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- LAST YEAR, 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!
all: 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. - OLYMPIAN.
- FIRE FIGHTER. - STUNT WOMAN.
- ALL WITH THE SAME GOAL--
CONQUER THE QUALIFYING COURSES...
[air horn blows] 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.
[all groaning]
THERE WILL BE GLORY,
AND JUST MAYBE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,
THERE WILL BE AN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- WELCOME TO AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR ON NBC.
WE'RE HERE IN THE MILE HIGH CITY,
MY HOMETOWN, DENVER, COLORADO,
WHICH IS HOST TO OUR FOURTH AND FINAL QUALIFYING COURSE,
WHERE 125 ATHLETES WILL ATTEMPT TO GET ONE STEP CLOSER
TO THEIR GOAL OF MAKING IT
TO THE NATIONAL FINALS IN LAS VEGAS
FOR A SHOT AT $1/2 MILLION AND A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY
AS THE FIRST EVER AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
I'M MATT ISEMAN HERE WITH FORMER NFL DEFENSIVE END
AKBAR GBAJA-BIAMILA.
THIS IS THE LAST OF OUR FOUR QUALIFYING CITIES,
AND THIS ONE BRINGS WITH IT AN ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE--
ELEVATION.
- IT'S THE MILE HIGH CITY, MATT.
AND AT THIS ALTITUDE, THE AIR IS SO THIN,
SO THE ATHLETES WHO AREN'T USED TO IT
WILL GET WINDED MORE QUICKLY.
- THEY ARE GOING TO NEED TO CONSERVE ENERGY
BECAUSE ENDURANCE IS SO IMPORTANT
ON A TOUGH COURSE LIKE THIS.
WELL, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OBSTACLES THEY'LL FACE,
LET'S GO DOWN TO OUR CO-HOST, JENN BROWN.
- THANKS, MATT.
NOW OUT OF THE SIX OBSTACLES ON THE QUALIFYING COURSE,
FOUR OF THEM ARE BRAND-NEW TO TONIGHT'S ATHLETES.
IT ALL STARTS RIGHT HERE
AS USUAL WITH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS.
COMPETITORS MUST NAVIGATE FIVE ANGLED PLATFORMS
WITHOUT TOUCHING THE WATER.
ONCE ACROSS, THE ATHLETES MOVE ON TO THE ROLLING LOG,
WHERE THEY MUST USE THE GRIPS TO HOLD ON
AS THE LOG GAINS SPEED ROLLING DOWNHILL.
THEN, THE ROTATING BRIDGE,
WHERE THE COMPETITOR MUST MAKE THEIR WAY ACROSS
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
TO AVOID A FALL ONTO THE MATS BELOW.
AT JUMP HANG KAI, THEY'LL JUMP FROM A MINI ***,
DECIDING TO GRAB ONE OF TWO HANGING CARGO NETS.
FROM THERE, THEY MUST TRAVERSE
ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER SIDE.
THEN THE ATHLETE WILL MOVE ON TO THE GRIP HANG,
WHERE THE COMPETITOR MUST MAKE THEIR WAY
ACROSS A SERIES OF THREE RAILS,
DOING THEIR BEST TO AVOID A FALL
INTO THE WATER BELOW.
FROM THERE, ONLY THE INTIMIDATING 14-FOOT WARPED WALL
STANDS IN THEIR WAY.
GUYS, BACK TO YOU. - THANKS, JENN.
WELL, MORE THAN ANY OF THE OTHER QUALIFYING COURSES,
THIS ONE IS BUILT FOR SPEED.
- YOU'RE RIGHT, MATT.
DENVER IS A HUB FOR INCREDIBLE ATHLETES.
I EXPECT THEM TO SET THE TONE
AS WE ENTER THE CITY FINALS NEXT WEEK.
- FIRST UP TONIGHT,
HOPING TO MAKE IT THROUGH TO THE DENVER FINALS
IS A 34-YEAR-OLD BARTENDER FROM TOPEKA, KANSAS,
CHRISTIAN OKRUHLIK. - I LOVE YOU GUYS!
- HE'S A LONG-TIME AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR VETERAN NOW.
AS AN UNOFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR,
CHRISTIAN IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE MOST
WELL-LIKED GUYS IN THIS COMPETITION.
A LOT OF NINJAS ARE ROOTING FOR HIM TONIGHT.
- THE BARTENDER FROM TOPEKA,
MAKING A SLOW APPROACH HERE THROUGH THE QUINT STEPS.
- NICE! YOU GOT IT, YOU GOT IT. - GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!
- TAKING HIS TIME, TRYING TO AVOID SIMPLE MISTAKES.
NOW LOCKING IN THE GRIP ON THE ROLLING LOG.
LOOKING PRETTY CONFIDENT.
HOLDING ON JUST FINE.
WE SEE A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE
AS HE MOVES TOWARDS THE ROTATING BRIDGE.
- THE ROTATING BRIDGE SPINS 360 DEGREES
IN EITHER DIRECTION,
SO YOU'RE GONNA NEED BOTH GOOD BALANCE AND SPEED
TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.
- OH! OH! [air horn blows]
ALMOST A GREAT SAVE, BUT OKRUHLIK IS OUT
ON THE ROTATING BRIDGE.
- HIS FIRST STEP WAS ON THE HIGH SIDE,
WHICH GOT THE BRIDGE SPINNING.
HIS SECOND STEP WASN'T FAR ENOUGH
TO COUNTER THE ROTATION,
AND HE JUST WASN'T FAST ENOUGH TO OUTRUN IT.
[air horn blows]
- IT GOT ME.
YOU KNOW WHAT, BUT I'LL BE BACK FOR MORE.
THAT'S FOR SURE.
- A DISAPPOINTING RUN FOR THE VETERAN,
BUT UP NEXT LOOKING TO MAKE IT THROUGH
TO THE DENVER FINALS,
IT'S JUSTIN ELTRINGHAM.
- AN AIRMAN IN THE AIR FORCE,
JUSTIN IS KNOWN FOR TWO THINGS--
HIS AGILITY AND HIS HABIT OF DOING FLIPS
ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE HE GOES.
HE'S A LIFETIME FAN OF AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
JUSTIN IS HOPING HIS QUICK FEET
AND INCREDIBLE UPPER BODY STRENGTH
WILL BE JUST WHAT HE NEEDS
TO MAKE IT TO THE NATIONAL FINALS.
- LET'S SEE IF JUSTIN CAN MAKE HIS AIR FORCE COLLEAGUES PROUD
WITH HIS RUN.
HE'S TWO-STEPPING THROUGH THE QUINT STEPS,
LOOKING SURE-FOOTED.
BOUNCES THROUGH THE LAST THREE ON ONE FOOT.
- CHECK THIS OUT.
HE'S PICKING UP CONFIDENCE AS HE'S GOING ALONG.
GOOD GRIP ON THE ROLLING LOG,
AND NO PROBLEM FOR THE AIR MAN.
- LOOKS LIKE HE'S LOOKING A LITTLE INTIMIDATED
BY THE ROTATING BRIDGE-- OH!
- OOH! OH, RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDSECTION!
I MEAN--OH!
THAT--OH, HE'LL FEEL THAT ONE TOMORROW.
HOW HE WILL GET--OH, BOY.
YOU KNOW THE AMOUNT OF PAIN HE MUST BE IN.
- THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST SAVES
I'VE EVER SEEN-- HE HASN'T TOUCHED THE MAT.
- OH! - AND HE GETS THROUGH!
- [laughs] OH!
- JUST A PHENOMENAL SAVE ON THE ROTATING BRIDGE.
[laughs] OH!
A BIG JUMP OFF THE MINI ***--NO!
- AND HE'S UPSIDE DOWN AND HANGING BY HIS FOOT.
- THAT'S TOUGH. HE'S STUCK IN THE WATER.
- WOW, HE LOOKS TO BE IN TROUBLE.
THERE'S A SAFETY CREW NOW COMING TO HELP HIM OUT.
- WELL, HE MADE ONE PHENOMENAL SAVE ON THE SPINNING BRIDGE
BUT COULDN'T DO THE SAME ON THE JUMP HANG KAI.
BUT THE CROWD STILL LOVES HIM.
THAT WAS DETERMINATION.
- [laughs] YEAH, IT WAS DETERMINATION.
- WELL, DESPITE HIS VALIANT EFFORT,
JUSTIN ELTRINGHAM UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE.
UP NEXT, LOOKING TO BE THE FIRST FINISHER OF THE NIGHT,
PROFESSIONAL MMA FIGHTER, JOHN DODSON III.
AT 5'3", 148 POUNDS,
DODSON DOESN'T LOOK LIKE YOUR AVERAGE MMA FIGHTER.
BUT 14 VICTORIES IN THE CAGE
HAVE PROVEN HE'S A LEGIT CONTENDER.
HE MAY BE A CHAMPION NOW,
BUT IT WAS A LONG ROAD TO VICTORY FOR THIS FIGHTER.
- WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I DID GET BULLIED.
I DID GET PICKED ON A LOT.
BEING, LIKE, THE SMALL PERSON, THE UNDERDOG OF COURSE.
EVERYBODY ALWAYS ASSUMES LESS OF YOU,
AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO PROVE THAT I WAS BETTER.
- BUT THAT ALL CHANGED WHEN A MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLING COACH
SAW HIM WORK OUT AND CONVINCED HIM TO GIVE WRESTLING A TRY.
JOHN WAS A NATURAL.
AND AFTER THREE SEASONS
AS AN ALL-STATE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLER,
HE PASSED UP A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
TO PURSUE MMA AS A CAREER.
- PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATED ME BECAUSE I WAS SHORT,
BUT SINCE I WAS ATHLETIC,
THAT MAKES ME AWESOME.
- WELL, IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW HE STACKS UP POUND FOR POUND
WITH OUR COURSE.
IT'S ONE THING TO FIGHT AN OPPONENT
WHO YOU CAN PUNCH,
BUT THIS COURSE-- IT PUNCHES BACK,
AND IT PUNCHES BACK HARD.
- MATT, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
ESPECIALLY WITH THE OBSTACLES
THAT ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAIN FOR,
LIKE THE ROLLING LOG.
- IT'S AMAZING. 5'3", 148 POUNDS.
BUT THIS IS A MAN WHO KNOWS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF.
- OH!
- TOOK A SHOT!
- A LITTLE POINT TO HIS FANS.
I LIKE THAT.
NOW HE'S UP, AND HE'S ON TO THE JUMP HANG KAI.
- THE CARGO NET IS WHERE ENDURANCE COMES INTO PLAY.
IT SEEMS SIMPLE BUT COMPLETELY ROBS YOU OF YOUR ENERGY.
- IT'S JUST AMAZING TO SEE PEOPLE
FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE
FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS COMPETE
ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
WELL, YOU THINK OF FIGHTERS,
YOU EXPECT THEM TO HAVE ENDURANCE.
YOU CERTAINLY EXPECT THEM TO HAVE
UPPER BODY STRENGTH AND GRIP STRENGTH.
BUT THE QUESTION IS, HOW WILL HE FARE ON THE GRIP HANG?
IT'S SO TAXING ON THE UPPER BODY.
- MATT, IT'S NOT JUST CONDITIONING.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT TECHNIQUE.
THERE'S NOTHING IN A MMA GYM THAT CAN REPLICATE
THE DIFFICULTY OF THE GRIP HANG.
DODSON WILL HAVE TO LEARN IT
AND GET IT RIGHT ON THE FIRST TRY.
AND REMEMBER, HE'S ONLY 5'3",
SO HIS WINGSPAN ISN'T THAT LONG.
- AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS JUST ABOUT MAXED OUT.
BUT HE'S NOT DONE YET.
ONE MORE 3-FOOT GAP TO CLEAR
BEFORE MAKING IT TO THE WARPED WALL.
both: OH!
- AND JUST CAN'T HOLD ON.
KNOCKED OUT BY THE GRIP HANG.
- JOHN DODSON HAD A GOOD SWING
BUT TRIED TO SWITCH HIS GRIP MIDAIR
TO GRAB THE INSIDE OF THE OBSTACLE.
- IT DIDN'T WORK, AND HE ENDED UP GETTING A MOUTHFUL
OF THAT H2O.
WELL, THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER KO'D
BY OUR QUALIFYING COURSE.
THREE RUNNERS HAVE GONE DOWN,
BUT THINGS ARE JUST GETTING STARTED HERE IN DENVER.
THESE ATHLETES HAVE DEDICATED ENDLESS HOURS
TO TRAINING FOR THIS DENVER QUALIFYING COURSE.
WHOSE HARD WORK WILL BE REWARDED?
THERE'S NIKA MUCKELROY,
AN ENGINEER FROM HOUSTON WHO LIVES TO COMPETE
WITH THE BOYS.
THERE'S FORMER NFL ALL-PRO LINEBACKER
SHAWNE MERRIMAN, WHO'S TAKEN DOWN
MORE QUARTERBACKS THAN HE CAN COUNT.
- I STILL HAVE THAT COMPETITIVE DRIVE
TO GO OUT THERE AND COMPETE AGAINST PEOPLE
WHO ARE STILL PLAYING ON THAT PROFESSIONAL LEVEL.
- AND THEN IT'S THE BATTLE
BETWEEN THE COLORADO FREE RUNNERS.
IN A CITY WHERE MOUNTAIN SPORTS ARE KING,
THE TRIO OF JAKE SMITH,
AMOS RENDAO, AND BRANDON DOUGLASS
ARE HERE TO MAKE A STATEMENT.
- WE ARE CONSTANTLY PUSHING EACH OTHER.
- I JUST WANT TO BEAT JAKE.
WE'RE DEFINITELY GONNA PUSH EACH OTHER TONIGHT.
- IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT IN THE PAST,
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN, YEAH.
- THE FACE I'M SURE YOU RECOGNIZE,
SHAWNE MERRIMAN, RETIRED NFL PLAYER.
SHAWNE, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO COME OUT HERE
AND COMPETE ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR?
- YOU KNOW WHAT, ALL MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS,
MY COACH, AND MY HIGH SCHOOL COACHES--
I TOLD THEM I WAS DOING THIS. THEY SAID, "YEAH, RIGHT.
YOU'RE NOT GOING OUT THERE AND DOING IT."
I SAID, "LOOK, I'M GOING TO DO IT.
I'M GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME."
AND HOPEFULLY I GET PAST OR GET THROUGH
ALL THE WAY THE WHOLE COURSE, SO--
- WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL GIVE YOU TROUBLE
OUT THERE OUT OF ANYTHING? - I THINK THE GRIP HANG.
I THINK THE GRIP HANG BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE GUYS
ARE 100 POUNDS LESS THAN ME.
SO I LOST A LITTLE BIT OF WEIGHT BEFORE I DID THIS.
I DON'T THINK ENOUGH YET, SO PROBABLY THE GRIP HANG.
- ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
COMPETE OUT THERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
- ALL RIGHT, THANKS A LOT. - GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU.
- THANKS, JENN. HE'S A FORMER TEAMMATE OF MINE.
AND I CAN TELL YOU, IF ANYBODY'S
GONNA PUT THE LIGHTS OUT ON THIS COURSE,
IT'S GONNA BE SHAWNE MERRIMAN.
- AND YOU KNOW WHAT, AKBAR,
HE SAID HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE GRIP HANG,
AND HE SHOULD BE.
BECAUSE EIGHT MORE COMPETITORS TOOK TO THE COURSE,
AND NONE COULD GET PAST THE DREADED OBSTACLE...
[audience ohs]
INCLUDING ROOKIE KYLE FREDERICKSON,
A BANKER FROM ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO,
WHO COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO CASH IN
ON THE GRIP HANG. [air horn blows]
LET'S SEE IF OUR NEXT COMPETITOR
CAN BE THE FIRST TO BEAT THIS FRUSTRATING OBSTACLE.
ON THE STARTING BLOCKS FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS,
26-YEAR-OLD NIKA MUCKELROY.
SHE MAY LOOK LIKE YOUR AVERAGE, EVERYDAY ENGINEER,
BUT DON'T BE FOOLED.
NIKA MUCKELROY IS HERE TO COMPETE.
AS AN AVID ROCK-CLIMBER,
NIKA IS USED TO BEING THE ONLY WOMAN
IN A MAN'S WORLD.
- I JUST REALLY ENJOY DOING THINGS
THAT PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO DO
AND JUST SHOWING THEM THAT I CAN DO IT.
- JUST ASK HER FIANCE AND FELLOW COMPETITOR, CONNOR MOYER.
HE KNOWS NOT TO GET IN NIKA'S WAY
WHEN SHE SETS HER SIGHTS ON SOMETHING.
AND NEXT ON HER LIST OF THINGS TO CONQUER--
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- I'M REALLY EXCITED TO COMPETE
DIRECTLY AGAINST THE GUYS AND DO THE EXACT SAME THINGS
THAT THEY'RE DOING AND SHOW THEM THAT I CAN DO IT TOO.
I HAVE A REALLY GOOD CHANCE
OF BEING THE FIRST WOMAN TO COMPLETE
THE QUALIFYING COURSE.
- AND THERE'S CONNOR ON THE SIDELINES
READY TO ROOT FOR HIS FIANCEE. - COME ON, NIKA!
[beeping]
- NIKA MAKING HER WAY THROUGH THE QUINT STEPS.
REALLY COMMITTING TO EVERY LEAP.
[audience ohs] - OH! HANG ON.
NICE SAVE.
YOU KNOW, SHE FELT HERSELF SLIPPING THERE.
PLANKED OUT. GOOD AWARENESS OF HER UPPER BODY.
NOW ON TO THE ROLLING LOG.
- HOLD TIGHT! - COME ON.
- OOH.
SHE HAD A GOOD GRIP, BUT THAT WAS A HARD LANDING,
AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE ROCKED HER A LITTLE BIT.
- WELL, SHE'S TAKING HER TIME HERE GETTING READY.
- DOWN THE MIDDLE!
- NOW THE KEY HERE IS TO RUN DOWN
THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE. WHOA!
A BIG FIRST STEP,
AND SHE JUST RAN STRAIGHT DOWN THE CENTER.
- WELL, THAT WAS THE RIGHT LINE, AKBAR.
THE ROTATING BRIDGE BARELY BUDGED.
- COME ON.
- NOW THE JUMP HANG KAI WILL BE THE FIRST REAL TEST
OF HER UPPER BODY STR-- OH!
AND SHE GETS THE NEEDED LIFT
ONTO THE CARGO NET.
NOW THAT WAS A ROUGH LANDING, BUT SHE'S ON.
- WELL, SHE'S GOT A SOLID GRIP ON THE NET,
USING BOTH HER HANDS AND HER FEET.
VERY METHODICAL WITH HER MOVEMENTS,
NOT SURPRISING FROM THE METALLURGICAL ENGINEER.
- MATT, SHE LOOKS EXHAUSTED RIGHT NOW.
WITH BEING FROM HOUSTON,
SHE'S NOT USED TO THE HIGH ELEVATION HERE.
AND HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW
THAT'S SHE'S GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY
TO COMPLETE THE GRIP HANG.
- BUT SHE IS A ROCK-CLIMBER, SO SHE'S GOT A GOOD CHANCE.
BUT I GOT TO WONDER IF SHE'S GIVING HERSELF
ENOUGH TIME TO CATCH HER BREATH.
SHE'S GOING RIGHT INTO THIS.
- SHE'S SO WELL-TRAINED.
YOU CAN SEE THAT SHE HAS THE TECHNIQUE DOWN,
ESPECIALLY IMPRESSIVE SINCE HER SHORTER WINGSPAN
LEAVES LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR ON THE GRIP HANG.
- AND SHE MAKES IT ACROSS THE FIRST GAP.
INCREDIBLE!
SOMEHOW FOUND THE ENERGY TO PULL THROUGH.
INCREDIBLY IMPRESSIVE.
[cheers and applause]
- MATT, NIKA MUCKELROY IS USING EVERY BIT
OF AVAILABLE ENERGY SHE HAS LEFT.
ONE MORE TOUGH TRANSITION.
SHE'S DONE IT! - YEAH!
- UNBELIEVABLE!
- WELL, SHE IS POISED TO BECOME THE FIRST WOMAN
IN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR HISTORY
TO COMPLETE THE FIFTH OBSTACLE.
AND SHE'S DONE IT!
SHE HAS COMPLETED THE GRIP HANG.
WE HAVE JUST WITNESSED HISTORY.
WITH THAT, NIKA MUCKELROY IS THE FIRST WOMAN EVER
TO COMPLETE FIVE OBSTACLES IN QUALIFYING
AND REACH THE WARPED WALL.
AND NOW SHE'S GOT THREE CHANCES
TO GET TO THE TOP AND GUARANTEE HERSELF
A TRIP TO THE DENVER FINALS.
- SHE IS TRYING TO BEAT SOME LIFE BACK INTO HER FOREARMS.
SHE REALLY EXPECTS TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THAT WALL.
- OH!
POOR TECHNIQUE AND EXHAUSTION SLOWED HER DOWN
ON HER FIRST ATTEMPT.
NEEDS TO DRIVE HER FEET STRAIGHT DOWN,
KEEP RUNNING,
TILL SHE GETS A HOLD OF THE TOP.
IT'S LIKE SHE'S JUST GIVING UP TOO EARLY.
SO IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS.
HER THIRD AND FINAL ATTEMPT... - COME ON!
- AT BECOMING THE FIRST WOMAN IN HISTORY
TO COMPLETE AN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
QUALIFYING COURSE.
OH! SHE COMES UP SHORT.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, A HISTORY-MAKING RUN IS OVER.
NIKA MUCKELROY, THOUGH WITH A FANTASTIC EFFORT.
- NIKA'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE WOMEN
WE'VE EVER SEEN HERE ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
SHE WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME EVERY OBSTACLE
EXCEPT THE WARPED WALL, CEMENTING HER PLACE IN HISTORY.
HER LEVEL OF EXHAUSTION THOUGH IS NOT UNCOMMON
AT THIS ALTITUDE. [air horn blows]
AND ALTHOUGH SHE'S DISAPPOINTED,
IT WAS STILL AN EXCEPTIONAL RUN.
- NIKA, YOU JUST MADE AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR HISTORY.
THE FIRST WOMAN EVER TO ATTEMPT THE WARPED WALL.
WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AS YOU WERE TRYING IT?
- WELL, I WAS JUST-- I WAS JUST TRYING TO DO IT.
I MEAN, I WASN'T REALLY THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING
EXCEPT GETTING TO THE TOP OF THE WALL.
MY COACH HAS ONE AT HIS GYM, AND WE'VE PRACTICED IT BEFORE.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BUT IT'S BASICALLY SIMILAR.
I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO DO THE COURSE,
AND I'M GLAD I GOT AS FAR AS I DID.
- GREAT JOB OUT THERE. GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU.
- WELL, A HISTORY-MAKING RUN BY NIKA,
BUT WE HAVE YET TO SEE SOMEONE FINISH THE COURSE TONIGHT.
WE'RE HOPING TO CHANGE THAT.
35-YEAR-OLD MOUNT MIDORIYAMA VETERAN BRIAN ARNOLD
NOW TAKES THE COURSE.
A COMPETITIVE ROCK-CLIMBER,
BRIAN HAS BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS
TO TAKE ON THIS COURSE.
- IF I'M STRESSED OUT, I JUST FIND SOMETHING
BIG AND TALL AND BEAUTIFUL.
IN THE END, THE DRAMA IN MY LIFE IS JUST GONE.
- BRIAN BELIEVES THE UNFORGIVING NATURE
OF ROCK-CLIMBING GIVES HIM A COMPETITIVE EDGE.
AND THIS YEAR, BRIAN HAS A LITTLE EXTRA INCENTIVE
TO BE AT HIS BEST.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, HIS STEPKIDS AND EXPECTANT WIFE
WILL BE THERE CHEERING HIM ON.
- IT'S FUN BECAUSE I LIKE TO INCLUDE THEM.
THEY GET ALL EXCITED ABOUT IT.
TO BE THE FIRST AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR,
MAN, IT WOULD BE SO AWESOME.
- COME ON, BRIAN! - COME ON, BRIAN!
- THERE'S HIS FAMILY NOW.
LET'S HOPE HE CAN GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT.
- YOU KNOW, BRIAN ARNOLD IS ONE OF THOSE GUYS
WHO IS SO UNASSUMING, BUT DON'T SLEEP ON HIM.
HE'S GOT SERIOUS SKILLS TO PAY THE BILLS.
- MAKES THE QUINTUPLE STEPS LOOK EASY.
LAST YEAR, MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO MOUNT MIDORIYAMA.
HE'S INTENT ON MAKING A RETURN TRIP.
THIS GUY DOES LOTS OF FREE CLIMBING WITHOUT ROPES.
THAT'S--THAT'S CRAZY.
- BUT THOSE CLIMBING SKILLS CAN TRANSLATE WELL TO THE COURSE.
- BUT THIS IS A GUY WHO CAN DO THREE ONE-PINKY PULL-UPS.
SO TREMENDOUS FOREARM, TREMENDOUS GRIP STRENGTH.
- REALLY, ONE PINKY? SERIOUSLY?
[cheering] - LOOK AT HIS FAMILY THERE.
THEY'RE LOVING THIS.
LET'S SEE HOW HE DOES ON THE GRIP HANG.
- WELL, IF HE CAN DO ONE-PINKY PULL-UPS,
GETTING THROUGH THE GRIP HANG USING ALL TEN FINGERS
SHOULD BE A BREEZE.
- SO CONFIDENT WITH THE SWING. LOOKS VERY SURE OF HIMSELF.
THE IMMENSE UPPER BODY STRENGTH
OF A ROCK-CLIMBER COMING INTO PLAY ON THESE TRANSITIONS.
- GOOD COMBINATION OF BODY CONTROL
AND GRIP STRENGTH.
WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THE VIEWERS AT HOME
DON'T WALK AWAY WITH A GREATER RESPECT
FOR ROCK-CLIMBERS AS ATHLETES. - COME ON, DAD!
BEAT THE WALL! - YEAH!
- WELL, LET'S SEE HOW HE DOES ON THE WARPED WALL,
ONLY GETS THREE CHANCES TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP.
all: BEAT THE WALL, BEAT THE WALL!
- THE CROWD CHEERING, "BEAT THE WALL."
BRIAN ARNOLD WANTS TO DO JUST THAT.
AND HE'S DONE IT!
RIGHT UP THE WARPED WALL TO BECOME
OUR FIRST FINISHER OF THE NIGHT.
AND LOOK AT HIS WIFE.
SHE'S ABSOLUTELY ELATED WITH HIS SUCCESS.
- BRIAN WAS NOTHING BUT CONFIDENT ON THIS RUN.
HE WAS EFFORTLESS ON THE JUMP HANG KAI.
AND THOUGH HE TOOK HIS TIME ON THE GRIP HANG,
HE NEVER FALTERED FOR A SECOND.
ANOTHER ROCK-CLIMBER PROVING THAT THEIR SKILLS
TRANSLATE DIRECTLY TO AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- WITH THAT SPECTACULAR RUN,
WE FINALLY HAVE OUR FIRST FINISHER,
BRIAN ARNOLD, SHOWING US HOW IT'S DONE.
NOW BRIAN GETTING A HUG FROM HIS WIFE SHAUNA AND STEPKIDS.
THEY'LL BE BACK TO WATCH HIM COMPETE IN THE FINALS.
NEXT ON THE COURSE, SAM SANN.
HE'S A 46-YEAR-OLD HAIR STYLIST OUT OF HOUSTON, TEXAS,
WHO TRULY KNOWS THE MEANING OF THE WORD "SURVIVAL."
SAM'S DRIVE FOR SUCCESS COMES FROM A LIFETIME OF STRUGGLE,
A LIFE THAT STARTED A LONG WAY FROM HIS CURRENT HOME
IN HOUSTON, ALL THE WAY IN CAMBODIA.
- I GREW UP IN PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA.
AFTER I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD,
CAMBODIA BECAME COMMUNIST.
WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE COMMUNISTS TOLD US
TO LEAVE OUR HOME, BUT DO NOT BRING ANY BELONGINGS.
- WHILE LIVING IN THE COMMUNIST CAMPS,
SAM WAS SEPARATED FROM MOST OF HIS FAMILY,
SOME OF WHOM HE'S NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
SAM WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY FEW WHO MADE IT OUT OF CAMBODIA.
NOT ONE TO SQUANDER HIS GOOD FORTUNE,
SAM HAS MADE THE MOST OF HIS LIFE
IN AMERICA,
OPENING BOTH AN OBSTACLE COURSE GYM
AND A HAIR SALON.
DESPITE HIS DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD,
SAM IS PROUD OF HIS ROOTS AND NEVER WANTS TO FORGET
WHERE HE CAME FROM.
- I HAVE A STRONG WORK ETHIC. I HAVE A STRONG MIND.
I HAVE THAT MENTALITY THAT I CANNOT FAIL.
AND SO LIVING IN AMERICA, IT'S MORE LIKE A BLESSING.
IT'S A PRIVILEGE.
I MEAN, I'M ALL CHOKED UP NOW.
[laughs, sniffles]
[cheers and applause]
- WELL, SAM SANN, ONE OF THOSE ATHLETES
WHO TRULY EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S TAKING A CAUTIOUS LINE HERE
THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS,
TAKING HIS TIME AVOIDING A SIMPLE MISTAKE.
- HE IS VERY CALCULATED,
SETTING HIS HANDS ON THE ROLLING LOG.
[cheers and applause]
- OH! PEELS RIGHT OFF TOWARDS THE END.
A ROUGH LANDING.
- HE GOT ROCKED RIGHT THERE.
AND THAT WILL NOT HELP HIS BALANCE ON THE ROTATING BRIDGE.
RIGHT OVER, BUT NOW HE'S LOOKING AT THE JUMP TO THE CARGO NET.
THIS IS WHAT SENT HIM HOME LAST YEAR.
- AND HE MAKES THE JUMP TO THE NET
AND THIS TIME GETS THE GRAB AND HANGS ON.
AND HE'S GOT TO BE HAPPY WITH THAT.
[cheers and applause]
MAKING SHORT WORK OF THE CARGO NET
ON THE JUMP HANG KAI AND RIGHT INTO THE GRIP HANG.
AKBAR, HE LOOKS GASSED AFTER THAT CARGO NET.
HOPE HE'S GOT ENOUGH UPPER BODY STRENGTH FOR THIS OBSTACLE.
- THAT'S A 3-FOOT GAP HE NEEDS TO CLEAR.
HE'S GOT A GOOD SWING.
- OH!
- THAT LEFT HAND OFF,
AND LOOK AT THE STRENGTH IN HIS RIGHT HAND.
WOW.
- THAT WAS A GREAT RECOVERY.
AND THAT SPEAKS TO HIS UPPER BODY STRENGTH
AT 46 YEARS OLD.
- AND THE FACT THAT HE'S ONLY 138 POUNDS.
THAT'S WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STRENGTH,
THE WAY THAT LEFT HAND-- BARELY HOLDING AGAIN!
WHAT IS HE DOING? HE'S GOING ON ONE SIDE.
HE'S CHANGING IT UP.
- OH! AND A HARD FALL! - OH! OH.
- IT MIGHT HAVE TURNED HIS ANKLE THERE.
THIS COULD BE THE END FOR SAM SANN,
AND THAT WOULD BE A SHAME.
DOWN TO THE FINAL OBSTACLE.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S HOLDING THAT LEFT ANKLE.
- WELL, I HOPE HE'S NOT HURTING TOO MUCH
BECAUSE HE'LL ONLY HAVE THREE CHANCES
TO MAKE IT UP THE WARPED WALL.
SAM SANN HAS OVERCOME A LOT IN HIS LIFE,
AND NOW JUST 14 FEET STAND BETWEEN HIM
AND THE DENVER FINALS.
- WELL, WHAT A STORY IT IS INDEED,
JUST TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR.
GOT TO BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMPETITORS.
I LOVE THIS GUY.
LOVE HIS DETERMINATION.
both: OH!
- IT LOOKED LIKE HE HUNG THERE IN SPACE!
GRAVITY DOESN'T APPLY TO SAM SANN!
HE'S DONE IT! LOOK AT THAT!
WOW.
[cheers and applause]
- TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST, BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO.
AND SAM SANN IS TOUGH.
[cheers and applause]
- A FANTASTIC RUN. LET'S GO DOWN TO JENN.
- THANKS, MATT. GREAT JOB, SAM.
YOU MADE IT TO THE TOP, AND YOU'VE OVERCOME SO MUCH
TO BE ABLE TO EVEN BE HERE AND COMPETE,
NOW LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY?
- IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME,
AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
AND I TOLD MYSELF THAT I'M GONNA TRY TO DO THIS ONE DAY.
AND I JUST COMPLETE MY FIRST OBSTACLE COURSE.
- WELL, GREAT JOB.
WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE DENVER FINALS.
- THANK YOU. - GUYS, BACK TO YOU.
- SAM SANN DEFYING THE ODDS TO BECOME
OUR SEVENTH FINISHER OF THE NIGHT.
AND SOME OF OUR STRONGEST COMPETITORS
HAVE YET TO TAKE THE COURSE.
AND NEXT ON THE STARTING BLOCKS FROM AMERICAN FORK, UTAH,
HE'S A 24-YEAR-OLD STUNT MAN, CHRISTOPHER ROMRELL.
- CHRISTOPHER ROMRELL WAS BORN TO BE A STUNT MAN.
RAISED IN THE HEART OF THE UTAH MOUNTAINS,
HIS NEIGHBORHOOD WAS HIS TRAINING GROUND.
COMPLETELY SELF-TAUGHT,
HE TRAINED IN GYMNASTICS AND PARKOUR.
AND NOW HE MAKES HIS LIVING DOING WHAT HE LOVES BEST.
- IT'S JUST A SENSE OF ADVENTURE.
YOU KNOW, IT GOES BACK TO INDIANA JONES MOVIES
AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
- FOR CHRISTOPHER, EVERYTHING IN HIS LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE,
AND AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR IS NO EXCEPTION.
[beeping]
- WOW, THE ROOKIE TAKING A VETERAN'S LINE
STRAIGHT THROUGH THE QUINT STEPS
AND RIGHT INTO THE ROLLING LOG.
- CLEARLY CONFIDENCE IS NOT A PROBLEM
FOR THE 24-YEAR-OLD STUNT MAN.
HARD LANDING, BUT HE'S GOOD.
- AND A GREAT LINE THROUGH THE ROTATING BRIDGE
AND RIGHT INTO THE JUMP HANG KAI.
- HE IS GUNNING FOR THE FASTEST TIME OF THE NIGHT.
- AND HE MIGHT JUST DO IT.
- BUT NOW THE GRIP HANG.
HE'S PUT IN THE TOP TIME SO FAR.
BUT ONE MISTAKE, AND HE'S GOING HOME.
- WELL, NO FEAR FROM THE ROOKIE FROM UTAH.
HE'S GOING STRAIGHT FOR IT.
MAKES THAT FIRST TRANSITION LOOKING SOLID.
- YOU KNOW, USUALLY, I WOULD CAUTION A ROOKIE
TO TAKE IT EASY,
BUT HE MAY MAKE ME EAT MY WORDS,
AS HE IS SHOWING UP OUR VETERANS OUT THERE.
- ONLY THE WARPED WALL REMAINING.
WOW, AND RIGHT UP THE WARPED WALL,
AND ROMRELL HAS DONE IT.
WITH A TIME OF 59:19,
HE HAS THE FASTEST RUN OF THE NIGHT.
CHRIS ROMRELL JUST FLEW THROUGH THIS COURSE
TO BECOME THE LATEST DENVER ATHLETE
TO DOMINATE THE COURSE.
- WELL, HOPING TO CONTINUE THIS STAGGERING STREAK OF SUCCESS
AND ADD THIS COURSE TO HIS LIST OF ATHLETIC CONQUESTS,
IT'S 28-YEAR-OLD FORMER NFL SUPERSTAR SHAWNE MERRIMAN.
EIGHT YEARS IN THE LEAGUE, DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR,
AND THREE-TIME ALL-PRO.
DESPITE HIS SUCCESS,
INJURIES FORCED SHAWNE MERRIMAN TO RETIRE EARLY,
A DECISION WITH WHICH HE'S STILL COMING TO TERMS.
- FOR SOMEONE TO SAY, "HEY, YOU'RE DONE PLAYING FOOTBALL.
YOU'RE DONE DOING THIS, YOU'RE DOING DOING THAT."
I JUST HAVE TO, LIKE, STAY COMPETITIVE.
I CALLED UP SOME OF MY TEAMMATES
THAT I PLAYED WITH, LIKE, "LOOK.
WE GOTTA GO KNOCK THIS WORKOUT OUT BECAUSE I NEED IT."
- SINCE RETIREMENT, SHAWNE HAS BEEN ON A SEARCH
TO FILL THE VOID LEFT BEHIND BY FOOTBALL.
- I'VE BEEN DOING MUAY THAI, BEEN DOING CROSSFIT,
WHICH IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ANY FOOTBALL TRAINING
I'VE BEEN DOING.
I STILL HAVE THAT COMPETITIVE DRIVE
TO GO OUT THERE AND WANT TO COMPETE
AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL PLAYING
ON THAT PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
JUST SO I CAN MENTALLY STAY RIGHT THERE WITH THEM.
- FEELING BETTER THAN HE HAS IN YEARS,
SHAWNE IS READY FOR HIS NEXT CHALLENGE,
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- I LIKE BEING UNDER THAT THRESHOLD
WHERE I GOT TO GO OUT AND PERFORM.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST NO DIFFERENT BEING IN A GAME,
AND IT'S FOURTH QUARTER AND A MINUTE LEFT,
AND THE GUYS NEED ME TO GO OUT AND GET THAT BIG SACK.
GOTTA GO OUT HERE AND PERFORM, AND I GOTTA WIN THIS COURSE
AND LOOK GOOD FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND WATCH ME
AND PUT ON A SHOW.
- WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CALIBER OF ATHLETES,
BUT NONE LIKE SHAWNE MERRIMAN.
- 28 YEARS OLD THOUGH, HIS CAREER CUT SHORT BY INJURIES.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT'LL IMPACT HIM ON THE COURSE?
- HE'S COMING INTO THIS A LOT LIGHTER.
12 POUNDS LIGHTER, 260 POUNDS.
I THINK HE COULD HAVE A CHANCE.
- WELL, 260 POUNDS MAY BE LIGHT FOR HIM,
BUT HE'S HUGE FOR A NINJA.
TAKING HIS TIME ON THE QUINT STEPS USING
BOTH HIS FEET AND HOLDING ON WITH HIS HANDS,
BUT LOOKING SOLID SO FAR.
[cheers and applause]
- MATT, SHAWNE NEEDS TO USE ALL OF HIS AVAILABLE STRENGTH
TO HOLD THAT MASSIVE FRAME ON THE ROLLING LOG.
[chuckles] AND LOOK AT THAT.
THE LOG CAN BARELY ROLL WITH SO MUCH WEIGHT ON IT.
- WELL, HE'S ABLE TO HOLD ON THROUGH THE ROLLING LOG,
AND THAT'S WHERE MASS CAN REALLY BE A PROBLEM.
BUT NOW THE ROTATING BRIDGE.
WE'LL SEE HOW LIGHT HE STILL IS ON HIS FEET.
- WELL, HE'S AN OUTSIDE LINEBACKER,
SO HE KNOWS HOW TO GET TO THE QUARTERBACK.
I BET THAT HE ATTACKS THIS ROTATING BRIDGE
WITH SOME FORCE.
- HE'S ALREADY WINDED.
NOT USED TO BEING AT THIS ALTITUDE.
OH! - OH!
- A LITTLE SLIP THERE, BUT HE'S OKAY.
MERRIMAN WITH A SERIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE.
- THE MINI *** COULD BE AN ISSUE.
IT'S NOT REALLY MEANT FOR A GUY HIS SIZE.
HE NEEDS TO HIT IT JUST RIGHT
TO BOOST HIMSELF UP TO THE CARGO NET.
- OH!
AND MERRIMAN GOES OUT ON THE JUMP HANG KAI.
- I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. SHAWNE MERRIMAN--
IF ANYBODY HAS GOOD DEPTH PERCEPTION,
IT'S THE SACK MASTER.
- WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OUT
ON THE JUMP HANG KAI.
AKBAR, WHAT WENT WRONG?
- THE MINI *** CAN BE A CHALLENGE
FOR EVEN OUR SEASONED VETERANS,
SO CHARGING INTO THE JUMP HANG KAI
WITHOUT A PRACTICE JUMP WAS A RISKY MOVE FOR A ROOKIE.
HE JUST COULDN'T HOLD ON, AND THIS TIME,
HE ENDED UP GETTING TACKLED.
- WELL, HE IS OUR THIRD NFL PLAYER
TO ATTEMPT THE COURSE THIS YEAR
AND OUR THIRD TO GO OUT IN THE QUALIFYING ROUND.
THE NFL PLAYERS NOT FARING VERY WELL, AKBAR.
LET'S GO DOWN TO JENN BROWN,
WHO'S STANDING BY WITH SHAWNE MERRIMAN.
- SHAWNE, I HAD SUCH HIGH HOPES FOR YOU.
- YOU KNOW WHAT, I WAS CRUISING
THROUGH IT TOO EARLY. - YEAH.
- AND I WAS GOING THROUGH IT, AND I'M, LIKE, JUMPING.
AND I'M LIKE, "DAMN, MY FOOT GOT CAUGHT."
BUT I HAD FUN THOUGH. [air horn blows]
I HAD FUN COMPETING.
I MIGHT COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND DO IT.
- THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO HEAR. I'M GLAD YOU HAD FUN.
WE HAD FUN WATCHING YOU. - APPRECIATE IT. THANKS.
- ALL RIGHT. GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU.
- SO SHAWNE MERRIMAN UNABLE TO ADD THIS COURSE
TO HIS LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
BUT WE HAVE SOME BIG NAMES STILL TO COME.
- YEAH, AN UNBELIEVABLE NIGHT ALL AROUND, MATT.
AND TO THINK, THREE OF THE STRONGEST DENVER RUNNERS
HAVE YET TO TAKE ON THE COURSE.
- THAT'S RIGHT, AKBAR.
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH IS FINALLY HERE.
LAST NIGHT, THE ROCK-CLIMBERS REIGNED SUPREME.
BUT NOW, IT'S THE FREE RUNNERS' TURN
TO SHOW THAT THEY CAN STILL COMPETE.
STEPPING UP TO THE STARTING BLOCKS
IS THE FIRST OF THREE LOCAL FREE RUNNING LEGENDS,
25-YEAR-OLD JAKE SMITH.
LONG BEFORE MOST OF THE WORLD EVEN KNEW
WHAT FREE RUNNING WAS,
DENVER WAS A HOTBED FOR UP-AND-COMING TALENT.
AND JAKE SMITH HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING.
ALONG WITH FELLOW COMPETITORS
BRANDON DOUGLASS AND AMOS RENDAO,
JAKE PUT COLORADO ON THE FREE RUNNING MAP.
- BRANDON IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE,
AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY PUSHING EACH OTHER.
I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD BE AN INJUSTICE
NOT TO INCLUDE AMOS, 'CAUSE BETWEEN THE THREE OF US,
THAT'S LIKE THE COMPLETE RIVALRY.
- THESE THREE ATHLETES ARE CONSTANTLY FORCING
EACH OTHER TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SPORT,
AND NOW THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR RIVALRY
TO AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.
- IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO A COUPLE SECONDS
BETWEEN ME, HIM, AND AMOS, ACTUALLY.
EACH ONE OF US IS, LIKE, LOOKING OVER OUR SHOULDER
AT THE OTHER ONE LIKE,
"GOSH, MAN. I HAVE TO BEAT THOSE TWO THIS YEAR."
- WELL, ALL THREE OF THESE GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE ATHLETES.
I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY BRING HERE TONIGHT.
THERE'S BRANDON DOUGLASS WATCHING HIS BUDDY NOW.
[beeping]
WOW, AND JAKE WASTING NO TIME.
- BOY, A FAST GET-OFF. - OH, YEAH!
RIGHT INTO THE ROLLING LOG.
JAKE SMITH IS HERE TO PROVE HIMSELF,
AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO JUST FINISH.
HE WANTS TO LAY DOWN A TIME NO ONE CAN TOUCH.
- HE'S ALMOST DONE WITH THE JUMP HANG KAI, MATT.
HE'S NOT SLOWING DOWN. THIS GUY IS ON FIRE!
- AGAIN THOUGH, A SINGLE MISTAKE CAN SEND YOU HOME.
[cheers and applause]
BUT JAKE SMITH IS SO CONFIDENT.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE TEAR
THROUGH THE COURSE LIKE THIS TONIGHT.
- MATT, I THINK HE'S ON PACE TO HAVE
THE FASTEST TIME OF THE NIGHT.
- OH. - AND HE MISSES IT.
NOW JAKE SMITH WENT OUT
ON THE WARPED WALL LAST YEAR IN LAS VEGAS.
SO THIS IS NOT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.
- AND THERE IT IS. - RIGHT THERE.
YOU KNOW, MATT, JAKE JUST LAID DOWN THE GAUNTLET,
POSTING AN IMPRESSIVE TIME FOR HIS FRIENDS TO BEAT.
AND EVEN WITH THE ONE MISS ON THE WARPED WALL,
HE STILL TOOK THE FASTEST TIME OF THE NIGHT.
- ON THE STARTING BLOCK RIGHT NOW,
THE SECOND OF THE THREE AMIGOS,
30-YEAR-OLD AMOS RENDAO.
AMOS ALWAYS SO ENTERTAINING TO WATCH.
MAYBE BEING IN FRONT OF A HOMETOWN CROWD TONIGHT
WILL GIVE HIM THE EDGE HE NEEDS THIS YEAR
TO MAKE IT FARTHER IN THE COMPETITION.
- DEFINITELY ONE OF THE MORE ECCENTRIC COMPETITORS,
AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO STYLE.
I MEAN, WHAT IS HE WEARING?
- WELL, DEFINITELY NOT ONE TO FOLLOW TRENDS.
THAT'S FOR SURE.
WOW. AND THAT'S AS GOOD AS I'VE SEEN ANYONE GO--
- OH! HE'S JUST WENT STRAIGHT FORWARD ON THE ROLLING LOG!
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
- NOT SLOWING DOWN FOR A SECOND.
AMOS IS REALLY LEAVING IT ALL OUT ON THE COURSE.
- SUPERMAN HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING.
WELL, HE IS PUTTING JAKE SMITH ON NOTICE THERE.
NECK AND NECK, BUT HE STILL NEEDS TO CLOSE IT OUT.
- WOW, HE'S STILL A COUPLE INCHES AWAY,
BUT GOING FOR THAT TRANSITION,
THAT LEFT HAND BARELY MADE IT.
- YEAH, HE KEEPS IT LIGHT WITH HIS STYLE,
BUT HE IS ALL BUSINESS WHEN IT COMES
TO BEATING JAKE SMITH'S TIME.
- RENDAO, AN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL RUN.
LOOKS LIKE HE MADE UP SOME TIME HERE.
IT'S GONNA COME DOWN TO THE WARPED WALL.
WILL HE BE ABLE TO DO IT IN ONE SHOT?
AND HE DOES!
- OH, IT'S GONNA BE CLOSE.
BUT HE BEATS JAKE SMITH BY LESS THAN A SECOND.
OH, AND HE GOES BACK DOWN THE WARPED WALL
ON A CELEBRATION SLIDE.
- JAKE'S MISS ON THE WARPED WALL
OPENED THE DOOR FOR AMOS TO TAKE THE TOP TIME.
[cheers and applause]
YOU KNOW, MATT, FREE RUNNING IS A STUDY
OF EFFICIENT MOVEMENT.
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT AMOS SHOWED US HERE TONIGHT.
HE DOESN'T WASTE A SINGLE STEP.
WATCH AS HE COMES OUT OF THE ROLLING LOG,
FLOATS ACROSS THE ROTATING BRIDGE,
AND DIVES RIGHT INTO THE JUMP HANG KAI.
NEVER A MOMENT OF DOUBT FOR FAMOUS AMOS
AS HE EASILY MAKES IT THROUGH.
A STUNNING RUN BY AMOS RENDAO.
- WELL, LET'S GO DOWN TO JENN,
WHO'S WITH AMOS RIGHT NOW. - THANKS, MATT.
AMOS, I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE EVER SEEN ANYBODY
MAKE IT TO TOP OF THE WARPED WALL
AND COME BACK DOWN IT.
VERY IMPRESSIVE.
YOU RAN THROUGH THAT COURSE LIKE SOMEONE WAS CHASING YOU.
WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL HEADING IN?
- MOST FUN, FASTEST TIME.
- I CAN HAPPILY SAY THAT THAT IS SO FAR
THE FASTEST TIME, 55 SECONDS. - NO WAY.
- CONGRATULATIONS. HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
- I FEEL PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW. - PRETTY GOOD.
HE'S CALM, COOL, COLLECTED.
WE'LL SEE YOU IN THE DENVER FINALS.
GREAT JOB. GUYS, BACK UP TO YOU. - THANK YOU.
- SO AMOS RENDAO KNOCKING JAKE SMITH
FROM THE TOP SPOT AND DOING IT WITH STYLE.
AND NOW ONE RUNNER STANDS
BETWEEN AMOS AND BRAGGING RIGHTS.
IT'S BRANDON DOUGLASS.
- BRANDON HAS SHOWN US THAT HE CAN DO IT.
LAST YEAR, HE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO STAGE TWO
AT THE NATIONAL FINALS IN LAS VEGAS.
LOOK, HE'LL NEED TO BE NEARLY PERFECT
TO BEAT AMOS RENDAO'S LIGHTNING FAST TIME.
- LOOKS LIKE HE'S NOT JUST TRYING
TO TAKE THE SPEED TITLE AWAY FROM AMOS,
BUT ALSO THE STYLE TITLE.
ARE THOSE LEOPARD PRINT PANTS HE'S WEARING?
- WHAT'S THE POINT IN PERFORMING IF YOU DON'T LOOK GOOD DOING IT?
- BRANDON DOUGLASS ABSOLUTELY SAILING
THROUGH THE QUINTUPLE STEPS,
PUTTING UP A GOOD FIGHT FOR THE TOP TIME.
- THIS DUDE IS NOT SLOWING DOWN.
HE LOOKS LIKE THE ENERGIZER BUNNY.
- OH!
SO GRACEFUL, DOESN'T EVEN SLOW DOWN,
BUT GOES FLYING INTO THE JUMP HANG KAI.
JUST AMAZING TO WATCH.
BUT AGAIN, YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE A SILLY MISTAKE.
[cheers and applause]
HE CLEARLY HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE IT
THROUGH TO THE FINALS,
BUT CAN HE HOLD ON TO TAKE DOWN RENDAO?
I GOTTA SAY, BRANDON DOUGLASS,
HE HAS GROWN UP AS A COMPETITOR.
THIS IS THE BEST I'VE SEEN HIM LOOK.
- IF HE CAN MAKE IT UP THE WARPED WALL IN ONE SHOT,
HE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE THE FASTEST RUN.
- AND HE HAS IT!
- AND DID HE GET IT? OH!
- THE FASTEST TIME BELONGS TO BRANDON DOUGLASS!
LOOK AT THAT, MAYBE THOSE ARE CHEETAH PANTS,
'CAUSE THAT MAN WAS FAST THROUGH THE COURSE.
- BRANDON DOUGLASS JUST ANNIHILATED RENDAO'S TIME
WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL RUN.
LOOK AT HIM BETWEEN OBSTACLES.
HE NEVER SLOWS DOWN, NEVER MISSES A STEP.
EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSITIONS ON THE GRIP HANG
LOOK HURRIED, HE MAKES EACH ONE
AND FLIES UP THE WARPED WALL
TO THE FASTEST TIME OF THE QUALIFYING ROUND.
- IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN MOUNTAIN SPORTS
AND FREE RUNNERS, THE FREE RUNNERS PREVAILED
WITH BRANDON DOUGLASS HOLDING THE HONOR OF THE TOP SPOT,
FOLLOWED BY BUDDIES AMOS RENDAO
AND JAKE SMITH IN THE SECOND
AND THIRD SPOTS RESPECTIVELY.
THE MOUNTAIN SPORTS ARE STILL WELL-REPRESENTED THOUGH
WITH ROCK-CLIMBER BRIAN ARNOLD
HOLDING THE 12TH POSITION.
IN THE END, 48 OF THE 125 COMPETITORS
THAT RAN IN THE DENVER QUALIFYING COURSE
MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE,
OFFICIALLY MAKING THESE DENVER ATHLETES
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR HISTORY.
NEXT WEEK KICKS OFF OUR CITY FINALS,
WHERE WE'LL RETURN TO EACH OF OUR QUALIFYING CITIES,
STARTING WITH VENICE, CALIFORNIA,
WITH COURSES THAT ARE EVEN LONGER
AND MORE RELENTLESS.
FOR JENN BROWN AND AKBAR GBAJA-BIAMILA,
I'M MATT ISEMAN.
JOIN US NEXT WEEK SUNDAY NIGHT AT 9:00 ON G4
AND MONDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ON NBC
FOR MORE AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR.