:07,484 --> 00:35:09,659
- Whoa!
963
00:35:09,693 --> 00:35:10,867
Oh, my!
964
00:35:10,901 --> 00:35:12,179
- He's so nimble.
- Look at him,
965
00:35:12,213 --> 00:35:13,594
right into Sideways,
966
00:35:13,628 --> 00:35:16,183
his confidence growing
with every obstacle.
967
00:35:16,217 --> 00:35:18,702
- Well, he's gotta watch out
not going too quick, Matt.
968
00:35:18,737 --> 00:35:20,394
He's moving a little erratic.
969
00:35:20,428 --> 00:35:22,637
- What I love, though, Akbar,
he's kipping his hips up.
970
00:35:22,672 --> 00:35:25,330
You're seeing--throws himself
up to give himself a chance
971
00:35:25,364 --> 00:35:26,986
to find the handholds.
972
00:35:27,021 --> 00:35:29,679
- Amir Malik is balling.
- A great approach.
973
00:35:29,713 --> 00:35:31,370
- Yeah, come on!
Let's go!
974
00:35:31,405 --> 00:35:35,443
- This is a textbook
performance on Sideways,
975
00:35:35,478 --> 00:35:37,687
better than anyone
we've seen.
976
00:35:37,721 --> 00:35:39,240
- Where did this kid
come from?
977
00:35:39,275 --> 00:35:40,724
He's gonna get a buzzer!
978
00:35:40,759 --> 00:35:42,416
- Come on.
979
00:35:42,450 --> 00:35:43,865
First time on the course...
980
00:35:43,900 --> 00:35:46,903
Flawless!
Gets the buzzer!
981
00:35:46,937 --> 00:35:48,111
[buzzer blaring]
982
00:35:48,146 --> 00:35:50,009
[exciting music]
983
00:35:50,044 --> 00:35:51,942
[all cheering]
984
00:35:51,977 --> 00:35:54,290
- Let's go!
- Don't break it.
985
00:35:54,324 --> 00:35:56,913
♪
986
00:35:56,947 --> 00:35:58,501
- He--he broke it.
987
00:35:58,535 --> 00:35:59,743
- He broke the buzzer!
- You broke the buzzer!
988
00:35:59,778 --> 00:36:01,193
- You know what?
- [screams]
989
00:36:01,228 --> 00:36:03,644
- [laughs]
- [screams]
990
00:36:03,678 --> 00:36:06,957
- The fastest finish so far!
- That's right!
991
00:36:06,992 --> 00:36:09,097
- Let's go, baby!
992
00:36:09,132 --> 00:36:10,892
- Wow.
- That's how you do!
993
00:36:10,927 --> 00:36:12,653
- That was big-time
prime time.
994
00:36:12,687 --> 00:36:14,896
- Hey, hey, hey, is this
as sweet as your cheesecake?
995
00:36:14,931 --> 00:36:17,589
- Oh, yes, it is.
- That a boy, Amir Malik.
996
00:36:17,623 --> 00:36:18,590
- ♪ Yeah
997
00:36:18,624 --> 00:36:20,592
♪
998
00:36:20,626 --> 00:36:22,387
- This kid likes to bake,
999
00:36:22,421 --> 00:36:24,216
and he was cooking
on the course,
1000
00:36:24,251 --> 00:36:26,253
sailed through every obstacle
1001
00:36:26,287 --> 00:36:29,532
and handled Sideways
better than anyone all night.
1002
00:36:29,566 --> 00:36:33,156
Only problem is,
he broke our buzzer.
1003
00:36:33,191 --> 00:36:35,020
- ♪ Whoo!
1004
00:36:35,054 --> 00:36:36,677
- Well, we better
get it fixed,
1005
00:36:36,711 --> 00:36:39,335
because the Big Kat,
Karsten Williams,
1006
00:36:39,369 --> 00:36:44,616
runs when we come back
on "American Ninja Warrior."
1007
00:36:47,895 --> 00:36:49,793
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior"
1008
00:36:49,828 --> 00:36:53,245
and our final night of
qualifying here in St. Louis.
1009
00:36:53,280 --> 00:36:56,455
While we were away,
12-time veteran Brian Kretsch
1010
00:36:56,490 --> 00:36:58,492
stepped up for his shot
at the course.
1011
00:36:58,526 --> 00:37:00,356
- Let's go, Brian!
[cheering]
1012
00:37:00,390 --> 00:37:01,909
- You know you're an OG
when you're running
1013
00:37:01,943 --> 00:37:03,393
with a knee brace on.
1014
00:37:03,428 --> 00:37:04,843
- Whoo!
1015
00:37:04,877 --> 00:37:07,639
- Kretsch is one of only
three athletes to compete
1016
00:37:07,673 --> 00:37:09,019
on every season,
1017
00:37:09,054 --> 00:37:11,884
but balance obstacles
are his least favorite.
1018
00:37:11,919 --> 00:37:13,438
- You got it, Brian.
You got this.
1019
00:37:13,472 --> 00:37:14,715
- Yeah, he totally freaks out
1020
00:37:14,749 --> 00:37:16,095
when it comes
to balance obstacles.
1021
00:37:16,130 --> 00:37:17,373
Oh!
1022
00:37:17,407 --> 00:37:18,960
- But he survived
the Spinning Bridge.
1023
00:37:18,995 --> 00:37:21,239
- Hey, you good?
I like it.
1024
00:37:21,273 --> 00:37:23,275
- And he made it to the end.
1025
00:37:23,310 --> 00:37:25,726
- Mega?
Mega?
1026
00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:26,761
No, no.
1027
00:37:26,796 --> 00:37:28,349
He said,
"Pump the brakes, Akbar."
1028
00:37:28,384 --> 00:37:30,386
- Instead he scaled
the regular wall
1029
00:37:30,420 --> 00:37:33,768
and joined his buddy,
the Kayak Ninja, Vance Harris,
1030
00:37:33,803 --> 00:37:35,977
on our growing list
of finishers.
1031
00:37:36,012 --> 00:37:37,772
- Thank you, guys, so much.
1032
00:37:37,807 --> 00:37:40,603
- Then it was another member
of Karsten Williams' group.
1033
00:37:40,637 --> 00:37:42,294
- This is your moment.
This is your moment.
1034
00:37:42,329 --> 00:37:45,746
- Kaleaha Rayner
once weighed 230 pounds,
1035
00:37:45,780 --> 00:37:49,370
and she celebrated her new fit
physique at the start line.
1036
00:37:49,405 --> 00:37:51,890
- She's just warming up.
- Let's go, Kaleaha!
1037
00:37:51,924 --> 00:37:54,582
- This single mom gets
her workouts by working
1038
00:37:54,617 --> 00:37:57,136
the night shift at
the Ford Motors assembly plant
1039
00:37:57,171 --> 00:37:58,517
in Kansas City,
1040
00:37:58,552 --> 00:38:00,312
and, with her family watching,
1041
00:38:00,347 --> 00:38:03,039
the 32-year-old made it
through the Shrinking Steps...
1042
00:38:03,073 --> 00:38:04,696
- Okay!
- Nice, nice!
1043
00:38:04,730 --> 00:38:06,905
- Before running out of steam
on Off the Hook.
1044
00:38:06,939 --> 00:38:08,976
- She's holding on too long.
1045
00:38:09,010 --> 00:38:10,495
- She didn't give up easily,
1046
00:38:10,529 --> 00:38:14,637
taking 15 swings before
her arms finally gave out.
1047
00:38:14,671 --> 00:38:17,743
- Oh!
1048
00:38:17,778 --> 00:38:20,194
She looks exhausted.
1049
00:38:22,058 --> 00:38:25,095
- Up next, the man who invited
Kaleaha to compete tonight.
1050
00:38:25,130 --> 00:38:28,098
It's the Big Kat,
Karsten Williams.
1051
00:38:28,133 --> 00:38:30,204
The gym manager
from Fairview, Texas,
1052
00:38:30,238 --> 00:38:32,689
is riding in
with a lot of momentum.
1053
00:38:32,724 --> 00:38:37,142
Last year, the now-39-year-old
had a phenomenal season.
1054
00:38:37,176 --> 00:38:40,559
He hit four buzzers:
qualifying, city finals,
1055
00:38:40,594 --> 00:38:43,355
stage one, and stage two.
1056
00:38:43,390 --> 00:38:45,288
And fans of Karsten
know his mom
1057
00:38:45,323 --> 00:38:47,532
never misses one of his runs.
- Yeah!
1058
00:38:47,566 --> 00:38:49,948
- And she's watching
from back in Texas
1059
00:38:49,982 --> 00:38:52,778
along with some of Karsten's
friends and fellow ninjas.
1060
00:38:52,813 --> 00:38:55,885
Plus the two ninjas he brought
will be down on the sidelines.
1061
00:38:55,919 --> 00:38:57,507
- Get that, Kars!
- Get it!
1062
00:38:57,542 --> 00:38:59,509
- Now, if Karsten goes fast,
he can get to the Power Tower
1063
00:38:59,544 --> 00:39:01,718
and pull them
into the semifinals.
1064
00:39:01,753 --> 00:39:03,513
- And, Matt, he told us
he's gonna go for it.
1065
00:39:03,548 --> 00:39:06,378
[countdown clock beeping]
1066
00:39:06,413 --> 00:39:09,208
- Here we go,
Big Kat on the course.
1067
00:39:09,243 --> 00:39:10,796
- Whoo!
- Yes!
1068
00:39:10,831 --> 00:39:12,246
- You can do it, son!
1069
00:39:12,280 --> 00:39:13,385
- Guy has just been a beast.
1070
00:39:13,420 --> 00:39:14,697
Last year, made it
to stage three,
1071
00:39:14,731 --> 00:39:16,112
his best performance ever,
1072
00:39:16,146 --> 00:39:18,010
and, Akbar, he says
he's in better shape.
1073
00:39:18,045 --> 00:39:19,564
- Karsten had the keys
to his gym,
1074
00:39:19,598 --> 00:39:21,428
so he was able to go in
by himself
1075
00:39:21,462 --> 00:39:24,672
and keep training
these past few months.
1076
00:39:24,707 --> 00:39:26,398
- Let's go; get up out
of there, get out of there.
1077
00:39:26,433 --> 00:39:28,642
- He's 6'1", 170 pounds,
1078
00:39:28,676 --> 00:39:31,403
and he is attacking
this course right now.
1079
00:39:31,438 --> 00:39:33,025
- Nice.
1080
00:39:33,060 --> 00:39:37,409
- He is a big boy, but he just
is so agile, like a cat.
1081
00:39:37,444 --> 00:39:38,721
- Well, float like
a butterfly,
1082
00:39:38,755 --> 00:39:39,929
sting like a bee.
1083
00:39:39,963 --> 00:39:42,483
Karsten Williams
is crushing the Beehive.
1084
00:39:42,518 --> 00:39:45,072
- You can see him having
to correct those hips.
1085
00:39:45,106 --> 00:39:47,212
A little north-south
gets him going real quick.
1086
00:39:47,246 --> 00:39:48,662
Now Spinning Bridge.
1087
00:39:48,696 --> 00:39:50,422
- Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo,
whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!
1088
00:39:50,457 --> 00:39:52,044
- Oh, just like a cat.
1089
00:39:52,079 --> 00:39:54,840
On now to Sideways.
He is blazing,
1090
00:39:54,875 --> 00:39:57,395
and he could beat Amir Malik
for the fastest time
1091
00:39:57,429 --> 00:39:59,569
if he keeps this pace up.
- You the man.
1092
00:39:59,604 --> 00:40:01,157
Get it, get it.
- On to the slider.
1093
00:40:01,191 --> 00:40:03,539
- Yeah!
- You got it, almost there.
1094
00:40:03,573 --> 00:40:05,403
- He's swinging in circles
a little bit.
1095
00:40:05,437 --> 00:40:06,645
He needs
to straighten that out.
1096
00:40:06,680 --> 00:40:07,715
- Breathe and move.
1097
00:40:07,750 --> 00:40:09,096
Breathe and move.
Breathe and move.
1098
00:40:09,130 --> 00:40:10,580
- Yup, I say forget the f--oh!
- Oh, no!
1099
00:40:10,615 --> 00:40:13,549
- Forget the fast time,
just complete the obstacle!
1100
00:40:13,583 --> 00:40:17,829
- The Big Kat is wet,
tripped up by Sideways.
1101
00:40:17,863 --> 00:40:20,797
- Oh, no.
- Shocking exit for Karsten.
1102
00:40:20,832 --> 00:40:24,491
- Matt, sometimes speed makes
the obstacle a lot harder
1103
00:40:24,525 --> 00:40:26,458
than it's supposed to be.
1104
00:40:26,493 --> 00:40:28,460
From the get-go,
you could tell
1105
00:40:28,495 --> 00:40:30,635
Karsten wanted a fast time.
1106
00:40:30,669 --> 00:40:33,120
He was sprinting through
the first four obstacles,
1107
00:40:33,154 --> 00:40:35,743
but on Sideways,
he was going in circles
1108
00:40:35,778 --> 00:40:38,677
and swinging to the sides
instead of straight ahead,
1109
00:40:38,712 --> 00:40:41,991
and he didn't take the time
to correct it and it cost him.
1110
00:40:43,199 --> 00:40:44,545
- That's how the game
goes out here,
1111
00:40:44,580 --> 00:40:46,513
but we'll see what happens
and how this plays out,
1112
00:40:46,547 --> 00:40:47,583
but I'm excited to be here.
1113
00:40:47,617 --> 00:40:49,032
Thank you for the opportunity.
1114
00:40:49,067 --> 00:40:50,896
I love everybody.
Thank you so much.
1115
00:40:50,931 --> 00:40:53,105
- Well, we've had a lot
of finishers already.
1116
00:40:53,140 --> 00:40:56,764
It may be tough for Karsten
to stay in the top 12.
1117
00:40:56,799 --> 00:40:58,110
- Big Kat, Big Kat.
1118
00:40:58,145 --> 00:41:00,906
- Coming up, she's been
a warrior in the battle
1119
00:41:00,941 --> 00:41:02,390
against the pandemic.
1120
00:41:02,425 --> 00:41:04,496
Now nurse Mady Howard's
1121
00:41:04,531 --> 00:41:07,499
bringing that fighting spirit
to the course...
1122
00:41:07,534 --> 00:41:10,813
- The world needs a lot
of inspiration right now.
1123
00:41:10,847 --> 00:41:14,299
- When "American Ninja
Warrior" returns.
1124
00:41:18,372 --> 00:41:20,270
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior,"
1125
00:41:20,305 --> 00:41:23,239
where we're midway through
our final night of qualifying.
1126
00:41:23,273 --> 00:41:25,483
Akbar, we're in
the Show Me State,
1127
00:41:25,517 --> 00:41:27,554
so what have these ninjas
shown us so far tonight?
1128
00:41:27,588 --> 00:41:29,694
- Well, I'll tell you what
these ninjas have shown us.
1129
00:41:29,728 --> 00:41:31,385
They ready.
1130
00:41:31,419 --> 00:41:32,869
- Whoa!
- History in the room!
1131
00:41:32,904 --> 00:41:34,319
- Got it!
- Yes!
1132
00:41:34,353 --> 00:41:37,425
We've already had a slew
of ninjas hit the buzzer.
1133
00:41:37,460 --> 00:41:39,911
- First time on the course!
- What?
1134
00:41:39,945 --> 00:41:41,533
- Flawless!
- Including three
1135
00:41:41,568 --> 00:41:43,086
getting their first one ever.
1136
00:41:43,121 --> 00:41:45,675
[buzzer blaring]
- Oh!
1137
00:41:45,710 --> 00:41:47,539
- And some fan favorites
getting one, too.
1138
00:41:47,574 --> 00:41:51,094
- Missed the Mega Wall,
lassoes the top time.
1139
00:41:51,129 --> 00:41:52,337
And while we were away,
1140
00:41:52,371 --> 00:41:54,995
another ninja veteran
got his shot,
1141
00:41:55,029 --> 00:41:57,549
as Kevin Bull flashed
the bull horns to his buddies
1142
00:41:57,584 --> 00:41:59,309
and then flew onto the course.
1143
00:41:59,344 --> 00:42:01,519
- Ooh!
1144
00:42:01,553 --> 00:42:03,141
This is Kevin Bull.
This is where he lives.
1145
00:42:03,175 --> 00:42:04,867
That upper-body strength,
phenomenal.
1146
00:42:04,901 --> 00:42:07,870
- With his number-one fan,
Molly Steffl, cheering him on,
1147
00:42:07,904 --> 00:42:09,734
Bull made it
up the Warped Wall
1148
00:42:09,768 --> 00:42:11,598
to become the night's
sixth finisher.
1149
00:42:11,632 --> 00:42:12,875
[buzzer blaring]
- Whoo!
1150
00:42:12,909 --> 00:42:14,532
- Oh, look at Molly
going nuts.
1151
00:42:14,566 --> 00:42:16,395
- Hello, Molly!
1152
00:42:16,430 --> 00:42:19,433
- Then it was the start for
last season's breakout star,
1153
00:42:19,467 --> 00:42:20,986
Utah nurse Mady Howard,
1154
00:42:21,021 --> 00:42:22,954
and the two rookies
she invited.
1155
00:42:22,988 --> 00:42:25,888
Leading it off was
New York City's Kemar Barcoo.
1156
00:42:25,922 --> 00:42:27,683
Like Mady,
he works in a hospital
1157
00:42:27,717 --> 00:42:29,685
on the front lines
of the pandemic,
1158
00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:32,653
and he gave a shout-out to
his fellow healthcare workers.
1159
00:42:32,688 --> 00:42:34,275
- I know you guys
are cheering me on
1160
00:42:34,310 --> 00:42:35,276
every step of the way.
1161
00:42:35,311 --> 00:42:36,381
I got this.
1162
00:42:36,415 --> 00:42:38,832
- At 6'6", 230 pounds,
1163
00:42:38,866 --> 00:42:41,110
Barcoo is
the biggest athlete tonight.
1164
00:42:41,144 --> 00:42:42,525
- Ohh!
- Whoo!
1165
00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:44,216
- And though he pulled off
an impressive move
1166
00:42:44,251 --> 00:42:45,735
on Off the Hook,
1167
00:42:45,770 --> 00:42:47,772
he had no idea
how to swing on Beehive.
1168
00:42:47,806 --> 00:42:49,808
- These aren't pull-ups.
Come on now.
1169
00:42:49,843 --> 00:42:52,777
- And eventually that big body
was too much to hold.
1170
00:42:52,811 --> 00:42:54,226
- Use your hips!
1171
00:42:54,261 --> 00:42:55,814
- Oh.
- Oh.
1172
00:42:55,849 --> 00:42:58,645
- That was a lot to carry.
- Then it was time to downsize
1173
00:42:58,679 --> 00:43:02,372
to Barcoo's much smaller
teammate, Faith Fitzgerald.
1174
00:43:02,407 --> 00:43:04,927
This 5'2", 105-pound rookie
1175
00:43:04,961 --> 00:43:07,136
is from Mady's home state
of Utah.
1176
00:43:07,170 --> 00:43:09,656
She's a nationally
ranked rodeo cowgirl
1177
00:43:09,690 --> 00:43:11,416
and is good with a lasso...
1178
00:43:11,450 --> 00:43:12,659
- Faith has been riding
1179
00:43:12,693 --> 00:43:14,626
since she was,
like, three years old.
1180
00:43:14,661 --> 00:43:17,733
- But couldn't handle the rope
on Shrinking Steps.
1181
00:43:17,767 --> 00:43:19,217
Oh, no!
1182
00:43:19,251 --> 00:43:21,322
- What happened
to the two-step?
1183
00:43:21,357 --> 00:43:23,117
- Now here comes
the third member
1184
00:43:23,152 --> 00:43:26,638
of that group,
25-year-old Mady Howard.
1185
00:43:26,673 --> 00:43:29,089
She was a breakout star
last year as a rookie,
1186
00:43:29,123 --> 00:43:30,987
but, the past few months,
1187
00:43:31,022 --> 00:43:33,162
she's been facing
a much bigger battle,
1188
00:43:33,196 --> 00:43:36,821
fighting the pandemic as
an intensive care unit nurse.
1189
00:43:38,788 --> 00:43:40,307
- I'll be over there soon.
1190
00:43:40,341 --> 00:43:42,205
Since the coronavirus
pandemic,
1191
00:43:42,240 --> 00:43:44,104
most people
have been quarantining
1192
00:43:44,138 --> 00:43:45,726
at home to stay safe,
1193
00:43:45,761 --> 00:43:48,660
but it's actually been
the opposite for me.
1194
00:43:48,695 --> 00:43:49,972
I'm on the front lines,
1195
00:43:50,006 --> 00:43:53,423
and so I get to see
what most people don't see.
1196
00:43:53,458 --> 00:43:55,598
Take a deep breath in.
1197
00:43:55,633 --> 00:43:57,289
And it's just really hard
1198
00:43:57,324 --> 00:43:59,567
feeling like
we're doing everything we can,
1199
00:43:59,602 --> 00:44:01,880
yet they're still
not getting better,
1200
00:44:01,915 --> 00:44:04,676
and eventually losing them.
1201
00:44:04,711 --> 00:44:08,646
It has really brought me and
my coworkers closer together.
1202
00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:11,131
We've really had to have
each other's backs
1203
00:44:11,165 --> 00:44:12,580
over these past few months,
1204
00:44:12,615 --> 00:44:15,998
and so there's really just
been this unity on our unit.
1205
00:44:19,795 --> 00:44:21,900
- So, initially, when I got
the call for season 12,
1206
00:44:21,935 --> 00:44:23,453
I debated doing it
with the world
1207
00:44:23,488 --> 00:44:25,697
being so crazy right now,
1208
00:44:25,732 --> 00:44:27,112
but ultimately I decided
1209
00:44:27,147 --> 00:44:31,565
that the world needs
a lot of inspiration right now.
1210
00:44:31,599 --> 00:44:33,187
- Go for it!
Yeah!
1211
00:44:33,222 --> 00:44:34,775
- Ohh!
1212
00:44:34,810 --> 00:44:37,260
- The world needs
some "American Ninja Warrior."
1213
00:44:37,295 --> 00:44:41,368
♪
1214
00:44:41,402 --> 00:44:43,335
[cheers and applause]
- Let's go, Mady!
1215
00:44:43,370 --> 00:44:46,304
- Watching from back in Utah
are Mady's husband, Tyler,
1216
00:44:46,338 --> 00:44:48,547
and some friends,
plus Mady's parents
1217
00:44:48,582 --> 00:44:51,033
with the big green
"Mady" letters.
1218
00:44:51,067 --> 00:44:52,793
- Tyler's gonna get out here
someday soon.
1219
00:44:52,828 --> 00:44:54,726
Oh, and look
who just jumped in!
1220
00:44:54,761 --> 00:44:56,935
- Those are some of
the doctors and nurses from
1221
00:44:56,970 --> 00:44:58,696
the hospital where she works.
- Oh!
1222
00:44:58,730 --> 00:45:00,594
- Dixie Regional
Medical Center.
1223
00:45:00,628 --> 00:45:03,079
- Oh, wow, that's great.
1224
00:45:03,114 --> 00:45:04,563
- I hope they can hear us,
Akbar,
1225
00:45:04,598 --> 00:45:06,496
as we say thank you to them.
- Thank you.
1226
00:45:06,531 --> 00:45:07,981
Thank you.
1227
00:45:08,015 --> 00:45:10,846
[countdown clock beeping]
1228
00:45:10,880 --> 00:45:12,399
- Mady on the course,
and you just saw her
1229
00:45:12,433 --> 00:45:13,780
get focused, get locked in.
1230
00:45:13,814 --> 00:45:15,126
- All right, come on, Mady.
Nice.
1231
00:45:15,160 --> 00:45:16,644
[cheering]
1232
00:45:16,679 --> 00:45:17,922
Well, that's gotta feel good,
to know that you've got
1233
00:45:17,956 --> 00:45:19,751
family support, work support,
1234
00:45:19,786 --> 00:45:21,373
and you've got
the ninja support.
1235
00:45:21,408 --> 00:45:24,169
- Just incredible last year,
just exploded in Tacoma,
1236
00:45:24,204 --> 00:45:26,931
was so impressive.
- Nice.
1237
00:45:26,965 --> 00:45:29,312
- Was one of the top two women
in city finals,
1238
00:45:29,347 --> 00:45:32,039
alongside ninja veteran
Jessie Graff.
1239
00:45:32,074 --> 00:45:34,248
Mady was a gymnast
at Southern Utah University.
1240
00:45:34,283 --> 00:45:36,941
After graduating,
she took up rock climbing.
1241
00:45:36,975 --> 00:45:38,563
Tremendous
upper-body strength,
1242
00:45:38,597 --> 00:45:40,599
which should help
right here on Beehive.
1243
00:45:40,634 --> 00:45:41,773
- Come on, Mady.
Let's go!
1244
00:45:41,808 --> 00:45:43,119
- Generating power
with the hips.
1245
00:45:43,154 --> 00:45:44,845
Wow, great lache.
1246
00:45:44,880 --> 00:45:47,158
- Oh, look how easy that was.
That's probably the best
1247
00:45:47,192 --> 00:45:49,332
we've seen anyone
on the Beehive tonight.
1248
00:45:49,367 --> 00:45:50,540
- Come on!
Come on, you got this!
1249
00:45:50,575 --> 00:45:52,128
- When you generate
that power,
1250
00:45:52,163 --> 00:45:54,372
the transitions
are so much easier.
1251
00:45:54,406 --> 00:45:56,063
- Well, she just kinda
let it flow,
1252
00:45:56,098 --> 00:45:57,651
just so natural for her,
1253
00:45:57,685 --> 00:46:00,827
and she's only
in her second year.
1254
00:46:00,861 --> 00:46:02,898
- The top 12 and
the top three women
1255
00:46:02,932 --> 00:46:04,727
will move on
to the semifinals.
1256
00:46:04,762 --> 00:46:06,729
If Mady gets through
this next obstacle,
1257
00:46:06,764 --> 00:46:08,420
Spinning Bridge,
she'll put herself
1258
00:46:08,455 --> 00:46:10,319
in great position to advance.
1259
00:46:10,353 --> 00:46:12,217
- Let's go!
- Yeah, her time is excellent.
1260
00:46:12,252 --> 00:46:13,909
Nice--oh!
My goodness!
1261
00:46:13,943 --> 00:46:15,565
- Hard fall.
1262
00:46:15,600 --> 00:46:17,395
- Yes, Mady!
Let's go!
1263
00:46:17,429 --> 00:46:20,467
- Oh, another hard landing
on the Spinning Bridge.
1264
00:46:20,501 --> 00:46:22,849
We saw Tiana Webberley do
the exact same thing earlier.
1265
00:46:22,883 --> 00:46:24,022
- You could see it, Akbar.
1266
00:46:24,057 --> 00:46:25,230
She didn't want
to use her hands.
1267
00:46:25,265 --> 00:46:27,267
You touch those balls,
you're out.
1268
00:46:27,301 --> 00:46:29,821
Did a great job keeping
her arms high and wide.
1269
00:46:29,856 --> 00:46:31,478
She made it through,
but now
1270
00:46:31,512 --> 00:46:35,275
this new and very difficult
fifth obstacle, Sideways.
1271
00:46:35,309 --> 00:46:38,726
Knocked out Karsten Williams
just minutes ago.
1272
00:46:38,761 --> 00:46:41,591
Now, we saw it, use your hips.
She's doing a great job.
1273
00:46:41,626 --> 00:46:43,179
You said go weightless.
1274
00:46:43,214 --> 00:46:45,285
Go weightless so you can get
your hands on the handles.
1275
00:46:45,319 --> 00:46:47,770
- And then up and up, nice.
1276
00:46:47,805 --> 00:46:49,737
- Great power for Mady.
1277
00:46:49,772 --> 00:46:51,912
- I love the hang time.
Nice.
1278
00:46:51,947 --> 00:46:54,673
- Well, despite her incredible
success getting to Vegas,
1279
00:46:54,708 --> 00:46:56,399
hasn't hit a buzzer.
1280
00:46:56,434 --> 00:46:58,091
Can she get through this
and get her shot
1281
00:46:58,125 --> 00:46:59,644
on the Warped Wall?
- I'm feeling it, Matt.
1282
00:46:59,678 --> 00:47:01,784
This is gonna be
a special night for Mady.
1283
00:47:01,819 --> 00:47:04,200
- Tiana Webberley got
her first buzzer earlier.
1284
00:47:04,235 --> 00:47:05,892
We could have
two women finishers,
1285
00:47:05,926 --> 00:47:08,377
and we're only halfway
through the night.
1286
00:47:08,411 --> 00:47:10,448
- She deserves it,
putting herself out there
1287
00:47:10,482 --> 00:47:13,727
on the front line during
the coronavirus pandemic,
1288
00:47:13,761 --> 00:47:15,142
and now look at her.
- Yes!
1289
00:47:15,177 --> 00:47:16,626
- Come on, come on, come on,
get out of there!
1290
00:47:16,661 --> 00:47:18,387
Get out of there!
Her family's about to go nuts.
1291
00:47:18,421 --> 00:47:19,802
The hospital is about
to go nuts.
1292
00:47:19,837 --> 00:47:20,803
- Here we go!
- Yes!
1293
00:47:20,838 --> 00:47:23,116
[cheers and applause]
1294
00:47:25,394 --> 00:47:27,879
Picking up where
she left off last year,
1295
00:47:27,914 --> 00:47:31,503
and now has a chance
to hit her first buzzer.
1296
00:47:31,538 --> 00:47:34,023
- Let's go, come on!
Bring it home, bring it home!
1297
00:47:34,058 --> 00:47:35,714
- Do it for
those healthcare workers!
1298
00:47:35,749 --> 00:47:37,544
Come on, Mady Howard!
1299
00:47:37,578 --> 00:47:39,511
- Right here, right here!
1300
00:47:39,546 --> 00:47:40,650
- Yes!
1301
00:47:40,685 --> 00:47:41,789
- Yeah!
- Yes!
1302
00:47:41,824 --> 00:47:45,207
- Okay, Mady!
- Mady Howard does it!
1303
00:47:45,241 --> 00:47:46,898
- That's what
I'm talking about!
1304
00:47:46,933 --> 00:47:48,589
- ♪ I'm breakin' through
1305
00:47:48,624 --> 00:47:51,420
- Wow, wow.
[cheering]
1306
00:47:51,454 --> 00:47:53,456
- ♪ I'm changing the rules
1307
00:47:53,491 --> 00:47:54,699
- You deserve it!
1308
00:47:54,733 --> 00:47:57,115
- Our hearts are racing.
- Incredible.
1309
00:47:57,150 --> 00:48:00,981
- Mady, from the front line
to the finish line.
1310
00:48:01,016 --> 00:48:02,776
That was amazing.
1311
00:48:02,810 --> 00:48:05,399
- Thank you.
Thank you so much.
1312
00:48:05,434 --> 00:48:07,332
- No, Mady,
we wanna say thank you.
1313
00:48:07,367 --> 00:48:09,265
We know your coworkers
were watching.
1314
00:48:09,300 --> 00:48:11,819
After all you've seen
during this pandemic,
1315
00:48:11,854 --> 00:48:12,993
what's it like for them
to see you
1316
00:48:13,028 --> 00:48:16,341
and to be out here
and to hit that buzzer?
1317
00:48:16,376 --> 00:48:17,929
- It just shows
that nurses are tough.
1318
00:48:17,964 --> 00:48:19,413
We're tough when we're working
1319
00:48:19,448 --> 00:48:20,794
at the hospital
with our patients,
1320
00:48:20,828 --> 00:48:23,866
and we're tough
on the course, so--
1321
00:48:23,901 --> 00:48:25,661
- You crushed it, Mady.
Way to go.
1322
00:48:25,695 --> 00:48:27,318
- Yeah.
- [laughs]
1323
00:48:27,352 --> 00:48:30,045
- There was no sophomore slump
for Mady Howard.
1324
00:48:30,079 --> 00:48:33,703
She flew through Off the Hook
with one continuous move,
1325
00:48:33,738 --> 00:48:35,395
then survived a hard landing
1326
00:48:35,429 --> 00:48:39,640
on Spinning Bridge,
but this ICU nurse is tough.
1327
00:48:39,675 --> 00:48:42,781
She dusted herself off
and made it up the Warped Wall
1328
00:48:42,816 --> 00:48:46,820
to become our second woman
to hit the buzzer tonight.
1329
00:48:46,854 --> 00:48:49,443
- Some of our biggest stars
are still to come,
1330
00:48:49,478 --> 00:48:52,791
including Kid Owhadi,
Meagan Martin,
1331
00:48:52,826 --> 00:48:55,070
and Michael Torres.
1332
00:48:55,104 --> 00:48:58,073
Plus...
both: Oh!
1333
00:48:58,107 --> 00:49:00,765
- Joe Moravsky's missed
on the Mega Wall
1334
00:49:00,799 --> 00:49:02,215
two years in a row.
1335
00:49:02,249 --> 00:49:04,838
No!
- What?
1336
00:49:04,872 --> 00:49:07,047
- Tonight he wants that money.
1337
00:49:07,082 --> 00:49:08,980
- Ten grand comes in handy
big-time
1338
00:49:09,015 --> 00:49:10,982
when you have two kids
with a third on the way.
1339
00:49:11,017 --> 00:49:14,986
- He's coming up on
"American Ninja Warrior."
1340
00:49:19,232 --> 00:49:22,269
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior."
1341
00:49:22,304 --> 00:49:25,445
While we were away, the rest
of David Wright's Cake Crew
1342
00:49:25,479 --> 00:49:27,343
looked to match
their baking buddy,
1343
00:49:27,378 --> 00:49:30,795
Amir Malik, who has the
fastest finish so far tonight.
1344
00:49:30,829 --> 00:49:32,314
First up was Alex Carson,
1345
00:49:32,348 --> 00:49:34,385
who's not just
a cheesecake maker.
1346
00:49:34,419 --> 00:49:36,283
He's also a music maker.
1347
00:49:36,318 --> 00:49:38,009
He plays the tuba.
1348
00:49:38,044 --> 00:49:40,529
- Oh, you a bad brass dude.
1349
00:49:40,563 --> 00:49:43,808
- The Bad Brass Ninja then
did a number on the course.
1350
00:49:43,842 --> 00:49:45,223
- Come on, go through.
Go through, go through.
1351
00:49:45,258 --> 00:49:46,293
Go through.
Nice!
1352
00:49:46,328 --> 00:49:47,881
- Got it!
- Yeah!
1353
00:49:47,915 --> 00:49:49,193
- And with his new wife
watching
1354
00:49:49,227 --> 00:49:50,677
from back in Kansas City,
1355
00:49:50,711 --> 00:49:53,024
the 34-year-old
scaled the Warped Wall
1356
00:49:53,059 --> 00:49:54,784
to get his very first buzzer.
1357
00:49:54,819 --> 00:49:56,200
- Let's go!
[buzzer blares]
1358
00:49:56,234 --> 00:49:58,064
- The only one more excited
than his wife,
1359
00:49:58,098 --> 00:50:00,652
Sarah, was his dog, Koda.
1360
00:50:00,687 --> 00:50:04,035
The one thing that's different
this year, you're married.
1361
00:50:04,070 --> 00:50:05,588
Is that the reason
for your success?
1362
00:50:05,623 --> 00:50:06,934
- She kinda gave me
a little talking-to
1363
00:50:06,969 --> 00:50:09,834
before we left the house.
"Hit that buzzer, or else
1364
00:50:09,868 --> 00:50:11,974
there's gonna be some problems
when we get off that plane."
1365
00:50:12,009 --> 00:50:13,320
[laughter]
1366
00:50:13,355 --> 00:50:16,254
- Then it was his buddy
David Wright's turn.
1367
00:50:16,289 --> 00:50:19,637
After gobbling up his
traditional pre-run cupcake,
1368
00:50:19,671 --> 00:50:22,226
Da Cake Ninja picked up
right where he left off
1369
00:50:22,260 --> 00:50:24,504
after his impressive
rookie season.
1370
00:50:24,538 --> 00:50:25,884
- He's going right into
Spinning Bridge,
1371
00:50:25,919 --> 00:50:27,783
not thinking about it,
just going really fast.
1372
00:50:27,817 --> 00:50:29,233
Nice!
[cheering]
1373
00:50:29,267 --> 00:50:31,269
- And after taking his shot
at the Mega Wall...
1374
00:50:31,304 --> 00:50:33,133
- Oh, you were so close!
1375
00:50:33,168 --> 00:50:34,790
- He settled for
the regular wall
1376
00:50:34,824 --> 00:50:36,447
and finished
a qualifying course
1377
00:50:36,481 --> 00:50:37,931
for the second straight year.
1378
00:50:37,965 --> 00:50:40,589
[buzzer blares]
1379
00:50:40,623 --> 00:50:42,315
- I know you want cake,
but we got cake.
1380
00:50:42,349 --> 00:50:44,282
- I like cake!
1381
00:50:44,317 --> 00:50:47,458
- And with that, the Cake Crew
becomes the first trio
1382
00:50:47,492 --> 00:50:50,978
in qualifying to have all
three athletes hit a buzzer.
1383
00:50:51,013 --> 00:50:53,429
How sweet it is.
1384
00:50:53,464 --> 00:50:55,466
Great success for that trio.
1385
00:50:55,500 --> 00:50:57,709
Up next, the start
of another special group,
1386
00:50:57,744 --> 00:51:00,609
and leading it off for them
is Kyle Schulze,
1387
00:51:00,643 --> 00:51:02,611
who calls himself
the Deaf Ninja.
1388
00:51:02,645 --> 00:51:05,303
He's making the sign
language symbol for "ninja."
1389
00:51:05,338 --> 00:51:06,787
- That's the sign for ninja.
1390
00:51:06,822 --> 00:51:08,858
It's ninja love.
- Breathe the whole time.
1391
00:51:08,893 --> 00:51:10,205
- And making the sign
for "breathe,"
1392
00:51:10,239 --> 00:51:12,586
that's the other members
of this Chicago group,
1393
00:51:12,621 --> 00:51:14,726
Jimmy Choi and the guy
who invited them both,
1394
00:51:14,761 --> 00:51:18,627
Michael Torres, because
they've taught him so much.
1395
00:51:18,661 --> 00:51:20,698
♪
1396
00:51:20,732 --> 00:51:21,871
- With this season,
1397
00:51:21,906 --> 00:51:23,321
I'm bringing along two people
1398
00:51:23,356 --> 00:51:26,773
that not only inspire you guys
but inspire me.
1399
00:51:26,807 --> 00:51:28,568
Jimmy is the epitome
1400
00:51:28,602 --> 00:51:31,226
of somebody
who will not back down.
1401
00:51:31,260 --> 00:51:33,573
- You can see the tremors
in those hands.
1402
00:51:33,607 --> 00:51:35,540
- To just see the way
he tackles life
1403
00:51:35,575 --> 00:51:38,716
with Parkinson's disease,
1404
00:51:38,750 --> 00:51:41,063
it's really incredible
to watch him do what he does.
1405
00:51:41,098 --> 00:51:44,480
- Jimmy Choi
defying the odds!
1406
00:51:44,515 --> 00:51:47,069
- Michael Torres--
to watch him train
1407
00:51:47,104 --> 00:51:48,208
and to watch him operate...
1408
00:51:48,243 --> 00:51:51,453
Let's go, Torres.
There you go, nice.
1409
00:51:51,487 --> 00:51:53,386
Has really given me
a new perspective
1410
00:51:53,420 --> 00:51:55,698
on how I can move myself,
1411
00:51:55,733 --> 00:51:58,425
so this is really an honor.
1412
00:51:58,460 --> 00:52:01,359
- Kyle, too, I mean,
he's--he's deaf.
1413
00:52:01,394 --> 00:52:03,016
- Beat that wall.
1414
00:52:03,050 --> 00:52:06,502
- But he makes it just seem
like he's an everyday person.
1415
00:52:06,537 --> 00:52:08,297
- And he got
some style points!
1416
00:52:08,332 --> 00:52:09,816
- You know, just the same
as all of us,
1417
00:52:09,850 --> 00:52:13,164
and I love
that attitude about him.
1418
00:52:13,199 --> 00:52:15,994
- Jimmy Choi, him and I has
always been training together
1419
00:52:16,029 --> 00:52:17,410
since we first started.
1420
00:52:17,444 --> 00:52:18,825
- Nice, Kyle.
1421
00:52:18,859 --> 00:52:21,931
- So we have that same
understanding for each other,
1422
00:52:21,966 --> 00:52:24,658
what it's like
to struggle through that.
1423
00:52:24,693 --> 00:52:26,971
- And Kyle and I both share
a passion
1424
00:52:27,005 --> 00:52:28,283
to fundraise for our causes.
1425
00:52:28,317 --> 00:52:30,043
I will keep pushing my limits
1426
00:52:30,077 --> 00:52:32,079
and raise awareness
and funds for research.
1427
00:52:32,114 --> 00:52:35,117
- I will support his fundraiser
for Parkinson research,
1428
00:52:35,152 --> 00:52:37,809
and he helped me
with Deaf Day at my gym,
1429
00:52:37,844 --> 00:52:40,226
and Torres doesn't
even hesitate to help us.
1430
00:52:40,260 --> 00:52:41,468
He gives us
a little bit of advice,
1431
00:52:41,503 --> 00:52:44,126
how to improve our technique
and strength.
1432
00:52:44,161 --> 00:52:46,197
Us three together,
we're gonna be unstoppable
1433
00:52:46,232 --> 00:52:47,819
and be able to go
all the way down.
1434
00:52:47,854 --> 00:52:52,238
♪
1435
00:52:52,272 --> 00:52:53,584
[cheers and applause]
1436
00:52:53,618 --> 00:52:54,861
- I love it.
And there it is.
1437
00:52:54,895 --> 00:52:56,380
That's sign language
for "ninja,"
1438
00:52:56,414 --> 00:52:58,347
and his friends
giving it right back.
1439
00:52:58,382 --> 00:53:00,591
- Aw, look at that, he's
getting a little emotional.
1440
00:53:00,625 --> 00:53:02,282
Seeing family up
on those screens
1441
00:53:02,317 --> 00:53:04,353
really means
a lot to our ninjas.
1442
00:53:04,388 --> 00:53:06,838
- Absolutely, but now
has to focus on this run.
1443
00:53:06,873 --> 00:53:09,047
[countdown clock beeping]
1444
00:53:09,082 --> 00:53:10,325
Like so many of our ninjas,
1445
00:53:10,359 --> 00:53:12,568
he's a real leader
in his community,
1446
00:53:12,603 --> 00:53:15,606
goes around speaking to other
hard of hearing, deaf kids.
1447
00:53:15,640 --> 00:53:17,435
- That's right,
he traveled to 38 schools
1448
00:53:17,470 --> 00:53:19,610
for the deaf around the
country just in the last year.
1449
00:53:19,644 --> 00:53:21,405
- Good, good, good, good.
- All right, Kyle, come on.
1450
00:53:21,439 --> 00:53:23,993
- And Schulze now ready
for Off the Hook.
1451
00:53:24,028 --> 00:53:25,892
He's had some good runs
over the years
1452
00:53:25,926 --> 00:53:27,238
but never had a buzzer,
1453
00:53:27,273 --> 00:53:29,689
and that's been the story
of the night.
1454
00:53:29,723 --> 00:53:32,243
- Nice--oh, he almost missed
that one, but got it.
1455
00:53:32,278 --> 00:53:34,280
- Well, you can see it hooks
on, though,
1456
00:53:34,314 --> 00:53:35,488
good grip strength.
1457
00:53:35,522 --> 00:53:39,802
6'2", 165, lean and strong.
1458
00:53:39,837 --> 00:53:42,564
- Breathe.
Breathe.
1459
00:53:43,841 --> 00:53:45,325
- Watch that right hand,
Akbar.
1460
00:53:45,360 --> 00:53:47,189
Looks like he might have
banged it on the ring.
1461
00:53:47,224 --> 00:53:48,777
- And that's not a good thing
to injure
1462
00:53:48,811 --> 00:53:50,123
going into the Beehive.
1463
00:53:50,157 --> 00:53:52,436
Get that grip.
Get that movement.
1464
00:53:52,470 --> 00:53:55,473
These are all fundamental
ninja movements right here.
1465
00:53:57,337 --> 00:53:59,753
Like a lot of ninjas,
hasn't had as much time
1466
00:53:59,788 --> 00:54:02,066
to train as he would like.
1467
00:54:02,100 --> 00:54:04,482
- Well, keep in mind,
he injured his back
1468
00:54:04,517 --> 00:54:06,519
after last season in training.
1469
00:54:06,553 --> 00:54:08,003
- And he's fighting
with this one.
1470
00:54:08,037 --> 00:54:09,763
- Really been recuperating,
as you see how much core
1471
00:54:09,798 --> 00:54:12,007
there is involved
in these obstacles,
1472
00:54:12,041 --> 00:54:13,319
particularly these ones.
1473
00:54:13,353 --> 00:54:15,044
You can see, using the hips.
1474
00:54:15,079 --> 00:54:16,494
- That's a tough one
in the middle, Matt.
1475
00:54:16,529 --> 00:54:18,185
Those are three
90-degree turns.
1476
00:54:18,220 --> 00:54:20,567
- You need power.
1477
00:54:20,602 --> 00:54:22,120
- Oh!
- Great transition.
1478
00:54:22,155 --> 00:54:24,019
- Yeah, that Plexiglas
makes it very hard.
1479
00:54:24,053 --> 00:54:26,470
You gotta connect.
- Gotta go on that backside,
1480
00:54:26,504 --> 00:54:28,886
get the handles,
and he did it.
1481
00:54:28,920 --> 00:54:31,682
Now for the Spinning Bridge,
and last season
1482
00:54:31,716 --> 00:54:34,547
Kyle had a nasty fall
on this obstacle.
1483
00:54:34,581 --> 00:54:37,653
- Ooh, oh!
1484
00:54:37,688 --> 00:54:39,828
Yeah, that nearly
folded him in half!
1485
00:54:39,862 --> 00:54:42,313
He looked like a scorpion.
1486
00:54:42,348 --> 00:54:43,797
And look at that face.
1487
00:54:43,832 --> 00:54:46,938
He says, "We meet again,
Spinning Bridge."
1488
00:54:46,973 --> 00:54:49,631
- Go fast, go fast, go fast.
1489
00:54:49,665 --> 00:54:52,392
- Even more elevation change
in the balls this year.
1490
00:54:52,427 --> 00:54:54,187
- Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!
1491
00:54:54,221 --> 00:54:55,947
Boom!
- Got it!
1492
00:54:55,982 --> 00:54:57,673
And that's gotta be
a big boost.
1493
00:54:57,708 --> 00:54:59,434
You can see his reaction,
1494
00:54:59,468 --> 00:55:01,850
vanquishing your nemesis.
1495
00:55:01,884 --> 00:55:04,024
[cheers and applause]
- Let's go, come on.
1496
00:55:04,059 --> 00:55:06,372
- And he's getting closer
to that first buzzer,
1497
00:55:06,406 --> 00:55:08,822
but gotta get past Sideways.
1498
00:55:08,857 --> 00:55:10,376
You saw him, Akbar,
he was checking
1499
00:55:10,410 --> 00:55:12,136
that right hand back on
Off the Hook.
1500
00:55:12,170 --> 00:55:13,620
- Yeah.
- If his grip is compromised,
1501
00:55:13,655 --> 00:55:16,243
it's gonna be real tough
to survive this obstacle.
1502
00:55:16,278 --> 00:55:19,316
You can see you have to grab
these handles simultaneously,
1503
00:55:19,350 --> 00:55:22,215
or they'll just spin out
and drop you down.
1504
00:55:25,322 --> 00:55:28,152
- Three more handles to go.
- This is real challenging,
1505
00:55:28,186 --> 00:55:29,843
facing forward,
gotta go sideways.
1506
00:55:29,878 --> 00:55:32,501
- Ooh!
1507
00:55:32,536 --> 00:55:34,538
- No!
1508
00:55:34,572 --> 00:55:37,195
- Just missed it on Sideways,
1509
00:55:37,230 --> 00:55:39,128
Unforgiving obstacle.
1510
00:55:39,163 --> 00:55:43,167
An impressive run, but no
buzzer for the Deaf Ninja.
1511
00:55:43,201 --> 00:55:45,480
- Look at it, I think
he smacked his right hand
1512
00:55:45,514 --> 00:55:47,378
back on the second obstacle.
1513
00:55:47,413 --> 00:55:50,208
He managed to get revenge
on the Spinning Bridge...
1514
00:55:50,243 --> 00:55:51,727
- Ahh!
1515
00:55:51,762 --> 00:55:54,109
- But then on Sideways,
I think that injured hand
1516
00:55:54,143 --> 00:55:57,837
made it tough to grab,
and his run was over.
1517
00:55:57,871 --> 00:55:59,977
- I was so close.
1518
00:56:00,011 --> 00:56:01,737
- Coming up, she missed out
1519
00:56:01,772 --> 00:56:05,292
on the national finals for
the first time ever last year.
1520
00:56:05,327 --> 00:56:07,329
- No! No!
- Oh!
1521
00:56:07,364 --> 00:56:10,401
Now Meagan Martin's ready
for a comeback
1522
00:56:10,436 --> 00:56:13,266
on "American Ninja Warrior."
1523
00:56:16,200 --> 00:56:18,720
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior,"
1524
00:56:18,754 --> 00:56:22,206
and don't forget,
our night ends right over there
1525
00:56:22,240 --> 00:56:24,277
on the massive Power Tower.
1526
00:56:24,311 --> 00:56:26,590
- We've already had
some epic battles over there.
1527
00:56:26,624 --> 00:56:28,523
I'm hyped
for another one tonight.
1528
00:56:28,557 --> 00:56:31,595
- While we were away,
Army captain Jeri D'Aurelio
1529
00:56:31,629 --> 00:56:34,874
led a squad of military ninjas
onto the course.
1530
00:56:34,908 --> 00:56:37,117
D'Aurelio,
the six-year veteran,
1531
00:56:37,152 --> 00:56:39,706
had an army of supporters
rooting for her.
1532
00:56:39,741 --> 00:56:41,121
- Look at team Jeri.
1533
00:56:41,156 --> 00:56:43,779
- Including
her drum-beating dad.
1534
00:56:43,814 --> 00:56:46,817
Once on the course, she
attacked through the air...
1535
00:56:46,851 --> 00:56:49,785
- Okay, D'Aurelio!
- And on the ground.
1536
00:56:49,820 --> 00:56:51,373
- Go, go, go, go, go, nice!
- Perfect!
1537
00:56:51,408 --> 00:56:52,754
- Whoo!
1538
00:56:52,788 --> 00:56:55,446
- But then couldn't quite
conquer Sideways.
1539
00:56:55,481 --> 00:56:57,793
Ohh!
- No!
1540
00:56:57,828 --> 00:56:59,243
- But she's still got a chance
1541
00:56:59,277 --> 00:57:00,831
to be in
the women's top three.
1542
00:57:00,865 --> 00:57:03,005
- Oh, my God, it felt so good.
1543
00:57:03,040 --> 00:57:04,869
- One of the ninjas
Jeri brought
1544
00:57:04,904 --> 00:57:07,009
was National Guardsman
Michael Bougher.
1545
00:57:07,044 --> 00:57:08,321
- I love this kid.
1546
00:57:08,355 --> 00:57:10,012
- The Indiana native
missed last year
1547
00:57:10,047 --> 00:57:12,601
because he was
at Army Ranger school,
1548
00:57:12,636 --> 00:57:14,983
but he came storming
back tonight.
1549
00:57:15,017 --> 00:57:16,812
- He wants it.
He wants it.
1550
00:57:16,847 --> 00:57:18,296
- Until he got careless
1551
00:57:18,331 --> 00:57:20,160
and was brought down
by the Beehive.
1552
00:57:20,195 --> 00:57:21,334
- Ohh!
1553
00:57:21,368 --> 00:57:24,786
- Too aggressive!
Too aggressive!
1554
00:57:24,820 --> 00:57:26,443
- The third member
of this group,
1555
00:57:26,477 --> 00:57:29,722
California's Verdale Benson,
was awarded a bronze star
1556
00:57:29,756 --> 00:57:32,587
by the Army for his service
in Afghanistan.
1557
00:57:32,621 --> 00:57:35,175
- Army strong?
He's Army swole!
1558
00:57:35,210 --> 00:57:36,901
- Whoo! Let's go!
- Go, V!
1559
00:57:36,936 --> 00:57:38,972
- And the super-fit
former Army medic
1560
00:57:39,007 --> 00:57:40,457
was a man on a mission.
1561
00:57:40,491 --> 00:57:42,010
- Not this year!
1562
00:57:42,044 --> 00:57:43,736
[cheering]
1563
00:57:43,770 --> 00:57:45,703
- In his third season,
he was trying
1564
00:57:45,738 --> 00:57:47,947
to finish a course
for the first time.
1565
00:57:47,981 --> 00:57:49,811
[cheering]
1566
00:57:49,845 --> 00:57:52,607
- Get that first buzzer!
- Oh, and he's flying!
1567
00:57:52,641 --> 00:57:54,332
- Whoo!
- And it was
1568
00:57:54,367 --> 00:57:57,646
an emotional moment
when he finally got it.
1569
00:57:57,681 --> 00:57:59,165
- Yes!
- I see you!
1570
00:57:59,199 --> 00:58:00,442
They see you!
1571
00:58:00,477 --> 00:58:02,858
How special is this?
1572
00:58:07,207 --> 00:58:10,728
- Up next, it's another ninja
who's waited a long time
1573
00:58:10,763 --> 00:58:12,419
just to compete.
1574
00:58:12,454 --> 00:58:14,698
This is 22-year-old
Will Schlageter,
1575
00:58:14,732 --> 00:58:17,528
a biochemist
from Rochester, New York.
1576
00:58:17,563 --> 00:58:19,047
He's one of
the two young ninjas
1577
00:58:19,081 --> 00:58:21,428
invited by the Weatherman,
Joe Moravsky.
1578
00:58:21,463 --> 00:58:22,809
- Whoo-hoo!
1579
00:58:22,844 --> 00:58:25,812
- Will applied to be
on the show back in 2012,
1580
00:58:25,847 --> 00:58:28,125
when he was way too young
to be eligible,
1581
00:58:28,159 --> 00:58:30,714
but now
his long-delayed ninja dream
1582
00:58:30,748 --> 00:58:33,440
is finally coming true.
1583
00:58:33,475 --> 00:58:36,651
- My name is William Johan
Maximilian Schlageter V,
1584
00:58:36,685 --> 00:58:41,725
and I am the first
American Ninja Warrior.
1585
00:58:41,759 --> 00:58:43,278
I was first seen on
"American Ninja Warrior"
1586
00:58:43,312 --> 00:58:46,523
when I was 14 years old back
in season four.
1587
00:58:46,557 --> 00:58:48,801
You know, "American Ninja
Warrior," it's a lifestyle.
1588
00:58:48,835 --> 00:58:51,597
I sent in my first
submission video that year.
1589
00:58:51,631 --> 00:58:54,254
I started it,
you know, having fun,
1590
00:58:54,289 --> 00:58:55,911
but it keeps me
physically fit.
1591
00:58:55,946 --> 00:58:59,397
And instead of me being able
to run, since I was too young,
1592
00:58:59,432 --> 00:59:01,468
they let my dad
run in my place.
1593
00:59:01,503 --> 00:59:04,299
- Out of Lancaster, PA,
Bill Schlageter.
1594
00:59:04,333 --> 00:59:06,715
- And I love him
to death, but...
1595
00:59:06,750 --> 00:59:08,959
[horn blares]
- Oh, taps out,
1596
00:59:08,993 --> 00:59:10,512
a rookie mistake.
1597
00:59:10,547 --> 00:59:13,135
- That didn't go as well
as planned.
1598
00:59:13,170 --> 00:59:14,689
♪
1599
00:59:14,723 --> 00:59:17,761
And ever since then,
I just started training
1600
00:59:17,795 --> 00:59:19,832
really, really hard.
1601
00:59:19,866 --> 00:59:21,178
♪
1602
00:59:21,212 --> 00:59:23,007
[bell rings]
Every day after school,
1603
00:59:23,042 --> 00:59:24,284
go train for two hours,
1604
00:59:24,319 --> 00:59:25,596
whether it's rain,
whether it's snow,
1605
00:59:25,631 --> 00:59:27,253
'cause ever since I was 14,
1606
00:59:27,287 --> 00:59:29,082
this has been my dream,
1607
00:59:29,117 --> 00:59:32,603
and this year I'm here
'cause of the absolute legend,
1608
00:59:32,638 --> 00:59:34,605
Joe Moravsky.
1609
00:59:34,640 --> 00:59:37,608
- Will's got that fire
in his eye.
1610
00:59:37,643 --> 00:59:40,404
He's the guy to look out for,
I'm telling you now.
1611
00:59:40,438 --> 00:59:43,821
- The night my dad got to run
in Miami, Matt Iseman said...
1612
00:59:43,856 --> 00:59:46,479
- Well, seven more years
before the son gets out here.
1613
00:59:46,513 --> 00:59:49,344
- Well, Matt, here I am.
1614
00:59:49,378 --> 00:59:51,795
I've been training
my butt off,
1615
00:59:51,829 --> 00:59:53,900
and I'm going
to destroy that course.
1616
00:59:53,935 --> 00:59:56,627
♪
1617
00:59:57,732 --> 00:59:58,802
[cheers and applause]
1618
00:59:58,836 --> 01:00:01,149
Hey, guys!
I love you!
1619
01:00:01,183 --> 01:00:02,771
- Calling out to the family,
1620
01:00:02,806 --> 01:00:04,877
including his dad,
Bill, in the back.
1621
01:00:04,911 --> 01:00:07,845
- And the roles are reversed.
Now he's watching his son.
1622
01:00:07,880 --> 01:00:10,779
- And they're all wearing
Will Da Beast t-shirts.
1623
01:00:10,814 --> 01:00:11,987
That's his nickname.
1624
01:00:12,022 --> 01:00:13,644
- He doesn't look
like a beast.
1625
01:00:13,679 --> 01:00:15,922
He looks like
a biochemist, Matt.
1626
01:00:15,957 --> 01:00:17,993
- Whoo!
- Well, Joe Moravsky believes
1627
01:00:18,028 --> 01:00:18,994
in this kid.
1628
01:00:19,029 --> 01:00:20,237
There's Joe with
1629
01:00:20,271 --> 01:00:21,963
their third member,
Jeshuah Lewis.
1630
01:00:21,997 --> 01:00:25,000
- Whoo-hoo!
[countdown clock beeping]
1631
01:00:25,035 --> 01:00:28,659
- Will Da Beast
unleashing it on the course.
1632
01:00:28,694 --> 01:00:30,834
- Oh running in glasses
like Clark Kent.
1633
01:00:30,868 --> 01:00:32,629
Let's see if he turns
into Superman.
1634
01:00:32,663 --> 01:00:36,287
- Just amazing to think when
he was 14, this was his dream.
1635
01:00:36,322 --> 01:00:39,359
Now here he is at 22,
running the course.
1636
01:00:41,810 --> 01:00:44,641
Will has already bested
his dad's performance.
1637
01:00:44,675 --> 01:00:47,057
Remember, his dad fell
on the first obstacle.
1638
01:00:47,091 --> 01:00:49,059
- Nice!
- Oh, look at that!
1639
01:00:49,093 --> 01:00:51,993
[cheering]
1640
01:00:52,027 --> 01:00:54,064
This guy's been busy
during the quarantine.
1641
01:00:54,098 --> 01:00:55,893
He had a virtual graduation
1642
01:00:55,928 --> 01:00:57,550
from the University
of Rochester
1643
01:00:57,584 --> 01:01:00,587
with three degrees--
biology, chemistry,
1644
01:01:00,622 --> 01:01:02,244
and environmental sciences.
1645
01:01:02,279 --> 01:01:04,246
Obviously a smart kid.
1646
01:01:04,281 --> 01:01:06,697
- Now he's trying
to outsmart the Beehive.
1647
01:01:06,732 --> 01:01:09,320
His hands are getting
a little low there.
1648
01:01:11,460 --> 01:01:13,497
- No!
- Oh, no!
1649
01:01:13,531 --> 01:01:15,430
- Oh!
1650
01:01:17,294 --> 01:01:20,435
- Dang it!
- He is livid, Matt.
1651
01:01:20,469 --> 01:01:23,127
And he lost his glasses too!
1652
01:01:23,162 --> 01:01:25,440
- Well, the dream
becomes a nightmare.
1653
01:01:25,474 --> 01:01:28,512
His grip gives out
on the Beehive.
1654
01:01:28,546 --> 01:01:31,411
- Will Da Beast waited years
to get his shot
1655
01:01:31,446 --> 01:01:32,930
and was cruising along,
1656
01:01:32,965 --> 01:01:35,657
but as he swings over
to that third honeycomb,
1657
01:01:35,692 --> 01:01:37,797
he couldn't keep his grip
with his left hand,
1658
01:01:37,832 --> 01:01:40,282
and his night is over.
- No!
1659
01:01:43,320 --> 01:01:46,081
- Will Schlageter an example
of never giving up,
1660
01:01:46,116 --> 01:01:48,256
and so is our next ninja,
1661
01:01:48,290 --> 01:01:50,603
four-time veteran Jimmy Choi.
1662
01:01:50,637 --> 01:01:52,881
Zuri, get him started.
1663
01:01:52,916 --> 01:01:55,953
- I can't tell you how thrilled
we are to see Jimmy Choi
1664
01:01:55,988 --> 01:01:57,610
back on that start line.
1665
01:01:57,644 --> 01:01:59,923
After battling
Parkinson's disease for years,
1666
01:01:59,957 --> 01:02:01,959
he thought he had
to quit ninja for good,
1667
01:02:01,994 --> 01:02:04,513
but now Jimmy just might
have found a miracle.
1668
01:02:04,548 --> 01:02:07,551
His doctors introduced him
to a cutting-edge new treatment
1669
01:02:07,585 --> 01:02:11,244
called vibrotactile stimulation
or VTS.
1670
01:02:11,279 --> 01:02:14,351
For two hours every day,
Jimmy wears special gloves
1671
01:02:14,385 --> 01:02:15,732
that send electrical currents
1672
01:02:15,766 --> 01:02:17,768
from his fingertips
to his brain.
1673
01:02:17,803 --> 01:02:20,184
Those currents create
new neural pathways
1674
01:02:20,219 --> 01:02:23,118
that help reduce
the symptoms of Parkinson's.
1675
01:02:24,361 --> 01:02:27,813
- My training has gotten
to the next level,
1676
01:02:27,847 --> 01:02:29,193
thanks to this treatment.
1677
01:02:29,228 --> 01:02:31,644
I'm able to do things now that
1678
01:02:31,678 --> 01:02:33,577
I was not able to do before.
1679
01:02:34,992 --> 01:02:36,787
It has given me a second life
1680
01:02:36,822 --> 01:02:38,582
at ninja warrior.
1681
01:02:38,616 --> 01:02:40,895
I think this season, for me,
1682
01:02:40,929 --> 01:02:43,173
is a season
1683
01:02:43,207 --> 01:02:46,038
that I am not gonna forget.
1684
01:02:46,072 --> 01:02:48,903
I have all the tools
that I need
1685
01:02:48,937 --> 01:02:50,697
to complete any course.
1686
01:02:50,732 --> 01:02:51,733
- Yes!
1687
01:02:51,768 --> 01:02:54,943
♪
1688
01:02:54,978 --> 01:02:57,118
- And there he is, Jimmy Choi,
1689
01:02:57,152 --> 01:03:00,086
knocking out some burpees
before his run, wow.
1690
01:03:00,121 --> 01:03:02,088
- He's showing off
his fitness.
1691
01:03:02,123 --> 01:03:03,572
This is Jimmy Choi.
1692
01:03:03,607 --> 01:03:06,127
He has Parkinson, but he has
not let it stop him.
1693
01:03:06,161 --> 01:03:07,645
- And he's got
a lot of support,
1694
01:03:07,680 --> 01:03:09,337
especially from his family.
1695
01:03:09,371 --> 01:03:12,961
There's his wife and two kids
watching back in Chicago.
1696
01:03:14,721 --> 01:03:16,240
- Let's go, Jimmy!
1697
01:03:16,275 --> 01:03:19,140
- And his buddies will have
his back on the sidelines.
1698
01:03:19,174 --> 01:03:22,039
Kyle Schulze made it
to the fifth obstacle earlier,
1699
01:03:22,074 --> 01:03:24,490
and Michael Torres
will run next.
1700
01:03:24,524 --> 01:03:26,216
- And you can see it
right there,
1701
01:03:26,250 --> 01:03:27,769
the tremors in his arms,
1702
01:03:27,804 --> 01:03:29,978
something he lives
with every day.
1703
01:03:30,013 --> 01:03:32,360
[countdown clock beeps]
1704
01:03:32,394 --> 01:03:34,224
He wants so badly
to hit the buzzer.
1705
01:03:34,258 --> 01:03:36,743
Tonight is the night that he
gets past the third--
1706
01:03:36,778 --> 01:03:40,023
- Oh, no!
- Ohh.
1707
01:03:40,057 --> 01:03:42,819
- Oh, no, he fumbled his hand.
1708
01:03:42,853 --> 01:03:46,443
- Just missed on the rope,
and a hard fall.
1709
01:03:46,477 --> 01:03:48,721
♪
1710
01:03:48,755 --> 01:03:50,861
Got to be disappointing.
1711
01:03:50,896 --> 01:03:52,311
Thought he was
strong enough
1712
01:03:52,345 --> 01:03:54,934
to go far
on the course this year.
1713
01:03:54,969 --> 01:03:56,867
- Just missed the rope.
That was it.
1714
01:03:56,902 --> 01:03:58,248
[sighs]
1715
01:03:58,282 --> 01:04:00,664
- He got a nice jump
from that last step,
1716
01:04:00,698 --> 01:04:02,631
but when he went to grab
the rope,
1717
01:04:02,666 --> 01:04:04,599
his right hand
caught it clean,
1718
01:04:04,633 --> 01:04:07,153
but his left hand
just missed it.
1719
01:04:09,500 --> 01:04:10,881
- Hey, we all know
you can do this.
1720
01:04:10,916 --> 01:04:12,607
You--and you know
you can do this.
1721
01:04:12,641 --> 01:04:14,022
- And look at this:
his two friends
1722
01:04:14,057 --> 01:04:15,472
rushed over to console him.
1723
01:04:15,506 --> 01:04:17,819
This is what the ninja
warrior community
1724
01:04:17,854 --> 01:04:18,958
is all about.
1725
01:04:18,993 --> 01:04:20,891
- I'm so proud of you, man,
but listen, dude,
1726
01:04:20,926 --> 01:04:23,342
I'm telling you, I'm gonna do
my very best to bring you
1727
01:04:23,376 --> 01:04:25,378
and Kyle back
for a second chance, all right?
1728
01:04:25,413 --> 01:04:27,794
Come on, I got you guys.
Let's do it.
1729
01:04:27,829 --> 01:04:29,624
- Torres talking about
saving them
1730
01:04:29,658 --> 01:04:31,868
if he can win
on the Power Tower,
1731
01:04:31,902 --> 01:04:34,042
but first he'll have to be
among the two fastest.
1732
01:04:34,077 --> 01:04:36,907
We'll see his run
when we come back.
1733
01:04:42,395 --> 01:04:44,052
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior"
1734
01:04:44,087 --> 01:04:47,400
and the final night of
qualifying here in St. Louis.
1735
01:04:47,435 --> 01:04:48,608
While we were away,
1736
01:04:48,643 --> 01:04:50,921
Erie, Pennsylvania's
Jennifer Stefano
1737
01:04:50,956 --> 01:04:52,854
had a huge group of friends
and family
1738
01:04:52,889 --> 01:04:54,614
watching her ninja debut.
1739
01:04:54,649 --> 01:04:57,169
- She's so excited,
she's crying.
1740
01:04:57,203 --> 01:04:58,895
- The 20-year-old rookie
was invited
1741
01:04:58,929 --> 01:05:01,138
by ninja veteran
Lucas Reale...
1742
01:05:01,173 --> 01:05:02,588
- Up first, then over.
1743
01:05:02,622 --> 01:05:04,935
- Who coached her
through the second obstacle.
1744
01:05:04,970 --> 01:05:07,386
- Nice!
Just like that, okay!
1745
01:05:08,456 --> 01:05:10,389
- But the waitress
couldn't work her way
1746
01:05:10,423 --> 01:05:11,804
across the Beehive.
1747
01:05:11,838 --> 01:05:13,840
- You can see it on her face.
She's concerned.
1748
01:05:13,875 --> 01:05:16,602
Oh!
[all groaning]
1749
01:05:16,636 --> 01:05:19,260
- Then it was her mentor,
Lucas Reale's turn.
1750
01:05:19,294 --> 01:05:21,020
The two-time national finalist
1751
01:05:21,055 --> 01:05:22,988
made it to stage three
last season,
1752
01:05:23,022 --> 01:05:25,714
and he picked up
right where he left off.
1753
01:05:25,749 --> 01:05:27,061
- Yeah, that's the way
you do it.
1754
01:05:27,095 --> 01:05:28,959
- The Massachusetts
gym manager
1755
01:05:28,994 --> 01:05:30,236
was a man on a mission
1756
01:05:30,271 --> 01:05:31,824
as he cruised
through the course...
1757
01:05:31,858 --> 01:05:33,688
- He's going
for that fast time!
1758
01:05:33,722 --> 01:05:35,862
- And put up the fastest time
of the night.
1759
01:05:35,897 --> 01:05:39,521
- Yes, whoo!
Yeah, baby!
1760
01:05:39,556 --> 01:05:42,145
- So Reale's currently in line
to go to the Power Tower,
1761
01:05:42,179 --> 01:05:45,527
but there's still some top
competitors yet to run.
1762
01:05:45,562 --> 01:05:48,358
- That was blazing.
- Yes!
1763
01:05:48,392 --> 01:05:49,911
- And here comes one of those
1764
01:05:49,946 --> 01:05:51,499
who could challenge
Reale's time.
1765
01:05:51,533 --> 01:05:54,295
This is 25-year-old
Michael Torres,
1766
01:05:54,329 --> 01:05:55,986
and he's a newlywed.
1767
01:05:56,021 --> 01:05:57,988
Just got married
to his wife Sarah.
1768
01:05:58,023 --> 01:06:01,026
His big family watching
from New Jersey, as well,
1769
01:06:01,060 --> 01:06:03,166
as are some of his Chicago
training partners,
1770
01:06:03,200 --> 01:06:05,651
Cam Baumgartner,
Ethan Swanson,
1771
01:06:05,685 --> 01:06:07,170
and Chris DiGangi.
1772
01:06:07,204 --> 01:06:08,792
- Let's go, Captain Torres!
- Yeah, Torres!
1773
01:06:08,826 --> 01:06:10,621
- But it's his other
Chicago buddies
1774
01:06:10,656 --> 01:06:12,175
who are on his mind
right now.
1775
01:06:12,209 --> 01:06:14,073
Neither are in the top 12,
1776
01:06:14,108 --> 01:06:16,351
so, without his help,
they're going home.
1777
01:06:16,386 --> 01:06:19,734
Torres has vowed to make it to
the Power Tower and save them,
1778
01:06:19,768 --> 01:06:22,392
but he'll have to be
one of the two fastest times
1779
01:06:22,426 --> 01:06:23,462
to get there.
1780
01:06:23,496 --> 01:06:26,534
[countdown clock beeping]
1781
01:06:26,568 --> 01:06:29,951
He knows what he needs to do--
beat Lucas Reale's time
1782
01:06:29,986 --> 01:06:32,195
of a minute, 17 seconds.
1783
01:06:32,229 --> 01:06:34,507
- Let's go, Torres, come on.
You got this.
1784
01:06:34,542 --> 01:06:36,268
- Still a few other
good ninjas to run,
1785
01:06:36,302 --> 01:06:37,614
including Joe Moravsky,
1786
01:06:37,648 --> 01:06:40,030
but if he beats Reale's
blazing time,
1787
01:06:40,065 --> 01:06:42,239
he'll be in the driver's seat.
1788
01:06:42,274 --> 01:06:43,447
- You got it.
Come on, you got it.
1789
01:06:43,482 --> 01:06:45,104
- Well, Torres
always moves fast,
1790
01:06:45,139 --> 01:06:47,727
but, Akbar, with speed,
there is risk.
1791
01:06:47,762 --> 01:06:49,419
Just stuck that dismount.
1792
01:06:49,453 --> 01:06:51,214
[cheering]
1793
01:06:51,248 --> 01:06:53,285
Now on to Beehive.
1794
01:06:53,319 --> 01:06:56,357
- This 25-year-old veteran,
he's been here before.
1795
01:06:57,185 --> 01:06:59,015
Nice.
- Well, Reale's time
1796
01:06:59,049 --> 01:07:01,396
was so fast,
one extra swing
1797
01:07:01,431 --> 01:07:03,398
could be the difference.
- Nice, nice!
1798
01:07:03,433 --> 01:07:04,641
- You got it here.
You got it, right.
1799
01:07:04,675 --> 01:07:05,883
- He's gotta hustle.
He's gotta add
1800
01:07:05,918 --> 01:07:07,678
a little bit more gas
to his run.
1801
01:07:07,713 --> 01:07:09,508
[cheering]
1802
01:07:09,542 --> 01:07:11,406
- Now through the Spinning
Bridge, no hesitation.
1803
01:07:11,441 --> 01:07:12,407
- Nice!
- Perfect.
1804
01:07:12,442 --> 01:07:13,857
He's starting to gas it,
Akbar.
1805
01:07:13,891 --> 01:07:14,996
He heard you.
- Yes, he is.
1806
01:07:15,031 --> 01:07:16,342
He must be
wearing them stretch jeans
1807
01:07:16,377 --> 01:07:17,723
'cause he flew through
Spinning Bridge.
1808
01:07:17,757 --> 01:07:19,621
- Got about 30 seconds,
but we've seen this one
1809
01:07:19,656 --> 01:07:22,348
is a brutal obstacle,
and it is unforgiving.
1810
01:07:22,383 --> 01:07:23,798
One mistake, and you're wet.
1811
01:07:23,832 --> 01:07:25,593
- And you can see
he's taking chances.
1812
01:07:25,627 --> 01:07:26,870
He's going all out.
1813
01:07:26,904 --> 01:07:28,492
He wants to save his buddies.
1814
01:07:28,527 --> 01:07:29,700
- Come on.
Yes.
1815
01:07:29,735 --> 01:07:31,771
There we go.
- Come on, Torres.
1816
01:07:31,806 --> 01:07:33,221
Yeah, you see him
trying to adjust his--
1817
01:07:33,256 --> 01:07:34,636
- Oh, my.
Oh, my!
1818
01:07:34,671 --> 01:07:36,086
- Oh, he's going wicked fast!
1819
01:07:36,121 --> 01:07:37,467
- Oh, my!
- That was dangerous!
1820
01:07:37,501 --> 01:07:38,778
- He's got about 12 seconds
to get the top time!
1821
01:07:38,813 --> 01:07:40,263
- Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh.
- He's going for it!
1822
01:07:40,297 --> 01:07:41,781
- Oh, sha-na-na!
1823
01:07:41,816 --> 01:07:43,990
Do it for your boy!
- And he's got it!
1824
01:07:44,025 --> 01:07:45,337
- That's what
I'm talking about!
1825
01:07:45,371 --> 01:07:47,580
- [screaming]
- Do it for your boy!
1826
01:07:47,615 --> 01:07:51,101
- Yeah!
- Let's go!
1827
01:07:51,136 --> 01:07:52,102
[cheering]
1828
01:07:52,137 --> 01:07:54,380
- Torres is pumped!
1829
01:07:54,415 --> 01:07:56,555
- Let's go, baby!
1830
01:07:56,589 --> 01:07:58,591
- You are your brother's
keeper, man.
1831
01:07:58,626 --> 01:08:01,629
You kept your promise,
and you did it for your boys.
1832
01:08:01,663 --> 01:08:02,975
You got the fastest time.
1833
01:08:03,009 --> 01:08:04,632
- Let's go!
1834
01:08:04,666 --> 01:08:06,358
Come on!
I got you guys!
1835
01:08:06,392 --> 01:08:08,153
- Wow.
- I'm bringing you back!
1836
01:08:08,187 --> 01:08:10,051
- Captain Torres.
1837
01:08:10,086 --> 01:08:12,916
- Whoo!
1838
01:08:12,950 --> 01:08:15,712
- When Michael Torres
makes a promise, he keeps it.
1839
01:08:15,746 --> 01:08:18,197
He absolutely flew
through Spinning Bridge,
1840
01:08:18,232 --> 01:08:20,337
then made up even more time
1841
01:08:20,372 --> 01:08:24,790
with a little one,
two, three on Sideways
1842
01:08:24,824 --> 01:08:26,826
before flying up
the Warped Wall.
1843
01:08:26,861 --> 01:08:28,587
Michael Torres clutches up
1844
01:08:28,621 --> 01:08:31,452
and snags the top spot
on our leaderboard.
1845
01:08:32,936 --> 01:08:37,354
- What a run, and now here
comes another ninja superstar.
1846
01:08:37,389 --> 01:08:39,563
It's Meagan Martin.
1847
01:08:39,598 --> 01:08:41,496
The pro rock climber
and model is now
1848
01:08:41,531 --> 01:08:43,947
in her seventh season
on "American Ninja Warrior,"
1849
01:08:43,981 --> 01:08:45,362
and, like so many
of our athletes,
1850
01:08:45,397 --> 01:08:48,538
she's wearing a Ninjas
for Black Lives patch.
1851
01:08:48,572 --> 01:08:51,610
For Meagan, it's a movement
that hits close to home.
1852
01:08:52,611 --> 01:08:54,095
- Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!
Nice!
1853
01:08:54,130 --> 01:08:56,166
- Yes.
- Yeah, I love it.
1854
01:08:56,201 --> 01:08:57,823
- I'm biracial.
1855
01:08:57,857 --> 01:08:59,342
My dad is black
and Native American.
1856
01:08:59,376 --> 01:09:00,826
My mom is white.
1857
01:09:00,860 --> 01:09:02,759
I am proud
of all of my heritage.
1858
01:09:04,450 --> 01:09:07,695
- Such an inspiration
to so many young girls
1859
01:09:07,729 --> 01:09:09,214
and young boys out there.
1860
01:09:09,248 --> 01:09:11,457
- And it's nice to be in
a position
1861
01:09:11,492 --> 01:09:14,874
where we can help
spread more positivity
1862
01:09:14,909 --> 01:09:17,394
and acceptance and love,
1863
01:09:17,429 --> 01:09:19,362
because, like,
that's what the world needs.
1864
01:09:19,396 --> 01:09:21,847
- No, she's not gonna let
this obstacle take her down.
1865
01:09:21,881 --> 01:09:23,469
That's Meagan Martin, Matt.
1866
01:09:23,504 --> 01:09:26,231
[cheering]
1867
01:09:28,302 --> 01:09:31,546
- Our ninjas, like athletes
in so many other sports,
1868
01:09:31,581 --> 01:09:33,376
are truly using
their platform this year.
1869
01:09:33,410 --> 01:09:35,654
And there's Meagan's family
that she talked about--
1870
01:09:35,688 --> 01:09:38,415
her mom, dad,
and sister in Orlando--
1871
01:09:38,450 --> 01:09:40,348
plus lots
of other family members
1872
01:09:40,383 --> 01:09:42,695
spread around the country.
1873
01:09:42,730 --> 01:09:44,007
- And Meagan's got
some pressure here.
1874
01:09:44,041 --> 01:09:45,560
Women have done well tonight.
1875
01:09:45,595 --> 01:09:48,356
[countdown clock beeping]
1876
01:09:48,391 --> 01:09:49,599
- Absolutely, she'll need to
1877
01:09:49,633 --> 01:09:51,048
at least get
to the fifth obstacle
1878
01:09:51,083 --> 01:09:52,705
to be in the top three
among the women.
1879
01:09:52,740 --> 01:09:54,776
[cheering]
1880
01:09:54,811 --> 01:09:56,847
Tiana Webberley
and Mady Howard
1881
01:09:56,882 --> 01:09:59,022
have already
hit buzzers tonight.
1882
01:09:59,056 --> 01:10:00,368
- And if Meagan can do it,
1883
01:10:00,403 --> 01:10:02,991
we'd have three women
finishers in one night.
1884
01:10:03,026 --> 01:10:06,616
It would be only the second
time that's ever happened.
1885
01:10:06,650 --> 01:10:08,687
- Meagan's comfortable
in the air.
1886
01:10:08,721 --> 01:10:10,792
She was a college pole vaulter
at Vanderbilt,
1887
01:10:10,827 --> 01:10:12,173
and she's through.
1888
01:10:12,208 --> 01:10:14,900
- Get it, Meagan!
- As a rock climber,
1889
01:10:14,934 --> 01:10:16,453
good grip strength;
1890
01:10:16,488 --> 01:10:19,560
as a pole vaulter, knows how
to move her body in space.
1891
01:10:19,594 --> 01:10:21,700
- Yeah, she's got that rock
climbing background,
1892
01:10:21,734 --> 01:10:24,150
all of it--I mean,
she's such a dynamic athlete,
1893
01:10:24,185 --> 01:10:25,807
but more importantly,
she's been doing ninja
1894
01:10:25,842 --> 01:10:27,119
for so long now.
1895
01:10:27,153 --> 01:10:28,534
She's a seven-time veteran,
1896
01:10:28,569 --> 01:10:30,053
and she continues
to get better.
1897
01:10:30,087 --> 01:10:32,366
- Well, it was back
in season six.
1898
01:10:32,400 --> 01:10:35,265
Kacy Catanzaro hit a buzzer.
Michelle Warnky hit a buzzer.
1899
01:10:35,300 --> 01:10:37,854
Then this woman
did it in Denver.
1900
01:10:37,888 --> 01:10:39,925
- Come on, Meagan.
- Come on now.
1901
01:10:39,959 --> 01:10:41,547
- Good power out
of Meagan Martin.
1902
01:10:41,582 --> 01:10:43,239
- Nice!
1903
01:10:43,273 --> 01:10:45,689
- She is looking strong
and moving quickly.
1904
01:10:45,724 --> 01:10:46,759
- Here we go, here we go.
1905
01:10:46,794 --> 01:10:48,140
- And now she's through.
1906
01:10:48,174 --> 01:10:50,660
[cheering]
1907
01:10:50,694 --> 01:10:52,627
There's still
one more woman to run,
1908
01:10:52,662 --> 01:10:55,009
but if Meagan Martin can get
through Spinning Bridge
1909
01:10:55,043 --> 01:10:56,838
with this time,
she'd move into third
1910
01:10:56,873 --> 01:10:58,875
among the women.
1911
01:10:58,909 --> 01:11:01,118
- Nice, go, go, go, go,
go, go, go, go!
1912
01:11:01,153 --> 01:11:02,396
- And she does it!
- Yeah!
1913
01:11:02,430 --> 01:11:05,709
[cheering]
1914
01:11:05,744 --> 01:11:07,573
- Now for Sideways,
1915
01:11:07,608 --> 01:11:10,576
an obstacle
she's never seen before.
1916
01:11:10,611 --> 01:11:13,441
- I expect Meagan Martin
to get through Sideways, Matt.
1917
01:11:13,476 --> 01:11:16,202
- As a climber, this just--this
is in her wheelhouse, Akbar.
1918
01:11:16,237 --> 01:11:17,997
- Absolutely.
1919
01:11:18,032 --> 01:11:21,311
She was built for this.
She's trained for this.
1920
01:11:21,346 --> 01:11:24,383
- 5'4", 137.
- Nice.
1921
01:11:24,418 --> 01:11:26,351
Well, she's got a little bit
more hang time.
1922
01:11:26,385 --> 01:11:28,214
- Well, she is closing in
on history.
1923
01:11:28,249 --> 01:11:29,802
If she can make it
to the buzzer,
1924
01:11:29,837 --> 01:11:31,528
it would be
just the second time
1925
01:11:31,563 --> 01:11:33,737
we've ever had three women
finish in one night.
1926
01:11:33,772 --> 01:11:35,946
This descent, though,
more challenging.
1927
01:11:35,981 --> 01:11:37,431
- Nice.
- Ooh, ooh, that was close.
1928
01:11:37,465 --> 01:11:39,398
- Okay, now the descent here,
another 6-inch drop.
1929
01:11:39,433 --> 01:11:40,882
- Down and around
with those hands.
1930
01:11:40,917 --> 01:11:43,471
- Oh, no!
- Ahh!
1931
01:11:43,506 --> 01:11:46,129
- Just missed it.
- Sha-na-na!
1932
01:11:46,819 --> 01:11:48,821
- She missed it.
1933
01:11:48,856 --> 01:11:50,789
- She was living dangerously
on this obstacle,
1934
01:11:50,823 --> 01:11:53,619
grabbing the board with her
right hand before the left.
1935
01:11:53,654 --> 01:11:56,277
She made it work
until that next-to-last one,
1936
01:11:56,312 --> 01:11:58,175
when it finally
caught up to her,
1937
01:11:58,210 --> 01:11:59,832
and the board flipped,
1938
01:11:59,867 --> 01:12:02,525
just a few feet
from making history.
1939
01:12:03,733 --> 01:12:05,355
- Oh, I was just rushing.
I was stressed,
1940
01:12:05,390 --> 01:12:07,115
knowing the times.
1941
01:12:07,150 --> 01:12:08,807
Ugh, I rushed it.
1942
01:12:08,841 --> 01:12:10,256
- But the good news
for Meagan,
1943
01:12:10,291 --> 01:12:11,637
she's in the top three
1944
01:12:11,672 --> 01:12:14,260
with only one woman
still left to run.
1945
01:12:15,296 --> 01:12:17,678
So here's where we stand
right now for the Power Tower.
1946
01:12:17,712 --> 01:12:19,818
Currently, the matchup
is Michael Torres
1947
01:12:19,852 --> 01:12:21,371
versus Lucas Reale,
1948
01:12:21,406 --> 01:12:24,754
but Joe Moravsky may have
something to say about that.
1949
01:12:24,788 --> 01:12:28,758
He runs next on
"American Ninja Warrior."
1950
01:12:32,900 --> 01:12:35,074
- Welcome back to
"American Ninja Warrior."
1951
01:12:35,109 --> 01:12:38,595
It's the final night of
qualifying here in St. Louis,
1952
01:12:38,630 --> 01:12:40,114
and, while we were away,
1953
01:12:40,148 --> 01:12:42,288
Houston college student
Kid Owhadi
1954
01:12:42,323 --> 01:12:44,049
and the two ninjas
he invited
1955
01:12:44,083 --> 01:12:45,947
got their shot at the course.
1956
01:12:45,982 --> 01:12:48,087
First up
was 31-year-old rookie
1957
01:12:48,122 --> 01:12:50,918
Matt Carmona, aka Big Mona.
1958
01:12:50,952 --> 01:12:53,023
- Ahh!
Let's go!
1959
01:12:53,058 --> 01:12:54,784
- Daddy!
Daddy!
1960
01:12:54,818 --> 01:12:58,753
- Carmona is a beast.
He's 6'2" and 220,
1961
01:12:58,788 --> 01:13:00,652
and trains
with the Kid back in Houston.
1962
01:13:00,686 --> 01:13:02,136
- Whoo!
- Let's go, Matt!
1963
01:13:02,170 --> 01:13:05,208
- I see you, big boy.
- But his big dreams ended
1964
01:13:05,242 --> 01:13:07,210
with a big splash
on Off the Hook.
1965
01:13:07,244 --> 01:13:08,522
- Oh, air ball.
1966
01:13:10,627 --> 01:13:12,284
- Then Kid's other ninja,
1967
01:13:12,318 --> 01:13:14,804
Sophia Oster,
tried something different.
1968
01:13:14,838 --> 01:13:16,737
She wore a dress
for her run...
1969
01:13:16,771 --> 01:13:18,083
[cheering]
1970
01:13:18,117 --> 01:13:21,293
And it sure seemed to work.
- Oh, nice!
1971
01:13:21,327 --> 01:13:24,469
In that fall dress,
I thought she was gonna fall.
1972
01:13:24,503 --> 01:13:25,953
- Yes!
- You got it!
1973
01:13:25,987 --> 01:13:28,231
- This 21-year-old
petting zoo owner
1974
01:13:28,265 --> 01:13:30,509
made one great move
after another.
1975
01:13:30,544 --> 01:13:33,443
- Oh!
- How did she hang on?
1976
01:13:33,478 --> 01:13:35,756
- Yes!
Let's do it!
1977
01:13:35,790 --> 01:13:37,861
- And ran all the way
to the fifth obstacle.
1978
01:13:37,896 --> 01:13:39,760
- Gimme the hot--yeah!
- Yes!
1979
01:13:39,794 --> 01:13:40,795
- Yes!
1980
01:13:40,830 --> 01:13:42,245
- Yes!
Uh!
1981
01:13:42,279 --> 01:13:44,074
- If she could
finish Sideways,
1982
01:13:44,109 --> 01:13:46,352
she'd earn a spot
in the top three,
1983
01:13:46,387 --> 01:13:48,354
but it wasn't meant to be.
1984
01:13:48,389 --> 01:13:51,254
Oh!
- Oh!
1985
01:13:51,288 --> 01:13:53,705
- And her fall guaranteed
Meagan Martin a spot
1986
01:13:53,739 --> 01:13:55,085
in the next round.
1987
01:13:57,087 --> 01:13:59,814
- Then it was time
for the Kid himself.
1988
01:13:59,849 --> 01:14:01,506
- Yeah!
- Let's go!
1989
01:14:01,540 --> 01:14:03,887
- The 21-year-old University
of Houston student
1990
01:14:03,922 --> 01:14:06,234
is one of ninja's
brightest stars.
1991
01:14:06,269 --> 01:14:08,513
- He's got that cool factor,
cap on backwards.
1992
01:14:08,547 --> 01:14:09,548
I love it.
1993
01:14:09,583 --> 01:14:10,998
- Let's go, Kid!
1994
01:14:11,032 --> 01:14:13,863
- And the Kid came out fast.
- Warm it up, Kid.
1995
01:14:13,897 --> 01:14:16,348
- He's about to.
- Yes, he is.
1996
01:14:16,382 --> 01:14:17,729
- Yes!
Let's go, brother!
1997
01:14:17,763 --> 01:14:20,145
- He was flying through
the first five obstacles
1998
01:14:20,179 --> 01:14:22,527
and had a shot
at the fastest time,
1999
01:14:22,561 --> 01:14:24,736
but he decided to go
for the money.
2000
01:14:24,770 --> 01:14:26,427
- Oh, he's going
for the Mega Wall.
2001
01:14:26,462 --> 01:14:30,051
- Last season the Kid
just missed the 18-foot wall.
2002
01:14:30,086 --> 01:14:32,398
- Wow!
2003
01:14:32,433 --> 01:14:34,953
- The Kid comes up just short.
2004
01:14:34,987 --> 01:14:36,748
And he wanted a second chance.
2005
01:14:36,782 --> 01:14:38,888
- That's a lot of money
to pass up.
2006
01:14:38,922 --> 01:14:40,337
- Oh!
2007
01:14:40,372 --> 01:14:42,201
But history repeated itself.
2008
01:14:42,236 --> 01:14:45,515
- Look at his handprint.
Look how close he was!
2009
01:14:45,550 --> 01:14:47,690
- He had to settle
for the regular wall
2010
01:14:47,724 --> 01:14:49,519
and the third-fastest time.
2011
01:14:49,554 --> 01:14:50,762
- He tried it
but didn't get it.
2012
01:14:50,796 --> 01:14:51,866
That's all right.
2013
01:14:53,799 --> 01:14:56,802
- So now, it's our final
runner of the night,
2014
01:14:56,837 --> 01:14:58,735
and he is one of the best.
2015
01:14:58,770 --> 01:15:01,531
It's the Weatherman,
Joe Moravsky,
2016
01:15:01,566 --> 01:15:04,120
back for his eighth year
of competition.
2017
01:15:04,154 --> 01:15:05,984
Can see him looking over
to his family,
2018
01:15:06,018 --> 01:15:08,296
including his two kids
and wife, Stephanie,
2019
01:15:08,331 --> 01:15:11,196
who's due any day now
with their third child.
2020
01:15:11,230 --> 01:15:12,749
With his family growing,
2021
01:15:12,784 --> 01:15:15,165
it makes Joe want that $10,000
2022
01:15:15,200 --> 01:15:18,341
from the Mega Wall even more.
2023
01:15:18,375 --> 01:15:21,378
Setting up a showdown
with the Mega Wall!
2024
01:15:21,413 --> 01:15:24,450
- So the Mega Wall is maybe
the most frustrating thing
2025
01:15:24,485 --> 01:15:26,556
that's happened over
the last two seasons for me.
2026
01:15:26,591 --> 01:15:28,558
- One shot.
2027
01:15:28,593 --> 01:15:31,112
♪
2028
01:15:31,147 --> 01:15:33,045
Oh!
- Oh!
2029
01:15:33,080 --> 01:15:35,841
- When I get there, I think
I panic a little bit at times.
2030
01:15:35,876 --> 01:15:38,568
- Joe Moravsky's got one thing
on his mind,
2031
01:15:38,603 --> 01:15:40,639
that Mega Wall.
2032
01:15:40,674 --> 01:15:42,745
- Oh!
2033
01:15:42,779 --> 01:15:45,989
- To know that I can beat it
and not have beaten it yet,
2034
01:15:46,024 --> 01:15:47,991
it's--it's really,
really annoying.
2035
01:15:48,026 --> 01:15:50,649
♪
2036
01:15:50,684 --> 01:15:52,927
This year, you know,
I've trained it so much,
2037
01:15:52,962 --> 01:15:54,929
countless hours.
2038
01:15:54,964 --> 01:15:56,172
- ♪ Trying to reach
another level ♪
2039
01:15:56,206 --> 01:15:57,725
♪ I'm not done yet
2040
01:15:57,760 --> 01:16:00,176
- Oh, I can't wait
to be up there.
2041
01:16:00,210 --> 01:16:01,833
I'm gonna be up there.
2042
01:16:01,867 --> 01:16:04,214
- ♪ Be a master at my craft
is my mindset ♪
2043
01:16:05,181 --> 01:16:06,700
- Just--you'll see.
2044
01:16:06,734 --> 01:16:07,735
I'll be up there.
2045
01:16:07,770 --> 01:16:09,357
Ten grand.
2046
01:16:11,256 --> 01:16:12,740
- Well, we know Joe
wants the money,
2047
01:16:12,775 --> 01:16:14,362
but he's got a dilemma.
2048
01:16:14,397 --> 01:16:17,055
The other ninja he brought
with him, Jeshuah Lewis,
2049
01:16:17,089 --> 01:16:19,782
fell just a few minutes ago
on the fifth obstacle.
2050
01:16:19,816 --> 01:16:21,749
- Oh!
- Oh, no!
2051
01:16:21,784 --> 01:16:23,302
- And he's not in the top 12,
2052
01:16:23,337 --> 01:16:26,616
so both the ninjas Joe brought
are out...
2053
01:16:26,651 --> 01:16:29,101
- Let's go, Joe!
- Unless Joe can save them
2054
01:16:29,136 --> 01:16:31,241
for the semifinals
by going fast,
2055
01:16:31,276 --> 01:16:33,589
getting to the Power Tower,
and winning,
2056
01:16:33,623 --> 01:16:35,452
but it would be tough
to be among the fastest
2057
01:16:35,487 --> 01:16:37,800
if he takes the time
to try the Mega Wall.
2058
01:16:37,834 --> 01:16:39,802
So what will Joe do?
2059
01:16:39,836 --> 01:16:41,873
He shared his thoughts
just moments ago.
2060
01:16:41,907 --> 01:16:45,048
- I think my goal right now
is to switch the game plan,
2061
01:16:45,083 --> 01:16:49,639
go fast, try to make top two,
and try to get the Mega Wall.
2062
01:16:49,674 --> 01:16:51,468
[exhales]
We'll see what happens.
2063
01:16:51,503 --> 01:16:53,470
Give me some energy.
- That's a tall order,
2064
01:16:53,505 --> 01:16:55,714
get the Mega Wall
and the Power Tower?
2065
01:16:55,749 --> 01:16:56,888
But he's going for it.
2066
01:16:56,922 --> 01:16:59,200
[countdown clock beeping]
- Whoo!
2067
01:16:59,235 --> 01:17:00,270
- As the final runner,
2068
01:17:00,305 --> 01:17:02,065
he knows what he needs to do.
2069
01:17:02,100 --> 01:17:03,998
- Well, Michael Torres
is guaranteed
2070
01:17:04,033 --> 01:17:05,413
to be in the top two.
2071
01:17:05,448 --> 01:17:07,381
Lucas Reale
is currently second.
2072
01:17:07,415 --> 01:17:09,279
That's whose time
Joe needs to beat.
2073
01:17:09,314 --> 01:17:11,523
- And he's gotta be feeling
some pressure right now.
2074
01:17:11,557 --> 01:17:14,422
The fate of his two young
ninjas is riding on this run.
2075
01:17:14,457 --> 01:17:15,838
- Come on, man.
Breathe.
2076
01:17:15,872 --> 01:17:17,287
- Got through the first
two obstacles quickly,
2077
01:17:17,322 --> 01:17:19,048
but be careful on the Beehive.
2078
01:17:19,082 --> 01:17:22,016
- Breathe, keep turning.
Keep turning.
2079
01:17:22,051 --> 01:17:23,880
- Looking strong so far.
2080
01:17:23,915 --> 01:17:26,193
Joe's been the Last Ninja
Standing twice,
2081
01:17:26,227 --> 01:17:27,608
has been so consistent
2082
01:17:27,643 --> 01:17:29,058
in the eight years
of his ninja career.
2083
01:17:29,092 --> 01:17:30,542
- Yeah, let's go!
2084
01:17:30,576 --> 01:17:32,026
Perfect, dude.
2085
01:17:32,061 --> 01:17:34,477
- Now ready
for Spinning Bridge.
2086
01:17:35,961 --> 01:17:37,135
- Oh, whoa!
2087
01:17:37,169 --> 01:17:38,930
- Stumble, but he's alive.
- Wow.
2088
01:17:38,964 --> 01:17:40,794
- What a pace,
fastest to this point.
2089
01:17:40,828 --> 01:17:42,830
- I thought that was about
to be a cold front.
2090
01:17:42,865 --> 01:17:45,626
- Look at him flying
through Sideways!
2091
01:17:45,661 --> 01:17:47,110
- Oh, look at him.
2092
01:17:47,145 --> 01:17:48,767
- Well, you know he's doing
this for Jeshuah Lewis
2093
01:17:48,802 --> 01:17:50,631
and Will Schlageter.
2094
01:17:50,666 --> 01:17:52,564
- Breathe, there we go.
2095
01:17:54,635 --> 01:17:57,120
- Look at him,
such quick moves.
2096
01:17:57,155 --> 01:17:59,088
- Nice.
- This guy is so impressive.
2097
01:17:59,122 --> 01:18:01,400
That wall tipping,
he's over it!
2098
01:18:01,435 --> 01:18:04,265
He's still got a shot
to beat Reale's time,
2099
01:18:04,300 --> 01:18:07,130
but he's going for the Mega
Wall, just like he promised.
2100
01:18:07,165 --> 01:18:08,891
Will the third time
be the charm?
2101
01:18:08,925 --> 01:18:10,375
- You said
you was gonna do it!
2102
01:18:10,409 --> 01:18:12,480
All right, get it done!
2103
01:18:12,515 --> 01:18:14,103
both: Oh!
- Yes!
2104
01:18:14,137 --> 01:18:16,484
- He got it!
- Yes!
2105
01:18:16,519 --> 01:18:17,693
[buzzer blaring]
2106
01:18:17,727 --> 01:18:20,247
Yes!
2107
01:18:20,281 --> 01:18:22,525
- He's going
to the Power Tower!
2108
01:18:22,559 --> 01:18:23,975
- Ohh, yes!
2109
01:18:24,009 --> 01:18:26,978
- He said he wanted both,
and he got both.
2110
01:18:27,012 --> 01:18:28,358
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
2111
01:18:28,393 --> 01:18:30,222
- Oh, my goodness, let it out!
2112
01:18:30,257 --> 01:18:31,534
Get it out!
2113
01:18:31,568 --> 01:18:33,709
[cheering]
2114
01:18:33,743 --> 01:18:35,607
- Come over here, Joe.
Get over here.
2115
01:18:35,641 --> 01:18:37,989
- Just ca--get over here, Joe.
- Whoa.
2116
01:18:38,023 --> 01:18:39,300
- Oh, that was a lot of energy
2117
01:18:39,335 --> 01:18:40,923
and pain coming out
right there.
2118
01:18:40,957 --> 01:18:41,958
- You had a choice.
2119
01:18:41,993 --> 01:18:44,374
You knew the Power Tower
was at stake.
2120
01:18:44,409 --> 01:18:46,756
You went for the Mega Wall.
You still got it.
2121
01:18:46,791 --> 01:18:49,276
You're the second-fastest, Joe.
- Whoo-hoo-hoo!
2122
01:18:49,310 --> 01:18:51,727
- Yeah, Joe!
- Whoo-hoo!
2123
01:18:51,761 --> 01:18:53,521
- Yes!
I love you, Joe!
2124
01:18:53,556 --> 01:18:54,660
- Get over here!
2125
01:18:54,695 --> 01:18:56,490
- Well, how about it?
Joe Moravsky.
2126
01:18:56,524 --> 01:18:59,907
What a moment, Akbar.
2127
01:18:59,942 --> 01:19:02,461
Goes up the Mega Wall,
gets the 10K,
2128
01:19:02,496 --> 01:19:04,981
and he's got a showdown
on the Power Tower.
2129
01:19:05,016 --> 01:19:06,742
His whole team
could be moving on.
2130
01:19:06,776 --> 01:19:08,467
♪
2131
01:19:08,502 --> 01:19:11,850
- When his two ninja buddies
needed him, Joe came through.
2132
01:19:11,885 --> 01:19:14,853
Not only did he get one
of the two fastest times,
2133
01:19:14,888 --> 01:19:18,270
he finally got that Mega Wall
and the 10 grand he wanted.
2134
01:19:18,305 --> 01:19:19,789
[buzzer blaring]
2135
01:19:19,824 --> 01:19:22,171
- Yes!
- Let's go down to Zuri,
2136
01:19:22,205 --> 01:19:23,586
who's with
the man of the hour.
2137
01:19:23,620 --> 01:19:25,968
- Joe, how did that feel?
You looked emotional.
2138
01:19:26,002 --> 01:19:27,901
- You know, I've done
this eight seasons now,
2139
01:19:27,935 --> 01:19:30,179
and there are very few buzzers
2140
01:19:30,213 --> 01:19:31,352
that meant more to me
than that one.
2141
01:19:31,387 --> 01:19:32,664
That was a big moment.
2142
01:19:32,698 --> 01:19:34,390
- And why did it mean
so much to you?
2143
01:19:34,424 --> 01:19:37,324
- Because it's a testament
to all the hard work.
2144
01:19:37,358 --> 01:19:38,532
Like, look at that.
- Look at that.
2145
01:19:38,566 --> 01:19:39,533
- One hand.
- Look at that grip.
2146
01:19:39,567 --> 01:19:42,156
- Oh!
Oh, you have no idea,
2147
01:19:42,191 --> 01:19:45,401
and the people that go through
trials and tribulations
2148
01:19:45,435 --> 01:19:47,610
and pain
and suffering and failure...
2149
01:19:47,644 --> 01:19:48,714
- Yeah.
- Like me,
2150
01:19:48,749 --> 01:19:49,957
look at the emotion.
2151
01:19:49,992 --> 01:19:52,857
I mean, I'm gonna dream
about this forever.
2152
01:19:52,891 --> 01:19:55,721
- Great job.
Guys, take it away.
2153
01:19:55,756 --> 01:19:58,000
- So the Power Tower is set.
2154
01:19:58,034 --> 01:20:01,348
It's gonna be two of the best,
Torres versus Moravsky,
2155
01:20:01,382 --> 01:20:03,937
with a chance
to save their teammates
2156
01:20:03,971 --> 01:20:07,112
when "American Ninja Warrior"
returns.
2157
01:20:09,943 --> 01:20:11,599
- Welcome back to St. Louis
2158
01:20:11,634 --> 01:20:13,222
and the thrilling
final minutes
2159
01:20:13,256 --> 01:20:15,431
of "American Ninja Warrior."
2160
01:20:15,465 --> 01:20:17,226
We've already seen
some epic matchups
2161
01:20:17,260 --> 01:20:18,779
on the Power Tower
this season,
2162
01:20:18,814 --> 01:20:21,299
and, Akbar, it looks like we're
in for another one tonight
2163
01:20:21,333 --> 01:20:23,370
with the legend
who moves like lightning,
2164
01:20:23,404 --> 01:20:25,096
the Weatherman,
Joe Moravsky,
2165
01:20:25,130 --> 01:20:27,167
squaring off against the ninja
with the baby face
2166
01:20:27,201 --> 01:20:29,686
and the grown-up skills,
Michael Torres.
2167
01:20:29,721 --> 01:20:32,551
And there's a lot on the line
for both these guys.
2168
01:20:32,586 --> 01:20:34,968
- Yeah, they're trying to save
the two ninjas they brought.
2169
01:20:35,002 --> 01:20:39,075
For Moravsky, that's Will
Schlageter and Jeshuah Lewis.
2170
01:20:39,110 --> 01:20:41,802
For Torres, it's Kyle Schulze
and Jimmy Choi.
2171
01:20:41,837 --> 01:20:44,632
Win, and your buddies
get to stick around.
2172
01:20:44,667 --> 01:20:47,290
- Joe's got his pregnant wife
and the rest of his family
2173
01:20:47,325 --> 01:20:49,465
watching from Connecticut,
2174
01:20:49,499 --> 01:20:51,812
and Torres's new wife, Sarah,
and their dog, Hershey,
2175
01:20:51,847 --> 01:20:54,297
are watching from Chicago.
2176
01:20:54,332 --> 01:20:57,887
Both these guys hoping to be
a hero for their two ninjas.
2177
01:20:59,337 --> 01:21:01,615
Oh!
He got it!
2178
01:21:01,649 --> 01:21:02,927
[buzzer blaring]
2179
01:21:02,961 --> 01:21:04,894
- I think it's really cool
if I win the Power Tower,
2180
01:21:04,929 --> 01:21:06,240
I get to bring my team back.
2181
01:21:06,275 --> 01:21:07,897
I have Jeshuah and William,
2182
01:21:07,932 --> 01:21:09,726
and really excited
to see it play out.
2183
01:21:11,211 --> 01:21:12,902
- No!
2184
01:21:12,937 --> 01:21:15,249
- Watching Kyle run, I mean,
we've all done that,
2185
01:21:15,284 --> 01:21:18,701
but it's emotionally
and physically hard on you.
2186
01:21:18,735 --> 01:21:21,393
- I was so close.
I was--
2187
01:21:21,428 --> 01:21:24,293
- Jimmy shockingly fell
on the very first obstacle.
2188
01:21:24,327 --> 01:21:25,846
- That he gets past
the third ob--
2189
01:21:25,881 --> 01:21:27,606
- Oh, no!
2190
01:21:27,641 --> 01:21:30,471
- To miss a rope,
it's a freak accident.
2191
01:21:30,506 --> 01:21:31,956
Sorry, man.
2192
01:21:31,990 --> 01:21:33,302
I knew right then and there
2193
01:21:33,336 --> 01:21:35,580
that I had to go
the absolute fastest
2194
01:21:35,614 --> 01:21:37,823
that I could to bring
those guys back.
2195
01:21:39,446 --> 01:21:42,173
- Do it for your boy!
Do it for your boy!
2196
01:21:42,207 --> 01:21:45,141
- Let's go!
- Let's go!
2197
01:21:46,211 --> 01:21:48,075
I really wanna win
this Power Tower.
2198
01:21:48,110 --> 01:21:49,594
♪
2199
01:21:49,628 --> 01:21:50,802
- Yeah!
2200
01:21:50,836 --> 01:21:52,355
I'm not here
to get second place.
2201
01:21:52,390 --> 01:21:54,633
♪
2202
01:21:54,668 --> 01:21:57,705
I'm here to win.
2203
01:21:57,740 --> 01:21:59,880
- Here we go.
2204
01:21:59,915 --> 01:22:01,986
So much riding on this race,
2205
01:22:02,020 --> 01:22:04,091
the fates
of their two ninja buddies
2206
01:22:04,126 --> 01:22:05,748
hanging in the balance.
2207
01:22:05,782 --> 01:22:07,232
- That's a lot of pressure.
2208
01:22:07,267 --> 01:22:10,097
[countdown clock beeping]
2209
01:22:10,132 --> 01:22:11,961
- Here we go.
- Here we go, they're off!
2210
01:22:11,996 --> 01:22:13,376
- Oh, my.
- And Torres is really--
2211
01:22:13,411 --> 01:22:15,068
oh, Torres stumbles!
2212
01:22:15,102 --> 01:22:17,104
You can't let Joe Moravsky
get ahead like that!
2213
01:22:17,139 --> 01:22:18,416
Oh, boy.
2214
01:22:18,450 --> 01:22:20,970
- And Moravsky,
a sizeable lead.
2215
01:22:21,005 --> 01:22:22,282
- Come on, Michael!
2216
01:22:22,316 --> 01:22:24,111
- All right,
anything can happen.
2217
01:22:24,146 --> 01:22:26,251
- Oh, look at him bounding out
onto those poles,
2218
01:22:26,286 --> 01:22:28,702
pulling away
but spinning around!
2219
01:22:28,736 --> 01:22:30,359
- Here comes Torres!
- He's gotta go fast,
2220
01:22:30,393 --> 01:22:31,808
and look at Joe Moravsky.
2221
01:22:31,843 --> 01:22:33,500
- Go, let's go!
Come on, Michael, come on.
2222
01:22:33,534 --> 01:22:37,159
- Moravsky first on the drop,
Torres dead even!
2223
01:22:37,193 --> 01:22:38,539
- Uh-oh, now
they're right there.
2224
01:22:38,574 --> 01:22:39,747
- Moravsky, Torres!
2225
01:22:39,782 --> 01:22:41,508
- Uh-oh! Uh-oh!
- Moravsky, Torres!
2226
01:22:41,542 --> 01:22:43,475
- Uh-oh!
Back and forth, back and forth!
2227
01:22:43,510 --> 01:22:45,822
- Joe Moravsky--oh!
- Back and for--ahh!
2228
01:22:45,857 --> 01:22:46,823
[buzzer blares]
2229
01:22:46,858 --> 01:22:48,066
- Torres sold out,
2230
01:22:48,101 --> 01:22:50,758
but Moravsky gets the buzzer!
2231
01:22:52,691 --> 01:22:54,486
- Yeah!
2232
01:22:54,521 --> 01:22:56,972
- Oh, my word.
2233
01:22:57,006 --> 01:22:59,043
- The Weatherman
pulled a storm
2234
01:22:59,077 --> 01:23:00,906
and blazed through it.
2235
01:23:00,941 --> 01:23:03,530
Jeshuah Lewis
and the Will Da Beast,
2236
01:23:03,564 --> 01:23:05,739
William Schlageter,
are moving on.
2237
01:23:05,773 --> 01:23:08,500
- Oh, man, Matt,
that one was exhilarating.
2238
01:23:09,846 --> 01:23:11,779
Torres fell behind early.
2239
01:23:11,814 --> 01:23:13,919
Look, Joe's already down here,
2240
01:23:13,954 --> 01:23:17,130
but Torres made up ground
and was quicker up the pole.
2241
01:23:17,164 --> 01:23:18,786
When they reached
the dropping shelves,
2242
01:23:18,821 --> 01:23:21,479
it was very close
as they swung across,
2243
01:23:21,513 --> 01:23:23,274
and Torres gambled,
2244
01:23:23,308 --> 01:23:26,622
trying to fly past
that final shelf in one move,
2245
01:23:26,656 --> 01:23:30,557
but came up short,
and Moravsky gets the win.
2246
01:23:30,591 --> 01:23:31,868
[buzzer blaring]
2247
01:23:31,903 --> 01:23:34,147
- Whoo!
Yeah, baby!
2248
01:23:34,181 --> 01:23:36,701
- The Weatherman
getting big air.
2249
01:23:36,735 --> 01:23:38,289
And he's got reason
to celebrate,
2250
01:23:38,323 --> 01:23:40,429
and so do
his two young ninjas.
2251
01:23:40,463 --> 01:23:41,947
They're moving on.
2252
01:23:41,982 --> 01:23:44,053
Behind Moravsky and Torres
on the leaderboard
2253
01:23:44,088 --> 01:23:46,987
are Lucas Reale
and Kid Owhadi.
2254
01:23:47,022 --> 01:23:48,747
Others advancing
to the semifinals
2255
01:23:48,782 --> 01:23:52,303
are fan favorites Lance Pekus
and Kevin Bull,
2256
01:23:52,337 --> 01:23:53,959
and we had several veterans
2257
01:23:53,994 --> 01:23:55,547
hit buzzers
for the first time,
2258
01:23:55,582 --> 01:23:59,034
including Alex Carson
and Verdale Benson.
2259
01:23:59,068 --> 01:24:01,726
The top three women
featured two finishers,
2260
01:24:01,760 --> 01:24:03,866
Mady Howard
and Tiana Webberley,
2261
01:24:03,900 --> 01:24:05,695
along with Meagan Martin.
2262
01:24:05,730 --> 01:24:08,664
That wraps up a spectacular
night of performances.
2263
01:24:08,698 --> 01:24:11,115
Next week we head
to the semifinals.
2264
01:24:11,149 --> 01:24:12,530
For Akbar Gbajabiamila
and Zuri Hall,
2265
01:24:12,564 --> 01:24:14,049
I'm Matt Iseman.
2266
01:24:14,083 --> 01:24:17,949
We'll see you next time
on "American Ninja Warrior."