1 00:00:04,176 --> 00:00:05,660 [cheers and applause] 2 00:00:05,695 --> 00:00:08,422 - We're on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River 3 00:00:08,456 --> 00:00:09,871 in St. Louis, Missouri, 4 00:00:09,906 --> 00:00:12,012 inside the Dome at America's Center, 5 00:00:12,046 --> 00:00:14,911 and tonight we wrap up the semifinals 6 00:00:14,945 --> 00:00:17,258 on "American Ninja Warrior." 7 00:00:17,293 --> 00:00:18,915 Hello, everybody. I'm Matt Iseman. 8 00:00:18,949 --> 00:00:20,399 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 9 00:00:20,434 --> 00:00:23,230 Matt, we've been rocking this dome all season, 10 00:00:23,264 --> 00:00:25,404 and we're gonna keep it going tonight. 11 00:00:25,439 --> 00:00:29,270 We're about to see a stacked field of ninja superstars. 12 00:00:29,305 --> 00:00:33,033 Longtime veterans like stuntwoman Jessie Graff, 13 00:00:33,067 --> 00:00:35,621 Connecticut's Joe Moravsky, 14 00:00:35,656 --> 00:00:37,934 rock climber Meagan Martin, 15 00:00:37,968 --> 00:00:41,075 and Philadelphia's Najee Richardson. 16 00:00:41,110 --> 00:00:43,008 - I just feel really good, 17 00:00:43,043 --> 00:00:46,080 and I think this could possibly be my season. 18 00:00:46,115 --> 00:00:49,152 - But we've also got the next generation of ninja, 19 00:00:49,187 --> 00:00:53,087 some rising stars ready to make some noise. 20 00:00:53,122 --> 00:00:54,675 - [yells] 21 00:00:54,709 --> 00:00:56,056 I'm fast. I'm ready. 22 00:00:56,090 --> 00:00:57,919 I'm gonna kill it, show them what I got. 23 00:00:57,954 --> 00:01:00,819 Let's go, baby! 24 00:01:00,853 --> 00:01:02,165 - And this course is filled 25 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,305 with dangerous twists and turns. 26 00:01:04,340 --> 00:01:07,101 For all the details, let's go down to Zuri Hall. 27 00:01:07,136 --> 00:01:10,208 - Guys, the extended course has ten tough obstacles, 28 00:01:10,242 --> 00:01:13,349 including this one that left some of our best ninjas 29 00:01:13,383 --> 00:01:17,077 drenched and dizzy last week. 30 00:01:17,111 --> 00:01:19,113 - Oh, no! [buzzer blares] 31 00:01:19,148 --> 00:01:20,977 - The eighth obstacle, Corkscrew, 32 00:01:21,011 --> 00:01:23,013 with its three wild spins, 33 00:01:23,048 --> 00:01:25,223 took out a third of our competitors. 34 00:01:25,257 --> 00:01:27,604 - Oh! - Oh, no! 35 00:01:27,639 --> 00:01:30,090 - And the ninth obstacle, the Dungeon, 36 00:01:30,124 --> 00:01:34,128 is another tough one that also took out some of our best. 37 00:01:34,163 --> 00:01:36,199 - No! 38 00:01:36,234 --> 00:01:38,615 - Whoever survives takes on the tenth obstacle, 39 00:01:38,650 --> 00:01:42,032 the 35-foot Spider Trap, which leads to the buzzer. 40 00:01:42,067 --> 00:01:45,139 Who is gonna come out on top? We'll find out tonight. 41 00:01:45,174 --> 00:01:46,416 [horn blares] 42 00:01:46,451 --> 00:01:48,177 - Zuri, you better get down from there 43 00:01:48,211 --> 00:01:51,456 because we're ready to roll. 44 00:01:51,490 --> 00:01:55,184 Our first competitor tonight is a true American hero. 45 00:01:55,218 --> 00:01:56,806 Verdale Benson won a Bronze Star 46 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:58,635 for his service in Afghanistan. 47 00:01:58,670 --> 00:02:02,156 The former Army medic is now a physician assistant. 48 00:02:02,191 --> 00:02:04,124 And that's his wife and son watching right there. 49 00:02:04,158 --> 00:02:07,161 A few weeks ago they got to see Ninja V, 50 00:02:07,196 --> 00:02:10,682 as he's known, have his biggest ninja moment. 51 00:02:10,716 --> 00:02:11,924 - Say da-da. - Bye. 52 00:02:11,959 --> 00:02:13,167 - Get that buzzer. - Bye. 53 00:02:13,202 --> 00:02:14,237 - Yeah. 54 00:02:14,272 --> 00:02:16,550 - I and my family have sacrificed so much. 55 00:02:16,584 --> 00:02:19,104 I have a very supportive wife. 56 00:02:19,139 --> 00:02:20,933 You know, she gives me her--her blessing 57 00:02:20,968 --> 00:02:24,489 to train for hours a week. 58 00:02:24,523 --> 00:02:26,146 My run in qualifying 59 00:02:26,180 --> 00:02:28,769 was absolutely the best night of my ninja career. 60 00:02:28,803 --> 00:02:30,874 - Let's go! Get up that wall! 61 00:02:30,909 --> 00:02:34,602 - Ninja V looking for his first buzzer! 62 00:02:34,637 --> 00:02:36,397 - I had never hit a buzzer. 63 00:02:36,432 --> 00:02:37,709 When I was at the top of that wall, 64 00:02:37,743 --> 00:02:39,124 and I finally hit the buzzer 65 00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:40,988 and realized that my dream had come true, 66 00:02:41,022 --> 00:02:42,990 it just really brought out the emotion in me. 67 00:02:43,024 --> 00:02:45,095 - ♪ Today is your day 68 00:02:45,130 --> 00:02:47,028 - How special is this? 69 00:02:47,063 --> 00:02:49,514 - It's just awesome watching the emotion. 70 00:02:49,548 --> 00:02:51,101 - Seeing my family on the sidelines, 71 00:02:51,136 --> 00:02:52,655 even though they weren't here physically, 72 00:02:52,689 --> 00:02:55,140 really prompted a lot of the tears. 73 00:02:55,175 --> 00:02:58,178 This is a dream come true. This is what it's all about. 74 00:02:58,212 --> 00:02:59,972 - Sebastian's watching you, huh? 75 00:03:00,007 --> 00:03:01,940 - I wanted to do it for him, for my two boys, 76 00:03:01,974 --> 00:03:03,804 my wife, my family... 77 00:03:03,838 --> 00:03:05,115 This is great. 78 00:03:05,150 --> 00:03:07,290 If I can just recapture that energy, 79 00:03:07,325 --> 00:03:09,603 I know that I can do well and finish this course 80 00:03:09,637 --> 00:03:10,845 in the semifinals. 81 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:12,433 I have the momentum, 82 00:03:12,468 --> 00:03:14,228 and I'm here to take the top spot. 83 00:03:14,263 --> 00:03:17,231 - ♪ Today is your day 84 00:03:17,266 --> 00:03:19,268 - In addition to his wife and son, 85 00:03:19,302 --> 00:03:21,097 he's also got his mom watching. 86 00:03:21,131 --> 00:03:24,065 - Aw, yeah, she's got a Ninja V shrine behind her. 87 00:03:24,100 --> 00:03:25,584 - Let's go, V! 88 00:03:25,619 --> 00:03:27,931 - On the sideline, the Army buddy who invited him 89 00:03:27,966 --> 00:03:30,520 to compete this year, Jeri D'Aurelio, 90 00:03:30,555 --> 00:03:34,075 plus one of the NorCal ninjas he trains with, Brian Kretsch. 91 00:03:34,110 --> 00:03:36,630 [countdown timer beeping] 92 00:03:36,664 --> 00:03:39,495 - And Verdale Benson is swole, Matt. 93 00:03:39,529 --> 00:03:42,187 That's 210 pounds of solid muscle 94 00:03:42,222 --> 00:03:44,189 going across the Shrinking Steps. 95 00:03:44,224 --> 00:03:46,847 - Now here on this new obstacle, Spring Forward. 96 00:03:46,881 --> 00:03:48,918 Haven't seen this since last season in L.A., 97 00:03:48,952 --> 00:03:50,885 and it was a challenger. 98 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:52,784 - Yeah, and it can be very tricky too. 99 00:03:52,818 --> 00:03:55,096 As you see, this thing has got a lot of spring to it, 100 00:03:55,131 --> 00:03:58,272 and so it can disrupt your ability to lache. 101 00:03:58,307 --> 00:04:00,688 - Actually will start putting you sideways. 102 00:04:00,723 --> 00:04:02,207 Such a challenge to control the momentum. 103 00:04:02,242 --> 00:04:03,450 - Whoo! - Holds on. 104 00:04:03,484 --> 00:04:06,073 - And he's handling it well, Matt. 105 00:04:06,107 --> 00:04:09,318 - Oh, and that last bar just flung him off. 106 00:04:09,352 --> 00:04:11,906 But he is through. 107 00:04:11,941 --> 00:04:15,220 Now on to Clockwork. 108 00:04:15,255 --> 00:04:18,016 This first sprocket turns all three. 109 00:04:18,050 --> 00:04:20,708 This thing moves in unison. You need a lot of power here. 110 00:04:20,743 --> 00:04:21,813 - That's right, Matt. 111 00:04:21,847 --> 00:04:23,366 You wanna swing around this arc. 112 00:04:23,401 --> 00:04:26,127 You wanna be able to get that timing, just like that. 113 00:04:26,162 --> 00:04:28,371 - He's the heaviest ninja we'll see tonight, 114 00:04:28,406 --> 00:04:31,581 so he can really generate momentum when he gets moving. 115 00:04:31,616 --> 00:04:33,756 - Okay. 116 00:04:33,790 --> 00:04:35,240 - Whoa. - Very nice! 117 00:04:35,275 --> 00:04:37,587 - He got big air on that one. - Nice! 118 00:04:37,622 --> 00:04:39,934 Killing it, V! - One more leap. 119 00:04:39,969 --> 00:04:41,453 And he's got it. 120 00:04:41,488 --> 00:04:44,698 Now this dangerous new balance obstacle, Burn Rubber. 121 00:04:44,732 --> 00:04:47,356 You have to sprint across these three spinning wheels. 122 00:04:47,390 --> 00:04:49,944 - Come on, V, big power, foot placement. 123 00:04:49,979 --> 00:04:51,739 - Strong push. - You got it. 124 00:04:51,774 --> 00:04:53,085 - He's trying to psyche himself up. 125 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:54,604 He's talking to it. It's like, just go. 126 00:04:54,639 --> 00:04:57,124 Don't talk yourself out of it. Talk yourself in it. 127 00:04:57,158 --> 00:04:58,815 Oh, oh, okay, good. 128 00:04:58,850 --> 00:05:02,957 - And he survives, throwing up the V, and a respectful bow. 129 00:05:02,992 --> 00:05:04,683 - A lot of respect. 130 00:05:04,718 --> 00:05:08,480 Mama yelling so loud, she's covering Sebastian's ears. 131 00:05:08,515 --> 00:05:10,827 - He's not even fazed by it. - Whoo-hoo! 132 00:05:10,862 --> 00:05:12,933 - Now Ninja V's stepping up to take on 133 00:05:12,967 --> 00:05:16,316 this fifth obstacle, Slingshot. 134 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:17,800 Has to bounce the bar 135 00:05:17,834 --> 00:05:20,492 across these bungee cord cradles. 136 00:05:21,735 --> 00:05:23,737 - Gotta be finesse through here, nice. 137 00:05:23,771 --> 00:05:25,704 - And you can see that bar, the right side, 138 00:05:25,739 --> 00:05:27,603 it's a little uneven. Watch it. 139 00:05:27,637 --> 00:05:29,190 A lot of people got tripped up on this in qualifying. 140 00:05:29,225 --> 00:05:30,847 - Oh, no, no, no, no, go the other way. 141 00:05:30,882 --> 00:05:32,262 - Trying to adjust it. - He's pushing it to the left. 142 00:05:32,297 --> 00:05:33,954 He's gotta push it to the right. 143 00:05:33,988 --> 00:05:35,576 - And it's so hard. 144 00:05:35,611 --> 00:05:38,407 That bar, it's very difficult to adjust it on the bungees. 145 00:05:38,441 --> 00:05:40,926 - Nice. I like the way he absorbed it. 146 00:05:40,961 --> 00:05:42,963 - You can see those bungees giving, 147 00:05:42,997 --> 00:05:44,413 makes it real hard to control, 148 00:05:44,447 --> 00:05:46,518 but Verdale doing an excellent job. 149 00:05:46,553 --> 00:05:48,278 - Nice! Yes! 150 00:05:48,313 --> 00:05:50,246 - Come on. You can keep this up. 151 00:05:50,280 --> 00:05:51,972 - Yeah, Verdale looks smooth on this. 152 00:05:52,006 --> 00:05:54,906 You don't expect this out of the swole Ninja V. 153 00:05:54,940 --> 00:05:57,460 - But spending a fair amount of time up here, Akbar, 154 00:05:57,495 --> 00:05:59,600 and that upper body is getting sacked. 155 00:05:59,635 --> 00:06:01,257 Jeri D'Aurelio's getting excited. 156 00:06:01,291 --> 00:06:02,672 - She's going nuts. 157 00:06:02,707 --> 00:06:05,088 - So proud of what she's seeing, and look at this. 158 00:06:05,123 --> 00:06:07,228 Ninja V back to the Warped Wall. 159 00:06:07,263 --> 00:06:10,439 - Okay. [all cheering] 160 00:06:10,473 --> 00:06:13,407 - Remember, only the top 12 and top two women 161 00:06:13,442 --> 00:06:16,548 from tonight will move on, and time could be important, 162 00:06:16,583 --> 00:06:19,758 so he needs to keep moving and get up that wall. 163 00:06:19,793 --> 00:06:21,415 - Dada. Dada. 164 00:06:21,450 --> 00:06:23,348 - Let's go, Verdale. You got this. 165 00:06:23,383 --> 00:06:26,109 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 166 00:06:26,144 --> 00:06:29,043 - And right up the Warped Wall again. 167 00:06:30,079 --> 00:06:31,908 - Yeah! - Yeah, buddy. 168 00:06:31,943 --> 00:06:33,427 - Save that upper-body strength. 169 00:06:33,462 --> 00:06:35,429 - Well, we should be saluting him. 170 00:06:35,464 --> 00:06:36,879 He's seen combat. 171 00:06:36,913 --> 00:06:40,814 Now on the front lines, battling COVID. 172 00:06:40,848 --> 00:06:42,505 - And, Matt, he's taking off his shirt. 173 00:06:42,540 --> 00:06:44,783 He knows what's up. It's about to get tougher. 174 00:06:44,818 --> 00:06:46,889 - Yeah! 175 00:06:46,923 --> 00:06:50,720 - Well, first up is the Salmon Ladder and then Corkscrew. 176 00:06:50,755 --> 00:06:52,550 Well, here we go, Akbar. 177 00:06:52,584 --> 00:06:55,518 What a brutal two-obstacle gauntlet here. 178 00:06:55,553 --> 00:06:57,451 If he gets to Corkscrew, he better hold on 179 00:06:57,486 --> 00:06:59,315 for a wild ride. 180 00:06:59,349 --> 00:07:00,730 Oh! - Uh-oh, uh-oh. 181 00:07:00,765 --> 00:07:02,732 Correct, correct--nice. - Okay, stay calm. 182 00:07:02,767 --> 00:07:04,009 - You gotta go upstream 183 00:07:04,044 --> 00:07:05,390 on Salmon Ladder pretty quickly 184 00:07:05,425 --> 00:07:07,461 and save that upper-body strength. 185 00:07:07,496 --> 00:07:09,359 - There you go. - Jumped it up four rungs. 186 00:07:09,394 --> 00:07:10,602 So he's through. 187 00:07:10,637 --> 00:07:13,260 Now this insane new obstacle, Corkscrew. 188 00:07:13,294 --> 00:07:15,849 We saw last week, this is a crazy ride. 189 00:07:15,883 --> 00:07:17,989 Four-foot drop, gotta hang on. 190 00:07:18,023 --> 00:07:20,232 - He's gotta hold on wide. - Yes! 191 00:07:20,267 --> 00:07:21,648 - Nice! - Hold on, hold on! 192 00:07:21,682 --> 00:07:23,788 - Oh, you could see the twist. - Okay! 193 00:07:23,822 --> 00:07:27,343 He's got some flexibility in his wrists and his lats. 194 00:07:27,377 --> 00:07:30,139 - Now you have to lache up almost four feet here. 195 00:07:30,173 --> 00:07:32,486 - That's a lot of weight going up. 196 00:07:32,521 --> 00:07:34,246 That's a lot of weight going up. 197 00:07:34,281 --> 00:07:35,489 No! - Oh, no! 198 00:07:35,524 --> 00:07:37,146 - [screaming] 199 00:07:37,180 --> 00:07:39,804 - Just had no chance to grab that second wheel. 200 00:07:39,838 --> 00:07:41,875 A strong run out of Ninja V, 201 00:07:41,909 --> 00:07:43,497 but he'll have to wait and see if that's good enough 202 00:07:43,532 --> 00:07:45,292 to get him to the finals. 203 00:07:45,326 --> 00:07:46,914 - Matt, he's built like a linebacker, 204 00:07:46,949 --> 00:07:49,986 but he rumbled across Burn Rubber like a running back. 205 00:07:50,021 --> 00:07:52,851 Then he got twisted on the first spin on Corkscrew, 206 00:07:52,886 --> 00:07:57,131 but he couldn't get that big body up for the next one. 207 00:07:57,166 --> 00:07:58,408 - Tonight... 208 00:07:58,443 --> 00:08:00,514 - Get your popcorn ready. Whoo! 209 00:08:00,549 --> 00:08:03,344 - It's the second night of the semifinals... 210 00:08:03,379 --> 00:08:05,243 - Night two, let's do this. 211 00:08:05,277 --> 00:08:08,936 - And ninja superstars are ready to go for a spin... 212 00:08:08,971 --> 00:08:10,524 - Hold on! Hold on! 213 00:08:10,559 --> 00:08:14,217 - And do whatever it takes to keep their season alive. 214 00:08:14,252 --> 00:08:17,669 - No! Oh, oh! - What a save! 215 00:08:17,704 --> 00:08:19,257 - Plus, 216 00:08:19,291 --> 00:08:21,293 see how the Cowboy Ninja 217 00:08:21,328 --> 00:08:24,020 got his wife back in the saddle. 218 00:08:24,055 --> 00:08:26,678 - It's that spirit of her never giving up. 219 00:08:26,713 --> 00:08:28,404 It definitely helps give me 220 00:08:28,438 --> 00:08:30,061 that motivation to keep pushing. 221 00:08:30,095 --> 00:08:34,272 - I love riding with you, Mommy. 222 00:08:34,306 --> 00:08:37,309 - When "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 223 00:08:40,036 --> 00:08:42,556 - Welcome back to our second night of semifinals 224 00:08:42,591 --> 00:08:44,696 on "American Ninja Warrior." 225 00:08:44,731 --> 00:08:47,941 While we were away, San Antonio's Thomas Stillings 226 00:08:47,975 --> 00:08:50,391 tried to punch his ticket to next week's finals. 227 00:08:50,426 --> 00:08:51,738 - Hi! 228 00:08:51,772 --> 00:08:53,463 - The reason for this season is his wife. 229 00:08:53,498 --> 00:08:55,051 - The five-time veteran dedicated 230 00:08:55,086 --> 00:08:57,019 this season to his wife Zoe, 231 00:08:57,053 --> 00:08:59,297 who recently underwent brain surgery. 232 00:08:59,331 --> 00:09:01,368 - [laughs] - Ah, making Zoe laugh. 233 00:09:01,402 --> 00:09:03,128 Those two have a special bond. 234 00:09:03,163 --> 00:09:05,165 - And the man nicknamed the Genie Ninja 235 00:09:05,199 --> 00:09:07,754 made quick work of the first six obstacles. 236 00:09:07,788 --> 00:09:10,170 - If you had one wish, what would it be? 237 00:09:10,204 --> 00:09:11,896 - I already got my wish. - You got your wish? 238 00:09:11,930 --> 00:09:14,105 - My wife's alive. - Mwah! 239 00:09:14,139 --> 00:09:15,589 - Whoa! 240 00:09:15,624 --> 00:09:18,592 - After surviving two wild spins on Corkscrew... 241 00:09:18,627 --> 00:09:20,663 - I think he might have dislocated his wrists! 242 00:09:20,698 --> 00:09:22,009 - You got it, one more. 243 00:09:22,044 --> 00:09:24,460 - He had no magic left for the third. 244 00:09:24,494 --> 00:09:26,289 - Oh, my goodness, did you see that? 245 00:09:26,324 --> 00:09:28,291 - I think this is one of my favorite obstacles of all time. 246 00:09:28,326 --> 00:09:31,225 This one was so great. 247 00:09:31,260 --> 00:09:33,952 - Up next, another ninja veteran. 248 00:09:33,987 --> 00:09:36,610 This is firefighter paramedic Dan Polizzi, 249 00:09:36,645 --> 00:09:39,164 better known as one half of the Towers of Power. 250 00:09:39,199 --> 00:09:41,822 There's the other half of the duo, Brandon Mears, 251 00:09:41,857 --> 00:09:44,066 back in Illinois with his son, Ashton. 252 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:45,895 - Power. - Towers of Power. 253 00:09:45,930 --> 00:09:47,138 - Dan, like Brandon, 254 00:09:47,172 --> 00:09:49,554 is a firefighter in the Chicago area, 255 00:09:49,589 --> 00:09:51,556 and he's been busy in 2020, 256 00:09:51,591 --> 00:09:54,973 as COVID has added even more pressure to his job. 257 00:09:55,008 --> 00:09:56,768 His firehouse in Aurora, Illinois, 258 00:09:56,803 --> 00:10:00,738 sometimes makes four or five COVID-related calls per day 259 00:10:00,772 --> 00:10:03,464 in addition to their normal fire-related duties. 260 00:10:03,499 --> 00:10:05,639 [cheers and applause] 261 00:10:05,674 --> 00:10:09,229 Much love to Dan and all the firefighters out there. 262 00:10:09,263 --> 00:10:11,438 Between COVID and the wildfires in the West, 263 00:10:11,472 --> 00:10:13,509 they are truly appreciated this year. 264 00:10:13,543 --> 00:10:15,338 And Dan's getting a lot of love. 265 00:10:15,373 --> 00:10:18,410 That's his family, and there's his girlfriend Heather, 266 00:10:18,445 --> 00:10:20,516 who's working in a hospital right now. 267 00:10:20,550 --> 00:10:21,931 - Come on. - And on the sidelines, 268 00:10:21,966 --> 00:10:24,451 one of his fellow Chicago ninjas, Michael Torres. 269 00:10:24,485 --> 00:10:26,729 - You got it, Dan, come on. Just like we talked about. 270 00:10:26,764 --> 00:10:29,249 [countdown timer beeping] - Let's go, Dan. 271 00:10:29,283 --> 00:10:32,321 - And Polizzi's coming off a strong season last year, 272 00:10:32,355 --> 00:10:34,737 made it to stage two in Vegas. 273 00:10:34,772 --> 00:10:36,221 - Probably needs to get to the eighth 274 00:10:36,256 --> 00:10:37,706 or ninth obstacle tonight 275 00:10:37,740 --> 00:10:40,743 if he wants to move on to next week's finals. 276 00:10:40,778 --> 00:10:43,090 6'1", 185. 277 00:10:43,125 --> 00:10:45,403 Akbar, this guy, all muscle 278 00:10:45,437 --> 00:10:46,922 and so much upper-body strength 279 00:10:46,956 --> 00:10:48,337 and great technique. 280 00:10:48,371 --> 00:10:50,028 - Matt, it's his eighth season competing. 281 00:10:50,063 --> 00:10:51,478 He knows what's up. 282 00:10:51,512 --> 00:10:53,894 He's got his buddy, Brandon Mears, over there. 283 00:10:53,929 --> 00:10:56,172 Now, normally Brandon's on the sidelines. 284 00:10:56,207 --> 00:10:57,933 Tonight he's on those screens. 285 00:10:57,967 --> 00:10:59,797 - And he's through, no problem there. 286 00:10:59,831 --> 00:11:02,213 - Yeah. - Yeah. 287 00:11:02,247 --> 00:11:03,663 - Now on to Clockwork. 288 00:11:03,697 --> 00:11:05,561 He's never seen this obstacle before. 289 00:11:05,595 --> 00:11:07,977 These connected sprockets all spin. 290 00:11:08,012 --> 00:11:09,979 You gotta get all three of these moving. 291 00:11:10,014 --> 00:11:11,809 - The coordination from one obstacle 292 00:11:11,843 --> 00:11:14,950 to the next, a little different. 293 00:11:14,984 --> 00:11:16,641 - Good power. 294 00:11:16,676 --> 00:11:19,748 Getting all these sprockets moving like George Jetson. 295 00:11:19,782 --> 00:11:21,715 And now he's gotta go up slightly 296 00:11:21,750 --> 00:11:23,821 to reach that final bar. 297 00:11:23,855 --> 00:11:25,615 - Nice. - Oh, hangs on. 298 00:11:25,650 --> 00:11:27,790 [cheering] 299 00:11:27,825 --> 00:11:30,482 He's through. Now facing Burn Rubber. 300 00:11:30,517 --> 00:11:32,381 - Oh, he's gonna have to run across the thing, okay? 301 00:11:32,415 --> 00:11:33,831 - Okay. 302 00:11:33,865 --> 00:11:35,591 - The Towers of Power have had their troubles 303 00:11:35,625 --> 00:11:38,145 with balance obstacles in the past. 304 00:11:38,180 --> 00:11:39,940 - All right. Oh, no, no, no, no! 305 00:11:39,975 --> 00:11:41,942 - Oh! Used his hands, but that's okay. 306 00:11:41,977 --> 00:11:44,255 [cheering] 307 00:11:44,289 --> 00:11:46,844 Now the fifth obstacle, Slingshot. 308 00:11:46,878 --> 00:11:48,742 - You gotta make sure that you're efficient 309 00:11:48,777 --> 00:11:50,399 with your movement, no wasted movement. 310 00:11:50,433 --> 00:11:52,401 Everything's gotta be right on the money. 311 00:11:52,435 --> 00:11:54,368 - Well, last season in qualifying, he faced 312 00:11:54,403 --> 00:11:56,267 this obstacle and failed. 313 00:11:56,301 --> 00:11:58,545 He bested it in the city finals. 314 00:11:58,579 --> 00:12:00,167 - Well, I'm sure he's put in some work during the offseason. 315 00:12:00,202 --> 00:12:01,582 - Oh, oh! 316 00:12:01,617 --> 00:12:03,239 - That was a little clumsy, but he saved it. 317 00:12:03,274 --> 00:12:06,001 - That right side, it clipped on the bracket, 318 00:12:06,035 --> 00:12:07,623 but he survived, 319 00:12:07,657 --> 00:12:10,212 but his heart's gotta be racing. 320 00:12:10,246 --> 00:12:11,903 - Matt, he's two cradles away. 321 00:12:11,938 --> 00:12:14,216 One cradle away! - And getting a lot smoother. 322 00:12:14,250 --> 00:12:16,494 A big drop here; got to absorb it. 323 00:12:16,528 --> 00:12:17,771 - Last cradle, come on. 324 00:12:17,806 --> 00:12:19,255 Nice. - Real good job. 325 00:12:19,290 --> 00:12:21,637 - Well, he didn't get rocked by that cradle. 326 00:12:23,466 --> 00:12:25,227 - And he's got it. 327 00:12:25,261 --> 00:12:27,816 [cheers and applause] 328 00:12:27,850 --> 00:12:29,956 And now the Warped Wall. 329 00:12:29,990 --> 00:12:31,302 - Shake those arms out, forearms. 330 00:12:31,336 --> 00:12:33,269 Whatever you need to do. Whatever you gotta do, Dan. 331 00:12:33,304 --> 00:12:35,478 - This wall should be no problem for Polizzi. 332 00:12:37,826 --> 00:12:41,484 - And it is not. He's up. 333 00:12:41,519 --> 00:12:43,210 - Whoo! - Yeah, buddy. 334 00:12:43,245 --> 00:12:45,040 - All right, Polizzi. 335 00:12:45,074 --> 00:12:48,008 - But now comes the brutal final obstacles. 336 00:12:48,043 --> 00:12:51,805 First the Salmon Ladder, which leads right into Corkscrew. 337 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:53,531 - Go, Dan! 338 00:12:53,565 --> 00:12:54,946 - Let's go, Dan! 339 00:12:54,981 --> 00:12:56,568 - He's a firefighter. 340 00:12:56,603 --> 00:12:59,330 He shouldn't have any problems with ladders of any kind. 341 00:12:59,364 --> 00:13:00,538 - And this is tough 'cause once 342 00:13:00,572 --> 00:13:02,126 you're on the Salmon Ladder, 343 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:03,990 those forearms won't get a respite 344 00:13:04,024 --> 00:13:07,200 until you survive this. 345 00:13:07,234 --> 00:13:08,891 And he's through the Salmon Ladder, 346 00:13:08,926 --> 00:13:11,307 but now the wild ride of Corkscrew. 347 00:13:11,342 --> 00:13:12,895 - Whoo! - Hanging on. 348 00:13:12,930 --> 00:13:14,724 - That's like coming down the fire pole. 349 00:13:14,759 --> 00:13:16,071 Don't get dizzy, Polizzi. 350 00:13:16,105 --> 00:13:18,245 - Big lache here. 351 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,938 Gotta pop up almost four feet! 352 00:13:20,972 --> 00:13:22,594 - Nice! - Can he hang on? 353 00:13:22,629 --> 00:13:24,562 - Nice! - Polizzi. 354 00:13:24,596 --> 00:13:26,391 - He comes down fire poles for a living. 355 00:13:26,426 --> 00:13:27,807 - One more! 356 00:13:27,841 --> 00:13:30,568 - Come on. We got an emergency here. 357 00:13:30,602 --> 00:13:32,984 - Kips up. Hang on! - Nice, nice! 358 00:13:33,019 --> 00:13:35,642 - And Polizzi gets the dismount! 359 00:13:35,676 --> 00:13:38,093 - Okay! Okay, Polizzi! - Can he do it? 360 00:13:40,612 --> 00:13:42,718 And he's through. 361 00:13:42,752 --> 00:13:45,169 - Yeah, yeah! [cheering] 362 00:13:45,203 --> 00:13:46,791 - That was impressive. 363 00:13:46,826 --> 00:13:50,001 - And look at Mears. - Mears has gotta be pumped. 364 00:13:50,036 --> 00:13:53,384 And now Dan will be the first to face this ninth obstacle. 365 00:13:53,418 --> 00:13:55,869 Can he get through the Dungeon? 366 00:13:55,904 --> 00:13:59,286 Gotta use the pegs to climb up the panel, then when it tilts, 367 00:13:59,321 --> 00:14:02,669 climb back across it. 368 00:14:02,703 --> 00:14:04,947 Slowing down a little on these last few pegs. 369 00:14:04,982 --> 00:14:07,156 - And he's 185 pounds. 370 00:14:07,191 --> 00:14:08,882 That's a lot to carry after you've done 371 00:14:08,917 --> 00:14:10,884 those previous eight obstacles. 372 00:14:10,919 --> 00:14:13,024 - Akbar, he's looking a bit gassed. 373 00:14:13,059 --> 00:14:14,992 Does he have anything for this traverse? 374 00:14:15,026 --> 00:14:18,167 - The Dungeon is really torturing him. 375 00:14:18,202 --> 00:14:21,791 - A l--oh, no! - Oh! 376 00:14:21,826 --> 00:14:23,586 - Goes down on the Dungeon, 377 00:14:23,621 --> 00:14:25,726 but made it to the ninth obstacle. 378 00:14:25,761 --> 00:14:27,314 We'll see if that's far enough fast enough 379 00:14:27,349 --> 00:14:30,110 to stay in the top 12. 380 00:14:30,145 --> 00:14:32,906 - Watch his face as he survives three spins 381 00:14:32,941 --> 00:14:34,356 on Corkscrew. 382 00:14:34,390 --> 00:14:36,565 But all that twisting must have tired him out, 383 00:14:36,599 --> 00:14:38,912 as his grip gave out on the Dungeon, 384 00:14:38,947 --> 00:14:41,363 but he represented for the Towers of Power 385 00:14:41,397 --> 00:14:44,711 and firefighters everywhere. 386 00:14:44,745 --> 00:14:48,646 - Hopefully we're moving on, Towers of Power. 387 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:50,820 - We've got an impressive lineup 388 00:14:50,855 --> 00:14:54,100 of women competitors tonight, and here's the first of them. 389 00:14:54,134 --> 00:14:56,171 It's Meagan Martin. 390 00:14:56,205 --> 00:14:57,966 This fan favorite is a rock climber, 391 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,141 a sports model, and an ESPN commentator, 392 00:15:01,176 --> 00:15:05,628 and now she's got a new title to add to her list: fiancée. 393 00:15:07,354 --> 00:15:09,046 - Yeah, take that thing down. 394 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,635 - Dave and I have been dating for about two years now, 395 00:15:12,670 --> 00:15:15,431 and, about a year ago, we bought a house together. 396 00:15:15,466 --> 00:15:16,950 Do you see it? 397 00:15:16,985 --> 00:15:19,263 And then the other day he proposed, 398 00:15:19,297 --> 00:15:22,714 and I said yes. 399 00:15:22,749 --> 00:15:24,820 And I love my ring. 400 00:15:24,854 --> 00:15:26,891 It's definitely been a really tough year, 401 00:15:26,926 --> 00:15:29,549 and since we can get through quarantine together, 402 00:15:29,583 --> 00:15:31,896 I think we can get through anything together. 403 00:15:31,931 --> 00:15:35,348 It's really special and definitely something great 404 00:15:35,382 --> 00:15:37,419 to come out of 2020. 405 00:15:39,904 --> 00:15:41,871 [cheers and applause] 406 00:15:41,906 --> 00:15:43,218 - And there's Dave. 407 00:15:43,252 --> 00:15:45,668 He's a rock climber too. That's how they met. 408 00:15:45,703 --> 00:15:49,017 Meagan will also have her mom and dad watching from Florida. 409 00:15:49,051 --> 00:15:51,709 [countdown timer beeping] 410 00:15:51,743 --> 00:15:54,229 - And Matt, there is a lot of strong women here tonight. 411 00:15:54,263 --> 00:15:56,852 It's gonna take a good run to make it to the finals. 412 00:15:56,886 --> 00:15:58,819 - Come on, Meagan! 413 00:15:58,854 --> 00:16:01,408 - Come on, Meagan. Come on. 414 00:16:01,443 --> 00:16:04,101 - Meagan now facing Spring Forward. 415 00:16:05,585 --> 00:16:07,794 Record-setting pole vaulter at Vanderbilt, 416 00:16:07,828 --> 00:16:09,623 world-class rock climber. 417 00:16:09,658 --> 00:16:11,177 - There you go. - Excellent body awareness. 418 00:16:11,211 --> 00:16:12,626 - Nice. And you can see her 419 00:16:12,661 --> 00:16:14,387 getting a little bit of that hang time. 420 00:16:14,421 --> 00:16:15,629 Nice. 421 00:16:15,664 --> 00:16:17,631 - Excellent job out of Meagan Martin. 422 00:16:17,666 --> 00:16:19,495 She is springing forward. 423 00:16:19,530 --> 00:16:22,809 - Perfect, perfect. - Just needs the dismount. 424 00:16:24,259 --> 00:16:25,639 - There you go. - Ooh. 425 00:16:25,674 --> 00:16:27,262 I think she surprised herself 426 00:16:27,296 --> 00:16:28,608 with how much air she got there. 427 00:16:28,642 --> 00:16:31,024 - Yeah, Meagan. - Yeah, she went flying. 428 00:16:31,059 --> 00:16:32,957 - Now into Clockwork. 429 00:16:32,992 --> 00:16:36,098 Meagan's been rock climbing since she was 11 years old. 430 00:16:36,133 --> 00:16:38,307 You may see her working as a commentator 431 00:16:38,342 --> 00:16:40,309 on ESPN for their climbing events. 432 00:16:40,344 --> 00:16:41,655 - Yeah, that looked good. 433 00:16:41,690 --> 00:16:43,174 - Looking a little hesitant here though. 434 00:16:43,209 --> 00:16:44,762 - You see she's taking a little time to try and see-- 435 00:16:44,796 --> 00:16:46,350 she second-guessed herself. - Yep. 436 00:16:46,384 --> 00:16:47,661 - She's trying to get her body 437 00:16:47,696 --> 00:16:50,388 to dial into this new movement. 438 00:16:50,423 --> 00:16:52,045 - There you go. There you go. 439 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,979 - You could see her, plenty of distance there, 440 00:16:55,014 --> 00:16:57,775 but Meagan Martin taking extra swings, 441 00:16:57,809 --> 00:16:59,121 and that will not bode well 442 00:16:59,156 --> 00:17:00,881 for the back half if she makes it there. 443 00:17:00,916 --> 00:17:03,332 - Yeah, there you go. - And again extra swings. 444 00:17:03,367 --> 00:17:05,403 She is really working out there. 445 00:17:05,438 --> 00:17:07,302 - Get through it! - But she's through. 446 00:17:07,336 --> 00:17:10,305 - There you go. Shake them off. 447 00:17:10,339 --> 00:17:11,547 - And needs to catch her breath 448 00:17:11,582 --> 00:17:13,170 and get ready for Burn Rubber. 449 00:17:13,204 --> 00:17:15,793 At 5'4", she's gonna need some big strides. 450 00:17:15,827 --> 00:17:18,382 - Yeah, especially when they're offset a foot apart 451 00:17:18,416 --> 00:17:20,487 from each other. That's challenging. 452 00:17:20,522 --> 00:17:22,627 - No, quick, quick, quick. - No, no, no, no! 453 00:17:22,662 --> 00:17:24,043 - Oh, no! 454 00:17:24,077 --> 00:17:26,286 No! 455 00:17:26,321 --> 00:17:28,116 - [groans] 456 00:17:28,150 --> 00:17:30,670 - Wow. A real stunner here. 457 00:17:30,704 --> 00:17:32,982 - Ah, balance, man. - Meagan Martin... 458 00:17:33,017 --> 00:17:35,019 - Good job, Meagan. You're all right. 459 00:17:35,054 --> 00:17:37,021 - Just didn't seem comfortable with her approach, Akbar. 460 00:17:37,056 --> 00:17:39,334 - Yeah, Matt, you just gotta attack it. 461 00:17:39,368 --> 00:17:41,715 You can see exactly where her height hurt her. 462 00:17:41,750 --> 00:17:44,925 She comes up short on the second tire right there, 463 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,100 and takes a hard fall. 464 00:17:47,135 --> 00:17:50,448 Balance obstacles always seem to take out some of the best. 465 00:17:51,656 --> 00:17:53,831 - Dang it. Ugh! 466 00:17:53,865 --> 00:17:56,592 That's the first time I've fallen on a balance. 467 00:18:03,220 --> 00:18:04,497 - We are coming to you from the Dome 468 00:18:04,531 --> 00:18:06,119 at America's Center in St. Louis. 469 00:18:06,154 --> 00:18:08,811 It's night two of our semifinals. 470 00:18:08,846 --> 00:18:11,504 Back in qualifying, all three members of 471 00:18:11,538 --> 00:18:14,679 David Wright's fun-loving Cake Crew hit the buzzer. 472 00:18:14,714 --> 00:18:18,338 Tonight they got their shot at the semifinals course. 473 00:18:18,373 --> 00:18:22,135 First up was Alex Carson, whose specialty is cheesecake. 474 00:18:22,170 --> 00:18:23,930 - Extra calories won't hurt anybody. 475 00:18:23,964 --> 00:18:25,759 - The Kansas City engineer 476 00:18:25,794 --> 00:18:27,899 looked sweet on the balance obstacle... 477 00:18:27,934 --> 00:18:29,349 - Hey, give me that little shimmy shake. 478 00:18:29,384 --> 00:18:31,040 Little shimmy shake. 479 00:18:31,075 --> 00:18:33,077 - But his night ended on a sour note 480 00:18:33,112 --> 00:18:35,769 as he sent the bar spinning on Slingshot. 481 00:18:35,804 --> 00:18:37,737 - Oh! Splish-splash. 482 00:18:37,771 --> 00:18:38,945 all: Ohh! 483 00:18:38,979 --> 00:18:41,327 - That was fun though. Man, that was fun. 484 00:18:41,361 --> 00:18:44,330 - Up next was the leader of this trio, Da Cake Ninja, 485 00:18:44,364 --> 00:18:48,161 Houston's David Wright, who eats cake before each run. 486 00:18:48,196 --> 00:18:50,025 - Sweet tooth for success. 487 00:18:50,059 --> 00:18:51,647 - In just his second season, 488 00:18:51,682 --> 00:18:54,616 the 20-year-old was hungry for another buzzer. 489 00:18:54,650 --> 00:18:56,273 - Get ready, young fella! 490 00:18:56,307 --> 00:18:59,068 - The lifeguard survived the wild ride on Corkscrew... 491 00:18:59,103 --> 00:19:01,347 - Whoa! - Let's go! 492 00:19:01,381 --> 00:19:03,452 - And looked like he was on his way to a finish, 493 00:19:03,487 --> 00:19:06,317 but he couldn't handle the final leap on the Dungeon. 494 00:19:06,352 --> 00:19:08,871 - Sliding! Oh! - Oh! 495 00:19:08,906 --> 00:19:10,597 all: Ohh! 496 00:19:10,632 --> 00:19:13,773 - Ah, at the finish. 497 00:19:15,775 --> 00:19:17,535 - Now up, it's the third member 498 00:19:17,570 --> 00:19:19,123 of that cake-loving group. 499 00:19:19,158 --> 00:19:20,814 This is Amir Malik. 500 00:19:20,849 --> 00:19:23,092 This rookie got a buzzer in qualifying, 501 00:19:23,127 --> 00:19:24,542 which is really surprising, 502 00:19:24,577 --> 00:19:26,717 considering just a few years ago 503 00:19:26,751 --> 00:19:29,237 he thought he might never play sports at all. 504 00:19:31,239 --> 00:19:33,344 - I'm gonna do it. 505 00:19:33,379 --> 00:19:35,588 Growing up, I was just a crazy kid. 506 00:19:35,622 --> 00:19:38,487 - Nice landing, Amir. - I loved to play sports. 507 00:19:40,006 --> 00:19:41,594 I wanted to try everything. - Go, Amir! 508 00:19:41,628 --> 00:19:43,768 - But when I was eight I told my mom, 509 00:19:43,803 --> 00:19:46,185 "My heart just feels funny." 510 00:19:46,219 --> 00:19:50,223 I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome. 511 00:19:50,258 --> 00:19:52,363 It's basically an extra 512 00:19:52,398 --> 00:19:54,262 electrical pathway in the heart. 513 00:19:54,296 --> 00:19:58,404 It can cause the heart to skip a beat. 514 00:19:58,438 --> 00:20:01,234 If I pushed myself past this limit... 515 00:20:01,269 --> 00:20:03,236 [heartbeat thudding] 516 00:20:03,271 --> 00:20:05,652 I would have had a heart attack. 517 00:20:05,687 --> 00:20:07,689 [tense music] 518 00:20:07,723 --> 00:20:09,208 - We had to monitor him. 519 00:20:09,242 --> 00:20:10,347 They told him he wasn't allowed 520 00:20:10,381 --> 00:20:11,658 to do competitive sports. 521 00:20:11,693 --> 00:20:13,833 I just remember being really scared. 522 00:20:13,867 --> 00:20:16,456 You can go into cardiac arrest. You can have an event 523 00:20:16,491 --> 00:20:19,010 where your heart just can't reset itself. 524 00:20:19,045 --> 00:20:20,840 - I really didn't play any sports. 525 00:20:20,874 --> 00:20:22,738 I kinda took a break from everything. 526 00:20:22,773 --> 00:20:24,050 It was extremely hard. 527 00:20:24,084 --> 00:20:27,778 Then when I was 14, I had a procedure. 528 00:20:27,812 --> 00:20:30,574 - Amir's surgery was a little over seven hours. 529 00:20:30,608 --> 00:20:33,370 They let me be there with him until he was put under. 530 00:20:33,404 --> 00:20:35,717 You know, to watch your kid go into surgery, 531 00:20:35,751 --> 00:20:37,719 it's--it's really scary. 532 00:20:37,753 --> 00:20:40,722 You just sort of think about things that could go wrong. 533 00:20:40,756 --> 00:20:43,483 [dramatic music] 534 00:20:43,518 --> 00:20:45,899 ♪ 535 00:20:45,934 --> 00:20:49,800 - After the surgery, I started doing ninja that December. 536 00:20:50,870 --> 00:20:53,666 As soon as I got in there, I was in love with it. 537 00:20:53,700 --> 00:20:57,325 [determined music] 538 00:20:57,359 --> 00:20:58,878 - Knowing what he went through, 539 00:20:58,912 --> 00:21:00,983 I couldn't be more proud, honestly. 540 00:21:01,018 --> 00:21:03,227 - Amir Malik looking good. 541 00:21:03,262 --> 00:21:04,780 [cheering] 542 00:21:04,815 --> 00:21:07,300 - To be told you're never gonna do sports again, 543 00:21:07,335 --> 00:21:09,302 I never thought that I would've 544 00:21:09,337 --> 00:21:10,959 come this far in this sport. 545 00:21:10,993 --> 00:21:13,375 - First time on the course. - What? 546 00:21:13,410 --> 00:21:16,344 - Flawless. Gets that buzzer! 547 00:21:16,378 --> 00:21:19,485 ♪ 548 00:21:19,519 --> 00:21:21,383 - I feel like I was meant for ninja. 549 00:21:21,418 --> 00:21:25,629 ♪ 550 00:21:25,663 --> 00:21:28,183 - And Amir's throwing some love to his mom 551 00:21:28,217 --> 00:21:31,324 and the rest of his family watching from back in Vermont, 552 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:33,464 and his cake buddies will be on the sideline. 553 00:21:33,499 --> 00:21:35,397 - All right, Sonic, let's go! 554 00:21:35,432 --> 00:21:37,088 - David Wright yelling for Sonic. 555 00:21:37,123 --> 00:21:38,745 That's Amir's nickname. 556 00:21:38,780 --> 00:21:40,437 Those two have become fast friends. 557 00:21:40,471 --> 00:21:43,163 [countdown timer beeping] 558 00:21:43,198 --> 00:21:46,305 20 years old, 5'5", 115. 559 00:21:46,339 --> 00:21:48,997 - Whoo, that's light even by ninja standards. 560 00:21:49,031 --> 00:21:50,585 - And he's an amateur baker. 561 00:21:50,619 --> 00:21:53,139 That's why David Wright, Da Cake Ninja, loved him. 562 00:21:53,173 --> 00:21:55,106 Now on Spring Forward. 563 00:21:55,141 --> 00:21:58,696 [cheers and applause] 564 00:21:58,731 --> 00:22:01,078 Well, he runs with abandon, and look at him, 565 00:22:01,112 --> 00:22:04,426 bouncing across these bars in one continuous move. 566 00:22:04,461 --> 00:22:06,221 - Oh, that's what I'm talking about. 567 00:22:06,255 --> 00:22:07,740 - That was impressive. 568 00:22:07,774 --> 00:22:09,328 - That's the advantage of being 20 569 00:22:09,362 --> 00:22:11,364 and 115 pounds, Akbar. 570 00:22:11,399 --> 00:22:13,401 - But he's so lightweight, he may have trouble 571 00:22:13,435 --> 00:22:16,611 generating momentum here on Clockwork. 572 00:22:16,645 --> 00:22:19,338 - Looking confident for a rookie. 573 00:22:21,305 --> 00:22:24,204 And look at him, again with these fluid moves. 574 00:22:24,239 --> 00:22:27,415 - Whoo-hoo-hoo! - And now, only 5'5", 575 00:22:27,449 --> 00:22:29,796 gotta make big strides here on Burn Rubber. 576 00:22:29,831 --> 00:22:31,660 - All right, you gotta go sonic boom, boom, 577 00:22:31,695 --> 00:22:33,248 boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! - Oh, no! 578 00:22:33,282 --> 00:22:35,699 - Nice! - What a recovery. 579 00:22:35,733 --> 00:22:37,770 Just avoids disaster there. 580 00:22:37,804 --> 00:22:40,220 On now to Slingshot. 581 00:22:40,255 --> 00:22:42,464 This 20-year-old rookie from Vermont 582 00:22:42,499 --> 00:22:44,432 trying to earn a spot in the finals. 583 00:22:44,466 --> 00:22:46,330 Probably gonna have to get to the eighth 584 00:22:46,365 --> 00:22:49,057 or ninth obstacle to move on. 585 00:22:49,091 --> 00:22:50,507 - Efficient! 586 00:22:50,541 --> 00:22:53,130 Less amount of swings! Prepare for the drop! 587 00:22:53,164 --> 00:22:54,787 - All right. - Oh, no! 588 00:22:54,821 --> 00:22:56,409 - But this bar is uneven, Akbar. 589 00:22:56,444 --> 00:22:58,135 He is struggling on this obstacle. 590 00:22:58,169 --> 00:22:59,447 - He's gotta correct it on the up. 591 00:22:59,481 --> 00:23:01,069 Nice, just like that. 592 00:23:01,103 --> 00:23:03,140 - But he is making it an adventure here on Slingshot. 593 00:23:03,174 --> 00:23:06,108 - Matt, no one had heard of this kid before this season, 594 00:23:06,143 --> 00:23:09,388 but people are starting to notice Amir Malik. 595 00:23:09,422 --> 00:23:11,424 - One more drop. 596 00:23:11,459 --> 00:23:13,771 - Nice. - Whew! 597 00:23:13,806 --> 00:23:15,324 And that left side is barely hanging on, 598 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:16,636 but he is through. 599 00:23:16,671 --> 00:23:18,362 - There we go. - Let's go, Amir, come on! 600 00:23:18,397 --> 00:23:19,812 - Come on, dude. You got it. 601 00:23:19,846 --> 00:23:21,434 Breathe. Take a second. 602 00:23:21,469 --> 00:23:23,263 You don't have to go straight into it. 603 00:23:23,298 --> 00:23:26,405 - Well, we saw him get up this Warped Wall in qualifying. 604 00:23:27,923 --> 00:23:29,511 - And a little bounce, there it is. 605 00:23:29,546 --> 00:23:32,480 Sonic on the back half. 606 00:23:32,514 --> 00:23:34,585 - It's over there. It's over there. 607 00:23:34,620 --> 00:23:37,139 - I gotta go get it, man. - Go get it, go get it. 608 00:23:37,174 --> 00:23:39,176 - Well, hard to believe this energetic kid 609 00:23:39,210 --> 00:23:40,626 had a heart condition, 610 00:23:40,660 --> 00:23:42,628 and they thought he might never play sports, 611 00:23:42,662 --> 00:23:43,629 and look at him now. 612 00:23:43,663 --> 00:23:44,940 [cheering] 613 00:23:44,975 --> 00:23:46,425 - Well, this is where it gets real. 614 00:23:46,459 --> 00:23:47,840 Gotta take on the Salmon Ladder 615 00:23:47,874 --> 00:23:50,152 and then go right into Corkscrew. 616 00:23:50,187 --> 00:23:52,914 - And he's up, gotta jump it up four rungs. 617 00:23:52,948 --> 00:23:54,260 - Boom. 618 00:23:54,294 --> 00:23:58,333 Boom, boom. With authority. 619 00:23:58,367 --> 00:24:00,991 He's only 115 pounds, so he should be able to carry 620 00:24:01,025 --> 00:24:03,407 his body weight through this eighth obstacle. 621 00:24:03,442 --> 00:24:06,030 - Can he hold on? 622 00:24:06,065 --> 00:24:07,549 - Yes, Sonic! - Whoo! 623 00:24:07,584 --> 00:24:10,345 Not even legal and was able to handle Corkscrew. 624 00:24:10,379 --> 00:24:14,038 - Now a big lache, almost four feet up! 625 00:24:14,073 --> 00:24:16,420 - Get up! - Sonic's got it, hangs on! 626 00:24:16,455 --> 00:24:18,733 - Oh, okay! - One more to go. 627 00:24:18,767 --> 00:24:21,011 Gotta jump up almost four feet to get it. 628 00:24:21,045 --> 00:24:23,979 - Stay straight! Let's go! Lock it in, go! 629 00:24:24,014 --> 00:24:25,602 - Ooh! - Ooh! Okay! 630 00:24:25,636 --> 00:24:26,775 - Didn't have quite the height. 631 00:24:26,810 --> 00:24:28,777 He survived the spins. 632 00:24:28,812 --> 00:24:31,815 Now just needs to get out of there, and he is through. 633 00:24:31,849 --> 00:24:33,713 - Nice! - Sonic boom! 634 00:24:33,748 --> 00:24:36,509 This rookie broke the buzzer in qualifying. 635 00:24:36,544 --> 00:24:38,718 Trying to get another one tonight, 636 00:24:38,753 --> 00:24:41,134 but first gotta survive the Dungeon. 637 00:24:41,169 --> 00:24:43,965 - These young gun ninjas are amazing! 638 00:24:43,999 --> 00:24:47,624 - Here we go, on to this ninth obstacle, the Dungeon, 639 00:24:47,658 --> 00:24:49,108 same obstacle where his buddy 640 00:24:49,142 --> 00:24:50,765 David Wright fell just minutes ago. 641 00:24:50,799 --> 00:24:53,457 - Those two have become like brothers these past few weeks. 642 00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:55,424 - Get to that bar! - And you know Amir would love 643 00:24:55,459 --> 00:24:57,634 to one-up his bro and get through this. 644 00:24:57,668 --> 00:24:59,843 - And they're getting to show us what the future 645 00:24:59,877 --> 00:25:01,707 of ninja looks like. 646 00:25:01,741 --> 00:25:03,674 Come on. 647 00:25:03,709 --> 00:25:05,883 Are you kidding me? Look at this. 648 00:25:05,918 --> 00:25:07,851 He's making it look easy! 649 00:25:07,885 --> 00:25:10,716 - Is he even sweating? Is he even sweating? 650 00:25:10,750 --> 00:25:13,373 - Amir Malik, this kid's gonna have time 651 00:25:13,408 --> 00:25:14,582 to make a cheesecake. 652 00:25:14,616 --> 00:25:17,067 - Pivot that door. Pivot that door! 653 00:25:17,101 --> 00:25:19,552 [cheers and applause] 654 00:25:19,587 --> 00:25:23,729 - And he is through, the first to make it this far tonight. 655 00:25:23,763 --> 00:25:25,247 - [laughs] 656 00:25:25,282 --> 00:25:26,835 - This breakout rookie, 657 00:25:26,870 --> 00:25:29,148 cheered on by last year's breakout rookie, 658 00:25:29,182 --> 00:25:32,151 now has a chance to be our first finisher. 659 00:25:32,185 --> 00:25:34,291 - And just to think that Amir Malik hasn't even 660 00:25:34,325 --> 00:25:35,603 reached his peak. 661 00:25:35,637 --> 00:25:37,121 He's 20 years old. 662 00:25:37,156 --> 00:25:40,021 - Well, now has to climb 35 feet up the Spider Trap 663 00:25:40,055 --> 00:25:42,161 and get through those heavy doors. 664 00:25:42,195 --> 00:25:44,612 Can Amir Malik get that buzzer? 665 00:25:44,646 --> 00:25:46,199 He'd be the first rookie 666 00:25:46,234 --> 00:25:48,754 to finish this semifinals course this season. 667 00:25:48,788 --> 00:25:51,342 - Matt, them doors weigh almost as much as he does, 668 00:25:51,377 --> 00:25:53,862 so it is going to require a lot of strength. 669 00:25:53,897 --> 00:25:55,726 Nice. - Putting his back into it. 670 00:25:55,761 --> 00:25:57,486 One side, the other. 671 00:25:57,521 --> 00:25:58,833 - Elbow and everything, he's gotta use 672 00:25:58,867 --> 00:26:00,766 all of his body weight. That's a lot of weight. 673 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:02,353 - Well, you're seeing-- you know what? 674 00:26:02,388 --> 00:26:04,390 He's doing a phenomenal job with the flexibility, 675 00:26:04,424 --> 00:26:06,219 locking in the lower body, Akbar. 676 00:26:06,254 --> 00:26:08,359 - Yeah, look at that. - Fighting through it. 677 00:26:08,394 --> 00:26:11,639 Looks like he's doing a squat. 678 00:26:11,673 --> 00:26:13,502 - Let's go, Sonic! Finish it! 679 00:26:15,021 --> 00:26:17,127 Lock it in! Let's go, come on! 680 00:26:17,161 --> 00:26:19,647 - Only ten feet away from the top! 681 00:26:19,681 --> 00:26:21,096 - Knocking out these 100-pound doors. 682 00:26:21,131 --> 00:26:23,374 - He's at the top door. Can he get through it? 683 00:26:23,409 --> 00:26:24,859 - Oh, losing traction, losing traction. 684 00:26:24,893 --> 00:26:26,377 - He's slipping! - Losing traction! 685 00:26:26,412 --> 00:26:27,724 - Oh, no! - Hold on! Fight for it! 686 00:26:27,758 --> 00:26:29,553 - You got it! Fight it! Fight it! 687 00:26:29,588 --> 00:26:31,244 - This is where he may--no! 688 00:26:31,279 --> 00:26:33,108 - No! 689 00:26:33,143 --> 00:26:37,216 - Oh, at the door but can't bust through. 690 00:26:37,250 --> 00:26:38,735 So close to the top, 691 00:26:38,769 --> 00:26:43,049 but Amir Malik comes up just short of a buzzer. 692 00:26:43,084 --> 00:26:45,396 - It came down to this final obstacle. 693 00:26:45,431 --> 00:26:46,984 In that last ten feet, 694 00:26:47,019 --> 00:26:48,986 Amir's shoes started to lose traction 695 00:26:49,021 --> 00:26:51,333 as he pushed through those final doors. 696 00:26:51,368 --> 00:26:53,577 Tried to save it but just couldn't. 697 00:26:53,612 --> 00:26:55,648 About as close as you can get 698 00:26:55,683 --> 00:26:58,030 without hitting a buzzer. 699 00:26:58,064 --> 00:27:00,653 - No! - I know! 700 00:27:00,688 --> 00:27:02,413 - It's all right, man. It's all right. 701 00:27:02,448 --> 00:27:04,830 - Love the camaraderie on this team. 702 00:27:06,383 --> 00:27:08,178 - I beat you. [laughter] 703 00:27:08,212 --> 00:27:11,146 - Amir Malik beat his buddy David Wright, 704 00:27:11,181 --> 00:27:14,425 but they could both end up in the finals. 705 00:27:14,460 --> 00:27:17,118 The Phoenix is about to rise. 706 00:27:17,152 --> 00:27:20,259 Najee Richardson hits the course next 707 00:27:20,293 --> 00:27:22,433 on "American Ninja Warrior." 708 00:27:24,746 --> 00:27:26,955 - Welcome back to St. Louis and the semifinals 709 00:27:26,990 --> 00:27:29,820 on "American Ninja Warrior," and while we were away, 710 00:27:29,855 --> 00:27:31,615 the night's smallest competitor 711 00:27:31,650 --> 00:27:33,306 took her shot on the course. 712 00:27:33,341 --> 00:27:35,481 - Let's go! - Whoo! 713 00:27:35,515 --> 00:27:38,622 - Taylor Johnson wears her height, 4'11", 714 00:27:38,657 --> 00:27:40,210 on the back of her shirt. - Whoo! 715 00:27:40,244 --> 00:27:43,316 - She may be small, but, ooh, she is a beast! 716 00:27:43,351 --> 00:27:44,801 - The former college gymnast 717 00:27:44,835 --> 00:27:46,630 from Foxborough, Massachusetts, 718 00:27:46,665 --> 00:27:48,977 made her way across the first two obstacles. 719 00:27:49,012 --> 00:27:51,773 - Look at the height! - Whoo-hoo! 720 00:27:51,808 --> 00:27:53,499 - But at 107 pounds, 721 00:27:53,533 --> 00:27:56,398 she couldn't generate enough swing on Clockwork. 722 00:27:56,433 --> 00:27:59,678 - Oh! Just missed it. - Oh! 723 00:27:59,712 --> 00:28:01,818 - Come back next year ready to go. 724 00:28:01,852 --> 00:28:04,821 - Then it was the Papal Ninja, Catholic church worker 725 00:28:04,855 --> 00:28:08,790 Sean Bryan, who had his family and his priests watching. 726 00:28:08,825 --> 00:28:10,136 - All right, here we go. 727 00:28:10,171 --> 00:28:11,897 - The former college gymnast came back 728 00:28:11,931 --> 00:28:13,415 from a shoulder injury 729 00:28:13,450 --> 00:28:15,797 to put up one of the fastest finishes in qualifying, 730 00:28:15,832 --> 00:28:17,488 and he looked like he was going 731 00:28:17,523 --> 00:28:19,421 for another top time tonight. 732 00:28:19,456 --> 00:28:20,699 - He's timing himself, Matt. 733 00:28:20,733 --> 00:28:22,942 - But instead the five-time veteran 734 00:28:22,977 --> 00:28:25,393 shockingly slipped up on the fifth obstacle, 735 00:28:25,427 --> 00:28:26,566 Slingshot. 736 00:28:26,601 --> 00:28:29,224 - Oh, no! - Oh! 737 00:28:29,259 --> 00:28:31,951 - Oh, my goodness! - Next year. 738 00:28:31,986 --> 00:28:34,609 - We love you, Sean! - We love you, Sean. 739 00:28:34,643 --> 00:28:36,438 - A real shock. 740 00:28:36,473 --> 00:28:39,131 Sean Bryan was a contender to win it all. 741 00:28:39,165 --> 00:28:41,720 Well, here comes another one of our top competitors, 742 00:28:41,754 --> 00:28:43,825 out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 743 00:28:43,860 --> 00:28:45,896 Najee Richardson. 744 00:28:45,931 --> 00:28:47,829 Najee wearing the Ninjas for Black Lives shirt, 745 00:28:47,864 --> 00:28:50,487 like so many athletes this season. 746 00:28:50,521 --> 00:28:52,938 Najee has been one of the leaders of this movement, 747 00:28:52,972 --> 00:28:55,768 and for him it's a very personal cause. 748 00:28:59,323 --> 00:29:01,291 - Ninjas for Black Lives is just about, 749 00:29:01,325 --> 00:29:02,948 hey, I got your back. 750 00:29:02,982 --> 00:29:05,744 We're gonna make sure that we tackle this problem head-on. 751 00:29:05,778 --> 00:29:08,022 [somber music] 752 00:29:08,056 --> 00:29:09,955 There have been so many instances for me. 753 00:29:09,989 --> 00:29:13,165 I remember specifically being attacked 754 00:29:13,199 --> 00:29:15,477 by a group of young boys. 755 00:29:15,512 --> 00:29:18,308 And they're saying racial slur 756 00:29:18,342 --> 00:29:20,793 after racial slur as they're attacking me. 757 00:29:20,828 --> 00:29:22,691 And when the police came, 758 00:29:22,726 --> 00:29:24,659 I was the one that was detained. 759 00:29:24,693 --> 00:29:26,454 ♪ 760 00:29:26,488 --> 00:29:28,594 And I just remember sitting in the back of the police car 761 00:29:28,628 --> 00:29:31,493 and thinking to myself, "How did I get here?" 762 00:29:33,564 --> 00:29:35,049 Luckily, 763 00:29:35,083 --> 00:29:38,707 a waitress and a hostess ran up to the officers. 764 00:29:38,742 --> 00:29:40,399 They explained what happened. They let them know, 765 00:29:40,433 --> 00:29:42,539 "Hey, this kid was attacked. He did nothing wrong." 766 00:29:42,573 --> 00:29:43,989 ♪ 767 00:29:44,023 --> 00:29:47,578 I got lucky from the kindness of strangers. 768 00:29:47,613 --> 00:29:49,235 That infuriates you, 769 00:29:49,270 --> 00:29:51,203 because you realize that you are not 770 00:29:51,237 --> 00:29:54,068 in full control of your safety in this country at all, 771 00:29:54,102 --> 00:29:56,656 and it's simply because of your skin color. 772 00:29:56,691 --> 00:29:58,866 ♪ 773 00:29:58,900 --> 00:30:00,799 I never want another kid 774 00:30:00,833 --> 00:30:03,111 to have to go through the experience 775 00:30:03,146 --> 00:30:07,288 of being threatened simply because they're existing. 776 00:30:07,322 --> 00:30:08,737 ♪ 777 00:30:08,772 --> 00:30:12,120 And if I can do anything to stop it from happening 778 00:30:12,155 --> 00:30:13,673 and to change the course of history, 779 00:30:13,708 --> 00:30:16,124 you can bet I'm gonna be on those front lines. 780 00:30:16,159 --> 00:30:18,747 [cheers and applause] 781 00:30:18,782 --> 00:30:21,129 - Najee Richardson already started his run; 782 00:30:21,164 --> 00:30:24,719 now on the fifth obstacle, Slingshot. 783 00:30:24,753 --> 00:30:26,307 - And he's moving pretty well, 784 00:30:26,341 --> 00:30:28,930 but has been taking some deep breaths. 785 00:30:28,965 --> 00:30:30,863 - Well, Najee has asthma, 786 00:30:30,898 --> 00:30:32,865 and it sometimes impacts him on the course. 787 00:30:32,900 --> 00:30:35,903 Has to keep his breathing under control. 788 00:30:35,937 --> 00:30:38,388 And he's smiling, Akbar. He is smiling! 789 00:30:38,422 --> 00:30:39,699 - He knows what's up. 790 00:30:39,734 --> 00:30:41,011 - You know what? I love it. 791 00:30:41,046 --> 00:30:43,634 - You got it, man. - This is about fun. 792 00:30:43,669 --> 00:30:45,015 Najee's having fun, 793 00:30:45,050 --> 00:30:47,362 and just something we all need right now. 794 00:30:47,397 --> 00:30:48,777 - Yeah! 795 00:30:48,812 --> 00:30:50,710 - There are his girlfriend and dad watching, 796 00:30:50,745 --> 00:30:52,609 along with his mom, grandparents, 797 00:30:52,643 --> 00:30:55,750 and 97-year-old great-grandma, Esslie. 798 00:30:55,784 --> 00:30:56,785 - There we go, all right. 799 00:30:56,820 --> 00:30:58,097 - Plus Joe Moravsky 800 00:30:58,132 --> 00:31:00,548 and Michael Torres on his sideline. 801 00:31:00,582 --> 00:31:02,136 Now facing the Warped Wall, 802 00:31:02,170 --> 00:31:04,655 and then he'll be headed to the back half. 803 00:31:04,690 --> 00:31:07,417 And flies up the wall. 804 00:31:07,451 --> 00:31:08,797 - What's up, guys? 805 00:31:08,832 --> 00:31:10,765 - Your great-grandma watching! Put on a show. 806 00:31:10,799 --> 00:31:12,732 - That's right. Grandma. 807 00:31:12,767 --> 00:31:14,182 - There she is. 808 00:31:14,217 --> 00:31:16,598 Najee putting a smile on everyone's face. 809 00:31:16,633 --> 00:31:18,255 - Well, now the road gets tougher 810 00:31:18,290 --> 00:31:19,739 with these final obstacles, 811 00:31:19,774 --> 00:31:21,638 starting with the Salmon Ladder. 812 00:31:21,672 --> 00:31:23,916 - All right, Naj, all right. 813 00:31:23,951 --> 00:31:25,642 [cheers and applause] 814 00:31:25,676 --> 00:31:28,852 - Salmon Ladder expert, so good at it. 815 00:31:28,887 --> 00:31:30,578 And look at him. He's reversing it. 816 00:31:30,612 --> 00:31:32,614 We've seen a few ninjas try it this way. 817 00:31:32,649 --> 00:31:35,238 They think it gives them more control, and you know what? 818 00:31:35,272 --> 00:31:36,756 I think it's a little more bicep. 819 00:31:36,791 --> 00:31:38,551 He's maybe trying to preserve some of that muscle 820 00:31:38,586 --> 00:31:42,107 for this one, the Corkscrew. 821 00:31:42,141 --> 00:31:45,524 - Yeah, Matt, so much is involved on the Corkscrew. 822 00:31:45,558 --> 00:31:47,146 He's gotta get that wide grip 823 00:31:47,181 --> 00:31:48,976 to anticipate holding, get in tight. 824 00:31:49,010 --> 00:31:51,323 You see how he hugs it, hugs in tight? 825 00:31:51,357 --> 00:31:53,394 That's exactly how you wanna control the spin. 826 00:31:53,428 --> 00:31:54,636 The centrifugal force is real. 827 00:31:54,671 --> 00:31:56,190 - As someone who laches, he knows 828 00:31:56,224 --> 00:31:57,743 how to control his body, absorb it. 829 00:31:57,777 --> 00:32:00,573 - Nice. - Great job by Najee. 830 00:32:00,608 --> 00:32:03,197 [cheers and applause] - Whoo! 831 00:32:03,231 --> 00:32:05,613 - He is powering through the Corkscrew. 832 00:32:05,647 --> 00:32:07,339 - Nice! - A little more on front. 833 00:32:07,373 --> 00:32:08,892 - The wider grip really does 834 00:32:08,927 --> 00:32:10,480 help to control that centrifugal force. 835 00:32:10,514 --> 00:32:13,414 - Whoo! - And he's got it. 836 00:32:13,448 --> 00:32:15,795 But again pausing to catch his breath, 837 00:32:15,830 --> 00:32:18,281 asthma really impacting him tonight. 838 00:32:18,315 --> 00:32:21,284 - Come on, you got this. Let's go, Naj. 839 00:32:21,318 --> 00:32:23,286 - Moravsky offering encouragement. 840 00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:25,633 - And endurance has always been an issue for Najee. 841 00:32:25,667 --> 00:32:28,981 With that asthma, he's only finished a ten-obstacle course 842 00:32:29,016 --> 00:32:30,741 once in his career. 843 00:32:30,776 --> 00:32:33,158 - You got this, baby. You got this. 844 00:32:33,917 --> 00:32:36,333 - Gonna try to gut it out through the Dungeon. 845 00:32:36,368 --> 00:32:37,886 - You got it. 846 00:32:37,921 --> 00:32:40,027 - You know Najee's not giving up without a fight. 847 00:32:40,061 --> 00:32:43,030 He wants to be in next week's finals. 848 00:32:43,064 --> 00:32:45,894 - And almost to the top, but what will he have left 849 00:32:45,929 --> 00:32:48,242 for that climb across? 850 00:32:48,276 --> 00:32:51,210 This new obstacle is a gauntlet. 851 00:32:51,245 --> 00:32:53,178 - You got this. - Shaking out the arms. 852 00:32:53,212 --> 00:32:56,733 - He's gotta carry 165 pounds across 853 00:32:56,767 --> 00:32:58,666 on these pegs that are vertical. 854 00:32:58,700 --> 00:33:01,393 - This horizontal traverse on the vertical handholds 855 00:33:01,427 --> 00:33:05,431 is so challenging, but Najee looking locked in. 856 00:33:05,466 --> 00:33:08,089 - Now, Matt, once he gets to the end, he needs to lache, 857 00:33:08,124 --> 00:33:10,540 and that could peel his hands off. 858 00:33:10,574 --> 00:33:12,197 - Get this! - But not now! 859 00:33:12,231 --> 00:33:13,992 - And threw himself right into that wall, 860 00:33:14,026 --> 00:33:15,890 rotating it 180, 861 00:33:15,924 --> 00:33:17,857 and Najee's gonna get through Dungeon! 862 00:33:17,892 --> 00:33:19,135 [cheers and applause] 863 00:33:19,169 --> 00:33:22,034 - Matt, he got it, but he looks wiped out. 864 00:33:22,069 --> 00:33:23,622 - All right. 865 00:33:23,656 --> 00:33:24,933 - Whoo! 866 00:33:24,968 --> 00:33:26,970 - Come on, get off that thing! 867 00:33:27,005 --> 00:33:29,214 - I'm gonna need that inhaler, dude. 868 00:33:29,248 --> 00:33:31,043 - Well, he's calling for his inhaler. 869 00:33:31,078 --> 00:33:33,011 Michael Torres gonna run it over 870 00:33:33,045 --> 00:33:35,254 so he can get his asthma medication. 871 00:33:35,289 --> 00:33:37,394 When he takes a puff, 872 00:33:37,429 --> 00:33:39,569 it opens up the airways in the lung, 873 00:33:39,603 --> 00:33:41,536 making it easier to breathe. 874 00:33:41,571 --> 00:33:43,400 - And remember, Matt, two years ago, 875 00:33:43,435 --> 00:33:45,092 Najee had trouble breathing 876 00:33:45,126 --> 00:33:47,301 when he had to swim underwater on the Water Walls 877 00:33:47,335 --> 00:33:49,165 on stage two in Vegas. 878 00:33:49,199 --> 00:33:51,477 He thought he might drown. 879 00:33:51,512 --> 00:33:53,824 - Well, I don't know if he can continue, 880 00:33:53,859 --> 00:33:55,240 still breathing hard. 881 00:33:55,274 --> 00:33:57,725 But look at this. He's gonna keep going! 882 00:33:57,759 --> 00:34:00,003 Gonna do everything he can to finish. 883 00:34:00,038 --> 00:34:02,281 - Man, that man ain't got no quit in him, Matt. 884 00:34:02,316 --> 00:34:04,111 This is Najee Richardson! - Breathe deep, Najee. 885 00:34:04,145 --> 00:34:06,251 35 feet to get that buzzer. 886 00:34:06,285 --> 00:34:08,115 - Let's see it. Fly up those doors, man. 887 00:34:08,149 --> 00:34:10,669 - Come on, buddy. 888 00:34:10,703 --> 00:34:12,429 - Well, Matt, he took his inhaler. 889 00:34:12,464 --> 00:34:14,121 Now he's gotta go all the way up, try to get it. 890 00:34:14,155 --> 00:34:16,882 - Spider Trap, three sets of 100-pound doors. 891 00:34:16,916 --> 00:34:18,746 There it is, 50 and 50. - Nice, oh, he's a--ooh! 892 00:34:18,780 --> 00:34:20,644 - Look at him springing up, Akbar. 893 00:34:20,679 --> 00:34:22,129 - He's got a little boost of energy. 894 00:34:22,163 --> 00:34:24,510 - Well, you really gotta lock that lower body in 895 00:34:24,545 --> 00:34:26,202 to be able to push those doors up, 896 00:34:26,236 --> 00:34:27,755 and Najee, oh, my goodness! 897 00:34:27,789 --> 00:34:29,274 - He made those 100-pound doors look like nothing. 898 00:34:29,308 --> 00:34:31,069 Look how he's pushing that open. 899 00:34:31,103 --> 00:34:33,105 - Akbar, this Phoenix is rising! 900 00:34:33,140 --> 00:34:34,762 Ladies and gentlemen, 901 00:34:34,796 --> 00:34:37,005 your first buzzer of the night! 902 00:34:37,040 --> 00:34:38,179 [upbeat music] 903 00:34:38,214 --> 00:34:39,836 [cheering] 904 00:34:39,870 --> 00:34:41,734 - Give it to me, Najee! 905 00:34:41,769 --> 00:34:44,012 ♪ 906 00:34:44,047 --> 00:34:46,118 - What a moment, and there it is, 907 00:34:46,153 --> 00:34:49,501 Ninjas for Black Lives. 908 00:34:49,535 --> 00:34:51,089 - Yeah, Najee! 909 00:34:51,123 --> 00:34:53,677 - Nice, nice. 910 00:34:53,712 --> 00:34:55,852 Najee wanted to spread his message, 911 00:34:55,886 --> 00:34:57,578 and he did just that. 912 00:34:57,612 --> 00:35:00,270 He could barely breathe, but he kept going 913 00:35:00,305 --> 00:35:02,583 and would not stop despite his asthma 914 00:35:02,617 --> 00:35:06,311 and made it to the buzzer, our first finisher tonight. 915 00:35:06,345 --> 00:35:10,315 - The Phoenix is back on top. Najee, congratulations. 916 00:35:10,349 --> 00:35:13,145 How did it feel to hit that buzzer? 917 00:35:13,180 --> 00:35:14,526 - It felt so good. 918 00:35:14,560 --> 00:35:16,493 I ha--I didn't hit a single buzzer last season, 919 00:35:16,528 --> 00:35:18,875 so to do this feels great. 920 00:35:18,909 --> 00:35:20,428 - And you are proudly repping 921 00:35:20,463 --> 00:35:22,361 the Ninjas for Black Lives movement. 922 00:35:22,396 --> 00:35:24,191 So beautiful, so important. 923 00:35:24,225 --> 00:35:26,779 What do you wanna say to the folks at home about that? 924 00:35:26,814 --> 00:35:29,334 - Oh, I just wanna tell people, you know, we're out here 925 00:35:29,368 --> 00:35:31,853 just trying to spread a positive message. 926 00:35:31,888 --> 00:35:34,822 We're here. Solidarity is key. 927 00:35:34,856 --> 00:35:37,204 And it's just about making people understand 928 00:35:37,238 --> 00:35:38,826 that we're for them 929 00:35:38,860 --> 00:35:40,138 and we're here and we're supporting them. 930 00:35:40,172 --> 00:35:41,794 - We're proud of you. Congratulations. 931 00:35:41,829 --> 00:35:43,486 We will see you in the finals. Great job. 932 00:35:43,520 --> 00:35:46,316 - All right. 933 00:35:46,351 --> 00:35:50,148 - Don't forget, next week we kick off the finals, 934 00:35:50,182 --> 00:35:53,047 where 28 of the best ninja athletes in the world 935 00:35:53,081 --> 00:35:55,014 will be fighting to get to the Power Tower 936 00:35:55,049 --> 00:35:58,949 and win the $100,000 prize, 937 00:35:58,984 --> 00:36:00,848 and there's more to come tonight 938 00:36:00,882 --> 00:36:03,471 on "American Ninja Warrior." 939 00:36:06,198 --> 00:36:07,717 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior," 940 00:36:07,751 --> 00:36:09,995 where it's night two of our semifinals. 941 00:36:10,029 --> 00:36:12,411 While we were away, we saw two athletes 942 00:36:12,446 --> 00:36:15,587 who made it here tonight thanks to their mentors. 943 00:36:15,621 --> 00:36:17,727 First up was Orlando's Jessica Helmer, 944 00:36:17,761 --> 00:36:19,901 aka Jessica Rabbit. 945 00:36:19,936 --> 00:36:21,869 She came out to run for buns 946 00:36:21,903 --> 00:36:24,389 and raise awareness for rabbit adoption. 947 00:36:24,423 --> 00:36:27,012 - She's got her pet rabbit Enni watching. 948 00:36:27,046 --> 00:36:29,704 - Helmer fell on the first obstacle back in qualifying... 949 00:36:29,739 --> 00:36:31,430 - Oh! 950 00:36:31,465 --> 00:36:33,881 - But was saved for the semifinals when R.J. Roman, 951 00:36:33,915 --> 00:36:37,436 who invited her this season, won on the Power Tower. 952 00:36:37,471 --> 00:36:39,335 - You got this, Jessica! 953 00:36:39,369 --> 00:36:41,129 - Tonight Helmer got redemption 954 00:36:41,164 --> 00:36:42,855 on the Shrinking Steps 955 00:36:42,890 --> 00:36:45,824 and made it to the third obstacle before her run ended. 956 00:36:45,858 --> 00:36:47,446 Oh! 957 00:36:47,481 --> 00:36:48,792 - Oh! What's up, Doc? 958 00:36:48,827 --> 00:36:51,070 Jessica Rabbit didn't have the hops. 959 00:36:51,105 --> 00:36:54,350 - Then it was another athlete getting a second chance, 960 00:36:54,384 --> 00:36:56,006 rookie Jeshuah Lewis. 961 00:36:56,041 --> 00:36:57,939 He was one of the two young ninjas 962 00:36:57,974 --> 00:37:00,666 brought this season by veteran Joe Moravsky, 963 00:37:00,701 --> 00:37:02,461 and the Weatherman saved Lewis 964 00:37:02,496 --> 00:37:04,739 for the semifinals with a dramatic win 965 00:37:04,774 --> 00:37:07,570 on the Power Tower back in qualifying. 966 00:37:07,604 --> 00:37:11,159 Jeshuah Lewis and William Schlageter are moving on! 967 00:37:11,194 --> 00:37:14,784 And tonight Lewis took advantage of his opportunity, 968 00:37:14,818 --> 00:37:17,131 racing to the back half of the course. 969 00:37:17,165 --> 00:37:18,477 - There it is. 970 00:37:18,512 --> 00:37:21,135 - 22-year-old rookie and killing it. 971 00:37:21,169 --> 00:37:22,964 - Hey! 972 00:37:22,999 --> 00:37:25,277 - But the rookie's impressive run ended 973 00:37:25,312 --> 00:37:26,727 when he reached Corkscrew. 974 00:37:26,761 --> 00:37:29,592 - That's it. Oh! 975 00:37:29,626 --> 00:37:31,421 - What? 976 00:37:31,456 --> 00:37:35,011 Look how much that drops. 977 00:37:35,045 --> 00:37:36,944 - Well, here comes the other young ninja 978 00:37:36,978 --> 00:37:38,394 saved by Joe Moravsky, 979 00:37:38,428 --> 00:37:40,913 and, whoa, you can tell he's excited to be here. 980 00:37:40,948 --> 00:37:44,020 This is 22-year-old Will Schlageter, 981 00:37:44,054 --> 00:37:45,608 and getting to compete this season 982 00:37:45,642 --> 00:37:48,058 was a big item on his bucket list. 983 00:37:50,129 --> 00:37:52,408 - Ever since I was 14, this has been my dream. 984 00:37:52,442 --> 00:37:54,168 I was too young at the time, 985 00:37:54,202 --> 00:37:56,204 so my dad got to run the course in my place. 986 00:37:56,239 --> 00:37:58,897 - Out of Lancaster, PA, Bill Schlageter. 987 00:37:58,931 --> 00:38:00,726 [horn blares] Oh! 988 00:38:00,761 --> 00:38:02,659 - He only lasted for about four seconds. 989 00:38:02,694 --> 00:38:05,524 - Well, seven more years before the son gets out here. 990 00:38:05,559 --> 00:38:09,010 - And now I'm here competing with Joe Moravsky. 991 00:38:09,045 --> 00:38:10,702 - Will has been waiting to get on the big stage 992 00:38:10,736 --> 00:38:12,876 for so many years. 993 00:38:12,911 --> 00:38:14,499 Practically half of the kid's life 994 00:38:14,533 --> 00:38:16,604 has been spent training for this moment. 995 00:38:16,639 --> 00:38:20,470 He's got the drive right now, and I know Will can do this. 996 00:38:20,505 --> 00:38:23,059 - But in qualifying, unfortunately, 997 00:38:23,093 --> 00:38:24,992 I didn't do as well as I wanted to. 998 00:38:25,026 --> 00:38:26,165 No! 999 00:38:26,200 --> 00:38:28,306 - Oh, no! - Oh. 1000 00:38:28,340 --> 00:38:29,790 - I was sad, obviously. 1001 00:38:29,824 --> 00:38:31,274 Oh! 1002 00:38:31,309 --> 00:38:34,346 But thanks to Joe winning on the Power Tower... 1003 00:38:34,381 --> 00:38:35,968 [air horn blares] Yes! Yes! 1004 00:38:36,003 --> 00:38:38,557 Tonight I get a shot to redeem myself 1005 00:38:38,592 --> 00:38:40,179 on the semifinals course. 1006 00:38:40,214 --> 00:38:41,560 I am so excited 1007 00:38:41,595 --> 00:38:43,251 'cause he's been such a big inspiration for me, 1008 00:38:43,286 --> 00:38:45,392 and I'm not going to waste this second chance. 1009 00:38:45,426 --> 00:38:46,979 - You're back, boys. 1010 00:38:47,014 --> 00:38:48,947 - Will was devastated about falling early, 1011 00:38:48,981 --> 00:38:51,984 so I'm excited to see him get another shot at the course. 1012 00:38:52,019 --> 00:38:53,814 He's got that passion, you know? 1013 00:38:53,848 --> 00:38:55,367 And I think that's the key. 1014 00:38:55,402 --> 00:38:57,956 - Here I am, and I hope I can just spread this message 1015 00:38:57,990 --> 00:39:01,477 of work hard for your dreams, and it will pay off. 1016 00:39:01,511 --> 00:39:03,099 Of course it'll pay off. 1017 00:39:03,133 --> 00:39:06,344 How could it not? 1018 00:39:08,415 --> 00:39:09,968 Hey, guys! 1019 00:39:10,002 --> 00:39:11,728 - Gotta love his enthusiasm. 1020 00:39:11,763 --> 00:39:14,075 He's gonna have a ton of family support, 1021 00:39:14,110 --> 00:39:16,871 including from his pops, who ran for him years ago. 1022 00:39:16,906 --> 00:39:19,080 On the sidelines, the mentor who saved him 1023 00:39:19,115 --> 00:39:20,875 from elimination back in qualifying... 1024 00:39:20,910 --> 00:39:23,464 - All right, man. - Joe Moravsky. 1025 00:39:23,499 --> 00:39:25,880 [countdown timer beeping] 1026 00:39:25,915 --> 00:39:27,986 Will fell on the third obstacle a few weeks ago. 1027 00:39:28,020 --> 00:39:31,541 You saw him say it, he's gonna bring it here in the semis. 1028 00:39:31,576 --> 00:39:32,749 Doesn't want an early exit. 1029 00:39:32,784 --> 00:39:35,442 - You got this! 1030 00:39:35,476 --> 00:39:37,927 - And jumps up to start Spring Forward. 1031 00:39:37,961 --> 00:39:39,860 - Well, his nickname is Will da Beast, 1032 00:39:39,894 --> 00:39:41,862 and yet he looks like a nerdy scientist, 1033 00:39:41,896 --> 00:39:44,071 and how does he keep those glasses on? 1034 00:39:44,105 --> 00:39:45,831 - Just graduated this summer from 1035 00:39:45,866 --> 00:39:48,455 the University of Rochester with three degrees. 1036 00:39:48,489 --> 00:39:50,560 Now working as a biochemist, 1037 00:39:50,595 --> 00:39:52,493 trying to solve Spring Forward. 1038 00:39:52,528 --> 00:39:54,530 - Nice. - And the Beast is doing it. 1039 00:39:54,564 --> 00:39:56,497 One last lache here. 1040 00:39:56,532 --> 00:39:59,673 Whoa, a little too much on the landing, but he's through. 1041 00:39:59,707 --> 00:40:01,606 [cheers and applause] 1042 00:40:01,640 --> 00:40:03,193 Now staring down Clockwork. 1043 00:40:03,228 --> 00:40:06,334 - Ahh! - Lets out the primal yell. 1044 00:40:06,369 --> 00:40:08,440 He's going full beast mode. 1045 00:40:08,475 --> 00:40:11,098 - This should give hope to all those young ninjas 1046 00:40:11,132 --> 00:40:12,651 who are out there training. 1047 00:40:12,686 --> 00:40:14,929 They may not be old enough to compete yet, 1048 00:40:14,964 --> 00:40:18,036 but just like Will Schlageter, if they keep working at it, 1049 00:40:18,070 --> 00:40:19,313 their day will come. 1050 00:40:19,347 --> 00:40:21,073 - Absolutely. 1051 00:40:21,108 --> 00:40:22,592 - Yep, one more. Here we go, here we go. 1052 00:40:22,627 --> 00:40:25,871 - You see, laying that body out, great job. 1053 00:40:25,906 --> 00:40:28,909 Making the most of his new life on the course. 1054 00:40:28,943 --> 00:40:30,186 - Hey! 1055 00:40:30,220 --> 00:40:31,843 - Moravsky's really been coaching up 1056 00:40:31,877 --> 00:40:33,223 his two young ninjas. 1057 00:40:33,258 --> 00:40:35,743 Will da Beast now facing Burn Rubber. 1058 00:40:35,778 --> 00:40:37,814 - All right, hey, a lot of speed. 1059 00:40:37,849 --> 00:40:40,058 Right on top of it, okay? 1060 00:40:40,092 --> 00:40:42,025 - It's all about that footwork, Akbar, 1061 00:40:42,060 --> 00:40:43,579 lead foot, then the transition. 1062 00:40:43,613 --> 00:40:45,201 - Positive reaction! - Hopping through. 1063 00:40:45,235 --> 00:40:48,894 - Positive reaction! - And the Beast survives it. 1064 00:40:48,929 --> 00:40:51,241 And he's getting pumped up. 1065 00:40:51,276 --> 00:40:53,589 - Look at that. Moravsky pumped up too. 1066 00:40:53,623 --> 00:40:56,695 - Will da Beast trying to ride that momentum into Slingshot. 1067 00:40:56,730 --> 00:40:58,732 - Ahh! - He's taking full advantage 1068 00:40:58,766 --> 00:41:01,873 of this second chance Joe Moravsky earned him. 1069 00:41:01,907 --> 00:41:04,565 - All in the hips. 1070 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:06,049 Good. There we go. 1071 00:41:06,084 --> 00:41:08,258 Get a pretty bounce. - Moravsky really taken 1072 00:41:08,293 --> 00:41:10,260 these two young ninjas under his wing. 1073 00:41:10,295 --> 00:41:13,022 He's given them so much advice on the course and off. 1074 00:41:13,056 --> 00:41:14,679 You can see those bungee cords 1075 00:41:14,713 --> 00:41:16,784 make that bar react so unpredictably. 1076 00:41:16,819 --> 00:41:18,234 - Oh, Matt, you can see his core's not tight, 1077 00:41:18,268 --> 00:41:20,132 and he's shaking and moving. 1078 00:41:20,167 --> 00:41:22,480 - Oh, but survives the big drop there. 1079 00:41:22,514 --> 00:41:24,378 Now a big jump up. 1080 00:41:24,412 --> 00:41:26,207 [cheers and applause] - Get off. 1081 00:41:26,242 --> 00:41:27,692 - Matt, and now he's gotta kip up 1082 00:41:27,726 --> 00:41:29,625 and be able to land it inside of the cradle, 1083 00:41:29,659 --> 00:41:32,144 and he's pulling down on it. - All right. 1084 00:41:32,179 --> 00:41:35,216 - He's pulling down to try to max out those bungee cords. 1085 00:41:35,251 --> 00:41:36,942 - Kip! - Nice! 1086 00:41:36,977 --> 00:41:39,462 - He's getting up, but you can hear the effort, Akbar. 1087 00:41:39,497 --> 00:41:41,499 Will he have anything left in the tank 1088 00:41:41,533 --> 00:41:42,810 if he makes it to the back half? 1089 00:41:42,845 --> 00:41:44,260 - Whoo, Matt! 1090 00:41:44,294 --> 00:41:45,813 I mean, he gave everything he had on this one. 1091 00:41:45,848 --> 00:41:47,919 - [shouts] 1092 00:41:47,953 --> 00:41:51,785 - And look at this, he's made it to the Warped Wall. 1093 00:41:51,819 --> 00:41:54,822 And his dad Bill's gotta be so proud of his son. 1094 00:41:54,857 --> 00:41:56,272 - Beat that wall! 1095 00:41:56,306 --> 00:41:57,722 - Has a black belt in taekwondo. 1096 00:41:57,756 --> 00:41:59,517 He's gonna have to fight for this one, Akbar. 1097 00:41:59,551 --> 00:42:00,966 all: Beat that wall! 1098 00:42:01,001 --> 00:42:02,312 - Nice! - He's the best around. 1099 00:42:02,347 --> 00:42:04,211 No one's gonna keep him down! 1100 00:42:04,245 --> 00:42:06,247 - Will da Beast! - Yeah! 1101 00:42:06,282 --> 00:42:09,112 [cheers and applause] 1102 00:42:09,147 --> 00:42:12,702 - Here he is on the back half of the semifinals course. 1103 00:42:12,737 --> 00:42:14,911 - You got this Salmon Ladder. - And Mom is right. 1104 00:42:14,946 --> 00:42:16,534 He should have the Salmon Ladder. 1105 00:42:16,568 --> 00:42:19,640 He's been training on one since he was 14. 1106 00:42:19,675 --> 00:42:22,401 Now finally facing it in competition. 1107 00:42:22,436 --> 00:42:24,783 - Uh-oh, look at this. He's taking off the shirt. 1108 00:42:24,818 --> 00:42:27,303 He's like Clark Kent ripping the suit off. 1109 00:42:27,337 --> 00:42:28,718 - Yeah, there you go. 1110 00:42:28,753 --> 00:42:31,100 - His dad wants to rip his shirt off too. 1111 00:42:31,134 --> 00:42:32,860 These two are in it together. 1112 00:42:32,895 --> 00:42:34,828 - I thought he was gonna take his glasses off. 1113 00:42:34,862 --> 00:42:37,900 - Hey, he's pretty buff for a biochemist. 1114 00:42:37,934 --> 00:42:40,661 Living out his childhood dream right now. 1115 00:42:40,696 --> 00:42:42,905 - Yeah, gotta do the Salmon Ladder just like he did 1116 00:42:42,939 --> 00:42:46,391 back when he was practicing in the garage at 14. 1117 00:42:46,425 --> 00:42:49,601 - And he is through. Now on to the Corkscrew. 1118 00:42:49,636 --> 00:42:52,224 We saw this take out his friend Jeshuah. 1119 00:42:52,259 --> 00:42:54,606 Four-foot drop, gotta hang on. 1120 00:42:54,641 --> 00:42:56,574 - Oh, he couldn't even mess with it. 1121 00:42:56,608 --> 00:42:57,989 - Oh. 1122 00:42:58,023 --> 00:42:59,646 - Well, he just had nothing left 1123 00:42:59,680 --> 00:43:03,615 in the tank at Corkscrew, but a great run by the rookie. 1124 00:43:03,650 --> 00:43:07,585 - Hey, nice run, dude. That was insane. 1125 00:43:07,619 --> 00:43:09,414 - Good job. 1126 00:43:09,448 --> 00:43:12,624 - Will da Beast went wild on the front half of the course, 1127 00:43:12,659 --> 00:43:14,799 but even after taking his shirt off, 1128 00:43:14,833 --> 00:43:17,525 he couldn't quite get a handle on Corkscrew, 1129 00:43:17,560 --> 00:43:19,493 but an impressive run 1130 00:43:19,527 --> 00:43:22,876 and a dream come true for this rookie. 1131 00:43:22,910 --> 00:43:25,810 And even though they stayed on for the whole run, 1132 00:43:25,844 --> 00:43:28,709 he finally lost his glasses at the end. 1133 00:43:28,744 --> 00:43:31,988 - Coming up, we've got a lot more ninja favorites 1134 00:43:32,023 --> 00:43:35,198 ready to take their shot on this semifinals course, 1135 00:43:35,233 --> 00:43:38,270 including Joe Moravsky... 1136 00:43:38,305 --> 00:43:40,410 - Oh! - He got it! 1137 00:43:40,445 --> 00:43:42,516 - And Jessie Graff. 1138 00:43:42,550 --> 00:43:44,518 Her fifth buzzer. 1139 00:43:44,552 --> 00:43:47,901 Plus Lance Pekus has shared the story of his wife's battle 1140 00:43:47,935 --> 00:43:50,179 against multiple sclerosis. 1141 00:43:50,213 --> 00:43:53,251 Now he's helping her the cowboy way. 1142 00:43:53,285 --> 00:43:57,635 Their story when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 1143 00:44:00,499 --> 00:44:02,501 - Welcome back to the Dome in St. Louis. 1144 00:44:02,536 --> 00:44:04,572 We're about halfway through our second night 1145 00:44:04,607 --> 00:44:06,851 of semifinals here on "American Ninja Warrior," 1146 00:44:06,885 --> 00:44:08,404 and, Akbar, we have already seen 1147 00:44:08,438 --> 00:44:09,888 quite a few surprises tonight. 1148 00:44:09,923 --> 00:44:12,442 - Yeah, Matt, and even some of our top ninja stars 1149 00:44:12,477 --> 00:44:14,375 have gotten tripped up here tonight. 1150 00:44:14,410 --> 00:44:17,724 Just in the past few minutes, our most experienced ninjas, 1151 00:44:17,758 --> 00:44:20,519 the three guys who have competed on every season, 1152 00:44:20,554 --> 00:44:22,383 got their shot at the course. 1153 00:44:22,418 --> 00:44:26,008 Up first was Colorado's 33-year-old Lorin Ball. 1154 00:44:26,042 --> 00:44:27,941 - This man can go fast. 1155 00:44:27,975 --> 00:44:30,253 - Ball rolled through the first three obstacles. 1156 00:44:30,288 --> 00:44:32,773 - Real nice. - But the former break dancer 1157 00:44:32,808 --> 00:44:35,707 didn't have the right footwork for Burn Rubber. 1158 00:44:35,742 --> 00:44:37,364 - You can use your hands there. 1159 00:44:37,398 --> 00:44:39,124 What a s--no! 1160 00:44:39,159 --> 00:44:40,125 [air horn blares] 1161 00:44:40,160 --> 00:44:43,163 - Ah! Ah! 1162 00:44:43,197 --> 00:44:45,786 - Then it was 37-year-old Brian Kretsch, 1163 00:44:45,821 --> 00:44:48,409 and he too had trouble on Burn Rubber. 1164 00:44:48,444 --> 00:44:50,722 - Stumble, stumble, rolls through. 1165 00:44:50,757 --> 00:44:52,448 - The California gym manager 1166 00:44:52,482 --> 00:44:54,001 then made his way to the back half. 1167 00:44:54,036 --> 00:44:55,244 - Holds on. 1168 00:44:55,278 --> 00:44:57,004 - And the wily veteran survived 1169 00:44:57,039 --> 00:44:58,903 the first two spins on Corkscrew. 1170 00:44:58,937 --> 00:45:00,663 - Oh, my! - Yes, yes, yes, yes! 1171 00:45:00,698 --> 00:45:02,044 - But not the third. 1172 00:45:02,078 --> 00:45:04,425 - One more drop! 1173 00:45:04,460 --> 00:45:07,187 Oh, no! 1174 00:45:07,221 --> 00:45:08,809 - Oh! 1175 00:45:08,844 --> 00:45:11,743 - Finally, it was the Godfather, David Campbell, 1176 00:45:11,778 --> 00:45:14,573 the night's oldest competitor at 43. 1177 00:45:14,608 --> 00:45:17,300 He also stumbled on the balance obstacle. 1178 00:45:17,335 --> 00:45:21,097 - Oh, no! What a save! 1179 00:45:21,132 --> 00:45:23,755 - The pizza delivery man made it to the back half 1180 00:45:23,790 --> 00:45:27,379 before he became yet another victim of the Corkscrew. 1181 00:45:27,414 --> 00:45:30,728 - Oh, no! - Oh, no. 1182 00:45:30,762 --> 00:45:33,765 - It's okay. I had a fun run. 1183 00:45:33,800 --> 00:45:35,077 [western music] 1184 00:45:35,111 --> 00:45:36,699 [bird caws] 1185 00:45:36,734 --> 00:45:39,564 - Well, that music can mean only one thing. 1186 00:45:39,598 --> 00:45:42,118 Zuri, get our cowboy started. 1187 00:45:42,153 --> 00:45:44,811 - St. Louis is the Gateway to the West, 1188 00:45:44,845 --> 00:45:47,883 the perfect place to find the Cowboy Ninja. 1189 00:45:47,917 --> 00:45:49,850 We're talking about Idaho rancher 1190 00:45:49,885 --> 00:45:51,403 Lance Pekus, of course, 1191 00:45:51,438 --> 00:45:53,785 and don't let the black hat and mask fool you. 1192 00:45:53,820 --> 00:45:55,304 He's one of the good guys. 1193 00:45:55,338 --> 00:45:57,237 He's a devoted husband to his wife Heather, 1194 00:45:57,271 --> 00:45:59,170 who has multiple sclerosis, 1195 00:45:59,204 --> 00:46:03,933 and recently he's found a way for her to cowboy up. 1196 00:46:03,968 --> 00:46:06,384 - Swing your right leg over. 1197 00:46:06,418 --> 00:46:08,938 Put your feet in your stirrups. 1198 00:46:08,973 --> 00:46:12,355 - Heather grew up on a horse. She loved riding. 1199 00:46:12,390 --> 00:46:14,012 ♪ 1200 00:46:14,047 --> 00:46:16,325 Because of multiple sclerosis and her battle, 1201 00:46:16,359 --> 00:46:18,361 Heather hasn't been on a horse in three years. 1202 00:46:18,396 --> 00:46:21,399 - And you're ready to go. 1203 00:46:21,433 --> 00:46:24,057 - Our daughter Gracie is now seven years old, 1204 00:46:24,091 --> 00:46:26,335 and she loves riding, and I could tell that 1205 00:46:26,369 --> 00:46:28,578 Heather was feeling a little left out when she saw 1206 00:46:28,613 --> 00:46:30,339 how much Gracie was into it, 1207 00:46:30,373 --> 00:46:32,582 so I got a horse trained real well, 1208 00:46:32,617 --> 00:46:34,412 and we were able to get her onto the horse 1209 00:46:34,446 --> 00:46:36,586 for the first time in three years. 1210 00:46:36,621 --> 00:46:39,969 - I love riding with you, Mommy. 1211 00:46:40,004 --> 00:46:42,627 - Being able to see them ride together 1212 00:46:42,661 --> 00:46:44,594 and the smiles and the happiness, 1213 00:46:44,629 --> 00:46:45,803 it is heartwarming, 1214 00:46:45,837 --> 00:46:47,770 and it brought us to tears almost. 1215 00:46:47,805 --> 00:46:50,773 It's unexplainable, really. 1216 00:46:50,808 --> 00:46:51,981 ♪ 1217 00:46:52,016 --> 00:46:53,534 She's had ups, she's had downs, 1218 00:46:53,569 --> 00:46:56,054 but it's that spirit of her never giving up 1219 00:46:56,089 --> 00:46:57,400 that definitely helps 1220 00:46:57,435 --> 00:46:59,678 give me that motivation to keep pushing. 1221 00:46:59,713 --> 00:47:03,648 ♪ 1222 00:47:03,682 --> 00:47:05,615 [cheers and applause] 1223 00:47:05,650 --> 00:47:07,134 - Well, so many have been touched 1224 00:47:07,169 --> 00:47:08,860 by Lance and Heather's battle, 1225 00:47:08,895 --> 00:47:10,172 and there's one of them. 1226 00:47:10,206 --> 00:47:11,794 That's fellow ninja Kat Henschen, 1227 00:47:11,829 --> 00:47:13,382 whose husband has MS. 1228 00:47:13,416 --> 00:47:15,971 Lance invited her to compete back in qualifying, 1229 00:47:16,005 --> 00:47:19,422 And there's the other ninja Lance invited, Luke Mickelson. 1230 00:47:19,457 --> 00:47:22,011 [countdown timer beeping] 1231 00:47:22,046 --> 00:47:23,944 - Matt, this has truly been a special season, 1232 00:47:23,979 --> 00:47:27,085 all about lifting people up, and I don't know anyone 1233 00:47:27,120 --> 00:47:30,226 who embodies that ninja spirit more than Lance Pekus. 1234 00:47:30,261 --> 00:47:32,332 - This is now his ninth season competing. 1235 00:47:32,366 --> 00:47:33,643 - Spring Forward might knock off 1236 00:47:33,678 --> 00:47:34,886 his cowboy hat, Matt. 1237 00:47:34,921 --> 00:47:36,336 Whoo! 1238 00:47:36,370 --> 00:47:39,270 - This guy can generate a lot of power, 5'7", 160, 1239 00:47:39,304 --> 00:47:40,858 but he's riding it. 1240 00:47:40,892 --> 00:47:43,136 - Come on, Dad! Yay! Whoo! 1241 00:47:43,170 --> 00:47:44,378 - His two kids, 1242 00:47:44,413 --> 00:47:46,933 Gracie and Grayson, getting excited. 1243 00:47:46,967 --> 00:47:48,486 Great job by Pekus. 1244 00:47:48,520 --> 00:47:50,833 - Oh, a tip of the hat to Spring Forward! 1245 00:47:50,868 --> 00:47:52,455 - Beat that wheel! 1246 00:47:52,490 --> 00:47:54,526 - Gracie saying, "Beat that wheel." 1247 00:47:54,561 --> 00:47:57,046 She's talking about this next one, Clockwork. 1248 00:47:57,081 --> 00:47:59,738 It's about the timing to get to that second sprocket. 1249 00:47:59,773 --> 00:48:00,981 That was smooth. 1250 00:48:01,016 --> 00:48:03,087 - His power's generated by his beef. 1251 00:48:03,121 --> 00:48:04,398 All right, here we go, cowboy. 1252 00:48:04,433 --> 00:48:06,538 - Watch it here. - Nice. 1253 00:48:06,573 --> 00:48:08,747 - I don't know how competes in jeans, man. 1254 00:48:08,782 --> 00:48:10,922 Country boy can survive. 1255 00:48:10,957 --> 00:48:12,303 - Well, he's gotta take that hat off. 1256 00:48:12,337 --> 00:48:14,167 Maybe the next one, the shirt comes off. 1257 00:48:14,201 --> 00:48:15,893 - Now on Burn Rubber. 1258 00:48:15,927 --> 00:48:17,895 Easy to get tripped up here, Akbar. 1259 00:48:17,929 --> 00:48:19,897 - Come on. You got this, Lance. 1260 00:48:19,931 --> 00:48:22,830 - Giddy up, cowboy. He literally has to get up. 1261 00:48:22,865 --> 00:48:24,418 He's gotta get high. Come on, giddy up. 1262 00:48:24,453 --> 00:48:26,627 - Gonna have to do a two-step! - Giddy up! Giddy up! 1263 00:48:26,662 --> 00:48:29,285 - Oh! - Daddy! 1264 00:48:29,320 --> 00:48:31,874 - Lance Pekus bucked on Burn Rubber, 1265 00:48:31,909 --> 00:48:34,428 just peeled out of that middle wheel, 1266 00:48:34,463 --> 00:48:37,397 and a reminder, any ninja, any obstacle, any time. 1267 00:48:37,431 --> 00:48:40,572 - Matt, the cowboy tried to two-step that middle wheel, 1268 00:48:40,607 --> 00:48:41,988 and it spun backwards on him. 1269 00:48:42,022 --> 00:48:43,782 That threw off his timing, 1270 00:48:43,817 --> 00:48:47,200 and he nearly missed that third wheel completely. 1271 00:48:47,234 --> 00:48:50,410 - Oh, he's obviously disappointed. 1272 00:48:50,444 --> 00:48:52,757 - Daddy, you're coming home. 1273 00:48:52,791 --> 00:48:54,966 - Yeah, Grayson's right. The silver lining is 1274 00:48:55,001 --> 00:48:58,211 he gets to go home to that beautiful family. 1275 00:48:58,245 --> 00:49:00,454 Coming up, she does great things 1276 00:49:00,489 --> 00:49:02,698 on the course and off it. 1277 00:49:02,732 --> 00:49:05,494 Nurse Mady Howard is up next 1278 00:49:05,528 --> 00:49:08,117 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1279 00:49:10,913 --> 00:49:12,777 - Welcome back to the Dome in St. Louis, 1280 00:49:12,811 --> 00:49:14,848 where our semifinals roll on. 1281 00:49:14,882 --> 00:49:16,229 While we were away, 1282 00:49:16,263 --> 00:49:18,817 San Diego photographer Alex Nye 1283 00:49:18,852 --> 00:49:20,233 got his shot at the course. 1284 00:49:20,267 --> 00:49:21,924 He was invited to compete this season 1285 00:49:21,959 --> 00:49:24,582 by ninja great Meagan Martin. 1286 00:49:24,616 --> 00:49:27,378 - Alex Nye the Ninja Guy. 1287 00:49:27,412 --> 00:49:30,760 - Nye hit a buzzer in qualifying a few weeks ago. 1288 00:49:30,795 --> 00:49:32,107 - Yow! 1289 00:49:32,141 --> 00:49:34,385 - But tonight wasn't so picture-perfect, 1290 00:49:34,419 --> 00:49:36,594 as he was bounced out on the fifth obstacle, 1291 00:49:36,628 --> 00:49:37,802 Slingshot. 1292 00:49:37,836 --> 00:49:39,804 - Oh! - Oh, no! 1293 00:49:39,838 --> 00:49:41,564 - Wow. 1294 00:49:41,599 --> 00:49:44,464 Say good-bye to Alex Nye the Ninja Guy. 1295 00:49:44,498 --> 00:49:47,260 - Then one of our top women athletes, Tiana Webberley, 1296 00:49:47,294 --> 00:49:49,607 got her chance on the course. 1297 00:49:49,641 --> 00:49:52,437 The six-time ninja veteran from Palmdale, California, 1298 00:49:52,472 --> 00:49:54,819 made it to the buzzer back in qualifying. 1299 00:49:54,853 --> 00:49:56,579 [horn blares] 1300 00:49:56,614 --> 00:49:59,824 - Your first buzzer! Congratulations. 1301 00:49:59,858 --> 00:50:01,757 - Tonight, with her family watching, 1302 00:50:01,791 --> 00:50:05,140 the 28-year-old was looking for another big run. 1303 00:50:05,174 --> 00:50:06,796 - She's putting in work. 1304 00:50:06,831 --> 00:50:09,178 - She sailed through the first two obstacles 1305 00:50:09,213 --> 00:50:11,732 but shocked everyone when her hands slipped off 1306 00:50:11,767 --> 00:50:13,838 the final bar on Clockwork. 1307 00:50:13,872 --> 00:50:15,081 Oh, no! 1308 00:50:15,115 --> 00:50:17,738 - Oh, so close! 1309 00:50:17,773 --> 00:50:21,190 - More power for next year. Thanks, guys. 1310 00:50:21,225 --> 00:50:23,468 - Well, here comes another one of our top women. 1311 00:50:23,503 --> 00:50:26,057 This is Utah's Mady Howard. 1312 00:50:26,092 --> 00:50:29,198 Like Tiana, she hit her first buzzer back in qualifying. 1313 00:50:29,233 --> 00:50:30,786 - Go, Mady! 1314 00:50:30,820 --> 00:50:33,444 - She's part of this strong group of women tonight, 1315 00:50:33,478 --> 00:50:35,894 including those on her sideline, Meagan Martin 1316 00:50:35,929 --> 00:50:38,483 and Jessie Graff, who will run later. 1317 00:50:38,518 --> 00:50:40,761 Mady's a hero off the course as well. 1318 00:50:40,796 --> 00:50:42,591 She's one of the frontline healthcare workers 1319 00:50:42,625 --> 00:50:45,042 we've been celebrating all season long. 1320 00:50:46,595 --> 00:50:49,736 Mady works as a nurse in an intensive care unit 1321 00:50:49,770 --> 00:50:52,118 that's been dedicated to COVID since March. 1322 00:50:52,152 --> 00:50:54,741 - We're here. Take a deep breath in. 1323 00:50:54,775 --> 00:50:58,262 - As a rookie last year, Mady was a breakout star. 1324 00:50:58,296 --> 00:50:59,746 - Whoo! 1325 00:50:59,780 --> 00:51:02,093 That's what I'm talking about, Mady! 1326 00:51:02,128 --> 00:51:05,959 - And made it all the way to the national finals. 1327 00:51:05,993 --> 00:51:07,133 - Oh, shoot! 1328 00:51:07,167 --> 00:51:09,100 - But she never hit a buzzer. 1329 00:51:09,135 --> 00:51:10,826 Two weeks ago, 1330 00:51:10,860 --> 00:51:13,208 with a big group of doctors and nurses cheering her on, 1331 00:51:13,242 --> 00:51:14,726 she broke through. 1332 00:51:14,761 --> 00:51:16,590 - Yes! Yes! 1333 00:51:16,625 --> 00:51:18,316 Okay, Mady! 1334 00:51:18,351 --> 00:51:20,836 - Mady Howard does it! 1335 00:51:20,870 --> 00:51:22,355 - That's what I'm talking about! 1336 00:51:22,389 --> 00:51:24,150 - I've been dreaming about hitting a buzzer 1337 00:51:24,184 --> 00:51:26,117 since last year, so it's unreal. 1338 00:51:26,152 --> 00:51:28,671 - From the frontline to the finish line. 1339 00:51:28,706 --> 00:51:30,190 That was amazing. 1340 00:51:30,225 --> 00:51:33,297 - All my coworkers are super excited. 1341 00:51:33,331 --> 00:51:34,988 We've really had to have each other's backs 1342 00:51:35,022 --> 00:51:36,714 over these past few months. 1343 00:51:36,748 --> 00:51:39,648 I'm just excited to show them what I can do. 1344 00:51:39,682 --> 00:51:41,270 ♪ 1345 00:51:41,305 --> 00:51:43,583 It's great to be moving on to the semifinals, 1346 00:51:43,617 --> 00:51:45,481 but I'm not done yet. 1347 00:51:45,516 --> 00:51:47,656 [machinery beeping] 1348 00:51:47,690 --> 00:51:49,002 [cheers and applause] 1349 00:51:49,036 --> 00:51:50,555 - And Mady will once again 1350 00:51:50,590 --> 00:51:53,144 have a big group of supporters back in Utah, 1351 00:51:53,179 --> 00:51:55,905 including her husband and other family members. 1352 00:51:55,940 --> 00:51:57,044 [cheers and applause] 1353 00:51:57,079 --> 00:51:59,944 [countdown timer beeping] 1354 00:51:59,978 --> 00:52:01,877 This is just her second season, 1355 00:52:01,911 --> 00:52:03,499 but she is establishing herself 1356 00:52:03,534 --> 00:52:06,468 as one of the top ninjas out here. 1357 00:52:06,502 --> 00:52:08,711 - And, Matt, you said it, so many great women 1358 00:52:08,746 --> 00:52:10,437 in the semifinals group tonight, 1359 00:52:10,472 --> 00:52:13,958 but only two are guaranteed to move on, and look at Mady. 1360 00:52:13,992 --> 00:52:15,925 She's smiling, feeling confident. 1361 00:52:15,960 --> 00:52:18,894 - 5'6", 118, long and powerful, 1362 00:52:18,928 --> 00:52:20,551 a lot of gymnastics background, 1363 00:52:20,585 --> 00:52:23,140 knows how to fly, been working on her rock climbing, 1364 00:52:23,174 --> 00:52:24,900 good grip strength. 1365 00:52:24,934 --> 00:52:26,522 - Yeah, she is a rising ninja star. 1366 00:52:26,557 --> 00:52:27,765 - Ooh, good tumble there. - Look at that. 1367 00:52:27,799 --> 00:52:29,215 - Whoo! - Comes up with the dismount. 1368 00:52:29,249 --> 00:52:30,975 - That was nothing. She meant to do that. 1369 00:52:31,009 --> 00:52:33,322 - Good form. The judges give her a ten. 1370 00:52:33,357 --> 00:52:34,772 - Mady, go big! 1371 00:52:34,806 --> 00:52:36,601 - On now to Clockwork, 1372 00:52:36,636 --> 00:52:38,810 gonna have to use that frame to generate power, 1373 00:52:38,845 --> 00:52:40,674 get all three sprockets moving. 1374 00:52:40,709 --> 00:52:42,469 - Only 118 pounds, 1375 00:52:42,504 --> 00:52:44,816 so she's gotta work to build up some momentum. 1376 00:52:44,851 --> 00:52:46,542 - Some trouble getting them moving, Akbar. 1377 00:52:46,577 --> 00:52:48,510 - You got this! - Let's go! 1378 00:52:48,544 --> 00:52:49,856 - Coming off of Spring Forward, 1379 00:52:49,890 --> 00:52:51,513 it can be very disruptive. 1380 00:52:51,547 --> 00:52:54,205 - There it is. 1381 00:52:54,240 --> 00:52:56,656 Knows how to move that body, is a gymnast. 1382 00:52:56,690 --> 00:52:58,554 Use those hips to get the power. 1383 00:52:58,589 --> 00:53:01,799 - You've got this one. - You can see, laying out. 1384 00:53:01,833 --> 00:53:04,042 - Nice. - Great job by Mady Howard! 1385 00:53:04,077 --> 00:53:06,079 - You can see, she was like, "Yeah." 1386 00:53:06,113 --> 00:53:07,977 [cheers and applause] 1387 00:53:08,012 --> 00:53:10,256 - But now facing Burn Rubber. 1388 00:53:10,290 --> 00:53:11,740 - Keep it forward. You got it. 1389 00:53:11,774 --> 00:53:13,397 - Meagan Martin offering advice. 1390 00:53:13,431 --> 00:53:17,090 She fell on this obstacle earlier. 1391 00:53:17,124 --> 00:53:18,781 - Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Oh, no! 1392 00:53:18,816 --> 00:53:21,198 Mady Howard is out! 1393 00:53:21,232 --> 00:53:23,269 - She burned rubber! 1394 00:53:23,303 --> 00:53:25,340 - This obstacle's been knocking out 1395 00:53:25,374 --> 00:53:27,687 top ninjas all night long, 1396 00:53:27,721 --> 00:53:30,172 and gets the Ninja Nurse, Mady Howard. 1397 00:53:30,207 --> 00:53:31,967 - You're awesome, Mady! - Good job, Mady! 1398 00:53:32,001 --> 00:53:33,900 - It went wrong on that second wheel. 1399 00:53:33,934 --> 00:53:36,661 She landed on the back side instead of the top 1400 00:53:36,696 --> 00:53:40,009 and could never regain her balance after that. 1401 00:53:42,978 --> 00:53:45,670 - Now it's time for the night's youngest competitor, 1402 00:53:45,705 --> 00:53:47,603 and definitely the youngest-looking. 1403 00:53:47,638 --> 00:53:50,710 This is 19-year-old Tage Herrington, 1404 00:53:50,744 --> 00:53:53,954 a rookie who blew us away with his buzzer in qualifying. 1405 00:53:53,989 --> 00:53:57,199 This Arizona college student comes from a huge family. 1406 00:53:57,234 --> 00:53:58,925 He's got 12 siblings. 1407 00:53:58,959 --> 00:54:00,961 His mom called him Baby Boy Blue. 1408 00:54:00,996 --> 00:54:03,274 That's how he got the nickname Ninja Blue. 1409 00:54:03,309 --> 00:54:05,552 There's Mom and Dad and all the siblings 1410 00:54:05,587 --> 00:54:07,934 they can fit in the living room. 1411 00:54:07,968 --> 00:54:10,833 [countdown timer beeping] 1412 00:54:10,868 --> 00:54:12,732 - This kid is a rising star. 1413 00:54:12,766 --> 00:54:15,528 He's been beating big-name ninjas in local competitions. 1414 00:54:15,562 --> 00:54:17,564 - One of only three 19-year-olds 1415 00:54:17,599 --> 00:54:19,290 to finish the course in qualifying. 1416 00:54:19,325 --> 00:54:21,050 Oh, my. - He completed the-- 1417 00:54:21,085 --> 00:54:22,673 - Are you kidding me? - Look at this! 1418 00:54:22,707 --> 00:54:24,122 I told you he was just gonna fly through it! 1419 00:54:24,157 --> 00:54:25,400 This is nothing for him! 1420 00:54:25,434 --> 00:54:27,229 - 5'9", 120. 1421 00:54:27,264 --> 00:54:28,644 - Matt, he's just smiling 1422 00:54:28,679 --> 00:54:30,681 like he's got nothing to worry about. 1423 00:54:30,715 --> 00:54:33,304 He's just a kid in a candy store on these obstacles. 1424 00:54:33,339 --> 00:54:35,927 - Now taking on Clockwork. 1425 00:54:35,962 --> 00:54:39,276 Looks like he's feeling it out. 1426 00:54:39,310 --> 00:54:41,864 Makes the grab. 1427 00:54:41,899 --> 00:54:44,350 But at 5'9", has some long leverage, 1428 00:54:44,384 --> 00:54:45,799 and he's using it, Akbar. 1429 00:54:45,834 --> 00:54:47,111 - Whoo! 1430 00:54:47,145 --> 00:54:49,838 - What a start for Tage Herrington. 1431 00:54:49,872 --> 00:54:52,150 - And his hair's still in place too. 1432 00:54:52,185 --> 00:54:55,015 - My goodness. Well, watch it though. 1433 00:54:55,050 --> 00:54:56,845 - Nice, go, go, go, go! 1434 00:54:56,879 --> 00:55:00,020 - And those wheels barely moved! 1435 00:55:00,055 --> 00:55:01,470 Herrington looks like the little kid 1436 00:55:01,505 --> 00:55:03,230 from the Andy Griffith show. 1437 00:55:03,265 --> 00:55:05,509 - Yeah, he was a top five finisher in qualifying, 1438 00:55:05,543 --> 00:55:08,443 made it look easy, impressive for a rookie. 1439 00:55:08,477 --> 00:55:10,237 - Well, he knows how to move fast. 1440 00:55:10,272 --> 00:55:11,860 When you're in a family of 13-- 1441 00:55:11,894 --> 00:55:14,552 - Oh! - Oh, no! 1442 00:55:14,587 --> 00:55:18,694 And one mistake, and it's over for Tage Herrington. 1443 00:55:18,729 --> 00:55:22,388 So disappointing 'cause I think he had a buzzer in him, Akbar. 1444 00:55:22,422 --> 00:55:25,045 - Matt, I think he was a little bit reckless. 1445 00:55:25,080 --> 00:55:27,565 He looks like the smiling kid in your neighborhood, 1446 00:55:27,600 --> 00:55:29,774 and most kids love slingshots, 1447 00:55:29,809 --> 00:55:32,570 but this slingshot didn't love him back. 1448 00:55:32,605 --> 00:55:35,642 He got caught behind the metal support bar right there, 1449 00:55:35,677 --> 00:55:39,853 and his impressive rookie season is over. 1450 00:55:39,888 --> 00:55:44,375 - Coming up, the pandemic changed his wedding plans. 1451 00:55:44,410 --> 00:55:46,308 - Michael, you may kiss your bride. 1452 00:55:46,343 --> 00:55:47,861 [cheers and applause] 1453 00:55:47,896 --> 00:55:50,070 - My life has been in hyper drive. 1454 00:55:50,105 --> 00:55:54,903 - Now newlywed Michael Torres is ready for another big day. 1455 00:55:54,937 --> 00:55:56,801 We'll see him when we come back 1456 00:55:56,836 --> 00:56:00,046 on "American Ninja Warrior." 1457 00:56:01,910 --> 00:56:03,843 - Welcome back to St. Louis. 1458 00:56:03,877 --> 00:56:06,397 While we were away, Army captain Jeri D'Aurelio 1459 00:56:06,432 --> 00:56:08,019 took on the course. 1460 00:56:08,054 --> 00:56:09,814 She had the support of Team Jeri, 1461 00:56:09,849 --> 00:56:12,092 including her drum-playing dad. 1462 00:56:12,127 --> 00:56:13,404 - Go, Jeri! 1463 00:56:13,439 --> 00:56:15,475 ♪ 1464 00:56:15,510 --> 00:56:18,064 - D'Aurelio just completed airborne school, 1465 00:56:18,098 --> 00:56:20,791 and she was flying on Spring Forward 1466 00:56:20,825 --> 00:56:22,689 and smiling the whole time. 1467 00:56:22,724 --> 00:56:24,760 - Great power, too, out of D'Aurelio. 1468 00:56:24,795 --> 00:56:26,797 - Whoo! 1469 00:56:26,831 --> 00:56:29,662 - This six-time veteran survived Clockwork 1470 00:56:29,696 --> 00:56:31,491 and then faced Burn Rubber... 1471 00:56:31,526 --> 00:56:33,148 - Bounce! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! 1472 00:56:33,182 --> 00:56:35,219 - Which had ended the run of so many others tonight. 1473 00:56:35,253 --> 00:56:36,841 - Be all that you can be! 1474 00:56:36,876 --> 00:56:38,498 - And she made it to the fifth obstacle, 1475 00:56:38,533 --> 00:56:41,087 Slingshot, before her run ended. 1476 00:56:41,121 --> 00:56:43,054 - Oh! Dang, that thing is tricky! 1477 00:56:43,089 --> 00:56:46,230 - But it guaranteed her a top-two spot among the women 1478 00:56:46,264 --> 00:56:47,852 and a ticket to the finals. 1479 00:56:47,887 --> 00:56:49,129 - Man, I had fun out there. 1480 00:56:49,164 --> 00:56:52,857 I just wish I didn't do whatever I did. 1481 00:56:52,892 --> 00:56:55,791 - Well, it is a loaded field in the semifinals, 1482 00:56:55,826 --> 00:56:58,069 and here comes another top competitor. 1483 00:56:58,104 --> 00:57:01,003 This is Chicago's Michael Torres. 1484 00:57:01,038 --> 00:57:03,696 While a lot of activities have slowed down in 2020, 1485 00:57:03,730 --> 00:57:07,596 for Torres, this year's been a whirlwind. 1486 00:57:07,631 --> 00:57:10,565 - It's been a pretty busy year. 1487 00:57:10,599 --> 00:57:14,258 I've done a lot of growing up really fast. 1488 00:57:14,292 --> 00:57:16,433 I have been working on building our new gym, 1489 00:57:16,467 --> 00:57:18,883 working on a house that I just bought, 1490 00:57:18,918 --> 00:57:20,816 and I have gotten married. 1491 00:57:20,851 --> 00:57:23,232 - Thank you so much for being here 1492 00:57:23,267 --> 00:57:27,133 to show your support to Michael and Sarah. 1493 00:57:27,167 --> 00:57:28,755 - Planning a wedding during a pandemic 1494 00:57:28,790 --> 00:57:31,137 is probably the hardest obstacle I've ever done, 1495 00:57:31,171 --> 00:57:32,794 and I thank God for my wife. 1496 00:57:32,828 --> 00:57:35,037 We probably had about 180 people 1497 00:57:35,072 --> 00:57:36,867 watch our virtual wedding. 1498 00:57:36,901 --> 00:57:38,593 Everything went amazing. 1499 00:57:38,627 --> 00:57:40,974 - Michael, you may kiss your bride. 1500 00:57:41,009 --> 00:57:42,286 [cheers and applause] 1501 00:57:42,320 --> 00:57:44,564 - Congratulations. Cheers. 1502 00:57:44,599 --> 00:57:46,532 - To win "American Ninja Warrior" season 12 1503 00:57:46,566 --> 00:57:51,329 would mean so much to be set up with $100,000 1504 00:57:51,364 --> 00:57:53,573 for our future family. 1505 00:57:53,608 --> 00:57:55,057 I feel like this is gonna give me the edge 1506 00:57:55,092 --> 00:57:56,542 over any of the other competitors. 1507 00:57:56,576 --> 00:57:58,820 I'm gonna be one of the guys to beat. 1508 00:57:58,854 --> 00:58:02,513 ♪ 1509 00:58:02,548 --> 00:58:04,377 - Torres already on the course. 1510 00:58:04,411 --> 00:58:06,828 He's on the fifth obstacle, Slingshot. 1511 00:58:06,862 --> 00:58:10,072 - Come on, Mike! [cheers and applause] 1512 00:58:10,107 --> 00:58:11,660 - Whoa! - And he is flying through it. 1513 00:58:11,695 --> 00:58:13,144 - I like that, but you know what he did there? 1514 00:58:13,179 --> 00:58:14,663 He rode the momentum. 1515 00:58:14,698 --> 00:58:16,700 That takes a lot less grip strength. 1516 00:58:16,734 --> 00:58:19,357 - Really clean! 1517 00:58:19,392 --> 00:58:21,083 - High risk, high reward. 1518 00:58:21,118 --> 00:58:23,500 Torres makes it look easy. 1519 00:58:23,534 --> 00:58:25,329 Right through it. 1520 00:58:25,363 --> 00:58:26,917 and he's got an army of supporters, 1521 00:58:26,951 --> 00:58:28,505 his new wife, Sarah, 1522 00:58:28,539 --> 00:58:29,540 and their dog, Hershey. 1523 00:58:29,575 --> 00:58:30,852 - Let's go. 1524 00:58:30,886 --> 00:58:32,957 - Along with his family back in New Jersey 1525 00:58:32,992 --> 00:58:34,856 and a couple of his Chicago training partners, 1526 00:58:34,890 --> 00:58:37,134 Ethan Swanson and Chris DiGangi. 1527 00:58:37,168 --> 00:58:39,136 - Come on, Torres! Let's go! 1528 00:58:39,170 --> 00:58:41,241 - Trying to get to the back half, 1529 00:58:41,276 --> 00:58:42,519 gotta get up the Warped Wall. 1530 00:58:42,553 --> 00:58:44,037 - Come on, Michael. You got this. 1531 00:58:44,072 --> 00:58:46,177 - And he's doing it in jeans. 1532 00:58:46,212 --> 00:58:47,938 - Little stumble there, Akbar, 1533 00:58:47,972 --> 00:58:49,353 but gets through the Warped Wall. 1534 00:58:49,387 --> 00:58:50,803 - All right, Baby Face Ninja. 1535 00:58:50,837 --> 00:58:52,736 - Baby Face Ninja. Well, he's only 25. 1536 00:58:52,770 --> 00:58:54,565 It's okay to have a baby face. 1537 00:58:54,600 --> 00:58:56,498 This guy, though, a legitimate chance 1538 00:58:56,533 --> 00:58:58,673 to win it all. 1539 00:58:58,707 --> 00:59:00,433 - Let's go, Torres! 1540 00:59:00,467 --> 00:59:03,954 - Getting a lot of support from his buddy, Ethan Swanson. 1541 00:59:03,988 --> 00:59:05,990 - He's gonna need it, got the Salmon Ladder 1542 00:59:06,025 --> 00:59:08,199 and then the crazy Corkscrew. 1543 00:59:08,234 --> 00:59:10,926 - Okay, here we go. - Fly through this, Mike. 1544 00:59:10,961 --> 00:59:12,445 - Gotta jump it up four rungs. 1545 00:59:12,479 --> 00:59:14,481 - And he's got the ninja skills to do it. 1546 00:59:14,516 --> 00:59:15,931 - He does. - He's got the baby face, 1547 00:59:15,966 --> 00:59:17,588 but like I said in qualifying, 1548 00:59:17,623 --> 00:59:19,210 he's got that grown-man strength. 1549 00:59:19,245 --> 00:59:20,729 - Right up it. 1550 00:59:20,764 --> 00:59:22,317 Well, if he can get through Corkscrew, 1551 00:59:22,351 --> 00:59:24,491 almost guaranteed to move on. 1552 00:59:24,526 --> 00:59:26,114 - Well, he wants to keep them Ls 1553 00:59:26,148 --> 00:59:28,599 and have them at 9:00 and 3:00. 1554 00:59:28,634 --> 00:59:30,981 Nice. - Great job controlling it. 1555 00:59:31,015 --> 00:59:32,603 - Yeah, having it at 9:00 and 3:00 1556 00:59:32,638 --> 00:59:35,192 really allows you to control that centrifugal force. 1557 00:59:35,226 --> 00:59:36,745 - But much more difficult to do it 1558 00:59:36,780 --> 00:59:38,091 'cause you have a big lache here. 1559 00:59:38,126 --> 00:59:39,714 Hard to get that perfect hand placement. 1560 00:59:39,748 --> 00:59:41,232 - Power, power, nice! 1561 00:59:41,267 --> 00:59:43,441 - One more! Locks it in. 1562 00:59:43,476 --> 00:59:46,790 Torres, what strength. One more drop. 1563 00:59:46,824 --> 00:59:48,308 - Matt, you can see his-- 1564 00:59:48,343 --> 00:59:50,483 this thing will get your legs twisted, 1565 00:59:50,517 --> 00:59:52,347 your body moving all sorts of ways. 1566 00:59:52,381 --> 00:59:54,521 - Ooh, that left hand looked like it almost missed. 1567 00:59:54,556 --> 00:59:56,627 - He's got stretch jeans on. 1568 00:59:56,662 --> 00:59:59,147 [cheering] 1569 00:59:59,181 --> 01:00:01,736 - And he is through. 1570 01:00:01,770 --> 01:00:04,704 His family getting excited by this run. 1571 01:00:04,739 --> 01:00:08,190 Najee Richardson the only finisher we've had so far. 1572 01:00:08,225 --> 01:00:09,985 - Come on, Michael! Come on! 1573 01:00:10,020 --> 01:00:12,091 - Torres now facing the Dungeon. 1574 01:00:12,125 --> 01:00:13,437 - Let's see what he's got. 1575 01:00:13,471 --> 01:00:15,094 He's gotta make this quick climb. 1576 01:00:15,128 --> 01:00:16,751 - Well, with a new home back in Chicago, 1577 01:00:16,785 --> 01:00:18,442 I'm sure he could use that prize money 1578 01:00:18,476 --> 01:00:20,306 if he can win it all this year. 1579 01:00:20,340 --> 01:00:22,239 Torres could be there at the end. 1580 01:00:22,273 --> 01:00:24,241 - But he looks a little winded. 1581 01:00:24,275 --> 01:00:26,726 - Gotta climb back across those pegs. 1582 01:00:26,761 --> 01:00:29,039 - This course is playing tough tonight, 1583 01:00:29,073 --> 01:00:32,283 but we're due to see another finisher. 1584 01:00:32,318 --> 01:00:35,148 Come on. [overlapping chatter] 1585 01:00:35,183 --> 01:00:38,324 - Gotta make this transition here, this board. 1586 01:00:38,358 --> 01:00:39,981 - Yeah, buddy, hold on. 1587 01:00:40,015 --> 01:00:41,258 - Hard to get the hands to release... 1588 01:00:41,292 --> 01:00:42,880 - Get out of there! - And grab on. 1589 01:00:42,915 --> 01:00:45,193 - Matt, you see that right hand saves him there, 1590 01:00:45,227 --> 01:00:47,747 gives him a little extra hook. 1591 01:00:47,782 --> 01:00:49,024 - Come on, Michael. 1592 01:00:49,059 --> 01:00:50,543 - And he is through. 1593 01:00:50,577 --> 01:00:53,684 Only the third to reach this point tonight, 1594 01:00:53,719 --> 01:00:55,824 and he's ahead of Najee Richardson's time. 1595 01:00:55,859 --> 01:00:58,620 He could have the fastest time of the night. 1596 01:00:58,655 --> 01:01:00,001 - Go get that buzzer! 1597 01:01:00,035 --> 01:01:01,416 - You heard his wife said, 1598 01:01:01,450 --> 01:01:02,762 "Baby, you better hit that buzzer." 1599 01:01:02,797 --> 01:01:06,076 - 35 feet between him and a buzzer. 1600 01:01:06,110 --> 01:01:08,112 [overlapping chatter] 1601 01:01:08,147 --> 01:01:10,943 - Michael Torres so far tearing this course up. 1602 01:01:10,977 --> 01:01:12,461 Now Spider Trap. 1603 01:01:12,496 --> 01:01:13,980 - And just looking so strong. 1604 01:01:14,015 --> 01:01:15,568 - Let's go. Let's go, babe. 1605 01:01:15,602 --> 01:01:17,812 Come on, you're almost there. You're almost there. 1606 01:01:17,846 --> 01:01:20,711 - Come on, Mike. - Finish it, finish it. 1607 01:01:20,746 --> 01:01:22,471 - These doors are slowing him down, 1608 01:01:22,506 --> 01:01:24,853 but he's still ahead of Najee's pace. 1609 01:01:24,888 --> 01:01:26,959 Struggling with his traction. 1610 01:01:26,993 --> 01:01:29,133 We saw Amir Malik fall here earlier, 1611 01:01:29,168 --> 01:01:30,687 and about 5 more feet, 1612 01:01:30,721 --> 01:01:32,723 but Akbar, those legs seem to be giving out, 1613 01:01:32,758 --> 01:01:34,760 kinda going in knock-kneed there, a little awkward. 1614 01:01:34,794 --> 01:01:36,865 - Yes! - Let's go! 1615 01:01:36,900 --> 01:01:39,765 - And Michael Torres, can he hold on? 1616 01:01:39,799 --> 01:01:42,008 You gotta get both doors locked in. 1617 01:01:42,043 --> 01:01:45,632 - Everyone knows. He had to work for it. 1618 01:01:45,667 --> 01:01:47,186 - He's got it! 1619 01:01:47,220 --> 01:01:50,914 Michael Torres, our second finisher of the night. 1620 01:01:50,948 --> 01:01:54,400 [upbeat music] 1621 01:01:54,434 --> 01:01:57,161 - [indistinct shouting] 1622 01:01:57,196 --> 01:02:00,130 - Thank you, God, for keeping me strong. 1623 01:02:00,164 --> 01:02:01,614 In your name I pray, amen. 1624 01:02:01,648 --> 01:02:03,374 - Well, his prayers have been answered. 1625 01:02:03,409 --> 01:02:05,238 He's going to the finals. 1626 01:02:05,273 --> 01:02:08,069 - Whoo! 1627 01:02:08,103 --> 01:02:10,623 - Michael Torres has got a family now, 1628 01:02:10,657 --> 01:02:13,730 so he's got a lot of motivation to go all the way. 1629 01:02:13,764 --> 01:02:16,629 He survived Corkscrew and the Dungeon 1630 01:02:16,663 --> 01:02:20,184 and battled through those last few feet on the Spider Trap. 1631 01:02:20,219 --> 01:02:23,601 He's our second finisher tonight. 1632 01:02:23,636 --> 01:02:24,913 - Still to come, 1633 01:02:24,948 --> 01:02:27,916 it's the Wonder Woman, Jessie Graff, 1634 01:02:27,951 --> 01:02:29,884 and the Weatherman, Joe Moravsky. 1635 01:02:29,918 --> 01:02:31,540 Two of the very best 1636 01:02:31,575 --> 01:02:34,958 just ahead on "American Ninja Warrior." 1637 01:02:37,581 --> 01:02:39,445 - Welcome back to St. Louis, 1638 01:02:39,479 --> 01:02:41,309 where Corkscrew has been creating 1639 01:02:41,343 --> 01:02:43,449 all kinds of chaos on the course, 1640 01:02:43,483 --> 01:02:45,900 so it's no surprise this wild ride 1641 01:02:45,934 --> 01:02:48,419 has been selected the winner of this year's 1642 01:02:48,454 --> 01:02:50,559 Obstacle Design Challenge. 1643 01:02:50,594 --> 01:02:52,182 And if you've got an obstacle idea, 1644 01:02:52,216 --> 01:02:54,771 go to ANWNation.com. 1645 01:02:54,805 --> 01:02:57,739 We might pick your obstacle for next season. 1646 01:02:57,774 --> 01:02:58,982 If your design wins, 1647 01:02:59,016 --> 01:03:00,742 we'll send you on an epic trip 1648 01:03:00,777 --> 01:03:02,882 to Universal Orlando Resort, 1649 01:03:02,917 --> 01:03:04,988 where you'll experience heart-pounding thrills 1650 01:03:05,022 --> 01:03:06,783 and mind-blowing adventures 1651 01:03:06,817 --> 01:03:09,268 at their three incredible theme parks. 1652 01:03:09,302 --> 01:03:11,926 And while we were away, Orlando's Ben Melick 1653 01:03:11,960 --> 01:03:13,928 got his chance on the course. 1654 01:03:13,962 --> 01:03:15,861 - Let's go, Ben! - Go, Ben! 1655 01:03:15,895 --> 01:03:17,414 - Melick made it into the semifinals 1656 01:03:17,448 --> 01:03:20,313 when his buddy R.J. Roman won on the Power Tower 1657 01:03:20,348 --> 01:03:21,590 back in qualifying. 1658 01:03:21,625 --> 01:03:23,351 - Yes! 1659 01:03:23,385 --> 01:03:24,939 - And the ninja who used to run 1660 01:03:24,973 --> 01:03:27,734 dressed as Tarzan came out swinging. 1661 01:03:27,769 --> 01:03:29,771 - Bam! Bam! I like that! 1662 01:03:29,806 --> 01:03:31,083 - There we go. 1663 01:03:31,117 --> 01:03:32,878 - But the five-time veteran's timing 1664 01:03:32,912 --> 01:03:35,052 was way off on Clockwork. 1665 01:03:35,087 --> 01:03:36,398 - Get around that arc. 1666 01:03:36,433 --> 01:03:37,710 Oh, no! 1667 01:03:37,744 --> 01:03:39,160 - Oh, what? 1668 01:03:39,194 --> 01:03:41,887 - How did that happen? - Dang it. 1669 01:03:41,921 --> 01:03:44,165 - Then it was the man who saved Melick, 1670 01:03:44,199 --> 01:03:46,581 as rock and roller R.J. Roman 1671 01:03:46,615 --> 01:03:49,273 came out ready to shred this semifinals course. 1672 01:03:49,308 --> 01:03:51,758 - Whoo! Come on! 1673 01:03:51,793 --> 01:03:54,278 - You mess around and blink, you'll miss the whole run. 1674 01:03:54,313 --> 01:03:55,383 He's that fast. 1675 01:03:55,417 --> 01:03:56,902 - Whoo! 1676 01:03:56,936 --> 01:03:59,697 - The musician from Orlando put up the fastest time 1677 01:03:59,732 --> 01:04:01,423 in his qualifying night, 1678 01:04:01,458 --> 01:04:03,874 and he came out smoking again tonight. 1679 01:04:03,909 --> 01:04:05,703 - R.J. Roman is the total package. 1680 01:04:05,738 --> 01:04:07,464 - Yes! 1681 01:04:07,498 --> 01:04:09,569 - After a quick spin on Corkscrew... 1682 01:04:09,604 --> 01:04:11,502 - Whoa! 1683 01:04:11,537 --> 01:04:13,401 - And a close call on the Dungeon... 1684 01:04:13,435 --> 01:04:14,781 - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! 1685 01:04:14,816 --> 01:04:17,646 - Holds on! - That right hand saved him. 1686 01:04:17,681 --> 01:04:19,821 - Whoo! Yes! 1687 01:04:19,856 --> 01:04:21,892 - The 24-year-old climbed the tower 1688 01:04:21,927 --> 01:04:23,583 to become our third finisher 1689 01:04:23,618 --> 01:04:26,690 and clocked the fastest time of the night. 1690 01:04:26,724 --> 01:04:29,762 - Good job, bro! - Whoo! Yes! 1691 01:04:29,796 --> 01:04:32,282 - I'm tired. 1692 01:04:32,316 --> 01:04:34,905 - Well, up next is a man who always brings 1693 01:04:34,940 --> 01:04:37,356 a superior sense of style to the course. 1694 01:04:37,390 --> 01:04:39,392 Dancing his way to the start line, 1695 01:04:39,427 --> 01:04:41,878 out of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, 1696 01:04:41,912 --> 01:04:43,845 this is Devin Harrelson, 1697 01:04:43,880 --> 01:04:46,917 and they don't call him Dougie Fresh for nothing. 1698 01:04:46,952 --> 01:04:49,057 And taking a selfie before he runs, 1699 01:04:49,092 --> 01:04:51,991 he's done that for five straight years, 1700 01:04:52,026 --> 01:04:53,751 and he's got another streak going 1701 01:04:53,786 --> 01:04:56,927 which he'd like to break tonight. 1702 01:04:56,962 --> 01:04:58,239 Uh-oh, uh-oh! 1703 01:04:58,273 --> 01:05:00,103 - Yes, light them up. Light them up. 1704 01:05:00,137 --> 01:05:02,001 Where he get them lighted-up shoes from? 1705 01:05:02,036 --> 01:05:03,658 ♪ 1706 01:05:03,692 --> 01:05:05,384 - It's a real challenge to keep your balance. 1707 01:05:05,418 --> 01:05:06,626 - Nice. Boom. Oh, my goodness! 1708 01:05:06,661 --> 01:05:07,904 - And he's got it! 1709 01:05:07,938 --> 01:05:09,388 - Coming into the qualifying round, 1710 01:05:09,422 --> 01:05:11,355 I felt stronger than I've ever felt 1711 01:05:11,390 --> 01:05:14,600 until I got to the Ferris Wheel. 1712 01:05:14,634 --> 01:05:17,844 - No, no! - No, not again! 1713 01:05:17,879 --> 01:05:19,743 - It's just so disappointing. 1714 01:05:19,777 --> 01:05:24,644 In six years, I've never hit a buzzer at all in competition. 1715 01:05:24,679 --> 01:05:26,646 - Not great control. - Oh, hold on, hold on! 1716 01:05:26,681 --> 01:05:29,477 - All the way through--no! - Oh! 1717 01:05:29,511 --> 01:05:32,825 - Come on, dawg! What? - Oh, no. 1718 01:05:32,859 --> 01:05:35,207 - I've never even made it to the national finals. 1719 01:05:35,241 --> 01:05:36,829 I don't know what it is. 1720 01:05:36,863 --> 01:05:38,141 [crowd oohs] 1721 01:05:38,175 --> 01:05:40,798 I come so close. 1722 01:05:40,833 --> 01:05:42,490 - Here he goes. all: Beat that wall! 1723 01:05:42,524 --> 01:05:43,905 - Come on, get it. Oh! 1724 01:05:43,940 --> 01:05:46,252 - Got his fingers up there. - We still love you! 1725 01:05:46,287 --> 01:05:47,771 - Maybe I'm jinxed, 1726 01:05:47,805 --> 01:05:49,704 but now I know what I need to do different, 1727 01:05:49,738 --> 01:05:53,052 and if tonight is the night for my first buzzer, 1728 01:05:53,087 --> 01:05:55,986 oh, man, I think my head is gonna explode. 1729 01:05:56,021 --> 01:05:58,023 Actually, I think I'm gonna break down 1730 01:05:58,057 --> 01:05:59,334 and whimper and cry. 1731 01:05:59,369 --> 01:06:02,303 Dougie Fresh is breaking through tonight. 1732 01:06:02,337 --> 01:06:04,719 ♪ 1733 01:06:04,753 --> 01:06:07,135 [horn blares] 1734 01:06:07,170 --> 01:06:08,930 [cheers and applause] 1735 01:06:08,965 --> 01:06:11,553 - Lots of family support for Dougie, 1736 01:06:11,588 --> 01:06:13,383 including his two young twins, 1737 01:06:13,417 --> 01:06:14,936 plus his older kids 1738 01:06:14,971 --> 01:06:17,387 and his ninja buddy, Bootie Cothran. 1739 01:06:17,421 --> 01:06:18,905 - Let's go, Dougie! 1740 01:06:18,940 --> 01:06:20,424 - And Najee Richardson leading the cheers 1741 01:06:20,459 --> 01:06:23,082 down on his sideline. 1742 01:06:23,117 --> 01:06:25,671 [countdown timer beeping] 1743 01:06:25,705 --> 01:06:28,225 - And I'm loving those '80s pants, Matt. 1744 01:06:28,260 --> 01:06:29,916 Reminds me of MC Hammer. 1745 01:06:29,951 --> 01:06:31,746 - But Dougie's got a shoe malfunction, 1746 01:06:31,780 --> 01:06:36,061 one shoe lighting up, one shoe staying dark. 1747 01:06:36,095 --> 01:06:39,547 Great shot on Spring Forward. You could just see--oh, my! 1748 01:06:39,581 --> 01:06:40,927 - Whoa! Okay! 1749 01:06:40,962 --> 01:06:42,550 Not spending a lot of time on that. 1750 01:06:42,584 --> 01:06:44,241 - You know what? Conserving--we talk about it. 1751 01:06:44,276 --> 01:06:46,174 You have to conserve upper-body strength, 1752 01:06:46,209 --> 01:06:49,350 and an efficient start for Devin Harrelson. 1753 01:06:49,384 --> 01:06:53,457 Lots of love for Dougie as he gets ready for Clockwork. 1754 01:06:53,492 --> 01:06:54,907 - Trust yourself. You got this. 1755 01:06:54,941 --> 01:06:56,943 - Najee offering some advice. 1756 01:06:56,978 --> 01:06:59,843 Dougie's talked about how supportive the ninja community 1757 01:06:59,877 --> 01:07:02,259 has been since he lost his gym last year, 1758 01:07:02,294 --> 01:07:04,089 and they have his back tonight. 1759 01:07:04,123 --> 01:07:05,538 - Nice. [cheering] 1760 01:07:05,573 --> 01:07:07,368 - One more sprocket. 1761 01:07:07,402 --> 01:07:10,060 Got it. 1762 01:07:10,095 --> 01:07:12,856 - Dougie is looking focused tonight. 1763 01:07:12,890 --> 01:07:15,893 [cheering] 1764 01:07:15,928 --> 01:07:19,104 - His legs are twitching as he faces Burn Rubber. 1765 01:07:19,138 --> 01:07:21,071 Taken out some good ones tonight. 1766 01:07:21,106 --> 01:07:23,177 - He's trying to get that other shoe to work. 1767 01:07:23,211 --> 01:07:24,557 Don't step on your shoestrings. 1768 01:07:24,592 --> 01:07:25,834 - Can he execute? - Nice! 1769 01:07:25,869 --> 01:07:27,250 - Wow! And now the shoe lit up! 1770 01:07:27,284 --> 01:07:29,838 - He hit it so hard, his shoe light turned on! 1771 01:07:29,873 --> 01:07:32,393 And a little shoulder shake to celebrate. 1772 01:07:32,427 --> 01:07:34,222 - Yeah! Shake it out, baby. 1773 01:07:34,257 --> 01:07:35,706 - Bootie likes it. 1774 01:07:35,741 --> 01:07:37,950 Matt, he bounded so hard through Burn Rubber, 1775 01:07:37,984 --> 01:07:40,746 it activated the lights in his other shoe. 1776 01:07:40,780 --> 01:07:42,713 - Now ready for the fifth obstacle, 1777 01:07:42,748 --> 01:07:44,784 where he went out in qualifying. 1778 01:07:44,819 --> 01:07:46,441 This is a new one in Slingshot, 1779 01:07:46,476 --> 01:07:47,925 and it's so challenging. 1780 01:07:47,960 --> 01:07:50,066 You can just see how the bar bounces on those cords. 1781 01:07:50,100 --> 01:07:51,308 - All right, come on now. 1782 01:07:51,343 --> 01:07:52,792 You activated the lights in your shoes. 1783 01:07:52,827 --> 01:07:54,932 You better activate that upper-body strength! 1784 01:07:54,967 --> 01:07:58,108 - Dougie's looking as confident as we've ever seen him. 1785 01:07:58,143 --> 01:07:59,661 You know how much it would mean to him 1786 01:07:59,696 --> 01:08:02,008 if he could advance to next week's finals. 1787 01:08:02,043 --> 01:08:03,941 He's doing a great job using his hips, 1788 01:08:03,976 --> 01:08:05,805 trying to keep that upper body calm, 1789 01:08:05,840 --> 01:08:08,877 generating kip with the hips, and a drop. 1790 01:08:08,912 --> 01:08:10,120 Real good. 1791 01:08:10,155 --> 01:08:11,397 - And reading his body language, 1792 01:08:11,432 --> 01:08:13,123 and you can see, trying to stay calm. 1793 01:08:13,158 --> 01:08:14,366 Stand right there. 1794 01:08:14,400 --> 01:08:15,988 - Oh, yeah! - Yeah! You staying calm. 1795 01:08:16,022 --> 01:08:17,576 That's good. 1796 01:08:17,610 --> 01:08:20,855 - Gonna get fresh on this Warped Wall. 1797 01:08:20,889 --> 01:08:23,685 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1798 01:08:23,720 --> 01:08:25,549 - When those lights turn green, go. 1799 01:08:25,584 --> 01:08:26,895 - Has made it up the Warped Wall, 1800 01:08:26,930 --> 01:08:28,690 just never when there's a buzzer there. 1801 01:08:28,725 --> 01:08:31,003 Let's see if he can get to the back half of the course. 1802 01:08:31,037 --> 01:08:34,006 He's up. 1803 01:08:34,040 --> 01:08:36,319 - Yeah! [all cheering] 1804 01:08:38,355 --> 01:08:39,529 - Yeah, buddy! 1805 01:08:39,563 --> 01:08:41,565 - Taking me back to the '80s with that outfit. 1806 01:08:41,600 --> 01:08:43,153 - Oh, I'm trying to. 1807 01:08:43,188 --> 01:08:45,535 - He's trying to, and he's doing it. 1808 01:08:45,569 --> 01:08:46,984 - Yeah! 1809 01:08:47,019 --> 01:08:48,710 - And if he can get through the Salmon Ladder 1810 01:08:48,745 --> 01:08:50,195 and then Corkscrew, 1811 01:08:50,229 --> 01:08:53,025 he'll have a good chance of making it to the finals. 1812 01:08:53,059 --> 01:08:54,820 - Visualize exactly what you wanna do, man. 1813 01:08:54,854 --> 01:08:57,029 - Najee giving strong advice. 1814 01:08:57,063 --> 01:08:58,513 - And he's got this Salmon Ladder. 1815 01:08:58,548 --> 01:09:01,102 It's gonna come down to Corkscrew. 1816 01:09:01,137 --> 01:09:03,208 - Going reverse. 1817 01:09:03,242 --> 01:09:05,037 Oh, my, one move! 1818 01:09:05,071 --> 01:09:06,901 - Oh, with a little bit of flair! 1819 01:09:06,935 --> 01:09:09,524 - Jumped it up two rungs. 1820 01:09:09,559 --> 01:09:14,115 And now the final two, and sets up for Corkscrew. 1821 01:09:14,150 --> 01:09:18,947 - Dougie Fresh showing how ostentatious he is. 1822 01:09:18,982 --> 01:09:20,190 Nice! 1823 01:09:20,225 --> 01:09:22,296 - Smooth, but this is the challenge, 1824 01:09:22,330 --> 01:09:26,127 this big lache up almost four feet to that second handle. 1825 01:09:26,162 --> 01:09:28,888 - It's all diffi--oh! 1826 01:09:28,923 --> 01:09:31,822 - Oh! Comes up just short. 1827 01:09:31,857 --> 01:09:33,203 - Ah! 1828 01:09:33,238 --> 01:09:35,792 - A good run, but Dougie is now 1829 01:09:35,826 --> 01:09:38,967 gonna have to wait and watch these final runners 1830 01:09:39,002 --> 01:09:42,212 to see if it's good enough to get him to the finals. 1831 01:09:42,247 --> 01:09:45,215 - Well, Dougie went all out on the Salmon Ladder, 1832 01:09:45,250 --> 01:09:47,321 jumping it up two rungs. 1833 01:09:47,355 --> 01:09:49,875 On Corkscrew, he survived one spin 1834 01:09:49,909 --> 01:09:52,602 but couldn't quite hang on to the second. 1835 01:09:54,845 --> 01:09:57,227 - Dang, that was fun. 1836 01:09:57,262 --> 01:09:58,504 Ha! 1837 01:09:58,539 --> 01:10:01,921 - It's the run everyone wants to watch. 1838 01:10:01,956 --> 01:10:05,339 Jessie Graff tries to punch her ticket to the finals 1839 01:10:05,373 --> 01:10:09,205 when we come back on "American Ninja Warrior." 1840 01:10:11,655 --> 01:10:13,174 - Welcome back to St. Louis. 1841 01:10:13,209 --> 01:10:14,762 While we were away... 1842 01:10:14,796 --> 01:10:16,798 - Dang, that was a big backflip. 1843 01:10:16,833 --> 01:10:18,800 - Longmont, Colorado's Austin Gray 1844 01:10:18,835 --> 01:10:20,561 got his shot at the course, 1845 01:10:20,595 --> 01:10:22,390 wearing his "Share Your Spare" shirt 1846 01:10:22,425 --> 01:10:24,461 to promote kidney donation. 1847 01:10:24,496 --> 01:10:26,014 The three-time veteran zoomed through 1848 01:10:26,049 --> 01:10:27,533 the front half of the course. 1849 01:10:27,568 --> 01:10:29,363 - If you want to place, you gotta keep up the pace. 1850 01:10:29,397 --> 01:10:32,435 - Gray survived the wild swings on Corkscrew 1851 01:10:32,469 --> 01:10:35,231 and then confidently climbed across the Dungeon. 1852 01:10:35,265 --> 01:10:36,542 - Ooh, he is ready. 1853 01:10:36,577 --> 01:10:38,268 - The 24-year-old climbed 1854 01:10:38,303 --> 01:10:40,684 to the buzzer and blew past R.J. Roman 1855 01:10:40,719 --> 01:10:42,686 for the fastest finish of the night. 1856 01:10:42,721 --> 01:10:44,895 - Okay, Austin! I see you! 1857 01:10:44,930 --> 01:10:48,520 - Then it was another young ninja talent, Lucas Reale. 1858 01:10:48,554 --> 01:10:50,142 With his family and friends 1859 01:10:50,176 --> 01:10:52,006 watching from back in Connecticut, 1860 01:10:52,040 --> 01:10:54,595 the 22-year-old had it rolling early. 1861 01:10:54,629 --> 01:10:56,459 - Yeah! Get excited! 1862 01:10:56,493 --> 01:10:58,392 - The three-year veteran handled Corkscrew 1863 01:10:58,426 --> 01:11:00,325 as well as anyone. - Oh, oh! 1864 01:11:00,359 --> 01:11:01,981 - Got it again! - Oh, okay! 1865 01:11:02,016 --> 01:11:04,984 - And then powered his way up and across the Dungeon. 1866 01:11:05,019 --> 01:11:06,469 - I think he's going for a fast time. 1867 01:11:06,503 --> 01:11:08,712 - The gym manager then climbed the Spider Trap 1868 01:11:08,747 --> 01:11:10,852 and finished even faster than Austin Gray 1869 01:11:10,887 --> 01:11:12,509 had done it minutes before 1870 01:11:12,544 --> 01:11:15,409 with the best time of the night so far. 1871 01:11:15,443 --> 01:11:18,308 - The real deal Reale. 1872 01:11:18,343 --> 01:11:21,449 - Well, now it's the ninja everyone wants to see. 1873 01:11:21,484 --> 01:11:23,658 Zuri, take it away. 1874 01:11:23,693 --> 01:11:26,834 - What do Wonder Woman and Supergirl have in common? 1875 01:11:26,868 --> 01:11:28,801 They both call Jessie Graff for help. 1876 01:11:28,836 --> 01:11:31,632 The stuntwoman is back for her seventh season, 1877 01:11:31,666 --> 01:11:34,911 and when she's not kicking butt on TV or in the movies, 1878 01:11:34,945 --> 01:11:37,051 she's tearing it up on the ninja course. 1879 01:11:37,085 --> 01:11:38,708 She's made it to the national finals 1880 01:11:38,742 --> 01:11:40,434 every year she's competed. 1881 01:11:40,468 --> 01:11:42,401 Jessie's tied with Flex Labreck 1882 01:11:42,436 --> 01:11:43,575 for most buzzers 1883 01:11:43,609 --> 01:11:46,198 among the women athletes with five. 1884 01:11:46,232 --> 01:11:47,924 - She's one of the most popular athletes 1885 01:11:47,958 --> 01:11:49,305 in the country. 1886 01:11:49,339 --> 01:11:51,341 A lot of people watching our own Wonder Woman, 1887 01:11:51,376 --> 01:11:53,343 including her mom, Ginny McCall, 1888 01:11:53,378 --> 01:11:56,760 a veteran of "Ninja Warrior," and stepdad Richard, 1889 01:11:56,795 --> 01:11:59,349 and also her dad and some other family members. 1890 01:11:59,384 --> 01:12:01,420 Down on the sideline, her training partners, 1891 01:12:01,455 --> 01:12:05,113 David Campbell and Sean Bryan, and even backstage, 1892 01:12:05,148 --> 01:12:08,634 all the other ninjas gathered around to watch Jessie. 1893 01:12:08,669 --> 01:12:11,499 [countdown timer beeping] 1894 01:12:11,534 --> 01:12:13,743 - She could hit this buzzer in the semifinals. 1895 01:12:13,777 --> 01:12:15,641 - Well, she wants to hit a buzzer tonight 1896 01:12:15,676 --> 01:12:18,437 but at the very least wants to qualify for the finals, 1897 01:12:18,472 --> 01:12:20,370 which start next week. 1898 01:12:20,405 --> 01:12:22,199 Once again, top two women moving on. 1899 01:12:22,234 --> 01:12:24,167 - All right, it's show time. - Wow. 1900 01:12:24,201 --> 01:12:26,272 - Ooh! - Good grip. 1901 01:12:26,307 --> 01:12:29,621 Jessie has a plan, such a cerebral runner. 1902 01:12:29,655 --> 01:12:32,486 - Matt, I gotta say I love the aggressiveness 1903 01:12:32,520 --> 01:12:34,798 that Jessie Graff is taking, I mean, with authority. 1904 01:12:34,833 --> 01:12:36,110 [applause] 1905 01:12:36,144 --> 01:12:37,525 - Collegiate pole vaulter, 1906 01:12:37,560 --> 01:12:40,148 she knows how to generate power, so strong. 1907 01:12:40,183 --> 01:12:42,012 Worked on her upper-body strength, 1908 01:12:42,047 --> 01:12:44,739 just making those sprockets move, 1909 01:12:44,774 --> 01:12:46,914 the timeless Jessie Graff. 1910 01:12:46,948 --> 01:12:48,467 - Nice. 1911 01:12:48,502 --> 01:12:50,952 One of the few things missing from her ninja resume 1912 01:12:50,987 --> 01:12:53,817 is a buzzer on a ten-obstacle course like this one. 1913 01:12:53,852 --> 01:12:56,095 - Well, it would be something to get it tonight. 1914 01:12:56,130 --> 01:12:58,339 This is an unforgiving course. 1915 01:12:58,374 --> 01:13:01,963 In this stacked field, we've only had five finishers. 1916 01:13:01,998 --> 01:13:04,863 Now this very dangerous balance obstacle, Burn Rubber, 1917 01:13:04,897 --> 01:13:08,073 which has taken out a lot of top ninjas tonight. 1918 01:13:08,107 --> 01:13:10,213 - Yeah, Jessie. - Bring it home! 1919 01:13:10,247 --> 01:13:11,973 - It's easy to stumble here. 1920 01:13:12,008 --> 01:13:14,148 - This one, she's gotta trust her athleticism. 1921 01:13:14,182 --> 01:13:15,977 - Knows how to stride long as a pole vaulter. 1922 01:13:16,012 --> 01:13:18,048 - She's a very calculated ninja! 1923 01:13:18,083 --> 01:13:19,843 Nice! 1924 01:13:19,878 --> 01:13:21,155 - Yes! Yes. - Nice! 1925 01:13:21,189 --> 01:13:23,675 - Breathes a sigh of relief. 1926 01:13:23,709 --> 01:13:25,987 - That obstacle has been a troublemaker all night. 1927 01:13:26,022 --> 01:13:27,748 - But not for her, and with that, 1928 01:13:27,782 --> 01:13:30,198 Jessie now in the top two among the women. 1929 01:13:30,233 --> 01:13:31,959 She's going to the finals. 1930 01:13:31,993 --> 01:13:33,409 - [indistinct shouting] 1931 01:13:33,443 --> 01:13:35,687 - Now she can concentrate on getting a buzzer. 1932 01:13:35,721 --> 01:13:37,896 - But right now concentrating on this next obstacle, 1933 01:13:37,930 --> 01:13:39,760 Slingshot. 1934 01:13:39,794 --> 01:13:41,486 Wow. - Nice. 1935 01:13:41,520 --> 01:13:43,660 - Bounding through, good start, Akbar. 1936 01:13:43,695 --> 01:13:46,525 Use that momentum to carry her right in. 1937 01:13:46,560 --> 01:13:47,733 - Yeah, and that's the secret. 1938 01:13:47,768 --> 01:13:49,079 - Watch the right side, though. 1939 01:13:49,114 --> 01:13:50,874 The bar a little uneven. She's correcting it. 1940 01:13:50,909 --> 01:13:52,704 - That Slingshot, it's got its bounce. 1941 01:13:52,738 --> 01:13:54,844 Use that bounce and that momentum together. 1942 01:13:54,878 --> 01:13:57,398 - And you can see those long falls, that takes a lot out. 1943 01:13:57,433 --> 01:14:00,332 Even Jessie Graff, she's gonna be feeling it. 1944 01:14:00,366 --> 01:14:02,748 - Now this one, she's gotta lache up here. 1945 01:14:02,783 --> 01:14:04,957 - That bar is uneven again, Akbar. 1946 01:14:04,992 --> 01:14:06,407 - She'll correct it. 1947 01:14:06,442 --> 01:14:08,236 - And that right side dangerously close. 1948 01:14:08,271 --> 01:14:10,480 Makes a correction, though, one more move. 1949 01:14:10,515 --> 01:14:11,723 - Absorb. 1950 01:14:11,757 --> 01:14:15,451 - And she's got it. Just needs the dismount. 1951 01:14:17,453 --> 01:14:19,385 And she is through. 1952 01:14:19,420 --> 01:14:20,870 [cheers and applause] 1953 01:14:20,904 --> 01:14:23,044 - Oh! 1954 01:14:23,079 --> 01:14:25,253 - Five tough obstacles behind her. 1955 01:14:25,288 --> 01:14:29,395 Now just the Warped Wall between her and the back half. 1956 01:14:29,430 --> 01:14:30,811 - There it is, come on. Come on, Jessie. 1957 01:14:30,845 --> 01:14:33,123 - Whoo! - You got this. 1958 01:14:33,158 --> 01:14:35,263 - Jessie Graff going back to the finals, 1959 01:14:35,298 --> 01:14:36,989 guaranteed her spot. 1960 01:14:37,024 --> 01:14:39,716 This used to be one of the unconquerable obstacles. 1961 01:14:39,751 --> 01:14:41,580 - Here we go. Got it. 1962 01:14:41,615 --> 01:14:43,306 - My, how things have changed. 1963 01:14:43,340 --> 01:14:44,756 And for the sixth straight year, 1964 01:14:44,790 --> 01:14:46,412 she's reached the back half 1965 01:14:46,447 --> 01:14:49,485 of this extended ten-obstacle course. 1966 01:14:49,519 --> 01:14:51,210 We told you how much it would mean to get a buzzer 1967 01:14:51,245 --> 01:14:52,626 on this extended course. 1968 01:14:52,660 --> 01:14:55,387 She's got four more brutal obstacles to go, 1969 01:14:55,421 --> 01:14:57,182 starting with the Salmon Ladder 1970 01:14:57,216 --> 01:14:59,253 and then Corkscrew. 1971 01:14:59,287 --> 01:15:01,117 - I know she can do it. 1972 01:15:01,151 --> 01:15:02,532 - She's up. 1973 01:15:02,567 --> 01:15:04,154 Gotta jump it up four rungs. 1974 01:15:04,189 --> 01:15:06,225 Worked on the strength in that upper body 1975 01:15:06,260 --> 01:15:07,917 and in the shoulders, that back. 1976 01:15:07,951 --> 01:15:10,091 - I didn't realize there were that many muscles in the back. 1977 01:15:10,126 --> 01:15:12,577 - That could be a salvation on Corkscrew. 1978 01:15:12,611 --> 01:15:15,545 Such good technique, here we go. 1979 01:15:15,580 --> 01:15:18,306 Get ready for a wild ride for our Wonder Woman. 1980 01:15:18,341 --> 01:15:19,445 - All right, come on. 1981 01:15:19,480 --> 01:15:20,895 Nice. Hold on. 1982 01:15:20,930 --> 01:15:23,553 Look at that. Is that a pirouette? 1983 01:15:23,588 --> 01:15:25,106 - Well, you know, I would say a powerful spin. 1984 01:15:25,141 --> 01:15:27,523 That was how Diana Prince turned into Wonder Woman. 1985 01:15:27,557 --> 01:15:30,595 Jessie Graff, can she make this big move? 1986 01:15:30,629 --> 01:15:33,080 - Nice! - She's up! 1987 01:15:33,114 --> 01:15:35,565 - Ooh, she got twisted around like a pretzel! 1988 01:15:35,600 --> 01:15:37,463 - [exhales deeply] 1989 01:15:37,498 --> 01:15:39,949 - One more move! 1990 01:15:41,122 --> 01:15:42,365 - You got this, Jessie. 1991 01:15:42,399 --> 01:15:45,506 - Another big ride for Jessie Graff. 1992 01:15:45,541 --> 01:15:48,751 - Come on, big swing. 1993 01:15:48,785 --> 01:15:50,131 - Oh! - What? 1994 01:15:50,166 --> 01:15:52,064 - Oh! 1995 01:15:52,099 --> 01:15:54,722 - She ran out of gas. 1996 01:15:54,757 --> 01:15:56,655 - Gave it everything she had, 1997 01:15:56,690 --> 01:16:00,314 almost made it through this difficult obstacle, Corkscrew, 1998 01:16:00,348 --> 01:16:02,558 and the good news, she's moving on. 1999 01:16:02,592 --> 01:16:04,318 [cheers and applause] 2000 01:16:04,352 --> 01:16:06,872 - Jessie looked like a Cirque du Soleil performer 2001 01:16:06,907 --> 01:16:08,564 on these Corkscrew spins, 2002 01:16:08,598 --> 01:16:10,738 perfect form with those legs out, 2003 01:16:10,773 --> 01:16:13,430 but, on the last one, she just had nothing left 2004 01:16:13,465 --> 01:16:15,225 to get up to that third wheel. 2005 01:16:15,260 --> 01:16:17,745 - But Zuri's about to deliver some good news. 2006 01:16:17,780 --> 01:16:19,402 - You definitely went far enough fast enough, 2007 01:16:19,436 --> 01:16:20,990 so we will see you in the finals. 2008 01:16:21,024 --> 01:16:22,198 Great work out there. 2009 01:16:22,232 --> 01:16:25,166 - Whoo! Thank you. - Guys, back to you. 2010 01:16:25,201 --> 01:16:28,169 - So now we're down to the final runner of the night. 2011 01:16:28,204 --> 01:16:30,240 It's Joe Moravsky. 2012 01:16:30,275 --> 01:16:33,243 The Weatherman storms the course when we come back 2013 01:16:33,278 --> 01:16:36,246 on "American Ninja Warrior." 2014 01:16:39,525 --> 01:16:41,838 - This second night of semifinals has given us 2015 01:16:41,873 --> 01:16:43,564 some great moments, 2016 01:16:43,599 --> 01:16:47,016 but now we're down to the final runner of the night. 2017 01:16:47,050 --> 01:16:51,227 It's the Weatherman, Connecticut dad Joe Moravsky. 2018 01:16:51,261 --> 01:16:54,057 He's a contender to win it all every year, 2019 01:16:54,092 --> 01:16:56,577 but the past few months have made it tough 2020 01:16:56,612 --> 01:16:58,061 to stay in shape. 2021 01:16:58,096 --> 01:16:59,166 - Which way do we turn? 2022 01:16:59,200 --> 01:17:00,616 Nope. Yeah. 2023 01:17:00,650 --> 01:17:03,204 During quarantine, I went from being a manager at a gym 2024 01:17:03,239 --> 01:17:05,172 to being a stay-at-home dad. 2025 01:17:05,206 --> 01:17:08,140 Going for a bike ride. What else we gonna do? 2026 01:17:08,175 --> 01:17:10,039 You guys have your muffins? Where'd they go? Ah. 2027 01:17:10,073 --> 01:17:12,006 - Ate them. - You ate them? 2028 01:17:12,041 --> 01:17:14,768 And it was tough because I couldn't really go anywhere. 2029 01:17:14,802 --> 01:17:16,666 There's no playgrounds to play on. 2030 01:17:16,701 --> 01:17:18,185 It's just, "All right, Dad's gonna go 2031 01:17:18,219 --> 01:17:19,773 try to do things with the kids out in the yard." 2032 01:17:19,807 --> 01:17:21,878 - I have a ice cream? 2033 01:17:21,913 --> 01:17:23,362 - You want some ice cream, huh? 2034 01:17:23,397 --> 01:17:24,743 I'm over there like, 2035 01:17:24,778 --> 01:17:27,643 "Just let me rest. I can't do it anymore." 2036 01:17:27,677 --> 01:17:29,161 Excuse me, back up, please. I need some space. 2037 01:17:29,196 --> 01:17:30,507 [laughter] 2038 01:17:30,542 --> 01:17:32,199 It was tough. I gained 15 pounds. 2039 01:17:32,233 --> 01:17:33,994 But I'm doing "American Ninja Warrior" this year 2040 01:17:34,028 --> 01:17:38,274 because Stephanie and I are expecting our third kid. 2041 01:17:38,308 --> 01:17:39,689 What? 2042 01:17:39,724 --> 01:17:42,761 She could be going into labor any minute now. 2043 01:17:42,796 --> 01:17:44,729 Welcome to the world, little guy. 2044 01:17:44,763 --> 01:17:46,144 My wife was like, 2045 01:17:46,178 --> 01:17:47,593 "Go win that money. Go bring home a title. 2046 01:17:47,628 --> 01:17:48,940 Go do it for the family." 2047 01:17:48,974 --> 01:17:50,355 So that's why I'm still here. 2048 01:17:50,389 --> 01:17:51,805 What do you want to say to the camera? 2049 01:17:51,839 --> 01:17:55,015 - Thank you! - [chuckles] 2050 01:17:55,049 --> 01:17:56,775 - Well, lots of family support for Joe, 2051 01:17:56,810 --> 01:18:00,020 including his very pregnant wife Stephanie 2052 01:18:00,054 --> 01:18:01,228 and those two kids who kept him 2053 01:18:01,262 --> 01:18:03,782 so busy these past few months. 2054 01:18:03,817 --> 01:18:05,335 Joe's taken on a paternal role 2055 01:18:05,370 --> 01:18:07,096 with the two young ninjas he invited this year, 2056 01:18:07,130 --> 01:18:09,685 Jeshuah Lewis and Will Schlageter. 2057 01:18:09,719 --> 01:18:11,859 - One obstacle at a time, baby! 2058 01:18:11,894 --> 01:18:13,965 - He saved them both on the Power Tower, 2059 01:18:13,999 --> 01:18:16,070 and they had good runs tonight. 2060 01:18:16,105 --> 01:18:18,555 He's giving them the Wakanda arm cross. 2061 01:18:18,590 --> 01:18:20,661 They're on the sideline with Najee Richardson. 2062 01:18:20,696 --> 01:18:22,525 Also watching this run closely, 2063 01:18:22,559 --> 01:18:25,114 Devin Harrelson, Dougie Fresh. 2064 01:18:25,148 --> 01:18:28,220 He's in the 12th spot, so if Joe has a good run, 2065 01:18:28,255 --> 01:18:29,808 he'll knock Dougie out 2066 01:18:29,843 --> 01:18:31,499 and keep the six-year veteran 2067 01:18:31,534 --> 01:18:34,261 from reaching his first finals. 2068 01:18:34,295 --> 01:18:37,160 Final heart to the family, and Joe's ready to go. 2069 01:18:37,195 --> 01:18:39,162 [countdown timer beeping] 2070 01:18:39,197 --> 01:18:40,750 - Come on! Have some fun, dude! 2071 01:18:40,785 --> 01:18:42,338 - With that third kid on the way, 2072 01:18:42,372 --> 01:18:44,754 Joe really wants to win that 100,000 2073 01:18:44,789 --> 01:18:46,860 that goes to the winner this year. 2074 01:18:46,894 --> 01:18:48,620 - Well, to earn a spot in the top 12, 2075 01:18:48,654 --> 01:18:50,967 Joe needs to get past Corkscrew. 2076 01:18:51,002 --> 01:18:52,728 [cheering] 2077 01:18:52,762 --> 01:18:54,971 But that's where so many have seen their seasons end 2078 01:18:55,006 --> 01:18:57,871 in these semifinals. 2079 01:18:57,905 --> 01:19:01,046 And he's through, now on to Clockwork. 2080 01:19:01,081 --> 01:19:03,324 - We know Joe Moravsky has the skills 2081 01:19:03,359 --> 01:19:04,912 to get far on this course. 2082 01:19:04,947 --> 01:19:06,431 Just has to avoid mistakes. 2083 01:19:06,465 --> 01:19:08,157 - Well, Joe says during lockdown he's-- 2084 01:19:08,191 --> 01:19:10,746 he's ballooned up to the heaviest he's ever been 2085 01:19:10,780 --> 01:19:12,989 in his entire life, says he has a dad bod, 2086 01:19:13,024 --> 01:19:16,096 but he's moving that dad bod well, Akbar. 2087 01:19:17,822 --> 01:19:19,271 Up next, an obstacle 2088 01:19:19,306 --> 01:19:22,792 that's knocked out so many tonight, Burn Rubber. 2089 01:19:22,827 --> 01:19:24,552 - All right, here we go. Nice! 2090 01:19:24,587 --> 01:19:25,830 Look at Joe Moravsky. 2091 01:19:25,864 --> 01:19:28,073 - Perfect! Yes! - Let's go! 2092 01:19:28,108 --> 01:19:30,144 - Well, even with those extra pounds, 2093 01:19:30,179 --> 01:19:31,767 he's been impressive, 2094 01:19:31,801 --> 01:19:34,493 was the second-fastest in qualifying and won $10,000 2095 01:19:34,528 --> 01:19:37,048 on the Mega Wall. 2096 01:19:37,082 --> 01:19:39,050 Now facing Slingshot. 2097 01:19:39,084 --> 01:19:41,259 - And this is another one that's tripped up 2098 01:19:41,293 --> 01:19:42,812 some veterans tonight. 2099 01:19:42,847 --> 01:19:45,228 - But this obstacle is such a gauntlet, 2100 01:19:45,263 --> 01:19:47,299 and so easy to get that bar uneven. 2101 01:19:47,334 --> 01:19:49,715 - Yeah, Joe Moravsky rarely makes mistakes. 2102 01:19:49,750 --> 01:19:52,063 He's been very consistent in his ninja career. 2103 01:19:52,097 --> 01:19:53,961 He's made it to the national finals 2104 01:19:53,996 --> 01:19:55,549 every year he's competed. 2105 01:19:55,583 --> 01:19:57,827 Twice he's been the Last Ninja Standing. 2106 01:19:57,862 --> 01:19:59,104 - Joe's carrying some extra weight, 2107 01:19:59,139 --> 01:20:01,210 and you start to feel it on an obstacle like this. 2108 01:20:01,244 --> 01:20:03,005 - Yeah. 2109 01:20:03,039 --> 01:20:05,455 - But looking smooth, Moravsky. 2110 01:20:05,490 --> 01:20:06,871 [cheers and applause] 2111 01:20:06,905 --> 01:20:08,804 - Whoo! 2112 01:20:08,838 --> 01:20:11,082 - I have to say, even though he's 180 pounds, 2113 01:20:11,116 --> 01:20:12,497 he's carrying it well. 2114 01:20:12,531 --> 01:20:15,603 [cheering] 2115 01:20:15,638 --> 01:20:18,537 - Back to the Warped Wall. 2116 01:20:18,572 --> 01:20:20,988 He's closing in on a ticket to the finals. 2117 01:20:21,023 --> 01:20:24,992 [cheering] 2118 01:20:25,027 --> 01:20:28,824 Staying very calm, but this is the critical stage here. 2119 01:20:28,858 --> 01:20:30,239 - Should be fine. 2120 01:20:30,273 --> 01:20:31,930 - Needs to get through the Salmon Ladder 2121 01:20:31,965 --> 01:20:34,899 and Corkscrew to get his spot in the finals. 2122 01:20:34,933 --> 01:20:38,834 If he does, he'll bump Dougie Fresh from the top 12. 2123 01:20:38,868 --> 01:20:41,733 First up, four rungs on the Salmon Ladder. 2124 01:20:41,767 --> 01:20:44,322 - I don't think he's ever fallen on this obstacle. 2125 01:20:44,356 --> 01:20:46,186 Oh, with the skip! 2126 01:20:46,220 --> 01:20:47,704 - And just like that, 2127 01:20:47,739 --> 01:20:51,053 he's through and now moves on to Corkscrew. 2128 01:20:51,087 --> 01:20:53,124 - Hold on! Okay! 2129 01:20:53,158 --> 01:20:55,989 - Has to survive Corkscrew. Two more rides. 2130 01:20:56,023 --> 01:20:57,956 This is a big lache here, Akbar. 2131 01:20:57,991 --> 01:21:00,096 - A gigantic one. 2132 01:21:00,131 --> 01:21:01,684 - But he's up. - Oh! 2133 01:21:01,718 --> 01:21:03,582 - Great technique. 2134 01:21:03,617 --> 01:21:06,240 - This is like a tornado for the Weatherman. 2135 01:21:07,586 --> 01:21:09,416 - Can he do it one more time? 2136 01:21:09,450 --> 01:21:11,901 - Here we go, here we go. - Moravsky's up! 2137 01:21:11,936 --> 01:21:15,491 Holds on. Just needs the dismount. 2138 01:21:15,525 --> 01:21:17,079 And he's done it! 2139 01:21:17,113 --> 01:21:19,391 Moravsky's going to the finals. 2140 01:21:19,426 --> 01:21:20,945 - That was hard. 2141 01:21:20,979 --> 01:21:22,808 - Yeah. [laughs] 2142 01:21:22,843 --> 01:21:25,777 - But with that, we have to say good-bye 2143 01:21:25,811 --> 01:21:27,606 to Devin Harrelson, 2144 01:21:27,641 --> 01:21:30,886 the last runner of the night denying him his dream 2145 01:21:30,920 --> 01:21:32,853 of a first trip to the finals. 2146 01:21:32,888 --> 01:21:35,718 Well, Joe's now got two more obstacles to go, 2147 01:21:35,752 --> 01:21:38,100 staring down the Dungeon. 2148 01:21:39,825 --> 01:21:42,621 Lucas Reale has the fastest finish at five minutes. 2149 01:21:42,656 --> 01:21:45,245 Joe's got a shot at that, but he's only got about 2150 01:21:45,279 --> 01:21:48,696 a minute left for these two final obstacles. 2151 01:21:48,731 --> 01:21:51,354 - All right. 2152 01:21:51,389 --> 01:21:53,529 - Yeah, he would really have to turn up right now, 2153 01:21:53,563 --> 01:21:56,601 and he's gotta be worn out. 2154 01:21:56,635 --> 01:21:58,534 - Hey. - Nice, Joe, you got this. 2155 01:21:58,568 --> 01:22:01,709 - Flips the panel up. Now has to go back across. 2156 01:22:01,744 --> 01:22:04,264 This will really test your grip. 2157 01:22:04,298 --> 01:22:07,543 He's moving aggressively, Akbar. 2158 01:22:07,577 --> 01:22:08,854 - Oh, look at that. - Look at this! 2159 01:22:08,889 --> 01:22:10,097 - His hands are starting to slip a little. 2160 01:22:10,132 --> 01:22:11,616 - Come on! - He's out of there! Nice! 2161 01:22:11,650 --> 01:22:14,101 - Can your dad do this? 2162 01:22:14,136 --> 01:22:17,587 Joe Moravsky, 35 feet away! 2163 01:22:17,622 --> 01:22:19,417 He's got a little over 30 seconds 2164 01:22:19,451 --> 01:22:20,866 to get the fastest time, 2165 01:22:20,901 --> 01:22:22,834 but he's really gonna have to turn it on. 2166 01:22:22,868 --> 01:22:25,768 - Singlehandedly redefining dad bod. 2167 01:22:25,802 --> 01:22:27,494 - Not gonna let these youngsters 2168 01:22:27,528 --> 01:22:28,633 beat him to that buzzer. 2169 01:22:28,667 --> 01:22:30,117 - Oh, this is gonna be close. 2170 01:22:30,152 --> 01:22:32,257 - 20 seconds left! 2171 01:22:32,292 --> 01:22:34,328 He's got a shot, Akbar! - He does! 2172 01:22:34,363 --> 01:22:35,916 Did we push him to speed? 2173 01:22:35,951 --> 01:22:37,987 - Oh, these doors, though. - Uh-oh, he's struggling! 2174 01:22:38,022 --> 01:22:39,402 - They're slowing him down! 2175 01:22:39,437 --> 01:22:41,059 - Can he get the fastest time? 2176 01:22:41,094 --> 01:22:42,440 Ten seconds! 2177 01:22:42,474 --> 01:22:44,442 - Uh-oh, he might be able to get it! 2178 01:22:44,476 --> 01:22:46,168 - So close, Akbar! 2179 01:22:46,202 --> 01:22:49,343 - Oh, I don't know! I don't know! I don't know! 2180 01:22:49,378 --> 01:22:50,862 - Two seconds! - I don't know! 2181 01:22:50,896 --> 01:22:52,795 - One! - Ohh! 2182 01:22:52,829 --> 01:22:56,419 - Joe Moravsky delivers! - Wow! 2183 01:22:56,454 --> 01:22:57,800 - Whoo! 2184 01:22:57,834 --> 01:23:00,837 [cheering] 2185 01:23:00,872 --> 01:23:03,185 - Akbar, tell him what he just did. 2186 01:23:03,219 --> 01:23:05,773 - Whoa, Joe, you just got 2187 01:23:05,808 --> 01:23:07,775 the fastest time of the night! 2188 01:23:07,810 --> 01:23:10,088 - Whoo! - By one second! 2189 01:23:10,123 --> 01:23:12,435 - Whoo-hoo! Wow. 2190 01:23:12,470 --> 01:23:16,543 - You are now the Dad Bod Ninja. 2191 01:23:16,577 --> 01:23:18,855 Congratulations, man. 2192 01:23:18,890 --> 01:23:21,030 He needed to get through Corkscrew, 2193 01:23:21,065 --> 01:23:23,860 and he did, then turned it on 2194 01:23:23,895 --> 01:23:26,932 for the final obstacles to edge out Reale 2195 01:23:26,967 --> 01:23:30,281 for the fastest time by just one second. 2196 01:23:30,315 --> 01:23:34,181 Another great performance by the Weatherman. 2197 01:23:34,216 --> 01:23:38,358 - So Joe Moravsky sits atop our final leaderboard 2198 01:23:38,392 --> 01:23:40,325 just ahead of Lucas Reale. 2199 01:23:40,360 --> 01:23:42,776 Other finishers included Michael Torres 2200 01:23:42,810 --> 01:23:45,813 and Najee Richardson, and those Cake Ninjas, 2201 01:23:45,848 --> 01:23:49,507 Amir Malik and David Wright, are also going to the finals. 2202 01:23:49,541 --> 01:23:52,061 Firefighter Dan Polizzi will be moving on, 2203 01:23:52,096 --> 01:23:54,581 along with rookie Jeshuah Lewis. 2204 01:23:54,615 --> 01:23:56,065 And the two women advancing 2205 01:23:56,100 --> 01:23:59,310 are Jessie Graff and Jeri D'Aurelio. 2206 01:23:59,344 --> 01:24:01,829 Next week we move on to the finals. 2207 01:24:01,864 --> 01:24:04,694 - Yeah, that's right, Matt, and we move one step closer 2208 01:24:04,729 --> 01:24:06,938 to crowning a new ninja champion. 2209 01:24:06,972 --> 01:24:08,215 - Can't wait to see it. 2210 01:24:08,250 --> 01:24:10,666 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2211 01:24:10,700 --> 01:24:14,704 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior."