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>> THIS IS JAPAN'S FAMED
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA, THE WORLD'S
MOST DIFFICULT OBSTACLE COURSE.
OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS,
THOUSANDS OF COMPETITORS HAVE
TAKEN ON THIS BEAST.
BUT ONLY THREE HAVE EVER
CONQUERED IT.
NO AMERICAN HAS EVER DEFEATED
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
>> MOUNT MIDORIYAMA SHOWING
NO MERCY.
>> OHH!
AND THE DREAM IS OVER.
>> BUT THIS YEAR, THAT COULD ALL
CHANGE, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST
TIME EVER, THIS MOTHER OF ALL
OBSTACLE COURSES HAS COME TO
AMERICA, AND MORE ATHLETES THAN
EVER BEFORE ARE READY TO TAKE IT
ON.
COMPETITORS FROM SIX DIFFERENT
REGIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL
RUN QUALIFYING COURSES, BUT ONLY
THE TOP 100 COMPETITORS WHO
EMBODY ATHLETIC TALENT, MENTAL
FORTITUDE, AND SINGLE-MINDED
COMMITMENT WILL EARN THE RIGHT
TO ADVANCE TO THE FINALS IN
LAS VEGAS.
THERE, THE FABLED COURSE HAS
BEEN CONSTRUCTED BRUTAL OBSTACLE
BY BRUTAL OBSTACLE.
THE FASTEST AMERICAN TO CONQUER
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA WILL NOT ONLY
MAKE HISTORY BUT WILL WALK AWAY
WITH A $500,000 PRIZE.
WHO HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME
THE FIRST AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR?
>> WELCOME TO AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR.
OUR NATIONWIDE SEARCH CONTINUES
FOR 100 ELITE ATHLETES TO TRAVEL
TO LAS VEGAS TO TAKE ON THE
WORLD'S TOUGHEST OBSTACLE
COURSE, MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
I'M MATT ISEMAN ALONGSIDE
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JONNY
MOSELEY, AND WE'RE COMING TO YOU
FROM DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS,
FAIR PARK IN DALLAS, HOME OF THE
LEGENDARY COTTON BOWL AND THE
TEXAS STATE FAIR, AND AN EPIC
SETTING FOR TONIGHT'S MIDWEST
REGIONAL FINALS.
>> HUNDREDS OF HOPEFULS TRAVELED
HERE TO DALLAS FROM ACROSS THE
MIDWEST FOR THE QUALIFIER.
ONLY THE TOP 30 REMAIN, AND
THOSE 30 COMPETITORS HERE
TONIGHT ARE VYING FOR 15 SPOTS
IN THE LAS VEGAS FINALS, AND A
CHANCE AT THE MOST DIFFICULT
OBSTACLE COURSE IN THE WORLD,
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
>> HUNDREDS OF ATHLETES SHOWED
UP WITH HIGH HOPES OF MAKING IT
INTO THE REGIONAL FINALS, BUT
THE MIDWEST QUALIFYING ROUND, AS
SEEN YESTERDAY ON G4...
>> YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME.
>> LEFT MOST OF THEM BATTERED...
>> OH, NO!
>> [coughing]
>> BEATEN...
AND HE SMASHED HIS FACE...
>> HE'S BLEEDING ON HIS LIP
RIGHT NOW.
>> AND JUST PLAIN DOWN AND OUT.
OHH! AND HE CAN'T HOLD ON.
BUT IT WAS THE WRATH OF THE
CURTAIN SLIDER THAT SHATTERED
THE DREAMS OF MORE ATHLETES THAN
ANY OTHER OBSTACLE.
THE COURSE SO DIFFICULT THAT
ONLY 12 MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO
THE FINISH LINE.
>> OHH!
>> AND HE'S GOT IT!
WOW!
THE REMAINING 18 FINALISTS WERE
DETERMINED BY WHO WENT THE
FARTHEST ON THE COURSE THE
FASTEST.
>> OHH! SO CLOSE!
>> CAN HE DO IT?
>> OH HO! SO CLOSE!
>> JUST SHORT AGAIN.
>> DESPITE THE DIFFICULTY, SOME
PERFORMANCES STOOD OUT,
INCLUDING MATTHEW DEROUEN,
A ROOKIE FROM ST. LOUIS WHOSE
SKILLS AS A ROCK CLIMBER HELPED
HIM POST THE SECOND-FASTEST
TIME.
MAN AT THE TOP OF THE
LEADERBOARD, 32-YEAR-OLD FORMER
PROFESSIONAL CHEERLEADER AND
RETURNING VETERAN ANDREW KARSEN,
WHOSE QUEST FOR THE FINISH LINE
IS LIKE AN ADDICTION HE JUST
CAN'T SHAKE.
>> IT'S LIKE THERE'S A DRUG
INSIDE THAT BUTTON, AND WHEN YOU
GET TO RUN UP AND YOU PUSH THAT
BUTTON, YOU GET SO EXCITED.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT AGAIN, YOU
HAVE TO FINISH IT, AND YOU HAVE
TO PUSH THAT BUTTON AGAIN.
AWESOME!
>> THIS COURSE LOOKS TO BE
UNBELIEVABLY DEMANDING, JONNY.
BASED ON WHAT YOU SAW IN
QUALIFYING, WHO DO YOU THINK HAS
THE BEST SHOT TO GET ALL THE WAY
THROUGH IT?
>> WELL, MATT, I'VE GOT MY EYE
ON 25-YEAR-OLD GYMNASTICS COACH
JOSHUA GRANT.
HE'S ALREADY POSTED THE
THIRD-FASTEST QUALIFYING TIME.
I EXPECT HIM TO BE NEAR THE TOP
OF THE LEADERBOARD AGAIN IN
THESE FINALS.
AND ANOTHER GUY TO LOOK FOR IS
THE BIGGEST SURPRISE SO FAR,
JOHNATHAN MORIN, A PASTOR FROM
MICHIGAN WHOSE CHURCH YOUTH
GROUP ENCOURAGED HIM TO COMPETE.
HE WOUND UP FINISHING 12TH IN
QUALIFYING.
SOMEONE'S CERTAINLY WATCHING
OVER HIM, AND WE SHOULD BE
WATCHING HIM AS WELL.
>> AND NOW, THIS FIELD OF 30
WILL BE CUT IN HALF WITH JUST
THE TOP 15 ATHLETES MOVING ON TO
THE FINALS IN LAS VEGAS.
>> YEAH, BUT EARNING THAT SPOT
TO LAS VEGAS WON'T BE EASY.
>> THESE ATHLETES ARE ABOUT TO
FACE NINE BRUTAL OBSTACLES, ONE
OF WHICH IS MAKING ITS
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR DEBUT.
>> FOR MORE ON THE COURSE, LET'S
GO DOWN TO OUR SIDELINE REPORTER
ANGELA SUN.
>> THANKS, MATT.
FIRST UP, AS ALWAYS, THE QUAD
STEPS.
COMPETITORS WILL BOUNCE BETWEEN
EACH OF THESE FOUR ANGLED STEPS.
THAT'S AN INTIMIDATING SEVEN
FEET FROM THE CENTER OF ONE TO
THE CENTER OF THE NEXT.
NEXT UP, IT'S THE LOG GRIP, WITH
TWO JOLTING ONE-FOOT DROPS ALONG
THE WAY.
OUR THIRD OBSTACLE, THE BRIDGE
OF BLADES, WILL TEST THE
COMPETITOR'S BALANCE AND
AGILITY.
THEN IT'S ON TO THE JUMP HANG,
WHERE COMPETITORS WILL LAUNCH
THEMSELVES FROM A MINI-*** TO
A CARGO NET TEN FEET AWAY.
THEN IT'S ON TO THE DAUNTING
CURTAIN SLIDER.
THEY MUST USE THE FIRST CURTAIN
TO GLIDE TO THE SECOND AND THIRD
CURTAINS, AND THEN OVER TO THE
MAP.
THEN IT'S ON TO THE 14-FOOT
WARPED WALL THAT SO MANY
COMPETITORS STRUGGLED WITH IN
QUALIFYING.
THEY'LL GET THREE ATTEMPTS.
IF THEY CAN MAKE IT TO THE TOP,
THEY WILL GO ON TO THE THREE
OBSTACLES NOT SEEN IN
QUALIFYING.
FIRST, IT'S THE SALMON LADDER.
THEY'LL HAVE TO VAULT TO A BAR
THEN HOP UP FOUR RUNGS TO
COMPLETE THE OBSTACLE.
THEN, AN OBSTACLE NEVER BEFORE
SEEN ON NINJA WARRIOR--
THE LAMP GRASPER.
ATHLETES WILL USE ONLY THEIR
HANDS TO CARRY THEIR FULL BODY
WEIGHT ACROSS 20 SUCCESSIVE
KNOBS.
AND FINALLY, IT'S THE
THREE-STORY CARGO CLIMB.
CLIMB A ROPE TO THE TOP OF THE
TOWER, HIT THE BUZZER, AND
YOU'RE DONE.
>> THANKS, ANGELA.
HERE'S A LOOK A THE RUNNING
ORDER FOR THE REGIONAL FINALS
COMPETITION.
WE'LL START WITH A COUPLE GUYS
WHO COULDN'T CONQUER THE WARPED
WALL IN QUALIFYING, DALE
ROBERTSON AND MATT LAESSIG.
WE'LL SEE IF THEY CAN TURN IT
AROUND TONIGHT.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK,
JOSHUA GRANT, AND AT THE END OF
THE RUN ORDER WE'LL HAVE OUR
FASTEST QUALIFIERS, ANDREW
CARSON AND MATTHEW DEROUEN.
[cheers and applause]
WELL, LET'S KICK OFF THESE
MIDWEST FINALS.
FIRST UP IN THE STARTING BLOCKS
IS 26-YEAR-OLD DARREL ROBERTSON.
HE'S A COOK AND A FATHER OF FOUR
FROM RICHMOND, INDIANA.
>> WHEN HE'S NOT STIRRING UP
SOME GOOD STUFF IN THE KITCHEN,
HE'S STIRRING UP TROUBLE IN THE
OCTAGON.
HE'S AN MMA FIGHTER WITH
A 12 AND "O" LIFETIME RECORD.
SO I GUESS IF HE CAN'T GET OVER
AN OBSTACLE, HE CAN JUST KNOCK
IT OUT.
>> I LOVE THE MOHAWK.
GIVES HIM AND INTIMIDATING LOOK.
BUT THE COURSE REALLY DOESN'T
CARE ABOUT YOUR HAIRSTYLE.
>> LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD.
>> NICE JOB THROUGH THE QUAD
STEPS, AND HE'S ON TO THE LOG
GRIP.
>> YOU CAN ALREADY SEE THE
AGILITY THAT HELPS HIM IN MMA,
MATT.
>> GREAT RUN ACROSS THE BRIDGE
OF BLADES.
>> OH, NICE JUMP, BUT A VERY LOW
LANDING ON THE JUMP HANG.
>> OH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S
GONNA TRY TO GO UNDER IT!
NOT A LOT OF ATHLETES ATTEMPT
THIS ROUTE.
YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.
>> OHH, AND HIS BACKSIDE JUST
BARELY GRAZES THE WATER.
>> BUT THAT MEANS HE'S
DISQUALIFIED, A DISAPPOINTING
END TO DALE ROBERTSON'S RUN.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU'RE JUST SO
CLOSE TO THAT WATER.
YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE
RIDICULOUS UPPER BODY STRENGTH
TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOWHERE NEAR
GETTING WET.
AND YOU SEE RIGHT THERE,
DARREL'S SHORTS HIT THE WATER,
AND IT'S HIS RUN THAT ENDS UP
SHORT.
>> CLOTHES TOUCHED THE WATER.
TOOK ME OUT.
SHOULD HAVE WENT OVER INSTEAD OF
UNDER.
[cheers and applause]
>> NEXT UP ON THE STARTING LINE,
40-YEAR-OLD MATT LAESSIG, AN
INTERNET EXECUTIVE OUT OF
MADISON, WISCONSIN, WHO'S
RUNNING FOR THREE OF HIS BIGGEST
FANS.
>> HIYA!
>> HI!
>> HI!
>> I HAVE THREE LITTLE BOYS,
AGES 6, 4, AND 2.
AND THE OLDER BOYS WATCH
NINJA WARRIOR WITH ME ALL THE
TIME, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS LIKE,
"CAN YOU DO THAT OBSTACLE?"
AND I'M LIKE, "YEAH, I CAN DO
THAT OBSTACLE."
>> BUT KEEPING THOSE BRAGGING
RIGHTS MEANS PUTTING IN THE TIME
TO PREPARE.
>> IT REALLY IS A SACRIFICE TO
PROPERLY TRAIN FOR THIS BECAUSE,
AS A DAD AND A BUSINESSMAN,
WHAT LITTLE PERSONAL TIME I CAN
CARVE OUT OF MY LIFE ENDS UP
GOING TOWARDS TRAINING FOR
NINJA WARRIOR IN ONE FORM OR
ANOTHER.
>> RIGHT NOW, THIS DEDICATED DAD
IS GETTING READY TO TAKE HIS
SHOT AT MAKING IT TO LAS VEGAS.
>> AT 6'4", THOSE LONG LEGS CAN
HELP HIM BRIDGE THE GAP ON THOSE
QUAD STEPS, BUT HE'S ALSO
CARRYING 220 POUNDS.
>> LOOKING PRETTY AGILE THROUGH
THE FIRST OBSTACLE, THOUGH.
>> AT AGE 40, HE'S OUR OLDEST
COMPETITOR IN THE MIDWEST, BUT
I'LL BET HAVING TO CHASE THOSE
THREE YOUNG BOYS AROUND HELPS
KEEP HIM FIT.
>> WELL, NICE AND SMOOTH SO FAR.
>> HE'S A SMART GUY WITH A
BUSINESS DEGREE FROM WHARTON,
AND YOU CAN SEE HIM TRYING TO
REALLY THINK THROUGH THE NEXT
OBSTACLE.
>> NICE LEAP THERE ON THE
JUMPING.
MADE IT LOOK EASY, BUT NOW HE'S
GOTTA LUG THOSE 220 POUNDS UP
AND OVER THE TOP OF CARGO NET.
>> NOW, THAT'LL WEAR YOUR ARMS
OUT, BUT HE'S LOOKING VERY
NIMBLE FOR A 40-YEAR-OLD.
>> JONNY, HE'S DOING WELL.
NOT A BAD PACE AT ALL.
>> WELL, HE HAD TROUBLE ON THE
CURTAIN SLIDER IN QUALIFYING,
BUT LOOK AT THAT.
GETS GREAT MOMENTUM, LANDING
RIGHT INTO THAT SECOND CURTAIN.
>> AND NO PROBLEM GETTING THE
THIRD IN.
HE IS THROUGH!
HIS HEIGHT REALLY HELPED HIM
THERE, BUT IT DID NOT HELP HIM
ON THE WARPED WALL IN
QUALIFYING, AND HERE HE IS,
FIRST ATTEMPT.
COMES UP SHORT!
>> BEING 6'4" HELPS FOR SURE,
BUT WEIGHING 220 POUNDS DOES
NOT--YOU NEED A LOT OF SPEED
AND LEG DRIVE TO CLEAR THIS
OBSTACLE, AND THAT FIRST ATTEMPT
WAS KIND OF WEAK.
>> SECOND TRY, NO!
AND HE IS DOWN TO HIS FINAL
EFFORT AND A TUMBLE THERE,
JONNY.
GOTTA BE FEELING BEAT UP AT THIS
POINT.
>> AH, DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW.
HE DIDN'T GET MUCH OF A PUSH AT
ALL.
THAT LAST STEP HAS TO BE A
VERTICAL THRUST.
HE JUST SORT OF STUMBLED THROUGH
IT, LET'S SEE--
>> LAST--OHH!
JUST COMES UP SHORT.
AND MATT LAESSIG'S DREAM ENDS AT
THE WARPED WALL.
>> MATT, I JUST DON'T THINK HE
HAD THE MOMENTUM HE NEEDED, AND
I THINK HIS WEIGHT HURT HIM
THERE.
220 POUNDS IS A LOT OF WEIGHT
TO PROPEL TO THE TOP OF THAT
WALL.
>> SO WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR
OUR FIRST FINISHER.
WE JUST HAD A FEW MORE RUNNERS
TRY THE COURSE, BUT EACH OF THEM
FELL SHORT OF THE FINISH LINE.
THREE WERE SHUT DOWN BY THE
14-FOOT WARPED WALL, INCLUDING
ERIC SIETSEMA, A DATA MANAGER
FROM MICHIGAN, WHO DRESSED UP
FOR THE OCCASION, BUT DIDN'T
HAVE REASON TO CELEBRATE.
HOWEVER, ON THE LEADERBOARD,
HE'S GOT THE FASTEST TIME TO THE
WARPED WALL.
SO IF WE DON'T GET 15 TO FINISH,
WHOEVER GETS THE FARTHEST THE
FASTEST WILL ADVANCE, AND ERIC
MAY JUST NEED TO GET HIS
FORMALWEAR READY FOR LAS VEGAS.
THERE ARE 23 COMPETITORS LEFT TO
RUN, AMONG THEM TOP QUALIFIERS
MATTHEW DEROUEN AND JOSH GRANT.
THEY'RE JUST TWO OF A GROWING
DIVERSE GROUP OF AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIORS.
NINJA WARRIORS ARE ALL AROUND.
THEY SPAN THE GLOBE, AT HOME AND
IN THE OFFICE...
IN THE RURAL COUNTIES OF
THE MIDWEST TO THE STREETS
OF THE MAJOR CITIES.
THIS SPORT IS BECOMING AN
EPIDEMIC, AND NO ONE IS IMMUNE
TO ITS INCREASING POPULARITY.
YOU'LL FIND NINJAS PERFECTING
THEIR FORM IN THE MALL,
IN OUR PARKS, AND SURPRISING
MOTORISTS ON OUR ROADWAYS.
THERE, THEY WILL BE ON OUR
BEACHES AND ON OUR CARS.
THE NINJA ARMY IS SWELLING, ITS
RANKS EXPANDING.
THEY'RE SEEKING NEW RECRUITS.
AND ON THE STARTING LINE RIGHT
NOW, ONE OF THE MOST RECENT
RECRUITS TO THE NINJA ARMY,
28-YEAR-OLD JOHNATHAN MORIN,
A YOUTH MINISTER FROM GRAND
RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, WHO'S FOUND
HIS WAY INTO THE TOP 30.
>> I'M JOHNATHAN MORIN.
I'M A YOUTH PASTOR.
JESUS SAID, "I'M THE WAY, THE
TRUTH, AND THE LIGHT."
I BROUGHT A GROUP OF STUDENTS TO
WATCH NINJA WARRIORS, AND THAT
WAS JUST INSANE.
>> AND TAKING HIS SHIRT OFF,
THE CROWD GOING NUTS.
THEY LIKE WHAT THEY SEE.
>> I THINK, IN ORDER TO WIN
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR, IT'S
GONNA TAKE EXTREME, EXTREME
COMMITMENT.
>> JOHNATHAN! JOHNATHAN!
JOHNATHAN!
>> I'M UP FOR IT AND WILLING TO
DO ANYTHING THAT IT TAKES.
>> JOHNATHAN! JOHNATHAN!
JOHNATHAN!
>> OHH, HE'S GOT IT!
WOW!
[cheers and applause]
>> COME ON, HONEY, LET'S GO.
>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO THIS.
LET'S GO.
MY FAMILY'S VERY CLOSE.
MY WIFE AND ME ARE VERY CLOSE.
I HAVE A LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT.
STEPHANIE IS GONNA BE ACTUALLY
EATING FOR TWO.
[cheers and applause]
NOW, TO HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY
IS JUST EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE.
JESUS CAME. HE LIVED. HE DIED.
AND HE ROSE AGAIN FOR YOU.
I DON'T JUST DO WHAT I DO JUST
TO INSPIRE KIDS, I DO IT TO
ACTUALLY CHANGE THEM.
>> all: AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR!
[cheers and applause]
>> I FEEL LIKE, IN MY LIFE,
REALLY, IN ANYBODY'S LIFE,
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU COULD WALK
THROUGH LIFE, PERIOD, WITHOUT
FAITH.
♪ ♪
THIS COURSE IS GONNA TAKE SOME
FAITH.
>> WE ARE TAKIN' OFF RIGHT NOW
TO GO TO AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
LET'S GO!
[cheers and applause]
>> JOHNATHAN IS READY AT THE
STARTING BLOCK, AND HIS WIFE IS
RIGHT THERE TO SUPPORT HIM.
[blooping]
HAD SOMEWHAT OF A CLUMSY RUN
IN QUALIFYING, BUT HE WAS ONE OF
THE DOZEN WHO MANAGED TO
COMPLETE THE COURSE.
>> I'LL SAY, HE'S CERTAINLY
A FIT PASTOR.
AND HERE IS ON THE LOG GRIP.
OHH! A LITTLE STUMBLE.
DUCKS INTO THE LOG.
[audience cheering]
>> BRIDGE OF BLADES.
>> AND RIGHT INTO THE JUMP HANG.
A GOOD LEAP, BUT ONLY GETS TO
THE THIRD RUNG DOWN IN THE CARGO
NET.
THAT CAN COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU.
YOU HAVE TO EXPEND SOME ENERGY
HERE.
>> SO FAR, I LIKE HIS PACE.
HE'S NOT RUNNING WITH
AGGRESSION, BUT HE IS DEFINITELY
NOT LOLLYGAGGING.
TAKING HIS RESTS WHERE HE CAN
FIND IT.
ON THE CURTAIN SLIDER, YOU WANNA
GIVE IT A LOT OF POWER RIGHT OFF
THE DECK.
A GOOD PUSH IS KEY.
OH, JUST BARELY GETTING OF THE
DECK.
>> DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE GOT A
GOOD LEAN AT ALL.
AND NOW HE'S HUNG UP.
>> OHH!
>> OHH! WHAT A REACH!
>> JUST A DESPERATE GRAB.
AND HE GOT LUCKY THERE.
>> BUT HE DID IT!
>> AND HIS GROUP FOLLOWING HIM
ALONG, CHEERING HIM ON.
>> "JOHNDO"?
IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE CHANTING?
>> GOT HIS OWN SUPPORT GROUP.
[cheering]
>> OHH, TO THE TOP OF THE WARPED
WALL!
>> WHAT?
>> FIRST TIME, 2:08, AND THE TOP
OF THE WARPED WALL.
THIS WOULD BE AN AMAZING STORY.
>> INCREDIBLE.
HE TOOK ABOUT 40 SECONDS OFF OF
HIS QUALIFYING TIME.
>> BUT NOW, AN OBSTACLE HE'S
NEVER TRIED BEFORE.
THE SALMON LADDER.
>> COMPETITORS HAVE TO MAKE IT
UP TO THE FOURTH RUNG OF THE
SALMON LADDER BEFORE THEY CAN
MOVE ON TO THE LAMP GRASPER.
>> WELL, THAT'S THE RULE, BUT
THIS HAS TO BE UNNERVING FOR
JOHNATHAN.
THE SALMON LADDER IS SO DAUNTING
FOR FIRST-TIMERS.
>> WOW! AND LOOK AT THIS!
>> YEP.
>> OH! HE'S HUNG UP.
JOHNATHAN HAS ONE SIDE OF THE
BAR ON THE FOURTH RUNG, SO HE
CAN ADVANCE TO THE LAMP GRASPER.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S NOT SURE.
HE CHECKED WITH THE REF, AND NOW
MAKING THE TRANSITION.
>> NOW, THIS LAMP GRASPER IS A
BRUTAL OBSTACLE.
IT'S AT A STEADY INCLINE, SO NOT
ONLY DOES HE NEED TO MOVE HIS
BODY FORWARD, HE'S DOING IT AT
AN UPWARD ANGLE, AND YOU CAN
TELL HE'S FEELING IT.
>> EVERY SECOND IS CRITICAL
HERE.
YOU ONLY HAVE SO MUCH FOREARM
ENDURANCE LEFT.
LOOK AT THIS!
WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE
PERFORMANCE!
AND HE'S GONNA GO FOR IT!
[cheers and applause]
JOHNATHAN MORIN HAS NOW
COMPLETED THE FIRST EIGHT
OBSTACLES.
HE'S ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING
THE FIRST MAN TO COMPLETE THESE
MIDWEST REGIONAL FINALS, JONNY.
>> WELL, JUST THE CARGO CLIMB
REMAINING, BUT IT'S A LONG,
THREE-STORY HAUL TO THE TOP.
NOTHING IS GUARANTEED, MATT.
>> HE'S A YOUTH PASTOR WHOSE
WIFE IS PREGNANT.
SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE, BUT RIGHT
NOW, THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
>> OH, HE'S DEFINITELY SLOWED UP
HERE ON THE CARGO CLIMB.
>> JOHNATHAN MORIN IS CLEARLY
SPENT.
HE IS...EVERY STEP IS AN EFFORT.
>> HE'S GOTTA BE CAREFUL NOT TO
FALL OFF OF THIS CARGO CLIMB.
[laughs]
>> THE CROWD GOING NUTS.
HIS SUPPORTERS JUST ELATED.
>> YEAH!
[horn blows]
>> AND WE HAVE OUR FIRST
COMPETITOR TO FINISH THIS
COURSE.
[cheers and applause]
JOHNATHAN MORIN HAS SHOWN THE
WORLD IT CAN BE DONE.
WELL, LET'S GO TO ANGELA, WHO'S
STANDING BY WITH JOHN RIGHT NOW.
>> JOHNATHAN, HOW TIRED WERE YOU
GOING UP THAT CARGO CLIMB?
>> MY FOREARMS FELT LIKE...
POPEYE, AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY.
MY FOREARMS FELT LIKE THEY WERE
THE SIZE OF MY THIGHS.
STILL DO, IT'S HARD TO MAKE
A FIST.
>> WHAT, HOW'D YOU GET THROUGH,
MENTALLY?
>> I COULD HEAR MY FAMILY AND MY
WIFE SCREAMING.
HEARD MY WIFE SCREAM, "I LOVE
YOU," AND THAT WORKED OUT GOOD.
>> WELL, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF
SUPPORTERS WHO ARE READY TO HUG
YOU, SO WE'LL LET YOU GET YOUR
WIFE AND THEM.
>> THANK YOU.
[all screaming]
>> EIGHT COMPETITORS HAVE
ATTEMPTED THE COURSE, BUT ONLY
ONE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
THE PASTOR JOHNATHAN MORIN CAN
SAY HALLELUJAH AS HE SITS IN
FIRST PLACE RIGHT NOW.
NO ONE ELSE HAS EVEN GOTTEN PAST
THE WARPED WALL.
JONNY, WE ARE WELL UNDERWAY
HERE IN THE MIDWEST
REGIONAL FINALS, AND WE'RE NOT
SEEING A LOT OF SUCCESS TONIGHT.
>> YEAH, I DON'T THINK WE'RE
GONNA SEE 15 GUYS COMPLETE THIS
COURSE.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, IT'S GONNA
COME DOWN TO WHO GETS THE
FURTHEST IN THE FASTEST TIME.
>> DURING THE BREAK, FIVE MORE
COMPETITORS ATTEMPTED THE
COURSE--NONE OF THEM MADE IT TO
THE FINISH LINE.
[whistle blows]
>> MISSOURI ACROBAT KEVIN
AREHART MADE IT THE FARTHEST
BEFORE HE LOST HIS GRIP
ON THE LAMP GRASPER.
[indistinct] PUTS HIM IN
SECOND PLACE ON THE LEADERBOARD,
JUST BEHIND JOHNATHAN MORIN.
THE YOUTH MINSTER IS THE ONLY
ONE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE SO
FAR.
LET'S GET BACK TO THE ACTION.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE 27-YEAR-OLD
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ERIC DAVIES
FROM AKRON, OHIO.
AFTER TWO YEARS OF VIGOROUS
TRAINING, ERIC FINALLY FEELS
HE'S READY FOR AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR.
THE FORMER GYMNAST IS HOPING
HIS STRENGTH, BALANCE, AND ROCK
CLIMBING WORK WILL GIVE HIM THE
ADVANTAGE ON THE COURSE.
[blooping]
>> AND HE'S ON COURSE.
GOING THROUGH THE QUAD STEPS.
VERY QUICK FEET, KEEPING THE
FORWARD MOTION.
VERY IMPORTANT ON THE 30-DEGREE
QUAD STEPS.
RIGHT THROUGH THE LOG GRIP, ONTO
THE BRIDGE OF BLADES, AND...
QUICK STEPS THERE FOR ERIC
DAVIES.
>> HE'S GONNA BACK UP AND MAKE
SURE HE GETS THIS--OHH!
>> OHH!
AND THERE IT IS!
WHEW!
NOT UP TO THE PRESSURE OF THE
MOMENT.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
>> HE JUST COMPLETELY MISSED THE
TAKEOFF ON THE MINI *** AND
COULDN'T COVER THE EIGHT-FOOT
DISTANCE TO THE CARGO NET.
>> WELL, A DISAPPOINTING RUN IN
THE FINALS FOR ERIC DAVIES.
>> AH, THAT'S TOO BAD.
>> OUR NEXT ATHLETE IS A FORMER
GYMNAST WHO SHOULD HAVE NO
PROBLEM WITH THE JUMP HANG.
25-YEAR-OLD ENGINEERING STUDENT
JOSHUA GRANT.
>> MY NAME IS JOSH GRANT.
I'M 24.
I'M A GYMNASTICS COACH AND ALSO
AN ENGINEERING STUDENT.
I HAVE A BLACK BELT IN SHAOLIN
KUNG FU.
BEEN TRAINING HARDCORE FOR ABOUT
THREE YEARS, SO GYMNASTICS ABOUT
THREE YEARS AS WELL.
TAKING SHAOLIN KUNG FU ACTUALLY
MADE ME VERY DISCIPLINED,
JUST MENTALLY, I WOULD SAY.
THERE WAS A LOT OF MENTAL
TRAINING, JUST PUSHING THROUGH
PAIN, NOT GIVING UP.
JUST KEEP GOING.
IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.
IT WASN'T EASY TO GET THAT
BLACK BELT.
I ALSO SPECIALIZED IN WEAPONS
DESIGN.
VERY INTO THE CULTURE OF NINJAS
AND SHAOLIN.
IT'S DEFINITELY ENDURANCE--
MENTAL, PHYSICAL TRAINING.
UH, EVERYTHING I'VE GONE THROUGH
IN SHAOLIN.
I FEEL THAT SOMEONE WITH
A BLACK BELT SHOULD DEFINITELY
DO VERY WELL IN NINJA WARRIOR.
[blooping]
>> NOTICE HE'S WEARING A WRIST
BRACE.
HE INJURED HIS WRIST EARLIER
THIS MONTH.
IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BOTHER HIM IN
THE QUALIFYING ROUND, THOUGH.
I REALLY LIKE THE WAY HE MOVES
THROUGH THIS COURSE.
YOU CAN SEE HIS MARTIAL ARTS
BACKGROUND AND HOW FLUID HE IS.
>> REGROUPING A LITTLE BIT
BEFORE THE JUMP HANG, JONNY.
ON TO THE CARGO NET.
>> WELL, JOSHUA TRAINS FOR THIS
EVENT ON THE WEEKENDS IN A VERY
PECULIAR MANNER.
HE DRESSES UP AS SPIDER-MAN AT
KIDS' BIRTHDAY PARTIES.
>> NICE ROLLOUT.
>> JOSHUA'S APPROACHING THE
CURTAIN SLIDER.
IT'S IMPORTANT HE GETS A GOOD
PUSH-OFF HERE.
[audience cheering]
>> AND A NICE JOB BY JOSH GRANT.
ALMOST HITS THE SUPPORT, BUT--
AND HE DOES *** INTO IT
LIGHTLY.
51 SECONDS THROUGH THOSE FIRST
OBSTACLES, NOW ON TO THE WARPED
WALL.
AND RIGHT UP IT!
>> UNBELIEVABLY SMOOTH TO THIS
POINT ON THE COURSE.
BUT THE SALMON LADDER AND THE
LAMP GRASPER REQUIRE A GOOD DEAL
OF GRIP STRENGTH, AND HIS WRIST
ISN'T AT 100%.
NICE ENTRANCE, NO HESITATION.
ON TO THE SALMON LADDER.
>> LOOKS LIKE STAMINA IS NOT A
FACTOR FOR HIM.
>> THIS CAN BE A LITTLE BIT OF
TROUBLE.
HE NEEDS TO JUST FOCUS HERE.
MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T MAKE A BIG
MISTAKE.
WE TALKED ABOUT FOCUS AS BEING
SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THESE
REGIONAL FINALS.
LOOKS LIKE HIS WRIST IS HOLDING
UP JUST FINE.
>> WELL, THIS OBSTACLE HAS BEEN
*** FOR A NUMBER OF ATHLETES
THUS FAR.
>> both: OHH!
>> JOSH GRANT HAS FALLEN!
THE THIRD-FASTEST RUNNER IN
QUALIFYING IS FINISHED.
>> WELL, JOSH WAS CERTAINLY AT A
COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE ON THIS
OBSTACLE.
THE LAMP GRASPER REQUIRES EVERY
BIT OF YOUR GRIP STRENGTH, AND
WITH HIS INJURY, JOSH REALLY
COULDN'T GET A HOLD OF THE ***
THAT HE WANTED TO.
>> WELL, THAT PUTS JOSH FIFTH ON
OUR LEADERBOARD WITH 15
COMPETITORS LEFT TO RUN.
WHILE YOU WERE AWAY, MORE
COMPETITORS HOPED THEY WOULD
MAKE IT FAR ENOUGH FAST ENOUGH
ON THIS FINALS COURSE.
FIVE OF THEM LOST THEIR GRIP ON
THE LAMP GRASPER, INCLUDING THE
MOHAWKED MECHANIC'S ASSISTANT
PHILLIP MICHOU.
BUT NOT THE CASE FOR
MICHAEL SILENZI.
THE COMPETITIVE GYMNAST AND
FORMER POLE VAULTER USED THOSE
SKILLS TO COMPLETE THE COURSE,
AND BECOME ONLY THE SECOND MAN
TO REACH THE TOP OF THE TOWER SO
FAR.
SILENZI'S PERFORMANCE MOVES HIM
INTO FIRST PLACE RIGHT NOW.
WE STILL HAVE NINE RUNNERS LEFT
TO GO, SO THE GUYS ON THE BACK
HALF OF THIS LEADERBOARD ARE IN
PERIL.
THE PLACE NO ONE WANTS TO BE IS
THE HOT SEAT, 15th PLACE.
ANY ATHLETE WHO OUTPERFORMS
THE MAN IN THE HOT SEAT
INSTANTANEOUSLY ELIMINATES HIM
FROM COMPETITION.
SO, GUYS LIKE PHILLIP MICHOU,
WHO'S IN EIGHTH, AND MATT
LAESSIG, WHO'S IN THE HOT SEAT
RIGHT NOW, ARE STILL IN JEOPARDY
OF GOING HOME.
OUR NEXT CONTENDER'S LOOKING TO
EARN A SPOT ATOP OUR
LEADERBOARD, AND IT'S RETURNING
VETERAN STEPHEN VOLCKO, WHO
FINISHED FOURTH IN QUALIFYING,
AND HIS SKILLS ARE ONLY
OUTWEIGHED BY HIS HEART.
HIS DEDICATION TO THIS SPORT IN
THE FACE OF ADVERSITY IS
REMARKABLE.
>> AMES, IOWA--IT'S A TOWN OF
MAYBE 50,000.
GROWING UP THERE, THERE JUST
WASN'T A LOT TO DO.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, WHEN I WAS
A TEENAGER, I THOUGHT THAT THE
ONLY THING I WANTED TO DO WAS
GET OUTTA HERE.
>> UNFORTUNATELY FOR STEPHEN
VOLCKO, GETTING OUT OF AMES
WOULDN'T BE SO EASY.
>> A FEW MONTHS AFTER AMERICAN
NINJA WARRIOR 3, I-I LOST MY
JOB.
I'VE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE THEN.
I SLEEP ON THE FLOOR IN MY
PARENTS' HOUSE.
>> WHEN HE DID COME BACK HOME,
WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A BEDROOM
FOR HIM TO MOVE INTO.
HE'S BEEN ON THE FLOOR IN OUR
SUNROOM THE WHOLE TIME.
>> IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE TO NOT
FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE THAT MUCH
WORTH, YOU'RE NOT DOING
ANYTHING.
I GUESS I'M KIND OF SEARCHING
FOR WHAT IT IS THAT I REALLY
WANNA DO.
AND NINJA WARRIOR, SO FAR, IS
THE ONLY THING THAT'S MOTIVATED
ME THIS MUCH.
I MEAN, I'M REALLY PASSIONATE
ABOUT THIS.
>> AS MUCH AS YOU HATE TO SEE A
KID LOSE A JOB, I THINK IT WAS
REALLY GREAT FOR HIM TO HAVE A
REASON TO START AGAIN.
>> IMMEDIATELY AFTER AMERICAN
NINJA WARRIOR 3, I KNEW THAT I
HAD TO BUILD MY OWN SALMON
LADDER.
I USED A PROGRAM, AND REMADE THE
WHOLE THING IN 3-D.
>> YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN HIM WORK
SO HARD AT IT, AND TO GET DOWN
TO THE DETAILS OF WHAT IT COULD
TAKE TO WIN.
FOREARM STRENGTH, FINGER
STRENGTH, ALL THE EXERCISES AND
THE THINGS THAT HE'S DONE, IT
WOULD BE A WONDERFUL REWARD.
>> I WILL BE THE FIRST AMERICAN
NINJA WARRIOR.
>> HE'S A VETERAN, BUT HE'S
NEVER MADE IT TO
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
COULD THIS BE HIS YEAR?
[timer beeps]
>> HERE GOES STEPHEN.
BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ALL
NIGHT LONG, JONNY.
>> LAST YEAR HE WAS JUST SHORT
OF A TRIP TO THE FINALS, AND
WENT OUT ON THE SALMON LADDER.
>> NO PROBLEM WITH THE LOG GRIP.
AND RIGHT THROUGH THE BRIDGE OF
BLADES.
WOW, HE IS FLYING!
IT LOOKS LIKE VOLCKO'S GUNNING
FOR THE NUMBER ONE TIME.
BUT, JONNY, SPEED CAN KILL.
IT CAN COST YOU LATER ON IN
TERMS OF FATIGUE.
WHAT A GREAT ROLL OUT OF THE
CARGO NET.
>> IT REALLY IS A BALANCE
BETWEEN GASSING YOURSELF--
>> THIS PUSH, THOUGH--SO
CRITICAL, AS YOU'VE TALKED
ABOUT, JONNY.
>> YOU CAN SEE HIM LEANING BACK.
GET A GOOD PUSH OFF, HE SHOULD--
>> OH!
BUT IT HANGS UP, AND VOLCKO IN A
DIFFICULT POSITION, HAVING TO
TRY TO GENERATE MOMENTUM ON THIS
CURTAIN.
>> YOU CAN SEE HE'S GOT A WIDE
GRIP ON THE CURTAIN.
I DON'T KNOW--OH, GREAT LEAP.
>> VOLCKO DID NOT WANT TO COME
UP SHORT YET AGAIN.
WHAT A GREAT EFFORT, BUT THAT
HAD TO BE TAXING.
AND NOW, STARING DOWN THE WARPED
WALL.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S GATHERING
HIMSELF BEFORE TRYING IT.
WOW.
STEPHEN VOLCKO MADE THAT WARPED
WALL LOOK EASY, AND IT IS
ANYTHING BUT.
>> THAT WAS A GREAT PERFORMANCE
UP THE WARPED WALL.
THAT'S GONNA SAVE HIM A LOT OF
THE ENERGY HE LOST ON THAT
CURTAIN SLIDER.
LOOK AT HIM SMILING, STARING
DOWN HIS NEMESIS, THE SALMON
LADDER, LIKE AN OLD BULLY FROM
THIRD GRADE.
OH!
RIGHT UP.
>> IT'S JUST HIM VERSUS
THE OBSTACLE.
>> WELL, THIS IS IT, MATT.
THIS IS HIS MOMENT OF TRUTH.
THIS IS WHERE HE FELL LAST YEAR,
THIS IS WHY HE BUILT HIS OWN
SALMON LADDER AT HOME.
[crowd cheers]
AND HE HAS COMPLETED IT.
>> AND ALL THAT HARD WORK HAS
BEEN WORTH IT.
>> THIS IS WHERE WE SEE A LOTTA
GUYS LOSE IT, THOUGH.
>> SLOW DOWN.
>> AND HE'S GOTTA CALM HIMSELF
DOWN AFTER FINALLY CONQUERING
HIS NEMESIS THE SALMON LADDER.
>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.
HE'S GOTTA USE ALL THAT GOOD
ADRENALINE TO HIS ADVANTAGE AND
NOT LET IT DISTRACT HIM.
THAT LAMP GRASPER HAS TAKEN OUT
A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TONIGHT.
HE KNOWS THAT.
>> LOOKS LIKE HE COULD BE
RUNNING OUT OF ENERGY HERE.
>> SLOW DOWN.
>> EVERY SECOND YOU SPEND ON
THIS LAMP GRASPER IS COSTLY.
>> AND HE'S GOT IT!
ON TO HIS VICTORY CLIMB.
AFTER YEARS OF TRYING, STEPHEN
VOLCKO IS ABOUT TO LOCK IN
A SPOT AT THE LAS VEGAS FINALS,
AND YOU KNOW HIS PARENTS MUST BE
SO PROUD.
THE CROWD CHEERING HIM ON.
JONNY, THIS IS HIS CORONATION
RUN, A VICTORY LAP, IF YOU WILL.
[crowd cheering]
STEPHEN VOLCKO, IN A TIME OF
3:35.97.
AND HE'S REMOVING HIS SHIRT!
OH, PLEASE KEEP THE PANTS UP.
YES!
>> YES!
>> STEPHEN VOLCKO IS HEADED TO
LAS VEGAS.
ANGELA'S WITH STEPHEN RIGHT NOW.
>> STEPHEN, YOU HAD A GREAT RUN.
TAKE ME THROUGH IT.
>> WELL, EVERYTHING WAS GOING
GREAT.
I'M ALWAYS REALLY NERVOUS RIGHT
BEFORE THE RUN.
THEN I HIT THE CURTAIN SLIDER,
AND JUST STOPPED, AND I HAD TO
STRAIN MYSELF A LOT TO GET TO
THE NEXT CURTAIN.
I FINALLY GOT THROUGH IT.
AND, UM, MOVE ON TO THE SALMON
LADDER, AND I FINALLY GOT
REDEMPTION, SO ALL IN ALL, IT
WAS AN AMAZING, FUN RUN.
>> LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GONNA BE
HAVING MORE FUN, BECAUSE YOU'RE
GOING TO VEGAS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> I CAN'T WAIT, ANGELA.
IT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF FUN.
I CAN'T--CAN'T STOP SAYING
"FUN," I'M HAVING A BLAST.
WE JUST SAW THREE MORE ATHLETES
TAKE TO THE COURSE WITH ALL OF
THEM FALLING SHORT OF THE FINISH
LINE, INCLUDING CARTOONIST CADE
HALADA, WHO COULDN'T MAKE IT
THROUGH THE LAMP GRASPER.
ON THE LEADERBOARD, IOWA'S
STEPHEN VOLCKO STILL LEADS
PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENT MICHAEL
SILENZI FOR FIRST PLACE.
HALADA DRAWS UP THE TENTH SPOT,
WHILE IN 15th PLACE, IT'S
DECATHLETE JAMES HARDIN.
HOPING TO JOIN THAT ELITE GROUP
IS A FORMER PRO CHEERLEADER
OUT OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
IT'S ANDREW KARSEN.
>> NINE YEARS AGO, WHEN I
GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, THAT
KINDA ENDED MY CHEERLEADING
CAREER, BUT THEN I HAD AN
OPPORTUNITY TO CHEER
PROFESSIONALLY FOR THE DETROIT
PISTONS, AND I DID SO FOR FIVE
SEASONS.
>> SO, ANDREW KARSEN MADE THE
MOST OF HIS SECOND CHANCE AS A
CHEERLEADER, BUT NOTHING COMES
BEFORE HIS MOST IMPORTANT JOB,
SINGLE DAD, CARING FOR HIS
3-YEAR-OLD SON WESLEY.
>> YOU GO THROUGH LIFE THINKING
THAT CERTAIN THINGS HAPPEN A
CERTAIN WAY, AND WHEN YOU GET
DIVORCED, AND YOU HAVE TO RAISE
A KID ON YOUR OWN, IT'S A
DIFFERENT FEELING THAT YOU HAVE
TO GO THROUGH.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU KNOW YOU
GET THE LOVE FROM YOUR SON, IT'S
ALWAYS THE BEST.
I TAKE MY SON TO THE GYM WITH ME
WHEN I GO WORK OUT, OR WE GO TO
THE PARK WHERE WE GO TO PLAY,
AND WE ALSO TRAIN INSIDE MY
HOUSE.
HE'S ALWAYS A CONSTANT
CHEERLEADER THERE FOR ME WHILE
I'M TRAINING TO DO THINGS.
>> BUT IN NINJA WARRIOR,
A SECOND CHANCE WASN'T ENOUGH
FOR ANDREW.
NOT EVEN A THIRD.
HE HAS TRIED AND FAILED THREE
TIMES TO GET TO
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
>> AFTER I DIDN'T MAKE IT UP
LAST YEAR'S WARPED WALL, IT
DEFINITELY IS LIKE A CRUSHING
BLOW TO YOUR EGO.
BUT IN THE END, YOU HAVE TO USE
THAT FOR FUEL TO PUSH YOU FOR
THE NEXT YEAR THAT YOU GO
THROUGH.
>> SO, THIS YEAR, HE CAME BACK
FOR ANOTHER GO, AND SO FAR, HAS
MADE THE MOST OF IT, FINISHING
THE QUALIFYING ROUND WITH THE
FASTEST TIME, A REMINDER OF WHY
AFTER THREE FAILURES HE DECIDED
TO COME BACK ONE MORE TIME.
>> THERE'S ALWAYS A TIME AND A
MOMENT IN THE TRAINING YEAR
WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE, "WHY AM I
DOING THIS?
WHY AM I TRAINING ONE YEAR LONG
JUST FOR ONE MINUTE ON A COURSE
TO SEE IF I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH
IT AGAIN?"
BUT IN THE END, YOU ALWAYS HAVE
TO PUSH THROUGH, AND YOU JUST
USE IT, AND YOU GET BACK UP ON
THE HORSE, AND YOU KEEP WORKING
HARD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> JONNY, IF ANDREW CAN GET
THROUGH TO THE SALMON LADDER IN
A TIME BETTER THAN 3:42.62,
HE'LL BE IN VERY GOOD POSITION
TO HEAD TO THE FINALS IN THIS,
HIS FOURTH ATTEMPT.
NOW ON TO THE LOG GRIP.
>> HE SAID HE FELT PEOPLE AT
HOME WOULD BE ABLE TO RELATE TO
HIM BECAUSE HE'S NOT A PRO
STUNTMAN, MATT.
HE'S A SINGLE DAD WHO TRAINS
WHENEVER HE CAN FIND THE TIME.
>> MAKING GREAT TIME, BUT WITH
ANOTHER RUNNER LEFT, HE NEEDS
TO MAKE GOOD TIME.
BUT, JONNY, HE ALSO NEEDS TO
AVOID A MISTAKE.
>> SOME OF THE VETERANS GO FOR
BROKE AND TRY TO WIN.
YOU'VE GOTTA BE SMART AS WELL AS
AGGRESSIVE.
>> ON TO THE CURTAIN SLIDER, AND
HE'S TAKING OFF HIS GLASSES.
STRONG PUSH OFF, THERE, AND
SWINGS RIGHT THROUGH TO THE
SECOND CURTAIN.
AND THE CURTAIN'S--OH, A LITTLE
SLIP, BUT HE IS THROUGH THE
CURTAIN SLIDER.
TOOK OFF HIS GLASSES RIGHT
BEFORE THAT OBSTACLE.
CAN HE SEE WHERE HE'S GOING?
WILL HE HAVE TO NAVIGATE BY
FEEL?
ON THE WARPED WALL--
COMES UP SHORT.
BUT REMEMBER, ANDREW KARSEN
BELIEVES IN SECOND AND THIRD
CHANCES, AND HE'S GOT TWO MORE
LEFT HERE AT THE WARPED WALL.
>> WELL, HE LOST HIS FOOTING
RIGHT AT THAT LAST STEP, AND DID
NOT GET A GOOD PUNCH.
>> YOU CAN SEE HIS NOSE,
A LITTLE BEAT UP.
THAT CARGO NET UNFORGIVING.
HERE HE IS--NICE RUN UP ON THIS
SECOND TRY.
THIS IS A GUY WHO HAS LEARNED
FROM HIS PREVIOUS MISTAKES, AND
JONNY, HE'S LOOKING VERY
CONFIDENT.
BUT HE KEEPS CHECKING HIS NOSE;
IT LOOKS REALLY IRRITATED.
>> YEAH, THAT HAD TO HAVE
HAPPENED WHEN HIS GLASSES GOT
KNOCKED AROUND BACK ON THE CARGO
NET OF THE JUMP HANG.
THAT HAS GOT TO BE A NUISANCE.
>> ONTO THE SALMON LADDER IN
A TIME OF ABOUT 1:50, MAKING
INCREDIBLE TIME.
RIGHT UP AND ONTO THE LAMP
GRASPER, AND WITH THAT, ANDREW
KARSEN IS IN THE TOP 15.
>> LOOK AT THAT PACING.
ANDREW, WITH ONE OF THE BEST
MOVEMENTS THROUGH THIS OBSTACLE
ALL DAY.
REMEMBER, THAT THING IS ON AN
ANGLE GOING UPHILL, AND HE MADE
THAT LOOK EASY.
>> AND NOW, HE IS ON TO HIS
VICTORY CLIMB, AND HIS SON MUST
BE PROUD.
TRIED OUT FOR AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR THE PAST THREE SEASONS,
HAS COME CLOSE, BUT NOW, HE WILL
FINALLY EARN HIS TRIP TO
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
WHAT AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER
THIS RUN HAS BEEN FOR HIM,
JONNY.
>> AND IT ALMOST CAME TO AN END
ON THE WARPED WALL RIGHT IN
FRONT OF US.
>> WHAT A GREAT EFFORT, AND WHAT
A GREAT MOMENT FOR ANDREW
KARSEN.
AFTER FOUR LONG YEARS, HE'S
FINALLY BEEN VINDICATED, AND HIS
TIME OF 3:15.47 PUTS HIM AT THE
TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD, AND
ENSURES HIS SPOT IN LAS VEGAS.
THREE MORE ATHLETES BROKE INTO
THE ELITE GROUP OF FINISHERS,
INCLUDING JACK MORGAN,
GYMNASTICS COACH FROM ST. LOUIS.
THE 23 YEAR OLD WAS IMPRESSIVE.
AND ON THE LEADERBOARD,
HE VAULTS INTO SECOND PLACE WITH
A TIME OF 3:26.47.
ANOTHER 23 YEAR OLD, ARTHUR SKOV
FROM MINNESOTA, FINDS HIMSELF IN
FOURTH PLACE.
FURTHER DOWN, THE PASTOR
JOHNATHAN MORIN IS IN SEVENTH
PLACE, AND IN 14th, THERE'S
CARTOONIST CADE HALADA.
NOW HALADA AND THE 13 RUNNERS
AHEAD OF HIM CAN RELAX, BECAUSE
WITH ONLY ONE RUNNER LEFT,
THEY ARE GOING TO LAS VEGAS.
AND WE ARE DOWN TO OUR LAST
RUNNER IN THE MIDWEST REGIONAL
FINALS.
HE'S A FIRST-TIMER WHO IMPRESSED
US IN THE QUALIFYING ROUND WITH
THE SECOND-FASTEST TIME.
IT'S 26-YEAR-OLD MATT DEROUEN
FROM ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.
>> BY DAY, MATT WORKS AS A TECH
IN COMPUTER RESEARCH, BUT WHEN
HE'S NOT AT HIS DESK, HE TRAINS
FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR BY
ROCK CLIMBING AND PLAYING
COMPETITIVE DODGEBALL.
PRETTY UNORTHODOX, COMPARED TO
HOW SOME OF THE OTHER
COMPETITORS TRAIN, BUT YOU CAN'T
ARGUE WITH THE RESULTS.
>> AND WATCHING VERY CLOSELY IS
PHILLIP MICHOU, THE MECHANIC'S
ASSISTANT FROM ILLINOIS.
HE IS IN THE HOT SEAT, AND
THAT'S A DANGEROUS SPOT TO BE
WITH DEROUEN ON THE COURSE.
ONE OF THESE MEN WILL BE GOING
TO LAS VEGAS, AND IT ALL COMES
DOWN TO MATTHEW'S PERFORMANCE.
HE HAD A VERY CLEAN RUN IN
QUALIFYING; MADE NO MAJOR
MISTAKES.
>> AND WHERE HE SHINES IS ALL
THOSE SKILLS HE GETS FROM ROCK
CLIMBING--THE BALANCE, THE
STRENGTH, THE BODY CONTROL.
HE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE
CONSUMMATE ATHLETE, BUT HE IS
DEFINITELY LEGIT.
>> JUST DUCKS UNDER THE LOG.
>> WELL, THAT'S WHERE HIS OTHER
ATHLETIC SKILL COMES IN--HE
PLAYS A LOT OF DODGEBALL, SO
HE'S USED TO AVOIDING RAPIDLY
MOVING OBJECTS.
>> AND GOT ONTO THE CARGO NET
A LITTLE LOW THERE ON THE JUMP
HANG, JONNY.
>> WENT OUT INSTEAD OF UP, COST
HIM SOME EXTRA TIME, AND WILL
FATIGUE HIS FOREARMS.
[crowd cheering]
>> WOW.
>> WHOA.
>> AND JUST A CHAOTIC,
AGGRESSIVE JUMP THERE ON THE
CURTAIN SLIDER.
>> YEAH, NORMALLY, WE SEE THEM
PULL THE FIRST CURTAIN BACK AND
SWING INTO IT.
HE JUST LEAPS STRAIGHT OUT ONTO
IT, BUT IT WORKED.
>> EITHER HE'S GOING FOR THE TOP
TIME IN QUALIFYING, OR JUST
TRYING TO GET FAR ENOUGH FAST
ENOUGH TO ENSURE HIS SPOT.
RIGHT UP THE WARPED WALL.
AND BLOWING AWAY THE FASTEST
TIME TO THIS POINT, 53 SECONDS
AT THE TOP OF THE WARPED WALL.
AND PHILLIP MICHOU, LOOKING ON
FROM THE HOT SEAT.
HE WENT OUT ON THE LAMP GRASPER,
SO IF DEROUEN GETS THROUGH IT,
HE ADVANCES TO VEGAS.
>> WELL, IN HIS HEAD, I'M SURE
HE'S THINKING HE'S THROUGH THE
WORST, BUT WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF
SURPRISES ON THE SALMON LADDER
AND THE LAMP GRASPER.
>> HE IS POPPING--
>> both: OH!
>> AND THE BAR IS ASKEW.
BUT A NICE CORRECTION, THERE.
>> DON'T FALL!
>> AND HERE IS THE LAMP GRASPER,
WHICH KNOCKED OUT MICHOU.
AND LOOK AT THIS, DEROUEN
SKIPPING HANDHOLDS.
>> WHEE...
>> I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST GONNA
TAKE A CAUTIOUS APPROACH ON THIS
OBSTACLE, BUT HE IS TRYING TO
BLOW THIS COURSE AWAY.
AND GETTING THROUGH THAT
OBSTACLE NOW, THE 26 YEAR OLD
HAS LOCKED UP A TRIP TO
LAS VEGAS.
SUCH A STRONG CLIMBER, AND HERE
HE IS ON THE CARGO CLIMB,
BLOWING AWAY EVERY OBSTACLE WE
PUT IN FRONT OF HIM.
[crowd cheers]
AND MATT DEROUEN HAS THE FASTEST
TIME IN THIS MIDWEST REGIONAL
FINALS BY A MINUTE.
WHAT A REMARKABLE RUN.
HE BREEZED THROUGH THIS COURSE
WITH NO PROBLEMS.
>> HE ONLY HAD ONE TINY MISTAKE.
THE FIRST RUNG ON THE SALMON
LADDER, WHERE HE GOT THE BAR
A LITTLE COCKEYED, BUT HE
CORRECTED IT SO QUICKLY, AND
THEN I LOVE HOW HE USED THOSE
LONG ARMS AND ROCK CLIMBER'S
GRIP STRENGTH TO FLY THROUGH THE
LAMP GRASPER.
THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE.
>> BE BACK NEXT YEAR.
>> AND WITH THAT EFFORT, PHILLIP
MICHOU IS OUSTED AND GOING HOME
INSTEAD OF HEADING TO LAS VEGAS.
SO A SPECTACULAR NIGHT OF
COMPETITION HAS COME TO AN END
HERE IN DALLAS, TEXAS, AND HERE
ARE THE 15 ATHLETES WHO WILL BE
REPRESENTING THE MIDWEST REGION
IN LAS VEGAS.
AT THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD,
THE ROCK CLIMBER FROM ST. LOUIS
WHO BLEW THIS COURSE AWAY,
MATTHEW DEROUEN.
ANDREW KARSEN, THE CHEERLEADER
AND SINGLE DAD, FINISHED IN
SECOND.
STEPHEN VOLCKO FROM IOWA LANDED
IN FOURTH AFTER SPENDING
AN ENTIRE YEAR OUT OF WORK,
TRAINING FOR THIS EVENT.
AND THE POWERHOUSE PASTOR
JOHNATHAN MORIN IS IN EIGHTH
PLACE.
HIS PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED,
AND HE'S GOING TO SIN CITY.
JOSHUA GRANT ALSO ADVANCES,
DESPITE COMPETING WITH
SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO HIS
WRIST AND SHOULDER.
THE PERFORMANCES TONIGHT WERE
NOTHING SHORT OF BREATHTAKING,
BOTH TO THE SENSES, AND TO OUR
EMOTIONS.
A SMILING STEPHEN VOLCKO FACING
DOWN THE SALMON LADDER, THE
OBSTACLE THAT KILLED HIS DREAMS
LAST YEAR, AND HIS SHEER JOY AT
CONQUERING THIS COURSE WERE
MOMENTS FOR US ALL TO SAVOR.
JOHNATHAN MORIN, THE YOUTH
MINISTER WHO CAME OUT OF NOWHERE
TO EARN A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, HAD
EVERYONE BELIEVING IN MIRACLES.
AND ANDREW KARSEN, AFTER THREE
YEARS IN THE DARKNESS AT NINJA
WARRIOR, EMERGED INTO THE LIGHT,
SHOWING US THE TRUE FACE OF
PERSEVERANCE IN THE PURSUIT OF
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE.
AND FINALLY, MATT DEROUEN'S RUN
THROUGH THE COURSE WAS A LESSON
IN FLUID MOTION.
NOTHING WASTED, PURE
ATHLETICISM.
A CHAMPION JUST MIGHT'VE EMERGED
TONIGHT.
THESE FOUR SUPERB ATHLETES AND
11 OTHERS REMAIN ON A QUEST FOR
CONTINUED GLORY.
THEY HEAD WEST FROM DALLAS FOR
A DATE WITH DESTINY AT
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA IN LAS VEGAS.
THAT'S IT FOR THE MIDWEST
REGIONAL FINALS, BUT THE QUEST
CONTINUES FOR THE FIRST-EVER
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
NEXT STOP, MIAMI, FOR THE
NORTHEAST REGIONALS.
WITH JONNY MOSELEY AND ANGELA
SUN, I'M MATT ISEMAN.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.