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American Ninja Warrior

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American Ninja Warrior
File:American Ninja Warrior.jpg
GenreDocumentary
Sports Entertainment
Directed byPatrick McManus
Presented byMatt Iseman
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Kristine Leahy
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes90[1]
Production
Executive producersArthur Smith
Kent Weed
Holly M. Wofford
Vittoria Cacciatore
Camera setupMultiple-camera
Running time42-85 minutes
Production companiesA. Smith and Company
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television
Lake Paradise Entertainment
Original release
NetworkG4 (2009–2013);
Esquire Network (2014-present)
NBC (2012–present)
ReleaseDecember 12, 2009 (2009-12-12) –
present
Related
Sasuke

American Ninja Warrior is a sports entertainment competition spin-off of the television series Sasuke, in which competitors try to complete a series of obstacle courses of increasing difficulty called "stages". The series began on December 12, 2009, in Los Angeles, with the top 10 competitors moving on to compete at "Mount Midoriyama"[note 1] in Japan.

American Ninja Warrior succeeded G4's American Ninja Challenge as the qualifying route for Americans to enter Sasuke. Beginning with the fourth season in 2012, regional finalists and wild card competitors competed on a nearly identical Mount Midoriyama course in Las Vegas, Nevada, rather than traveling to Japan to compete on Sasuke.

The seventh season premiered on May 25, 2015 on NBC. As of September 15, 2014, no one has won the grand prize.

Through 6 seasons of the show, no one has advanced past the 3rd of 4 stages in the final round. Fans of the show have only seen brief glimpses of the mysterious final stage rather than a full explanation since no contestants have actually gotten there. Although the number of competitors trying out has increased over time, producers have added more difficult obstacles over the seasons, making the possibility of someone actually winning the grand prize seem even more remote. In order to counter the growing belief among fans that the grand prize is unwinnable,[2] producers twice increased the prize, from $250,000 to $500,000 to $1,000,000.

Season 1 (2009)

The first season of American Ninja Warrior was held in Los Angeles, where hundreds of competitors came to challenge themselves against the course and qualify for a shot at making it to Japan to compete in Sasuke 23 later in the year. The special premiered on December 12, 2009, on G4 TV and was hosted by G4's Blair Herter and Alison Haislip.

Notable competitors included: famed freerunners Levi Meeuwenberg and Brian Orosco, mixed martial artist Jason "Mayhem" Miller, and Hollywood stuntman Rich King.

Finalists

Season 1 (Sasuke 23) finalists
1st Brian Orosco 73* Unstable Bridge (Stage 2)
2nd Levi Meeuwenberg 95* Shin-Cliffhanger (Stage 3)
3rd Travis Furlanic 44 Jumping Spider (Stage 1)
4th Paul Darnell 43 Half-Pipe Attack (Stage 1)
5th Rich King 42 Unstable Bridge (Stage 2)
6th Caine Sinclair 41 Timed Out Rope Ladder (Stage 1)
7th Shane Daniels Timed Out Tarzan Rope (Stage 1)
8th Geoff Iida Warped Wall (Stage 1)
9th Joop Katana Timed Out Slider Jump (Stage 1)
10th Rick Huelga Timed Out Slider Jump (Stage 1)
  • Despite Orosco finishing first overall, Meeuwenberg received a higher number due to his SASUKE experience.

Sasuke 23 (Mount Midoriyama)

Stage 1: only Rich King, Levi Meeuwenberg and Brian Orosco successfully completed this stage. The majority of the American Ninja Warrior competitors ran out of time.

Stage 2: Levi Meeuwenberg was the only American competitor to complete this stage.

Stage 3: Levi Meeuwenberg was the only American competitor to advance to this stage, but he fell on the "Shin-Cliffhanger".

Season 2 (2010)

The second season called American Ninja Warrior 2 began on December 8, 2010 in Venice Beach, California where 300 competitors took on the course. The 15 semi-finalists moved on to the "Ninja Warrior Boot Camp" in the remote California mountains, where they competed in a series of team challenges. Then the final moved on to compete in the season finale of American Ninja Warrior 2 as a part of Sasuke 26 at Mount Midoriyama in Japan.

This season was hosted by Matt Iseman and Jimmy Smith, with G4's Alison Haislip as a sideline reporter.

Notable competitors this year included: professional freerunner Brent Steffensen, former American Gladiator Evan Dollard, and former Survivor contestant Ozzy Lusth.

Finalists

The 15 semi-finalists headed to "Ninja Warrior Boot Camp" where they were broken down into three teams: Red Dragons, White Tigers, and Blue Monkeys. From then on, 5 were eliminated from competition and 10 moved onto Mount Midoriyama in Japan to compete in the season finale of American Ninja Warrior 2 for a chance to win $250,000 and be the first "American Ninja Warrior".

The 10 finalists earned the chance to compete at Sasuke 26 (Ninja Warrior) which aired on January 2, 2011 on G4.

Final 10: In order they received their American flag "colors" (bandannas):

Red Dragons:

Order # Competitor
1 Brent Steffensen
2 Travis Furlanic
3 Paul Kasemir
4 David Campbell

White Tigers:

Order # Competitor
1 Shane Daniels
2 Levi Meeuwenberg

Blue Monkeys:

Order # Competitor
1 Brian Orosco
2 Patrick Cusic
3 Adam Truesdell
4 Evan Dollard

Season finale in Japan

None of the American Ninja Warrior season 2 competitors were able to complete stage 3, but half (5 out of 10) completed stage 1 and progressed onto stage 2, where 4 out of 5 made it onto stage 3.

Stage 1

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/time
1 Adam Laplante * Failed Half-Pipe Attack
2 Patrick Cusic Failed Rolling Escargot
3 Paul Kasemir Completed Time: 129.15
4 Adam Truesdell Failed Giant Swing
5 Evan Dollard Failed Rolling Escargot
6 Brent Steffensen Completed Time: 121.29
7 Travis Furlanic Completed Time: 115.27
8 Shane Daniels Failed Timed Out Final Climb
9 David Campbell Completed Time: 108.49
10 Brian Orosco Completed Time: 109.04

* alternate, replaced Levi Meeuwenberg who broke his wrist during a taping of Jump City: Seattle

Stage 2

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/time
1 Paul Kasemir Completed Time left: 2.57
2 Brent Steffensen Completed Time left: 21.64
3 Travis Furlanic Failed Balance Tank
4 David Campbell Completed Time left: 23.43
5 Brian Orosco Completed Time left: 5.76

Stage 3

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 Paul Kasemir Failed Doorknob Grasper
2 Brent Steffensen Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger
3 David Campbell Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger
4 Brian Orosco Failed Roulette Cylinder

American Ninja Warrior Season 1 and 2: Format changes from Sasuke

The first and second seasons of American Ninja Warrior has a few notable differences from the Japanese ("Sasuke") version. They are:

  • Stage 1: in the American version competitors compete against each other for the 30 fastest times to advance to stage 2, while in Japan competitors are required to complete the course in a designated time limit. Consequently, the American version sets a fixed, predictable number of 30 competitors advancing to stage 2, while in the Japanese version, the number of qualified competitors could technically range from any number between from 0 to 100, making the result highly unpredictable. There's no official limit of competitors for stage 1 stated, whereas in Japan, only 100 competitors can attempt stage 1.
  • Stage 2: in the American version, it is an expanded version of stage 1 (a repeat of Stage 1 with a few additional obstacles at the end), while in Japan, Stage 1 and 2 are entirely different. Again, in the American version, competitors are competing against the course and each other, only 15 competitors with the best times advance to stage 3, whereas in Japan competitors are competing against a rigid time limit.
  • Stage 3: In stage 3, competitors have to complete 4 different tasks with the lowest combined time (consisting of carrying 10 bricks across a beach while being held back by bungee cords, carrying barrels over logs, hopping through tires, etc.). Only the 10 competitors with the lowest times win a trip and a chance to compete at Mount Midoriyama in Japan. As such, there is no "final" stage in the American version.
  • Results: Rather than between 0 and 100 competitors achieving total victory, the top 10 competitors of ANW were sent to compete on Mount Midoriyama in Japan, with the original course restrictions.

Season 3 (2011)

The third season began airing on July 31, 2011 on G4. Tryouts took place in May 2011 at Venice Beach, California. After the tryouts, the top 15 competitors competed in Ninja Warrior Boot Camp with the top 10 moving on to Japan for the finals of the competition as a part of Sasuke 27 and a chance at becoming the first American to conquer the course and win a $500,000 endorsement deal with K-Swiss. No competitors made it beyond stage 3.

The final episode aired on August 22, 2011 as a two-hour primetime special on NBC.[3][4]

This season was once again hosted by Matt Iseman and Jimmy Smith, with Haislip as a sideline reporter.

Notable competitors this year included: Denver Broncos wide receiver Matt Willis, professional freerunners Tim "Livewire" Shieff (2009 World Champion) and Michael "Frosti" Zernow (who competed in Survivor: China and Jump City: Seattle).

Stage 1

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 Brent Steffensen Completed
2 Paul Kasemir Completed
3 David Campbell Completed
4 James McGrath Completed
5 Drew Drechsel Failed Warped Wall
6 Travis Furlanic Completed
7 Travis Rosen Completed
8 David "Flip" Rodriguez Completed
9 Ryan Stratis Completed
10 Jake Smith Completed

Stage 2

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 Brent Steffensen Failed Metal Spin
2 Paul Kasemir Completed
3 David Campbell Completed
4 James McGrath Completed
5 Travis Furlanic Failed Metal Spin
6 Travis Rosen Failed Metal Spin
7 David "Flip" Rodriguez Failed Slider Drop
8 Ryan Stratis Completed
9 Jake Smith Failed Double Salmon Ladder

Stage 3

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 James McGrath Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger
2 Ryan Stratis Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger
3 Paul Kasemir Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger
4 David Campbell Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger

Season 4 (2012)

The fourth season of American Ninja Warrior began airing on May 20, 2012 on both G4 and NBC. There were six regional competitions held in three locations: Venice Beach, CA (Southwest and Northwest), Dallas, TX (Midwest and Midsouth), and Miami, FL (Northeast and Southeast) that determined the 100 competitors to participate in the qualifying rounds. The winner of the ANW Season Four competition receives $500,000 and the coveted "American Ninja Warrior" title. The season finale, held in Las Vegas, NV, was the first time that Mount Midoriyama was held on U.S. soil. Submission videos for American Ninja Warrior Season 4 have been collected since January 25, 2012.[5]

This season was again hosted by Matt Iseman, with a new host, skier Jonny Moseley, and newcomer Angela Sun as the sideline reporter.

Notable competitors this year included: British film actor William Moseley, Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley, stuntman Dan Mast, stuntwoman Luci Romberg, "Roam" (a.k.a. A.J. Amores) and "Chairman Platinum" from MMO video game company Artix Entertainment, freerunners from Jump City: Seattle David "Young Flip" Rodriguez and Drew Drechsel, and Harlem Globetrotters basketball player Bull Bullard.

100 finalists made it out of the regional competitions and were invited to Las Vegas.

Stage 1

Order # Competitor Outcome Obstacle/Result
1 Tom Hutchman (Wild Card) Failed Giant Swing
2 David Money Failed Final Climb
3 Cade Halada Failed Jumping Spider
4 Ronnie Shalvis Sr. (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
5 Michael Pericoloso Failed Half-Pipe Attack
6 Marcus Ramos (Wild Card) Failed Giant Swing
7 Alan Connealy Failed Half-Pipe Attack
8 Ben Wicks (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
9 Michael 'Frosti' Zernow Failed Jumping Spider
10 Nick Kostner Failed Rope Ladder (Time Out)
11 Matt Mings Failed Jumping Spider
12 Andres De La Rosa (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
13 Tremayne Dortch Failed Half-Pipe Attack
14 Paul O'Connor Failed Half-Pipe Attack
15 Ronnie Shalvis Jr. Failed Jumping Spider
16 Nathaniel Aye Failed Giant Swing
17 John Sapsoto Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
18 Gunner Bahn Failed Half-Pipe Attack
19 James Wyatt Failed Half-Pipe Attack
20 Tony Reddick Failed Giant Swing
21 Dylan Curry Failed Jumping Spider
22 Andrew Lowes Failed Spin Bridge
23 Natalie Strasser (Wild Card) Failed Rolling Log
24 Phillip Pirollo Failed Spin Bridge
25 Brian Kretsch Failed Jumping Spider
26 Nathaniel Spencer Completed 00:00.00
27 Niko Bogucki Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
28 Kelvin Antoine (Wild Card) Failed Fell Off Course after Giant Swing
29 Ryan Thompson Failed Half-Pipe Attack
30 Joshua Grant Failed Spin Bridge
31 Bradley Smith Jr. Failed Jumping Spider
32 Ben Snead Completed 00:22.98
33 Selena Laniel Failed Jumping Spider
34 Bob Pondrom Failed Giant Swing
35 Adam Grossman Failed Giant Swing
36 Dan Mast Failed Half-Pipe Attack
37 Will Dodd Completed 00:07.77
38 Ryan Saegert (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
39 Danny Johnson Completed 00:27.69
40 Kevan Reoli Failed Rolling Log
41 Jake Smith Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
42 Brendon Kelly Failed Jumping Spider
43 Patrick Cusic (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
44 Paul Darnell Completed 00:25.02
45 Ryoga Vee (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
46 Scott Robinson Failed Jumping Spider
47 Andrew Wood Failed Step Slider
48 J.B. Douglas Completed 00:12.98
49 Lorin Ball Completed 00:33.13
50 Thomas Hall Failed Spin Bridge
51 Dorian Cedars Failed Rope Ladder (Time Out)
52 Jonathan Morin Failed Jumping Spider
53 Risa Scott (Wild Card) Failed Step Slider
54 Christopher Digangi Failed Jumping Spider
55 Justin Walcker Failed Jumping Spider
56 Josh Lobeck Completed 00:03.92
57 William Brown Failed Jumping Spider
58 Joyce Shahboz (Wild Card) Failed Rolling Log
59 Derek Nakamoto Completed 00:35.80
60 Nickolas Stephen Failed Spin Bridge
61 Jesse Villarreal Failed Spin Bridge
62 Nathan Sausedo Failed Rolling Log
63 Ahmed Toure Completed 00:22.07
64 Sean Morris Failed Spin Bridge
65 Chad Simpson Failed Jumping Spider
66 Michael Silenzi Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
67 Travis Graves Failed Spin Bridge
68 Joshua Horsely Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
69 Sat Khalsa Failed Spin Bridge
70 William 'Bull' Bullard Failed Final Climb (Time Out)
71 Brent Steffensen Completed 00:29.00
72 Arthur Skov Failed Jumping Spider
73 Elet Hall Completed 00:24.00
74 Justin Sweeney Failed Spin Bridge
75 Kevin Klein Failed Jumping Spider
76 Michael Eckert Failed Jumping Spider
77 Remi Bakkar Completed 00:19.02
78 Stephen Volcko Failed Jumping Spider
79 Chris Wilczewski Completed 00:08.74
80 Kyle Cochran Failed Spin Bridge
81 Jaret Salas Failed Warped Wall
82 Jared Woods Failed Half-Pipe Attack
83 Kole Stevens Completed 00:27.67
84 Jack Morgan Failed Giant Swing
85 Dan Galiczynski Failed Jumping Spider
86 Sean Noble Completed 00:16.80
87 Brian Arnold Completed 00:11.84
88 Travis Rosen Completed 00:19.00
89 Jesse La Flair Failed Jumping Spider
90 Andrew Karsen Failed Half-Pipe Attack
91 Luis Moco Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
92 David Campbell Failed Spin Bridge
93 Brandon Douglass Completed 00:16.82
94 Drew Drechsel Completed 00:23.92
95 Evan Dollard Completed 00:11.90
96 Matthew Derouen Failed Step Slider
97 Tim 'Livewire' Shieff Failed Spin Bridge
98 James McGrath Completed 00:18.39
99 Paul Kasemir Completed 00:21.71
100 David Rodriguez Completed 00:18.34

Stage 2

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/Result
1 Nathaniel Spencer Failed Double Salmon Ladder
2 Ben Snead Failed Double Salmon Ladder
3 Will Dodd Failed Double Salmon Ladder
4 Danny Johnson Failed Double Salmon Ladder
5 Paul Darnell Failed Unstable Bridge
6 J.B. Douglas Failed Unstable Bridge
7 Lorin Ball Failed Double Salmon Ladder
8 Josh Lobeck Failed Double Salmon Ladder
9 Derek Nakamoto Failed Metal Spin
10 Ahmed Toure Failed Balance Tank
11 Brent Steffensen Completed 00:00.03
12 Elet Hall Failed Unstable Bridge
13 Remi Bakkar Failed Double Salmon Ladder
14 Chris Wilczewski Failed Slider Drop
15 Kole Stevens Failed Slider Drop
16 Sean Noble Failed Unstable Bridge (Dismount)
17 Brian Arnold Failed Balance Tank
18 Travis Rosen Failed Balance Tank
19 Brandon Douglass Failed Unstable Bridge
20 Drew Drechsel Failed Unstable Bridge (Dismount)
21 Evan Dollard Failed Double Salmon Ladder
22 James McGrath Failed Slider Drop
23 Paul Kasemir Failed Metal Spin
24 David Rodriguez Failed Balance Tank

Stage 3

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/Result
1 Brent Steffensen Failed Hang Climb

Season 5 (2013)

The fifth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on June 30, 2013 on G4 with subsequent shows airing on NBC and G4.[6] Notably, the sideboard advertising along the course listed Esquire Network as the broadcaster as the fifth season was to premiere after G4's transition to Esquire on April 22, 2013. The network switch was eventually delayed to September 23, 2013 and Esquire took over Style Network's channel space instead. Because of this, additional reruns of the season aired on Saturday nights on NBC through the summer, to maintain ratings momentum due to G4's lame duck status, with ANW being their only new program since they wound down all their original programming in January 2013.

Regional competitions were held in the following four locations to determine the 100 competitors to participate in the other stages: Venice Beach, CA; Baltimore, MD; Miami, FL; and Denver, CO. Tryouts for the season began in February 2013,[7] with the last of the regional rounds taking place the following May.[8] The winner of the ANW Season Five competition receives $500,000 and the coveted "American Ninja Warrior" title. Like the previous season, the season finale will be held in Las Vegas, NV, making the U.S. version of Mount Midoriyama its permanent home.

The season is again hosted by Matt Iseman, with two newcomers, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Jenn Brown as the sideline reporter.

Notable competitors this year included: Tennessee Titans safety Jordan Babineaux, freerunners from Jump City: Seattle Brian Orosco, Michael "Frosti" Zernow, David "Flip" Rodriguez, Drew Drechsel, Jake Smith and Brent Steffensen (the first American to complete stage 2). His run ended on stage 3 the "Ultimate Cliffhanger" obstacle, Sasuke (TV series) & ANW veteran David Campbell, stunt-woman Jessie Graff (first woman in ANW history to make it to a regional finals [9]), personal trainer/former American Gladiator "Venom" Beth Horn, world champion freerunner Tim "Livewire" Shieff, Harlem Globetrotter Bull Bullard, "Artix" (a.k.a. Adam Bohn) from the video game studio Artix Entertainment, Olympic Gold Medalist runners Dee Dee Trotter and Lauryn Williams, Olympic Silver Medalist heptathlon athlete Hyleas Fountain, 7th grade English teacher Colby Frontiero, Emergency Room physician Noah Kaufman, MD who reduced another competitor's dislocated shoulder [10] (Alan Connealy,) former National Guardsman & ANW veteran Ryan Stratis, professional MMA fighter Jason Soares, Olympic silver medalist gymnast Terin Humphrey, former professional snowboarder Graham Watanabe, professional UFC MMA fighter and The Ultimate Fighter season 14 winner John Dodson, and former NFL player Shawne Merriman.

This was the first season where females attempted the Warped Wall (obstacle #6) of a course. Nika Muckelroy made it to the Warped Wall in the Denver qualifying course. Jessie Graff fell in the Flying Nunchucks (obstacle #5) during Venice qualifying but advanced in 30th position and reached the Warped Wall of the Venice finals. Both were unable to get up the wall in the 3 attempts given.

Stage 1

Order # Competitor Outcome Obstacle/Result
1 Camilo Brokaw Failed Rope Glider
2 JB Douglas Failed Jumping Spider
3 Marc Namie (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
4 Jason Soares Failed Jumping Spider
5 Erika Schwarz (Wild Card) Failed Timbers
6 TK Klengdong Failed Jumping Spider
7 Adam Grossman Failed Spinning Bridge
8 Jamie Vanacore (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
9 Dan Moschella Failed Jumping Spider
10 Sean Bennett (Wild Card) Failed Timbers
11 Justin Walcker Failed Jumping Spider
12 Tremayne Dortch Failed Jumping Spider
13 Michelle Warnky (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
14 Michael Bernardo (Wild Card) Failed Half Pipe Attack
15 Mike Maitem (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
16 James Eggiman Failed Jumping Spider
17 Ryan Stratis Failed Jumping Spider
18 Colby Frontiero Failed Jumping Spider
19 Leila Noone (Wild Card) Failed Timbers
20 Levi Keller Failed Jumping Spider
21 Brandon Smith Failed Jumping Spider
22 Dustin Rocho Failed Jumping Spider
23 Dan Galiczynski Failed Jumping Spider
24 David Campbell Failed Rope Ladder
25 Jeffrey Tan Failed Jumping Spider
26 Dan Mast Failed Giant Ring
27 Joyce Shahboz (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
28 Jonathan Brown Failed Jumping Spider
29 Will Roberts Failed Jumping Spider
30 Jake Smith Failed Jumping Spider
31 Joseph Rosello Failed Half-Pipe Attack
32 Nika Muckelroy (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
33 James Sclar Failed Jumping Spider
34 David Slovenski Failed Jumping Spider
35 Tony Reddick (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
36 Mia Lazerewicz (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
37 Andrew Lowes Failed Rope Ladder
38 Mario Mendoza Failed Jumping Spider
39 Michael Needham Failed Giant Ring
40 Josh Romeo Failed Spinning Bridge
41 Michael Silenzi Failed Jumping Spider
42 Laura Kisana (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
43 Sam Sann (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
44 Grant David Failed Half Pipe Attack
45 Josh Grant Failed Jumping Spider
46 Briggs Schnieder (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
47 Kelvin Antoine (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
48 Luke Carson Failed Jumping Spider
49 Isaac Caldiero Failed Jumping Spider
50 Lance Pekus Failed Jumping Spider
51 Thomas Hall (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall
52 Jessie Graff (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
53 Kacy Catanzaro (Wild Card) Failed Giant Ring
54 Brian Wilczewski Failed Timbers
55 Tim Shieff Failed Jumping Spider
56 Sean Morris (Wild Card) Failed Half Pipe Attack
57 Brian Kretsch Failed Jumping Spider
58 Seth Caskey Failed Rope Ladder
59 Michael Pericoloso Failed Jumping Spider
60 John Walker Failed Jumping Spider
61 Caleb Garnham Failed Warped Wall
62 Graham Watanabe (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall
63 Jason Williams (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
64 David Rodriguez Failed Jumping Spider
65 Stephen Pullen (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
66 Vincent Gorby (Wild Card) Failed Spinning Bridge
67 Michael "Frosti" Zernow Failed Spinning Bridge
68 Luis Moco Failed Rope Ladder
69 Dorian Cedars Cleared
70 Travis Brewer (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
71 Trevor Vaughn Cleared
72 Paul O' Connor Failed Jumping Spider
73 Ryan Thompson Failed Jumping Spider
74 Andrew Karsen Failed Warped Wall
75 Jesse Villarreal Cleared
76 Stephen Volcko Cleared
77 Chris Wilczewski Cleared
78 Brian Orosco Cleared
79 Derek Nakamoto Cleared

Stage 1 Clears

1 Elet Hall (Wild Card) Cleared 00:39.25
2 Lorin Ball Cleared 00:38.62
3 James McGrath Cleared 00:38.47
4 Joe Moravsky Cleared 00:36.23
5 Brent Steffensen (Wild Card) Cleared 00:30.63
6 Jesse La Flair Cleared 00:26.97
7 Josh Cook Cleared 00:26.03
8 Christopher Romrell Cleared 00:24.86
9 William Brown Cleared 00:22.73
10 Paul Kasemir Cleared 00:23.54
11 Drew Drechsel Cleared 00:21.63
12 Jamie Rahn Cleared 00:19.26
13 Casey Finley Cleared 00:18.90
14 Noah Kaufman (Wild Card) Cleared 00:14.10
15 Travis Rosen Cleared 00:13.50
16 Yev Kouchnir Cleared 00.09.67
17 Kyle Sinacori Cleared 00:07.60
18 Andres De La Rosa Cleared 00:07.60
19 Brian Arnold Cleared 00.03.64
20 Travis Weinand Cleared 00:02.30
21 Idoko Abuh Cleared 00:01.98

Stage 2

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 Idoko Abuh Completed 00:28.70
2 Travis Weinand Completed 00:10.13
3 Brian Arnold Completed 00:26.23
4 Andres De La Rosa Failed Metal Spin
5 Kyle Sinacori Failed Double Salmon Ladder
6 Yev Kouchnir Failed Double Salmon Ladder
7 Travis Rosen Completed 00:05.17
8 Dr. Noah Kaufman (Wild Card) Failed Double Salmon Ladder
9 Casey Finley Completed 00:41.38
10 Jamie Rahn Failed Double Salmon Ladder
11 Drew Drechsel Failed Unstable Bridge
12 Paul Kasemir Failed Double Salmon Ladder
13 William Brown Failed Double Salmon Ladder
14 Christopher Romrell Failed Unstable Bridge
15 Josh Cook Failed Double Salmon Ladder
16 Jesse La Flair Failed Double Salmon Ladder
17 Brent Steffensen (Wild Card) Failed Double Salmon Ladder
18 Joe Moravsky Completed 00:17.70
19 James McGrath Completed 00:35.66
20 Lorin Ball Failed Unstable Bridge
21 Elet Hall (Wild Card) Failed Double Salmon Ladder

Stage 3

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 Brian Arnold Failed Flying Bar
2 Travis Rosen Failed Floating Boards
3 James McGrath Failed Floating Boards
4 Joe Moravsky Failed Floating Boards
5 Travis Weinand Failed Doorknob Grasper
6 Casey Finley Failed Roulette Cylinder
7 Idoko Abuh Failed Roulette Cylinder

No one defeated Stage 3, but Brian Arnold fell on the last obstacle, the Flying Bar, making him the farthest-going American on the Mount Midoriyama course since Kane Kosugi reached the final stage on SASUKE 8. He also made it farther than any competitor in American Ninja Warrior history, surpassing Brent Steffensen, who failed on the Hang Climb in Stage 3 the previous season.

Season 6 (2014)

The sixth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on May 25, 2014 on NBC with subsequent shows airing on Monday nights at 9:00pm EST[11] and Tuesday nights at 8:00pm EST on Esquire Network.[12]

Regional competitions were held in the following five locations to determine the 90 competitors to participate in the other stages: Venice Beach, CA, a return to Dallas, TX, new location St. Louis, MO, Miami, FL and Denver, CO. Like the previous season, the winner of the ANW Season Six competition receives $500,000 and the coveted "American Ninja Warrior" title. The season finale will be again held in Las Vegas, NV, the permanent home of the U.S. version of Mount Midoriyama.

The season is again hosted by commentators Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila with Jenn Brown as the sideline reporter.

Highlights

Notable competitors

  • U.S. Olympic luger Kate Hansen
  • 5-time ANW veteran David Campbell
  • The Biggest Loser personal trainer Kim Lyons
  • former Ukraine Olympic gymnasts Vadym Krasnenko and Vadym Kuvakin
  • ANW veteran and stuntman Brian Orosco
  • 3-time ANW veteran Alan "The Beast" Connealy
  • 4-time ANW veteran James "The Beast" McGrath
  • U.S. Olympic Rower Susan Francia
  • former American Gladiator Evan "Rocket" Dollard
  • U.S. Olympic bobsledder Johnny Quinn
  • U.S. Olympic gymnast Jonathan Horton
  • U.S. Olympic gymnast Terin Humphrey
  • 4-time ANW veteran Brent Steffensen
  • professional wrestler Matt Capiccioni
  • 3-time ANW veteran Jamie Rahn (aka "Captain NBC")
  • ANW brothers Chris and Brian Wilczewski
  • 4-time ANW veteran Travis Rosen
  • professional wakeboarder Shaun Murray
  • returning 5-year ANW veteran Brett Sims
  • retired-MLB baseball player Rich Thompson
  • U.S. Olympic luger Preston Griffall
  • 5-time ANW veteran Ryan Stratis
  • 3-time ANW veteran Drew Drechsel
  • 3-time ANW veteran David "Flip" Rodriguez
  • Harlem Globetrotter Bull Bullard
  • professional BMX rider Morgan Wade
  • professional MMA fighter Michelle Waterson
  • U.S. Olympic snowboarder Faye Gulini
  • 4-time ANW veteran Paul Kasemir
  • Brian Arnold, farthest going American in Mt. Midoriyama since Kane Kosugi made it to stage four in SASUKE 8.

Women's success

This season, the women who attempted the Warped Wall (obstacle #6) from last season competed. Three women out of 60 have completed the course. Former NCAA gymnast Kacy Catanzaro made ANW history when she became the first woman to complete the qualifying course, making it up the warped wall on her second try at 5:26.18 at the Dallas qualifiers, ranking her 21 out of 30; this also makes her the first woman to make it up the Warped Wall. Catanzaro became the second woman to attempt the finals course and the first to complete it, which she did with a time of 8:59.53, ranking her 7th out of 15. This made her the first woman to advance to Mount Midoriyama in Las Vegas. She failed to complete the 1st round of the finals, in Las Vegas while attempting the Jumping Spider.

ANW event coordinator Michelle Warnky became the second woman to finish the qualifying course, making it up the Warped Wall on her first try in a faster time (3:08.94) than Catanzaro at the St. Louis qualifiers, ranking her 19th out of 30. She also became the second woman ever to attempt the Salmon Ladder in the finals, coming up just inches short. She did receive a wild-card spot in Las Vegas, but she overshot on her dismount to the landing pad on the Silk Slider.

Rock climbing instructor Meagan Martin became the third woman to finish the course, making it up the Warped Wall on her third and final try at 4:46.29 at the Denver qualifiers, ranking her 22nd out of 30; she also became the first woman in ANW to complete the Devil Steps.[13] However, in the Denver Finals, she came up short and fell at the Spikes into Cargo. She received a wild-card spot in Las Vegas, and became the first woman to complete the Jumping Spider, but ran out of time on the Warped Wall.[14]

In addition, Melanie Hunt and Courtney Venuti both made it to the Warped Wall in Miami Qualifying, but both of them couldn't get up it and advance. Hunt competed the last 2 seasons, going out on the 2nd obstacle both times and Venuti competed in Season 5.

Before Catanzaro, Warnky, and Martin, the only woman to have beaten an American Ninja Warrior or Sasuke stage, trial, or qualifier was former Super Sentai stuntwoman Chie Nishimura (who beat Sasuke Stage 1 in 1998). Not even Kunoichi champions Rie Komiya or Ayako Miyake had managed it.

Other notable accomplishments

Truss builder Stephen France made ANW history when he became the first amputee ever to compete with a prosthetic limb in the qualifying round in Miami. Also ANW Trainer Drew Drechsel sets the second fastest time in any quailifer with 0:44.24 run, only seconds behind Michael "Frosti" Zernow who had the fastest time on season three in the Venice quailifers. At 52 years old, Jon Stewart became the oldest person to complete a Finals Course. Chris and Brian Wilczewski, "The Brothers Wilczewski", became the first brothers ever to make it to Mount Midoriyama together.

Failed veterans

  • Brian Orosco - Competed since Season 1. Failed the qualifying round on the 2nd obstacle on the Spinning Wheel during Venice Qualifying.
  • Brent Steffensen - Competed since Season 2. Failed the qualifying round on the 5th obstacle on the Ring Toss during Dallas Qualifying
  • David "Flip" Rodriguez - Competed since Season 3. Failed the qualifying round on 4th obstacle on the Jump Hang during Miami Qualifying
  • Drew Drechsel - Competed since Season 3. Failed during the 2nd obstacle on the Downhill Pipe Drop during the Miami Finals.
  • Lorin Ball - Competed since Season 2. Failed the Salmon Ladder during the Denver Finals.
  • Jesse La Flair - Competed since Season 4. Disqualified when he touched the Slack Ladder at the end during the Venice Qualifying.
  • Evan "The Rocket" Dollard - Competed since Season 2. Failed Cannonball Alley during the Venice Finals.
  • Idoko Abuh - Competed since Season 5. Disqualified when he touched Dancing Stones during the Miami Finals.
  • Dan Mast - Competed since Season 3. Failed Salmon Ladder during the Venice Finals.
  • James Sclar - Competed since Season 4. Failed Salmon Ladder during the Venice Finals.
  • Michael Bernardo - Competed since Season 2. Failed Bridge of Blades during the St. Louis Qualifier.
  • Travis Weinand - Competed since Season 3. Failed Rolling Escargot during Venice Qualifying.
  • Luis Moco - Competed since Season 2. Failed on the second obstacle the Rolling Log during the St. Louis Qualifying.
  • Brett Sims - Competed since Season 1. Failed the Dancing Stones during the Miami Finals.
  • William Brown - Competed since Season 4. Failed the Dancing Stones during the Miami Finals.
  • Brendan Kelly - Competed since Season 4. Failed the Rope into Cargo Net during the St. Louis Qualifier.
  • Kyle Sinacori - Competed since Season 5. Failed the Quintuple Steps during the Denver Finals.
  • Matthew Laessig - Competed since Season 2. Failed the Ring Toss during the Dallas Finals.
  • David Money - Competed since Season 1. Failed the Monkey Peg during the Venice Finals.
  • Dan "Hotdog" Moschella - Competed since Season 5. Failed the Rope into Cargo Net during the St. Louis Qualifier.

Notable run achievements

  • Robert Ing - First man to complete the qualifying course this season
  • Kacy Catanzaro - First woman to make it up the Warped Wall
  • Michelle Warnky - Second woman to make it up the Warped Wall
  • Drew Drechsel - Second fastest Qualifying Run in history
  • Meagan Martin - Third woman to make it up the Warped Wall, first woman to complete the Jumping Spider.
  • Kevin Bull - First man to defeat Cannonball Alley, a high elimination rate obstacle
  • Kacy Catanzaro - First woman to complete the City Finals and punched her ticket to Mt. Midoryama without being a wildcard
  • Michelle Warnky - Second Woman to reach the Salmon Ladder
  • Joe " The Weatherman " Moravsky - Broke the Rumbling Dice and completed the course with the fastest time of the night
  • Jon Stewart - The oldest man to complete the City Finals

Stage 1

Order # Competitor Outcome Obstacle/Result
1 Karsten Williams Failed Silk Slider
2 Dustin McKinney Failed Jumping Spider
3 Kevin Klein Failed Spinning Bridge
4 Melanie Hunt (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
5 Sam Sann Failed Giant Cycle
6 David Gilbert Failed Silk Slider
7 Connor Moyer Failed Jumping Spider
8 Brian Kretsch Failed Spinning Bridge
9 Luciano Acuna, Jr. Failed Silk Slider
10 Dan Entmacher Failed Silk Slider
11 John Vogt Failed Silk Slider
12 Joel Brady Failed Jumping Spider
13 Tremayne Dortch Failed Jumping Spider
14 Noel Reyes Failed Silk Slider
15 Karson Voiles Failed Jumping Spider
16 Travis Brewer Failed Half-Pipe Attack
17 James McGrath Failed Silk Slider
18 Brandon Pannell Failed Jumping Spider
19 Lance Pekus Failed Jumping Spider
20 Andrew Karsen Failed Silk Slider
21 Stephens Nunnally Failed Jumping Spider
22 Amy Pajcic (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
23 Michelle Warnky (Wild Card) Failed Silk Slider
24 Dustin Rocho Failed Silk Slider
25 Derek Nakamoto Failed Silk Slider
26 Mario Mendoza (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
27 Alex Kane Failed Spinning Bridge
28 Solomon Harvey Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
29 Meagan Martin (Wild Card) Failed Warped Wall (Time Out)
30 Courtney Venuti (Wild Card) Failed Giant Cycle
31 Michael Needham Failed Jumping Spider
32 Robert Ing Failed Spinning Bridge
33 Aaron Himelright Failed Silk Slider
34 Matthew Schumann Failed Jumping Spider
35 Jamie Rahn Failed Jumping Spider
36 Kyle Cochran Failed Half-Pipe Attack
37 Dorian Cedars Failed Silk Slider
38 Alan Conneally Failed Silk Slider
39 Ben Melick Failed Jumping Spider
40 Cass Clawson Failed Rope Ladder (Time Out)
41 Justin Kydd Failed Silk Slider
42 Adam Grossman Failed Jumping Spider
43 Matt Wilder Failed Spinning Bridge
44 Vadym Kuvakin Failed Spinning Bridge
45 David Campbell Failed Silk Slider
46 Daniel Larson-Fine Failed Spinning Bridge
47 Rob Moravsky (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
48 Thaddeus Robeck Failed Silk Slider
49 Kevin Bull Failed Silk Slider
50 Samantha Guthrie (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
51 Jaret Salas Failed Spinning Bridge
52 Todd Bourgeois Failed Jumping Spider
53 Brian Wilczewski Failed Jumping Spider
54 Kavon Sadler (Wild Card) Failed Silk Slider
55 Jon Stewart Failed Silk Slider
56 Kacy Catanzaro Failed Jumping Spider
57 TK Klengdong Failed Jumping Spider
58 Geoffrey Lancaster Failed Jumping Spider
59 Leila Noone (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider
60 Johnathan Morin Failed Jumping Spider
61 Evan Dollard (Wild Card) Failed Silk Slider
62 Idoko Abuh (Wild Card) Failed Jumping Spider

Stage 1 Clears

1 Elet Hall Cleared 00:46.60
2 Lorin Ball (Wild Card) Cleared 00:35.29
3 Paul Kasemir Cleared 00:31.04
4 Joe Moravsky Cleared 00:29.79
5 Ian Dory Cleared 00:23.81
6 Joshua Cook (Wild Card) Cleared 00:23.71
7 Chris Wilczewski Cleared 00:22.26
8 Abel Gonzalez Cleared 00:19.08
9 Jo Jo Bynum Cleared 00:17.85
10 Travis Rosen Cleared 00:17.73
11 Isaac Caldiero Cleared 00:16.58
12 Andrew Lowes Cleared 00:12.26
13 Dan Galiczynski Cleared 00:09.65
14 Ryan Stratis Cleared 00:08.66
15 Dr. Noah Kaufman Cleared 00:07.98
16 Yen Chen Cleared 00:03.60
17 Brian Arnold Cleared 00:01.57
18 J.J. Woods Cleared 00:00.27

Stage 2

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 J.J. Woods Failed Double Salmon Ladder
2 Brian Arnold Failed Unstable Bridge
3 Yen Chen Failed Butterfly Wall
4 Dr. Noah Kaufman Failed Unstable Bridge
5 Dan Galiczynski Failed Unstable Bridge
6 Ryan Stratis Failed Metal Spin
7 Andrew Lowes Failed Metal Spin
8 Isaac Caldiero Failed Double Salmon Ladder
9 Travis Rosen Failed Metal Spin
10 Joseph "Jo Jo" Bynum Failed Unstable Bridge Transition
11 Abel Gonzalez Failed Double Salmon Ladder
12 Chris Wilczewski Failed Metal Spin
13 Joshua Cook (Wild Card) Failed Butterfly Wall
14 Ian Dory Failed Metal Spin
15 Joe Moravsky Completed 00:01:29
16 Paul Kasemir Failed Unstable Bridge
17 Lorin Ball (Wild Card) Failed Double Salmon Ladder
18 Elet Hall Completed 00:13:34

Stage 3

Order # Finalist Outcome Obstacle
1 Elet Hall Failed Floating Boards
2 Joe Moravsky* Failed Hang Climb

Note: * Moravsky was only the third competitor to complete the "Ultimate Cliffhanger".

Season 7 (2015)

NBC has renewed American Ninja Warrior for a 7th season. Season 7 premiered on May 25, 2015.

The new season is again hosted by commentators Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. Kristine Leahy takes over as the new sideline reporter.

Cities

There will be 6 cities plus the Finals to be once again held in Las Vegas.[15]

VENICE:

  • 3/13/15 Regional Qualifying
  • 3/14/15 Regional Final

HOUSTON:

  • 3/28/15 Regional Qualifying
  • 3/29/15 Regional Final

KANSAS CITY, MO:

  • 4/17/15 Regional Qualifying
  • 4/18/15 Regional Final

ORLANDO:

  • 5/10/15 Regional Qualifying
  • 5/11/15 Regional Final

PITTSBURGH:

  • 5/22/15 Regional Qualifying
  • 5/23/15 Regional Final

SAN PEDRO:

  • 6/5/15 Regional Qualifying
  • 6/6/15 Regional Final

Changes

  • The grand prize was moved up to 1 million dollars instead of half of a million dollars.

Failed veterans

  • Kyle Cochran - Competed since Season 4. Failed the qualifying round on the 2nd obstacle on the Mini Silk Slider during Venice Qualifying.
  • Brian Kretsch - Competed since Season 1. Failed the qualifying round on the 5th obstacle on the Hourglass Drop during Venice Qualifying.
  • Rob Moravsky - Competed since Season 6. Failed the qualifying round on the 2nd obstacle on the Mini Silk Slider during Venice Qualifying.
  • Kacy Cantanzaro - Competed since Season 5. Failed the qualifying round on the 4th obstacle on the Cargo Crossing during Houston Qualifying.

Notable Competitors

Venice Beach, California Finalists

Rank # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/Time
1 Kevin Bull Completed 0:56.40
2 Alan Connealy Completed 1:28.32
3 Nicholas Coolridge Completed 1:29.49
4 Alvaro Campos Completed 1:46.32
5 Travis Brewer Completed 2:07.63
6 Grant McCartney Completed 2:35.53
7 Almas Meirmanov Completed 2:36.16
8 Sam Goldstein Failed Hourglass Drop
9 David Campbell Failed Hourglass Drop
10 Michael Skiba Failed Hourglass Drop
11 Jason Tirado Failed Hourglass Drop
12 Dustin Rocho Failed Hourglass Drop
13 Johnnie Ho Failed Hourglass Drop
14 Michael Burkett-Crist Failed Hourglass Drop
15 Heath Burian Failed Hourglass Drop
16 Theo Agu Failed Hourglass Drop
17 Matthew Dodd Failed Hourglass Drop
18 Shane Hernandez Failed Hourglass Drop
19 Travis Weinand Failed Hourglass Drop
20 Azeo Torre Failed Hourglass Drop
21 Guy Catz Failed Hourglass Drop
22 Ben Melick Failed Hourglass Drop
23 Nir Halfon Failed Hourglass Drop
24 Rashad Richardson Failed Hourglass Drop
25 Jackson Meyer Failed Hourglass Drop
26 Paul Mangasarian Failed Hourglass Drop
27 Ryan Robinson Failed Hourglass Drop
28 Jessie Graff Failed Hourglass Drop
29 Everest Ling Failed Hourglass Drop
30 Arnold Hernandez Failed Hourglass Drop

Notes

  • Venice Beach had a record low 7 finishers, the lowest in ANW History
  • Jessie Graff became only the 5th female to advance to the City Finals

Kansas City, Missouri Finalists

Rank # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/Time
1 Lorin Ball Completed 0:58.34
2 Paul Kasemir Completed 1:03.07
3 Zac Eddington Completed 1:17.10
4 Lance Pekus Completed 1:21.69
5 Jake Murray Completed 1:22.37
6 Kevin Hogan Completed 1:23.65
7 TJ Sanderson Completed 1:36.02
8 Dan Yager Completed 1:41.03
9 Josh Cook Completed 1:42.65
10 Alan Adams Completed 1:44.50
11 Isaac Caldiero Completed 1:53.42
12 Dan Banura Completed 1:55.34
13 Brandon Berrett Completed 1:57.56
14 Jason Williams Completed 2:03.56
15 Michael Silenzi Completed 2:06.25
16 Brandon Mears Completed 2:09.27
17 Spenser Mestel Completed 2:09.46
18 James Fenby Completed 2:12.99
19 Brian Beckstrand Completed 2:14.41
20 Dan Polizzi Completed 2:17.88
21 Ethan Swanson Completed 2:17.99
22 Karson Voiles Completed 2:18.28
23 Dave Cavanagh Completed 2:23.64
24 Mike McKenzie Completed 2:25.81
25 Christopher Lance Completed 2:38.49
26 Ian Dory Completed 2:40.23
27 Michael Stanger Completed 2:40.30
28 Dan Holguin Completed 2:44.27
29 Dennis Lappin Completed 2:48.35
30 Tavares Chambliss Completed 2:49.95
31 Brian Arnold Completed 2:51.75
32 Jon Stewart Completed 2:57.01
33 Robert Taylor Completed 2:57.72
34 Lutalo Sephers Completed 3:02.43
35 Brendan Couvreux Completed 3:07.23
36 Noah Kaufman Completed 3:35.61
37 Meagan Martin Completed 4:00.34
38 Gabe Blomgren Completed 4:26.20

Notes

  • Kansas City had 38 finalists, 3rd most in ANW history.
  • Meagan Martin became the first woman to complete a qualifying course in consecutive seasons, as well as the first woman in ANW to complete the Bungee Road.

Houston, Texas Finalists

Rank # Finalist Outcome Obstacle/Time
1 Daniel Gil Completed 1:30.78
2 Brent Steffensen Completed 1:49.96
3 Thomas Stillings Completed 2:20.57
4 Dillon Gates Completed 2:20.87
5 Geoff Lancaster Completed 2:21.59
6 Andrew Lowes Completed 2:36.71
7 Tremayne Dortch Completed 2:51.55
8 Abel Gonzalez Completed 3:03.72
9 Nathan Jasso Completed 3:06.17
10 Ryan McCoy Completed 3:07.16
11 Sam Sann Completed 3:10.43
12 Joe Calderon Completed 3:17.27
13 Jon Horton Completed 3:30.32
14 Tony Matesi Completed 3:40.06
15 Johnathan Parr Completed 4:25.60
16 Jeremy Morgan Failed Swinging Spikes
17 Josh Grant Failed Swinging Spikes
18 Anthony Scott Failed Swinging Spikes
19 Evan Dollard Failed Swinging Spikes
20 Travis Iverson Failed Swinging Spikes
21 Brock Riebe Failed Swinging Spikes
22 Karsten Williams Failed Swinging Spikes
23 Kevin Klein Failed Swinging Spikes
24 Vance Yarter Failed Swinging Spikes
25 Clayton Coufal Failed Swinging Spikes
26 Robert Ing Failed Swinging Spikes
27 Tyler Fisher Failed Swinging Spikes
28 Darren Fagan Failed Swinging Spikes
29 David Yarter Failed Swinging Spikes
30 Christopher Janes Failed Swinging Spikes

Notes

  • Kacy Cantanzaro failed the 4th obstacle and won't be advancing to the City Finals.
  • No Women made it past the 4th obstacle

U.S. Nielsen ratings

Show Episode First air date Rating
(18–49)
Share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
Time slot
rank
Nightly
rank
Weekly
rank
DVR
18-49
DVR
Viewers
(millions)
Total
18-49
Total
Viewers
1 Venice Beach Qualifying May 25, 2015 1.8 6 5.87[16] 1 1 12[17] 0.3 0.707 2.1 6.57[18]
2 Kansas City Qualifying June 1, 2015 2.0 7 6.86[19] 1 1 4[20] TBD TBD TBD TBD
3 Houston Qualifying June 8, 2015 2.1 7 6.99[21] 1 1 6[22] TBD TBD TBD TBD
4 Orlando Qualifying June 22, 2015 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

ANW Specials

USA vs Japan (Las Vegas, January 2014)

During the Season 5 finale of American Ninja Warrior, NBC announced that a special USA vs. Japan matchup would take place, the first-ever team competition in American Ninja Warrior's history.[23] The two-hour special premiered on January 13, 2014 at 8pm EST on NBC and matched five Japanese Sasuke All-Stars and New Stars - heroes of the original Ninja Warrior - against five American stars representing American Ninja Warrior at the American reconstruction of the Mount Midoriyama course in Las Vegas. At stake was the United States vs. Japan championship; also branded as the first world championship for Sasuke/American Ninja Warrior, and a trophy to match. The special featured American Ninja Warrior's regular broadcasting crew: analysts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila along with sideline reporter Jenn Brown.

Rosters

United States (American Ninja Warrior) Japan (Sasuke)
  • Brent Steffensen
    First American to complete Ultimate Cliffhanger
  • Paul Kasemir ("Mr. Consistency")
    4-time Midoriyama veteran
  • James McGrath ("The Beast")
    3-time Midoriyama veteran
  • Travis Rosen ("The Tennessee Trader")
    3-time Midoriyama veteran
  • Brian Arnold
    Top finisher at ANW 5 (Flying Bar)
  • Shingo Yamamoto ("The Godfather")
    All-Star, veteran of every Sasuke season
  • Yuuji Urushihara ("The Grand Champion")
    New Star, two total victories in Sasuke
  • Ryo Matachi ("The Superfan")
    New Star, reached Final Stage once
  • Hitoshi Kanno ("The Muscle")
    New Star, reached Final Stage once
  • Kazuma Asa ("The Speed Demon")
    New Star, Stage 1 world record holder (at the time.)

Scoring

The teams faced off on each stage in turn, with each stage hosting its own round of five one-on-one matches and no competitor allowed to run the same stage twice. The first national team to win three matches out of five earned the point(s) for that stage. Stage One was worth one point, while Stage Two was worth two points and Stage Three was worth three. In the event of a 3-3 tie after the first three stages, the tiebreaker would be a one-off showdown where each country would pick one team member for a race to the top of the Final Stage.

Stage 1

  • This stage was worth one point
Match-up United States Finish Time Japan Finish Time Point
1 James (The Beast) McGrath 1:16.67 Shingo Yamamoto Failed on Warped Wall USA
2 Paul Kasemir 1:24.80 Hitoshi Kanno 1:25.43 USA
3 Brent Steffensen 1:14.53 (new record) Kazuma Asa Failed on Giant Cycle USA

Stage 2

  • This stage was worth two points
Match-up United States Finish Time Japan Finish Time Point
1 Brian Arnold 1:14.63 Ryo Matachi Failed on Double Salmon Ladder USA
2 Travis Rosen Failed on Metal Spin Yuuji Urushihara Failed on Double Salmon Ladder USA
3 James McGrath 1:15.00 Kazuma Asa Failed on Double Salmon Ladder USA

Stage 3

  • This stage was worth three points
Match-up United States Finish Time Japan Finish Time Point
1 Brian Arnold Failed on Flying Bar (3:56.53) Ryo Matachi Failed on Flying Bar (3:55.03) Japan
2 James McGrath Failed on Floating Boards (0:37.53) Yuuji Urushihara Failed on Floating Boards (0:38.54) USA
3 Brent Steffensen Failed on Hang Climb Shingo Yamamoto Failed on Floating Boards USA
4 Paul Kasemir Failed on Flying Bar Hitoshi Kanno Failed on Ultimate Cliffhanger USA

Final Score: United States 6-0 Japan

Winners: American Ninja Warrior Team Champions: United States

USA vs. The World (Las Vegas, September 2014)

During the Season 6 finale, NBC announced that another special entitled USA vs. The World matchup would take place in Las Vegas under a new format. On September 15, Team USA competed against a returning Team Japan, and a new team, Team Europe. This was the "Second Annual International Competition" that pitted top competitors from the United States 'American Ninja Warrior', Japan Ninja Warrior (Sasuke),and also European All Stars. .[24] The three-hour special aired on September 15, 2014 on NBC with an encore to air September 16, 2014 on Esquire. The special once again was hosted by hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila as well as sideline reporter Jenn Brown.

Rosters

Team rosters were revealed late summer 2014.[25]

Team USA Team Japan Team Europe
  • Brian Arnold - 36, Brighton, CO - American athlete who has gone the furthest on the Las Vegas Mt. Midoriyama course.*
  • Elet Hall ("The Natural") - 24, Cavetown, MD - one of only two men to make it to Stage 3 this season.
  • Paul Kasemir ("Mr. Consistency") - 28, Longmont, CO - the M.V.P. of the team that defeated the Japanese last year.
  • Joe Moravsky ("The Weatherman") - 25, Sherman, CT - went further than anyone else this past season.
  • Travis Rosen (The Tennessee Trader") - 40, Franklin, TN - A part of Team USA last year and captain of this year's all-star group.
  • Hitoshi Kanno ("The Muscle") - 29, Kashiwa, Japan Reached Sasuke Final Stage, ten-time Sasuke veteran
  • Kazuma Asa ("The Speed Demon") - 32, Amagasaki, Japan - Stage 1 world record holder
  • Ryo Matachi - 25, Kawasaki, Japan - Reached Sasuke Final Stage
  • Yusuke Morimoto - 22, Tosa, Japan - Sasuke rising star, competing seven times, first competing at age 15
  • Shingo Yamamoto ("The Godfather"), - 40, Tokyo, Japan - Captain of Team Japan and only athlete to compete in all 30 seasons of Sasuke
  • Tim Shieff ("The Livewire") - 26, London, England - Captain of Team Europe, world champion professional free runner, ANW veteran, competing on three seasons.
  • Sean McColl - 27, Chambery, France - Canadian professional World Champion rock climber and current overall climbing champion
  • Stefano Ghisolfi - 21, Turin, Italy - Professional World Cup rock climber, number one ranked Italian climber
  • Miska Sutela - 23, Oulu, Finland - Ninja Warrior superfan, has trained all over the world, including Japan, trained with the Sasuke All-Stars. Built 35 NW obstacles in his parent's backyard to train on.
  • Vadym Kuvakin - 29, Kherson, Ukraine - Former Olympic gymnast, current member of the Cirque du Soleil cast for "La Reve" in Las Vegas

Note: * Kane Kosugi is the American who has gone the furthest on Mt. Midoriyama, reaching the final stage in Japan in Sasuke 8.

Scoring

Similar to the original USA vs. Japan special, teams run multiple heats in each stage, with one competitor from each of the three teams participating in each heat. There are three heats per stage. The team that completes the heat in the fastest time or fails at the furthest obstacle will receive points for that heat. For Stage 1, each heat is worth one point (3 points total), Stage 2 is worth two points per heat (6 total), and Stage 3 is worth 3 points per heat (9 points total). In the event of a tie in points between two or three teams Stage 4 will be used as a tiebreaker with the team climbing the fastest winning it all.

Stage 1

Each heat winner received one point for his team.

Heat United States Finish Time Japan Finish Time Europe Finish Time Point
1 Joe Moravsky 1:12.72 (new record) Shingo Yamamoto Failed - Jumping Spider Vadym Kuvakin Timed Out - Final Climb USA
2 Elet Hall Failed - Silk Slider Hitoshi Kanno Failed - Warped Wall Tim Shieff 1:02.70 (new record) Europe
3 Paul Kasemir 1:17.21 Kazuma Asa Failed - Jumping Spider Miska Sutela Timed Out - Warped Wall USA

Stage 2

Each heat winner received two points for his team.

Heat United States Finish Time Japan Finish Time Europe Finish Time Point
1 Brian Arnold 2:55.57 Yusuke Morimoto Failed - Butterfly Wall Stefano Ghisolfi Failed - Double Salmon Ladder USA
2 Travis Rosen 1:48.00 Ryo Matachi Failed - Rope Jungle Tim Shieff Failed - Metal Spin USA
3 Elet Hall 2:06.32 Hitoshi Kanno Failed - Rope Jungle Sean McColl 1:46.51 Europe

Stage 3

Each heat winner received three points for his team.

Heat United States Finish Time Japan Finish Time Europe Finish Time Point
1 Paul Kasemir Failed - Cannonball Incline Kazuma Asa Failed - Cannonball Incline Vadym Kuvakin Failed - Hang Climb Europe
2 Joe Moravsky Failed - Hang Climb Yusuke Morimoto 5:38.91 Stefano Ghisolfi 4:46.89 Europe
3 Brian Arnold 4:39.90 Ryo Matachi 5:04.67 Sean McColl Failed - Flying Bars USA

Stage 4

Whomever climbs the rope the fastest wins the tiebreaker and the championship trophy for his team.

United States Finish Time Europe Finish Time
Travis Rosen 0.35.77 Sean McColl 0:35.46

Final Score: USA 9, Europe 9, Japan 0

Winners: American Ninja Warrior Team Champions: Europe

Season Highlights

Joe Moravsky beat Brent Steffenson's record (from ANW4) for the fastest time in Stage 1, beating Steffenson's time of 1:14.53 with a time of 1:12.72. However, Tim Shieff beat Moravsky's time in a subsequent heat by finishing in 1:02.70 - the fastest time ever on Stage 1 in ANW history.

Travis Rosen achieved the fastest time by an American on Stage 2 with 1:48.00, but Sean McColl finished with a time of 1:46.51, the fastest of the season. All three Americans (Travis Rosen, Elet Hall, and Brian Arnold completed Stage 2, with Sean McColl also completing it for Team Europe).

Yusuke Morimoto made ANW history by becoming the first athlete to ever finish Stage 3 with a time of 5:38.91. Stefano Ghisolfi also completed Stage 3 in the same heat, beating Morimoto's time finishing in 4:46.89. Ryo Matachi followed by becoming the third athlete to complete Stage 3 with a time of 5:04.67. In the last run of Stage 3, Brian Arnold became the second American athlete to complete the stage (after Kane Kosugi did it in Sasuke 8) with a time of 4:39.90, the fastest time of the four finishers. Arnold's finish moved the USA into a tie with Team Europe, forcing a deciding tiebreak on Stage 4.

For the first time in ANW history, the athletes competed on Stage 4. Travis Rosen was selected as the first competitor on ANW to attempt the final stage and he made it all the way up Mt. Midoriyama's 90-foot tower with a 77-foot rope with a time of 0:35.77. However, Sean McColl beat Rosen's time by 3/10th of a second (0:00.31), winning the competition for Team Europe as they became the World Champions of ANW. Rosen missed on his first attempt at hitting the buzzer at the end of the rope climb.

The Try Guys ANW Online Feature

Ahead of the 2015 season, the Try Guys from BuzzFeed were invited to take on American Ninja Warrior for their popular YouTube series.[26] After a crash course at Tempest Freerunning Academy, where a number of competitors have trained, the team, alongside honorary Try Guy Jordan Shaloub, was invited to try that year's Venice semifinal course in a special untimed relay - each team member would attempt an obstacle and then hand off to a teammate, and the team was also allowed to continue even if it failed an obstacle.

With the regular ANW broadcasting team of Iseman and Gbaja-Biamila providing commentary, the Try Guys failed the Silk Slider and Basket Toss but completed the Quintuple Steps, Tilting Table and also the Warped Wall after two separate members attempted it.

Best American Results

Rank Competitor Stage Obstacle Competition
1 Kane Kosugi Final Failed final obstacle: Rope Climb (about 18m up) Sasuke 8
2 Brian Arnold Third Failed 8th/final obstacle: Flying Bar American Ninja Warrior 5
3 Brent Steffensen Third Failed 6th obstacle: Hang Climb American Ninja Warrior 4
3 Joe Moravsky Third Failed 6th obstacle: Hang Climb American Ninja Warrior 6
4 Travis Schraeder Third Failed 5th/final obstacle: Pipe Slider Sasuke 4
5 Paul Terek Third Failed 4th obstacle: Cliff Hanger Sasuke 17
5 Levi Meeuwenberg Third Failed 4th obstacle: Shin-Cliffhanger Sasuke 20 and Sasuke 23 (ANW 1)
5 Drew Drechsel Third Failed 4th obstacle: Crazy Cliffhanger Sasuke 30
6 Morgan Hamm Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Curtain Cling Sasuke 15
6 David Campbell Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Ultimate Cliffhanger Sasuke 27 (ANW 3)
6 Ryan Stratis Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Ultimate Cliffhanger Sasuke 27 (ANW 3)
6 James McGrath Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Ultimate Cliffhanger Sasuke 27 (ANW 3)
6 Paul Kasemir Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Ultimate Cliffhanger Sasuke 27 (ANW 3)
6 Travis Rosen Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Floating Boards American Ninja Warrior 5
6 Elet Hall Third Failed 3rd obstacle: Floating Boards American Ninja Warrior 6
7 Shane Kosugi Third Failed 2nd obstacle: Body Prop Sasuke 7
7 Brian Orosco Third Failed 2nd obstacle: Doorknob Grasper Sasuke 25
7 Travis Weinand Third Failed 2nd obstacle: Doorknob Grasper American Ninja Warrior 5
8 Casey Finley Third Failed 1st obstacle: Roulette Cylinder American Ninja Warrior 5
8 Idoko Abuh Third Failed 1st obstacle: Roulette Cylinder American Ninja Warrior 5
9 Paul Hamm Second Failed 6th/final obstacle: Wall Lifting Sasuke 14
10 Travis Furlanic Second Failed 5th obstacle: Metal Spin Sasuke 27 (ANW 3)
10 Chris Wilczewski Second Failed 5th obstacle: Metal Spin American Ninja Warrior 6
10 Andres de la Rosa Second Failed 5th obstacle: Metal Spin American Ninja Warrior 5
10 Andrew Lowes Second Failed 5th obstacle: Metal Spin American Ninja Warrior 6
10 Ian Dory Second Failed 5th obstacle: Metal Spin American Ninja Warrior 6
10 Derek Nakamoto Second Failed 5th obstacle: Metal Spin American Ninja Warrior 4

Awards

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The name used on the American show redundantly includes both "Mount" and "Yama," the suffix meaning "mountain" in Japanese.

References

  1. ^ http://epguides.com/AmericanNinjaWarrior/
  2. ^ http://www.salon.com/2015/02/05/mission_impossible_how_american_ninja_warrior_masters_the_art_of_losing/
  3. ^ O'Hare, Kate (2011). "'American Ninja Warrior' storms Japan's Mount Midoriyama". Zap2it. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Hale, Mike (2011). "A 'Ninja Warrior' Upgrade Into Network Prime Time". New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  5. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/24/g4-and-nbc-partner-to-broadcast-new-season-of-american-ninja-warrior/117468/
  6. ^ "American Ninja Warrior". Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  7. ^ Ishimoto, Moye (February 4, 2013). "American Ninja Warrior Tryouts Begin -- Calling All Aspiring Ninjas For Season 5!". G4 Media. The Feed. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  8. ^ "Finals for 'American Ninja Warrior' Denver auditions slated for Monday night". Gannett Company. KUSA (TV). May 20, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  9. ^ http://your4state.com/fulltext?nxd_id=316962
  10. ^ "Valley ER Doc makes national TV appearance". Carson Valley Times. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  11. ^ http://www.nbc.com/american-ninja-warrior/about
  12. ^ http://tv.esquire.com/shows/american-ninja-warrior
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP5L6BJ7wHw
  14. ^ http://www.sbnation.com/2014/8/19/6043419/american-ninja-warrior-recap-vegas-finals-part-1
  15. ^ http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/American_Ninja_Warrior
  16. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 27, 2015). "Monday Final Ratings: No Adjustments to 'The Bachelorette' or 'American Ninja Warrior'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 1, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  17. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 2, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending May 31, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 4, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  18. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/15/wayward-pines-leads-adults-18-49-viewership-percentage-gains-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-36-ending-june-1/417616/
  19. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/02/monday-final-ratings-so-you-think-you-can-dance-adjusted-up-the-island-adjusted-down/411233/
  20. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/09/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-game-2-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-7-2015/413846/
  21. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/09/monday-final-ratings-american-ninja-warrior-adjusted-up-the-island-adjusted-down/414653/
  22. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/16/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-14-2015/418182/
  23. ^ "'Ninja Warrior' plans USA vs. Japan matchup". USA Today. September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  24. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/07/29/nbc-to-present-thrilling-three-hour-special-american-ninja-warrior-usa-vs-the-world-monday-september-15/287715/
  25. ^ http://tvfishbowl.com/american-ninja-warrior-usa-vs-the-world/
  26. ^ The Try Guys Try American Ninja Warrior YouTube (produced by BuzzFeed in cooperation with NBC)