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- THE MOST DIFFICULT OBSTACLE COURSE IN THE WORLD,
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA,
WAS METICULOUSLY CONSTRUCTED IN LAS VEGAS,
BRUTAL OBSTACLE BY BRUTAL OBSTACLE.
100 ATHLETES ATTEMPTED TO CONQUER IT...
- NO!
OH!
- ONE CAME CLOSE...
- BRENT STEFFENSEN HAS JUST MADE HISTORY.
- BUT COULDN'T DEFEAT THE MOUNTAIN.
- OH! AND HE'S OUT.
- THIS YEAR, THE SEARCH CONTINUES
AS WE TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTRY LOOKING FOR A CHAMPION,
FROM BALTIMORE TO DENVER, FROM MIAMI TO LOS ANGELES.
- 967 MILES TRAVELED.
- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I LIVE FOR.
- I'VE BEEN WAITING FIVE YEARS TO BE ON THIS SHOW.
I'VE BEEN DOING NOTHING BUT JUST TRAINING HARD.
- THE TOUGHEST QUALIFYING COURSES EVER
AND NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN OBSTACLES AWAIT THEM.
HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPETITORS
FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE...
- I WORK ON A RANCH. - I'M A GARBAGE MAN.
- HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER. - E.R. PHYSICIAN.
- FOOTBALL PLAYER. - AN OLYMPIAN.
- FIREFIGHTER. - STUNTWOMAN.
- ALL WITH THE SAME GOAL--
CONQUER THE QUALIFYING COURSES
AND MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO EARNING A TICKET TO LAS VEGAS
FOR A SHOT AT THE GRANDEST
AND MOST CHALLENGING OF ALL OBSTACLE COURSES
AND THE $1/2 MILLION GRAND PRIZE.
THERE WILL BE PAIN.
- AAH! [crowd ohs]
- THERE WILL BE GLORY.
AND JUST MAYBE, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,
THERE WILL BE AN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- THAT QUEST STARTS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW,
IN VENICE BEACH, CALIFORNIA,
WITH THE FIRST CITY QUALIFYING COURSE,
WHERE 125 ATHLETES
ARE TRYING TO MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
HELLO, AMERICA, AND WELCOME BACK
FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR ON NBC.
I'M MATT ISEMAN, ALONGSIDE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY,
FORMER NFL DEFENSIVE END, AKBAR GBAJA-BIAMILA.
NOW, AKBAR, YOU CERTAINLY KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE
TO COMPETE UNDER PRESSURE,
SO WHAT'S GOING THROUGH THE MINDS
OF THESE COMPETITORS RIGHT NOW?
- WELL, I CAN TELL YOU THEIR ADRENALINE IS PUMPING,
THEIR PALMS ARE SWEATY.
THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE SEEING OBSTACLES
THEY'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE,
SO IT'S GONNA BE PARAMOUNT FOR THE COMPETITORS
TO STAY IN THE MOMENT.
- WELL, IT'S A VERY LONG ROAD TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA,
BUT ONE THAT COULD END IN A $1/2 MILLION PAYDAY.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE OBSTACLES
THESE ATHLETES WILL BE FACING IN THE VENICE QUALIFYING ROUND,
LET'S GO DOWN TO THE THIRD MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, JENN BROWN.
- THANKS, MATT.
IT'S A BRAND-NEW YEAR, AND WITH IT COMES BRAND-NEW OBSTACLES,
INCLUDING FOUR OF THE SIX OBSTACLES HERE
IN THE VENICE QUALIFYING ROUND.
THE COURSE STARTS WITH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
WE'VE ADDED ONE ADDITIONAL STEP TO LAST YEAR'S FIRST OBSTACLE.
COMPETITORS MUST LEAP THROUGH FIVE ANGLED STEPS
TO GET TO THE LANDING PLATFORM WITHOUT TOUCHING THE WATER.
AFTER THAT, IT'S THE FRAME SLIDER,
WHERE THEY'LL BRACE THEMSELVES WITHIN THE FRAME
AND HANG ON FOR THE RIDE.
NEXT, COMPETITORS TEST THEIR BALANCE ON DOMINO HILL.
EACH ATHLETE MUST CAREFULLY MAKE THEIR WAY
ACROSS THE TOP OF THESE UNSTABLE DOMINOS
TO REACH THE LANDING PLATFORM ON THE OTHER SIDE.
FROM THERE, IT'S THE FLOATING CHAINS,
WHERE THEY MUST MAKE THEIR WAY ACROSS,
USING FIVE CHAINS SUSPENDED OVER WATER.
AFTER THAT, IT'S PERHAPS THE TOUGHEST OBSTACLE
THEY WILL FACE TONIGHT-- THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
THEY MUST VAULT TO THE FIRST SET OF VERTICAL HANDHOLDS
AND THEN JUMP TO THE SECOND SET TO CLEAR THE OBSTACLE.
AND FINALLY, IT'S THE INFAMOUS WARPED WALL.
THE COURSE SIGNATURE IS A 14-FOOT CURVED TRACK.
THEY ONLY GET THREE ATTEMPTS TO SCALE THE BEAST
AND HIT THE BUTTON.
DO THAT, AND THEY'LL ADVANCE TO THE VENICE FINALS.
GUYS.
- THANKS, JENN.
THAT IS AS DIFFICULT A COURSE AS I'VE EVER SEEN
IN ALL MY YEARS DOING THIS.
BUT THERE ARE SOME VETERANS OUT HERE
WHO SHOULD BE UP FOR THE TEST.
AKBAR, WHO SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR?
- KEEP AN EYE ON THE PARKOUR ATHLETE JESSE LA FLAIR,
WHO CAME OUT OF NOWHERE LAST SEASON
AND BLEW US ALL AWAY HERE IN VENICE.
ANOTHER SECOND-YEAR COMPETITOR, KYLE COCHRAN.
THE KID WITH TYPE-ONE DIABETES
IS AN ACCOMPLISHED GYMNAST AND ACROBAT
WHO MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE NATIONAL FINALS LAST YEAR.
AND OF COURSE, THE MAN WHO MADE HISTORY
LAST SEASON IN LAS VEGAS, BRENT STEFFENSEN,
WHO WENT FARTHER IN STAGE THREE THAN ANY AMERICAN EVER,
IS BACK TO PICK UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF.
AND THIS YEAR HIS GIRLFRIEND, KACY CATANZARO, IS COMPETING.
SHE IS A FORMER DIVISION ONE GYMNAST
WHO TRAINED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS COURSE
AND COULD BE THE MOST IMPRESSIVE FEMALE ATHLETE
WE'VE SEEN IN THIS COMPETITION.
- FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,
IF AN ATHLETE COMPLETES THE ENTIRE QUALIFYING COURSE,
THEY WILL GUARANTEE THEMSELVES A SPOT IN THE NEXT ROUND.
IF NOT, THEY'LL HAVE TO SWEAT IT OUT
AND HOPE THEY WENT THE FURTHEST THE FASTEST
TO EARN ONE OF THE 30 SPOTS IN THE VENICE FINALS.
SO LET'S GO TO THE STARTING BLOCK RIGHT NOW
AND MEET OUR FIRST COMPETITOR.
BEING IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT
HAS SPECIAL MEANING FOR HIM.
IT'S 37-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL MARK,
A MOTIVATOR AND LIFE COACH FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
HE'S HERE TONIGHT TO HONOR HIS FATHER'S LIFELONG DREAM.
COLLEGE BASEBALL STAR MICHAEL MARK
MADE A DECISION THAT WOULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE.
- I ACTUALLY TURNED DOWN A CONTRACT OFFER
TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL FOR A COUPLE YEARS.
I TURNED THAT DOWN TO STAY IN SCHOOL, FOCUS ON MY CLASSES.
- HE SAYS HE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
HE'S BECOME A SUCCESSFUL
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT,
MARRIED, WITH A ONE-YEAR-OLD SON.
NOW HE WANTS ONE MORE SHOT AT ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT,
NOT FOR HIMSELF BUT FOR HIS DAD.
- MY APPEARANCE ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
IS REALLY A DEDICATION TO MY FATHER.
MY DAD'S TURNING 93 YEARS OLD VERY SOON,
AND HE MAY NOT HAVE MANY DAYS LEFT,
AND IT'S ONE OF HIS DREAMS TO SEE ME ON TELEVISION.
HE'S ALWAYS SAID, YOU KNOW, "BEING ON TV
"AND DOING SOMETHING PROFESSIONALLY
"OR HAVING IT BE TELEVISED
IS KIND OF THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN."
SO I JOKED WITH HIM AND SAID,
"YOU KNOW, THERE IS THIS MOUNTAIN.
IT'S AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR, AND YOU'VE GOT TO CLIMB IT."
HE SAID, "WELL, THAT'S THE KIND OF MOUNTAIN
YOU SHOULD TRY TO CLIMB, THEN."
AND I SAID, "WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, DAD?
I THINK I WILL."
I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU, DAD.
[cheers and applause]
- WELL, DAD, HERE HE GOES.
[beeps]
NICE JOB ON THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
[cheering]
- I LOVE THAT, AT 37, HE STILL WANTS TO BE COMPETITIVE.
AND HE LOOKS LIKE AN ATHLETE.
KEPT HIMSELF IN GREAT SHAPE.
- OH! AND CATCHES THE LANDING PAD IN THE GUT.
BUT HE'S THROUGH AND ON TO DOMINO HILL.
- TO BE HONEST, I DON'T THINK HE EVEN FELT IT.
HIS ADRENALINE IS PUMPING, MATT.
LOOK AT THE EXCELLENT TECHNIQUE ON DOMINO HILL.
[cheering]
- AND HE IS MOVING RIGHT INTO THE FLOATING CHAINS,
NOT WASTING ANY TIME.
- BUT SEE, HE MISSED A GRAB RIGHT THERE,
GOING FOR THE THIRD CHAIN.
HE'S USING THE FOOTHOLD THE RIGHT WAY, THOUGH,
TAKING AS MUCH PRESSURE OFF THE GRIP AS POSSIBLE.
YOU KNOW, HOLDING ONTO THE CHAINS IS A KILLER ON YOUR GRIP.
I MEAN, IT CAN JUST TEAR UP YOUR HANDS.
THE LONGER HE TAKES, THE MORE HE'S SAPPING THE GRIP
AND UPPER BODY STRENGTH
HE'S GOING TO NEED TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE.
- AND AGAIN, HE MISSES THE THIRD CHAIN.
- I THINK HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO.
BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE A HUGE SWING
EVERY TIME YOU TRANSITION TO ANOTHER CHAIN.
- WELL, HE'S FINALLY GOT THAT THIRD CHAIN IN HIS HAND.
NOW HE HAS TO SWING WITHOUT A FOOTHOLD.
[cheers and applause]
OH! MICHAEL MARK IS OUT.
HIS GRIP STRENGTH JUST GAVE OUT.
- YEAH, MATT, HE LOOKED EXHAUSTED.
HE GRABBED WAY TOO LOW ON THAT LAST CHAIN.
YOU NEED A HIGH GRIP SO IF YOU SLIDE,
YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR FEET ON THE NEXT FOOTHOLD.
HE'S WAY TOO LOW TO MAKE IT.
- WELL, HE MAY NOT HAVE FINISHED,
BUT THAT EFFORT WAS CERTAINLY WORTHY OF A FATHER'S ADMIRATION.
OUR NEXT ATHLETE IS ONE IN THE FIELD
OF OUR TALENTED WOMEN COMPETING TONIGHT.
THIS IS NATALIE DURAN FROM MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.
SHE'S A 21-YEAR-OLD NEUROSCIENCE GRADUATE,
BUT SHE'S MORE THAN JUST BRAINS.
- I JUST GRADUATED.
WHOO!
GOT A B.S. IN NEUROSCIENCE.
I LOVE THE BRAIN,
AND I'M GONNA START APPLYING FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL,
'CAUSE I'M GONNA BECOME A DOCTOR.
- FOUR YEARS OF UNDERGRAD STUDY
FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER FOUR OF MEDICAL SCHOOL.
THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY, BUT NATALIE
HAS A UNIQUE OCCUPATION THAT HELPS PAY THE BILLS.
- I'M ALSO A PROFESSIONAL VLOGGER ON YOUTUBE.
YEAH, APPARENTLY I JUST LOVE TO TALK TO A CAMERA FOR FUN.
I NEVER REALIZED PEOPLE WOULD ACTUALLY START WATCHING ME.
- OVER 14 MILLION HAVE.
NOW SHE'S SPONSORED, BEING PAID
TO LET HER PERSONALITY PLAY OUT ONLINE.
- ZOMBIES?
OH, MY GOD.
I WANT YOU TO NAME THIS CAT.
- NATALIE KEEPS HER VIEWERS LAUGHING,
BUT HER CLIMBING SKILLS ARE NO JOKE.
SHE STARTED ROCK CLIMBING THREE YEARS AGO TO GET IN SHAPE.
NOW SHE'S CONSIDERED
ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
HAVING WON HER LAST EIGHT COMPETITIONS.
SOLID, STRONG, UNAFRAID--
ALL VALUABLE TOOLS HERE AT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
THERE'S NOTHING SHY OR TIMID ABOUT NATALIE DURAN.
- I WILL BE THE FIRST-EVER WOMAN
TO COMPLETE THE AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR COURSE
BECAUSE OF THIS.
YEAH.
[cheering]
- WELL, LET'S SEE IF HER PERSONALITY AND CONFIDENCE
PLAY OUT ON THIS COURSE.
- WHOO!
- COME ON, NAT! - WHOO!
[beeps]
- DURAN THE ROCK CLIMBER
HUNG UP ON THE FIRST OF THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
A WORLD-CLASS ROCK CLIMBER, THOUGH.
HAS WON MANY ROCK-CLIMBING COMPETITIONS.
- WELL, I'LL TELL YOU, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TOO
IS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE
A LITTLE BIT OF UPPER BODY STRENGTH
TO BE ABLE TO PUSH YOURSELF OFF,
ESPECIALLY THE METHOD SHE'S USING.
[cheering]
- WELL, IF NOTHING ELSE,
THIS WILL BE ENTERTAINING FODDER FOR HER ON YOUTUBE.
I'M SURE THIS WILL MAKE A GOOD STORY.
SO FAR, TURNING IN A STRONG PERFORMANCE, THOUGH.
[cheering]
- COME ON, NAT! - YOU GOT IT!
- TRYING TO GET INTO THE FRAME SLIDER AS A ROCK CLIMBER,
THIS SHOULD BE A GOOD OBSTACLE FOR HER, BUT--OH!
AND THAT WAS A ROUGH FALL.
JUST GOES FACE FIRST INTO THE WALL.
- YEAH, I'LL TELL YOU WHERE DURAN WENT WRONG.
SHE CLOSED HER EYES, AND SHE NEVER SAW THAT DROPOUT COMING.
IT CAUGHT HER OFF-GUARD,
AND SHE GOT A FACEFUL OF LANDING PLATFORM.
- WELL, SHE'S A REMARKABLE ATHLETE AND A GREAT PERSONALITY.
I HOPE WE SEE HER BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
- OH, I LOST A CONTACT IN THERE. THAT WAS GOOD.
[cheering]
- NEXT UP ON THE STARTING LINE,
IT'S AN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR ROOKIE,
27-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW RAZORE FROM MEDINA, WASHINGTON.
- MATT'S A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH.
HE KNOWS HOW TO MOTIVATE PLAYERS AND HIMSELF.
- WHOO! LET'S GO!
BEAST MODE. HA. HA. ALL DAY!
- BEAST MODE ALL DAY! I LOVE THE ATTITUDE.
AS A PLAYER, HE LED HIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM
TO THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
HE'S NOW COACHING HIGH SCHOOL BALL,
AND HE'S FIRED HIMSELF UP TONIGHT.
[cheers and applause] [beeps]
- LET'S SEE IF HE CAN CHANNEL ALL THAT ADRENALINE
ON TO THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
USING THE ONE-FOOT TECHNIQUE-- - OH!
- OH!
WELL, IF YOU'RE GONNA GO OUT,
THAT'S THE WAY TO GO OUT.
- WELL, HE KNEW IT THE SECOND HE HIT THAT LANDING PLATFORM.
HE WAS LEANING BACK.
DIDN'T HAVE ANY FORWARD MOMENTUM TO CARRY HIM THROUGH,
SO HE BAILED OUT IN SPECTACULAR FASHION.
- LOST MY GRIP ON THE LAST ONE.
I'LL COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND GET IT.
- STILL TO COME,
SOME OF THE MOST VERSATILE ATHLETES
FROM ACROSS THE WESTERN U.S.
HAVE COME HERE TO TAKE ON THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
LANCE PEKUS, THE COWBOY RANCH HAND FROM SALMON, IDAHO.
HE'S OUT TO AVENGE HIS FAILURE IN QUALIFYING LAST SEASON.
JESSIE GRAFF,
THE STUNTWOMAN FROM SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA,
HAS TAKEN JUST ABOUT EVERY TYPE OF FALL OR HIT.
NOW IT'S HER TURN TO HIT BACK ON OUR QUALIFYING COURSE.
JUSTIN WALCKER'S FOCUS ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
IS FOR MORE THAN JUST ATHLETIC GLORY.
IT'S HELPING HIM WIN HIS LIFELONG BATTLE
TO CONTROL HIS TOURETTE SYNDROME.
DUSTIN ROCHO, WHOSE RUN LAST YEAR
ENDED WITH A TRIP TO THE PARAMEDICS.
- I'M BACK, AND I'M READY TO HIT THAT RED BUZZER.
- AND BRENT STEFFENSEN, WHO'S MADE IT FARTHER
THAN ANY OTHER AMERICAN AT MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
- IT WOULD BE A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT
NOT TO MAKE IT TO FINALS.
I'VE DONE IT EVERY YEAR I'VE COMPETED
FOR THE LAST THREE SEASONS.
- WHO WILL CONQUER THIS QUALIFYING COURSE?
FIND OUT WHEN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR RETURNS.
WAITING IN THE STARTING BLOCKS RIGHT NOW,
HOPING HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES
TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS QUALIFYING COURSE,
THIS IS THIS THIRD TIME STANDING AT THE START LINE,
IT'S 36-YEAR-OLD SPENCER HURTT FROM TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA,
AN ATHLETE WHOSE PASSION
AND COMMITMENT FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
CONTINUES TO GROW EVERY YEAR.
crowd: BEAT THAT WALL. BEAT THAT WALL. BEAT THAT WALL.
- GETTING SOME TIPS FROM THE CROWD,
FINAL EFFORT FOR SPENCER HURTT.
OH! COMES UP SHORT.
LAST YEAR, FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT TIME,
SPENCER HURTT MADE IT
THROUGH THE FIRST FIVE OBSTACLES OF THE QUALIFYING COURSE
BUT COULDN'T GET UP THE WARPED WALL.
INSTEAD OF SAYING, "THAT'S IT, I'M DONE,"
SPENCER SAID, "THAT'S IT, I'M TRAINING HARDER."
- WHEN I FAILED THE WARPED WALL, THE WHOLE WEEK AFTER THAT,
ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT WAS THE WALL.
SO I GOT A HOLD OF MY BUDDY WHO'S A CONTRACTOR.
WE DREW UP SOME PLANS,
AND WE ACTUALLY BUILT OUR OWN 14-FOOT WARPED WALL,
WHICH I HAVE DOWN AT MY FACTORY SO THAT I CAN TRAIN ON IT DAILY.
- ALONG WITH THE WARPED WALL, HE BUILT A SALMON LADDER
AND OTHER OBSTACLES
IN HIS FAMILY'S TIN CAN FACTORY THAT HE MANAGES.
SO WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS ON BREAK,
SPENCER'S IN TRAINING,
BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.
- WE HAVE A LOT OF WAREHOUSE SPACE,
SO I'VE QUARANTINED A SMALL CORNER
WHERE NOBODY KNOWS I AM.
SO IN THE WAY OF THE NINJA,
I STEALTHILY SNEAK AWAY ON MY LUNCH BREAKS TO TRAIN.
- THIS HUSBAND AND FATHER OF THREE
SAYS WHETHER YOU'RE AN ELITE ATHLETE
OR JUST A GUY WITH A REGULAR JOB AND A FAMILY,
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO BE YOUR BEST.
- THIS TIME, IF I WERE TO BE ABLE TO GET UP THE WARPED WALL
AND HIT THE BUZZER,
IT'D BE SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR
FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS,
AND IT'D JUST BE AN AWESOME, AWESOME EXPERIENCE.
[cheering]
- I LOVE THE PASSION HE BRINGS TO THIS SPORT.
HE PUSHES HIMSELF TO GET BETTER EVERY YEAR.
[beeps]
THE QUINTUPLE STEPS REQUIRES AGILITY AND PRECISION.
- NICE AND LIGHT ON HIS FEET, AND HE'S THROUGH IT.
THE FRAME SLIDER IS NEXT.
- IT'S SAFE TO SAY
THAT HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS OBSTACLE BEFORE.
TO COMPLETE THIS OBSTACLE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE
ALL YOUR LIMBS WORK IN UNISON
IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THAT TWO-FOOT DROP.
- THERE'S THAT DROP. NICE DISMOUNT.
BUT NOW GRABBING HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
- AT THE TIN CAN FACTORY,
HE CAN ALWAYS STOP THE ASSEMBLY LINE,
BUT TONIGHT, THE CLOCK KEEPS TICKING.
- ON TO DOMINO HILL.
SKIPPING STEPS--OH!
ALMOST LOST IT ON THE LAST STEP, BUT HE'S THROUGH.
NOT A PERFECT FINISH, BUT GOOD DOMINO HILL TECHNIQUE,
FAST AND LIGHT WITH HIS FEET.
NOW HE'S FACING A TEST OF UPPER BODY AND GRIP STRENGTH
AT THE FLOATING CHAINS.
[cheering]
AND HE IS ALREADY IN A SPIN.
THIS IS WHERE THE FOOTHOLDS COME IN HANDY, MATT.
YOU HAVE TO STEADY YOURSELF, CATCH YOUR BREATH,
BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR MOMENTUM.
- LOOKS LIKE HE'S BACK ON TRACK.
MAKES THE TRANSITION.
CREDITS HIS WIFE WITH SUPPORTING HIM
IN HIS QUEST FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR GLORY.
SAYS SHE'S THE REASON HE'S BACK
AFTER TWO FAILED ATTEMPTS HERE THE PAST TWO YEARS.
HE'S ON THAT FINAL CHAIN
BUT GOT TO GET TO THE LANDING PLATFORM.
OH, CLOSE! BUT HE GOT THERE.
[cheering]
AND THE 36-YEAR-OLD STARING DOWN THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
OH!
HE HAD EVERYTHING IN LINE.
HE JUST MISSED WITH HIS LEFT HAND.
- THAT'S WHY THIS OBSTACLE IS SO DIFFICULT.
YOU HAVE TO BE PERFECT WITH BOTH HANDS.
- LET'S GO DOWN TO JENN BROWN, WHO'S WITH SPENCER RIGHT NOW.
- SPENCER, THE WARPED WALL IS USUALLY YOUR NEMESIS.
- YES.
- TONIGHT IT'S THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
WHAT HAPPENED? - I THINK I OVERTHOUGHT IT.
I WAS REALLY CONFIDENT GOING IN, AND WHEN I JUMPED,
I LOOKED MORE TO THE ONE HAND INSTEAD OF BOTH.
AND AS SOON AS I HIT IT WITH THE ONE HAND,
MY LEFT HAND JUST DISAPPEARED,
AND I COULDN'T HOLD ON WITH ONE HAND.
- ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD JOB TONIGHT.
- ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
- THANKS SO MUCH. GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU.
- THANKS, JENN.
RIGHT NOW AT THE START LINE,
A ROOKIE TO NINJA WARRIOR
AND A MAN WITH A REMARKABLE STORY.
ORIGINALLY FROM NEW JERSEY,
THIS IS 26-YEAR-OLD DESMOND ODOM.
- WHEN I FIRST SAW THE COURSE, I TEARED UP.
I STARTED TO CRY.
I REMEMBERED EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH
UP UNTIL THIS POINT TO GET HERE,
SO I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO RUN THE COURSE.
- IT'S BEEN A LONG AND TRYING ROAD FOR DESMOND ODOM
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND JANETTE, TO GET TO THIS POINT.
THE JOURNEY STARTED BACK IN NEWARK,
WHEN DESMOND BOTTOMED OUT.
- I WAS UNEMPLOYED. I WAS LIVING IN MY CAR.
I WAS 304 POUNDS.
MY LIFE WAS IN SHAMBLES,
AND I REALIZED IT WAS TIME TO GET MY ACT TOGETHER.
IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO GROW UP AND BE A MAN.
- SO HE GOT A JOB AND THEN GOT A GYM MEMBERSHIP.
THE FORMER GOLDEN GLOVES BOXER WANTED TO DO MORE
THAN JUST LOSE WEIGHT.
- I WANTED TO BE ON NINJA WARRIOR.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO DO FOR YEARS.
ONCE I STARTED WORKING OUT, I ALWAYS TELLING PEOPLE,
"YOU SEE THIS SHOW RIGHT HERE? I'M GONNA BE ON THIS SHOW.
"I'M TELLING YOU, I'M GONNA LOSE THE WEIGHT.
I'M GONNA BE ON IT."
- AS THE HOURS IN THE GYM ADDED UP,
THE WEIGHT BEGAN TO MELT OFF.
104 POUNDS LATER, DESMOND ODOM RECLAIMED HIS LIFE,
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
- I'VE NEVER HAD THAT BEFORE, EVERYBODY JUST TELLING ME,
"YOU CAN DO IT," AND EVERYBODY BEING SO POSITIVE.
IT JUST--IT CHOKES ME UP EVERY TIME.
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD.
I WOULDN'T TRADE THAT FEELING FOR ANYTHING.
EXCUSE ME. [sniffles]
[laughs]
[cheering]
- LET'S GO, DES! - WHOO!
- WELL, BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN, THERE'S A GREAT WOMAN.
AND THERE'S DESMOND'S GIRLFRIEND JANETTE,
ALONG WITH FRIENDS, READY TO CHEER FOR HER MAN.
- C'MON! - WAY TO GO, DES!
- LOOK AT THE TECHNIQUE ON THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
WHOA! HE ALMOST GOT SOME H20 ON THAT SLIP.
- INCREDIBLE TO THINK HE WAS HOMELESS, 300 POUNDS.
LOOK AT HIM! HE'S GETTING EXCITED.
JUST INCREDIBLE DETERMINATION OUT OF THIS COMPETITOR.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LOSING 104 POUNDS, AND THEN TO GET HERE.
THIS IS LIKE HIS SUPER BOWL RIGHT HERE.
[cheering]
- AND LOOK AT THE INTENSITY IN HIS EYES.
WHAT AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY.
- AND NOW, RUNNING ON HIS DREAM COURSE,
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR-- NO!
AND HE'S DOWN. A STUMBLE.
- HE HAD A LOT OF SPEED GOING INTO IT,
BUT HIS WEIGHT WASN'T CENTERED OVER HIS FEET,
SO WHEN THEY SLIPPED,
HE COULDN'T GET HIS UPPER BODY FORWARD AGAIN.
[air horn]
[crowd chattering]
- AND DESMOND GETTING
A MUCH-DESERVED HUG FROM HIS GIRLFRIEND.
SHE REALLY HAS SUPPORTED HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
- I WAS IN THERE! [shouting indistinctly]
THIS SPORT HAS BECOME SO POPULAR,
WE HAVE TO TURN AWAY FAR MORE ATHLETES THAN WE INVITE,
BUT IN EVERY CITY, WE SAVE A HANDFUL OF SPOTS
FOR WALK-ON COMPETITORS,
BECAUSE THEIR DEDICATION IS SOMETIMES EVEN GREATER
THAN THAT OF THE INVITED ATHLETES.
- WHOO! - WHOO!
- THE LINE FOR WALK-ONS STARTED MORE THAN TWO DAYS AGO,
PEOPLE DRIVING FROM AS FAR AWAY AS WASHINGTON STATE
JUST TO CAMP OUT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.
- WE GOT 967 MILES TRAVELED.
CLACKAMAS, OREGON.
HOMETOWN, RIGHT THERE.
- FOR THEM, IT IS A DREAM
TO COMPETE AT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR,
ONE WORTH SPENDING A COLD NIGHT ON THE BEACH.
THEY ALL WANT A CHANCE TO TEST THEMSELVES.
- THAT'S A NINJA WARRIOR RIGHT THERE, BABY. WHOO!
[cheers and applause]
- THE NEXT MAN UP IS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.
HE GOT A WALK-ON SPOT AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT IN LINE.
IT'S 40-YEAR-OLD GENERAL CONTRACTOR MARIO MENDOZA.
HE'S AN AVID ROCK CLIMBER
WHO DROVE DOWN FROM SAN FRANCISCO,
JUST HOPING TO COMPETE.
- WELL, SPENDING THE NIGHT--
I TELL YOU, IT WASN'T THE EASIEST THING TO DO,
BUT BEING WITH EVERYONE ELSE
AND KNOWING WHAT THE CAUSE WAS FOR, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.
- LET'S SEE IF THAT LONG, COLD NIGHT ON THE BEACH PAYS OFF.
[beeps]
[cheering]
- NICE RHYTHM AND TIMING ON THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
[cheers and applause]
- STARING DOWN THE FRAME SLIDER.
SEEMS TO HAVE A GOOD BUILD FOR THIS OBSTACLE.
[crowd chanting "Mario"]
THE CROWD CHANTING HIS NAME.
- WEDGING YOUR BODY IN THE FRAME SLIDER,
THERE'S A TRICKY PART.
IT'S THAT BIG JOLT.
- TAKING HIS TIME, AND HE'S IN.
LOOKS A LITTLE AWKWARD, THOUGH, BUT SURVIVES IT.
[cheering]
- NOW, THE DOMINO HILL
IS GONNA REQUIRE A LOT OF PATIENCE,
BUT YET YOU WANT TO HAVE GOOD BALANCE GOING THROUGH.
- RIGHT OVER IT, AND HE LOOKED LIKE SUPER MARIO THERE.
AN IMPRESSIVE RUN.
- YOU KNOW, FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO WATCHES,
THEY THINK, CAN A GENERAL CONTRACTOR--
IS HE ACTUALLY ABLE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
YEAH, YOU CAN.
I MEAN, HE'S SHOWING WHAT HE CAN DO.
- WELL, WE SEE SO MANY COMPETITORS
FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE,
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT MARIO EMBODIES.
DOING GOOD ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
NOT EVEN USING HIS FEET.
SLIDES DOWN, THOUGH.
LOOKS LIKE THAT MAY COST HIM, AKBAR.
- NO, HE'S RECOVERED! - WOW!
THE CROWD GOING WILD!
- NOW IF MARIO CAN TAKE HIS TIME,
USE THE ENERGY AND THE FORCE
TO GET UP ON THIS SMALL TRAMPOLINE,
HE CAN MAKE IT ALL THE WAY HOME,
BUT HE'S GOT TO HAVE GOOD DEPTH PERCEPTION.
- THE CROWD CHEERING HIM ON.
NOW, IF HE CAN GET THROUGH THIS,
HE WILL BE THE FIRST COMPETITOR TONIGHT
TO COMPLETE THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
HE'S UP. AND HE'S GOT IT!
- NOW THE SECRET IS NOT TO HOLD ON TO THE NUNCHUCKS
FOR TOO LONG, BECAUSE THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS WILL GET YOU.
OH!
- AND YOU COULD JUST SEE.
IT LOOKED LIKE HIS FOREARMS GAVE OUT ON HIM.
- HE HAD GOOD TECHNIQUE.
HIS ARMS WERE AT 90 DEGREES.
BUT HE JUST TOOK TOO MANY SWINGS
TO GET TO THE SECOND SET OF NUNCHUCKS
AND RAN OUT OF STRENGTH.
- I CAUGHT A LITTLE BIT OF A SLIP ON THERE.
GRIP COULD'VE BEEN A LITTLE TIGHTER.
[exhales]
I'LL BE BACK.
- A SOLID RUN BY MARIO MENDOZA.
NOW HE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND HOPE
HE DID ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR THE CITY FINALS.
ANYONE WHO COMPLETES THE COURSE IS GUARANTEED A SPOT,
BUT IF WE DON'T GET 30, SOMEONE LIKE MARIO
HAS TO HOPE HE WENT FAR ENOUGH, FAST ENOUGH,
TO MAKE THAT TOP 30.
RIGHT NOW ON THE COURSE, IT'S 33-YEAR-OLD CHIROPRACTOR
ALAN CONNEALY FROM MORAGA, CALIFORNIA.
- THIS GUY'S A BEAST. 6'1", 200 POUNDS.
LOOKS LIKE HE COULD PLAY STRONG SAFETY.
HE'S A RETURNING VETERAN
WHO MADE IT TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA LAST SEASON.
HE'S A BIG GUY BUT ALWAYS LOOKS LIGHT ON HIS FEET.
I LOVE HIS FOOTWORK.
- HE'S GOT HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR RETURNING TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
[cheering]
LOOKS LIGHT THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS, FOR SURE.
CONNEALY LOOKING VERY NIMBLE FOR A MAN AT 6'1", 200.
CERTAINLY NOT ONE OF THE SMALLEST COMPETITORS OUT THERE.
OH! OUT ON THE FRAME SLIDER, AND THAT IS SHOCKING.
- AND MATT, HE LOOKS TO BE IN CONSIDERABLE PAIN,
HOLDING THAT RIGHT SHOULDER.
THAT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.
- AND HE IS HOLDING THAT SHOULDER,
AND YOU CAN TELL BY THE LOOK ON HIS FACE,
HE IS SERIOUSLY HURTING.
- MATT, IF I HAD TO GUESS, IT'S EITHER A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR,
A SHOULDER SPRAIN, OR EVEN MAYBE A DISLOCATION.
LOOK AT IT AGAIN.
HE DIDN'T GET HIS FEET LOCKED,
SO HE TRIED TO HOLD HIMSELF UP,
PRESSING HIS FOREARMS INTO THE FRAME.
AND WHEN HE PUTS HIS RIGHT ARM OUT,
IT JUST POPS OFF BEHIND THE FRAME.
HE'S PUSHING SO HARD
THAT HIS SHOULDER MIGHT'VE JUST POPPED OUT OF THE JOINT.
[air horn]
[overlapping chatter]
- WELL, THE PARAMEDICS
NOW HELPING HIM OUT OF THE WATER TANK.
AND HE IS REALLY IN A LOT OF PAIN.
[cheers and applause]
VETERAN OR ROOKIE, YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL.
ANY OBSTACLE CAN TAKE YOU OUT.
THE PARAMEDICS ARE GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT THAT SHOULDER,
AND HE IS IN AGONY RIGHT NOW.
- CAN YOU POP IT BACK IN?
- SO ALAN WAITED IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN
AS PARAMEDICS CALLED FOR AN AMBULANCE.
BUT YOU'VE HEARD THE EXPRESSION,
"IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?"
WELL, THERE WAS, AND HE TURNED OUT TO BE
A FELLOW NINJA WARRIOR COMPETITOR.
NOAH KAUFMAN, WHO JUST HAPPENED TO BE WAITING
FOR HIS TURN ON THE COURSE, CAME TO ALAN'S AID.
NOAH IS AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR
WHO'S HANDLED THIS INJURY MANY TIMES BEFORE.
- [murmurs]--OOH!
THANKS.
NICE TO KNOW A NINJA THAT'S AN E.R. DOC.
- SO, NOAH KAUFMAN SHOWING OFF HIS SKILLS
BEFORE HE EVEN STEPS TO THE START LINE.
THERE'S ANOTHER ATHLETE
WHO DAZZLED US ON THE COURSE LAST SEASON--
TOP PERFORMER BRENT STEFFENSEN,
TONIGHT COMPETING ALONGSIDE HIS GIRLFRIEND, KACY CATANZARO.
- YOU KNOW, HE'S BEEN COACHING HER ON EVERYTHING NINJA,
FROM THE QUINTUPLE STEPS TO THE WARPED WALL,
AND EVEN THE SALMON LADDER.
THEY ARE BOTH WELL PREPARED.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM COMPETE LATER TONIGHT.
- WELL, LET'S SEE IF A VETERAN CAN FIGURE OUT
HOW TO CONQUER THIS NEW,
INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT QUALIFYING COURSE.
IT'S 23-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN WALCKER,
A SYSTEMS MANAGER AND PARKOUR ATHLETE FROM SEATTLE.
THIS IS A GUY WHO LIVES WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME,
AND LAST YEAR, AS A ROOKIE,
HE MADE IT TO THE NATIONAL FINALS.
JUSTIN WALCKER SPENDS HIS DAYS IN BOTHELL, WASHINGTON,
WORKING AS A COMPUTER TECH,
BUT HE SPENDS EVERY FREE MOMENT
WORKING TOWARD AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
THAT PHYSICALITY HELPS HIM OVERCOME
HIS BIGGEST OBSTACLE IN LIFE.
- I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TOURETTE'S AT FIVE.
IT'S ESSENTIALLY A COMPULSION,
AND UNTIL YOU DO WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU'RE COMPELLED TO DO,
YOU CAN GET REALLY ANTSY
OR REALLY FRUSTRATED OR REALLY STRESSED.
- CHILDHOOD FOR JUSTIN WALCKER WAS A CONSTANT CHALLENGE,
LEARNING TO HANDLE THE PHYSICAL AND AUDIBLE TICS OF TOURETTE'S.
HIS LIFE WAS CONSUMED
WITH ANSWERING THE CALL HIS BRAIN DEMANDED.
- THERE WAS ONE WHERE I HAD TO REPEAT CERTAIN WORDS,
AND ONE OF THEM REQUIRED ME TO PRETTY MUCH
TENSE MY ENTIRE BODY AND BECOME AS STIFF AS I COULD.
KIND OF PAINFUL SOMETIMES.
AT A YOUNGER AGE, WITH MY TOURETTE'S,
IT WASN'T A LOT OF FUN.
[laughs]
- BUT OVER THE YEARS, THROUGH SHEER WILL
AND CONSTANT WORK, JUSTIN HAS TAKEN CONTROL.
TOURETTE'S NO LONGER CONSUMES HIM.
EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF PHYSICAL TICS, HE'S NOW IN CHARGE,
AND TRAINING FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
IS PART OF HIS SOLUTION.
- BECAUSE OF THE TRAINING THAT I CAN
PUT INTO MY EVERYDAY LIFE,
IT RELIEVES STRESS AND SO, IN TURN,
HELPS RELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF COMPULSIONS THAT I HAVE.
IT'S HARD. IT'S--IT'S REALLY HARD.
BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS-- YOU CAN KEEP MOVING ON.
FOR THOSE WITH TOURETTE'S, UH, I WOULD SAY, PERSEVERE.
YOU CAN GET BETTER.
[cheering]
- JUSTIN RIGHT NOW SIZING UP THE COURSE.
AND IN THE BLEACHERS,
HIS GRANDPARENTS ARE HERE TONIGHT.
JUSTIN'S GRANDFATHER, CHARLIE,
WAS A COMPETITIVE GYMNAST IN HIS YOUTH.
LOVES SEEING JUSTIN COMPETE HERE.
[beeps]
[cheering]
LOOKS LIKE HE'S HUNG UP ON AN OBSTACLE ALREADY.
- YEAH, HE'S RESORTED TO THE LEAPFROG APPROACH,
AND THAT'S THE WAY TO GO
IF YOU GET DELAYED ON THE FIRST THREE STEPS.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT HIS RHYTHM GOING NOW.
[cheering]
- CHECKING OUT THE FRAME SLIDER.
THIS IS A DRASTIC CHANGE FROM THE LOG GRIP LAST SEASON.
- THE FRAME SLIDER RELIES ON HOW BIG YOU CAN MAKE YOUR BODY
AND HOW HARD YOU CAN GET THAT PUSH AGAINST THE FRAME.
- NO PROBLEM THERE. MOVING ON TO DOMINO HILL.
- THIS IS A GREAT OBSTACLE FOR THE PARKOUR ATHLETES.
YOU HAVE TO BE NIMBLE AND LIGHT ON YOUR FEET.
- AND HE DOES IT, NO PROBLEM.
- A SOLID PERFORMANCE SO FAR. VERY SMOOTH.
YOU CAN TELL THAT HE'S GOT A STRATEGY FOR EACH OBSTACLE.
OH! - OH!
A RUB OF THE BEARD TO THE CROWD!
WHAT A SIGN OF RESPECT!
- OH, HE PLAYED TO THE CROWD WELL.
HE'S A SHOWMAN.
- A REAL CAUTIOUS APPROACH ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
USING THEM TO TRY TO BUILD MOMENTUM
AND KEEP HIS BODY IN CONTROL.
- PERFECT EXAMPLE, MATT, OF RESORTING TO A PLAN "B."
OH, STUMBLED! BUT HE SAVES HIMSELF.
WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF STUCK, YOU'VE GOT TO BE RESOURCEFUL.
- ON TO THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS, THOUGH.
AND THIS HAS BEEN THE REAL TEST.
WE'VE HAD A FEW PEOPLE GET HERE BUT NO ONE GET BY IT.
- NOW, YOU CAN'T EXTEND YOUR ARMS AND HANG ON THIS ONE.
YOU HAVE TO HOLD UP YOUR BODY WEIGHT
AND KEEP YOUR ARMS AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE.
- OH, AND HE'S DONE IT!
[cheering]
THE FIRST ONE TO GET PAST THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS,
AND HE'S ECSTATIC!
[crowd chanting "beat the wall"
- THE CROWD CHEERING, "BEAT THE WALL."
THEY WANT TO SEE THE FIRST COMPLETER TONIGHT.
HERE'S THE RUN. AND HE'S GOT IT!
JUSTIN WALCKER HAS DONE IT!
HE'S BEATEN THIS QUALIFYING COURSE, AKBAR!
- AND HE'S THE FIRST TO DO IT!
- LOOK AT THAT! LOOK AT THAT.
- DESPITE HIS ECCENTRIC LOOK, HE'S DONE IT IN GREAT FASHION.
HE HAS PROVED THAT HE IS READY FOR THE VENICE CHALLENGE.
- LET'S GO TO JENN, WHO'S STANDING BY
WITH AN ELATED AND VERY HAIRY JUSTIN WALCKER.
- YEAH! - THAT'S AWESOME!
I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE.
- AWESOME! I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE.
I WAS SO NERVOUS.
MAN, SO MANY PEOPLE WERE FAILING.
I WAS SO AFRAID I WAS GONNA FAIL TOO.
- LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS,
'CAUSE IT'S GIVEN SO MANY PEOPLE TROUBLE.
WHY WERE YOU SUCCESSFUL ON THEM?
- I JUST GRIPPED AND TOLD MYSELF,
"IF I FALL, THAT'S IT. I'M DEAD."
SO LIFE OR DEATH, I GUESS.
- ALL RIGHT, GUYS. SUCCESS WITH A MUSTACHE.
BACK UP TO YOU. - THANKS, JENN.
LIFE OR DEATH, AND JUSTIN WALCKER SURVIVES.
NOW WE KNOW THIS COURSE CAN BE BEATEN.
JUSTIN WALCKER HAS JUST BLAZED A PATH.
THE QUESTION, HOW MANY MORE WILL FOLLOW HIM TO THE FINISH?
WELL, WE ALL REMEMBER THIS NEXT COMPETITOR FROM LAST SEASON.
HE MADE HISTORY HERE WHILE INSPIRING EVERYONE.
IT'S 54-YEAR-OLD KELVIN ANTOINE,
THE MAN KNOWN AS "GRANDPA NINJA."
KELVIN ANTOINE IS THE FACE OF FITNESS.
HE MAKES 50 LOOK LIKE THE NEW 30.
LAST YEAR, HE SHOCKED THE WORLD
AS THE OLDEST COMPETITOR EVER TO COMPLETE OUR QUALIFYING COURSE.
KELVIN ANTOINE WITH AN INSPIRED PERFORMANCE!
AT AGE 53, HE SCALED THE WARPED WALL AS THE CROWD ERUPTED.
OH, MY GOODNESS!
AND KELVIN ANTOINE IS PULLING HIMSELF UP
IN THE MOST IMPROBABLE OF FASHIONS!
IT WAS A REMARKABLE MOMENT ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
AND NOW, AT AGE 54, HE WANTS TO DO IT AGAIN.
- IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. YOU MEET PEOPLE THAT'S YOUNG,
THAT YOU KNOW, SAY, "HEY, I MEAN, IF THIS GUY CAN DO IT,
I CAN GET OUT THERE AND DO SOMETHING."
THAT'S A GOOD FEELING.
WHEN YOU CAN INSPIRE OTHER PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING,
THAT'S POSITIVE.
[cheers and applause]
- WELL, THEY CALL HIM GRANDPA NINJA FOR A REASON.
ACTUALLY, SIX REASONS.
KELVIN'S WIFE THERE, ALONG WITH THEIR SIX GRANDCHILDREN.
THE SIGN SAYS, "WE LOVE YOU, GRANDPA NINJA."
YOU CAN TELL THE CROWD LOVES HIM TOO.
WE'RE SEEING A LEANER KELVIN TONIGHT, BY THE WAY.
HE'S SHED 12 POUNDS SINCE LAST SEASON.
HOPES IT'LL BALANCE OUT BEING ANOTHER YEAR OLDER.
- WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT SPEAKS TO THE AMOUNT OF DEDICATION,
AT 54 YEARS OLD, TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT MUCH WORK
AND TO GET TO THIS POINT IN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
WHOO!
- HAS SURPRISING AGILITY AND-- OH!
BUT HE'S OUT ON THE FRAME SLIDER!
IT LOOKED LIKE HE JUST DIDN'T LOCK IN.
- IT IS ONE OF THE TRICKIEST OBSTACLES IN THIS ENTIRE COURSE.
YOU CAN'T JUST USE YOUR UPPER-BODY STRENGTH.
AND KELVIN NEVER GOT HIS LEGS LOCKED IN.
AND EVEN 12 POUNDS LIGHTER,
IT WAS STILL TOO MUCH WEIGHT FOR HIM TO HOLD.
[siren blares]
- SO A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR KELVIN'S LITTLE ONES,
BUT THEY STILL LOVE GRANDPA NINJA,
AS DOES THE ENTIRE CROWD.
I THINK EVERYBODY LOVES GRANDPA NINJA.
- I RUSHED IT.
I DIDN'T GET IN THERE GOOD ENOUGH.
BUT I'LL BE BACK.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T BELIEVE IN QUIT, SO...
I'LL BE BACK.
- THE MAN READY TO RUN NOW
IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PARKOUR ATHLETES IN AMERICA.
AND LAST SEASON HE BLEW US AWAY WITH HIS PERFORMANCE
HERE AT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
IT'S JESSE LA FLAIR.
JESSE IS A YOUTUBE SENSATION WITH MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS.
IN HIS PARKOUR INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS,
HE MAKES IT LOOK SO EASY, IT'S LIKE HE'S FLYING.
BUT HE WENT OUT SHOCKINGLY EARLY
AT STAGE ONE AT MOUNT MIDORIYAMA LAST YEAR.
- WHEN I WALKED AWAY, MY EYES STARTED WATERING.
AND I WAS LIKE, "WHY AM I GETTING EMOTIONAL HERE?"
AND I REALIZED IT WASN'T-- IT WASN'T SO MUCH
THAT I LET MYSELF DOWN, BUT THE FACT THAT I KNOW THAT I HAVE
ALL THESE KIDS ONLINE AND ON MY YOUTUBE
THAT ARE, LIKE, REALLY LOOKING UP TO ME.
AND I WANT TO SHOW THEM THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO PRACTICE,
AND THE MORE YOU DO IT, THE BETTER YOU'LL GET,
IN THE SAME WAY THAT I TRAIN EVERY DAY.
[cheers and applause]
- AND HIS WIFE BRIANNE IS HERE AGAIN,
CHEERING JESSE ON FROM THE SIDELINES.
- YEAH, NOBODY MASTERS THE BODY AWARENESS
LIKE A PARKOUR EXTRAORDINAIRE, AND LA FLAIR KNOWS THAT.
- JUST FLIES THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
SO GRACEFUL, SO ELEGANT.
LONG LEGS, 6 FEET TALL,
AND NO PAUSE INTO DOMINO HILL.
- LOOK, IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH PARKOUR, YOU WANT
TO GET INTRODUCED TO IT, CHECK LA FLAIR OUT ON YOUTUBE.
BUT WATCH HIM HERE.
HE'S GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO USE YOUR BODY SUSPENDED
IN MID-AIR ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
- LOOK AT THAT. JUST GREAT CONTROL THERE.
IT LOOKED LIKE HE FOUND THAT THIRD CHAIN
WITH HIS FEET WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING.
HE IS MAKING GREAT TIME.
ONLY 48 SECONDS DOWN SO FAR.
GREAT JOB. AND SMART.
DIDN'T GO FOR THAT RUSHED TRANSITION.
JESSE LA FLAIR SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE WARPED WALL
HE'S GOING FOR THE FASTEST TIME.
- YEAH, THAT'S WHAT HE'S GOING FOR.
HE'S GOING FOR-- - HE HAS DONE IT.
JESSE LA FLAIR WITH THE FASTEST TIME
THUS FAR IN THE QUALIFYING COURSE.
- WHOA, HE'S THE NATURE BOY.
LA FLAIR. WHOO, WHOO!
HA HA!
- AND JESSE'S WIFE KNOWS HER MAN IS MOVING ON TO THE CITY FINALS.
LET'S GO DOWN TO JENN BROWN,
WHO'S STANDING BY WITH AN ELATED JESSE LA FLAIR.
- VERY NICE, JESSE. VERY NICE.
NOW, YOU SAID LAST SEASON
YOU FELT LIKE YOU LET YOUR FANS DOWN IN VEGAS.
WELL, NOW YOU ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING BACK THERE.
HOW DOES IT FEEL?
YOU HAD THE FASTEST TIME SO FAR IN THE COMPETITION!
- IT FEELS REALLY GOOD, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
I MEAN, MY FAVORITE PART
ABOUT ALL THIS IS BEING ABLE TO INSPIRE.
AND, YOU KNOW, A BIG THING ABOUT PARKOUR AND FREE RUNNING
IS NEVER GIVING UP AND CONTINUING TO STRIVE
TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS.
AND THIS IS ONE OF MY GOALS, YOU KNOW?
- WELL, ONE OF YOUR GOALS IS ACCOMPLISHED,
'CAUSE YOU ARE MOVING ON TO THE VENICE FINALS.
CONGRATULATIONS. - THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
- ALL RIGHT, GUYS. BACK TO YOU.
- THANKS, JENN.
JESSE LA FLAIR DEFEATED THE COURSE WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT.
WHO ELSE WILL JOIN HIM IN THE VENICE CITY FINALS?
NOW, LAST TIME WE SAW YOU, PAUL, YOU'RE COMPETING IN VEGAS.
YOU'RE IN THE STANDS.
NOW YOU'RE MARRIED, AND YOU GOT HER TO COMPETE.
HOW DID YOU DO THAT? - I'VE BEEN ENCOURAGING HER
TO COMPETE OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS.
AND FINALLY SHE HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO COME OUT HERE
AND SHOW AMERICA WHAT SHE CAN DO.
- NOW, MELANIE, THAT CONFIDENCE PROBABLY COMES
BECAUSE YOU WERE A COMPETITIVE GYMNAST.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT'LL HELP YOU HERE TONIGHT?
- YEAH, I DEFINITELY THINK MY UPPER BODY STRENGTH
WILL COME IN HANDY, MY BALANCE SKILLS, BODY AWARENESS,
AND COMPETING IN FRONT OF LARGE CROWDS.
SO HOPEFULLY MY NERVES DON'T GET THE BEST OF ME.
- WELL, THERE IS A CROWD HERE TONIGHT,
BUT GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF YOU.
WE'RE GONNA SEND IT BACK UP TO YOU GUYS.
MATT. - THANKS, JENN.
WELL, OUR NEXT COMPETITOR IS EASY TO SPOT
BECAUSE YOU DON'T SEE MANY ATHLETES DRESSED AS CHICKENS.
THIS IS 29-YEAR-OLD JESSIE GRAFF FROM SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA.
SHE'S A FORMER TRAPEZE ARTIST
WHO NOW WORKS AS A STUNTWOMAN IN HOLLYWOOD.
- MATT, DON'T LET THE OUTFIT FOOL YOU.
SHE'S A REMARKABLE ATHLETE.
SHE WENT TO COLLEGE ON A SCHOLARSHIP AS A POLE VAULTER.
AND HER HOLLYWOOD STUNT WORK IS EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE.
BUT HER PERSONALITY TOPS ALL OF HER ATHLETIC SKILLS.
- HI, I'M JESSIE GRAFF.
I'M A STUNTWOMAN FROM SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA.
AND I LIKE CLIMBING THINGS AND JUMPING OFF OF THINGS.
♪ AND I LIKE GETTING LIT ON FIRE ♪
♪ I GET THROWN THROUGH LOTS OF WALLS ♪
♪ WELL, I FLIP FROM ROOF TO ROOFTOP ♪
♪ AND TAKE REALLY GNARLY FALLS ♪
♪ WITH MY RIGORS AND MY HARNESS ♪
♪ I'LL GET OUT OF ANY MESS ♪
♪ YEAH, I'LL FIGHT 100 NINJAS ♪
♪ JUST TO FALL DOWN STAIRS IN A DRESS ♪
♪ I RIDE BULLS ♪
♪ I'M ON PYLONS, ELECTRIC POWER LINES ♪
♪ I START FIGHTS WITH MY CO-WORKERS ♪
♪ I GET HIT BY MY FRIENDS' CARS ♪
♪ I GET KICKED AROUND AND CLOTHESLINED ♪
♪ BY TV AND MOVIE STARS ♪
YEAH!
[cheers and applause]
- AND THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST ENTERTAINING SUBMISSION
VIDEOS WE'VE EVER RECEIVED ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- I'M NOT QUITE SURE I'M SOLD ON HER SINGING VOICE,
BUT I AM CONVINCED SHE IS ONE REMARKABLE ATHLETE.
- WELL, LET'S SEE IF THIS BIRD CAN FLY.
SLOW AND STEADY THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
- JESSICA GRAFF LIKES TO SEW HER OWN COSTUMES.
SHE PROBABLY SEWED THIS ONE TODAY.
- JESSIE GRAFF!
- WELL, YOU KNOW, SHE'S A STUNTWOMAN
FOR SUPERHERO CHARACTERS.
LET'S SEE IF SHE CAN GET THROUGH HERE AND FLY THROUGH IT.
[cheers]
- SHE WAS AN NCAA POLE VAULTER AT NEBRASKA.
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET THROUGH DOMINO HILL?
YES, YOU CAN, JESSIE GRAFF.
SHE MAY LOOK LIKE BIG BIRD,
BUT SHE IS FLYING THROUGH THIS COURSE.
- YOU KNOW, THE FEATHERS REALLY HELP HER IN THIS SITUATION.
- ABSOLUTELY.
- HELPS TO GUIDE HER THROUGH THERE,
KEEPS HER BODY STRAIGHT.
TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA STRAIN
OFF OF HER BRACHIORADIALIS.
THAT'S THAT FOREARM MUSCLE.
- ABSOLUTELY.
USED TO PERFORM CIRCUS, USED TO PERFORM ON THE TRAPEZE,
AND LOOKING VERY CONFIDENT ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
WOW!
THIS IS TRULY IMPRESSIVE.
WE ARE SEEING ONE OF THE STRONGEST FEMALE COMPETITORS
WE'VE EVER HAD ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- BUT NOW SHE'S FACING THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS,
AN OBSTACLE THAT HAS BEEN KILLING A TON OF COMPETITORS
IN THIS QUALIFYING ROUND.
NOW KEEP IN MIND, NO WOMAN HAS EVER COMPLETED
THE FIFTH OBSTACLE.
AND SHE'S UP!
- HISTORY'S IN THE MAKING.
I FEEL IT, MATT. I FEEL IT.
OH!
- SHE HAD IT!
JESSIE GRAFF JUST MISSED ON THE TRANSITION.
- SHE MADE THE FIRST GRAB,
BUT SHE'S GOT THOSE ARMS FULLY EXTENDED.
HARD TO GET A LOT OF HEIGHT ON HER SWING.
SO WHEN SHE TRIED TO GRAB THE SECOND SET,
HER HANDS WERE JUST TOO LOW, AND SHE SLIPPED OFF.
- WELL, NO WOMAN HAS EVER QUALIFIED FOR A CITY FINALS,
BUT JESSIE GRAFF HAS A SHOT.
SHE WENT AS FAR AS MOST OF THE MEN HAVE
ON THIS QUALIFYING COURSE,
AND IF WE DON'T GET 30 FINISHERS,
WE'LL ROUND OUT THE FIELD
WITH WHOEVER WENT THE FURTHEST, THE FASTEST.
RIGHT NOW SHE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND HOPE HER PERFORMANCE
WAS ENOUGH FOR HER TO MAKE THE CUT.
AND LET'S GO TO OUR WOMAN, JENN BROWN,
WHO'S STANDING BY WITH JESSIE RIGHT NOW.
- LOOKING GOOD IN THE DRESS, JESSIE.
A ROOKIE ROCKING THE COSTUME. I LIKE IT.
YOU ALMOST MADE IT THROUGH THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
- ALMOST. - HOW'D YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT RUN?
- IT WAS FUN. IT WAS EASIER THAN I THOUGHT.
IT'S ALL JUST TECHNICAL.
YOU GOT TO HOLD ON TIGHT. - EASIER THAN YOU THOUGHT.
I LIKE HEARING THAT FROM A FEMALE IN THE COMPETITION.
WELL, YOU MIGHT MAKE IT TO THE VENICE FINALS.
YOU GOT TO WAIT AND SEE, SO FINGERS CROSSED THERE.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU. - THANK YOU.
- GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU. - THANKS, JENN.
AND WHAT AN AMAZING RUN BY JESSIE GRAFF.
IF SHE ENDS UP MAKING THE TOP 30, SHE WILL MAKE HISTORY
AS THE FIRST WOMAN EVER TO QUALIFY FOR A CITY FINALS.
THE NEXT COMPETITOR READY TO SADDLE UP IS WEARING
A BLACK HAT, BUT HE'S DEFINITELY ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.
A RETURNING VETERAN, IT'S 26-YEAR-OLD LANCE PEKUS,
A RANCHER FROM SALMON, IDAHO.
- SALMON, IDAHO, IS-- IT'S AN AMAZING TOWN.
EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME AND ASKS YOU HOW YOU'RE DOING.
AND PEOPLE DEFINITELY KNOW ME
AS THE NINJA WARRIOR THERE IN SALMON.
- HE AND HIS WIFE WORK HER PARENTS' RANCH
OUTSIDE OF SALMON.
IT IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE.
- WORKING ON A RANCH IS A LOT OF HARD WORK.
I WOULD SAY I'M COWBOY-TOUGH.
I WORK WITH MY HANDS EVERY DAY, AND I THINK THAT GIVES
AN ADVANTAGE TO SOMEONE LIKE ME ON THE COURSE.
- WHEN HE'S NOT WORKING ON THE RANCH,
HE'S BUSY TRAINING SOMEWHERE ON IT.
HE BUILT OBSTACLES IN HIS FATHER-IN-LAW'S
CALVING SHED FOR LAST SEASON'S COMPETITION.
ONE MORE ATTEMPT LEFT AT THE WARPED WALL FOR LANCE PEKUS.
WHEN HE FAILED ON THE WARPED WALL,
HE BUILT A NEW ONE A FOOT HIGHER.
THE INCENTIVE THIS YEAR GOES BEYOND THE WARPED WALL, THOUGH.
LANCE AND HIS WIFE HAVE BIG CHANGES IN STORE.
- SAVED UP SOME MONEY, BOUGHT SEVEN ACRES.
WE'RE PLANNING ON BUILDING A HOUSE LATER THIS SUMMER,
AND ME AND MY WIFE ARE GONNA BE EXPECTING OUR FIRST CHILD.
WINNING A $1/2 MILLION, WE'D BE ABLE TO BUILD THE HOUSE
OF OUR DREAM AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR CHILD
HOWEVER WE NEEDED TO.
- SO LANCE HAS A LOT OF REASONS TO WANT TO GET THROUGH
TO THE NEXT ROUND, AND THERE'S HIS WIFE HEATHER WITH FAMILY
AND FRIENDS TO WATCH HER COWBOY RUN THE COURSE.
LANCE GALLOPING THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
LAST YEAR, HE COULDN'T MAKE IT UP THE WARPED WALL
IN QUALIFYING, SAYS THIS PAST YEAR HE'S BEEN TRAINING
AND WORKING ON CONDITIONING SPECIFICALLY
FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIORS.
- HE'S GONNA NEED EVERY ADVANTAGE HE CAN GET, MATT.
THIS COURSE WILL TEST YOU IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE.
- WELL, HE'S THROUGH THE FRAME SLIDER WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE.
NOW ON TO DOMINO HILL.
WOW, DIDN'T MISS A STEP ON THAT ONE.
- YEAH, HE'S GOT GOOD RHYTHM GOING, MATT.
HOPEFULLY HE CAN CARRY IT
THROUGH THE LAST THREE OBSTACLES.
- LANCE NOT WASTING ANY TIME, SIMPLY FLYING
THROUGH THIS COURSE, MAKING IT LOOK EASY.
- THAT'S HOW YOU CONQUER THE FLOATING CHAINS, A HIGH GRIP
AND A GOOD TARZAN SWING ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
- AND HERE'S HIS NEXT BIG TEST.
PERFECT MOUNT ON THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
- YEAH, WATCH THE TRANSFER. - AND HE'S DONE IT.
BUT LAST YEAR, THE WARPED WALL WAS HIS NEMESIS.
COULDN'T GET UP IT.
SAYS HE'S TRAINED REAL HARD FOR JUST THIS MOMENT RIGHT HERE.
- YEAH, THIS IS THAT COUNTRY GRAMMAR
KICKING IN RIGHT HERE UP THE WARPED WALL.
- STUTTER STEPS.
LOOKS LIKE HE MIGHT BE PSYCHING HIMSELF OUT RIGHT NOW.
- YEAH, HE'S JUST GOT TO GO FOR IT.
- HE'S GOT IT!
LANCE PEKUS WITH THE ONE-HANDED GRAB TO PULL HIMSELF UP.
THE COWBOY FROM IDAHO, HE'S BEATEN THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
HE GUARANTEES HIMSELF A SPOT IN THE VENICE CITY FINALS.
NOW A HUG FROM HIS WIFE, BOTH OF THEM MUCH RELIEVED
AFTER HE FINALLY SCALED THE WARPED WALL.
- YOU DID AWESOME. WE WERE SO PROUD HERE.
- AND WITH A BABY ON THE WAY, A $1/2 MILLION COULD GO A LONG WAY
TOWARD THEIR FAMILY'S FUTURE.
AND LANCE IS MOVING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THAT PRIZE,
MOVING ON TO THE VENICE CITY FINALS.
AND HE JOINS THE LIST OF FINISHERS
WHO HAVE GUARANTEED THEMSELVES A SPOT.
SO FAR, THAT NUMBER IS NINE.
JESSE LA FLAIR TOPS THE LIST WITH THE FASTEST TIME.
LANCE PEKUS JUMPS INTO THE NUMBER THREE SPOT,
AND JUSTIN WALCKER, WHO RAN EARLIER TONIGHT, IS IN SEVENTH.
SO WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE SOME SUCCESS
IN THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
SO FAR TONIGHT WE'VE SEEN TRIUMPH, INJURY,
AND SOME MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES.
AND THERE'S STUNTMAN PAUL DARNELL,
A NINJA WARRIOR VETERAN, LOOKING PRETTY NERVOUS RIGHT NOW.
- LET'S GO, MEL!
- THAT'S BECAUSE THE NEXT COMPETITOR
IS HIS WIFE MELANIE AT THE START LINE.
IT'S HER FIRST TIME COMPETING.
- MELANIE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETE.
SHE COMPETED IN GYMNASTICS FOR SEVEN YEARS
AND WAS A COMPETITIVE FIGURE SKATER FOR FIVE.
NOW SHE TAKES PARKOUR AND FREE RUNNING CLASSES
TAUGHT BY HER HUSBAND.
- HE'S ALWAYS THERE AND ENCOURAGING ME
AND BELIEVING IN ME AND GIVING ME CONFIDENCE
THAT I CAN TACKLE THESE OBSTACLES.
- THEY TRAIN TOGETHER.
THEY WORK TOGETHER.
THIS IS TRULY A NINJA COUPLE.
- MELANIE LOOKING TO BE THE SUPREME ATHLETE
IN HER HOUSEHOLD.
OH!
BUT A SLIP ON THE SECOND OF THE QUINTUPLE STEPS, AND SHE IS OUT.
- OH.
- NOT WHAT THE DARNELLS HAD HOPED FOR.
- SHE GAVE IT HER BEST.
SHE TRIED. IT'S WET.
IT'S SLIPPERY. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- UGH, I SLIPPED!
ALMOST.
- WELL, WHILE MELANIE GETS A TOWEL,
PAUL IS NOW THE ONE AT THE START LINE.
HIS LIFE HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY
SINCE WE SAW HIM LAST YEAR AT MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
LAST SEASON, PAUL MADE IT TO STAGE TWO IN LAS VEGAS,
WHERE HIS GRIP GAVE OUT ON THE UNSTABLE BRIDGE,
AND HE HIT THE WATER. [siren blares]
TWO WEEKS LATER, PAUL AND MELANIE
TOOK A WHOLE DIFFERENT KIND OF PLUNGE.
- SINCE LAST YEAR, I GOT MARRIED.
AND NOW WE GET TO EVEN EXPERIENCE THINGS TOGETHER,
LIKE NINJA WARRIOR.
- IT WAS TRULY A NINJA WEDDING,
COMPLETE WITH AERIAL ACROBATICS AND A PARKOUR ROUTINE.
TO PREPARE FOR THIS SEASON OF AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR,
PAUL AND HIS WIFE TRAINED TOGETHER.
IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT FITNESS.
IT WAS ALSO LEARNING MORE ABOUT EACH OTHER.
- IT REALLY HELPS US BRING US CLOSER AND HAVE
A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT EACH PERSON DOES.
SO TO HAVE HER STEP INTO MY WORLD IS A GREAT THING
TO HAVE, TO EXPERIENCE WITH HER.
- IT'S SO MUCH FUN,
AND WE JUST LOVE EXPERIENCING THINGS TOGETHER.
AND SO THIS IS A CHALLENGE.
[applause]
- AND THERE IS A HAPPILY-MARRIED PAUL DARNELL,
READY TO START HIS RUN.
- WHOO!
- WIFE MELANIE WATCHING.
SHE'S STILL SOAKED FROM HER FALL.
- LET'S SEE HOW THE AMERICAN NINJA VETERAN
DEALS WITH THESE NEW OBSTACLES.
SO FAR, SO GOOD.
VERY QUICK ON THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
- THIS GUY IS AN INCREDIBLE ATHLETE AND A GREAT STUNTMAN.
HE'S ACTUALLY THE STUNTMAN IN THE NEW MAN OF STEEL MOVIE.
- YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TOO,
ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT, TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE BODY--THAT YOU'VE BEEN PROPERLY WARMED UP.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN WARMED UP.
- OH! A GOOD SAVE THERE.
DOWN ON HIS KNEES.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S SAYING HIS NIGHTTIME PRAYERS,
BUT HE'S GOT TO BE SAYING, "THANK YOU."
GETTING HIS FEET SETTLED, PAUL DARNELL, 6'1",
ONE OF OUR TALLER COMPETITORS OUT HERE.
- FATIGUE CAN SET IN ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
- OH! - THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
TO MAKE SURE HE ENGAGES
THE LATISSIMUS DORSI, THE BACK MUSCLES, WELL.
- AND DARNELL IN NO-MAN'S LAND, HUNG UP
ON THAT MIDDLE, THAT THIRD CHAIN.
MANAGES TO GET THE FOURTH CHAIN WITH HIS FEET AND A GREAT SAVE.
BUT IT'S GOT TO SAP A LOT OF ENERGY.
- BUT DOES HE HAVE ENOUGH GRIP STRENGTH LEFT
TO DEFEAT THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS?
- DARNELL GATHERING HIMSELF
BEFORE HE TAKES ON THE FORMIDABLE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
GOOD LEAP. OH!
PAUL DARNELL GOES OUT.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE JUST RUSHED HIMSELF, AKBAR.
- YEAH, HE DID.
HE WAS TRYING TO MOVE THROUGH TOO FAST.
YOU NEED TO BUILD UP MOMENTUM AND SPEED
WITH A GOOD SWING OR TWO.
HE TRIED TO RUSH IT ON THE FIRST TRY.
I THINK HE JUST TRIED TO TRANSITION TOO QUICKLY.
- OH, MAN.
UGH. I WENT TOO FAST.
WENT TOO HARD.
- SO THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS TAKE OUT ANOTHER TOP VETERAN.
WELL, OUR NEXT COMPETITOR HAS A UNIQUE ATHLETIC BACKGROUND.
THIS IS 32-YEAR-OLD AARON COOKE.
RIGHT NOW HE'S A SALES TRAINER FROM KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON.
BUT BEFORE THAT, HE WAS A BALLET DANCER.
- TRAINING TO BE A PROFESSIONAL BALLET DANCER
WAS PRETTY INTENSE.
- HE TRAINED FOR 12 YEARS, THEN DANCED PROFESSIONALLY
FOR TWO WITH THE MONTGOMERY BALLET COMPANY.
YES, MEN IN TIGHTS ARE DEFINITELY TOUGH GUYS.
- IT'S REALLY PREPARED ME MENTALLY FOR THIS CHALLENGE.
- BUT HE WASN'T MENTALLY READY FOR WHAT HIT HIM LAST YEAR.
- MY SON IS THREE YEARS OLD,
AND HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM.
- I WANT TO WRESTLE. - YOU WANT TO WRESTLE?
WE HAD A BIT OF A STRUGGLE WITH THAT.
BUT ONCE WE GOT THROUGH ALMOST LIKE A GRIEVING PERIOD
WITH IT, THEN WE COULD START LOOKING
TOWARDS TREATMENTS FOR HIM.
- AARON SAYS ONE OF THE BEST TREATMENTS SO FAR
HAS BEEN TRAINING FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- WHEN I STARTED TRAINING, I WOULD TAKE HIM WITH ME.
AND HE LOVED IT, AND WE WOULD TALK ABOUT
HOW WE WERE GONNA GO DO NINJA EXERCISES.
- NINJA EXERCISE.
- OKAY, YOU READY?
WE'D WORK OUT AT HOME TOGETHER, AND HE LOVES TO HELP ME
BY SITTING ON MY BACK WHILE I'M WORKING OUT.
HE HAS A GREAT TIME WITH IT AND JUST LOVES BEING IN THE MOMENT
AND HAVING THAT TIME TOGETHER.
TO HAVE MY SON HERE AND TO HAVE HIM WATCH ME RUN,
EVEN THOUGH HE MAY NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING
RIGHT NOW, BEING ABLE TO TELL HIM ONE DAY
THAT THIS IS WHAT I DID,
AND YOU WERE THE INSPIRATION FOR IT,
IS AN IMMENSE SOURCE OF PRIDE AND LOVE IN MY LIFE.
- AND THERE'S HIS SON AND TRAINING PARTNER ALEX,
ALONG WITH HIS WIFE COURTNEY, READY TO MAKE THIS
A NINJA WARRIOR FAMILY AFFAIR HERE IN VENICE BEACH.
OH, LITTLE SLIP ON THAT SECOND STEP.
- OH, YEAH, YOU COULD SEE THAT BALANCE HE GOT THERE
FROM HIS YEARS OF BALLET.
VERY NICE RECOVERY.
- AND ON TO THE FRAME SLIDER.
- AND THIS IS WHERE HE NEEDS TO USE BOTH HIS LOWER
AND UPPER BODY TO WEDGE TIGHTLY INTO THAT FRAME.
- NICE AND CLEAN. MADE IT LOOK EASY.
WHOA! HO HO HO!
AND HE LEAPS OVER THE LAST DOMINO AND SAFELY THROUGH.
NOW ON TO THE FLOATING CHAINS.
WHEN AARON SAYS HE FINDS STRENGTH THROUGH HIS SON
AND GETTING THROUGH EACH DAY IS A VICTORY,
LET'S SEE IF HE CAN GET A VICTORY HERE.
- NOW THIS IS A COMBINATION OF GRIP STRENGTH AND COORDINATION.
- PLANTING HIS FEET ON THE BLOCK AT THE END OF THE SECOND CHAIN.
NOW TRYING TO GET IN SOME SORT OF RHYTHM.
MAKES THE GRAB FOR THE NEXT CHAIN.
- AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MOVE RIGHT HERE, MATT.
- AND THE BALLET DANCER
IS NOW STARING DOWN THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
AN IMPRESSIVE RUN SO FAR.
OH!
BUT CAN'T HOLD ONTO THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS,
AND SURPRISINGLY NOT A GOOD LEAP OUT OF THE BALLET DANCER.
- HE'S NOT USED TO MINI-TRAMPS, AND HE GOT A TERRIBLE JUMP.
AND WITHOUT HIS ARMS BENT AT 90 DEGREES, YOU JUST CAN'T HOLD
YOUR BODY WEIGHT WITH YOUR ARMS FULLY EXTENDED.
[siren blares]
- WHOO! IT WAS FUN.
- THIS VENICE CITY QUALIFYING COURSE
HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY PUNISHING ON THE ATHLETES TONIGHT.
AND IT'S BEEN DOUBLY PAINFUL
FOR A HANDFUL OF MARRIED COUPLES COMPETING.
MATTHEW HELTON, AN ATTORNEY FROM MORAGA, CALIFORNIA,
CAME STRAIGHT FROM A LEGAL CONFERENCE
AND WENT STRAIGHT OUT ON THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
HIS WIFE ELIZABETH ALSO FAILED AT THE FIRST OBSTACLE.
KEITH QUEEN, A BRAND MANAGER FROM RIGHT HERE IN VENICE,
ALSO OUT QUICKLY.
BUT HIS WIFE JENNIE MADE IT TO THE FRAME SLIDER
BEFORE SHE SLID OUT OF THE COMPETITION.
AND HOPE ROCHO, A RETURNING COMPETITOR
AND A MOTHER OF THREE, ALSO FAILED AT THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
[siren blares]
AND NOW IT'S HER HUSBAND'S TURN TO GIVE IT A GO.
THIS IS DUSTIN ROCHO, A CPR INSTRUCTOR
FROM LAS VEGAS AND A RETURNING VETERAN.
HE AND HIS WIFE ARE BOTH HOPING
HE DOESN'T END HIS RUN THE WAY HE DID LAST SEASON.
THROUGH THE SPINNING LOG, NOT SLOWING DOWN--OH!
OH, MY GOODNESS.
THE LAST TIME WE SAW DUSTIN COMPETE,
THE PARAMEDICS RUSHED TO HIS AID
AFTER HE RUPTURED HIS EARDRUM IN THE VENICE FINALS.
DUSTIN ROCHO IN OBVIOUS PAIN RIGHT NOW.
HIS WIFE HOPE WAS RIGHT THERE AS WELL,
BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO NINJA WARRIOR,
THIS IS DEFINITELY A FAMILY AFFAIR.
- WE PLAY TOGETHER. WE TRAIN TOGETHER.
WE LIVE TOGETHER.
AND WE SPEAK LIFE INTO EACH OTHER.
- WE BUILD FUN THINGS IN OUR HOUSE.
IT JUST KIND OF MAKES THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD
WANTING TO BE HEALTHY AND WANTING TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.
- GO, GO, GO UP. BIG REACH UP. YEAH!
WE ARE RAISING A GENERATION THAT WILL LOVE TO FLY HIGH.
- THE ROCHOS' NINJA WARRIOR TEAM HAS A NEW MEMBER.
SHE ARRIVED ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
NOT QUITE READY TO TRAIN JUST YET, BUT ALREADY ENTHUSIASTIC
ABOUT MOM AND DAD'S SHARED PASSION.
- AND NOW A SPECIAL WORD FROM THE SMALLEST NINJA IN TRAINING.
- [babbles]
[cheers and applause]
- SO THE NEXT GENERATION OF NINJAS ALREADY IN THE MAKING.
THAT'S GONNA BE A TOUGH CROWD TO BEAT.
RIGHT NOW IT'S UP TO DAD TO SEE THE FAMILY THROUGH
TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA THIS YEAR
IF HE CAN GET THROUGH THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
YOU CAN SEE THERE'S HIS WIFE HOPE.
YOU CAN'T FAULT HER IF SHE'S NERVOUS.
THE LAST TIME SHE WATCHED HER HUSBAND COMPETE,
IT DID NOT END WELL.
- YEAH, MATT, BUT HE'S BACK
AND READY TO FACE THESE BRAND-NEW OBSTACLES.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF GUY THAT WON'T QUIT.
- LAST YEAR, RUPTURED HIS EARDRUM.
HAS TO BE IN THE BACK OF HIS MIND.
WHEN YOU SUFFER A TOUGH INJURY LIKE THAT,
DIFFICULT TO COME BACK TO THE SITE OF THE INJURY.
- YEAH, IT IS.
BUT NOW YOU GOT TO GET OVER THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER,
AND YOU GOT TO JUST PUSH THROUGH, AS HE'S DOING NOW.
- REAL NIMBLE ON DOMINO HILL.
YOU CAN SEE HOPE CHEERING HIM ON THERE ON THE SIDELINES.
NOW NIMBLE ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
- REHABBING AFTER A SERIOUS INJURY IS NEVER EASY, MATT.
I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT DURING MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER,
AND I TELL YOU, DUSTIN ROCHO HAS HIS HEAD IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
HE'S FOCUSING ON CONQUERING THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
- DUSTIN! YOU GOT IT!
- HE'S NOT LETTING THE FEAR OF RE-INJURY SLOW HIM DOWN.
- AND HE'S GOT HIS FEET ON THAT FOURTH CHAIN.
- COME ON! - 5'10", 165 POUNDS.
HIS INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING TRAINING SHOULD HELP HIM
KEEP HIS STAMINA UP ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
- YOU KNOW, I'M SURE IT'S A BOOST FOR DUSTIN
TO HAVE HIS WIFE THERE.
BUT RIGHT NOW HE'S STRUGGLING ON THOSE CHAINS.
- AND HE FINDS A WAY THROUGH THOSE FLOATING CHAINS,
BUT THAT DEFINITELY TOOK A TOLL ON HIM.
LOOK AT DUSTIN.
HIS HANDS MUST BE ACHING.
IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD AS HE FACES THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
- NO, IT DOESN'T.
YOU CAN SEE THAT HE'S EXHAUSTED.
BUT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO JUST SIT BACK,
SURVEY WHAT'S GOING ON,
AND THEN TAKE THE APPROPRIATE JUMP.
- AND HERE'S THE LEAP.
OH, LOOKED LIKE HE WAS OUT BUT EXTENDED THE ARMS AND GOT ON.
- NOW HE'S GOT TO HIT IT AGAIN.
- AND HE DOES IT.
DUSTIN ROCHO STARING DOWN THE WARPED WALL--
ALL THAT STANDS BETWEEN HIM
AND COMPLETING THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
LOOK AT THAT, GIVES THE ***-DOO RUN.
AND HE'S GOT IT!
DUSTIN ROCHO HAS DONE IT, COMPLETED THE QUALIFYING COURSE.
- TALK ABOUT SETTING A TEMPO.
THAT'S A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW. - GOT IT!
- WATCH HIM AGAIN ON THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
HE GETS A GREAT VAULT, HAD THOSE ARMS AT 90 DEGREES,
AND TIMED THE JUMP TO THE SECOND SET PERFECTLY.
THAT'S GREAT TECHNIQUE RIGHT THERE.
- AN EXCELLENT RUN OUT OF DUSTIN ROCHO.
LET'S GO TO JENN BROWN, WHO'S WITH HIM RIGHT NOW.
- GREAT JOB.
OKAY, WHAT'S IT LIKE TO FEEL-- TO HIT THAT BUZZER AT THE TOP?
- OH, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
YOU WAIT ALL THIS TIME TO HIT THAT RED BUZZER.
IT FELT SO GOOD.
- NOW YOU'RE ONE OF THE MARRIED COUPLES HERE THAT ARE COMPETING,
YOUR WIFE HOPE,
AND WHAT'S THE MESSAGE FOR THE KIDS AT HOME?
- OH, THEY SEE DADDY DO IT AT HOME ALL THE TIME.
SO, TRINITY, ISAIAH, ANGEL, WE GOT IT.
- ALL RIGHT. GREAT JOB.
CONGRATULATIONS.
MATT, BACK UP TO YOU GUYS. - THANKS, JENN.
WITH THAT HARROWING RUN,
DUSTIN ROCHO IS ON TO THE CITY FINALS.
HE JOINS THE LIST OF A DOZEN COMPETITORS WHO HAVE COMPLETED
THE COURSE, GUARANTEEING THEMSELVES A SPOT
IN THE NEXT ROUND OF COMPETITION FOUR WEEKS FROM NOW.
AND THE NEXT MAN TO GIVE IT A SHOT IS NOAH KAUFMAN,
THE 38-YEAR-OLD EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN
FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, NEVADA.
HE'S ALREADY SHOWN OFF HIS MEDICAL SKILLS.
EARLIER TONIGHT, HE HELPED FELLOW COMPETITOR ALAN CONNEALY
BY POPPING HIS DISLOCATED SHOULDER BACK INTO PLACE.
- THAT FEELS BETTER, RIGHT?
- THANK YOU, SIR.
- HE'S A MAN WITH SKILLS IN THE E.R.
AS WELL AS ON THE MOUNTAIN.
- FOR ME, BEING AN E.R. PHYSICIAN
IS EXCITING ART THAT I AM CONSTANTLY WORKING
TO IMPROVE UPON.
THEY'LL GET UP THERE FAST.
THEY'RE GONNA GO LIGHTS AND SIRENS.
MY ABILITY TO STAY FOCUSED AND REMAIN CALM
UNDER STRESSFUL SITUATIONS WILL HELP ME ON THIS COURSE.
- AND WHEN HE'S NOT SCRUBBING IN FOR WORK IN THE E.R.,
HE'S GEARING UP FOR HIS OTHER PASSION ON THE ROCKS.
NOAH SPENDS COUNTLESS HOURS BOULDERING AROUND LAKE TAHOE.
HE NEVER TAKES THE EASY WAY UP.
FOR HIM, THAT'S JUST TOO SIMPLE.
- WE'RE DEVELOPING BOULDERS IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
AND CONSTANTLY PUTTING UP FIRST ASCENTS,
WHICH MEANS GETTING TO THE TOP OF THE BOULDER
SOMETIMES THE MOST DIFFICULT WAY YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT.
COME ON. AAGH!
I'M POSITIVE IT'S GONNA BE A CLIMBER
THAT'S GONNA BE THE FIRST AMERICAN NINJA.
THE PARKOUR GUYS JUST MAY NOT HAVE THE UPPER BODY STRENGTH.
IT TAKES FOCUS, STAMINA.
IT TAKES BELIEF, AND IT TAKES PURE EFFORT.
AND IT TAKES A ROCK CLIMBER.
- SO NOAH KAUFMAN HAS PUT THE PARKOUR GUYS ON NOTICE.
LOOK OUT FOR THE ROCK CLIMBERS, 'CAUSE HERE COMES NOAH.
- I LOVE HIS CONFIDENCE, BUT I HOPE HE'S NOT SO COCKY
THAT HE OVERLOOKS SOMETHING ON THE COURSE TONIGHT.
- MOVING INTO THE FRAME SLIDER.
NICE AND SOLID.
- HE'S SHOWING HIS ROCK CLIMBER MENTALITY,
NOT RUSHING, MAKING SURE BEFORE HE MAKES A MOVE.
- GOT QUITE A CONFIDENT PERSONALITY.
CALLS PARKOUR GUYS "WUSSES."
YOU SEE UPPER BODY STRENGTH HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT.
WE'VE REALLY SEEN THE RISE OF THE ROCK CLIMBERS.
- LOOK AT THIS TECHNIQUE.
NICE AND HIGH ON THE CHAINS.
HAND OVER HAND.
THIS GUY KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO DEFEAT THIS OBSTACLE.
- SAILS THROUGH THE FLOATING CHAINS.
- YOU KNOW, WE HEAR THE TERM "CORE."
THIS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH YOUR CORE STRENGTH
ONCE YOU GRIP ONTO THE NUNCHUCKS.
- AND YOU CAN SEE THE ROCK CLIMBER,
THAT UPPER BODY STRENGTH. WHAT PERFECT FORM.
- YEAH!
- AND HE IS THROUGH THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
AND LISTEN TO HIM CELEBRATE.
- YEAH! - HE'S JUST ECSTATIC
TO HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
OH! - YEAH!
LOOK AT THAT! PLAYING TO CROWD!
- SHOWING OFF! I LOVE THIS!
THIS IS AMAZING!
THE DOCTOR IS IN!
NOAH KAUFMAN HAS COMPLETED THIS QUALIFYING COURSE.
- YEAH! - THAT CLIMBER'S GRIP STRENGTH
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, SO IMPORTANT RIGHT HERE.
AND WITH THAT GRIP STRENGTH, ONCE HE GOT HIS HAND ON TOP
OF THE WARPED WALL, HE KNEW HE WAS NOT ABOUT TO FALL BACK DOWN.
THE SHEER JOY ON HIS FACE IS PRICELESS.
- SO WE'LL SEE DR. NOAH KAUFMAN AGAIN IN THE VENICE CITY FINALS.
AND JESSIE GRAFF APPLAUDING NOAH'S EFFORTS,
WONDERING IF SHE'LL JOIN HIM IN THE TOP 30 WHO ADVANCE.
SHE'S CURRENTLY IN 28TH PLACE WITH FIVE COMPETITORS LEFT.
SO SHE COULD MAKE HISTORY
AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO QUALIFY FOR THE CITY FINALS.
BUT RIGHT NOW ON THE STARTING LINE,
ANOTHER TALENTED FEMALE COMPETITOR.
IT'S KACY CATANZARO.
SHE'S THE GIRLFRIEND OF TOP RETURNER BRENT STEFFENSEN.
SHE'S 23 YEARS OLD.
AND SHE HAS SOME IMPRESSIVE ATHLETIC CREDENTIALS.
SHE BELIEVES SHE CAN MAKE HISTORY TONIGHT.
- I WANT TO DO AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
BECAUSE I'VE ALWAYS WATCHED IT SINCE I WAS LITTLE WITH MY DAD.
AND WHEN YOU WALK UP TO THE OBSTACLE AND YOU GET
REALLY NERVOUS AND EXCITED, I LOVE THAT FEELING.
- KACY CATANZARO HAS KNOWN ATHLETIC SUCCESS BEFORE.
SHE'S BEEN A COMPETITIVE GYMNAST ALL HER LIFE,
THE LAST FOUR YEARS AS A DIVISION ONE COLLEGE ATHLETE.
THOSE SKILLS DEFINITELY HELP.
AND TRAINING WITH BRENT STEFFENSEN IS A HUGE BONUS.
- IT'S ALL ABOUT PERPENDICULAR PRESSURE.
- IT'S AMAZING TRAINING WITH BRENT,
BECAUSE HE IS SO DISCIPLINED, HE'S SO FOCUSED.
AND I LOVE THAT, BECAUSE I'M DEFINITELY THE SAME WAY.
- SHE'S SUCH A PRODIGY.
BASICALLY, I JUST TELL HER WHAT TO DO, AND SHE DOES IT.
- THEY'RE NOT JUST TRAINING PARTNERS.
THESE TWO ATHLETES ARE A COUPLE.
THEIR COMMON LOVE OF OBSTACLE COURSES
HAS BLOSSOMED INTO MUCH MORE.
THEY LIVE TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER, AND TRAIN TOGETHER.
- THIS IS A NINJA ROMANCE.
WE ACTUALLY MET THROUGH NINJA WARRIOR.
- IT'S WEIRD, BECAUSE I'M SO USED TO WATCHING HIM ON TV,
AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A BIG FAN.
AND BEING ABLE TO BE WITH HIM HAS BEEN REALLY AMAZING.
- THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A STORY ABOUT YOUNG ROMANCE.
IT'S ALSO ABOUT TWO REMARKABLE ATHLETES
HELPING EACH OTHER TOWARD A COMMON GOAL.
AND JUST LIKE BRENT, KACY CATANZARO HAS THE SKILLS
TO LEAVE HER OWN MARK ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- BEING THE FIRST WOMAN TO COMPLETE THE QUALIFYING COURSE
IS DEFINITELY A DREAM OF MINE,
AND IT WOULD JUST BE AMAZING
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN HERE.
- AND THERE'S BRENT NERVOUSLY PACING ON THE SIDELINES,
READY TO CHEER KACY ON.
AND I'M SURE HE'LL BE TRYING TO COACH HER
AS SHE MAKES HER WAY THROUGH THE COURSE.
AND, OF COURSE, ALL OF TEAM BRENT
READY TO CHEER FOR KACY AS WELL.
- LOOK AT THAT. SHE FLEW THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
- YEAH, THAT TECHNIQUE BRENT TAUGHT HER WAS RIGHT-ON.
SHE'S A GOOD STUDENT.
IT'S NOT JUST TRAINING WITH BRENT.
SHE HAS GREAT ATHLETICISM.
SHE'S ONLY 5 FEET TALL.
LET'S SEE IF SHE CAN WEDGE HERSELF IN THE FRAME SLIDER.
- AND SHE'S MADE THOSE FIRST TWO OBSTACLES LOOK EASY.
- SHE IS SO ZONED IN RIGHT NOW.
- WOW! SO FLEET OF FOOT, SO NIMBLE.
- NICE JOB, KACY!
- SHE WAS A DIVISION ONE GYMNAST
AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY IN TOWSON, MARYLAND.
SHE CERTAINLY HAS A STRONG SKILL SET,
BUT WILL THOSE SKILLS SERVE HER ON THE FLOATING CHAINS?
BUT AT ONLY 5 FEET, THAT REACH IS HURTING HER.
CAN'T GET BACK TO THAT FIRST CHAIN FOR MOMENTUM.
AND SHE'S HUNG UP.
AND AGAIN WOMEN SEEM TO SUFFER
WITH THEIR GRIP STRENGTH IN THIS COMPETITION.
AND THESE CHAINS ARE GOING TO TAKE IT OUT OF HER QUICKLY.
- BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KACY HAD GOING FOR HER EARLY
WAS SHE WAS USING HER SPEED AND TECHNIQUE TO GO THROUGH.
BUT TAKE A GOOD LOOK AND FOCUS AT THE EYES.
HER EYES ARE TELLING ME EVERYTHING
ABOUT WHERE SHE IS MENTALLY RIGHT NOW.
- AND YOU CAN HEAR BRENT STEFFENSEN CALLING OUT,
"TAKE YOUR TIME. DON'T PANIC."
BUT RIGHT NOW SHE'S USING UP HER GRIP STRENGTH
TRYING TO GET TO THE NEXT FOOTHOLD.
LOOK AT THAT BODY CONTROL.
SHE'S MANEUVERING HER BODY, TWISTING AND CONTORTING.
- SHE GOT TO THE FOOTHOLD AND THEN LOST IT AGAIN.
HER GRIP STRENGTH CAN'T LAST MUCH LONGER.
- NOW, THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
WHAT DETERMINATION.
WHAT CONTROL SHE'S SHOWING.
SHE'S GONNA DO IT.
SHE'S GONNA GET THROUGH THE FLOATING CHAINS.
SHE'S DONE IT. THAT'S INCREDIBLE.
- BREATHE, KACY! TAKE YOUR TIME!
TAKE YOUR TIME! SHAKE IT OUT!
- GETTING ADVICE FROM HER BOYFRIEND BRENT STEFFENSEN.
- HERE IT IS. KACY CATANZARO.
OH! - SHE HAD IT!
SHE HAD HER HANDS ON,
JUST COULDN'T HOLD ONTO THE FIRST SET OF NUNCHUCKS.
- YEAH, HER GRIP STRENGTH, SHE LOST IT ON THE FLOATING CHAINS,
AND SHE COULDN'T GRAB ONTO THE NUNCHUCKS.
- AW, BABY, THAT WAS AWESOME.
AWESOME. NICE JOB.
- THANKS. - KILLED IT.
- UGH. - THAT WAS SO BADASS.
- IF I DIDN'T SPENT AN HOUR ON THOSE CHAINS.
- I KNOW. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
- SO CLOSE FOR KACY CATANZARO,
BUT SADLY SHE WILL NOT BE MAKING IT INTO THE VENICE CITY FINALS.
OUR NEXT COMPETITOR IS ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETES
WE'VE EVER HAD ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
IT'S 24-YEAR-OLD KYLE COCHRAN, A TYPE ONE DIABETIC
WHO BLEW US AWAY LAST SEASON
WITH HIS PERFORMANCE AND HIS OUTLOOK ON LIFE.
WHAT AN OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY KYLE COCHRAN.
LOOK AT THIS! [siren blares]
LAST SEASON, KYLE COCHRAN CAME TO AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
WITH AN INSULIN PUMP AND A REMARKABLE ATTITUDE.
- LAST SEASON, THE GOAL THAT I HAD WAS TO INSPIRE PEOPLE,
ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH DIABETES OR OTHER DISABILITIES.
- IN TERMS OF INSPIRATION,
KYLE COCHRAN IS DEFINITELY AN OVERACHIEVER.
HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE ONE DIABETES AT AGE FIVE.
BUT WITH A GREAT FAMILY AND A GREAT ATTITUDE,
HE BECAME A GREAT ATHLETE.
HE MADE IT TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA BUT FAILED ON STAGE ONE.
THAT'S WHERE HE LEARNED THAT SUCCESS
DOESN'T ONLY COME WITH VICTORY.
- WHEN I REALIZED THAT IT'S NOT SUCCEEDING THAT'LL INSPIRE THEM,
IT'S JUST SHOWING UP AND DOING WHAT YOU CAN AND NOT LETTING
WHATEVER THAT ADVERSITY OR OBSTACLE BE, TELL YOU YOU CAN'T,
BUT ALWAYS BELIEVING THAT YOU CAN.
- KYLE NOW TAKES THAT MESSAGE TO GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTRY,
BRINGING HIS MESSAGE OF HOPE TO SO MANY OTHERS.
- IF I HAD NEVER BEEN ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR,
I WOULD'VE NEVER GOTTEN TO THAT LIGHT AND THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SHARE THAT MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE.
AND I'M SO, SO GRATEFUL TO THE SHOW FOR THAT.
[cheers and applause]
- HE'S ACTUALLY WEARING A GREEN BRACELET ON HIS WRIST
TO SUPPORT THOSE WITH JUVENILE DIABETES.
- YOU KNOW, GREATNESS IN SPORTS IS PART PHYSICAL,
BUT MOST OF IT IS MENTAL,
AND KYLE COCHRAN HAS SUCH A GREAT ATTITUDE.
I MEAN, THIS GUY HAS THE HEART OF A CHAMPION.
HE TRULY IS AN INSPIRATION.
NOW HE'S FACING NEW OBSTACLES HE'S NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
LET'S SEE IF THAT MENTAL TOUGHNESS
CAN CARRY HIM THROUGH THE FRAME SLIDER.
- AND HE'S MADE IT! - BUT HE'S DONE IT.
- TRULY INCREDIBLE, LAST YEAR, WHAT HE WAS ABLE TO DO.
YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE STICKER ON HIS ABDOMEN.
THAT'S ACTUALLY WHERE HIS INSULIN PUMP PLUGS IN.
TOOK IT OFF JUST BEFORE HIS RUN.
- YOU KNOW, DISEASE LIKE DIABETES, YOU KNOW,
YOU'RE INSPIRED TO SEE ATHLETES WHO CAN OVERCOME
AND STILL STAY ACTIVE, LIKE COCHRAN.
- WELL, YOU THINK OF JAY CUTLER IN THE NFL,
ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES.
COCHRAN DIAGNOSED WHEN HE WAS VERY YOUNG, THOUGH,
DECIDED HE WASN'T GONNA LET IT AFFECT HIS LIFE,
WASN'T GONNA LET HIM STOP BEING AN ATHLETE.
- HE'S LOSING HIS MOMENTUM NOW,
WHICH MEANS HE'S LOSING STRENGTH.
HE'S GETTING FATIGUED.
- BUT A GREAT REACH WITH HIS TOES
TO ACTUALLY SECURE THE FOLLOWING CHAIN.
AND HE'S TO THE FINAL CHAIN
IN THE FLOATING CHAINS, AND HE'S DONE IT!
RIGHT INTO THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
YOU CAN SEE ON HIS BACK, THAT'S KINETIC TAPE.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO HELP DEALING WITH A SLIGHT INJURY.
FEELS THE TAPE CAN HELP HIM PERFORM A LITTLE BETTER.
- I CAN ONLY SAY THAT I THINK THOSE KINETIC TAPES
ARE A BUNCH OF HOCUS-POCUS.
- WELL, IF IT WORKS.
HE'S NOW UP ON THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
GOT TO MAKE THE TRANSITION.
- GOT TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION NOW.
THAT SECOND SWING IS IMPORTANT. - OH!
COULDN'T HOLD ON,
AND UNFORTUNATELY, KYLE COCHRAN OUT ON THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
AND THIS COURSE CONTINUES TO DESTROY VETERAN AFTER VETERAN.
- THIS IS ALL ABOUT HAND-EYE COORDINATION.
HE WAS STARING AT HIS RIGHT HAND INSTEAD OF LOOKING
STRAIGHT AHEAD AND JUST MISSED A GRAB WITH HIS LEFT.
- GOD'S STILL GOOD.
THAT WAS FUN.
- KYLE'S BAD NEWS IS GREAT NEWS
FOR ANOTHER COMPETITOR, JESSIE GRAFF.
THE TOP 30 MOVE ON TO THE FINALS,
AND SHE JUST FOUND OUT SHE'S IN 29TH PLACE.
SO WITH ONLY BRENT STEFFENSEN LEFT TO COMPETE,
SHE KNOWS SHE'S GUARANTEED A SPOT IN THE CITY FINALS.
AND SHE IS CELEBRATING WITH THE CROWD,
BECAUSE SHE JUST MADE HISTORY.
SHE IS THE FIRST WOMAN EVER TO MOVE ON TO THE CITY FINALS.
AND NOW THE ATTENTION TURNS TO THE STARTING BLOCK,
BECAUSE THE MAN WHO MADE HISTORY LAST SEASON IS SET TO GO.
BRENT STEFFENSEN WILL TRY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP
BACK TOWARD MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
WE ARE DOWN TO OUR LAST COMPETITOR OF THE NIGHT,
AND WHAT A WAY TO END IT, WITH THE MAN WHO MADE HISTORY
LAST YEAR AT THE NATIONAL FINALS IN LAS VEGAS, BRENT STEFFENSEN.
NO AMERICAN HAS EVER GONE FARTHER AT MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
THIS IS BRENT'S FOURTH SEASON
OF COMPETING AT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
AND HE'S MADE IT TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA EVERY YEAR SO FAR.
AND LAST YEAR HE MADE HISTORY.
- MATT, IT WAS SUCH A GREAT MOMENT LAST SEASON
WHEN BRENT BECAME THE FIRST AMERICAN EVER
TO COMPLETE THE "ULTIMATE CLIFFHANGER."
BUT HE STILL FELL SHORT OF HIS GOAL,
AND THAT WAS TO FINISH ALL FOUR STAGES OF MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
all: BRENT! BRENT! BRENT! BRENT! - HE'S GOT IT!
THE FIRST AMERICAN EVER
TO DEFEAT THE "ULTIMATE CLIFFHANGER"!
- YOU GET THIS HUGE RUSH.
YOU JUST, YOU KNOW, MADE HISTORY.
AND IT WAS AWESOME.
BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD TO SWITCH BACK INTO "GO" MODE
'CAUSE THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.
- OH! AND HE'S OUT.
- FROM THE MOMENT I GOT WET IN VEGAS LAST YEAR,
I'VE BEEN DOING NOTHING BUT JUST TRAINING HARD FOR THIS SEASON.
- THE DEDICATION HE'S SHOWN OVER THE YEARS
ONLY INTENSIFIED AFTER LAST SEASON.
BRENT PUT HIS ASPIRING STUNT CAREER ON HOLD TO FOCUS SOLELY
ON OBSTACLE COURSE RACING.
- OBSTACLE COURSING HAS BECOME MY LIFE.
I'M WORKING WITH A COMPANY
THAT TOURS THE COUNTRY DOING OBSTACLE COURSES.
I GET TO SPEND, YOU KNOW, ALL DAY ON THESE OBSTACLES
AND JUST TRAIN MY HEART OUT.
AND I THINK IT'S GONNA GIVE ME THE EDGE.
- BRENT KNOWS THE LONG ROAD TO TOTAL VICTORY
STARTS TONIGHT HERE IN VENICE.
IT IS A PATH THAT HE TRULY BELIEVES WILL LEAD
TO GLORY AT MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
- MORE AND MORE, EVERY SEASON, THIS BECOMES
A BIGGER PART OF MY LIFE.
AND DEFINITELY I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR MY SHOT AGAIN.
I WILL BE THE FIRST-EVER AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- WELL, STEP ONE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
AS ALWAYS, BRENT HAS A CHEERING SECTION.
THERE'S "TEAM BRENT" OUT IN FORCE AGAIN.
AND THERE'S KACY, HIS GIRLFRIEND.
SHE CAME CLOSE TO COMPLETING THE COURSE TONIGHT.
NOW HER FOCUS IS ON BRENT.
- BRENT KNOWS HE HAS THE SKILLS TO GET THROUGH THIS COURSE,
BUT HE HAS WATCHED IT CHEW UP COMPETITOR AFTER COMPETITOR,
INCLUDING THE WOMAN HE CALLS HIS INSPIRATION,
HIS GIRLFRIEND KACY CATANZARO.
VERY IMPORTANT TO STAY IN THE MOMENT.
CAN'T EVER GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF,
BECAUSE A LOT OF COMPETITORS DO THAT.
THEY'RE LOOKING ON AT THE NEXT OBSTACLE.
- THROUGH THE FRAME SLIDER.
- OF COURSE, HIS GIRLFRIEND HAS MADE IT
TO THE FIFTH OBSTACLE, THE FLYING NUNCHUCKS.
SO BRENT HAS SOME SHOES TO FILL HIMSELF.
- RIGHT THROUGH DOMINO HILL.
SO STRONG IN THE UPPER BODY, STEFFENSEN IS.
SHOULD BE RIGHT AT HOME ON THE FLYING CHAINS, BUT TANGLED UP.
- SPEED IS THE KEY HERE, BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW GOOD OF AN ATHLETE
OR COMPETITOR YOU ARE, IF YOU GET CAUGHT
ON THE FLOATING CHAINS, YOU WILL GET TIRED.
- WELL, I QUESTION HIS APPROACH HERE.
BRENT WAS RELYING STRICTLY ON HIS UPPER BODY.
HE'S HUNG UP NOW.
DIDN'T USE THE FOOTHOLD,
AND THAT'S GOT TO BE EXHAUSTING HIM RIGHT NOW.
BRENT STEFFENSEN HUNG UP AND IN TROUBLE ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
- I LIKE THE WAY HE SUNK DOWN TO THE FOOTREST
AND USED HIS LOWER BODY TO SIT ON IT.
- COME ON, BRENT, COME ON!
- BRENT STEFFENSEN NARROWLY ESCAPES THE FLOATING CHAINS.
LAST YEAR, TRULY ESTABLISHED HIMSELF
AS THE PREMIER COMPETITOR, MAKING IT ALL THE WAY
TO STAGE THREE, FARTHER THAN ANY AMERICAN EVER.
BUT NOW HE'S IN DANGER OF GOING OUT IN THE QUALIFYING ROUND.
THERE IT IS. PLAY TO THE CROWD.
AND BRENT HAS A LOT OF SUPPORTERS HERE IN THE CROWD,
A LOT OF SUPPORTERS ALL ACROSS AMERICA.
HERE IT IS.
THE MOUNT. AND HE'S UP.
A PROFESSIONAL TRAMPOLINER
RIGHT AT HOME ON THAT TRANSITION, AND HE'S DONE IT.
HE'S DONE IT. - HE'S DONE IT.
- THE FINAL OBSTACLE, THE WARPED WALL.
NOW THIS HAS GIVEN HIM PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.
IN FACT, LAST YEAR IT TOOK HIM THREE TRIES
TO GET UP THE WARPED WALL.
- YEAH, AND STANDING HERE IN PERSON, FOR ALL THE VIEWERS
WATCHING AT HOME, THIS IS A GIANT WALL AT 14 FEET HIGH.
- HE KNOWS HE ONLY HAS THREE ATTEMPTS.
BUT HE ONLY TAKES ONE!
BRENT STEFFENSEN HAS DONE IT! - WHOO!
- WHOO! - GIVING THE HANG LOOSE,
STEFFENSEN COMPLETES THE QUALIFYING COURSE
AFTER AN EXCITING RIDE ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
BRENT WAS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE,
AND HE HANDLED IT LIKE A CHAMPION.
WELL, LET'S GO TO JENN BROWN,
WHO'S STANDING BY WITH BRENT STEFFENSEN.
- ALL RIGHT, BRENT.
IT'S GOT TO FEEL GOOD. - THANKS.
- I TELL YOU, I GOT A LITTLE NERVOUS ON THE FLOATING CHAINS.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GETTING HUNG UP THERE.
WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AT THAT POINT?
- MY TIMING GOT OFF, SO ONE OF THE OTHER CHAINS GOT IN THE WAY.
SO I KIND OF HAD TO HOOK IT WITH MY FOOT, CHANGE THE STRATEGY,
AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL THROUGH.
- YOU DID PULL THROUGH. YOU MADE IT UP TO THE TOP.
YOU'RE MOVING ON TO THE VENICE FINALS.
HOW DOES THAT FEEL? - THAT FEELS AMAZING.
I MEAN, I'M GLAD I WAS ABLE TO MAKE ONE MORE.
ANOTHER ONE UNDER THE BELT. - ALL RIGHT.
GOOD LUCK. CONGRATULATIONS.
MATT, BACK UP TO YOU GUYS. - THANKS, JENN.
AND WITH THAT THE VENICE QUALIFYING ROUND
COMES TO A DRAMATIC CLOSE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT THE WEST COAST,
BUT THESE ATHLETES HAVE SET THE BAR HIGH.
JESSE LA FLAIR TOPPED EVERYONE WITH THE FASTEST QUALIFYING RUN.
DUSTIN ROCHO COMES BACK FROM HIS INJURY LAST SEASON
TO MAKE THE FINALS WITH THE EIGHTH FASTEST TIME.
BRENT STEFFENSEN IN SOLIDLY AT NUMBER 11.
OVERALL, WE HAD 17 COMPETITORS FINISH THE COURSE, SO THE REST
OF THE TOP 30 ARE THE ATHLETES WHO WENT THE FURTHEST
THE FASTEST, INCLUDING JESSIE GRAFF, THE FIRST WOMAN
EVER TO MOVE ON TO THE FINALS.
SHE'S IN AT NUMBER 30.
THEY WILL ALL BE MOVING ON TO THE VENICE CITY FINALS.
TONIGHT IN VENICE, WE SAW IT ALL--
TOP COMPETITORS CUT DOWN
BY THE TOUGHEST SET OF OBSTACLES WE HAVE EVER ASSEMBLED.
BUT AS ALWAYS ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR, WHERE SOME FAIL,
OTHERS STEP FORWARD TO LEAD THE WAY.
NOAH KAUFMAN, THE E.R. DOCTOR, SHOWED EVERYONE
WHY HE THINKS A ROCK CLIMBER WILL WIN IT ALL IN LAS VEGAS.
- YEAH!
- JESSICA GRAFF, THE WILD AND ZANY STUNTWOMAN,
BROUGHT MORE THAN JUST HER PERSONALITY.
SHE BROUGHT THE SKILLS TO MAKE HISTORY.
JESSE LA FLAIR, DETERMINED TO MAKE UP FOR HIS EARLY EXIT
FROM MOUNT MIDORIYAMA LAST SEASON, PUT EVERYONE ON NOTICE
WITH A RUN THAT SHOWED PLENTY OF FLAIR AND THE SKILLS TO MATCH.
AND BRENT STEFFENSEN PICKED UP
RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT OFF LAST SEASON.
HE SAYS THIS IS THE YEAR, AND WHO WOULD DARE DOUBT HIM?
[siren blares]
THOSE ATHLETES HAVE JUST MOVED ONE STEP CLOSER
TO THE ULTIMATE GOAL, CONQUERING MOUNT MIDORIYAMA
AND WINNING $1/2 MILLION.
- AND NEXT WEEK WE'RE IN BALTIMORE.
BRAND-NEW COURSE, BRAND-NEW OBSTACLES.
- FOR JENN BROWN AND AKBAR GBAJA-BIAMILA, I'M MATT ISEMAN.
JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY ON G4 AND NEXT MONDAY ON NBC
AS WE TRAVEL TO BALTIMORE TO CONTINUE OUR SEARCH
FOR THE FIRST-EVER AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.