1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:07,007 [upbeat jazzy music] 2 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:08,508 [cheers and applause] 3 00:00:08,541 --> 00:00:09,843 - Forget the casinos, 4 00:00:09,876 --> 00:00:12,712 the best action tonight in Vegas is right here, 5 00:00:12,746 --> 00:00:15,382 as we start night two of the National Finals 6 00:00:15,415 --> 00:00:17,717 on "American Ninja Warrior." 7 00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:19,285 Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining us. 8 00:00:19,319 --> 00:00:20,286 I'm Matt Iseman. 9 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:21,888 - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 10 00:00:21,921 --> 00:00:23,456 Matt, can you feel it? 11 00:00:23,490 --> 00:00:24,958 It is getting hot out here. 12 00:00:24,991 --> 00:00:26,493 And it's not because of the Vegas heat. 13 00:00:26,526 --> 00:00:29,629 It's because we are getting closer to that million dollars. 14 00:00:29,662 --> 00:00:31,097 - Absolutely, big man. 15 00:00:31,131 --> 00:00:32,732 Tonight, we're gonna move over to stage two. 16 00:00:32,766 --> 00:00:34,801 But first, we've got to wrap up the action 17 00:00:34,834 --> 00:00:36,403 right here on stage one. 18 00:00:36,436 --> 00:00:39,172 Let's go down to the third member of our team, Zuri Hall. 19 00:00:39,205 --> 00:00:40,473 - Thanks, guys. 20 00:00:40,507 --> 00:00:42,709 Our first runner's motto is "living wide," 21 00:00:42,742 --> 00:00:44,744 and he has done that all season. 22 00:00:44,778 --> 00:00:46,379 Christopher Harding Jones has been 23 00:00:46,413 --> 00:00:50,316 unstoppable, hitting buzzers in qualifying and semifinals. 24 00:00:50,350 --> 00:00:52,652 - This is so surreal. Let's go! 25 00:00:52,686 --> 00:00:55,588 - You can feel his passion and see there on his shirt, 26 00:00:55,622 --> 00:00:58,058 the motto his father coined after doctors 27 00:00:58,091 --> 00:01:00,927 told him he only had a few months to live. 28 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:03,697 He encouraged people to live life to the fullest 29 00:01:03,730 --> 00:01:06,466 and to pursue their dreams while they still could. 30 00:01:06,499 --> 00:01:09,069 And Christopher has taken the message to heart, 31 00:01:09,102 --> 00:01:11,438 achieving all his ninja dreams while spreading 32 00:01:11,471 --> 00:01:13,373 his dad's powerful message. 33 00:01:13,406 --> 00:01:14,874 [cheers and applause] 34 00:01:14,908 --> 00:01:17,310 - He's going to have his mom, sister, and other family 35 00:01:17,344 --> 00:01:20,113 and friends on the sideline, plus lots of friends 36 00:01:20,146 --> 00:01:21,848 watching back in Georgia. 37 00:01:21,881 --> 00:01:23,116 [cheers and applause] 38 00:01:23,149 --> 00:01:25,285 [countdown clock beeping] 39 00:01:25,318 --> 00:01:27,420 Eight obstacles on stage one, 40 00:01:27,454 --> 00:01:29,923 with a 2 minute, 50 second time limit. 41 00:01:29,956 --> 00:01:31,891 And you can see, he is running with an urgency, 42 00:01:31,925 --> 00:01:33,360 running with a purpose. 43 00:01:33,393 --> 00:01:36,196 Ready for this new obstacle, Three Ring Circus. 44 00:01:36,229 --> 00:01:38,698 - Well, Matt, so far he's been outstanding. 45 00:01:38,732 --> 00:01:40,400 - Just levitates there. 46 00:01:40,433 --> 00:01:42,435 - All right, control that body. Control it. 47 00:01:42,469 --> 00:01:43,670 Make sure you go in the right direction. 48 00:01:43,703 --> 00:01:44,904 Good. 49 00:01:44,938 --> 00:01:46,906 [cheers and applause] 50 00:01:46,940 --> 00:01:48,975 - You can hear the "living wide" chants 51 00:01:49,009 --> 00:01:51,411 as he steps up to Giant Roller Coaster. 52 00:01:51,444 --> 00:01:53,480 - Well, Matt, with that hair flying all around the place 53 00:01:53,513 --> 00:01:55,215 on a hot, windy night here in Vegas, 54 00:01:55,248 --> 00:01:57,117 you just hope his hair doesn't get in his way. 55 00:01:57,150 --> 00:01:58,118 Nice. 56 00:01:58,151 --> 00:01:59,786 - Good transfer there. 57 00:01:59,819 --> 00:02:01,054 - Nice. 58 00:02:01,054 --> 00:02:02,889 - Just got to find the landing pad. 59 00:02:02,922 --> 00:02:04,190 And he does. 60 00:02:04,224 --> 00:02:05,492 [cheers and applause] 61 00:02:05,525 --> 00:02:06,826 Now, it's the Jumping Spider. 62 00:02:06,860 --> 00:02:08,428 - 5'11", got those long limbs. 63 00:02:08,461 --> 00:02:10,196 Needs a good jump. Just lock it in. 64 00:02:10,230 --> 00:02:11,598 - Get in there. - Got it! 65 00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:13,566 - Nice. - What a journey it's been 66 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:14,968 for this 18-year-old. 67 00:02:15,068 --> 00:02:16,269 He was struggling in school. 68 00:02:16,302 --> 00:02:18,071 But it all changed when his dad 69 00:02:18,071 --> 00:02:20,440 built him a ninja course in the backyard. 70 00:02:20,473 --> 00:02:22,409 - And ninja really changed his life. 71 00:02:22,442 --> 00:02:23,977 He went from a C student 72 00:02:24,077 --> 00:02:26,246 to a straight-A student. [cheering] 73 00:02:26,279 --> 00:02:27,480 - Watch the hair. 74 00:02:27,514 --> 00:02:28,882 It might be blocking his vision. 75 00:02:28,915 --> 00:02:30,583 A problem you and I don't have. - [chuckles] 76 00:02:30,617 --> 00:02:32,452 All right, Topher, let's go. 77 00:02:32,485 --> 00:02:35,922 - Facing Tetherball, another new one here on stage one. 78 00:02:35,955 --> 00:02:37,123 Just very calm. 79 00:02:37,157 --> 00:02:38,391 You can see him not breathing hard, 80 00:02:38,425 --> 00:02:40,126 not letting the moment get to him. 81 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,896 - Topher so focused, and this is what I love about him. 82 00:02:42,929 --> 00:02:45,465 This is what we saw in the qualifying, the semifinals. 83 00:02:45,498 --> 00:02:48,234 - The only rookie to hit both buzzers this season. 84 00:02:48,268 --> 00:02:51,171 - When he's locked in, there is no stopping this kid. 85 00:02:51,204 --> 00:02:53,573 Now, very important for him to start to make his way down 86 00:02:53,606 --> 00:02:55,909 on the rope, just like that. 87 00:02:55,942 --> 00:02:57,444 - Great control. 88 00:02:57,477 --> 00:02:59,412 - Ah! - Oh, needs an extra push. 89 00:02:59,446 --> 00:03:00,780 Watch those long legs. - Come on, come on. 90 00:03:00,814 --> 00:03:02,682 - That rope's getting closer to the water. 91 00:03:02,716 --> 00:03:04,351 - Ooh, nice. - Great job. 92 00:03:04,384 --> 00:03:07,220 Way to stay calm under duress. [cheering] 93 00:03:08,688 --> 00:03:12,392 - Little over a minute left for these final three obstacles. 94 00:03:12,425 --> 00:03:15,061 Winding up here on the Warped Wall. 95 00:03:15,061 --> 00:03:16,229 - All right, just reach up. 96 00:03:16,262 --> 00:03:17,797 Oh. - No problem. 97 00:03:17,831 --> 00:03:20,200 And he's reached Split Decision. 98 00:03:20,233 --> 00:03:21,334 High Road, Fly Hooks. 99 00:03:21,368 --> 00:03:23,336 And he's not even hitting the High Road. 100 00:03:23,370 --> 00:03:25,138 - Not even thinking about it. 101 00:03:25,171 --> 00:03:27,307 - Trying to keep his perfect season intact. 102 00:03:27,340 --> 00:03:29,709 - You've gotta go! - Keep your chest forward! 103 00:03:30,276 --> 00:03:32,412 - Go, go, go. Dip with it, dip with it. 104 00:03:32,445 --> 00:03:34,814 Nice! - 40 seconds to hit a buzzer 105 00:03:34,848 --> 00:03:37,317 and extend his magical "living wide" season. 106 00:03:37,350 --> 00:03:39,619 - The Fly Hooks here--you can see that hook right there. 107 00:03:39,652 --> 00:03:42,689 That means that ring's got to go up before you go out. 108 00:03:42,722 --> 00:03:44,224 - Yeah, Matt, the hair is in his face. 109 00:03:44,257 --> 00:03:45,925 He's trying to wiggle his head and get it out. 110 00:03:45,959 --> 00:03:47,160 Oh! 111 00:03:47,193 --> 00:03:48,228 - And this is what we were talking about, 112 00:03:48,261 --> 00:03:49,462 having trouble with that move. 113 00:03:49,496 --> 00:03:50,764 You've got to keep it up. You've got to keep-- 114 00:03:50,797 --> 00:03:51,965 - Oh, boy. 115 00:03:51,998 --> 00:03:53,400 Uh-oh, we've got a problem here in Vegas. 116 00:03:53,433 --> 00:03:54,701 - Oh, no. - You can do it. 117 00:03:54,734 --> 00:03:55,835 - Nice! - There it is. 118 00:03:55,869 --> 00:03:56,903 [cheers and applause] - Whoa! Okay! 119 00:03:56,936 --> 00:03:58,571 - Got to pace up because that cargo net's 120 00:03:58,605 --> 00:04:00,373 gonna sap the time. 121 00:04:00,407 --> 00:04:01,941 Go for it, Christopher. 122 00:04:02,042 --> 00:04:03,610 Go for it, buddy. 123 00:04:03,643 --> 00:04:05,512 Oh, no! 124 00:04:05,545 --> 00:04:08,048 [countdown clock buzzing] A low throw on the net. 125 00:04:08,048 --> 00:04:09,949 - Come on, man, keep going. 126 00:04:10,050 --> 00:04:11,418 You're so close. 127 00:04:11,451 --> 00:04:14,854 - What a run. - But he's gonna time out. 128 00:04:14,888 --> 00:04:16,656 It was the extra swings on the Fly Hooks. 129 00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:18,291 [buzzer blares] 130 00:04:18,324 --> 00:04:19,759 [all groaning] 131 00:04:19,793 --> 00:04:21,227 [applause] 132 00:04:21,261 --> 00:04:22,595 Well, a lot of moments to look back on that run. 133 00:04:22,629 --> 00:04:24,064 But hold your head up high-- 134 00:04:24,064 --> 00:04:26,800 two buzzers in his rookie campaign. 135 00:04:26,833 --> 00:04:29,936 Christopher Harding Jones was definitely living wide. 136 00:04:31,404 --> 00:04:33,540 - And hopefully we'll see him back here next year. 137 00:04:33,573 --> 00:04:35,542 [cheers and applause] 138 00:04:35,575 --> 00:04:38,812 Up next, another ninja who's had an outstanding season. 139 00:04:38,845 --> 00:04:42,382 This is 17-year-old music producer Ethan Bartnicki. 140 00:04:42,415 --> 00:04:44,217 - Whoa! - He's flipping out. 141 00:04:44,250 --> 00:04:46,753 And so are we listening to some of his music. 142 00:04:46,786 --> 00:04:48,154 - I'm liking it. This goes hard. 143 00:04:48,188 --> 00:04:50,457 This--I like this one. - Let's go, Ethan! 144 00:04:50,490 --> 00:04:53,460 - This kid's talented in music and ninja. 145 00:04:53,493 --> 00:04:56,329 And he gives a lot of credit to his parents. 146 00:04:56,996 --> 00:04:58,431 * * 147 00:04:58,465 --> 00:05:01,801 - Guys, come on, we're gonna have dinner. 148 00:05:01,835 --> 00:05:03,136 Oh, great, thank you. 149 00:05:03,169 --> 00:05:04,537 - I'm one of three kids. 150 00:05:04,571 --> 00:05:06,373 There you go. Ah, looks good. 151 00:05:06,406 --> 00:05:07,607 Thanks, brother. 152 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,542 Me and my oldest brother were adopted. 153 00:05:09,576 --> 00:05:12,178 And my middle brother was biologically born 154 00:05:12,212 --> 00:05:13,279 in our family. 155 00:05:13,313 --> 00:05:14,814 - Can you give everybody a cup? 156 00:05:14,848 --> 00:05:19,452 My three boys definitely have special bonds with each other. 157 00:05:19,486 --> 00:05:22,088 We let everybody pursue their own interests. 158 00:05:22,122 --> 00:05:24,357 It helped them feel confident 159 00:05:24,391 --> 00:05:26,426 and gave them their sense of worth. 160 00:05:26,459 --> 00:05:28,328 - It's been nice to see the three of them 161 00:05:28,361 --> 00:05:30,330 stick together, support each other. 162 00:05:30,363 --> 00:05:31,898 - They always feel like there's-- 163 00:05:31,931 --> 00:05:33,600 somebody's got their back. 164 00:05:33,633 --> 00:05:35,101 - It's a little unfair, Luke. 165 00:05:35,135 --> 00:05:37,170 You're like a foot taller than Ethan. 166 00:05:37,203 --> 00:05:39,773 - Growing up, they were very competitive. 167 00:05:39,806 --> 00:05:42,075 And Ethan, who is the smallest-- 168 00:05:42,075 --> 00:05:44,444 I call them Small, Medium, and Large-- 169 00:05:44,477 --> 00:05:47,947 he always tried to keep up with his older brothers. 170 00:05:47,981 --> 00:05:50,750 He found ninja, and lo and behold, 171 00:05:50,784 --> 00:05:53,420 he is better than any of my other boys. 172 00:05:54,888 --> 00:05:55,855 - [groans] 173 00:05:55,889 --> 00:05:57,090 - They're very proud of him, 174 00:05:57,090 --> 00:05:58,358 but grumbled a little bit as well. 175 00:05:58,391 --> 00:06:00,226 - A little jealous. [both chuckling] 176 00:06:00,260 --> 00:06:01,728 - There's definitely some competition 177 00:06:01,761 --> 00:06:04,097 between the brothers. [chuckles] 178 00:06:04,130 --> 00:06:05,665 - Let's go. 179 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:07,567 My brothers have definitely been an inspiration to me. 180 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,170 - Oh! He gets it over him! - Take it. 181 00:06:10,203 --> 00:06:11,504 They just look out for me. 182 00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:14,641 And they support me in both ninja and music. 183 00:06:14,674 --> 00:06:16,876 It's definitely helped pave a path for where I want to go. 184 00:06:16,910 --> 00:06:18,945 * * 185 00:06:19,045 --> 00:06:20,847 [cheers and applause] 186 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,449 - And those brothers have his back tonight. 187 00:06:22,482 --> 00:06:25,285 - Hey, good luck, Ethan. - Large, that's Luke... 188 00:06:25,318 --> 00:06:26,553 - Let's go. - And Medium, Adam... 189 00:06:26,586 --> 00:06:27,721 - Yeah, let's get it. - Will be cheering 190 00:06:27,754 --> 00:06:29,789 from back East. - You got this kiddo, 191 00:06:29,823 --> 00:06:31,157 you got it! [countdown clock beeping] 192 00:06:31,191 --> 00:06:33,293 - It's really amazing what this kid can do 193 00:06:33,326 --> 00:06:36,062 when he's only 5'4" and 114 pounds. 194 00:06:36,062 --> 00:06:37,764 - Good start right there. 195 00:06:37,797 --> 00:06:39,632 - All right, he's gotta fly on this one, though-- 196 00:06:39,666 --> 00:06:41,735 Three Ring Circus. 197 00:06:43,169 --> 00:06:45,472 - Makes that blind grab. 198 00:06:45,505 --> 00:06:48,241 Came out here as a rookie and got a buzzer in qualifying 199 00:06:48,274 --> 00:06:50,276 and made it to the 9th obstacle in semifinals. 200 00:06:50,310 --> 00:06:51,578 - There you go. - There you go. 201 00:06:51,611 --> 00:06:53,813 - There you go. This little kid fly. 202 00:06:53,847 --> 00:06:57,684 - Wow, good power out there. - Just so much confidence. 203 00:06:57,717 --> 00:06:59,085 - Should have fun going for a ride 204 00:06:59,085 --> 00:07:00,653 here on the Roller Coaster. 205 00:07:00,687 --> 00:07:03,023 - Yeah, what kid doesn't like going to the amusement park 206 00:07:03,023 --> 00:07:04,290 and getting on a roller coaster? 207 00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:06,059 This is that ninja Roller Coaster. 208 00:07:06,092 --> 00:07:07,527 Okay. 209 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:09,763 - And got it in the cradle-- Bartnicki's smooth. 210 00:07:09,796 --> 00:07:13,366 [all cheering] 211 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:15,535 - But with his size, gonna need a big leap 212 00:07:15,568 --> 00:07:17,237 to land in the Jumping Spider. 213 00:07:17,270 --> 00:07:18,905 - Get in that chute! Nice! 214 00:07:18,938 --> 00:07:20,573 - Really launched it. 215 00:07:20,607 --> 00:07:23,176 He's going to college this fall to study music producing, 216 00:07:23,209 --> 00:07:26,146 but he's already making money selling some of his beats. 217 00:07:26,179 --> 00:07:29,549 His music career and his ninja career, taking off. 218 00:07:29,582 --> 00:07:31,217 [cheers and applause] 219 00:07:31,251 --> 00:07:33,186 - Whoo! [claps] 220 00:07:33,219 --> 00:07:35,055 - His big brothers are loving it. 221 00:07:35,055 --> 00:07:37,057 - Good job, bro. - And now to Tetherball. 222 00:07:37,057 --> 00:07:38,224 - Believe it or not, 223 00:07:38,258 --> 00:07:40,427 this came from our Obstacle Design Challenge 224 00:07:40,460 --> 00:07:42,195 submitted not by a kid, 225 00:07:42,228 --> 00:07:45,699 but a 50-year-old, New Mexico's Stacie Harris, 226 00:07:45,732 --> 00:07:47,801 who loved tetherball growing up. 227 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:50,403 It's so unique, we've made it this year's winner of 228 00:07:50,437 --> 00:07:52,172 the Obstacle Design Challenge. 229 00:07:52,205 --> 00:07:54,407 - Hey, and congrats to Stacie. 230 00:07:54,441 --> 00:07:59,079 - If you've got an idea, go to anwobstacledesignchallenge.com. 231 00:07:59,079 --> 00:08:02,015 We could see your creation on the course next year. 232 00:08:02,015 --> 00:08:04,351 - Tetherball's knocked out a lot of good ninjas. 233 00:08:04,384 --> 00:08:06,519 And Ethan Bartnicki's struggling right now. 234 00:08:06,553 --> 00:08:07,921 - Kind of out of position, though, Matt. 235 00:08:08,021 --> 00:08:10,290 - Oh, no. - And Little Dolla's 236 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:12,025 in trouble. - Stay calm, say calm. 237 00:08:12,025 --> 00:08:13,893 - He may need to pull up. - That rope's getting down. 238 00:08:13,927 --> 00:08:16,096 - Right there--nice! - Good job. 239 00:08:16,129 --> 00:08:17,097 Got through it. 240 00:08:17,130 --> 00:08:19,666 [cheers and applause] 241 00:08:19,699 --> 00:08:22,736 - And because of the good pace, still has a minute left here, 242 00:08:22,769 --> 00:08:25,605 but that took a lot out of him. 243 00:08:26,806 --> 00:08:28,608 No problem on the Warped Wall. 244 00:08:28,641 --> 00:08:30,410 Will he go High Road? 245 00:08:30,443 --> 00:08:34,247 Hit the button, but he's not gonna chase it. 246 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:36,883 - Gotta be careful. - It's okay, it's okay. 247 00:08:36,916 --> 00:08:38,084 - Nice, nice, nice. 248 00:08:38,118 --> 00:08:40,420 - No problem for Bartnicki. 249 00:08:40,453 --> 00:08:42,522 Now, he's gotta go with the Fly Hooks 250 00:08:42,555 --> 00:08:46,059 with the clock ticking, gotta get that ring up and over. 251 00:08:46,059 --> 00:08:48,395 - This is difficult, especially for a rookie, Matt. 252 00:08:48,428 --> 00:08:50,430 It's easy to eat up a lot of time. 253 00:08:50,463 --> 00:08:52,832 - Bartnicki lands the first one. 254 00:08:52,866 --> 00:08:55,869 - 30 seconds left. 255 00:08:55,902 --> 00:08:57,937 - Now, here's the key, he needs to throw himself 256 00:08:57,971 --> 00:09:00,740 high up on the cargo net to give himself a chance. 257 00:09:00,774 --> 00:09:03,009 He's got 22 seconds, plenty of time. 258 00:09:03,043 --> 00:09:04,811 - Well, let the beat drop. 259 00:09:04,844 --> 00:09:06,813 He may be the smallest in the family, 260 00:09:06,846 --> 00:09:10,650 but Ethan Bartnicki just came up big on stage one. 261 00:09:10,684 --> 00:09:14,721 - Let's go! Let's go! [buzzer blares] 262 00:09:14,754 --> 00:09:18,491 [cheers and applause] Let's go! 263 00:09:18,525 --> 00:09:21,494 [upbeat music] 264 00:09:21,528 --> 00:09:22,762 * * 265 00:09:22,796 --> 00:09:24,264 - Yo, let's go. 266 00:09:24,297 --> 00:09:26,366 - Whoo! Let's go! He did it! 267 00:09:26,399 --> 00:09:29,502 - Ethan Bartnicki's going to stage two. 268 00:09:29,536 --> 00:09:31,571 [cheers and applause] 269 00:09:31,604 --> 00:09:34,140 It's night two of the National Finals. 270 00:09:34,174 --> 00:09:35,675 * * 271 00:09:35,709 --> 00:09:37,077 - Let's go! Let's go! 272 00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:39,879 - We've got our final athletes on stage one, 273 00:09:39,913 --> 00:09:42,349 including Gnarly Nate Hansen. 274 00:09:42,382 --> 00:09:45,685 Then we'll move over to the even tougher stage two. 275 00:09:45,719 --> 00:09:47,354 - * Let's go! * - Oh! 276 00:09:47,387 --> 00:09:49,556 Who can keep their million-dollar dreams alive? 277 00:09:49,589 --> 00:09:51,057 [buzzer blares] - No, he didn't! 278 00:09:51,091 --> 00:09:52,559 - Yes! 279 00:09:52,592 --> 00:09:54,094 It's gonna be another unpredictable night 280 00:09:54,127 --> 00:09:55,095 in Vegas... 281 00:09:55,128 --> 00:09:56,329 - Yeah, baby! 282 00:09:56,363 --> 00:09:57,864 - On "American Ninja Warrior." 283 00:09:57,897 --> 00:09:59,065 - * Mic drop * 284 00:10:03,036 --> 00:10:04,170 - While we were away, 285 00:10:04,204 --> 00:10:06,206 Vance Walker took on stage one, 286 00:10:06,239 --> 00:10:07,674 looking to bounce back 287 00:10:07,707 --> 00:10:09,843 from what's been a disappointing season for him. 288 00:10:09,876 --> 00:10:11,277 [cheers and applause] 289 00:10:11,311 --> 00:10:13,880 Last year, the two-time Ninja Junior champion 290 00:10:13,913 --> 00:10:17,317 made it all the way to stage three and hit four buzzers, 291 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:20,320 but this season, hasn't hit one yet. 292 00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:22,155 - So much pressure he put on himself 293 00:10:22,188 --> 00:10:25,225 after having an amazing rookie campaign. 294 00:10:25,258 --> 00:10:28,361 - The 5'5" teenager had no trouble on stage one 295 00:10:28,395 --> 00:10:31,131 last year, but tonight was a different story. 296 00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:32,399 - All right, you've got to stick it. 297 00:10:32,432 --> 00:10:33,833 both: Oh! 298 00:10:33,867 --> 00:10:35,902 - And his season was shockingly over 299 00:10:35,935 --> 00:10:38,204 on just the fourth obstacle. 300 00:10:38,238 --> 00:10:39,673 - Wow. 301 00:10:39,706 --> 00:10:42,876 - Then, one of the Iowa boys, Levi Enright, 302 00:10:42,909 --> 00:10:45,045 got his shot at redemption. 303 00:10:45,078 --> 00:10:47,981 Last week, he fell on the Dipping Birds 304 00:10:48,014 --> 00:10:51,851 and had to use the Safety Pass he earned back in semifinals. 305 00:10:51,885 --> 00:10:53,520 - Guess we're going back at it. 306 00:10:53,553 --> 00:10:57,090 - Tonight, the 22-year-old who won 10 grand on the Mega Wall 307 00:10:57,123 --> 00:10:59,659 and had the fastest time in his semifinals 308 00:10:59,693 --> 00:11:02,896 looked confident in his second chance on stage one. 309 00:11:02,929 --> 00:11:05,799 - Nice. He made that look easy. 310 00:11:05,832 --> 00:11:07,367 - But when he got to the Dipping Birds... 311 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,136 - No! - Oh, no! 312 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:11,805 - History repeated itself, 313 00:11:11,838 --> 00:11:14,541 ending a breakout season for the Iowan. 314 00:11:14,574 --> 00:11:15,608 * * 315 00:11:15,642 --> 00:11:17,610 There are horses for courses, 316 00:11:17,644 --> 00:11:19,346 and the Stallion, Mike Silenzi, 317 00:11:19,379 --> 00:11:21,181 had the ponies running wild 318 00:11:21,214 --> 00:11:23,249 at the start line and the sidelines. 319 00:11:23,283 --> 00:11:25,919 - Oh, this is amazing. Mike Silenzi. 320 00:11:25,952 --> 00:11:27,620 - The eight-time ninja veteran from Chicago 321 00:11:27,654 --> 00:11:29,255 is having another stellar season. 322 00:11:29,289 --> 00:11:31,725 - All right, here we go. Hold your horses. Nice. 323 00:11:31,758 --> 00:11:33,860 - And he galloped all the way to the Dipping Birds 324 00:11:33,893 --> 00:11:35,195 before a slight stumble. 325 00:11:35,228 --> 00:11:37,997 - Whoa! Giddy up, horse. 326 00:11:38,098 --> 00:11:39,766 And he got up. 327 00:11:39,799 --> 00:11:41,601 - The 35-year-old swung his way 328 00:11:41,634 --> 00:11:43,336 to his third buzzer of the season. 329 00:11:43,370 --> 00:11:46,106 We'll see him later on stage two. 330 00:11:46,106 --> 00:11:48,108 [cheers and applause] 331 00:11:48,141 --> 00:11:50,010 Then it was the Stallion's buddy, 332 00:11:50,110 --> 00:11:54,147 the Swan, Ethan Swanson, who had his own flock of fans. 333 00:11:54,180 --> 00:11:55,648 - Come on, Swan! 334 00:11:55,682 --> 00:11:58,551 - The 31-year-old has never fallen on stage one 335 00:11:58,585 --> 00:12:00,587 in his three previous attempts. 336 00:12:00,620 --> 00:12:02,222 - Yeah, and he's flying through this course. 337 00:12:02,255 --> 00:12:03,456 Look at the time. 338 00:12:03,490 --> 00:12:04,691 - And the nine-time veteran showed 339 00:12:04,724 --> 00:12:06,493 he's still got some moves. 340 00:12:06,526 --> 00:12:09,062 - Great execution there by Ethan Swanson. 341 00:12:09,095 --> 00:12:11,131 - Even though he had plenty of time on the clock, 342 00:12:11,164 --> 00:12:13,600 he still went for the High Road. 343 00:12:13,633 --> 00:12:15,635 - He wants the easy ride in. 344 00:12:15,669 --> 00:12:17,637 Yeah! [cheers and applause] 345 00:12:17,671 --> 00:12:19,072 - Go, Swan! 346 00:12:19,072 --> 00:12:20,407 - Which helped him fly 347 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:23,143 to the fastest finish on stage one so far. 348 00:12:23,176 --> 00:12:25,912 - [yells] 349 00:12:25,945 --> 00:12:27,847 - And we've got another run under way. 350 00:12:27,881 --> 00:12:30,517 This is the final woman to take on stage one, 351 00:12:30,550 --> 00:12:32,152 Abby Clark. 352 00:12:32,185 --> 00:12:35,088 We haven't had any woman hit a stage one buzzer this year. 353 00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:37,424 Can Abby be the one to break through? 354 00:12:37,457 --> 00:12:39,325 - Way to really throw her body into it. 355 00:12:39,359 --> 00:12:40,760 Now to carry the bar over. 356 00:12:40,794 --> 00:12:44,164 Oh, man, handled that impact well. 357 00:12:44,197 --> 00:12:45,832 [cheers and applause] 358 00:12:45,865 --> 00:12:47,133 - And she's got it. 359 00:12:47,167 --> 00:12:49,502 Abby's dad and her boyfriend Joe Capo 360 00:12:49,536 --> 00:12:51,104 are cheering her on tonight, 361 00:12:51,104 --> 00:12:52,539 as well as fellow Jersey girl 362 00:12:52,572 --> 00:12:54,808 training partner, Rachel Degutz. 363 00:12:54,841 --> 00:12:56,309 Now facing the Jumping Spider. 364 00:12:56,343 --> 00:12:59,012 And at 5'3", this could be a challenge. 365 00:12:59,112 --> 00:13:01,414 - 5'3", Matt, it can be pretty challenging, 366 00:13:01,448 --> 00:13:03,383 but it is doable. 367 00:13:03,416 --> 00:13:05,485 Dear Abby's gonna write about this one. 368 00:13:05,518 --> 00:13:06,820 Write it, write it. 369 00:13:06,853 --> 00:13:08,154 Nice. - Oh, my! 370 00:13:08,188 --> 00:13:09,956 - She had to lean forward, 371 00:13:10,056 --> 00:13:12,726 but had the core strength to control herself. 372 00:13:12,759 --> 00:13:13,760 I see you, Abby! 373 00:13:13,793 --> 00:13:15,695 - Almost flipped right through it. 374 00:13:15,729 --> 00:13:16,863 But she's hanging on, 375 00:13:16,896 --> 00:13:18,832 having a little trouble getting traction. 376 00:13:18,865 --> 00:13:20,066 - But she wants it badly. 377 00:13:20,066 --> 00:13:21,301 She wants it badly. 378 00:13:21,334 --> 00:13:23,303 [cheers and applause] 379 00:13:23,336 --> 00:13:25,138 - And she's getting closer to the Warped Wall, 380 00:13:25,171 --> 00:13:27,674 which has been her Achilles heel the last couple of years, 381 00:13:27,707 --> 00:13:30,110 after clearing it back in Season 10. 382 00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:32,779 And unable to get up the wall the previous three times 383 00:13:32,812 --> 00:13:35,782 she's faced it, but right now, facing Tetherball. 384 00:13:35,815 --> 00:13:37,417 Only got a minute left, 385 00:13:37,450 --> 00:13:39,119 she would really have to hustle to have a shot 386 00:13:39,152 --> 00:13:40,553 at finishing the course. 387 00:13:40,587 --> 00:13:43,523 But you know Abby wants that Warped Wall. 388 00:13:43,556 --> 00:13:45,825 She gets emotional just talking about. 389 00:13:45,859 --> 00:13:46,826 - I know I can do it. 390 00:13:46,860 --> 00:13:48,628 And I've seen myself doing it. 391 00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:50,363 I visualize myself doing it. 392 00:13:50,397 --> 00:13:52,799 And I just--I just wanna get to that wall. 393 00:13:52,832 --> 00:13:54,100 [chuckles] 394 00:13:54,134 --> 00:13:55,669 - And you can see, using that lower body, 395 00:13:55,702 --> 00:13:57,203 trying to control the momentum. 396 00:13:57,237 --> 00:14:00,707 Make sure your oval will take you to that landing platform. 397 00:14:00,740 --> 00:14:02,042 - Get on it right there. Get on it. 398 00:14:02,075 --> 00:14:03,443 - Good job. - Nice. 399 00:14:03,476 --> 00:14:05,478 [cheers and applause] 400 00:14:05,512 --> 00:14:07,047 Probably not enough time to finish. 401 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,216 But if she can get up the wall, that would be a huge victory. 402 00:14:10,250 --> 00:14:13,920 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 403 00:14:13,953 --> 00:14:15,288 Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 404 00:14:15,321 --> 00:14:17,590 - It's a shorter run up to the wall in Vegas. 405 00:14:17,624 --> 00:14:19,059 She's gonna make sure she's ready. 406 00:14:19,092 --> 00:14:21,594 all: Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 407 00:14:21,628 --> 00:14:24,064 - Come on, girl. Go, go, go, go, go, go! 408 00:14:24,097 --> 00:14:25,765 both: Oh! 409 00:14:25,799 --> 00:14:29,569 - The Warped Wall nightmare continues for Abby Clark. 410 00:14:29,602 --> 00:14:30,870 [countdown clock buzzing] - Come on. 411 00:14:30,904 --> 00:14:32,906 - She's got time for one more shot. 412 00:14:32,939 --> 00:14:35,342 [cheers and applause] 413 00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:37,110 And she did it! 414 00:14:37,143 --> 00:14:38,378 - That's a victory! 415 00:14:38,411 --> 00:14:39,479 I like it, Matt! 416 00:14:39,512 --> 00:14:42,148 [cheers and applause] 417 00:14:42,182 --> 00:14:43,616 [dramatic music] 418 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:46,953 - Ran out of time, but never ran out of courage. 419 00:14:46,986 --> 00:14:48,722 Abby Clark kept fighting the whole way. 420 00:14:48,755 --> 00:14:52,258 - Abby Clark has got a lot to be proud of. 421 00:14:52,292 --> 00:14:54,728 - Finally! 422 00:14:54,761 --> 00:14:57,330 - At just 5'3", the former gymnast 423 00:14:57,364 --> 00:14:59,566 stuck the landing on the Jumping Spider. 424 00:14:59,599 --> 00:15:03,169 And then at the last second, she got what she wanted. 425 00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:05,372 She conquered the Warped Wall. 426 00:15:05,405 --> 00:15:06,573 Didn't get a buzzer, 427 00:15:06,606 --> 00:15:09,476 but a great run for Abby Clark. 428 00:15:09,509 --> 00:15:10,710 [cheers and applause] 429 00:15:10,744 --> 00:15:12,379 - Well, our final runner on stage one 430 00:15:12,412 --> 00:15:14,381 is also looking for redemption. 431 00:15:14,414 --> 00:15:17,784 It's crowd favorite, Gnarly Nate Hansen. 432 00:15:17,817 --> 00:15:19,252 He's pointing to the patch on his shorts 433 00:15:19,285 --> 00:15:21,388 where his Safety Pass used to be. 434 00:15:21,421 --> 00:15:23,957 He had to use it when he fell last week. 435 00:15:24,057 --> 00:15:26,860 He's 5'2", so he needed a perfect bounce 436 00:15:26,893 --> 00:15:28,795 to stick his landing in the Jumping Spider. 437 00:15:28,828 --> 00:15:30,296 - Oh, no! - And it didn't happen. 438 00:15:30,330 --> 00:15:33,233 But his Safety Pass gives him another run tonight. 439 00:15:33,266 --> 00:15:35,835 Nate earned that Safety Pass by beating his roommate, 440 00:15:35,869 --> 00:15:37,704 Austin Gray, on the Power Tower. 441 00:15:37,737 --> 00:15:40,807 Austin's on the sideline, along with Nate's family. 442 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:42,142 all: Gnarly Nate! Gnarly Nate! 443 00:15:42,175 --> 00:15:43,710 - And you can hear the Gnarly Nate chant. 444 00:15:43,743 --> 00:15:47,347 This 5'2" underdog wins over more fans with every run. 445 00:15:47,380 --> 00:15:50,183 [countdown clock beeping] 446 00:15:50,216 --> 00:15:52,686 And it's actually two years in a row he's fallen 447 00:15:52,719 --> 00:15:53,987 on the Jumping Spider. 448 00:15:54,087 --> 00:15:55,622 That's gotta be in his head. 449 00:15:55,655 --> 00:15:57,891 Let's see if he can get back there and get that revenge. 450 00:15:57,924 --> 00:15:59,793 - Well, he is having maybe the best 451 00:15:59,826 --> 00:16:01,695 season of any ninja this year. 452 00:16:01,728 --> 00:16:03,763 Had the fastest finish in qualifying, 453 00:16:03,797 --> 00:16:06,032 the second-fastest in the semifinals, 454 00:16:06,032 --> 00:16:08,601 and then won his race on the Power Tower. 455 00:16:08,635 --> 00:16:09,903 - I don't know that anybody 456 00:16:09,936 --> 00:16:11,905 has been working harder than Nate Hansen. 457 00:16:11,938 --> 00:16:14,474 This guy is so gnarly in his preparation. 458 00:16:14,507 --> 00:16:17,711 - Well, Matt, I think we do know one thing about this kid. 459 00:16:17,744 --> 00:16:19,279 He is very resilient. 460 00:16:19,312 --> 00:16:22,449 At 21 years old, 5'2", 135 pounds, 461 00:16:22,482 --> 00:16:24,718 the Gnarly Ninja has overcome so much. 462 00:16:24,751 --> 00:16:26,052 Now let's see if 463 00:16:26,052 --> 00:16:28,121 he can finally get through the Jumping Spider. 464 00:16:28,154 --> 00:16:29,289 - Just needs that dismount. 465 00:16:29,322 --> 00:16:32,592 And here we go, a chance for revenge. 466 00:16:32,625 --> 00:16:34,060 Bitten by this twice. 467 00:16:34,094 --> 00:16:36,496 - Matt, you go ahead and do it. I'm not a gambling man. 468 00:16:36,529 --> 00:16:39,532 But I'm putting my money on betting on Gnarly Nate. 469 00:16:39,566 --> 00:16:41,768 - Needs a big jump here-- just 5'2." 470 00:16:41,801 --> 00:16:43,236 - Get it, dog, get it. - Yes. 471 00:16:43,269 --> 00:16:44,404 - Put my money on him. 472 00:16:44,437 --> 00:16:45,872 I put my money on him! 473 00:16:45,905 --> 00:16:47,674 - And his confidence just skyrocketed. 474 00:16:47,707 --> 00:16:49,342 - I like it! 475 00:16:49,376 --> 00:16:50,710 [cheers and applause] 476 00:16:50,744 --> 00:16:53,813 - That Safety Pass was so worth it. 477 00:16:55,081 --> 00:16:56,149 But now you've gotta finish it. 478 00:16:56,182 --> 00:16:57,283 - Yes! - He's pumped. 479 00:16:57,317 --> 00:17:00,620 - Okay, Nate! Okay, Nate dog! 480 00:17:00,653 --> 00:17:01,821 - Do not relax. 481 00:17:01,855 --> 00:17:04,024 Don't take your foot off the accelerator. 482 00:17:04,057 --> 00:17:05,525 - Now he's gotta go. 483 00:17:05,558 --> 00:17:07,060 [cheers and applause] - Go, Nate! 484 00:17:07,093 --> 00:17:10,030 - Let's go! - Come on, Nate! 485 00:17:10,030 --> 00:17:12,632 - This new obstacle Tetherball has ended the seasons 486 00:17:12,665 --> 00:17:15,035 of many good ninjas here on stage one, 487 00:17:15,035 --> 00:17:18,038 most notably Nate's training partner Austin Gray, 488 00:17:18,071 --> 00:17:20,640 who's hoping his friend doesn't make the same mistake he did. 489 00:17:21,908 --> 00:17:23,443 - Here we go. - Get that dismount. 490 00:17:23,476 --> 00:17:24,811 - I see the location. Drop-off right here! 491 00:17:24,844 --> 00:17:25,812 Oh! Come on! 492 00:17:25,845 --> 00:17:27,147 - Oh, extra swing. 493 00:17:27,180 --> 00:17:29,049 - All right, here we go. Come on. 494 00:17:29,049 --> 00:17:30,684 Drop it like it's a package. - Oh, no. 495 00:17:30,717 --> 00:17:31,885 - Oh, my goodness. 496 00:17:31,918 --> 00:17:33,219 Oh, boy. 497 00:17:33,253 --> 00:17:36,089 - And Austin Gray's got to be just shaking his head. 498 00:17:36,122 --> 00:17:37,524 There we go! [cheers and applause] 499 00:17:37,557 --> 00:17:40,193 - Okay, he's got enough time, but he's gotta hustle. 500 00:17:40,226 --> 00:17:41,327 Get outta there! 501 00:17:41,361 --> 00:17:42,595 - Gotta get going. 502 00:17:42,629 --> 00:17:44,364 He's gonna need the High Road, Akbar. 503 00:17:44,397 --> 00:17:45,632 There's no two ways about it. 504 00:17:45,665 --> 00:17:46,733 - Oh, he's wasting too much time. 505 00:17:46,766 --> 00:17:48,168 He's gotta go. 506 00:17:48,201 --> 00:17:49,769 [cheers and applause] 507 00:17:49,803 --> 00:17:50,937 He skipped it. 508 00:17:50,970 --> 00:17:53,073 He skipped the High Road. 509 00:17:53,073 --> 00:17:54,641 - He's putting so much pressure on himself. 510 00:17:54,674 --> 00:17:58,678 At 5'2", he may be worried about the Dipping Birds. 511 00:17:58,712 --> 00:18:00,714 - Oh! - Okay, he's gotta go. 512 00:18:00,747 --> 00:18:02,749 [cheers and applause] 513 00:18:02,782 --> 00:18:06,653 - Gotta be perfect. - He's gotta fly! 514 00:18:06,686 --> 00:18:08,188 Matt, it's one swing and go. 515 00:18:08,221 --> 00:18:10,090 And get out of there. 516 00:18:10,123 --> 00:18:11,191 Oh, no. 517 00:18:11,224 --> 00:18:14,527 - And this is a nightmare for Nate Hansen. 518 00:18:14,561 --> 00:18:15,862 Nice. 519 00:18:15,895 --> 00:18:18,164 He's got to get on that net in about 14 seconds. 520 00:18:18,198 --> 00:18:20,166 - Get up! Launch up high! 521 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,168 It's gonna be a race! [cheers and applause] 522 00:18:22,202 --> 00:18:24,671 - He's gotta race up there! - Oh, my goodness! 523 00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:25,905 - I'm not sure! [countdown clock beeping] 524 00:18:25,939 --> 00:18:28,641 - Never doubted him for a second! 525 00:18:28,675 --> 00:18:31,044 [countdown clock buzzing] Come on! I bet on you! 526 00:18:31,044 --> 00:18:33,213 - Nate does it with two seconds left! 527 00:18:33,246 --> 00:18:34,280 - Yes! [cheers and applause] 528 00:18:34,314 --> 00:18:36,282 - Three left, baby! 529 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:37,917 - Three buzzers to go! 530 00:18:37,951 --> 00:18:39,419 - Oh, boy! 531 00:18:39,452 --> 00:18:41,421 [upbeat dramatic music] 532 00:18:41,454 --> 00:18:42,922 * * 533 00:18:42,956 --> 00:18:47,794 all: Gnarly Nate! Gnarly Nate! Gnarly Nate! Gnarly Nate! 534 00:18:47,827 --> 00:18:50,597 Gnarly Nate! - Let's go! 535 00:18:50,630 --> 00:18:53,333 - Man, I'm sorry I doubted him. 536 00:18:53,366 --> 00:18:54,668 [upbeat music] 537 00:18:54,701 --> 00:18:56,736 Gnarly Nate. And that could've been 538 00:18:56,770 --> 00:18:58,972 a million-dollar Safety Pass 539 00:18:59,072 --> 00:19:00,573 right there. - Wow. 540 00:19:00,607 --> 00:19:03,109 [buzzer blares] [cheers and applause] 541 00:19:03,143 --> 00:19:05,879 - So let's look at all those moving on to stage two, 542 00:19:05,912 --> 00:19:07,747 including those ninjas whose runs 543 00:19:07,781 --> 00:19:09,482 we weren't able to show you. 544 00:19:09,516 --> 00:19:11,851 There were three rookies in the top five, 545 00:19:11,885 --> 00:19:14,754 including the 16-year-old James Sannella. 546 00:19:14,788 --> 00:19:16,256 - Yeah! 547 00:19:16,289 --> 00:19:18,425 - And 18-year-old Jeramiah Boyd. 548 00:19:18,458 --> 00:19:19,793 - Wow, okay. 549 00:19:19,826 --> 00:19:22,162 - Jay Lewis, who still has his Safety Pass, 550 00:19:22,195 --> 00:19:24,030 rounded out the top ten. 551 00:19:24,030 --> 00:19:27,033 A collection of rookies and veterans in the top 15, 552 00:19:27,033 --> 00:19:30,136 like Lucas Reale, Cam Baumgartner, 553 00:19:30,170 --> 00:19:33,239 and former ninja Junior Champ, Jackson Erdos. 554 00:19:33,273 --> 00:19:34,541 - Let's go! 555 00:19:34,574 --> 00:19:36,242 - Others heading to stage two include 556 00:19:36,276 --> 00:19:39,346 Massachusetts' 21-year-old Matt D'Amico. 557 00:19:39,379 --> 00:19:41,881 - Rookie year, and he's going to stage two. 558 00:19:41,915 --> 00:19:44,317 - And Jackson Twait's last-second buzzer 559 00:19:44,351 --> 00:19:46,619 rounds out the group of 25. 560 00:19:46,653 --> 00:19:48,421 So that wraps it up for stage one. 561 00:19:48,455 --> 00:19:51,157 Now it's time to head over there for stage two. 562 00:19:51,191 --> 00:19:54,294 - It's one step closer to the million dollars, 563 00:19:54,327 --> 00:19:56,296 but the course is even tougher. 564 00:19:56,329 --> 00:20:00,066 - And we'll see it next on "American Ninja Warrior." 565 00:20:04,237 --> 00:20:05,605 [cheers and applause] - Welcome back. 566 00:20:05,638 --> 00:20:07,807 We've now moved over to the stage two course, 567 00:20:07,841 --> 00:20:09,776 which has fewer obstacles than stage one, 568 00:20:09,809 --> 00:20:11,511 but it is much more difficult 569 00:20:11,544 --> 00:20:13,580 with mostly upper-body challenges. 570 00:20:13,613 --> 00:20:16,549 - Matt, only 25 ninjas are left. 571 00:20:16,583 --> 00:20:19,152 They've still got a shot at a million dollar prize. 572 00:20:19,185 --> 00:20:22,389 - For a preview of stage two, let's go down to Zuri. 573 00:20:22,422 --> 00:20:24,691 - Guys, stage two is so tough, 574 00:20:24,724 --> 00:20:27,727 some our best ninjas have never gotten past it. 575 00:20:27,761 --> 00:20:30,030 Take a look at what they're up against. 576 00:20:30,063 --> 00:20:32,465 It starts with the Striding Steps. 577 00:20:32,499 --> 00:20:35,635 Ninjas will swing right in to the Double Salmon Ladder. 578 00:20:35,669 --> 00:20:39,072 Then, it's one of the toughest obstacles from qualifying, 579 00:20:39,105 --> 00:20:41,041 Piston Plunge. 580 00:20:41,074 --> 00:20:43,209 Ninjas will have to survive the big swings 581 00:20:43,243 --> 00:20:45,512 on Hammer Drop at number four. 582 00:20:45,545 --> 00:20:48,948 Hornet's Nest is an even meaner version of the Beehive. 583 00:20:48,982 --> 00:20:51,518 Ninjas will have to lache across 584 00:20:51,551 --> 00:20:53,953 and grip inside the honeycomb. 585 00:20:53,987 --> 00:20:56,056 The course ends with the Falling Shelves 586 00:20:56,089 --> 00:20:58,425 and the blind grab that took out so many ninjas last year. 587 00:20:58,458 --> 00:21:01,361 - No! [air horn blares] 588 00:21:01,394 --> 00:21:03,730 - They'll have four minutes to complete the course. 589 00:21:03,763 --> 00:21:06,499 All right, guys, let's get it going on stage two. 590 00:21:06,533 --> 00:21:07,701 [cheers and applause] 591 00:21:07,734 --> 00:21:08,902 - Well, we're gonna kick it off 592 00:21:08,935 --> 00:21:11,304 with the Flamingo Kid, Owen Dyer, 593 00:21:11,338 --> 00:21:13,807 wearing his trademark flamingo hat. 594 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:16,209 This teenager is having an amazing year. 595 00:21:16,242 --> 00:21:18,211 He's got three buzzers already. 596 00:21:18,244 --> 00:21:20,246 He comes from Bentonville, Arkansas, 597 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:23,850 a town famous for one thing-- well, now maybe two. 598 00:21:25,218 --> 00:21:27,921 - Welcome to Bentonville, home of Walmart and me. 599 00:21:27,954 --> 00:21:29,222 [upbeat music] 600 00:21:29,255 --> 00:21:31,091 It's kind of a split between farm town, 601 00:21:31,091 --> 00:21:33,460 and there's also a lot of the city. 602 00:21:33,493 --> 00:21:36,096 The original Walmart is actually on the main street. 603 00:21:36,096 --> 00:21:38,598 That's where it was started by Sam Walton. 604 00:21:38,631 --> 00:21:40,867 So it brings people from all over the world, 605 00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:42,268 but it's still a small town. 606 00:21:43,103 --> 00:21:45,472 - Get up that wall! 607 00:21:45,505 --> 00:21:47,774 - There he goes. - Owen Dyer. 608 00:21:47,807 --> 00:21:49,409 [buzzer blares] - [yells] 609 00:21:49,442 --> 00:21:51,678 After my rookie year, I think I got everybody's attention. 610 00:21:51,711 --> 00:21:53,513 - What a moment for this kid 611 00:21:53,546 --> 00:21:55,615 and the folks back in Arkansas. 612 00:21:55,648 --> 00:21:58,952 Hey, tell me, what's making you so emotional? 613 00:21:58,985 --> 00:22:00,620 - [shakily] This is a dream come true. 614 00:22:00,653 --> 00:22:02,155 [sobs] 615 00:22:02,188 --> 00:22:04,157 - As a father, it's been a lot of fun watching the community 616 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:05,658 celebrating your child. 617 00:22:05,692 --> 00:22:07,127 [cheers and applause] 618 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:08,328 People are coming up 619 00:22:08,361 --> 00:22:09,729 and getting pictures and autographs. 620 00:22:09,763 --> 00:22:11,531 And when you see their dreams coming true, 621 00:22:11,564 --> 00:22:13,633 I mean, it's--it's amazing. 622 00:22:13,667 --> 00:22:14,968 - People are like, what in the world? 623 00:22:15,068 --> 00:22:16,302 We have a kid that's 624 00:22:16,336 --> 00:22:17,837 gonna be on "American Ninja Warrior"? 625 00:22:17,871 --> 00:22:21,307 So just before I came to Vegas, my local news crew came out 626 00:22:21,341 --> 00:22:22,709 and did a piece on me. 627 00:22:22,742 --> 00:22:23,810 - Here's a familiar face. 628 00:22:23,843 --> 00:22:24,978 We've got Owen Dyer back with us. 629 00:22:25,078 --> 00:22:26,413 Man, it's so great to see you. 630 00:22:26,446 --> 00:22:28,081 - Hey, it's so great to see you guys, too. 631 00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:30,083 Never even expected to have so much support. 632 00:22:30,083 --> 00:22:31,317 My town's starting to really get behind me. 633 00:22:31,351 --> 00:22:34,788 - 17 years old. What a great kid he is. 634 00:22:34,821 --> 00:22:36,556 - Still don't even believe it's real. 635 00:22:36,589 --> 00:22:37,657 I mean, I've pinched myself multiple times a day 636 00:22:37,691 --> 00:22:39,192 thinking this is a dream. 637 00:22:39,225 --> 00:22:40,527 [buzzer blares] 638 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:43,596 - Dreams come true for Owen Dyer. Wow. 639 00:22:43,630 --> 00:22:44,931 - People have said, 640 00:22:44,964 --> 00:22:46,199 "You're a great role model for my kids." 641 00:22:46,232 --> 00:22:47,567 Hopefully we'll see a lot more young ninjas 642 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:48,702 coming up and trying it out. 643 00:22:48,735 --> 00:22:51,905 * * 644 00:22:51,938 --> 00:22:53,540 [applause] 645 00:22:53,573 --> 00:22:55,709 - He's got a bunch of folks watching back in Bentonville, 646 00:22:55,742 --> 00:22:57,510 including his family. 647 00:22:57,544 --> 00:22:58,578 - Let's go, Owen! 648 00:22:58,611 --> 00:23:00,113 - And his dad's on the sideline 649 00:23:00,146 --> 00:23:01,848 with some of the other teenage competitors. 650 00:23:01,881 --> 00:23:02,849 - Come on, Owen. 651 00:23:02,882 --> 00:23:04,351 - I can do this. 652 00:23:04,384 --> 00:23:06,286 - You heard that. He says he can do this. 653 00:23:06,319 --> 00:23:08,955 I love that attitude. As a man thinketh, so is he. 654 00:23:09,055 --> 00:23:11,458 - A four-minute time limit on stage two. 655 00:23:11,491 --> 00:23:12,859 - You got it, dude. [countdown clock beeping] 656 00:23:12,892 --> 00:23:14,394 - Come on, Owen! 657 00:23:14,427 --> 00:23:16,363 - First up, the Striding Steps, 658 00:23:16,396 --> 00:23:18,832 the only balance obstacle on stage two. 659 00:23:18,865 --> 00:23:20,233 - Nice. 660 00:23:20,266 --> 00:23:21,801 - Rolls right into the Double Salmon Ladder. 661 00:23:21,835 --> 00:23:25,071 Gotta hop it up, then jump to the other side. 662 00:23:25,071 --> 00:23:28,208 - Be careful. That's opened at the top. 663 00:23:28,241 --> 00:23:31,444 - And just locked in. Very effortless at Owen Dyer. 664 00:23:31,478 --> 00:23:33,446 - Yeah, come on, Owen. 665 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:34,881 - Up next is Piston Plunge, 666 00:23:34,914 --> 00:23:37,484 a very tough obstacle back in qualifying. 667 00:23:37,517 --> 00:23:40,286 - That's right, took out 60% of the ninjas who tried it. 668 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:41,654 - Gotta lache here. 669 00:23:41,688 --> 00:23:43,757 - It's all about hand placement here as well. 670 00:23:43,790 --> 00:23:45,492 Nice. [cheers and applause] 671 00:23:45,525 --> 00:23:48,228 - Each piston moves in tandem and drops when you grab it. 672 00:23:48,261 --> 00:23:51,097 - The stage one was all about the agility, 673 00:23:51,097 --> 00:23:52,799 stage two, upper body. 674 00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:54,334 - And another one here onto the steering wheel, 675 00:23:54,367 --> 00:23:56,002 a drop on the bungee. 676 00:23:56,102 --> 00:23:57,804 - Ooh. - You got it, Owen. 677 00:23:57,837 --> 00:23:59,539 - It's all you, Owen. - It's all you, Owen, all you. 678 00:23:59,572 --> 00:24:01,875 - And he's through. [cheers and applause] 679 00:24:01,908 --> 00:24:03,276 - You got it, dude. - Come on, Owen. 680 00:24:03,309 --> 00:24:05,845 - Now heads over to take on Hammer Drop. 681 00:24:05,879 --> 00:24:07,580 Got to jump on the big cylinder 682 00:24:07,614 --> 00:24:09,516 and hang on with arms and legs. 683 00:24:09,549 --> 00:24:11,051 - You have four points of contact, 684 00:24:11,084 --> 00:24:12,352 all points of contact. 685 00:24:12,385 --> 00:24:14,821 - This is the scary one right here. 686 00:24:14,854 --> 00:24:16,523 - Dad says this is the scary one. 687 00:24:16,556 --> 00:24:18,191 And he's right. 688 00:24:18,224 --> 00:24:20,527 They don't sell this at Walmart. 689 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:22,095 - But he's not home free. 690 00:24:22,128 --> 00:24:24,130 Now has to work his way around, 691 00:24:24,164 --> 00:24:26,433 climb his way to the top of the cylinder. 692 00:24:26,466 --> 00:24:28,201 He'll get a couple extra swings here, 693 00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:30,303 try to figure out how to get on top of the hammer. 694 00:24:30,337 --> 00:24:32,839 - And, Matt, you can feed the advantage of being 5'10" 695 00:24:32,872 --> 00:24:34,808 and having the long arm reach. 696 00:24:34,841 --> 00:24:36,676 He's got his arms all the way around, 697 00:24:36,710 --> 00:24:38,078 being able to get both handles. 698 00:24:38,078 --> 00:24:39,713 - And he's celebrating a little bit, 699 00:24:39,746 --> 00:24:41,781 and I think he's glad that's over with. 700 00:24:41,815 --> 00:24:43,216 - Oh, yeah. 701 00:24:43,249 --> 00:24:44,684 - But now comes another part of this obstacle-- 702 00:24:44,718 --> 00:24:48,121 has to stand up and then jump out to catch the rope. 703 00:24:48,154 --> 00:24:49,723 - You've got it. - All you got. 704 00:24:49,756 --> 00:24:50,990 - Two feet and jump. - Come on, Owen. 705 00:24:51,091 --> 00:24:53,326 - Good jump. - 140 pounds. 706 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:54,494 - When he tries to jump, 707 00:24:54,527 --> 00:24:55,595 it's gonna move that hammer. 708 00:24:55,628 --> 00:24:57,230 But he got it. 709 00:24:57,263 --> 00:25:00,266 Does a great job of getting on the high part of that rope. 710 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:01,534 - We only had four ninjas 711 00:25:01,568 --> 00:25:03,336 make it through stage two last year, 712 00:25:03,370 --> 00:25:06,673 but Owen Dyer is now just two obstacles away 713 00:25:06,706 --> 00:25:08,675 and he is showing how it's done. 714 00:25:08,708 --> 00:25:10,243 - Let's go. - Whoo! 715 00:25:10,276 --> 00:25:12,645 - They're starting to get excited back in Bentonville. 716 00:25:12,679 --> 00:25:14,147 - And there it is. Look at the smile. 717 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:15,849 - That was a little bit of a nervous smile, though. 718 00:25:15,882 --> 00:25:17,417 Oh, boy. 719 00:25:17,450 --> 00:25:18,918 - Well, that's because this next one is intimidating. 720 00:25:18,952 --> 00:25:21,888 It's the Hornet's Nest, a super-sized version 721 00:25:21,921 --> 00:25:24,824 of the Beehive obstacle we had a few years ago. 722 00:25:24,858 --> 00:25:27,260 - This Hornet's Nest will sting you. 723 00:25:27,293 --> 00:25:30,663 - Has to swing over and land inside the honeycombs. 724 00:25:30,697 --> 00:25:32,499 - Ooh! - Nice move. 725 00:25:32,532 --> 00:25:34,401 - Hanged into it. Good catch. 726 00:25:34,434 --> 00:25:36,870 Has to climb up and reach over to the third one. 727 00:25:36,903 --> 00:25:38,938 - And he said it at the start. I can do it. 728 00:25:38,972 --> 00:25:40,507 If you think you can, you will. 729 00:25:40,540 --> 00:25:41,841 - You've got it. 730 00:25:41,875 --> 00:25:43,710 - You have to understand, at 140 pounds, 731 00:25:43,743 --> 00:25:46,880 throwing too much force into it can throw you off. 732 00:25:46,913 --> 00:25:49,349 - And using that long frame. - Control. 733 00:25:49,382 --> 00:25:50,784 Nice. - Wow! 734 00:25:50,817 --> 00:25:52,485 - He could have caught that with his teeth. [chuckles] 735 00:25:52,519 --> 00:25:54,087 - He's getting close. 736 00:25:54,087 --> 00:25:55,588 One more honeycomb to go. 737 00:25:55,622 --> 00:25:57,257 - I love the airtime that he had, 738 00:25:57,290 --> 00:25:59,726 giving himself the time to find that grab. 739 00:25:59,759 --> 00:26:01,027 Perfect. [cheers and applause] 740 00:26:01,027 --> 00:26:02,662 - Just needs to get off this final one. 741 00:26:02,696 --> 00:26:06,332 But you can see it in his face. He is struggling. 742 00:26:06,366 --> 00:26:08,034 - Get out of there, Owen! 743 00:26:08,068 --> 00:26:09,602 - Let's go. - There you go. 744 00:26:09,636 --> 00:26:11,404 - Oh, no! [air horn blares] 745 00:26:11,438 --> 00:26:13,707 [all groan] - Whoa. 746 00:26:13,740 --> 00:26:15,575 - Not the ending he wanted, 747 00:26:15,608 --> 00:26:18,378 but Owen Dyer can head back to Bentonville 748 00:26:18,411 --> 00:26:20,480 with his flamingo head held high. 749 00:26:20,513 --> 00:26:23,116 - Hey, great season, son! - Let's go, Owen. 750 00:26:23,149 --> 00:26:24,718 [cheers and applause] 751 00:26:24,751 --> 00:26:27,520 - He was looking good till he got to the last honeycomb. 752 00:26:27,554 --> 00:26:30,056 As he wound up for that big dismount, 753 00:26:30,056 --> 00:26:32,158 his left hand just slipped right off, 754 00:26:32,192 --> 00:26:35,395 and he does a big spin right into the water. 755 00:26:35,428 --> 00:26:36,563 [cheers and applause] 756 00:26:36,596 --> 00:26:38,164 - I cannot believe I made it this far. 757 00:26:38,198 --> 00:26:39,566 I'm so proud of how my season went. 758 00:26:39,599 --> 00:26:41,334 A major improvement from last, 759 00:26:41,368 --> 00:26:43,703 and I pray I can come back and do it again next season. 760 00:26:43,737 --> 00:26:46,773 [dramatic music] 761 00:26:51,711 --> 00:26:54,781 - Welcome back to night two of the National Finals. 762 00:26:54,814 --> 00:26:57,517 We've got one of Vegas's legendary acts, 763 00:26:57,550 --> 00:26:58,952 the Blue Man Group, 764 00:26:58,985 --> 00:27:01,321 keeping the party going on stage two. 765 00:27:01,354 --> 00:27:04,424 - It's a blue-tiful night here in Vegas. 766 00:27:04,457 --> 00:27:07,694 - Moments ago, the Classy ninja, Donovan Metoyer 767 00:27:07,727 --> 00:27:09,796 took the stage dressed for success 768 00:27:09,829 --> 00:27:11,731 and ready for redemption. 769 00:27:11,765 --> 00:27:14,300 Last year on stage two, the seven-time veteran 770 00:27:14,334 --> 00:27:16,369 who always wears a suit when he runs 771 00:27:16,403 --> 00:27:18,338 went out on the very first obstacle. 772 00:27:18,371 --> 00:27:20,440 - Oh! 773 00:27:20,473 --> 00:27:22,542 He missed the rope. 774 00:27:22,575 --> 00:27:24,811 - Tonight, the rope on the Striding Steps 775 00:27:24,844 --> 00:27:26,179 wasn't a problem. 776 00:27:26,212 --> 00:27:27,614 - Got it. Nice. 777 00:27:27,647 --> 00:27:29,049 - Yes, yes! 778 00:27:29,082 --> 00:27:31,685 - And he went on to clear the second obstacle, 779 00:27:31,718 --> 00:27:34,054 the third, and part of the fourth. 780 00:27:34,087 --> 00:27:35,455 - Nice. 781 00:27:35,488 --> 00:27:37,390 - But once again, he was done in by a rope. 782 00:27:37,424 --> 00:27:39,059 - Get up high on that rope. 783 00:27:39,059 --> 00:27:40,460 Oh! 784 00:27:40,493 --> 00:27:42,829 - This time on the Hammer Drop. 785 00:27:42,862 --> 00:27:43,897 - Oh. 786 00:27:45,799 --> 00:27:47,434 [cheers and applause] 787 00:27:47,467 --> 00:27:50,103 - Our next athlete's story is brought to you by NerdWallet, 788 00:27:50,136 --> 00:27:54,274 the smartest decision for all your financial decisions. 789 00:27:54,307 --> 00:27:56,076 This is Tyler Yamauchi. 790 00:27:56,109 --> 00:27:57,577 He's our oldest athlete 791 00:27:57,610 --> 00:27:59,412 to make it to stage two this year. 792 00:27:59,446 --> 00:28:02,048 He actually turned 37 last night. 793 00:28:02,082 --> 00:28:05,051 And the former gymnast showing he's still got it. 794 00:28:05,085 --> 00:28:08,221 Only 5'1", but his nickname is Muscle Ball. 795 00:28:08,254 --> 00:28:10,757 That's what it says in Japanese on his shirt. 796 00:28:10,790 --> 00:28:12,525 Tyler's Japanese American. 797 00:28:12,559 --> 00:28:14,227 There are his parents on the sideline. 798 00:28:14,260 --> 00:28:16,730 And in the last few years, this father of three 799 00:28:16,763 --> 00:28:19,165 has really started embracing his roots. 800 00:28:20,233 --> 00:28:23,536 [flute music] 801 00:28:23,570 --> 00:28:25,772 - As a kid, I grew up in Houston, Texas. 802 00:28:25,805 --> 00:28:29,676 And at that time, there was really no Japanese culture. 803 00:28:29,709 --> 00:28:33,179 * * 804 00:28:33,213 --> 00:28:35,615 I always knew that I wanted my kids 805 00:28:35,648 --> 00:28:37,450 to have a little more culture. 806 00:28:37,484 --> 00:28:40,353 In Chicago, because there's more Japanese people, 807 00:28:40,387 --> 00:28:43,523 we have plenty of Japanese gardens. 808 00:28:43,556 --> 00:28:46,092 Original teahouse, 1910. 809 00:28:46,126 --> 00:28:47,827 Pretty cool, huh? 810 00:28:47,861 --> 00:28:49,462 We go to festivals. 811 00:28:49,496 --> 00:28:54,067 We even do the Shishimai, which is a cultural lion dance. 812 00:28:54,067 --> 00:28:57,070 [dramatic music] 813 00:28:57,070 --> 00:28:59,439 * * 814 00:28:59,472 --> 00:29:02,509 The Shishimai I do originates from Okinawa, Japan. 815 00:29:02,542 --> 00:29:05,178 And it's used to, like, scare off demons. 816 00:29:05,211 --> 00:29:06,613 [dramatic percussive music] 817 00:29:06,646 --> 00:29:08,014 - [speaking Japanese] 818 00:29:08,014 --> 00:29:10,016 - My kids love the Shishimai. 819 00:29:10,016 --> 00:29:12,652 They love anything that's Japanese. 820 00:29:12,686 --> 00:29:15,221 And my daughters can speak Japanese. 821 00:29:15,255 --> 00:29:18,091 So how do you say "within the mountain"? 822 00:29:18,124 --> 00:29:19,859 - [speaking Japanese] 823 00:29:19,893 --> 00:29:22,462 [all speaking Japanese] 824 00:29:22,495 --> 00:29:25,065 - So it basically took me to be a grown family man 825 00:29:25,098 --> 00:29:26,700 for me to go back to my roots. 826 00:29:26,733 --> 00:29:28,768 This'll be my third year at stage two. 827 00:29:28,802 --> 00:29:30,070 Never beaten it. 828 00:29:30,103 --> 00:29:31,671 Hopefully at the end, my kids will be saying, 829 00:29:31,705 --> 00:29:32,839 "Yatta!" 830 00:29:32,872 --> 00:29:34,140 Which means, "Yay, you did it." 831 00:29:34,174 --> 00:29:35,575 [gong rings] 832 00:29:35,608 --> 00:29:37,944 [koto plays arpeggio] 833 00:29:38,044 --> 00:29:40,347 - And there, his wife and kids watching 834 00:29:40,380 --> 00:29:42,482 back in the Chicago area. 835 00:29:42,515 --> 00:29:45,218 [countdown clock beeping] 836 00:29:45,251 --> 00:29:47,320 - He was right here on stage two last year 837 00:29:47,354 --> 00:29:48,855 and fell on Hammer Drop. 838 00:29:48,888 --> 00:29:51,124 That's gonna be another tough one for him tonight. 839 00:29:51,157 --> 00:29:53,660 - So strong and powerful for his size. 840 00:29:53,693 --> 00:29:55,962 Four-time All-American in gymnastics 841 00:29:56,062 --> 00:29:57,731 at the University of Illinois. 842 00:29:57,764 --> 00:30:00,300 - Nice. [cheers and applause] 843 00:30:00,333 --> 00:30:01,801 - Gets through Salmon Ladder quickly, 844 00:30:01,835 --> 00:30:03,770 and moves on to Piston Plunge. 845 00:30:03,803 --> 00:30:05,305 [cheers and applause] 846 00:30:05,338 --> 00:30:07,841 - I'll tell you what's so impressive about Yamauchi. 847 00:30:07,874 --> 00:30:10,343 He's a father of three and a physical therapist. 848 00:30:10,377 --> 00:30:13,079 Doesn't get to train as much as some of these younger guys, 849 00:30:13,113 --> 00:30:15,448 yet, he's right here on stage two. 850 00:30:15,482 --> 00:30:16,750 Boom. [cheers and applause] 851 00:30:16,783 --> 00:30:18,651 - Well, moving really efficiently. 852 00:30:18,685 --> 00:30:20,520 Yamauchi seems to have a new lease on life. 853 00:30:20,553 --> 00:30:22,022 - Yeah! One more, one more, one more! 854 00:30:22,055 --> 00:30:23,957 - Nice and easy. 855 00:30:23,990 --> 00:30:25,291 - Watch it here on this handle. 856 00:30:25,325 --> 00:30:27,460 A little drop with the bungee cord. 857 00:30:27,494 --> 00:30:29,763 - You've gotta anticipate that drop. 858 00:30:29,796 --> 00:30:32,165 Nice. - Great job. 859 00:30:32,198 --> 00:30:33,733 And he gets through. 860 00:30:33,767 --> 00:30:36,136 [cheers and applause] 861 00:30:36,169 --> 00:30:37,570 And now, it's the rematch. 862 00:30:37,604 --> 00:30:40,573 Back to Hammer Drop, where he fell last season. 863 00:30:40,607 --> 00:30:44,077 - Matt, he's got to bear hug the heck out of Hammer Drop, 864 00:30:44,110 --> 00:30:45,812 squeeze with not only his arms, 865 00:30:45,845 --> 00:30:47,681 but his legs as well. 866 00:30:47,714 --> 00:30:49,282 - Go, Tyler! 867 00:30:49,315 --> 00:30:52,585 - Here we go, the moment of truth for Tyler Yamauchi. 868 00:30:52,619 --> 00:30:53,953 - Stick on like Velcro! Velcro! 869 00:30:53,987 --> 00:30:55,555 - Oh, my! 870 00:30:55,588 --> 00:30:57,557 - And you can see that left hand isn't even on a handle. 871 00:30:57,590 --> 00:30:58,958 - It's not. 872 00:30:58,992 --> 00:31:00,493 - And he's really relying on the right one. 873 00:31:00,527 --> 00:31:01,795 - I don't even know how he did that. 874 00:31:01,828 --> 00:31:03,263 How did he do that? - That's amazing. 875 00:31:03,296 --> 00:31:04,364 - What? 876 00:31:04,397 --> 00:31:05,932 - That's some Velcro in there, 877 00:31:05,965 --> 00:31:08,301 some old-school stickum. 878 00:31:08,335 --> 00:31:10,303 Watch the leap to the rope here. 879 00:31:10,337 --> 00:31:11,304 - Nice. 880 00:31:11,338 --> 00:31:12,572 - Timed it well. 881 00:31:12,605 --> 00:31:15,075 Really was riding that hammer well. 882 00:31:15,108 --> 00:31:16,076 I like it. 883 00:31:16,109 --> 00:31:18,345 That's the advantage of age. 884 00:31:18,378 --> 00:31:19,946 Work smarter, not harder. 885 00:31:19,979 --> 00:31:22,849 Yamauchi doing just that. 886 00:31:22,882 --> 00:31:24,651 - Well, yeah, look at that grab again. 887 00:31:24,684 --> 00:31:27,821 He completely missed the handle with his left hand. 888 00:31:27,854 --> 00:31:29,522 He was just squeezing it. 889 00:31:29,556 --> 00:31:31,991 And he was totally relying on his right hand. 890 00:31:32,092 --> 00:31:34,260 I don't know how this brother held on. 891 00:31:34,294 --> 00:31:37,664 - But he's the shortest athlete to ever take on stage two, 892 00:31:37,697 --> 00:31:40,100 and he's getting closer to a buzzer. 893 00:31:40,100 --> 00:31:42,168 Just two obstacles left, but this one, 894 00:31:42,202 --> 00:31:44,738 Hornet's Nest, just looks so difficult. 895 00:31:44,771 --> 00:31:46,339 - Parallel throw here. - Nice. 896 00:31:46,373 --> 00:31:49,242 - Has to climb up and across to the third one. 897 00:31:49,275 --> 00:31:52,145 Once you're on this obstacle, those forearms get no rest. 898 00:31:52,178 --> 00:31:55,515 Very efficient, though, really moving well. 899 00:31:55,548 --> 00:31:58,585 - Yeah, now you've gotta throw yourself into it--nice. 900 00:31:58,618 --> 00:32:01,054 - Locked in, getting those honeycombs moved. 901 00:32:01,087 --> 00:32:03,056 He's really controlling with that lower body. 902 00:32:03,056 --> 00:32:05,125 - Yeah. Breathe through the pump, 903 00:32:05,158 --> 00:32:06,126 because you know at this point... 904 00:32:06,159 --> 00:32:08,294 - Wow! - He's feeling the pump. 905 00:32:08,328 --> 00:32:11,631 - Just needs one more big swing for the dismount. 906 00:32:11,664 --> 00:32:14,701 Yes! [cheers and applause] 907 00:32:16,169 --> 00:32:17,570 - [squeals] 908 00:32:17,604 --> 00:32:19,706 - His kid's gotta be saying, "Yatta!"right now. 909 00:32:19,739 --> 00:32:21,775 That's Japanese for "you did it." 910 00:32:21,808 --> 00:32:24,811 But now he's the first to face the Falling Shelves. 911 00:32:24,844 --> 00:32:27,847 And it's that blind grab that ended the run of so many 912 00:32:27,881 --> 00:32:30,717 on that fourth and final X. 913 00:32:30,750 --> 00:32:33,219 Ten ninjas reached this point last year. 914 00:32:33,253 --> 00:32:35,522 Only four survived. - He can taste it, Matt. 915 00:32:35,555 --> 00:32:38,091 So close. - Wow. And I love it. 916 00:32:38,124 --> 00:32:40,326 This is the gymnast, really able to fly. 917 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:42,295 Can he get the blind grab? 918 00:32:42,328 --> 00:32:44,130 - There's that blind grab, means you gotta 919 00:32:44,164 --> 00:32:45,899 take your hands and take 'em into reverse. 920 00:32:45,932 --> 00:32:47,534 Reverse! Oh! - No! 921 00:32:47,567 --> 00:32:49,669 [groaning] 922 00:32:49,703 --> 00:32:51,871 - Just couldn't get the purchase. 923 00:32:51,905 --> 00:32:55,975 The Muscle Ball foiled on the Falling Shelves. 924 00:32:56,009 --> 00:32:58,611 - The gymnast looked perfect on the early shelves, 925 00:32:58,645 --> 00:33:01,748 was landing softly, but for that last one, 926 00:33:01,781 --> 00:33:04,484 had to reach his hand to the backside of the shelf 927 00:33:04,517 --> 00:33:06,953 and just couldn't hang on with that right hand. 928 00:33:07,053 --> 00:33:09,189 Was so close. 929 00:33:09,222 --> 00:33:12,826 - Up next, ninja favorite Flip Rodriguez has already 930 00:33:12,859 --> 00:33:15,228 had a remarkable season. 931 00:33:15,261 --> 00:33:17,230 [cheers and applause] 932 00:33:17,263 --> 00:33:18,298 - Let's go! 933 00:33:18,331 --> 00:33:19,666 - Now he'll try to do something 934 00:33:19,699 --> 00:33:21,368 he's never done before, 935 00:33:21,401 --> 00:33:24,604 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 936 00:33:28,608 --> 00:33:31,244 - Welcome back. Minutes ago, Tyler Yamauchi 937 00:33:31,277 --> 00:33:33,146 made it to the last obstacle 938 00:33:33,179 --> 00:33:36,082 on stage two, only to see his run end 939 00:33:36,082 --> 00:33:38,852 on the final move of the Falling Shelves. 940 00:33:38,885 --> 00:33:41,087 - No! 941 00:33:41,087 --> 00:33:44,391 - That's giving us déjà vu because the Falling Shelves 942 00:33:44,424 --> 00:33:46,926 were also the final obstacle last year. 943 00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:48,962 [percussive music] 944 00:33:48,995 --> 00:33:50,797 - Blind grab, blind grab! 945 00:33:50,830 --> 00:33:52,899 both: Oh! 946 00:33:52,932 --> 00:33:55,769 - Top ninjas fell, one after the other... 947 00:33:55,802 --> 00:33:56,970 - Oh! 948 00:33:57,003 --> 00:33:58,705 - All of them at the same spot. 949 00:33:58,738 --> 00:34:00,373 - Reverse--oh! 950 00:34:00,407 --> 00:34:02,142 - In all, six of the ten ninjas 951 00:34:02,175 --> 00:34:03,910 who got there fell there. 952 00:34:03,943 --> 00:34:05,879 This is the move right here. 953 00:34:05,912 --> 00:34:07,047 [audience exclaims] 954 00:34:07,047 --> 00:34:08,181 Will the Falling Shelves 955 00:34:08,214 --> 00:34:10,116 be the roadblock again tonight? 956 00:34:10,150 --> 00:34:11,217 both: Ohh! 957 00:34:11,251 --> 00:34:12,218 [air horn blares] 958 00:34:12,252 --> 00:34:14,587 - Oh, so close! 959 00:34:14,621 --> 00:34:16,056 [cheers and applause] 960 00:34:16,056 --> 00:34:18,158 - This crowd knows who's up next. 961 00:34:18,191 --> 00:34:20,326 He is one of ninja's biggest stars. 962 00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:22,228 But despite all of his success, 963 00:34:22,262 --> 00:34:25,365 Flip Rodriguez has never hit a stage two buzzer. 964 00:34:25,398 --> 00:34:28,968 It's a big gap in an otherwise stellar ninja career. 965 00:34:29,069 --> 00:34:31,371 This season, he brought back his signature mask 966 00:34:31,404 --> 00:34:34,240 to the start line, and it seemed to change his luck. 967 00:34:34,274 --> 00:34:38,745 So maybe this is the year to end the stage two curse. 968 00:34:38,778 --> 00:34:42,082 [light tense music] 969 00:34:42,082 --> 00:34:44,117 - I've been competing for 12 years. 970 00:34:44,150 --> 00:34:47,120 I've been in National Finals eight times. 971 00:34:47,153 --> 00:34:48,922 I've got to stage two six times, 972 00:34:48,955 --> 00:34:50,990 but never been able to get to stage three. 973 00:34:51,091 --> 00:34:52,759 - Oh! - Flip is out! 974 00:34:52,792 --> 00:34:55,095 - I've always just come short, 975 00:34:55,128 --> 00:34:56,663 and it drives me insane. 976 00:34:56,696 --> 00:34:58,365 - No! 977 00:34:58,398 --> 00:35:01,067 - The last time I was there, I timed out. 978 00:35:01,101 --> 00:35:03,770 [buzzer blares] - And time runs out 979 00:35:03,803 --> 00:35:05,772 just feet away from the buzzer. 980 00:35:05,805 --> 00:35:08,041 - I don't know how much closer I can get without 981 00:35:08,074 --> 00:35:09,642 actually clearing this course. 982 00:35:09,676 --> 00:35:10,877 No. 983 00:35:11,745 --> 00:35:14,447 But this year is gonna be different. 984 00:35:14,481 --> 00:35:15,548 [upbeat music] 985 00:35:15,582 --> 00:35:16,683 My mental game has shifted 986 00:35:16,716 --> 00:35:18,351 for this season dramatically. 987 00:35:18,385 --> 00:35:21,721 Bringing back the mask struck a big confidence boost in me. 988 00:35:21,755 --> 00:35:23,223 * * 989 00:35:23,256 --> 00:35:25,291 I've put in the hard work. 990 00:35:25,325 --> 00:35:27,160 - * Now you can try to shake me * 991 00:35:27,193 --> 00:35:28,395 - Ah! - Oh, had it! 992 00:35:28,428 --> 00:35:30,630 - * But words never break me * 993 00:35:30,663 --> 00:35:33,400 - I've been going to Orlando every week to train with R.J. 994 00:35:33,433 --> 00:35:34,601 [grunts] 995 00:35:34,634 --> 00:35:36,069 I'm R.J. now. 996 00:35:36,069 --> 00:35:37,804 - Who can't teach a old dog new tricks? 997 00:35:37,837 --> 00:35:40,306 - Ah, okay, buddy, listen, 33 is not old. 998 00:35:40,340 --> 00:35:42,175 He's been pushing me really hard, 999 00:35:42,208 --> 00:35:44,411 and so far, paying off. 1000 00:35:44,444 --> 00:35:47,614 - Flip is going back to Vegas! 1001 00:35:47,647 --> 00:35:50,183 - Let's go! 1002 00:35:50,216 --> 00:35:53,086 - * I've got a lot of fight left in me * 1003 00:35:53,086 --> 00:35:54,554 - Let's go! 1004 00:35:54,587 --> 00:35:56,723 - It's been three years since you've made it 1005 00:35:56,756 --> 00:35:57,791 back to stage two. 1006 00:35:57,824 --> 00:35:59,793 Did you have any doubt that you were 1007 00:35:59,826 --> 00:36:01,327 hitting this buzzer tonight? 1008 00:36:01,361 --> 00:36:03,530 - No, sir. No room for doubt in here. 1009 00:36:03,563 --> 00:36:05,031 * * 1010 00:36:05,065 --> 00:36:08,134 When you fail, and you fail, and you fail again, 1011 00:36:08,168 --> 00:36:10,470 you've just gotta keep wanting it. 1012 00:36:10,503 --> 00:36:12,672 You never fail until you quit. 1013 00:36:12,706 --> 00:36:14,307 And I have not quit yet. 1014 00:36:14,341 --> 00:36:15,608 [buzzer blares] - * I've got a lot of fight * 1015 00:36:15,642 --> 00:36:17,310 * Left in me * 1016 00:36:19,412 --> 00:36:20,380 [cheers and applause] 1017 00:36:20,413 --> 00:36:22,349 - Flip's taking off the mask. 1018 00:36:22,382 --> 00:36:24,351 But he's hit two straight buzzers 1019 00:36:24,384 --> 00:36:26,619 since he started wearing it to the start line again. 1020 00:36:26,653 --> 00:36:27,854 [cheering] 1021 00:36:27,887 --> 00:36:29,422 He's got a big group on the sideline, 1022 00:36:29,456 --> 00:36:32,559 including R.J. Roman, who he's been training with a lot 1023 00:36:32,592 --> 00:36:34,260 these past few years. 1024 00:36:34,294 --> 00:36:35,729 Some other friends watching from home, 1025 00:36:35,762 --> 00:36:39,065 including Jody Avila, who timed out last week. 1026 00:36:39,065 --> 00:36:41,301 - Stay focused, focused, focused. Let's go. 1027 00:36:41,334 --> 00:36:43,236 - Telling Flip, stay strong mentally. 1028 00:36:43,269 --> 00:36:44,704 - And that's the key for Flip. 1029 00:36:44,738 --> 00:36:46,406 He's got the physical tools, 1030 00:36:46,439 --> 00:36:48,108 just has to lock it down mentally. 1031 00:36:48,141 --> 00:36:50,377 - Let's go, let's go! 1032 00:36:50,410 --> 00:36:53,079 [countdown clock beeping] 1033 00:36:53,079 --> 00:36:57,951 - Top stuntman in Hollywood, a ninja, author, inspiration. 1034 00:36:57,984 --> 00:37:01,721 33 years old, his seventh time on stage two. 1035 00:37:01,755 --> 00:37:04,190 And he told us after he hit that stage one buzzer, 1036 00:37:04,224 --> 00:37:06,593 he said, this is the year I break that curse. 1037 00:37:06,626 --> 00:37:09,496 - Yeah, I truly believe it. I want this so badly. 1038 00:37:09,529 --> 00:37:13,099 Matt, personally, I want this for Flip Rodriguez. 1039 00:37:13,133 --> 00:37:14,534 - And you saw him take a look at his hand there 1040 00:37:14,567 --> 00:37:16,603 May have hurt it on the Double Salmon Ladder. 1041 00:37:16,636 --> 00:37:18,071 - You got this, you got this. - But you know what? 1042 00:37:18,104 --> 00:37:19,939 Flip Rodriguez has fought through a lot of pain. 1043 00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:22,542 - Well, he's a stunt man, so you know he's tough. 1044 00:37:22,575 --> 00:37:24,310 His body takes a beating. 1045 00:37:24,344 --> 00:37:26,946 But stage two is not a good place to have a hand injury 1046 00:37:27,047 --> 00:37:29,416 with all these upper-body challenges. 1047 00:37:29,449 --> 00:37:31,685 - And you don't wanna spend a lot of time hanging there. 1048 00:37:31,718 --> 00:37:33,653 - And a little awkward here on Piston Plunge, 1049 00:37:33,687 --> 00:37:35,121 but locking it in. 1050 00:37:35,155 --> 00:37:36,489 - On the single-hand transfer, you see him coming 1051 00:37:36,523 --> 00:37:37,891 up and over, just like that. 1052 00:37:37,924 --> 00:37:38,892 That's exactly right. 1053 00:37:38,925 --> 00:37:41,161 Now anticipate the drop--good. 1054 00:37:41,194 --> 00:37:42,462 - Yes, let's go. 1055 00:37:42,495 --> 00:37:45,932 - And he's through. [cheers and applause] 1056 00:37:45,965 --> 00:37:49,069 - There's Jordan Carr, one of the ninjas Flip has coached. 1057 00:37:49,102 --> 00:37:50,937 She and the others on that sideline 1058 00:37:50,970 --> 00:37:53,106 so want to see Flip get through this. 1059 00:37:53,139 --> 00:37:54,407 [cheers and applause] 1060 00:37:54,441 --> 00:37:56,443 - He's taking a long look at that hand. 1061 00:37:56,476 --> 00:37:57,877 That might be a blister. 1062 00:37:57,911 --> 00:38:00,580 - That could be a problem here on Hammer Drop. 1063 00:38:00,613 --> 00:38:02,816 - Jump right into it. Yeah. 1064 00:38:02,849 --> 00:38:05,352 Look at that-- going for a ride. 1065 00:38:05,385 --> 00:38:07,187 You can smell it in the air. 1066 00:38:07,220 --> 00:38:09,055 - 170 pounds, he's the heaviest 1067 00:38:09,089 --> 00:38:10,824 we've seen so far out here. 1068 00:38:10,857 --> 00:38:12,025 - Let's go! 1069 00:38:12,058 --> 00:38:13,860 - Looks so lean, but that's a lot of mass 1070 00:38:13,893 --> 00:38:15,528 to carry through stage two. 1071 00:38:15,562 --> 00:38:17,030 - He's only 33, 1072 00:38:17,030 --> 00:38:19,132 but he's one of the older guys on stage two. 1073 00:38:19,165 --> 00:38:21,201 Only a few older than 30. 1074 00:38:21,234 --> 00:38:23,103 - And grabbing this rope could be difficult 1075 00:38:23,136 --> 00:38:24,404 with an injured hand. 1076 00:38:25,572 --> 00:38:27,040 - Get that leap. 1077 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:28,508 Remember, this hammer's gonna push away from you. 1078 00:38:28,541 --> 00:38:29,743 [cheering] - Hold on. 1079 00:38:29,776 --> 00:38:31,211 Yes, got it. 1080 00:38:31,244 --> 00:38:33,113 [cheers and applause] 1081 00:38:33,146 --> 00:38:35,482 - And now that's where that hand's gonna be tested. 1082 00:38:35,515 --> 00:38:38,184 Not sure what's going on. Looked like that right hand. 1083 00:38:38,218 --> 00:38:39,819 - Let's go! - He's checking it again. 1084 00:38:39,853 --> 00:38:41,688 - Let's go! - You're good! You're moving! 1085 00:38:41,721 --> 00:38:44,090 - Not a time to have hand issues. 1086 00:38:44,124 --> 00:38:45,425 Looks like a blister. 1087 00:38:45,458 --> 00:38:47,160 - He's biting that thing off. - Oh, yeah. 1088 00:38:47,193 --> 00:38:48,595 [chuckling] [CLAPPING] 1089 00:38:48,628 --> 00:38:51,097 - Yeah! - He's come too far 1090 00:38:51,131 --> 00:38:53,600 to not go all the way here on stage two. 1091 00:38:53,633 --> 00:38:55,935 - You're good! Let's go You're good! Let's go! 1092 00:38:55,969 --> 00:38:58,071 - He's gonna need his hands to fit into the honeycombs 1093 00:38:58,071 --> 00:38:59,572 here on Hornet's Nest. 1094 00:38:59,606 --> 00:39:01,675 - But with the clock ticking, has to keep it moving. 1095 00:39:01,708 --> 00:39:03,510 - Let's go. - Come on! 1096 00:39:03,543 --> 00:39:04,878 - Let's go! 1097 00:39:04,911 --> 00:39:06,513 - And he's talked about overcoming adversity-- 1098 00:39:06,546 --> 00:39:07,914 wrote a book about it. 1099 00:39:08,014 --> 00:39:09,315 This is nothing compared to what 1100 00:39:09,349 --> 00:39:10,784 Flip's dealt with in his life. 1101 00:39:10,817 --> 00:39:12,919 - Dude is an overcomer, and I suspect 1102 00:39:13,019 --> 00:39:15,422 he is not about to get stung by this obstacle. 1103 00:39:15,455 --> 00:39:16,923 - Well, it looked like it was in the palm, 1104 00:39:17,023 --> 00:39:18,625 so hopefully the fingertips-- this is gonna be 1105 00:39:18,658 --> 00:39:20,560 the big test here, this 10-foot lache. 1106 00:39:20,593 --> 00:39:22,929 - Well, I'm sure there's no pain greater than hanging 1107 00:39:23,029 --> 00:39:26,499 up here on the Hornet's Nest. - 170 pounds--oh, that's 1108 00:39:26,533 --> 00:39:28,068 a lot of mass to catch. - That's a lot of weight. 1109 00:39:28,101 --> 00:39:30,136 He's gotta have some hang time here to give himself 1110 00:39:30,170 --> 00:39:33,039 enough time because that's a lot of force coming into it. 1111 00:39:33,039 --> 00:39:35,208 - Okay, Flip! - Come on, Flip! 1112 00:39:35,241 --> 00:39:37,143 [cheers and applause] 1113 00:39:37,177 --> 00:39:39,846 Man, he's got everyone here rooting for him. 1114 00:39:39,879 --> 00:39:42,782 - You got it. - Come on, get out of there. 1115 00:39:42,816 --> 00:39:44,217 - Get out of there! - Yes! 1116 00:39:44,250 --> 00:39:46,219 - Nice! Flip that thing around. 1117 00:39:46,252 --> 00:39:49,055 Flip it around! [cheering] 1118 00:39:49,055 --> 00:39:51,291 - Can he land the dismount? 1119 00:39:51,324 --> 00:39:55,061 Oh, just barely [cheers and applause] 1120 00:39:55,061 --> 00:39:56,796 - Heck yeah! Let's go! 1121 00:39:57,964 --> 00:40:00,233 - Checking the hand. 1122 00:40:00,266 --> 00:40:02,902 His sideline yelling their support. 1123 00:40:02,936 --> 00:40:07,741 Jordan Carr, R.J. Roman--they want him to get through this. 1124 00:40:07,774 --> 00:40:09,976 And Flip says, "I got this." 1125 00:40:10,010 --> 00:40:12,412 - Listen to R.J. Listen to R.J. 1126 00:40:12,445 --> 00:40:14,514 - He's checking the clock. He knows it. 1127 00:40:14,547 --> 00:40:16,950 - I want this for you badly. Let's go, Flip! 1128 00:40:16,983 --> 00:40:19,352 - Calming himself down. This is it. 1129 00:40:19,386 --> 00:40:22,155 He's under 30 seconds here. - He's got it, he's got it. 1130 00:40:22,188 --> 00:40:23,857 He's got this. 1131 00:40:23,890 --> 00:40:25,658 Come on, Flip. - Nice. 1132 00:40:25,692 --> 00:40:26,659 - Okay. - All right. 1133 00:40:26,693 --> 00:40:29,496 Watch that right hand. Nice. 1134 00:40:29,529 --> 00:40:31,564 - This is it, the blind grab, the big test 1135 00:40:31,598 --> 00:40:32,732 for Flip Rodriguez. 1136 00:40:32,766 --> 00:40:34,701 - Breathe, baby, rock with it. 1137 00:40:34,734 --> 00:40:36,302 Rock with it, baby! - Yes! 1138 00:40:36,336 --> 00:40:39,239 - Nice! - Under ten seconds. Get off! 1139 00:40:39,272 --> 00:40:41,474 - Get out of there! - Get out of there, Flip! 1140 00:40:41,508 --> 00:40:43,443 - Yes, go get your buzzer! 1141 00:40:43,476 --> 00:40:44,944 Yes! Yes! [buzzer blares] 1142 00:40:44,978 --> 00:40:46,513 [cheers and applause] - Flip Rodriguez 1143 00:40:46,546 --> 00:40:49,749 gets his first stage two buzzer. 1144 00:40:49,783 --> 00:40:52,752 [hopeful music] 1145 00:40:52,786 --> 00:40:53,887 * * 1146 00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:55,822 - Matt, I've got chills, man! 1147 00:40:55,855 --> 00:40:58,258 I've got chills. - Flip Rodriguez saying, 1148 00:40:58,291 --> 00:41:01,494 "I ain't done yet, young guns." 1149 00:41:01,528 --> 00:41:04,531 - He had an injured hand, but nothing was gonna stop 1150 00:41:04,564 --> 00:41:06,099 Flip Rodriguez tonight. 1151 00:41:06,132 --> 00:41:09,235 He pushed through the pain, made the big moves, 1152 00:41:09,269 --> 00:41:12,939 and got that buzzer that eluded him for 12 years. 1153 00:41:12,972 --> 00:41:15,875 And his training partner, R.J. Roman, and the others 1154 00:41:15,909 --> 00:41:18,078 couldn't wait to share the joy. 1155 00:41:18,078 --> 00:41:21,147 Wow, that's what it's all about right there. 1156 00:41:21,181 --> 00:41:23,316 - Flip, congratulations, man. 1157 00:41:23,350 --> 00:41:24,851 That was incredible. 1158 00:41:24,884 --> 00:41:26,386 What was different this year? 1159 00:41:26,419 --> 00:41:28,121 What made it happen? 1160 00:41:28,154 --> 00:41:29,489 - I changed my environment. 1161 00:41:29,522 --> 00:41:31,591 I changed the things that I consume on a daily basis. 1162 00:41:31,624 --> 00:41:35,562 And R.J. is a fantastic person to train with. 1163 00:41:35,595 --> 00:41:37,564 He won't let me outdo him. 1164 00:41:37,597 --> 00:41:39,432 When you have people like that around you, 1165 00:41:39,466 --> 00:41:41,935 it's hard to fail, you know. - Yeah. 1166 00:41:41,968 --> 00:41:43,403 And you are living proof of that, man. 1167 00:41:43,436 --> 00:41:45,171 You are not failing. You are flipping lives 1168 00:41:45,205 --> 00:41:46,373 into positivity. 1169 00:41:46,406 --> 00:41:48,641 We love to see it. Congratulations. 1170 00:41:48,675 --> 00:41:49,909 We'll see you on stage three. 1171 00:41:49,943 --> 00:41:51,011 Awesome job. 1172 00:41:51,111 --> 00:41:53,013 Guys, back to you. 1173 00:41:53,113 --> 00:41:55,482 - Well, we just watched his buddy Flip deliver. 1174 00:41:55,515 --> 00:41:58,451 Now, Orlando musician R.J. Roman 1175 00:41:58,485 --> 00:42:00,653 gets his shot on stage two, 1176 00:42:00,687 --> 00:42:03,423 next, on "American Ninja Warrior." 1177 00:42:07,761 --> 00:42:10,063 - Welcome back to Las Vegas and our National Finals. 1178 00:42:10,096 --> 00:42:14,134 We are now on stage two, and this course is a killer. 1179 00:42:14,167 --> 00:42:17,370 Pennsylvania's Jackson Erdos is the youngest competitor 1180 00:42:17,404 --> 00:42:19,072 to ever make it to stage two. 1181 00:42:19,072 --> 00:42:21,074 - Just to give you a little perspective, 1182 00:42:21,074 --> 00:42:23,777 three years ago, he was in elementary. 1183 00:42:23,810 --> 00:42:26,079 - The former ninja Junior Champion got into 1184 00:42:26,079 --> 00:42:28,114 the National Finals as an alternate. 1185 00:42:28,148 --> 00:42:31,418 And he made the most of it, hitting a buzzer on stage one. 1186 00:42:31,451 --> 00:42:32,919 But tonight... 1187 00:42:32,952 --> 00:42:34,554 both: No! 1188 00:42:34,587 --> 00:42:38,191 - His season ended at Piston Plunge. 1189 00:42:38,224 --> 00:42:41,161 Another alternate who took advantage of his opportunity 1190 00:42:41,194 --> 00:42:43,296 was 16-year-old James Sannella. 1191 00:42:43,329 --> 00:42:45,732 - Let it go. Let it flow. - The New Jersey teenager 1192 00:42:45,765 --> 00:42:48,435 had the third-fastest finish on stage one. 1193 00:42:48,468 --> 00:42:51,171 And he made some big moves on Double Salmon Ladder. 1194 00:42:51,204 --> 00:42:53,340 - Wow! - James Sannella, 1195 00:42:53,373 --> 00:42:55,475 killing it on the Double Salmon Ladder. 1196 00:42:55,508 --> 00:42:59,212 - But he, too, ran into trouble at Piston Plunge. 1197 00:42:59,245 --> 00:43:01,114 - No! - Oh! 1198 00:43:01,147 --> 00:43:04,451 - Sannella has got to be sick right there. 1199 00:43:04,484 --> 00:43:07,354 - The Country Boy Ninja, Josiah Singleton, 1200 00:43:07,387 --> 00:43:08,755 still had a Safety Pass, 1201 00:43:08,788 --> 00:43:10,657 since he didn't have to use it on stage one. 1202 00:43:10,690 --> 00:43:12,659 [all shouting] With his Lynchburg Loonies 1203 00:43:12,692 --> 00:43:14,627 screaming on the sideline, 1204 00:43:14,661 --> 00:43:16,830 the 25-year-old grad student came out strong. 1205 00:43:16,863 --> 00:43:18,231 - Yeah! 1206 00:43:18,264 --> 00:43:19,966 - If there was a time to be country strong, 1207 00:43:20,066 --> 00:43:21,901 it's on stage two. 1208 00:43:21,935 --> 00:43:23,336 - But once again, 1209 00:43:23,370 --> 00:43:25,672 Piston Plunge proved to be a roadblock. 1210 00:43:25,705 --> 00:43:28,308 - Ooh! - Oof! 1211 00:43:28,341 --> 00:43:30,143 - But thanks to his Safety Pass, 1212 00:43:30,176 --> 00:43:31,945 he'll get another shot at the course. 1213 00:43:31,978 --> 00:43:33,380 - It's okay... 1214 00:43:33,413 --> 00:43:35,248 'cause I'm coming back. 1215 00:43:35,281 --> 00:43:37,317 - Well, up next is a rock-and-roller 1216 00:43:37,350 --> 00:43:38,852 who's been on a roll. 1217 00:43:38,885 --> 00:43:41,955 It's Orlando musician, R.J. Roman. 1218 00:43:41,988 --> 00:43:44,124 He's hit all the high notes this year 1219 00:43:44,157 --> 00:43:45,925 with three straight buzzers, 1220 00:43:45,959 --> 00:43:49,629 and he credits his musical background for his success. 1221 00:43:49,662 --> 00:43:51,498 [percussive music] 1222 00:43:51,531 --> 00:43:53,566 R.J. Roman has spent the off-season 1223 00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:55,435 building near-perfect replicas 1224 00:43:55,468 --> 00:43:58,505 of the obstacles used at our National Finals. 1225 00:43:58,538 --> 00:44:00,907 Using those obstacles, the five-time veteran 1226 00:44:00,940 --> 00:44:03,043 and his training partner, Flip Rodriguez, 1227 00:44:03,076 --> 00:44:05,211 have spent hundreds of hours 1228 00:44:05,245 --> 00:44:07,514 creating circuits of the grueling courses 1229 00:44:07,547 --> 00:44:09,382 they'll face here in Vegas. 1230 00:44:09,416 --> 00:44:11,818 - Whoa! [laughs] - Oh! 1231 00:44:11,851 --> 00:44:14,254 - R.J. says the key is that his training 1232 00:44:14,287 --> 00:44:16,356 is just like making music. 1233 00:44:16,389 --> 00:44:18,458 - There's a certain structure to writing a song. 1234 00:44:18,491 --> 00:44:21,928 And there's a certain structure to each course. 1235 00:44:21,961 --> 00:44:24,564 So I've been able to figure out the structure, 1236 00:44:24,597 --> 00:44:26,733 train it, and replicate it. 1237 00:44:26,766 --> 00:44:30,370 I'm one step ahead of you guys, at least. 1238 00:44:30,403 --> 00:44:31,838 - Let's go, R.J.. 1239 00:44:31,871 --> 00:44:33,707 - Well, the training's already paid off for Flip. 1240 00:44:33,740 --> 00:44:35,408 He got a buzzer minutes ago. 1241 00:44:35,442 --> 00:44:37,777 Now, it's R.J.'s turn, 1242 00:44:37,811 --> 00:44:42,282 with many others ready to watch R.J. shred stage two. 1243 00:44:42,315 --> 00:44:44,784 [countdown clock beeping] 1244 00:44:44,818 --> 00:44:47,287 - We love to watch R.J. Roman. 1245 00:44:47,320 --> 00:44:49,155 He runs like his hair's on fire. 1246 00:44:49,189 --> 00:44:51,658 This dude is going all out. 1247 00:44:51,691 --> 00:44:54,494 - Gets a little hung up on the rope but throws it aside. 1248 00:44:54,527 --> 00:44:57,364 This is one of the obstacles he's practiced in the gym. 1249 00:44:57,397 --> 00:44:59,466 - To now, big move. Whoo! 1250 00:44:59,499 --> 00:45:02,168 Wasted no time on the Double Salmon Ladder, Matt. 1251 00:45:02,202 --> 00:45:04,404 - Just looking efficient, looking calm. 1252 00:45:04,437 --> 00:45:08,408 This rock star is ready for the spotlight here in Vegas. 1253 00:45:08,441 --> 00:45:10,043 - Yeah, and Piston Plunge is right 1254 00:45:10,076 --> 00:45:13,380 where you start to feel the buildup of that lactic acid. 1255 00:45:13,413 --> 00:45:14,848 You want to be efficient. 1256 00:45:14,881 --> 00:45:16,082 Don't rush through here, 1257 00:45:16,116 --> 00:45:17,817 especially on this one right here. 1258 00:45:17,851 --> 00:45:19,085 - Flip's coaching him up. 1259 00:45:19,119 --> 00:45:21,354 He got through this minutes ago. 1260 00:45:21,388 --> 00:45:24,357 - Pull. You got it. 1261 00:45:24,391 --> 00:45:26,426 Pull...bring it up. 1262 00:45:26,459 --> 00:45:29,095 [yelling encouragement] 1263 00:45:29,129 --> 00:45:30,430 - He's got to see that angle. 1264 00:45:30,463 --> 00:45:32,065 Nice. 1265 00:45:32,098 --> 00:45:33,400 - And R.J.'s through. 1266 00:45:33,433 --> 00:45:35,068 - Yes! 1267 00:45:35,068 --> 00:45:38,972 - Now sizing up the fourth obstacle, Hammer Drop. 1268 00:45:39,072 --> 00:45:40,974 R.J.'s 5'6". 1269 00:45:41,074 --> 00:45:44,077 - Whoo, almost lost it there on Hammer Drop. 1270 00:45:44,077 --> 00:45:47,113 - Wasn't sure he had that lower body on, but he's alive. 1271 00:45:47,147 --> 00:45:50,517 - Yeah, four-point contact so crucial on Hammer Drop. 1272 00:45:50,550 --> 00:45:52,152 Now turned around, wrestling. 1273 00:45:52,185 --> 00:45:54,387 Got his hat on backwards still, too. 1274 00:45:54,421 --> 00:45:56,856 Nice ninja swag. 1275 00:45:56,890 --> 00:45:58,091 All right, now you've got to fly. 1276 00:45:58,091 --> 00:46:00,427 I know it's a little windy here, too. 1277 00:46:00,460 --> 00:46:01,661 Nice. 1278 00:46:01,695 --> 00:46:04,297 - R.J. Roman continues to progress, 1279 00:46:04,330 --> 00:46:08,168 looking to get that return to stage three. 1280 00:46:08,201 --> 00:46:10,103 - And there's been a lot of buzz 1281 00:46:10,136 --> 00:46:14,207 about R.J. Roman becoming the next "American Ninja Warrior." 1282 00:46:14,240 --> 00:46:15,775 - Absolutely. Well, he and Flip 1283 00:46:15,809 --> 00:46:17,477 really did take their training 1284 00:46:17,510 --> 00:46:19,079 to the next level this year. 1285 00:46:19,112 --> 00:46:21,881 And that got Flip to stage three for the first time ever. 1286 00:46:21,915 --> 00:46:24,084 Let's see how far it takes R.J. 1287 00:46:24,117 --> 00:46:27,253 - This guy has such power, can really fly here. 1288 00:46:27,287 --> 00:46:29,122 - Nice. 1289 00:46:29,155 --> 00:46:31,124 Well, he just jumped that third one 1290 00:46:31,157 --> 00:46:32,425 instead of climbing up to it. 1291 00:46:32,459 --> 00:46:34,060 That's the first time we've seen that. 1292 00:46:34,060 --> 00:46:37,197 - This five-time veteran is having his best season ever. 1293 00:46:37,230 --> 00:46:38,865 Launch it up here to that fourth one. 1294 00:46:38,898 --> 00:46:40,700 - Whoo! Boy, he almost hit his head 1295 00:46:40,734 --> 00:46:42,669 on that one, though. - Look at how quickly 1296 00:46:42,702 --> 00:46:44,137 he regrouped his momentum. 1297 00:46:44,170 --> 00:46:46,172 - Yeah, you gotta see-- him making the eye-- 1298 00:46:46,206 --> 00:46:47,874 great eye discipline there. 1299 00:46:47,907 --> 00:46:50,944 Turn it around, and now just got to make the dismount. 1300 00:46:50,977 --> 00:46:54,714 - R.J. Roman continues to shred here in Vegas. 1301 00:46:54,748 --> 00:46:56,883 [cheers and applause] 1302 00:46:56,916 --> 00:46:58,685 Plenty of time on the clock, 1303 00:46:58,718 --> 00:47:00,754 and only Falling Shelves to go. 1304 00:47:00,787 --> 00:47:02,856 - Yeah, you see that? He says, I only got one. 1305 00:47:02,889 --> 00:47:04,657 Just one more obstacle to go. 1306 00:47:04,691 --> 00:47:07,127 - The crowd sensing something special. 1307 00:47:07,160 --> 00:47:09,029 He built the replica of the Falling Shelves in his gym. 1308 00:47:09,029 --> 00:47:10,730 He's ready. - Go get it. 1309 00:47:10,764 --> 00:47:13,800 - Here we go, R.J. Roman. 1310 00:47:13,833 --> 00:47:15,902 [crowd shouting] 1311 00:47:15,935 --> 00:47:18,872 - And he said, could be the one to win it all this year. 1312 00:47:18,905 --> 00:47:20,306 Just got to survive this race. 1313 00:47:20,340 --> 00:47:22,609 - One more move, the blind grab. 1314 00:47:22,642 --> 00:47:24,077 - Blind grab--here we go. 1315 00:47:24,110 --> 00:47:25,412 - You own this. Swing. 1316 00:47:25,445 --> 00:47:26,846 - See those eyes locked in. 1317 00:47:26,880 --> 00:47:29,282 Nice! And you saw him slow it down. 1318 00:47:29,315 --> 00:47:30,850 Didn't want to over-shoot it. 1319 00:47:30,884 --> 00:47:33,953 R.J. Roman shreds stage two, 1320 00:47:34,054 --> 00:47:36,690 one step closer to the million dollars. 1321 00:47:36,723 --> 00:47:38,258 - Oh, no--yes. 1322 00:47:38,291 --> 00:47:42,095 - R.J. Roman reigns supreme. 1323 00:47:42,128 --> 00:47:47,734 [rock music] 1324 00:47:47,767 --> 00:47:50,470 - It was just like he trained for at the gym. 1325 00:47:50,503 --> 00:47:52,839 He was ready for the Shrinking Steps, 1326 00:47:52,872 --> 00:47:54,741 for that Double Salmon Ladder, 1327 00:47:54,774 --> 00:47:57,944 and especially that Blind Grab on the Falling Shelves. 1328 00:47:57,977 --> 00:48:01,014 He knew he had it, then was rock-star cool 1329 00:48:01,047 --> 00:48:03,016 as he hit the buzzer. 1330 00:48:03,016 --> 00:48:06,019 - So both R.J. and Flip are moving on, 1331 00:48:06,052 --> 00:48:08,321 showing that hard work has paid off. 1332 00:48:08,355 --> 00:48:12,025 Coming up, we've got the savvy veterans 1333 00:48:12,025 --> 00:48:15,028 and the talented teenagers. 1334 00:48:15,028 --> 00:48:18,465 Who's going to stay alive for the million-dollar jackpot? 1335 00:48:18,498 --> 00:48:22,669 It's Vegas, baby, on "American Ninja Warrior." 1336 00:48:26,339 --> 00:48:27,774 - Welcome back to Las Vegas. 1337 00:48:27,807 --> 00:48:30,276 While we were away, two more ninjas 1338 00:48:30,310 --> 00:48:32,278 tried conquering stage two. 1339 00:48:32,312 --> 00:48:34,447 One of the biggest surprises of the National Finals 1340 00:48:34,481 --> 00:48:38,551 has been 23-year-old rookie Grant Nguyen. 1341 00:48:38,585 --> 00:48:41,054 He was in a bike accident a few weeks ago 1342 00:48:41,054 --> 00:48:43,356 and wasn't sure if he'd even compete. 1343 00:48:43,390 --> 00:48:45,492 But last week on stage one, Nguyen 1344 00:48:45,525 --> 00:48:48,928 had one of the most exciting runs, taking the High Road, 1345 00:48:48,962 --> 00:48:51,531 and getting a buzzer with seconds to spare. 1346 00:48:51,564 --> 00:48:52,866 - Oh, my goodness. 1347 00:48:52,899 --> 00:48:54,934 - Tonight, with the scars from the accident 1348 00:48:54,968 --> 00:48:58,304 still on his face, the college student moved quickly 1349 00:48:58,338 --> 00:48:59,706 through the early obstacles-- 1350 00:48:59,739 --> 00:49:01,041 - Okay, I see you. 1351 00:49:01,074 --> 00:49:03,009 - --and made his way to the Hammer Drop. 1352 00:49:03,009 --> 00:49:04,744 - So he's going to have to throw his whole body into it 1353 00:49:04,778 --> 00:49:06,079 and hold on tight. 1354 00:49:06,112 --> 00:49:08,048 - Nguyen, who has a climbing background, 1355 00:49:08,081 --> 00:49:10,450 was able to scratch his way to the top 1356 00:49:10,483 --> 00:49:12,919 but couldn't handle the rope. 1357 00:49:13,019 --> 00:49:16,322 - Oh, rope burn! 1358 00:49:16,356 --> 00:49:17,323 [air horn blares] 1359 00:49:17,357 --> 00:49:18,925 It is over. 1360 00:49:19,025 --> 00:49:20,727 - Ninja veteran Lucas Reale 1361 00:49:20,760 --> 00:49:23,029 has been on stage two twice before. 1362 00:49:23,029 --> 00:49:24,064 [cheers and applause] 1363 00:49:24,097 --> 00:49:25,598 With a big group of his students 1364 00:49:25,632 --> 00:49:27,834 watching from back in Massachusetts, 1365 00:49:27,867 --> 00:49:30,804 the five-time veteran quickly made it to the Hammer Drop. 1366 00:49:30,837 --> 00:49:35,241 - Ooh, uh-oh, great save. 1367 00:49:35,275 --> 00:49:37,043 - Not only did he make a great save 1368 00:49:37,043 --> 00:49:39,045 at the start of the obstacle, 1369 00:49:39,079 --> 00:49:41,314 he had another close call at the end. 1370 00:49:41,348 --> 00:49:43,650 - Whoo, you know his upper body's on fire. 1371 00:49:43,683 --> 00:49:46,052 - And all that wear and tear seemed to catch up 1372 00:49:46,052 --> 00:49:47,320 with him on Hornet's Nest. 1373 00:49:47,354 --> 00:49:48,822 - Now you've got to throw yourself into it. 1374 00:49:48,855 --> 00:49:50,390 Oh! [air horn blares] 1375 00:49:50,423 --> 00:49:52,058 - He's the second ninja tonight 1376 00:49:52,058 --> 00:49:53,793 taken down by the obstacle. 1377 00:49:53,827 --> 00:49:56,162 [clapping] 1378 00:49:56,196 --> 00:49:58,565 Well, our next athlete's about to start his senior year 1379 00:49:58,598 --> 00:49:59,866 of high school. 1380 00:49:59,899 --> 00:50:02,202 This is 17-year-old Evan Andrews. 1381 00:50:02,235 --> 00:50:04,404 And he seems pretty impressed by his highlights 1382 00:50:04,437 --> 00:50:06,773 from this season playing on the screen. 1383 00:50:06,806 --> 00:50:08,742 - Well, we're pretty impressed by them, too. 1384 00:50:08,775 --> 00:50:11,644 - Well, this Montana kid came out of nowhere this season. 1385 00:50:11,678 --> 00:50:15,682 And now, he's on stage two with the sports elites. 1386 00:50:15,715 --> 00:50:17,217 - Excitement--yeah. 1387 00:50:17,250 --> 00:50:20,720 When people think about huge ninja communities, 1388 00:50:20,754 --> 00:50:22,655 you know, Texas-- 1389 00:50:22,689 --> 00:50:24,357 - Go get 'em, go get 'em, go get 'em. 1390 00:50:25,458 --> 00:50:26,693 - Yes. 1391 00:50:26,726 --> 00:50:27,861 - --Colorado-- 1392 00:50:27,894 --> 00:50:30,597 [metallic clanking] 1393 00:50:30,630 --> 00:50:32,465 --Florida-- 1394 00:50:32,499 --> 00:50:33,466 - Oh, yeah. 1395 00:50:33,500 --> 00:50:34,601 Oh. 1396 00:50:36,302 --> 00:50:39,072 - --Montana hasn't made that list ever. 1397 00:50:40,073 --> 00:50:42,308 But I don't need a huge facility 1398 00:50:42,342 --> 00:50:43,510 to train in "Ninja Warrior." 1399 00:50:43,543 --> 00:50:45,412 I don't need training partners. 1400 00:50:45,445 --> 00:50:47,647 I don't really need coaches. 1401 00:50:47,681 --> 00:50:50,383 You can replace those resources with dedication. 1402 00:50:50,417 --> 00:50:52,318 * * 1403 00:50:52,352 --> 00:50:54,020 And you can make an impact because of it. 1404 00:50:54,054 --> 00:50:55,488 This one's for Montana. 1405 00:50:56,623 --> 00:50:59,092 - Wow, he made that look easy. 1406 00:50:59,125 --> 00:51:01,061 - Oh, my goodness. 1407 00:51:01,061 --> 00:51:03,263 - Let's go! 1408 00:51:03,296 --> 00:51:06,166 - Evan Andrews, our only finisher of the night. 1409 00:51:06,199 --> 00:51:08,802 [cheers and applause] 1410 00:51:08,835 --> 00:51:11,504 - After semifinals, kids in Montana were blown away. 1411 00:51:11,538 --> 00:51:13,673 [dings] 1412 00:51:13,707 --> 00:51:16,076 People reached out to me, wanted to train with me. 1413 00:51:17,310 --> 00:51:18,678 A few years from now, they'll be talking 1414 00:51:18,712 --> 00:51:20,146 about the Montana ninjas. 1415 00:51:20,180 --> 00:51:21,314 Let's go, let's go, let's go. 1416 00:51:21,348 --> 00:51:23,516 Yes! 1417 00:51:23,550 --> 00:51:25,085 Textbook. 1418 00:51:25,085 --> 00:51:26,486 What I want people to take away from my season 1419 00:51:26,519 --> 00:51:31,091 is no matter how little resources you have... 1420 00:51:31,124 --> 00:51:33,560 you can do great things. 1421 00:51:33,593 --> 00:51:37,397 - And you know all of Montana will be watching Evan tonight 1422 00:51:37,430 --> 00:51:39,099 and his parents who cheered him on 1423 00:51:39,099 --> 00:51:41,101 from down on the sideline. 1424 00:51:41,134 --> 00:51:44,337 [countdown clock beeping] 1425 00:51:44,371 --> 00:51:46,940 - And I loved what he said after stage one. 1426 00:51:46,973 --> 00:51:48,341 It ain't about where you train. 1427 00:51:48,375 --> 00:51:49,542 It's about the discipline. 1428 00:51:49,576 --> 00:51:51,845 And this kid has put the work in. 1429 00:51:51,878 --> 00:51:53,847 - You can see that nice soft landing. 1430 00:51:53,880 --> 00:51:57,450 - Wow, flying through that Salmon Ladder. 1431 00:51:57,484 --> 00:52:00,387 His semifinals night was loaded with top ninjas. 1432 00:52:00,420 --> 00:52:02,889 But he was the only one to finish the course. 1433 00:52:02,922 --> 00:52:06,159 - But lost his Power Tower race, so no Safety Pass. 1434 00:52:06,192 --> 00:52:08,294 If he falls, it's over. 1435 00:52:08,328 --> 00:52:09,763 - We told you his story. 1436 00:52:09,796 --> 00:52:13,099 He had ninja dreams but no ninja gyms near him. 1437 00:52:13,133 --> 00:52:16,069 So he and his family built one in their garage. 1438 00:52:16,069 --> 00:52:17,570 - But think about how many times 1439 00:52:17,604 --> 00:52:20,440 he must have imagined his garage was Las Vegas. 1440 00:52:20,473 --> 00:52:22,075 And here he is. 1441 00:52:22,075 --> 00:52:25,311 He is just annihilating the early part of this course, 1442 00:52:25,345 --> 00:52:27,981 but doing it in such an effortless way. 1443 00:52:28,081 --> 00:52:30,784 [cheers and applause] 1444 00:52:30,817 --> 00:52:33,119 - 5'7." Has the wingspan. 1445 00:52:33,153 --> 00:52:35,655 Got to lock it in on Hammer Drop, avoid the mistake. 1446 00:52:35,689 --> 00:52:37,524 - Ooh, didn't get the legs in. 1447 00:52:37,557 --> 00:52:39,192 - Oh, uh-oh, come on now. 1448 00:52:39,225 --> 00:52:41,094 Come on. 1449 00:52:41,094 --> 00:52:43,863 Ooh, he is putting a lot of pressure on that upper body. 1450 00:52:43,897 --> 00:52:46,099 - And he survived. - Ooh, hold on. 1451 00:52:46,132 --> 00:52:47,967 - But he's hanging up again. 1452 00:52:48,001 --> 00:52:49,402 Oh, my. 1453 00:52:49,436 --> 00:52:51,638 Ooh, he's got to make sure he doesn't get dropped. 1454 00:52:51,671 --> 00:52:55,275 - Hammer Drop has been a nightmare for Evan Andrews. 1455 00:52:55,308 --> 00:52:56,910 And he looks shocked. 1456 00:52:56,943 --> 00:52:58,678 Regroup. 1457 00:52:58,712 --> 00:53:00,413 - Yeah, stay calm. 1458 00:53:00,447 --> 00:53:01,848 - But look at that smile. 1459 00:53:01,881 --> 00:53:03,883 The teenager's having a blast out here. 1460 00:53:03,917 --> 00:53:06,353 - But he's got to be exhausted after that. 1461 00:53:06,386 --> 00:53:08,054 - Can he make the leap to the rope? 1462 00:53:08,054 --> 00:53:10,657 Yes--able to hang on. 1463 00:53:10,690 --> 00:53:13,693 - Still alive-- Evan Andrews bought himself 1464 00:53:13,727 --> 00:53:15,462 room for a mistake, you can see there. 1465 00:53:15,495 --> 00:53:16,896 - Yeah, he's going to have to shake it off, 1466 00:53:16,930 --> 00:53:18,398 like Taylor Swift. 1467 00:53:18,431 --> 00:53:20,900 - Oh, his parents are feeling it. 1468 00:53:20,934 --> 00:53:22,135 Evan Andrews--this is the first time 1469 00:53:22,168 --> 00:53:23,603 we've seen him shaken. 1470 00:53:23,636 --> 00:53:25,705 That took a lot out of him. 1471 00:53:25,739 --> 00:53:26,706 - You got it, bud. 1472 00:53:26,740 --> 00:53:29,576 You got it, Evan. 1473 00:53:29,609 --> 00:53:32,212 - Mom shouting encouragement, and it's working. 1474 00:53:32,245 --> 00:53:33,780 He seems back into it. 1475 00:53:33,813 --> 00:53:34,848 - Now he's feeling it. 1476 00:53:34,881 --> 00:53:35,949 - Yeah, shaking it up. 1477 00:53:35,982 --> 00:53:36,950 Shake it off. 1478 00:53:36,983 --> 00:53:38,418 Get the crowd involved. 1479 00:53:38,451 --> 00:53:40,987 - What does he have left for Hornet's Nest? 1480 00:53:41,087 --> 00:53:44,457 I'm so impressed with the ability of these ninjas 1481 00:53:44,491 --> 00:53:48,661 to handle the adversity, these young athletes. 1482 00:53:48,695 --> 00:53:50,330 - Nice. - 17 years old, 1483 00:53:50,363 --> 00:53:52,732 and his ninja life flashed before his eyes 1484 00:53:52,766 --> 00:53:54,300 there on Hammer Drop. 1485 00:53:54,334 --> 00:53:56,369 - Yeah, he's put in a lot of work to get to this point. 1486 00:53:56,403 --> 00:53:58,772 All those hours of training in his garage, 1487 00:53:58,805 --> 00:54:02,942 it's for this--being able to push through on stage two. 1488 00:54:03,043 --> 00:54:06,046 - Having a little trouble here getting rotated around. 1489 00:54:06,046 --> 00:54:07,947 - He said he's focused on being productive 1490 00:54:08,048 --> 00:54:09,382 instead of busy. 1491 00:54:09,416 --> 00:54:11,785 - After just a flawless first three obstacles-- 1492 00:54:11,818 --> 00:54:13,219 - Nice. 1493 00:54:13,253 --> 00:54:15,655 - --he's really struggled on the second half here. 1494 00:54:15,689 --> 00:54:19,626 - I'm concerned about this next transfer, Matt. 1495 00:54:19,659 --> 00:54:21,127 Four to five. Oh. 1496 00:54:21,161 --> 00:54:23,196 - No! [air horn blares] 1497 00:54:24,664 --> 00:54:26,833 Well, it started on the Hammer Drop, 1498 00:54:26,866 --> 00:54:29,436 and it ended there on the Hornet's Nest. 1499 00:54:29,469 --> 00:54:31,571 But what a season for Evan Andrews. 1500 00:54:31,604 --> 00:54:33,139 - Yes, it was, Matt. 1501 00:54:33,173 --> 00:54:35,175 He started strong, but on Hammer Drop, 1502 00:54:35,208 --> 00:54:38,311 he had to save himself not once but twice, 1503 00:54:38,345 --> 00:54:40,180 using only his hands. 1504 00:54:40,213 --> 00:54:42,615 And that caught up to him on Hornet's Nest. 1505 00:54:42,649 --> 00:54:45,085 You can see that hand slipping off right there 1506 00:54:45,085 --> 00:54:47,754 as he swung for that last honeycomb. 1507 00:54:47,787 --> 00:54:51,191 - Coming up, they gave us a nail-biter on the Power Tower. 1508 00:54:51,224 --> 00:54:52,459 [buzzer blares] 1509 00:54:52,492 --> 00:54:54,661 - Oh, my God, and Jay Lewis wins it. 1510 00:54:54,694 --> 00:54:57,163 That was so close. 1511 00:54:57,197 --> 00:55:00,166 - And now, Jay "Lache" Lewis has a Safety Pass. 1512 00:55:00,200 --> 00:55:03,169 He and Josiah Pippel take on stage two, 1513 00:55:03,203 --> 00:55:06,473 next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1514 00:55:10,510 --> 00:55:12,045 - Welcome back to Las Vegas, where 1515 00:55:12,078 --> 00:55:15,048 we've had two thrilling finishes here on stage two. 1516 00:55:15,048 --> 00:55:17,150 How many more will we get tonight? 1517 00:55:17,183 --> 00:55:19,719 Moments ago, stuntman Kyle Soderman 1518 00:55:19,753 --> 00:55:22,188 tried to finish for the second year in a row. 1519 00:55:22,222 --> 00:55:24,357 - Ooh, nice high on the rope. 1520 00:55:24,391 --> 00:55:28,061 - Last season, the 27-year-old was one of only four ninjas 1521 00:55:28,094 --> 00:55:29,729 to hit a buzzer on stage two. 1522 00:55:29,763 --> 00:55:32,766 With his fiancée Megan Johnson watching, 1523 00:55:32,799 --> 00:55:34,801 he came out strong again tonight. 1524 00:55:34,834 --> 00:55:36,670 - All right, send it, Soderman. 1525 00:55:36,703 --> 00:55:39,439 - At 180 pounds, Soderman's one of the heaviest of the 1526 00:55:39,472 --> 00:55:40,940 elite ninjas. 1527 00:55:40,974 --> 00:55:43,810 And the upper-body obstacles seemed to take a toll. 1528 00:55:43,843 --> 00:55:46,780 - That's just more weight and more taxing on his forearms. 1529 00:55:46,813 --> 00:55:49,249 - But he kept fighting and made his way 1530 00:55:49,282 --> 00:55:50,817 to the final honeycomb-- 1531 00:55:50,850 --> 00:55:53,119 - This one's making me a little nervous. 1532 00:55:53,153 --> 00:55:55,121 - Knocked down! 1533 00:55:55,155 --> 00:55:57,223 - --before his season came to an end. 1534 00:56:00,326 --> 00:56:02,429 - We've got another one underway. 1535 00:56:02,462 --> 00:56:03,430 - Nice. 1536 00:56:03,463 --> 00:56:05,532 - It's Jay "Lache" Lewis. 1537 00:56:05,565 --> 00:56:08,335 - A lot of people think this 18-year-old could win it all. 1538 00:56:08,368 --> 00:56:12,205 He's looked so solid on stage two so far. 1539 00:56:12,238 --> 00:56:14,641 - Gives a little thumbs up. I think he heard you, Akbar. 1540 00:56:14,674 --> 00:56:18,712 And his parents and East Coast ninjas on the sidelines. 1541 00:56:18,745 --> 00:56:20,613 He's got a Safety Pass on his shorts. 1542 00:56:20,647 --> 00:56:23,616 So if he falls, he'll get another chance. 1543 00:56:23,650 --> 00:56:26,152 Jay starts college in a few weeks at Syracuse. 1544 00:56:26,186 --> 00:56:28,855 And he's got the school mascot, Otto the Orange, 1545 00:56:28,888 --> 00:56:30,523 cheering him on. 1546 00:56:30,557 --> 00:56:32,559 Right now, he's going to give it the old college try 1547 00:56:32,592 --> 00:56:33,860 here on Hornet's Nest. 1548 00:56:33,893 --> 00:56:35,595 - Confidence--let's go. 1549 00:56:35,628 --> 00:56:37,130 - Well, you can see, once he gets gone, 1550 00:56:37,163 --> 00:56:38,365 he really is efficient. Ooh. 1551 00:56:38,398 --> 00:56:39,833 - Ooh. 1552 00:56:39,866 --> 00:56:41,601 - And you could see his direction wasn't great. 1553 00:56:41,634 --> 00:56:43,703 That was a good save with the hand placement. 1554 00:56:43,737 --> 00:56:45,071 - Well, Matt, when you're that light, 1555 00:56:45,071 --> 00:56:47,374 sometimes you lose control of the body. 1556 00:56:47,407 --> 00:56:49,409 So he has to have enough air time. 1557 00:56:49,442 --> 00:56:52,379 This is where on this big one, this 10-foot lache, 1558 00:56:52,412 --> 00:56:54,314 he's got to have some hang time so he can adjust the box. 1559 00:56:54,347 --> 00:56:55,749 - Perfect. - Nice. 1560 00:56:55,782 --> 00:56:57,517 - And watch it, this side-to-side, 1561 00:56:57,550 --> 00:56:58,518 this was the one he had a little 1562 00:56:58,551 --> 00:57:00,220 trouble with we just saw. 1563 00:57:00,253 --> 00:57:01,221 - Nice. 1564 00:57:01,254 --> 00:57:02,822 Throw himself into it--good. 1565 00:57:02,856 --> 00:57:05,792 - Good correction--learning in the middle of the course. 1566 00:57:05,825 --> 00:57:07,027 - This is his bread and butter. 1567 00:57:07,027 --> 00:57:09,029 This is what he eats at lunchtime. 1568 00:57:09,029 --> 00:57:10,263 Nice. 1569 00:57:10,296 --> 00:57:14,234 [cheers and applause] 1570 00:57:14,267 --> 00:57:16,703 - And Otto's cheering like it's March Madness. 1571 00:57:16,736 --> 00:57:18,938 Under a minute, here we go. 1572 00:57:19,039 --> 00:57:20,540 Do those forearms have anything left 1573 00:57:20,573 --> 00:57:23,276 here on the Falling Shelves? 1574 00:57:23,309 --> 00:57:25,345 - Nice. Good throws. 1575 00:57:25,378 --> 00:57:26,780 - And this one will continue to spin. 1576 00:57:26,813 --> 00:57:28,448 - Ooh! Nice. 1577 00:57:28,481 --> 00:57:30,450 - This is it, the blind grab-- 1578 00:57:30,483 --> 00:57:31,651 - Come on! 1579 00:57:31,685 --> 00:57:33,286 Yes! - Wow. 1580 00:57:33,319 --> 00:57:35,755 And look at the smile on Jay "Lache." 1581 00:57:35,789 --> 00:57:37,757 [cheers and applause] 1582 00:57:37,791 --> 00:57:40,560 He's going to stage three. 1583 00:57:41,294 --> 00:57:43,930 Look at that, didn't even need the Safety Pass. 1584 00:57:43,963 --> 00:57:45,732 - Yeah! 1585 00:57:45,765 --> 00:57:48,735 - Oh, they're dancing in Syracuse. 1586 00:57:48,768 --> 00:57:49,969 And look at that. 1587 00:57:50,070 --> 00:57:51,571 Here comes the family to celebrate. 1588 00:57:51,604 --> 00:57:53,340 What a beautiful moment. 1589 00:57:53,373 --> 00:57:57,177 Jay "Lache" lived up to his name on these final obstacles. 1590 00:57:57,210 --> 00:58:00,180 And he was smiling when he got to that last shelf. 1591 00:58:00,213 --> 00:58:02,082 He's our third finisher tonight, 1592 00:58:02,115 --> 00:58:03,717 and he's down with Zuri. 1593 00:58:03,750 --> 00:58:05,552 - Okay, Lache. 1594 00:58:05,585 --> 00:58:08,254 You're headed to stage three, and you're headed to college. 1595 00:58:08,288 --> 00:58:10,724 How excited are you about the future right now? 1596 00:58:10,757 --> 00:58:12,292 - The future's looking pretty bright right now, 1597 00:58:12,325 --> 00:58:13,827 so I'm pretty excited. [chuckles] 1598 00:58:13,860 --> 00:58:15,028 - Well, we're excited to watch it. 1599 00:58:15,061 --> 00:58:16,329 Congratulations on everything. 1600 00:58:16,363 --> 00:58:18,064 Can't wait to see you kill it on stage three. 1601 00:58:18,098 --> 00:58:19,232 Give it up for Jay, y'all. 1602 00:58:19,265 --> 00:58:21,668 Awesome job. Guys, take it away. 1603 00:58:22,869 --> 00:58:25,238 - Well, up next is the ninja Jay "Lache" beat 1604 00:58:25,271 --> 00:58:27,040 to earn that Safety Pass. 1605 00:58:27,040 --> 00:58:28,408 It's 16-year-old 1606 00:58:28,441 --> 00:58:31,144 New Jersey high school student Josiah Pippel. 1607 00:58:31,177 --> 00:58:35,048 With no Safety Pass, a fall tonight will end his season. 1608 00:58:35,048 --> 00:58:37,417 And he's got history here on stage two. 1609 00:58:39,719 --> 00:58:43,056 - Not only is he explosive, he's making it look easy. 1610 00:58:43,056 --> 00:58:44,157 - Stage two last year, 1611 00:58:44,190 --> 00:58:45,525 I made it all the way to the last move, 1612 00:58:45,558 --> 00:58:47,327 the undergrab on Falling Shelves. 1613 00:58:47,360 --> 00:58:49,129 - This is the big move-- 1614 00:58:49,162 --> 00:58:50,830 blind grab, blind grab. 1615 00:58:50,864 --> 00:58:51,831 - Oh! - Oh! 1616 00:58:51,865 --> 00:58:53,266 [air horn blares] 1617 00:58:53,299 --> 00:58:54,934 - I knew that if I get back there, 1618 00:58:54,968 --> 00:58:56,136 I don't want to fail this. 1619 00:58:56,169 --> 00:58:57,871 I need to train this as hard as I can. 1620 00:58:57,904 --> 00:58:59,472 [whirring] 1621 00:58:59,506 --> 00:59:01,775 Pretty much as soon as I got back from Vegas last year, 1622 00:59:01,808 --> 00:59:03,576 I built Falling Shelves. 1623 00:59:07,180 --> 00:59:08,481 I've done it every way possible. 1624 00:59:08,515 --> 00:59:09,883 And I even did it blindfolded. 1625 00:59:09,916 --> 00:59:11,184 - Whoo! 1626 00:59:11,217 --> 00:59:12,285 - Yeah. 1627 00:59:12,318 --> 00:59:13,787 - I'm going to get back there. 1628 00:59:13,820 --> 00:59:16,790 I'm going to get it, and I'm moving on to stage three. 1629 00:59:19,359 --> 00:59:21,127 - Josiah's mom and siblings will be 1630 00:59:21,161 --> 00:59:23,229 watching back in New Jersey. 1631 00:59:23,263 --> 00:59:25,331 And his dad down on the sidelines, 1632 00:59:25,365 --> 00:59:27,267 along with some of the ninjas he trains with. 1633 00:59:27,300 --> 00:59:30,203 [countdown clock beeping] 1634 00:59:30,236 --> 00:59:32,639 We've talked about what a Renaissance man he is-- 1635 00:59:32,672 --> 00:59:35,575 collects reptiles, loves Formula One racing, 1636 00:59:35,608 --> 00:59:37,644 even taught himself how to play piano. 1637 00:59:37,677 --> 00:59:39,179 - He's a man of many talents. 1638 00:59:39,212 --> 00:59:41,381 But his best talent is ninja. 1639 00:59:41,414 --> 00:59:43,216 This kid could go all the way. 1640 00:59:43,249 --> 00:59:45,085 - He's had an amazing season already-- 1641 00:59:45,118 --> 00:59:48,254 three buzzers and won 10 grand on the Mega Wall. 1642 00:59:48,288 --> 00:59:50,690 - Well, Matt, that $10,000 on the Mega Wall, 1643 00:59:50,724 --> 00:59:53,360 he'll never have to ask for lunch money again. 1644 00:59:53,393 --> 00:59:56,062 - Cannot say it enough how these young ninjas, 1645 00:59:56,062 --> 00:59:59,065 the poise they have out here, and the maturity, 1646 00:59:59,065 --> 01:00:02,068 the plan of attack that they're executing. 1647 01:00:02,102 --> 01:00:04,204 - Yeah, you can see it's a little windy out here. 1648 01:00:04,237 --> 01:00:06,873 So the Piston Plunge are going to be swaying back and forth. 1649 01:00:06,906 --> 01:00:10,243 You can see Josiah's Afro blowing in the wind. 1650 01:00:10,276 --> 01:00:13,013 - 6 feet tall, got those long arms. 1651 01:00:13,046 --> 01:00:14,914 - And the nice hair, too, long hair. 1652 01:00:14,948 --> 01:00:16,182 I like that 'fro. 1653 01:00:16,216 --> 01:00:17,784 I used to have one when I was a kid. 1654 01:00:17,817 --> 01:00:19,085 Well, take a look at my baby picture 1655 01:00:19,119 --> 01:00:20,253 if you don't believe me. 1656 01:00:20,286 --> 01:00:22,288 - You were looking good back then. 1657 01:00:22,322 --> 01:00:25,625 And Josiah Pippel looking good so far on stage two. 1658 01:00:25,658 --> 01:00:28,161 But now it gets tough. On now to the Hammer Drop. 1659 01:00:28,194 --> 01:00:29,662 Should lock it in here with those big arms. 1660 01:00:29,696 --> 01:00:31,097 Make sure you get the legs in. 1661 01:00:31,131 --> 01:00:32,532 - Ooh, get your legs in--nice. 1662 01:00:32,565 --> 01:00:36,336 Cradle, hug it, love it--nice. 1663 01:00:36,369 --> 01:00:38,805 - Good job getting four points of contact, trying to be 1664 01:00:38,838 --> 01:00:40,240 as efficient as possible. 1665 01:00:40,273 --> 01:00:41,841 - Yeah, that four point of contact 1666 01:00:41,875 --> 01:00:44,110 a lot easier when you're that long. 1667 01:00:44,144 --> 01:00:46,680 - He's still an elite athlete. 1668 01:00:46,713 --> 01:00:48,815 He's got to get it pumping again. 1669 01:00:48,848 --> 01:00:50,383 All right. - But once again, 1670 01:00:50,417 --> 01:00:51,651 you've got to get the momentum going 1671 01:00:51,685 --> 01:00:53,119 because when you push on that hammer, 1672 01:00:53,153 --> 01:00:55,355 it will pull away from you. 1673 01:00:55,388 --> 01:00:56,990 Isaac Newton explained it. 1674 01:00:57,023 --> 01:00:58,425 - Nice. - Whoo! 1675 01:00:58,458 --> 01:00:59,793 - High on the rope. 1676 01:00:59,826 --> 01:01:02,062 Didn't have to climb up that much. 1677 01:01:02,062 --> 01:01:04,397 - Josiah Pippel--we saw him on "Ninja Junior," 1678 01:01:04,431 --> 01:01:06,132 and, my, how he has grown. 1679 01:01:06,166 --> 01:01:08,435 - He comes back next year, could be 6'4." 1680 01:01:08,468 --> 01:01:10,136 - Let's go, Josiah. 1681 01:01:10,170 --> 01:01:12,672 - And he's given himself a good amount of time, 1682 01:01:12,706 --> 01:01:15,308 2 minutes, 20 seconds, to get through this 1683 01:01:15,342 --> 01:01:16,976 and the Falling Shelves. 1684 01:01:17,077 --> 01:01:18,411 - Yeah, Hornet's Nest is one of those ones 1685 01:01:18,445 --> 01:01:20,347 you've got to really map out, one of the two. 1686 01:01:20,380 --> 01:01:21,848 So you have to realize, you know, 1687 01:01:21,881 --> 01:01:23,450 with the different distance, 1688 01:01:23,483 --> 01:01:25,418 that's an 8-foot lache right there. 1689 01:01:25,452 --> 01:01:26,986 - Good throw. 1690 01:01:27,087 --> 01:01:28,988 Having a little trouble with the hand placement there. 1691 01:01:29,089 --> 01:01:30,724 - Well, he should have it right here because 1692 01:01:30,757 --> 01:01:33,259 he's 6 feet tall, long reach-- 1693 01:01:33,293 --> 01:01:34,894 nice. 1694 01:01:34,928 --> 01:01:36,396 And here's the thing, you have no time 1695 01:01:36,429 --> 01:01:37,797 to rest on the Hornet's Nest. 1696 01:01:37,831 --> 01:01:40,433 - Now, here's the big one-- 10 feet. 1697 01:01:40,467 --> 01:01:41,501 - Whoo! 1698 01:01:41,534 --> 01:01:42,802 Did you see how high up he got? 1699 01:01:42,836 --> 01:01:43,970 Nice. 1700 01:01:44,004 --> 01:01:45,839 - Arms getting fully extended. 1701 01:01:45,872 --> 01:01:47,674 - And, Matt, too, when you get that high up, 1702 01:01:47,707 --> 01:01:50,143 it gives you a little room to make the correction. 1703 01:01:50,176 --> 01:01:51,478 - Perfect. 1704 01:01:51,511 --> 01:01:54,214 Well, here it is, lining up for his rematch 1705 01:01:54,247 --> 01:01:55,749 with Falling Shelves. 1706 01:01:55,782 --> 01:01:59,252 He was one of the many who fell on that final shelf. 1707 01:01:59,285 --> 01:02:00,553 The blind grab. 1708 01:02:00,587 --> 01:02:02,055 - Nice! - Getting a chance 1709 01:02:02,055 --> 01:02:03,556 to avenge it. 1710 01:02:03,590 --> 01:02:05,859 [cheers and applause] 1711 01:02:05,892 --> 01:02:07,527 - Matt, did you see that? 1712 01:02:07,560 --> 01:02:09,829 As soon as he laid it, he was mad-dogging 1713 01:02:09,863 --> 01:02:11,798 the Falling Shelves, like, what? 1714 01:02:11,831 --> 01:02:14,467 This is a moment he's been waiting for. 1715 01:02:14,501 --> 01:02:17,070 - Well, what a sense of déjà vu it has to be. 1716 01:02:17,070 --> 01:02:18,571 I can't imagine the number of times 1717 01:02:18,605 --> 01:02:22,976 he's replayed the Falling Shelves since last year. 1718 01:02:23,076 --> 01:02:26,446 He can literally do it blindfolded now. 1719 01:02:26,479 --> 01:02:28,248 Just looking effortless so far. 1720 01:02:28,281 --> 01:02:29,482 Here it is, though. 1721 01:02:29,516 --> 01:02:30,650 - He's flying through the course, 1722 01:02:30,684 --> 01:02:32,886 his Afro flying through the course. 1723 01:02:32,919 --> 01:02:33,887 - Got it! 1724 01:02:33,920 --> 01:02:35,422 And there he is, nodding. 1725 01:02:35,455 --> 01:02:38,124 He's nodding, yeah. - Pippel knows it! 1726 01:02:38,158 --> 01:02:39,592 - He knows what's up. 1727 01:02:39,626 --> 01:02:41,561 [buzzer blares] 1728 01:02:41,594 --> 01:02:43,897 - He's going to stage three. 1729 01:02:43,930 --> 01:02:47,000 [cheers and applause] 1730 01:02:47,100 --> 01:02:48,301 - Whoo! 1731 01:02:48,335 --> 01:02:49,569 * * 1732 01:02:49,602 --> 01:02:54,007 - And the teens continue to destroy this course. 1733 01:02:54,107 --> 01:02:56,109 * * 1734 01:02:56,109 --> 01:02:58,745 Gets his revenge on the Falling Shelves. 1735 01:02:58,778 --> 01:03:01,715 And he's our fourth finisher on stage two. 1736 01:03:01,748 --> 01:03:03,950 That's as many as we had last season, 1737 01:03:04,050 --> 01:03:06,753 and we're barely halfway through the field. 1738 01:03:06,786 --> 01:03:09,456 Coming up, he may be a little older, 1739 01:03:09,489 --> 01:03:11,891 but the Swan can still fly. 1740 01:03:11,925 --> 01:03:13,393 - He's flying through this course. 1741 01:03:13,426 --> 01:03:14,928 Look at the time. 1742 01:03:14,961 --> 01:03:18,398 - Ethan Swanson put up the fastest time on stage one. 1743 01:03:18,431 --> 01:03:20,500 Now, he'll take on stage two, 1744 01:03:20,533 --> 01:03:23,570 next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1745 01:03:27,440 --> 01:03:28,675 - Welcome back to Las Vegas, 1746 01:03:28,708 --> 01:03:30,310 where a couple of Windy City ninjas 1747 01:03:30,343 --> 01:03:33,513 got their shot on stage two minutes ago. 1748 01:03:33,546 --> 01:03:36,716 When the Stallion Mike Silenzi galloped to the start line, 1749 01:03:36,750 --> 01:03:39,352 there was the usual stampede on the sidelines. 1750 01:03:39,386 --> 01:03:41,087 - Yee-haw! Okay! 1751 01:03:41,087 --> 01:03:43,590 - The 35-year-old has had a career resurgence, 1752 01:03:43,623 --> 01:03:46,092 with six buzzers in the past two years. 1753 01:03:46,126 --> 01:03:47,627 - Giddyup, cowboy. 1754 01:03:47,660 --> 01:03:49,863 - He made it to the final obstacle on stage two 1755 01:03:49,896 --> 01:03:53,099 last season but got hung up on the third one tonight. 1756 01:03:53,099 --> 01:03:55,502 - He's spending way too much time on Piston Plunge. 1757 01:03:55,535 --> 01:03:57,203 He needed a little bit more horsepower! 1758 01:03:57,237 --> 01:03:58,772 Danggum! 1759 01:04:01,808 --> 01:04:03,576 - Then another Chicago ninja, 1760 01:04:03,610 --> 01:04:05,645 Cam "The Bomb" Baumgartner, 1761 01:04:05,679 --> 01:04:07,380 tried to blow through the course. 1762 01:04:07,414 --> 01:04:08,815 - Yeah! [cheers and applause] 1763 01:04:08,848 --> 01:04:11,618 But he was also slowed down at Piston Plunge. 1764 01:04:11,651 --> 01:04:13,687 - Uh-oh, that's a long time to be hanging. 1765 01:04:13,720 --> 01:04:14,754 Go for it, Cam. 1766 01:04:14,788 --> 01:04:15,789 Oh. 1767 01:04:15,822 --> 01:04:17,290 - Come on! 1768 01:04:17,323 --> 01:04:20,393 - But after that, the gymnastics coach exploded-- 1769 01:04:20,427 --> 01:04:21,928 - Ooh, I know it's burning. 1770 01:04:21,961 --> 01:04:24,264 - --flying through the back half of the course 1771 01:04:24,297 --> 01:04:26,366 and he made his way to the Falling Shelves. 1772 01:04:26,399 --> 01:04:27,901 - You've worked hard for this. - Come on, Cam. 1773 01:04:27,934 --> 01:04:30,603 - First time. Yes! 1774 01:04:30,637 --> 01:04:33,139 - And got his first stage two buzzer, 1775 01:04:33,173 --> 01:04:35,742 becoming our fifth finisher tonight. 1776 01:04:35,775 --> 01:04:38,211 - He almost went off the platform! 1777 01:04:39,179 --> 01:04:41,481 Oh, man, that's a big moment. 1778 01:04:43,083 --> 01:04:44,551 - Flying to the start line next 1779 01:04:44,584 --> 01:04:46,953 is another from that Chicago crew 1780 01:04:46,986 --> 01:04:48,788 doing his signature move-- 1781 01:04:48,822 --> 01:04:52,092 flapping the wings and getting the crowd going. 1782 01:04:52,092 --> 01:04:54,494 It's the Swan, Ethan Swanson. 1783 01:04:54,527 --> 01:04:57,263 This veteran had the fastest time on stage one. 1784 01:04:57,297 --> 01:04:59,399 But this will be his first time back on stage two 1785 01:04:59,432 --> 01:05:00,834 in a few years. 1786 01:05:00,867 --> 01:05:03,370 And the competition has gotten a lot younger. 1787 01:05:06,406 --> 01:05:07,674 - He's flying through this course. 1788 01:05:07,707 --> 01:05:09,442 Look at the time. 1789 01:05:09,476 --> 01:05:13,046 - I had the fastest time on stage one by 8/10 of a second. 1790 01:05:13,046 --> 01:05:15,048 [buzzer blares] - With the fastest time 1791 01:05:15,048 --> 01:05:16,282 of the night! 1792 01:05:16,316 --> 01:05:17,617 - It's good to know I can still hang. 1793 01:05:17,650 --> 01:05:20,653 - His fourth stage one buzzer in a row. 1794 01:05:20,687 --> 01:05:23,556 - It's been a couple years since I've been in Vegas. 1795 01:05:23,590 --> 01:05:25,058 And there's a whole different level 1796 01:05:25,058 --> 01:05:26,526 of competition here, 1797 01:05:26,559 --> 01:05:29,062 these young kids that are monsters now. 1798 01:05:29,062 --> 01:05:30,830 [buzzer blares] 1799 01:05:30,864 --> 01:05:32,332 I think they're going to surpass the mark 1800 01:05:32,365 --> 01:05:34,067 that they set from last year. 1801 01:05:34,067 --> 01:05:37,137 - Next up, 24-year-old Ethan Swanson. 1802 01:05:37,170 --> 01:05:39,139 - But I've been here before. 1803 01:05:39,172 --> 01:05:40,440 This is my ninth season. 1804 01:05:40,473 --> 01:05:41,775 I know what it takes. 1805 01:05:41,808 --> 01:05:44,744 I've been to stage two a bunch of times. 1806 01:05:44,778 --> 01:05:47,247 I know what to expect. I know how to prepare. 1807 01:05:47,280 --> 01:05:48,314 - You got it. 1808 01:05:48,348 --> 01:05:49,683 Yeah! 1809 01:05:49,716 --> 01:05:51,985 - Stage two is so tough. You're up super high. 1810 01:05:52,085 --> 01:05:53,586 You're doing these crazy moves. 1811 01:05:53,620 --> 01:05:55,088 - You've got to make sure you don't get too dizzy. 1812 01:05:55,088 --> 01:05:56,089 - There's so many risks. 1813 01:05:56,089 --> 01:05:57,090 - Nice! 1814 01:05:57,090 --> 01:05:58,191 - But before I was even 1815 01:05:58,224 --> 01:05:59,626 doing Ninja, I was a daredevil. 1816 01:05:59,659 --> 01:06:01,027 I was a stuntman. 1817 01:06:01,027 --> 01:06:02,395 I feel like I'll make some of those decisions 1818 01:06:02,429 --> 01:06:03,563 and some of those moves that maybe 1819 01:06:03,596 --> 01:06:05,031 some other athletes won't. 1820 01:06:05,065 --> 01:06:07,767 This old guy's still got a couple of veteran tricks 1821 01:06:07,801 --> 01:06:09,135 up his sleeve. 1822 01:06:10,937 --> 01:06:13,606 - Everybody's gonna be flapping their wings, 1823 01:06:13,640 --> 01:06:16,276 including all his Chicago Ninja buddies. 1824 01:06:16,309 --> 01:06:17,277 [countdown clock beeping] 1825 01:06:17,310 --> 01:06:19,245 - Come on, Ethan! 1826 01:06:19,279 --> 01:06:21,681 - They say it's a young man's game. 1827 01:06:21,715 --> 01:06:23,416 But Ethan Swanson trying to show 1828 01:06:23,450 --> 01:06:25,552 you better respect your elders. 1829 01:06:25,585 --> 01:06:27,320 - Well, he crushed stage one. 1830 01:06:27,354 --> 01:06:29,889 But stage two is a completely different animal. 1831 01:06:29,923 --> 01:06:32,492 These courses keep getting more difficult. 1832 01:06:34,394 --> 01:06:35,562 - Nice. 1833 01:06:35,595 --> 01:06:38,765 He knows... exactly what to do. 1834 01:06:38,798 --> 01:06:39,899 - Let's go. Last one. 1835 01:06:39,933 --> 01:06:42,502 Come on. - Come on, Ethan. 1836 01:06:42,535 --> 01:06:44,738 - Come on, Swan. 1837 01:06:44,771 --> 01:06:46,940 - Well, loves to fly, is a daredevil, 1838 01:06:46,973 --> 01:06:50,210 is a guy who's done some insane high-flying stunts, 1839 01:06:50,243 --> 01:06:52,345 an acro-dunker for the Bulls. 1840 01:06:52,379 --> 01:06:54,114 He used to create YouTube videos 1841 01:06:54,147 --> 01:06:55,982 where he would hang off skyscrapers 1842 01:06:56,082 --> 01:06:58,518 all across Chicago-- kind of the same thing 1843 01:06:58,551 --> 01:07:00,220 he's doing here on Piston Plunge. 1844 01:07:00,253 --> 01:07:02,088 - And you know what I love about daredevils? 1845 01:07:02,122 --> 01:07:03,423 They have no fear. 1846 01:07:03,456 --> 01:07:05,392 - Got to be efficient here. 1847 01:07:05,425 --> 01:07:07,660 - Nice transfer, nice and easy. 1848 01:07:07,694 --> 01:07:09,729 And you can usually tell by the transfer 1849 01:07:09,763 --> 01:07:12,599 how much gas these ninjas have left. 1850 01:07:12,632 --> 01:07:13,867 And Ethan Swanson looks like 1851 01:07:13,900 --> 01:07:15,435 he's got plenty of energy left. 1852 01:07:15,468 --> 01:07:17,570 [cheers and applause] 1853 01:07:17,604 --> 01:07:19,105 - Well, now it's Hammer Drop. 1854 01:07:19,139 --> 01:07:22,742 Time for the 5'9" Swanson to show off that wingspan. 1855 01:07:22,776 --> 01:07:25,879 - He has got to bear hug the heck out of Hammer Drop. 1856 01:07:25,912 --> 01:07:28,381 He's got to throw his body and squeeze tight, 1857 01:07:28,415 --> 01:07:31,584 squeeze with not only his arms but his legs as well. 1858 01:07:31,618 --> 01:07:33,953 - Good job getting four points of contact, 1859 01:07:34,054 --> 01:07:36,056 trying to be as efficient as possible. 1860 01:07:36,056 --> 01:07:38,058 Oh, and a little slip there, 1861 01:07:38,058 --> 01:07:39,726 having trouble getting on top of it. 1862 01:07:39,759 --> 01:07:41,094 - Breathe! 1863 01:07:41,127 --> 01:07:42,429 - Come on, get power. 1864 01:07:42,462 --> 01:07:45,065 - This is where it gets a little scary here, 1865 01:07:45,065 --> 01:07:46,066 even for the Swan. 1866 01:07:46,066 --> 01:07:47,701 Spread those wings. 1867 01:07:47,734 --> 01:07:49,069 - Fly, fly! 1868 01:07:49,102 --> 01:07:50,970 - Ooh. - Ooh-hoo. 1869 01:07:51,071 --> 01:07:52,906 - Well, we've had five finishers so far. 1870 01:07:52,939 --> 01:07:55,508 Flip Rodriguez is the only one over 30. 1871 01:07:55,542 --> 01:07:58,445 Ethan Swanson at 32 trying to join Flip 1872 01:07:58,478 --> 01:08:00,347 and represent for the old guys. 1873 01:08:00,380 --> 01:08:02,082 Two obstacles between him 1874 01:08:02,115 --> 01:08:04,150 and his second date on stage three. 1875 01:08:04,184 --> 01:08:06,019 And he's having a good time out here. 1876 01:08:06,019 --> 01:08:09,522 - Yeah, he's having fun. He's having a lot of fun. 1877 01:08:09,556 --> 01:08:11,191 - He's still entertaining the crowd, 1878 01:08:11,224 --> 01:08:13,193 but what does he have left in those arms 1879 01:08:13,226 --> 01:08:14,427 for the Hornet's Nest? 1880 01:08:14,461 --> 01:08:16,062 - Matt, I can guarantee you, his arms 1881 01:08:16,096 --> 01:08:19,632 are about to start stinging, if they aren't already. 1882 01:08:19,666 --> 01:08:21,868 - All right, right here. All good. 1883 01:08:21,901 --> 01:08:23,937 - His body's all over the place. 1884 01:08:24,037 --> 01:08:24,938 - Whoa! 1885 01:08:25,038 --> 01:08:26,840 [cheers and applause] 1886 01:08:26,873 --> 01:08:28,508 - Keep moving. Keep moving. 1887 01:08:28,541 --> 01:08:31,077 - Well, Matt, on this next transfer from three to four, 1888 01:08:31,111 --> 01:08:34,047 he'd better make sure that he doesn't have 1889 01:08:34,047 --> 01:08:36,683 that same type of throw on that first lache. 1890 01:08:36,716 --> 01:08:38,118 - And just looking real awkward there 1891 01:08:38,151 --> 01:08:39,319 on that third honeycomb. 1892 01:08:39,352 --> 01:08:40,653 - He needs more body control. 1893 01:08:40,687 --> 01:08:43,156 Body control--get up so you can control. 1894 01:08:43,189 --> 01:08:45,058 Nice. - Ah, just hanging on. 1895 01:08:45,058 --> 01:08:46,059 - Ooh, barely made it. 1896 01:08:46,059 --> 01:08:47,894 - Does he have anything left? 1897 01:08:47,927 --> 01:08:50,797 - Look at his face, Matt. He's fighting it. 1898 01:08:50,830 --> 01:08:52,465 Come on, you got this! 1899 01:08:52,499 --> 01:08:53,566 - Launching-- 1900 01:08:53,600 --> 01:08:55,268 - No! 1901 01:08:55,301 --> 01:08:59,372 - Ethan Swanson looked so good on stage one. 1902 01:08:59,406 --> 01:09:00,774 Had the fastest time. 1903 01:09:00,807 --> 01:09:04,511 But stage two is an upper-body killer. 1904 01:09:04,544 --> 01:09:06,546 - This course will wear you out. 1905 01:09:06,579 --> 01:09:08,448 The Swan used up a lot of strength 1906 01:09:08,481 --> 01:09:11,251 on these early obstacles, so at Hornet's Nest, 1907 01:09:11,284 --> 01:09:15,588 didn't have enough left to grab that last honeycomb. 1908 01:09:15,622 --> 01:09:18,658 - These kids are so strong. They make it look so easy. 1909 01:09:18,692 --> 01:09:20,493 For me, it's not. 1910 01:09:20,527 --> 01:09:22,796 - Coming up, 12 months ago, 1911 01:09:22,829 --> 01:09:24,931 he was the last ninja standing, 1912 01:09:25,031 --> 01:09:27,367 the only one to conquer stage three. 1913 01:09:27,400 --> 01:09:29,569 Can he do it again? 1914 01:09:29,602 --> 01:09:33,673 Kaden Lebsack runs next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1915 01:09:38,345 --> 01:09:39,312 - Welcome back to night two 1916 01:09:39,346 --> 01:09:40,647 of the National Finals. 1917 01:09:40,680 --> 01:09:42,048 While we were away, 1918 01:09:42,048 --> 01:09:44,317 a couple of recent high school graduates 1919 01:09:44,351 --> 01:09:45,552 took on stage two. 1920 01:09:45,585 --> 01:09:47,554 Minnesota's Jeramiah Boyd 1921 01:09:47,587 --> 01:09:50,056 was the captain of his school's track team. 1922 01:09:50,090 --> 01:09:52,525 And he came out of the blocks quickly tonight. 1923 01:09:52,559 --> 01:09:54,661 - Hurry, but don't rush--that's the key. 1924 01:09:54,694 --> 01:09:56,229 - With his mom cheering him on, 1925 01:09:56,262 --> 01:09:58,732 the 18-year-old had a hiccup on the Salmon Ladder. 1926 01:09:58,765 --> 01:10:00,800 - Uh-oh, uh-oh, come on, now. 1927 01:10:00,834 --> 01:10:02,068 - But he quickly recovered. 1928 01:10:02,102 --> 01:10:03,770 - Ooh, nice! 1929 01:10:03,803 --> 01:10:05,972 - This rookie has had an impressive campaign, 1930 01:10:06,006 --> 01:10:08,308 with two buzzers and a Mega Wall. 1931 01:10:08,341 --> 01:10:10,810 But his season ended tonight on Piston Plunge. 1932 01:10:10,844 --> 01:10:12,278 - No! 1933 01:10:12,312 --> 01:10:13,279 [air horn blares] 1934 01:10:13,313 --> 01:10:14,914 That's a tough one, Matt. 1935 01:10:14,948 --> 01:10:18,218 - Max Feinberg was in his school's marching band. 1936 01:10:18,251 --> 01:10:20,720 And he hit all the right notes in his run. 1937 01:10:20,754 --> 01:10:22,355 - Be clean, be solid, and be confident. 1938 01:10:22,389 --> 01:10:24,157 - He quickly made it to Hammer Drop, 1939 01:10:24,190 --> 01:10:26,126 which ended his season last year. 1940 01:10:26,159 --> 01:10:28,661 - All right, I'm sure he wants that revenge. 1941 01:10:28,695 --> 01:10:30,997 - But this time, he was able to hang on 1942 01:10:31,031 --> 01:10:32,499 and swing his way through. 1943 01:10:32,532 --> 01:10:34,668 - Got it! Got the revenge! 1944 01:10:34,701 --> 01:10:36,436 [whooping] 1945 01:10:36,469 --> 01:10:39,105 - The incoming freshman at the University of Denver 1946 01:10:39,139 --> 01:10:41,074 made the Hornet's Nest look easy-- 1947 01:10:41,107 --> 01:10:42,709 - Boy, this kid is just flying. 1948 01:10:42,742 --> 01:10:44,144 He is a-Maxing! 1949 01:10:44,177 --> 01:10:46,513 - And survived the blind grab on Falling Shelves-- 1950 01:10:46,546 --> 01:10:48,715 - Nice! - Allowing him to hit 1951 01:10:48,748 --> 01:10:50,116 a buzzer and become 1952 01:10:50,150 --> 01:10:52,519 the sixth finisher on stage two tonight. 1953 01:10:52,552 --> 01:10:53,987 - Let's go! 1954 01:10:54,020 --> 01:10:55,221 - Well done. 1955 01:10:55,255 --> 01:10:57,991 - Yeah! - Yeah! 1956 01:10:58,024 --> 01:11:01,061 - Already on the course is Max's good friend. 1957 01:11:01,061 --> 01:11:02,629 He's a pretty good ninja, too. 1958 01:11:02,662 --> 01:11:04,831 The defending last ninja standing, 1959 01:11:04,864 --> 01:11:06,599 16-year-old Kaden Lebsack. 1960 01:11:06,633 --> 01:11:08,335 - He's Special K! 1961 01:11:09,869 --> 01:11:12,539 - His parents and friends, including Max Feinberg, 1962 01:11:12,572 --> 01:11:14,374 are over on the sideline. 1963 01:11:14,407 --> 01:11:15,942 Watch it here on the Hammer Drop. 1964 01:11:15,975 --> 01:11:18,411 - You better hug this like a prom date, just like that. 1965 01:11:18,445 --> 01:11:19,879 - Ooh, oh, boy. 1966 01:11:19,913 --> 01:11:21,247 - Right to the face. 1967 01:11:21,281 --> 01:11:23,817 - Yeah, and he is going for it. 1968 01:11:23,850 --> 01:11:25,685 - He's the reigning king of ninja, 1969 01:11:25,719 --> 01:11:28,188 went farther than everyone last season. 1970 01:11:28,221 --> 01:11:30,423 Got to $100,000 last year. 1971 01:11:30,457 --> 01:11:32,258 Like to move that decimal point over. 1972 01:11:32,292 --> 01:11:33,693 - Ooh-hoo! 1973 01:11:33,727 --> 01:11:35,662 And this is going to come down to technique, Matt, 1974 01:11:35,695 --> 01:11:37,097 and a little bit of science. 1975 01:11:37,097 --> 01:11:38,832 I'm sure he's doing well in science class. 1976 01:11:38,865 --> 01:11:40,767 - Understand that hammer's going to push away. 1977 01:11:40,800 --> 01:11:42,235 There we go. - Nice. 1978 01:11:42,268 --> 01:11:43,603 [cheers and applause] 1979 01:11:43,636 --> 01:11:45,305 - His mom's always so nervous, 1980 01:11:45,338 --> 01:11:48,308 even though Kaden's never fallen in the water. 1981 01:11:48,341 --> 01:11:51,945 You've got to wonder, will the pressure ever get to him? 1982 01:11:51,978 --> 01:11:54,414 [crowd shouting encouragement] 1983 01:11:54,447 --> 01:11:56,616 - I gotta know the secret of how this kid 1984 01:11:56,649 --> 01:11:59,352 stays so calm under so much pressure. 1985 01:11:59,386 --> 01:12:01,388 And the pressure of the Hornet's Nest-- 1986 01:12:01,421 --> 01:12:03,256 this is a wicked obstacle. 1987 01:12:03,289 --> 01:12:04,591 - This guy knows. 1988 01:12:04,624 --> 01:12:07,861 He has what it takes to get that $1 million. 1989 01:12:07,894 --> 01:12:10,530 16 years old, and just handles everything 1990 01:12:10,563 --> 01:12:12,065 this course throws at him. 1991 01:12:12,065 --> 01:12:15,502 - And he's throwing himself into this obstacle. 1992 01:12:15,535 --> 01:12:16,803 Nice. 1993 01:12:16,836 --> 01:12:18,571 - And you can see how efficiently 1994 01:12:18,605 --> 01:12:21,608 he's moving the honeycombs, rotating them around-- 1995 01:12:21,641 --> 01:12:23,343 great use of that lower body. 1996 01:12:23,376 --> 01:12:25,645 - Yeah, you can see great control, 1997 01:12:25,679 --> 01:12:28,448 great mastery of the body and spatial awareness. 1998 01:12:28,481 --> 01:12:29,783 I think that's what he does well-- 1999 01:12:29,816 --> 01:12:33,186 spatial awareness, great adjustment. 2000 01:12:33,219 --> 01:12:35,822 - What I love here, too, the ease with which 2001 01:12:35,855 --> 01:12:37,223 he floats into it. 2002 01:12:37,257 --> 01:12:39,659 Makes those grabs so easy for himself. 2003 01:12:39,693 --> 01:12:41,695 - Just needs the dismount. 2004 01:12:41,728 --> 01:12:43,596 Got it! 2005 01:12:44,397 --> 01:12:47,000 - Mom says, one obstacle to go. 2006 01:12:47,100 --> 01:12:49,669 - And he's got a real shot at the fastest time. 2007 01:12:49,703 --> 01:12:51,104 - This is all you, Kaden. 2008 01:12:51,137 --> 01:12:53,506 - Going for his fourth buzzer of the season. 2009 01:12:53,540 --> 01:12:55,475 [overlapping encouragement] 2010 01:12:55,508 --> 01:12:57,143 - Now the Falling Shelves. 2011 01:12:57,177 --> 01:12:58,845 He's one of the few who survived 2012 01:12:58,878 --> 01:13:01,348 this obstacle last year. 2013 01:13:01,381 --> 01:13:02,649 - Nice. 2014 01:13:02,682 --> 01:13:04,284 Three more moves. 2015 01:13:04,317 --> 01:13:07,153 This is what the new gen of ninjas look like-- 2016 01:13:07,187 --> 01:13:08,455 it's Kaden Lebsack! 2017 01:13:08,488 --> 01:13:09,823 - Here comes that blind grab. 2018 01:13:09,856 --> 01:13:12,258 - Come on, Kaden. Come on, Kaden. 2019 01:13:12,292 --> 01:13:13,626 - All right, here we go. See it. 2020 01:13:13,660 --> 01:13:14,661 Nice! - Got it! 2021 01:13:14,694 --> 01:13:16,863 There is a smile. 2022 01:13:16,896 --> 01:13:18,131 Yes! 2023 01:13:18,164 --> 01:13:19,833 [buzzer blares] 2024 01:13:19,866 --> 01:13:22,836 Kaden Lebsack's going back to stage three. 2025 01:13:22,869 --> 01:13:25,839 And he's got the fastest time of the night. 2026 01:13:25,872 --> 01:13:28,308 [cheers and applause] 2027 01:13:28,341 --> 01:13:30,844 * * 2028 01:13:30,877 --> 01:13:34,280 - Well, he went face first into the Hammer Drop--ooh. 2029 01:13:34,314 --> 01:13:36,783 But that wasn't going to stop Kaden Lebsack. 2030 01:13:36,816 --> 01:13:40,253 He sailed through stage two for the second year in a row. 2031 01:13:40,286 --> 01:13:43,757 He even cracked a smile at the end 'cause you know what? 2032 01:13:43,790 --> 01:13:45,759 He's going to stage three. [buzzer blares] 2033 01:13:45,792 --> 01:13:47,227 - So Kaden Lebsack 2034 01:13:47,260 --> 01:13:49,929 keeps his perfect sophomore season going. 2035 01:13:49,963 --> 01:13:54,134 He may be climbing for $1 million once again. 2036 01:13:54,167 --> 01:13:56,703 Up next, the last of the Iowa ninjas. 2037 01:13:56,736 --> 01:13:58,872 - Whoo! 2038 01:13:58,905 --> 01:14:01,241 Let's go! 2039 01:14:01,274 --> 01:14:03,843 - It's the fun-loving 24-year-old from Des Moines, 2040 01:14:03,877 --> 01:14:05,178 Jackson Twait. 2041 01:14:05,211 --> 01:14:07,047 He barely survived stage one, 2042 01:14:07,080 --> 01:14:09,449 had less than a second to spare. 2043 01:14:09,482 --> 01:14:11,951 So he's trying something new for stage two, 2044 01:14:12,052 --> 01:14:13,520 and it's going to be spicy. 2045 01:14:14,654 --> 01:14:16,456 - This is my first time on stage two, 2046 01:14:16,489 --> 01:14:18,091 and I'm going to make it count. 2047 01:14:18,124 --> 01:14:21,861 In the past, we've seen all the pyrotechnics on stage two. 2048 01:14:21,895 --> 01:14:23,763 And so I needed to get used to the heat. 2049 01:14:23,797 --> 01:14:25,899 So naturally, I thought, salsa. 2050 01:14:27,634 --> 01:14:29,502 [crunch] Mm. 2051 01:14:29,536 --> 01:14:32,706 I love salsa, put it on everything. 2052 01:14:32,739 --> 01:14:35,308 And it's a key component of my ninja training. 2053 01:14:35,342 --> 01:14:36,843 [upbeat music] 2054 01:14:36,876 --> 01:14:38,912 We start mild after the first obstacle... 2055 01:14:38,945 --> 01:14:40,413 * * 2056 01:14:40,447 --> 01:14:41,748 Then maybe bump it up a little bit. 2057 01:14:41,781 --> 01:14:44,651 By the end, we're doing ghost pepper. 2058 01:14:44,684 --> 01:14:47,320 Ooh, nope, oh, my God. 2059 01:14:47,354 --> 01:14:49,656 Mm-mm! Oh, so hot! 2060 01:14:49,689 --> 01:14:51,591 All this added kick I've been getting from the salsa 2061 01:14:51,624 --> 01:14:53,793 is gonna pay off here on stage two. 2062 01:14:53,827 --> 01:14:56,763 * * 2063 01:14:56,796 --> 01:14:58,231 [cheers and applause] 2064 01:14:58,264 --> 01:15:00,133 - There are the two other Iowa ninjas 2065 01:15:00,166 --> 01:15:01,901 who made it to the National Finals. 2066 01:15:01,935 --> 01:15:04,204 They went out on stage one, along with 2067 01:15:04,237 --> 01:15:06,539 a big cheering section for Team Twait. 2068 01:15:06,573 --> 01:15:08,041 - And after all that salsa, 2069 01:15:08,041 --> 01:15:10,043 you know this run's gonna be spicy. 2070 01:15:10,076 --> 01:15:12,612 [countdown clock beeping] 2071 01:15:12,645 --> 01:15:15,048 - Well, he's always entertaining. 2072 01:15:15,048 --> 01:15:16,616 And there're the flames he talked about. 2073 01:15:16,649 --> 01:15:18,551 - Oh! - Oh, holy guacamole. 2074 01:15:18,585 --> 01:15:20,587 [groans] 2075 01:15:20,620 --> 01:15:23,056 - That is a shock. 2076 01:15:23,056 --> 01:15:25,325 A strong season for Jackson Twait 2077 01:15:25,358 --> 01:15:29,195 ends on the first obstacle here on stage two. 2078 01:15:29,229 --> 01:15:30,697 - Jackson Twait thought he could 2079 01:15:30,730 --> 01:15:32,332 take the heat on stage two. 2080 01:15:32,365 --> 01:15:34,668 But look, as soon as the flames came up, 2081 01:15:34,701 --> 01:15:37,971 he started leaning right, and he could never recover. 2082 01:15:38,071 --> 01:15:40,373 Ooh, so much for that salsa diet. 2083 01:15:42,409 --> 01:15:44,144 - Well, I guess I need some spicier salsa. 2084 01:15:44,177 --> 01:15:46,379 I gotta get used to the heat a little more. 2085 01:15:46,413 --> 01:15:48,581 - He's got a master's degree from Harvard. 2086 01:15:48,615 --> 01:15:51,451 But he has yet to master stage two. 2087 01:15:51,484 --> 01:15:53,920 - Ooh! Ran outta grip strength. 2088 01:15:53,953 --> 01:15:57,323 - Now, Josh Levin is out to change his luck. 2089 01:15:57,357 --> 01:16:00,727 We'll see him next on "American Ninja Warrior." 2090 01:16:00,760 --> 01:16:01,795 - Whoo! 2091 01:16:05,432 --> 01:16:06,733 - Here we come. Get out the way. 2092 01:16:06,766 --> 01:16:09,269 Get ready for the beat. Yeah, it's time to play. 2093 01:16:10,670 --> 01:16:12,372 - * Go get my good friends * 2094 01:16:12,405 --> 01:16:14,441 * 'Cause this party don't stop * 2095 01:16:14,474 --> 01:16:17,210 - An entire season comes down to one night. 2096 01:16:17,243 --> 01:16:19,346 - This is what it looks like to never give up. 2097 01:16:19,379 --> 01:16:21,181 * * 2098 01:16:21,214 --> 01:16:23,350 - Our National Finals conclude 2099 01:16:23,383 --> 01:16:27,220 as our remaining competitors take on stage three. 2100 01:16:27,253 --> 01:16:29,289 - He's got a shot at the million! 2101 01:16:29,322 --> 01:16:31,558 - And a record-breaking number of ninjas 2102 01:16:31,591 --> 01:16:34,427 climb stage four for $1 million. 2103 01:16:34,461 --> 01:16:38,932 Season 14--history is made. 2104 01:16:38,965 --> 01:16:40,467 - He might have a shot. 2105 01:16:40,500 --> 01:16:42,469 - It's going to be a night like no other, 2106 01:16:42,502 --> 01:16:46,873 on the season finale of "American Ninja Warrior." 2107 01:16:47,574 --> 01:16:48,908 Well, we're not done tonight. 2108 01:16:48,942 --> 01:16:51,411 Moments ago, two hotshot rookies tried 2109 01:16:51,444 --> 01:16:53,246 to keep their seasons alive. 2110 01:16:53,279 --> 01:16:55,849 Matt D'Amico came out looking confident. 2111 01:16:55,882 --> 01:16:57,083 - Okay. [cheers and applause] 2112 01:16:57,083 --> 01:16:58,518 - Let's go. 2113 01:16:58,551 --> 01:17:01,121 - The 21-year-old from Billerica, Massachusetts, 2114 01:17:01,154 --> 01:17:03,256 has had an outstanding season. 2115 01:17:03,289 --> 01:17:05,392 And with his girlfriend cheering him on, 2116 01:17:05,425 --> 01:17:06,726 the rookie went to work. 2117 01:17:06,760 --> 01:17:08,094 - And he is moving. 2118 01:17:08,128 --> 01:17:10,597 - D'Amico's motto, which he wears on his shirt, 2119 01:17:10,630 --> 01:17:12,899 is Every course is a speed course. 2120 01:17:12,932 --> 01:17:14,834 And he lived up to that tonight. 2121 01:17:14,868 --> 01:17:16,169 - Whoa. 2122 01:17:16,202 --> 01:17:17,504 [cheers and applause] 2123 01:17:17,537 --> 01:17:19,406 - Even after taking time to talk to us-- 2124 01:17:19,439 --> 01:17:21,041 - Hey, what's up, man? You good? 2125 01:17:21,074 --> 01:17:23,309 - --D'Amico still had enough time to fly through 2126 01:17:23,343 --> 01:17:25,578 Falling Shelves and hit the buzzer with 2127 01:17:25,612 --> 01:17:27,313 the fastest finish so far. 2128 01:17:27,347 --> 01:17:28,314 [buzzer blares] 2129 01:17:28,348 --> 01:17:30,050 - Let's go! 2130 01:17:30,050 --> 01:17:33,086 - He's going to stage three in his very first season. 2131 01:17:33,119 --> 01:17:35,789 - Wow, look at that. - Mic drop. 2132 01:17:35,822 --> 01:17:37,057 - Then it was another rookie, 2133 01:17:37,057 --> 01:17:39,626 baby-faced teenager Ethan Bartnicki. 2134 01:17:39,659 --> 01:17:40,827 - All right, just bouncing through. 2135 01:17:40,860 --> 01:17:42,395 Look at that bounce. 2136 01:17:42,429 --> 01:17:44,798 - At only 114 pounds, he's the lightest athlete 2137 01:17:44,831 --> 01:17:46,566 still in the competition. 2138 01:17:46,599 --> 01:17:49,102 - Matt, he's so light, the Hammer Drop barely moved. 2139 01:17:49,135 --> 01:17:51,938 - The 17-year-old floated through the Hornet's Nest. 2140 01:17:51,971 --> 01:17:55,241 And the budding music producer got the crowd hyped up. 2141 01:17:55,275 --> 01:17:57,677 - I'm giving it up for Ethan Bartnicki. 2142 01:17:57,711 --> 01:18:00,146 - It all came down to the final Falling Shelf. 2143 01:18:00,180 --> 01:18:01,514 - This ain't a blind date. 2144 01:18:01,548 --> 01:18:04,017 It's a blind grab. 2145 01:18:04,017 --> 01:18:06,686 Come on. Whoa. 2146 01:18:06,720 --> 01:18:09,456 - And the Georgia teen got his second buzzer of the night. 2147 01:18:09,489 --> 01:18:10,657 [buzzer blares] 2148 01:18:10,690 --> 01:18:12,826 - Oh, my goodness, he is pumped. 2149 01:18:12,859 --> 01:18:15,562 - So he and D'Amico become just the seventh and eighth 2150 01:18:15,595 --> 01:18:17,931 rookies ever to reach stage three. 2151 01:18:19,299 --> 01:18:21,568 Our final runner of the night is 28-year-old engineer 2152 01:18:21,601 --> 01:18:23,436 Josh Levin. 2153 01:18:23,470 --> 01:18:25,338 When he debuted back in season eight, 2154 01:18:25,372 --> 01:18:28,241 this world-class rock climber was considered a threat 2155 01:18:28,274 --> 01:18:30,944 to win the $1 million as a rookie. 2156 01:18:31,044 --> 01:18:32,612 [buzzer blares] - Yeah. 2157 01:18:32,645 --> 01:18:34,914 - And he hit buzzers on the first three courses 2158 01:18:34,948 --> 01:18:36,149 he ever faced. 2159 01:18:36,182 --> 01:18:38,918 - A rookie with three buzzers? Get it! 2160 01:18:38,952 --> 01:18:41,287 - But his first season ended on stage two-- 2161 01:18:41,321 --> 01:18:43,390 - 2-foot lache here. 2162 01:18:43,423 --> 01:18:46,593 Ooh, ran out of grip strength. 2163 01:18:46,626 --> 01:18:48,461 - --as did his second-- 2164 01:18:48,495 --> 01:18:51,698 - Ooh, oh, no. 2165 01:18:51,731 --> 01:18:53,299 - --and his third. 2166 01:18:53,333 --> 01:18:56,102 - Ooh, stage two again? 2167 01:18:56,136 --> 01:18:58,805 - Knowing that this one stage has just 2168 01:18:58,838 --> 01:19:01,508 been my downfall every single year definitely eats at me 2169 01:19:01,541 --> 01:19:02,876 and is in the back of my mind. 2170 01:19:02,909 --> 01:19:05,779 This is almost like a mental block for me. 2171 01:19:05,812 --> 01:19:08,181 - Levin stepped away from Ninja for three years 2172 01:19:08,214 --> 01:19:10,517 to pursue a master's degree from Harvard, 2173 01:19:10,550 --> 01:19:13,520 and chased his dream of making the US Climbing Team 2174 01:19:13,553 --> 01:19:15,021 for the Olympics. 2175 01:19:15,055 --> 01:19:17,357 But he's got one more mountain to climb. 2176 01:19:17,390 --> 01:19:18,725 - Being able to be back on stage two 2177 01:19:18,758 --> 01:19:21,695 and have another chance at it, I'm so excited. 2178 01:19:21,728 --> 01:19:23,029 If I'm able to hit that buzzer, 2179 01:19:23,029 --> 01:19:26,433 it will mean so much to me. 2180 01:19:26,466 --> 01:19:28,601 [cheers and applause] 2181 01:19:28,635 --> 01:19:31,638 - And there are some of his fellow Harvard grad students 2182 01:19:31,671 --> 01:19:34,207 down on the sidelines, along with other ninjas 2183 01:19:34,240 --> 01:19:35,375 and his parents. 2184 01:19:35,408 --> 01:19:37,644 [countdown clock beeping] 2185 01:19:37,677 --> 01:19:39,813 Well, came out just short in his dream 2186 01:19:39,846 --> 01:19:41,281 of making it to the Olympics. 2187 01:19:41,314 --> 01:19:44,951 Could he realize his dream of winning $1 million? 2188 01:19:45,051 --> 01:19:47,787 - If there was a time for his rock-climbing experience 2189 01:19:47,821 --> 01:19:51,157 to help him out, it'd be on this upper-body-intensive 2190 01:19:51,191 --> 01:19:52,625 stage two course. 2191 01:19:52,659 --> 01:19:54,561 - He was a world-ranked speed climber. 2192 01:19:54,594 --> 01:19:58,064 So you know he just wants to get a shot on stage four 2193 01:19:58,064 --> 01:19:59,466 because I don't know that anybody could 2194 01:19:59,499 --> 01:20:01,067 keep up with him on a rope. 2195 01:20:01,101 --> 01:20:03,136 - I'm gonna tell you, you put Josh Levin on stage four, 2196 01:20:03,169 --> 01:20:04,604 oh, he's got it. 2197 01:20:04,637 --> 01:20:07,073 - Just needs to get through this course tonight 2198 01:20:07,107 --> 01:20:08,375 then take on stage three, 2199 01:20:08,408 --> 01:20:11,044 which should really play to his strengths. 2200 01:20:11,077 --> 01:20:12,178 - No mistakes. 2201 01:20:12,212 --> 01:20:13,413 Look at that. 2202 01:20:13,446 --> 01:20:14,881 Look at his rock-climbing technique. 2203 01:20:14,914 --> 01:20:16,583 Look how strong he is. 2204 01:20:16,616 --> 01:20:18,585 This dude can climb for days. 2205 01:20:18,618 --> 01:20:22,222 He's a speed climber, a rock climber, and a ninja. 2206 01:20:22,255 --> 01:20:23,823 - And just look at his core strength 2207 01:20:23,857 --> 01:20:25,425 as he moves through these pistons. 2208 01:20:25,458 --> 01:20:28,194 This dude is ripped! - Look at those muscles. 2209 01:20:28,228 --> 01:20:30,430 Is that what all the engineers who went to Harvard look like? 2210 01:20:30,463 --> 01:20:32,565 I don't know. I don't think so. 2211 01:20:32,599 --> 01:20:33,933 - He's got friends and supporters 2212 01:20:33,967 --> 01:20:35,835 all along the rails watching. 2213 01:20:35,869 --> 01:20:39,739 They know what finishing stage two would mean to Josh Levin. 2214 01:20:39,773 --> 01:20:42,409 And gets through Piston Plunge. 2215 01:20:42,442 --> 01:20:45,545 [cheers and applause] 2216 01:20:45,578 --> 01:20:47,514 But Hammer Drop is a wild card. 2217 01:20:47,547 --> 01:20:49,716 It's so hard to practice for this. 2218 01:20:49,749 --> 01:20:52,385 - 5'6", 150. 2219 01:20:52,419 --> 01:20:53,953 Ooh, - Using those arms and legs 2220 01:20:53,987 --> 01:20:55,755 like a vise grip. 2221 01:20:55,789 --> 01:20:59,459 Now needs to wrap around and get on top of the cylinder. 2222 01:20:59,492 --> 01:21:01,061 Well, with that engineering degree, 2223 01:21:01,061 --> 01:21:03,063 you know he understands the angles. 2224 01:21:03,063 --> 01:21:04,964 This dude always has a plan, 2225 01:21:05,065 --> 01:21:07,767 and he understands physics, believe me. 2226 01:21:07,801 --> 01:21:10,670 - He did not hesitate-- just stood up and jumped. 2227 01:21:10,704 --> 01:21:13,106 He's talked about being Josh 2.0-- 2228 01:21:13,139 --> 01:21:15,241 more aggressive and taking chances. 2229 01:21:15,275 --> 01:21:16,843 And he is living up to it. 2230 01:21:16,876 --> 01:21:18,945 - And he's now two obstacles away from 2231 01:21:18,978 --> 01:21:21,247 that first stage two buzzer. 2232 01:21:21,281 --> 01:21:23,917 Up next, the Hornet's Nest, and this has been trouble. 2233 01:21:23,950 --> 01:21:26,986 Ended the seasons of five ninjas tonight. 2234 01:21:27,087 --> 01:21:28,421 Josh working through his moves. 2235 01:21:28,455 --> 01:21:29,723 - Let's go, Josh. 2236 01:21:29,756 --> 01:21:31,191 Let's go, Josh. 2237 01:21:31,224 --> 01:21:32,659 Let's go, Josh. 2238 01:21:32,692 --> 01:21:35,095 - Shaking it out because once you are up, 2239 01:21:35,095 --> 01:21:37,597 those forearms get no rest. 2240 01:21:37,630 --> 01:21:42,102 And wow, just crisply locking those honeycombs into place. 2241 01:21:42,102 --> 01:21:45,205 Trying to be our 10th finisher tonight on stage two. 2242 01:21:45,238 --> 01:21:47,307 - Nice. 2243 01:21:47,340 --> 01:21:50,110 In past seasons, this is about where he would fall, 2244 01:21:50,143 --> 01:21:51,745 on this fifth obstacle. 2245 01:21:51,778 --> 01:21:53,213 That's got to be in his mind right now. 2246 01:21:53,246 --> 01:21:55,482 - He wants to conquer stage two so badly. 2247 01:21:55,515 --> 01:21:56,950 - Watch this. 2248 01:21:56,983 --> 01:21:59,419 This is a great angle to see that 10-foot lache, 2249 01:21:59,452 --> 01:22:00,754 and sideways, too. 2250 01:22:00,787 --> 01:22:02,255 And they have to make the adjustment 2251 01:22:02,288 --> 01:22:03,890 and turn in mid-air. 2252 01:22:03,923 --> 01:22:05,325 Look at that! - Perfect. 2253 01:22:05,358 --> 01:22:07,727 - That's not easy. - Now watch those hips. 2254 01:22:07,761 --> 01:22:10,630 You want to make sure those hips go right parallel. 2255 01:22:10,663 --> 01:22:13,099 - This is a multidirectional obstacle, 2256 01:22:13,133 --> 01:22:15,101 twisting and turning. - Got it. 2257 01:22:15,135 --> 01:22:16,836 Just needs the dismount. 2258 01:22:16,870 --> 01:22:20,707 Can he hang on? His heart's gotta be pounding. 2259 01:22:21,875 --> 01:22:24,511 - Got it! Levitating in the air. 2260 01:22:24,544 --> 01:22:26,780 [cheers and applause] 2261 01:22:28,748 --> 01:22:31,618 One step closer to going to stage three. 2262 01:22:31,651 --> 01:22:35,689 But it is the Falling Shelves with the blind grab 2263 01:22:35,722 --> 01:22:38,658 that's ended the season of so many ninjas in the past. 2264 01:22:38,692 --> 01:22:41,895 - He's visualizing his move. He knows he's so close. 2265 01:22:41,928 --> 01:22:44,898 - Let's go, Josh. Let's go, Josh. 2266 01:22:44,931 --> 01:22:46,132 Let's go, Josh. 2267 01:22:46,166 --> 01:22:47,334 - Takes a deep breath. 2268 01:22:47,367 --> 01:22:50,704 Here we go-- clock ticking down. 2269 01:22:50,737 --> 01:22:52,706 - All right, watch this one. 2270 01:22:52,739 --> 01:22:53,973 And look at the efficiency here. 2271 01:22:54,007 --> 01:22:56,443 We got some Gs going to stage three. 2272 01:22:56,476 --> 01:22:57,944 And this is an OG. 2273 01:22:57,977 --> 01:23:01,915 - But this is it-- the blind grab. 2274 01:23:01,948 --> 01:23:03,817 - There's a lot of blind grabs in rock climbing, 2275 01:23:03,850 --> 01:23:05,819 so he's used to it. And look at him. 2276 01:23:05,852 --> 01:23:07,153 He's locked in, dialed in. 2277 01:23:07,187 --> 01:23:09,656 - Got it! 10 seconds. 2278 01:23:09,689 --> 01:23:11,925 - He's good. 2279 01:23:11,958 --> 01:23:14,627 - Josh Levin--he's done it! 2280 01:23:17,230 --> 01:23:19,399 He broke the buzzer! 2281 01:23:25,071 --> 01:23:27,240 And you can see the joy. 2282 01:23:27,273 --> 01:23:29,976 - He broke the buzzer and broke the streak. 2283 01:23:30,076 --> 01:23:33,580 He finally completed stage two. 2284 01:23:33,613 --> 01:23:35,682 - You did it, dog. You did it. 2285 01:23:35,715 --> 01:23:37,117 - Yes. 2286 01:23:37,150 --> 01:23:39,886 - And we have never seen Josh Levin this emotional. 2287 01:23:39,919 --> 01:23:42,389 - He just ran off the stage. 2288 01:23:42,422 --> 01:23:44,858 Oh, he's going nuts. 2289 01:23:44,891 --> 01:23:47,327 - Well, that run right there, that might've 2290 01:23:47,360 --> 01:23:51,197 just won him $1 million. 2291 01:23:51,231 --> 01:23:53,633 - Thank you, baby! 2292 01:23:53,667 --> 01:23:56,903 - Stage two was the one mountain this top climber 2293 01:23:56,936 --> 01:23:57,971 hadn't conquered. 2294 01:23:58,004 --> 01:24:00,073 But he made all the right moves, 2295 01:24:00,106 --> 01:24:02,409 including on Falling Shelves. 2296 01:24:02,442 --> 01:24:05,945 And he was so excited, he broke the buzzer. 2297 01:24:08,682 --> 01:24:10,817 - Oh, look at this, real emotion. 2298 01:24:10,850 --> 01:24:13,053 It meant so much to him. 2299 01:24:13,053 --> 01:24:16,823 And now he's going to be tough to beat for that $1 million. 2300 01:24:16,856 --> 01:24:18,191 Well, that does it for tonight. 2301 01:24:18,224 --> 01:24:21,061 Next week, we move on to our season finale. 2302 01:24:21,061 --> 01:24:23,296 - And, Matt, these ninjas look so strong. 2303 01:24:23,329 --> 01:24:25,732 I think one of them is going to take home 2304 01:24:25,765 --> 01:24:27,434 a million-dollar prize next week. 2305 01:24:27,467 --> 01:24:28,868 - You don't want to miss it. 2306 01:24:28,902 --> 01:24:31,371 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman. 2307 01:24:31,404 --> 01:24:34,741 We'll see you then on "American Ninja Warrior"!