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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.
[cheers and applause]
NO AMERICAN HAS EVER DEFEATED
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
>> MOUNT MIDORIYAMA SHOWING NO
MERCY.
>> OOH!
>> 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, WHERE OUR HUNT
CONTINUES FOR 100 REMARKABLE
ATHLETES WORTHY OF TAKING ON THE
WORLD'S TOUGHEST OBSTACLE
COURSE, MOUNT MIDORIYAMA!
I'M MATT ISEMAN ALONGSIDE
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JONNY
MOSELEY.
HERE ON THE CAMPUS OF FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY...
>> HUNDREDS OF ASPIRING NINJAS
MADE THE TRIP TO MIAMI FROM
BOSTON, NEW YORK, PITTSBURGH,
ALL ACROSS THE NORTHEAST, FOR
THE QUALIFYING ROUND.
BUT JUST THE TOP 30 SURVIVED.
>> both: OH!
>> IN SPITE OF MIAMI BEING MUY
CALIENTE, THE AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR COURSE PROVED TO BE COLD
AND UNFORGIVING.
>> OH, NO!
>> LAST NIGHT'S QUALIFYING ROUND
ON G4 CHALLENGED HUNDREDS OF
COMPETITORS, LEAVING MANY AS
VICTIMS OF ITS SHEER BRUTALITY.
>> THAT CLOSE!
>> THE NORTHEAST ATHLETES WERE
GIVEN A TOUGHER CHALLENGE,
FACING SEVEN OBSTACLES VERSUS
THE SIX IN OTHER REGIONS,
AND THE FATIGUE WOULD ADD UP.
>> OH! AND HE'S DOWN!
OH! BUT COMES UP SHORT.
>> ONLY 18 LASER-FOCUSED
ATHLETES MADE IT TO THE FINISH
LINE.
>> AAAAHHHH!
>> YES! A TWO-HANDED GRIP AND HE
DOES IT!
[air horn blowing]
>> THE SURVIVORS INCLUDED
MICHAEL NEEDHAM, A GOLF COURSE
LANDSCAPER FROM NEW JERSEY WHO'S
RUNNING FOR HIS BROTHER, A
MARINE IN AFGHANISTAN.
AT JUST 5'5", ONE OF THE
SMALLEST COMPETITORS TURNED IN
ONE OF THE BIGGEST RUNS.
AND THEN THERE'S CHRIS
WILCZEWSKI, A GYM OWNER WHO
OVERCAME HIS PERSONAL DEMONS
AND FOUND THE KEYS TO SUCCESS ON
THE COURSE.
NOW THE COURSE IS LONGER.
THE COMPETITION IS TOUGHER.
AND THE STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN
EVER, AS THE FINALS IN LAS VEGAS
ARE JUST ONE RUN AWAY.
[cheers and applause]
WE SAW SOME STRONG RUNS IN
QUALIFYING, BUT, JONNY, WHO DO
YOU THINK HAS THE BEST SHOT OF
GETTING THROUGH THIS EXTENDED
COURSE?
>> WELL, TIM "LIVE WIRE" SHIEFF
IS A WORLD CHAMPION FREE RUNNER,
BUT LAST YEAR HE MADE A CARELESS
MISTAKE, WHICH KNOCKED HIM OUT
OF THE COMPETITION.
HE'S BACK, HE LAID DOWN A
SMOKING QUALIFYING TIME, OUR
FASTEST OF THE NIGHT.
I THINK HE'S GONNA EARN A TRIP
TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH IS JESSE
VILLARREAL.
HE'S A FISHERMAN FROM MAINE WITH
DYNAMIC PARKOUR SKILLS, RUNS
WITH A MASK, AND IS A LOT OF FUN
TO WATCH.
HE COULD BE A DARK HORSE
TONIGHT.
[cheers and applause]
>> TONIGHT'S TOP 15 FINISHERS
WILL LOCK UP A SPOT IN THE LAS
VEGAS FINALS.
>> BUT TO DO THAT ATHLETES MUST
FACE AN INCREDIBLY DEMANDING
COURSE CONSISTING OF TEN BRUTAL
OBSTACLES.
>> FOR MORE ON THAT LET'S GO
DOWN TO OUR SIDELINE REPORTER,
ANGELA SUN.
>> THANKS, GUYS.
HERE ARE THE TEN OBSTACLES THESE
COMPETITORS MUST FACE.
FIRST UP AS ALWAYS ARE THE
DECEPTIVELY DIFFICULT QUAD
STEPS.
NEXT COMES THE LOG GRIP, WHERE
THE KEY IS TO GRIP HIGH AND
HOPE YOU SURVIVE TWO
BONE-RATTLING DROPS.
OUR THIRD OBSTACLE IS NEW FOR
THE MIAMI COURSE.
THE BUNGEE BRIDGE WILL TEST THE
COMPETITORS' BALANCE AND AGILITY
AS THEY CROSS THE BRIDGE WITH
FOUR PLATFORMS MADE ENTIRELY
FROM BUNGEE CORDS.
NEXT IS THE JUMP HANG.
ATHLETES NEED TO GET A CLEAN
BOUNCE OFF THE MINI *** AND
LAUNCH THEMSELVES ONTO A CARGO
NET.
FROM THERE IT'S ON TO TWO MORE
NEW MIAMI OBSTACLES.
FIRST THE JUMPING BARS, WHERE
ATHLETES MUST SWING FROM BAR TO
BAR, EACH SPACED FIVE FEET
APART.
AND SECOND, THE WALL LIFT,
WHERE ATHLETES MUST LIFT THREE
CONSECUTIVE WALLS, EACH OF
INCREASING WEIGHT.
THE SEVENTH OBSTACLE IS OUR
14-FOOT HIGH WARPED WALL.
NEXT UP IS THE SALMON LADDER.
THEY'LL LAUNCH THEMSELVES FROM A
MINI ***, GRAB ONTO THE BAR,
AND THRUST THEMSELVES UPWARDS.
THEN THEY'LL RUN INTO OUR FOURTH
NEW OBSTACLE.
IT'S CALLED CYCLE ROAD.
THEY'LL HAVE TO SWING FROM ONE
WHEEL TO THE NEXT USING ONLY
THEIR MOMENTUM.
AND FINALLY IT'S THE THREE-STORY
CARGO CLIMB.
MAKE IT TO THE TOP AND HIT THE
BUZZER.
AND AT THAT POINT YOU JUST HOPE
YOUR TIME HOLDS UP.
>> THANKS, ANGELA.
NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE
RUNNING ORDER FOR THE NORTHEAST
REGIONAL FINALS.
FIRST UP WE'LL SEE JOHN
STRZEPEK, A PROGRAM MANAGER WHO
ALSO ENJOYS AN ANNUAL TRADITION
OF RUNNING WITH THE BULLS.
LATER IT'S JONNY'S DARK HORSE
PICK, JESSE VILLARREAL.
THE FISHERMAN FROM MAINE WILL BE
RUNNING 14th.
>> AND FINALLY, OUR TWO FASTEST
COMPETITORS FROM THE QUALIFYING
ROUND ON G4.
5'5" MICHAEL NEEDHAM
RUNS 29th, AND WORLD FREE
RUNNING CHAMPION TIM SHIEFF
CLOSES THE COMPETITION.
[cheers and applause]
NOW IT'S TIME TO KICK OFF THE
NORTHEAST REGIONAL FINALS WITH
THE 31-YEAR-OLD PROGRAM MANAGER
FROM CONNECTICUT, JOHN STRZEPEK.
ONCE A YEAR JOHN LEAVES THE SAFE
CONFINES OF HIS OFFICE TO JOIN
HIS FRIENDS ON AN UNUSUAL FIELD
TRIP TO BULLRIDE MANIA IN
HARRISBURG, PA.
THERE THEY GET INTO THE ARENA
FOR A FRIENDLY GAME OF BULL
HOCKEY.
>> WELL, I LIKE HOCKEY, JUST NOT
WHEN I'M THE PUCK.
BUT IF YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES
TO STARE DOWN A BULL, YOU'VE GOT
WHAT IT TAKES TO CHALLENGE OUR
COURSE.
>> LITTLE DUCK AND WEAVE ACROSS
THE QUAD STEPS.
>> NOW HE'S GOTTA GET A GOOD
HOLD ON THE LOG BECAUSE THE
FORCE OF THE DROP CAN REALLY
WEAKEN YOUR GRIP.
>> HE HOLDS ON, AND JOHN NOW
FACING DOWN THE BUNGEE BRIDGE.
>> WE HAD MULTIPLE GUYS GO OUT
ON THIS OBSTACLE YESTERDAY.
>> AND HE'S THROUGH.
NOW HE'S GONNA NEED A BIG JUMP
OFF THE MINI *** TO REACH THE
CARGO NET.
AND HE'S GOT IT!
>> BUT LOOK HOW FAR HE HAS TO
CLIMB TO GET UP AND OVER.
THE TOP ATHLETES HERE JUMP RIGHT
TO THE TOP OF THE NET, SAVING A
LOT OF ENERGY.
>> WE'LL SEE IF THAT LOW GRAB
COMES BACK TO HAUNT HIM.
A NICE TUCK AND ROLL OUT OF THE
CARGO NET.
IF JOHN WINS THE 1/2 MILLION,
HE WANTS TO START A WHITE WATER
RAFTING COMPANY OUT WEST.
OF COURSE RIGHT NOW LOOKING TO
AVOID THE WATER HERE ON THE
JUMPING BARS.
>> WELL, THE KEY HERE IS TO GET
ENOUGH HEIGHT ON THE JUMP WHERE
YOU CAN GRAB THE BAR WITH YOUR
ARMS BENT.
[crowd cheering]
>> AND HE'S GOT IT--NO!
SO CLOSE!
MISSED BY THE FINGERTIPS.
JONNY, WHERE DID HE GO WRONG?
>> WELL, WE SAW IT ON HIS
PERFORMANCE ON THE JUMP HANG, AS
WELL.
HE'S JUST NOT VERY STRONG OFF
THE TRAMPOLINE.
YOU NEED TO JUMP HIGH ENOUGH SO
THAT YOU CAN CATCH THE BAR AT
YOUR APEX, BUT HE JUMPED AT THE
BAR, WAS ALREADY FALLING AWAY
WHEN HE CAUGHT IT WITH ONE HAND,
MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO
HANG ON.
>> DIDN'T HAVE THE UPS TODAY.
AAAH!
>> UP NEXT, HE'S A 22-YEAR-OLD
MILD-MANNERED ARTIST OUT OF NEW
JERSEY, JAMIE RAHN.
BUT YOU KNOW HIM BETTER NOW AS
CAPTAIN NBC!
>> WELL, DESPITE THE ANTICS,
THIS KID'S GOT SOME TALENT!
>> I'M THE FIRST COSTUMED
COMPETITOR TO MAKE IT TO THE
FINALS.
THE COSTUME IS ESSENTIALLY JUST
SNEAKERS, HIGH SOCKS, BODY
PAINT, AND A MAN-KINI.
IT TAKES ME ABOUT 1 1/2 TO 2
HOURS TO PAINT IT ALL.
WARMING UP, I HAD A COUPLE OF
PEOPLE ASK ME, LIKE, ARE YOU
GONNA TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY?
I AM A SERIOUS ATHLETE.
I JUST LIKE TO HAVE FUN WITH IT.
>> IN THE QUALIFYING ROUND JAMIE
PROVED IT WAS POSSIBLE TO
COMBINE FUN WITH FINESSE.
[air horn blowing]
BUT FOR THIS PART-TIME PARKOUR
INSTRUCTOR FROM NEW JERSEY, HIS
COSTUME ALSO CONCEALS HIS
PAINFUL MEDICAL PAST.
>> WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL, I GOT MIGRAINES ALL THE
TIME, AND IT TURNED OUT I HAVE A
BRAIN CYST ABOUT FOUR INCHES IN
DIAMETER.
AND IT JUST CAUSES A
DEBILITATING MIGRAINE--
NO LIGHT, NO SOUND, NO MOVEMENT.
I'LL BE IN BED FOR 10 TO 30
HOURS.
BECAUSE IT STOPPED GROWING AND
I'VE LEARNED TO DEAL WITH IT,
IT'S REALLY NOT WORTH RISKING
SURGERY.
COMPETING IN AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR, THERE'S ALWAYS THE
CHANCE THAT A MIGRAINE COULD
COME ON IN THE FINALS, PRELIMS,
WHENEVER.
BUT, UM, I CAN JUST DEAL WITH IT
AND FORCE THROUGH IT.
IT'LL DEFINITELY HINDER ME, BUT
IT'S NOT GONNA STOP ME.
>> IN YESTERDAY'S QUALIFYING
ROUND ON G4, JAMIE WAS
CAPTAIN G4, BUT TONIGHT, HE'S
TRANSFORMED INTO CAPTAIN NBC.
OH, A LITTLE LOW ON THE QUAD
STEPS, BUT HE GETS THROUGH IT.
I WONDER WHAT HIS SUPER POWER
IS.
>> WELL, I WONDER IF THAT PAINT
AFFECTS THE LOG GRIP FOR THE
NEXT GUY.
WE PLAY IT AS IT LIES HERE.
>> GETS THROUGH IT.
AND NOW, THROUGH THE BUNGEE
BRIDGE.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT--DESPITE THIS
COSTUME, DESPITE THE GREEN HAIR,
A TALENTED ATHLETE.
AND A GOOD LEAP ON THE JUMP
HANG.
>> HE WAS PULLING THE WEDGIE OUT
BEFORE THE JUMP HANG--
A CRUCIAL ADJUSTMENT.
>> WELL, HE COACHES PARKOUR, HAS
DESIGNED TWO PARKOUR GYMS, AND
FREE RUNNING PARKOUR IS SUCH A
GOOD PREPARATION FOR THIS
COURSE.
>> [yelling]
>> WELL, YOU SEE HIM YELLING AT
THESE JUMPING BARS.
THEY GAVE HIM SOME TROUBLE IN
QUALIFYING.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE MIGHT HAVE A
LITTLE BIT OF--
HIS FEET MIGHT BE WET A LITTLE
BIT, BUT, UH--
>> HERE IT IS.
>> all: OH!
>> JUST NOT ENOUGH TO GET UP,
JONNY.
>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, MAYBE HE HAD
A LITTLE MOISTURE ON HIS SHOES--
THERE'S A LITTLE DEW IN THE
AIR--AND, UH, JUST SLIPPED ON
THE FIRST INITIAL ATTEMPT, BUT
WAS ABLE TO RECOVER.
BUT IT LOOKED LIKE HE JUST
SLIPPED A LITTLE BIT ON THE
TRAMPOLINE, WHICH TOOK ALL HIS
UPWARD MOMENTUM AWAY.
>> WELL, IT TURNS OUT FOR
CAPTAIN NBC, HIS KRYPTONITE--
THE JUMPING BARS.
>> HERE IN FLORIDA, SOUTH BEACH
IS USUALLY WHERE THE ACTION IS.
BUT TONIGHT, ALL EYES ARE
FOCUSED ON THE AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR COURSE.
I'M MATT ISEMAN ALONGSIDE
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST
JONNY MOSELEY, AND WE'RE HERE IN
MIAMI FOR WHAT IS TURNING OUT TO
BE A VERY CHALLENGING NORTHEAST
REGIONAL FINALS, WHERE 30
ATHLETES ARE VYING FOR JUST 15
SPOTS IN LAS VEGAS.
>> AND, MATT, THE JUMPING BARS
ARE PROVING TO BE VERY
CHALLENGING FOR THE NORTHEAST
ATHLETES.
>> THAT'S TRUE, JONNY.
FOUR MORE JUST HIT THE COURSE,
AND AGAIN THE JUMPING BARS
PROVED TO BE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE.
[crowd ohhs]
>> [yells]
>> BUT IT'S STILL VERY EARLY IN
THE COMPETITION, AND AS WE LOOK
AT THE FIRST LEADERBOARD OF THE
NIGHT, YOU'LL SEE THAT SO FAR,
ALL SIX COMPETITORS SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED THE JUMP HANG, BUT
FELL OUT ON THE VERY NEXT
OBSTACLE--THE JUMPING BARS.
JAMIE RAHN SITS IN THE TOP SPOT
FOR NOW.
OUR RESIDENT SUPERHERO LEADS
WITH A TIME OF 30.49 SECONDS
THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR
OBSTACLES.
BULLMANIA FAN JOHN STRZEPEK
IS IN FOURTH.
THE QUESTION NOW, JONNY--
WHO WILL BE THE FIRST TO BEAT
THE JUMPING BARS TONIGHT?
>> WELL, ONE GUY WHO'S GOT A
GOOD CHANCE IS THIS GUY--
JESSE VILLARREAL, WHO WAS A
CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTER IN HIGH
SCHOOL, SO HE KNOWS THE
IMPORTANCE OF SPEED.
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, IT'S TIME
FOR A COMPETITOR WHO'S NO
STRANGER TO THE AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR COURSE--LUIS MOCO FROM
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.
>> HE'S BEEN LIVING OUT OF HIS
VAN FOR THE PAST YEAR BECAUSE HE
GOT SICK OF PAYING RENT IN
NEW YORK CITY, WHERE HE WORKS AS
A STUNTMAN.
>> AND IF HE WINS THE $500,000
GRAND PRIZE ON AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR, HE SAYS THE MONEY WILL
GO TO HIS PARENTS AND SISTERS,
AND HE'LL KEEP ON ROLLING IN HIS
HOME ON WHEELS.
HERE'S LUIS, READY TO GO, NO
STRANGER TO THE SPOTLIGHT.
DONE STUNTS IN A BUNCH OF
BIG-TIME TV SHOWS AND MAJOR
MOTION PICTURES.
ON TO THE LOG GRIP.
GOOD HOLD.
NO PROBLEM THERE.
UP NEXT, THE BUNGEE BRIDGE.
OH, AND A STUMBLE!
OH, GREAT SAVE.
>> THE BELLY FLOP, AND JUST SO
CLOSE TO GOING THROUGH AND
SLIPPING OFF THE BUNGEE BRIDGE.
NICE RECOVERY.
>> RIGHT UP ON TO THE JUMP HANG.
A LITTLE LOW THOUGH.
AND WE SEE THAT, WHERE A LITTLE
SLIP-UP--IT EITHER FOCUSES YOU,
OR IT REALLY GETS IN YOUR HEAD,
JONNY.
>> YEAH, AND THIS IS GONNA BE
THE BIG TEST COMING UP.
WILL HE BE THE FIRST TO COMPLETE
THE JUMPING BARS?
[cheers and applause]
>> HE'S GOT IT.
THE FIRST ATHLETE TO MAKE IT TO
THE BAR.
BUT STILL A LONG WAY TO GO TO
THE FINISH, JONNY.
>> LUIS GOT A STRONG JUMP OFF
THE TRAMPOLINE, UNLIKE THE
PREVIOUS ATHLETES WHO DIDN'T LET
THE FORCE OF THE TRAMPOLINE
PROPEL THEM UP TO THE BAR.
>> ON TO THE WALL LIFT.
>> WELL, THE WALLS WEIGH 45, 55,
AND 65 POUNDS, AND REALLY WEARS
YOU OUT RIGHT BEFORE YOU NEED
ALL OF YOUR ENERGY RESERVES TO
GET UP THE WARPED WALL.
>> AND HERE IS THE WARPED WALL
FOR THE PORTUGUESE POWERHOUSE.
[crowd chanting]
>> OH, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, TO THE
TOP OF THE WARPED WALL,
REPRESENTING THE NORTHEAST
REGION.
>> AND HIS HEELS FLYING OUT
THERE.
IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS SUPERMAN
CATCHING AIR, AND PULLED HIMSELF
UP.
GOOD JOB BY LUIS MOCO.
NOW ON TO THE SALMON LADDER.
GOOD JUMP.
>> HE'S PRETTY GOOD ON THE
TRAMPOLINE.
LET'S SEE IF HE'S GOT THE TIMING
TO GET UP THE SALMON LADDER.
>> WELL, THE SALMON LADDER INTO
CYCLE ROAD WILL TEST THE LIMITS
OF YOUR UPPER-BODY STRENGTH.
BUT LUIS MOCO IS FLYING THROUGH
IT.
>> AND A FIST BUMP BEFORE HE
EVEN LANDED.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR FIRST
FINISHER OF THE NIGHT, AND LUIS
KNOWS IT.
>> WHAT A JOB BY THE STUNTMAN
WHO LIVES IN HIS VAN.
>> NICE PACE, MAN!
[overlapping cheers]
>> THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST
PERFORMANCE HE'S EVER TURNED IN,
AND HE'S PUT HIMSELF IN A GOOD
POSITION TO MAKE THAT TRIP TO
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA IN LAS VEGAS.
AND LUIS MOCO HAS DONE IT!
A TIME OF 2:49:35.
>> [yells triumphantly]
>> WOW, THAT HAS GOT TO FEEL
GOOD.
AFTER ALMOST GOING OUT ON THE
BUNGEE BRIDGE, A SUPER CLOSE
CALL, HE REFOCUSED HIS ENERGY
AND BECOMES THE FIRST TO MAKE
THE JUMP ONTO THE JUMPING BARS,
AND COMPLETED THE COURSE.
GREAT PERFORMANCE.
>> AS THE ONLY FINISHER, LUIS IS
CURRENTLY IN FIRST PLACE.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT
ATHLETES STILL TO COME.
I'M MATT ISEMAN ALONGSIDE
JONNY MOSELEY, AND TONIGHT,
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE 15 FASTEST
FINISHERS TO MOVE ON TO THE LAS
VEGAS FINALS, WHERE THEY WILL BE
JOINED BY THE BEST FROM FIVE
OTHER REGIONS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, MATT.
BUT WHILE WE WERE AWAY, SEVERAL
MORE ATHLETES RAN OUT OF STEAM
AT THE JUMPING BAR.
[audience oohs]
[air horn blows]
AND THEN SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL
PLAYER MATT MINGS RUMBLED PAST
THE JUMPING BARS AND MADE IT TO
THE WARPED WALL BUT JUST
COULDN'T TACKLE IT.
>> SO ON THE LEADERBOARD THE MAN
FROM MASSACHUSETTS, LUIS MOCO,
REMAINS THE ONLY ONE TO COMPLETE
THE COURSE.
FOOTBALL PRO MATT MINGS COMES IN
AT NUMBER TWO HAVING MADE IT
THROUGH THE WALL LIFT, DROPPING
JAMIE RAHN TO THIRD.
CAPTAIN NBC THE FASTEST
SO FAR IN A LONG LIST OF
ATHLETES WHO COMPLETED ONLY THE
JUMP HANG.
WELL, ONE ATHLETE WITH GREAT
EXPECTATIONS IS THE WORLD
FREE RUNNING CHAMPION, TIMOTHY
"LIVE WIRE" SHIEFF,
AMERICAN-BORN BUT LIVING IN
ENGLAND.
HE'S WITH OUR ANGELA SUN RIGHT
NOW.
>> TIM, YOU'RE GOING INTO THE
REGIONAL FINALS WITH A 13-SECOND
MARGIN, FASTER THAN ANY OTHER
PERSON.
ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS GOING
INTO THIS COURSE?
>> UM, I'VE NOT GOT MUCH
EXPERIENCE WITH THE SALMON
LADDER--I KNOW SOME OF THE OTHER
ATHLETES TRAIN WITH THEM IN
THEIR BACKYARDS.
AND WITH FREE RUNNING THERE'S
NOTHING LIKE THAT, SO THAT'S MY
BIGGEST CONCERN.
SO I JUST TAKE MY TIME WITH IT,
BUT I'M STILL HOPING TO GET A
FAST TIME.
>> THANKS, ANGELA.
AND THERE'S THE SALMON LADDER
THE WORLD CHAMP IS CONCERNED
ABOUT.
>> YEAH, YOU KNOW IT'S NOT A
BRUTE FORCE OBSTACLE, MATT.
IT DOES TAKE PRECISE TIMING,
THOUGH, TO PULL IT OFF AND
THAT'S WHY EXPERIENCE ON IT IS
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S
WHY HE'S CONCERNED.
>> TIME TO GET BACK TO THE
ACTION.
ON THE STARTING BLOCKS RIGHT
NOW, 27-YEAR-OLD VISUAL EFFECTS
ARTIST DANNY JOHNSON FROM
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
>> WELL, HE'S 6'5" TALL, AN
IMPOSING FIGURE BY ANY ACCOUNT.
[beeping]
NOW HEIGHT MIGHT HELP HIM ON
SOME OBSTACLES, BUT NOT ON ALL
OF THEM.
>> NOT HURTING HIM ON THE QUAD
STEPS.
QUICKLY MOVING ON TO THE LOG
GRIP.
[metal clanking]
>> NOW THE BUNGEE BRIDGE IS ALL
ABOUT BALANCE, AND TALLER GUYS
CAN HAVE PROBLEMS.
>> BUT VERY NIMBLE GETTING
ACROSS AND NOW GETS TO USE THAT
LONG REACH ON THE JUMP HANG.
>> WHOA! RIGHT TO THE TOP.
>> WHOA!
>> DANNY'S A ROCK CLIMBER AND HE
IS DEFINITELY USING THAT UPPER
BODY STRENGTH TONIGHT.
>> WELL, HE COMPLAINS THAT MOST
PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE HIS
ATHLETIC ABILITY BECAUSE HE'S
TALL AND LANKY.
BUT PROVING THE NAYSAYERS WRONG
TONIGHT, JONNY.
>> WELL, BEING 6'5" WILL HELP
HIM REACH THE FIRST BAR.
>> DANNY'S UP AND HE'S GOT IT.
>> NICE, BUT WORKING HIS WAY
ACROSS IS ALL ARM STRENGTH AND
COORDINATION.
YOU SEE HIM, HE'S USING HIS HARD
SWINGING TO HELP LAUNCH HIM
FORWARD TO THE NEXT BAR.
THAT DEFINITELY SAVES SOME
ENERGY.
>> YEAH, WELL, HE'S GONNA NEED
ALL THE ENERGY HE CAN MUSTER TO
GET THROUGH THE REST OF THIS
COURSE.
WE'RE ON TO THE WALL LIFT NOW.
>> WELL, HERE'S WHERE HIS HEIGHT
HURTS HIM, MATT.
HE HAS TO LIFT EACH WALL HIGHER
THAN MOST ATHLETES DO JUST TO
GET UNDER IT.
AND WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY
EXHAUSTED, EVERY LITTLE BIT OF
WASTED ENERGY JUST STARTS ADDING
UP.
>> GOOD POINT, JONNY.
HE IS CLEARLY SPENT AT THIS
POINT, CATCHING HIS BREATH NOW
BEFORE THE WARPED WALL.
HE'S GONNA RUN FOR IT.
OH-HO-HO! UP ON HIS FIRST TRY.
THE HEIGHT DEFINITELY HELPED HIM
THERE, BUT HE IS FEELING THE
STRAIN.
>> WELL, HIS HANDS ON HIS HIPS.
HE'S TIRED AND THIS IS ONE
OBSTACLE WHERE HEIGHT IS NOT A
FACTOR AT ALL.
IT DOESN'T HELP HIM, IT DOESN'T
HURT HIM.
IT'S ABOUT TIMING.
IT'S ABOUT DEXTERITY.
IT'S ABOUT ENDURANCE.
>> AND HE'S UP ON THE BAR, BUT
WITH HIS HEIGHT THAT'S THE EASY
PART.
>> AND GIVEN THE STATE HE'S IN
NOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE HARD.
[metal clanking]
>> OH!
>> OH!
>> AND HE'S DOWN!
DANNY JOHNSON THE 6'5" MAN
FROM PITTSBURGH COMES UP SHORT
ON THE SALMON LADDER.
>> WELL, INSTEAD OF MOVING
STRAIGHT UP THE OBSTACLE, HIS
BACK AND FORTH MOMENTUM CARRIED
HIM TOO FAR BACKWARDS.
>> WELL, NEXT UP OUT OF
WESTBROOK, MAINE, 21-YEAR-OLD
JESSE VILLARREAL.
>> THE FISHERMAN TOOK US ALL BY
SURPRISE IN THE QUALIFYING ROUND
ON G4.
AND NOW HE'S ONE OF MY
FAVORITES.
[traditional Irish music]
♪ ♪
>> MY NAME'S JESSE VILLARREAL,
I'M 21 YEARS OLD, FROM MAINE.
WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW IS UP
IN WEST BATH, MAINE.
WE'RE OUT HERE ON THE WATER,
DOING US SOME QUAHOGGING,
RACKING THEM UP.
QUAHOG IS PRETTY MUCH, UH,
A HARD-SHELL CLAM.
PRETTY MUCH ANYONE AROUND HERE
WILL EAT THEM.
WHEN YOU'RE RAKING UP QUAHOGS,
YOU'RE JUST TUGGING AT THE MUD,
YOU'RE TUGGING AT WHATEVER YOU
GOT UNDER THE WATER.
IT REALLY IS RIGOROUS TRAINING.
AND IT REALLY DOES HELP YOU FOR
NINJA WARRIOR BECAUSE YOU NEED
THAT UPPER BODY STRENGTH.
YEAH, YOU'RE DEFINITELY GONNA
FEEL IT ANYWHERE BETWEEN THE
TRICEPS AND EVEN UP TO THE
BICEPS A LITTLE BIT.
YOU KNOW, WHAT MOST PEOPLE GO TO
THE GYM TO DO, I'M DOING OUT
MAKING MONEY.
[chuckles]
THERE WE GO.
WE GOT A COUPLE.
FOR ME I'VE ACTUALLY NEVER BEEN
TO A GYM BEFORE.
I'VE ALWAYS FOUND MYSELF OUTSIDE
IN NATURE, CLIMBING TREES,
CLIMBING CLIFFS, ROCKS.
WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T
UNDERSTAND ABOUT BEING FROM
MAINE IS YOU'RE NOT IN A BIG
CITY.
SEEING SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW, EVEN
JUST JUMP OFF OF SAY A SMALL
LEDGE IS ABNORMAL.
IT'S SOMETHING THEY'D ONLY
EXPECT IN A MOVIE.
A LOT OF THE TACTICS THAT I USE,
ESPECIALLY FOR THE AMERICAN
NINJA WARRIOR COURSE IS YOU'RE
GOING OUT THERE NOT KNOWING WHAT
TO EXPECT.
[cheers and applause]
>> SPORTING THE VELOCIRAPTOR
MASK SAYS IT MAKES HIM FEEL
LIKE HE CAN ATTACK THE COURSE.
[beeping]
AND HE'S OFF.
>> OH, HE'S JUST SO FLUID ON
THOSE QUAD STEPS.
HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S DANCING OUT
THERE.
NOW ON TO THE LOG GRIP.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S VELCROED ON
THERE.
PUTTING TOGETHER A GOOD RUN.
OH!
>> OH!
>> WHOA! LOOKS LIKE HIS FOOT
MIGHT HAVE TOUCHED THE MAT UNDER
THE BUNGEE BRIDGE, BUT I DON'T
SEE A RED FLAG FROM THE JUDGES.
>> HE MAY VERY WELL GET
DISQUALIFIED, MATT, BUT HE'S
MOVING ON.
WE'LL HAVE TO CHECK WITH THE
JUDGES.
>> GETTING UP AND OVER THE CARGO
NET ON THE JUMP-HANG.
>> MAN, THAT BUNGEE BRIDGE
HASN'T TAKEN A LOT OF PEOPLE
COMPLETELY OUT, BUT IT CERTAINLY
HAS SCARED A LOT OF GUYS.
>> AND HIS HEART HAS TO BE
RACING RIGHT NOW.
GETTING READY FOR THE JUMPING
BARS--OH! PRETTY CLOSE, BUT HE
IS ON.
>> WELL, THERE ARE TWO KEYS TO
THIS.
FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET A GOOD,
STRONG JUMP OFF THE TRAMPOLINE
AND SECOND, YOU NEED A GOOD
BALANCE OF UPPER BODY STRENGTH
AND COORDINATION.
>> HE'S LOOKING TO CARRY ON THE
TRADITION OF MAKOTO NAGANO, ONE
OF THE THREE PEOPLE WHO'S
EVER ACHIEVED TOTAL VICTORY AT
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
HE WAS A FISHERMAN FROM JAPAN.
>> MAKOTO NAGANO, THAT'S A LOT
TO LIVE UP TO.
BUT YOU'D HAVE TO SAY RIGHT NOW,
JESSE IS LIVING UP TO IT.
THROUGH THE WALL LIFT WITH
RELATIVE EASE, NOW ON TO THE
WARPED WALL.
>> NICE JOB ON THE TOP OF THE
WARPED WALL.
>> GREAT JOB GETTING UP THAT,
JONNY.
>> 1 MINUTE, 25 SECONDS TO
THIS POINT.
THAT'S FASTER THAN HIS TIME
THROUGH THE WARPED WALL AND
QUALIFYING.
>> BUT NOW ON TO AN OBSTACLE
THAT'S NEW TO HIM, THE SALMON
LADDER.
AND HE'S UP!
LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOING WITH THE
STRAIGHT ARM TECHNIQUE--AN
UNORTHODOX METHOD COMPARED TO
MANY OF THE FAVORITES WHO TEND
TO KEEP THEIR ARMS AT 90
DEGREES.
BUT HE'S THROUGH AND ON TO
CYCLE ROAD.
>> USING A TWO-HANDED METHOD
HERE.
HE'S KEEPING HIS MOMENTUM GOING,
THAT'S THE KEY.
>> LOOKS LIKE HE'S HESITATING A
BIT.
>> NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE.
NOPE, HE'S GOOD.
>> HE'S DONE IT!
THE FISHERMAN IS THROUGH AND
EXHORTING THE CROWD TO CHEER HIM
ON, AND THEY OBLIGE.
>> WE JUST GOT WORD FROM THE
JUDGES.
JESSE DID NOT TOUCH THE MAT ON
THE BUNGEE BRIDGE, HIS RUN IS
CLEAN AND HE LOOKS TO BE ONE
STEP CLOSER TO THE LAS VEGAS
FINALS.
WHAT A GREAT EFFORT AND, JONNY,
AFTER HE WAS SO CLOSE TO GOING
OUT ON THE BUNGEE BRIDGE.
>> JESSE TOLD ME THAT HE'S
RUNNING IN HIS GRANDDAD'S HONOR
WHO PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR BUT
SUPPORTED HIS LOVE OF PARKOUR SO
COMPLETING THIS COURSE WOULD BE
A DREAM COME TRUE.
WELL, GUESS WHAT.
[train horn blows]
DREAMS DO COME TRUE.
[cheers and applause]
>> JESSE VILLARREAL HAS
COMPLETED THE COURSE IN THE TIME
OF 3:32:70.
AND ANOTHER OUTSTANDING RUN FROM
THE 21-YEAR-OLD FROM MAINE.
TURNS A CLOSE CALL INTO AN
UNBELIEVABLE FINISH, JONNY.
>> I THINK MY GRANDFATHER'S
PROUD OF ME UP THERE.
>> AND HE CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
ME AS ONE TO WATCH.
I THINK HE CAN WIN THE WHOLE
DARN THING, THAT'S HOW MUCH I
THINK OF THIS KID'S ABILITY.
>> WELL, LET'S GO TO ANGELA,
WHO'S STANDING BY WITH THE
FISHERMAN RIGHT NOW.
>> JESSE, CONGRATULATIONS ON
FINISHING THE COURSE.
LITTLE BOBBLE ON THE BUNGEE
BRIDGE.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE
CLUMSINESS ON MY PART.
WHEN I STEPPED ON THE SECOND
BRIDGE THERE, I DIDN'T COME UP
FAR ENOUGH.
I WENT BACK A LITTLE BIT, MY TOE
GOT CAUGHT UNDER.
>> YOU FINISHED THE COURSE WITH
A LOT OF FLAIR, AND MAKING A
STATEMENT, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU.
>> THE FISHERMAN JESSE
VILLARREAL HAS REELED IN A
SECOND-PLACE FINISH FOR NOW.
6'5" DANNY JOHNSON RIGHT BEHIND
HIM IN THIRD, BUT THERE ARE MANY
MORE ATHLETES STILL TO COME, ALL
WITH THEIR SIGHTS SET ON A TRIP
TO LAS VEGAS.
TONIGHT WE'RE CUTTING A FIELD OF
30 QUALIFIERS DOWN TO JUST THE
15 FASTEST IN THE NORTHEAST
REGIONAL FINALS.
WHILE YOU WERE AWAY, SOME WERE
STOPPED AT THE WARPED WALL...
[crowd "ohs"]
AND THE REST WERE STOPPED BY THE
SALMON LADDER.
[crowd "ohs"]
WE STILL ONLY HAVE TWO FINISHERS
ON OUR LEADERBOARD: STUNTMAN
LUIS MOCO FROM OUTSIDE BOSTON,
AND FISHERMAN JESSE VILLARREAL
FROM MAINE.
AND OUR RESIDENT SUPERHERO JAMIE
RAHN DROPS TO 10th.
YOU KNOW HE DOESN'T WANT TO FALL
ANY FARTHER.
AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
STANDINGS, IT'S THE BULLMANIA
FAN JOHN STRZEPEK IN 15th PLACE.
THERE'S MICHAEL NEEDHAM, THE
GOLF COURSE LANDSCAPER FROM NEW
JERSEY, WHO'S RUNNING LATER.
>> HE'S DEDICATING HIS RUN TO
HIS BROTHER WHO'S SERVING IN
AFGHANISTAN.
>> HERE'S ANOTHER INSPIRATIONAL
STORY.
HE'S A 22-YEAR-OLD GYM OWNER
FROM MOUNT LAUREL, NEW JERSEY.
IT'S CHRIS WILCZEWSKI.
WHAT A YEAR IT'S BEEN FOR CHRIS,
AS HE BECAME A FIRST-TIME
BUSINESS OWNER, OPENING THE
DOORS TO THE WARRIOR LAB GYM IN
HAINESPORT, NEW JERSEY.
>> NICE.
>> BUT LIFE HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN
SO EASY FOR CHRIS.
>> WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, I HAD
A MAJOR DRINKING ISSUE.
I PRETTY MUCH...
IT WAS REALLY BAD.
I WAS PRETTY MUCH DRINKING,
LIKE, FIVE 40s A NIGHT, EVERY
NIGHT.
I'D BE DRINKING BY MYSELF.
I JUST REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A
SENSE OF PURPOSE.
>> BUT CHRIS FOUND THE SUPPORT
HE NEEDED AMONG NEW FRIENDS AT
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
>> IT SOUNDS KIND OF RIDICULOUS
TO SAY THAT SOMETHING AS SIMPLE
AS A TV SHOW COULD REALLY CHANGE
SOMEONE'S LIFE, BUT FOR ME
THAT'S REALLY WHAT HAPPENED.
I REALLY FELT THAT I BONDED WITH
ALL THE GUYS ON THE SHOW.
THEY ALL KINDA HELPED ME TO SEE
THE LIGHT, AND TO STEP AWAY FROM
THAT.
PERSONALLY, SINCE I'VE STOPPED
DRINKING, I'VE BEEN ATTENDING
SCHOOL FULL TIME, I HAVE A
BEAUTIFUL GIRLFRIEND NOW, I HAVE
ANOTHER FAMILY AT THE PARKOUR
GYM THAT I OWN.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH LIKE A DREAM
NOW.
>> LAST YEAR, HE WAS SO CLOSE TO
MAKING IT TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA,
ONE OF THE LAST ATHLETES
ELIMINATED, AND THAT IS DRIVING
HIM TONIGHT.
HERE HE GOES.
WOW, FLIES THROUGH THE QUAD
STEPS.
>> SO LIGHT.
CLEARLY, SO MUCH EXPERIENCE
THROUGH THE QUAD STEPS.
>> GREAT JOB IN THE LOG GRIP.
NOW ON TO THE BUNGEE BRIDGE.
A SIMPLE OBSTACLE, BUT IT CAN
TRIP PEOPLE UP.
>> HE'S CERTAINLY SEEN ALL...
>> UH-OH!
>> THE PROBLEMS THAT OTHER
PEOPLE HAVE HAD ON THE BUNGEE
BRIDGE.
I LIKE IT.
CREATIVE USE OF THE SHIRT.
>> TAKES THE SHIRT OFF TO DRY
THE SHOES.
>> WELL, IT'S A SMART MOVE.
HE'S SEEN THE MISTAKES THAT
PEOPLE HAVE MADE, AND HE'S
LEARNED FROM THEM.
WET SHOES CAN SPELL DISASTER ON
THE TRAMPOLINE, BUT NOT FOR HIM.
>> AND RIGHT UP ONTO THE JUMP
HANG, UP AND OVER THE NET.
>> YOU KNOW, IN ADDITION TO HIS
PARKOUR TRAINING, CHRIS ALSO
PRACTICES YOGA, WHICH IS
DEFINITELY HELPING HIM GET
THROUGH THIS COURSE RIGHT NOW,
NOT JUST PHYSICALLY, BUT
MENTALLY AS WELL.
>> AND LOOK AT HIM, HE'S TESTING
OUT THAT SECOND TRAMPOLINE.
SO MANY HAVE FALLEN HERE
TONIGHT.
>> NICE ONTO THE JUMPING BARS.
YOU HEAR THE CROWD BEHIND CHRIS.
MANY OF HIS STUDENTS THAT HE
TEACHES PARKOUR TO AT HIS
WARRIOR LAB ARE HERE, AND
THEY'RE PRETTY VOCAL.
>> LET'S GO, CHRIS!
>> AND A NICE EFFORT OFF THE
BARS.
I GOTTA SAY, JONNY, HE DOESN'T
LOOK WINDED ONE BIT, AS HE'S NOW
GOING THROUGH THE WALL LIFT.
>> MATT, SOME OF THE COMPETITORS
ARE JUST TRYING TO COMPLETE THIS
COURSE, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE
TOP GUYS, SO HE IS NOT ONLY
TRYING TO FINISH, HE'S TRYING TO
SEND A MESSAGE WITH HIS TIME.
>> AND A GREAT RUN UP THE WARPED
WALL.
HE'S PROVING, OBSTACLE AFTER
OBSTACLE, WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH
TREMENDOUS WILLPOWER.
AND ON TO THE SALMON LADDER.
[crowd cheers]
>> WELL, HE TRAINS ON THIS
OBSTACLE ALL THE TIME.
THERE'S ONE IN HIS GYM, AND HE
IS SHOWING IT HERE.
[crowd cheers]
>> WOW.
AND RIGHT UP ON TO CYCLE ROAD.
>> SO KEY TO CARRY THE MOMENTUM
AND KEEP SWINGING BACK AND
FORTH.
GRIP STRENGTH, SUCH AN IMPORTANT
PART.
>> LOOK AT HIS FOCUS.
CHRIS WILCZEWSKI SAYS HE GETS
NERVOUS IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP
TO THE RUN, BUT AT THIS POINT,
HAS TO BE FEELING A GREAT SENSE
OF RELIEF, AFTER PUTTING
TOGETHER A FLAWLESS RUN, MAKING
THE FINAL CLIMB NOW.
>> WELL, AS AN ATHLETE, ONE OF
THE GREATEST FEELINGS IS KNOWING
YOU PERFORMED AT YOUR BEST,
HAVING ALL YOUR PREPARATION PAY
OFF, BEATING THE COURSE.
THAT'S WHAT THIS MOMENT IS FOR
CHRIS.
[buzzer sounds]
>> WELL, HE HAS DONE IT!
CHRIS WILCZEWSKI HAS FINALLY
EARNED HIS TRIP TO MOUNT
MIDORIYAMA.
POINTS HIS FINGERS TO THE SKY.
WHAT A MIX OF EMOTIONS HE MUST
BE FEELING.
>> FANTASTIC.
>> IT WAS A SMOOTH RUN, IT WAS A
SMART RUN.
I REALLY LOOKED AT HIM TO BE ONE
OF THE CONTENDERS TO BE THE
FIRST-EVER AMERICAN NINJA
WARRIOR.
>> CHRIS'S RUN PUTS HIM IN
SECOND PLACE BEHIND THE
PORTUGUESE POWERHOUSE STUNTMAN
LUIS MOCO, BUT THERE ARE FIVE
MORE ATHLETES LEFT TO RUN, ALL
LOOKING FOR A PLACE AMONG THE
TOP 15, AND A SPOT IN LAS VEGAS.
TONIGHT, JUST 15 ATHLETES WILL
EARN A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, WHERE
THEY WILL TAKE ON THE WORLD'S
MOST DIFFICULT OBSTACLE COURSE,
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
IF ANY AMERICAN CAN CONQUER IT,
HE'LL MAKE HISTORY, AND HE'LL
WIN $1/2 MILLION.
WHILE YOU WERE AWAY, FOUR OTHERS
SOARED, SHOVED, AND SWUNG THEIR
WAY TO THE FINISH LINE,
INCLUDING FORMER PENN STATE
GYMNAST DAN GALICZYNSKI, WHO
VAULTED TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER
IN 2:49.
[crowd cheers]
ON THE LEADERBOARD, GALICZYNSKI
FINISHED A MERE 1/2 SECOND
BEHIND THE LEADER LUIS MOCO, SO
HE TAKES THE NUMBER TWO SPOT
AWAY FROM CHRIS WILCZEWSKI.
HALL AND GRAVES BOTH SLIDE INTO
THE TOP FIVE.
AND WITH ALL THAT MOVEMENT,
CAPTAIN NBC JAMIE RAHN MOVES
INTO THE UNWANTED HOT SEAT AS
OUR 15th-FASTEST COMPETITOR.
AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD PLACE TO
BE, BECAUSE IF ANY OF OUR LAST
THREE ATHLETES COMPLETES THE
JUMPING BARS, THE SUPERHERO WILL
BE ELIMINATED.
NEXT UP, OUT OF FLEMINGTON, NEW
JERSEY, HE'S A GOLF COURSE
LANDSCAPER, 27-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL
NEEDHAM.
>> CAME OUTTA NOWHERE, HONORED
HIS BROTHER WHO'S IN
AFGHANISTAN JUST BY GETTING
THROUGH THE QUALIFYING ROUND,
BUT HE WANTS TO TAKE IT ALL THE
WAY.
>> LAST YEAR, I HAD A WALK-ON
SPOT ON THE SHOW.
I ENDED UP BEING 30th IN LINE,
AND JUST RIGHT PAST THE CUTOFF.
I WAS PRETTY DISAPPOINTED, BUT
IT REALLY MOTIVATED ME TO WANT
TO JUST GET BETTER, AND
STRONGER, AND MORE PREPARED FOR
THE NEXT SEASON.
I DECIDED I WAS GONNA GO HOME
AND BUILD SOME OF THE OBSTACLES.
AND IT'S PAID OFF.
HERE I AM, I'M IN THE BEST SHAPE
OF MY LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS SHOW,
AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TAKE MY SHOT
AT THE COURSE.
>> IN THE QUALIFYING ROUND, THE
5'5" MICHAEL NEEDHAM SHOWED THAT
HIS HEART IS BIGGER THAN HIS
DIMINUTIVE STATURE...
FINISHING OUR COURSE WITH THE
SECOND-FASTEST TIME.
[buzzer sounds]
[crowd cheers]
ALSO BEHIND THIS ADRENALINE
JUNKIE IS HIS FAMILY, EVEN
THOUGH ONE MEMBER IS THOUSANDS
OF MILES FROM HOME.
>> MY BROTHER--HE'S ACTUALLY A
MARINE IN AFGHANISTAN RIGHT NOW.
IT'S TOUGH HAVING MY BROTHER OUT
THERE.
I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HIM.
HE'S BEEN MY TRAINING BUDDY FOR
THE LONGEST TIME.
WE USED TO GO TO CLIFFS NEAR MY
HOUSE AND TRAIN ALL THE TIME.
I THINK ABOUT HIM ALL THE TIME,
BUT I TRY TO KEEP ACTIVE, KEEP
IT OFF MY MIND AS MUCH AS I CAN.
I'D LOVE TO DEDICATE MY
PERFORMANCE TO HIM, AND
HOPEFULLY I CAN PROVE TO HIM
THAT ALL THAT TRAINING HAS PAID
OFF, AND I REALLY HOPE TO MAKE
HIM PROUD.
[cheers and applause]
>> WELL, HIS BROTHER SHOULD BE
PROUD THAT MICHAEL EVEN MADE IT
TO THE REGIONAL FINALS--NOT AN
EASY TASK.
HIS HEIGHT AND HIS STORY HAVE
REALLY ENDEARED HIM TO HIS
FELLOW COMPETITORS AND TO THE
CROWD.
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ATHLETES
OUT HERE.
>> HE'S ALSO A RESILIENT GUY.
HE SAYS HE'S DISLOCATED HIS
SHOULDER 18 TIMES.
>> MICHAEL NEEDHAM, ON THE QUAD
STEPS.
OH, MY GOODNESS!
>> NO!
>> WHAT A MISTAKE.
GOES OUT ON THE FIRST OBSTACLE.
WHAT HAPPENED THERE?
>> WELL, HE TRIED TO GET THROUGH
IT SO FAST, DOING ONE FOOT ON
EACH QUAD STEP, WHEN, IF YOU
LOOK AT THE SITUATION IN
PERSPECTIVE, HE COULD HAVE
REALLY TAKEN HIS TIME TO ENSURE
THAT HE GOT THROUGH THE QUAD
STEPS.
>> REALLY, A MENTAL MISTAKE, AND
WHAT A HORRENDOUS ONE FOR
MICHAEL NEEDHAM.
HE IS DONE.
LET'S GO TO ANGELA WHO'S
STANDING BY WITH HIM RIGHT NOW.
>> MIKE, A STARK CONTRAST FROM
THE QUALIFYING ROUND WHEN YOU
CAME IN SECOND.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> I JUST UNDERESTIMATED THE
QUAD STEPS.
THEY'RE A LITTLE SLICK RIGHT
NOW.
IT'S GETTING A LITTLE DAMP, AND
I PUT MY FOOT ON THE SECOND ONE
AND JUST SLIPPED A LITTLE AND IT
THREW ME OFF JUST ENOUGH TO NOT
REACH THE FOURTH ONE.
>> I KNOW THAT YOUR BROTHER'S
SERVING OUT IN AFGHANISTAN.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO
HIM?
>> OH...BUDDY, I'M GONNA TRAIN
HARD.
THANKS FOR ALL THE TRAINING.
IT REALLY PAID OFF.
I HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE OUT
HERE, AND I'M GONNA STEP IT UP.
I HOPE I MADE YOU PROUD.
>> THANKS, MIKE.
MATT AND JONNY?
>> THANKS, ANGELA.
AND WITH MICHAEL'S STUMBLE,
CAPTAIN NBC JAMIE RAHN REMAINS
IN THE HOT SEAT, STILL WAITING
TO SEE IF HE WILL EARN THE FINAL
SPOT DESTINED FOR VEGAS.
>> WELCOME BACK TO THE NORTHEAST
REGIONAL FINALS OF
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS.
ALL BUT ONE OF THE QUALIFIERS
HAVE TAKEN THEIR SHOT ON THIS
UNFORGIVING REGIONAL FINALS
COURSE.
THE ONLY MAN LEFT, TIMOTHY
SHIEFF.
HIS RUN WILL DETERMINE NOT ONLY
HIS FATE BUT THAT OF THE MAN IN
THE HOT SEAT, JONNY.
>> AND THAT MAN IS CAPTAIN NBC
JAMIE RAHN...
WHO WENT OUT WITH A MAJOR SPLASH
ON THE JUMPING BARS.
>> AND NOW IT'S THE MOMENT THIS
CROWD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR,
THE LAST RUNNER IN THE NORTHEAST
REGIONAL FINALS, 24-YEAR-OLD
TIM "LIVE WIRE" SHIEFF.
BORN IN CONNECTICUT BUT RAISED
IN LONDON, HE IS THE FAVORITE,
THE NUMBER ONE SEED WHO LAID
DOWN THE FASTEST RUN IN
YESTERDAY'S QUALIFYING ON G4,
AND HE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DO
IT AGAIN TONIGHT.
>> I'M TIM "LIVE WIRE" SHIEFF,
AND I'M FROM LONDON, ENGLAND.
I'VE JUST ALWAYS BEEN MYSELF.
I DON'T TRY AND FOLLOW ANY
TREND.
MY BACKGROUND WAS BREAK DANCING,
AND THAT REALLY, AS I GOT INTO
FREE RUNNING, DEVELOPED MY STYLE
WITH UPPER BODY STRENGTH.
PEOPLE SEE MY SIGNATURE MOVE--
IT'S EITHER THE ONE-HANDED
HANDSTAND OR THE WALKING FLAG
WHICH IS WHERE YOU HOLD YOURSELF
HORIZONTALLY ON A BAR AND LIKE
AND WALK UP LIKE INVISIBLE
STAIRS.
♪ ♪
I THINK FREE RUNNING IS ONE OF
THE BEST BACKGROUNDS YOU CAN
HAVE TO CROSS OVER INTO NINJA
WARRIOR BECAUSE IT TEACHES
ADAPTABILITY.
FREE RUNNING IS EVERYTHING,
EVERY ASPECT--JUMPING, CLIMBING,
AND EVERY TIME YOU TRAIN, YOU'RE
LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS TO
CHALLENGE YOU IN A DIFFERENT
WAY.
THE JOY OF WHAT I DO IS THAT
I'M DOING THINGS...MOST PEOPLE
WOULD BE SCARED WHEN THEY'RE
STILL IN THAT POSITION, AND I
JUST FEEL RELAXED AND READY TO
GO.
AND I'M HOPING I HAVE THE SAME
FEELING AT NINJA WARRIOR.
THE INSPIRING THING TO ME TO
KEEP GOING IS JUST LIKE LIFE
IS SO FUN WHEN YOU JUST GO WITH
THE MOMENT.
[cheers and applause]
>> WELL, TIM JUST SAW MICHAEL
NEEDHAM MISSTEP ON THE QUAD
STEPS.
THAT COULD SHAKE HIS CONFIDENCE,
MATT.
>> BUT HE ONE-STEPS THROUGH THE
QUAD STEP AFTER NEEDHAM JUST
WENT OUT ON IT.
>> MAN, IT'S A BOLD APPROACH,
BUT I CAN'T DECIDE IF I LIKE THE
GUTS OR IF IT MAKES ME NERVOUS.
>> TIM SHIEFF, NEVER ONE TO PLAY
IT SAFE.
OH, MY GOODNESS!
DOWN ON THE BUNGEE BRIDGE, BUT A
GREAT SAVE THERE BY LIVE WIRE.
>> MAN, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING
TO BE AN ALL-OR-NOTHING RUN.
ANY OF THESE OBSTACLES COULD GO
EITHER WAY!
>> WHOA. NOT A GREAT JUMP
THERE.
>> HE DOVE STRAIGHT OUT.
WHAT YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR
THERE IS A NICE VERTICAL
TRAJECTORY.
>> WELL, HE'LL HAVE ANOTHER
CHANCE ON THE TRAMPOLINE,
BECAUSE HE'S COMING UP TO THE
JUMPING BARS...WHICH HE MUST
COMPLETE IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE
OUR SUPERHERO IN THE HOT SEAT,
JAMIE RAHN AND MOVE ON TO THE
LAS VEGAS FINALS.
>> OH! HE BOOSTED THIS TIME TO
THE JUMPING BARS.
AND LOOK AT THE POWER HE IS
CREATING LAUNCHING BETWEEN THE
BARS.
OH! AND HE SKIPS THE LAST BAR!
AWESOME!
>> AND HE'S DONE IT!
TIM SHIEFF IS GOING TO MOUNT
MIDORIYAMA, BUT THAT MEANS
CAPTAIN NBC JAMIE RAHN JUST GOT
KNOCKED OUT OF THE COMPETITION.
>> LIVE WIRE ELECTRIFYING THIS
CROWD.
BUT MAN, OH, MAN, HE HAS HAD
SOME CLOSE CALLS.
BUT NOW HE'S DONE IT, REDEEMED
HIS PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR.
BUT HE'S NOT DONE WITH THIS
COURSE.
>> RIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE
WARPED WALL.
>> BUT THE NEXT OBSTACLE IS THE
SALMON LADDER.
THIS IS THE OBSTACLE HE MOST
FEARS.
NEVER ATTEMPTED IT BEFORE.
>> OH! NO HESITATION.
STRAIGHT OFF THE MINI ***.
TAKING A LOOK AT IT.
YOU CAN HEAR THEM COACHING HIM.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT TIMING.
>> AND LOOK AT THIS!
TIM SHIEFF LOOKS LIKE A VETERAN
ON THE SALMON LADDER.
AND HE'S MOVING RIGHT THROUGH
CYCLE ROW.
>> NOW, HE'S GONE SO QUICKLY
THROUGH THIS COURSE THAT HE
SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY FOREARM
FATIGUE AT ALL.
SO FAR DEFINITELY ONE OF OUR
FASTEST TIMES TO THIS POINT,
EVEN THOUGH HE STUMBLED ***
THE BUNGEE BRIDGE.
>> WELL, LET'S SEE HOW HIS
FITNESS IS.
TIM SHIEFF, THE FASTEST IN
QUALIFYING, IS NOW IN LINE TO BE
THE FASTEST IN THE NORTHEAST
REGIONAL FINALS.
>> 2 MINUTES, 49 SECONDS IS THE
MARK TO BEAT.
>> HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE
SALMON LADDER BUT GOT THROUGH IT
AND NOW ON TO THE CARGO CLIMB.
YOU CAN SEE THE LEADER'S BOX
STANDING, CHEERING HIM ON,
ENVIOUS IN HIS PERFORMANCE BUT
ALSO GLAD THAT THEY WILL BE
MOVING ON WITH HIM.
>> AND HE'S CLOSING IN ON THE
TOP TIME!
>> HE'S GOTTA GET OVER THE
LEDGE.
>> TEN SECONDS--HE'S DONE IT!
TIMOTHY SHIEFF...
HAS THE FASTEST TIME IN THIS
NORTHEAST REGIONAL FINALS.
>> IT WAS A MACHO PERFORMANCE.
I LOVE TO SEE HIM HANDLE THE
PRESSURE OF GOING LAST,
SURVIVING AN EARLY STUMBLE, AND
STILL POSTING THE FASTEST TIME
AGAIN TONIGHT.
>> LET'S GO TO ANGELA WHO'S
STANDING BY WITH LIVE WIRE.
>> TIM, FASTEST TIME GOING INTO
THE REGIONAL FINALS, FASTEST
TIME GOING OUT TO THE FINALS IN
VEGAS WITH A 2.43.55.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> GOTTA MAKE THAT PRIZE MONEY,
BABY.
>> TAKE ME THROUGH YOUR RUN A
LITTLE BIT.
>> I WAS SO AWAKE IN EVERY
MOMENT OF THAT COURSE.
I WAS AWARE AND I THOUGHT DIDN'T
FEEL ANYTHING PHYSICAL UNTIL
THE END, YOU KNOW?
YOU WAIT AND YOU START TO COME
BACK DOWN TO EARTH AND YOU GET
TIRED.
BUT, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE'S GOT
THAT EXTRA ENERGY--IT'S WHETHER
YOU CAN HARNESS IT OR NOT.
>> WELL, IT DEFINITELY PAID OFF
AND YOU DEFINITELY HARNESSED
THAT.
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU.
>> WITH THAT, WE NOW HAVE THE
15 ATHLETES FROM THE NORTHEAST
REGION WHO'VE EARNED THEIR TRIP
TO LAS VEGAS.
>> AT THE TOP, LIVE WIRE TIM
SHIEFF, 6 SECONDS AHEAD OF LUIS
MOCO, OUR VAN BAY STUNTMAN.
A TOTAL OF EIGHT COMPLETED THE
COURSE, SO THE FINAL SEVEN SPOTS
WILL BE FILLED BY THE ATHLETES
WHO GOT THE FARTHEST THE
FASTEST.
>> THESE 15 NOW MOVE ON TO THE
FINALS IN LAS VEGAS TO TAKE ON
THE WORLD'S MOST DIFFICULT
OBSTACLE COURSE--
MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
FOR JONNY MOSELEY AND ANGELA
SUN, I'M MATT ISEMAN.
THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR A
FANTASTIC NIGHT FROM MIAMI.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.