The heart-racing obstacle-course competition of ultra-athletes questing for a shot at the fabled Mt. Midoriyama. This American version of the Japanese show Sasuke (aka Ninja Warrior) televises a series of qualification courses across the nation, with the top contenders going to Las Vegas for the finals on the 4-stage "Mt. Midoriyama" obstacle course.In earlier seasons the show was a proving ground to find (and train) American athletes to send to Japan to compete in the original Sasuke tournaments.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 06, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Orlando, Florida's Universal Orlando Resort holds the fourth qualifying round of the season, with the course featuring the Quintuple Steps, Rolling Log, Paddle Boards, Tire Swing, Double Tilt Ladder, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include rivals Drew Drechsel and Flip Rodriguez, stockbroker Travis Rosen, and movie attendant James McGrath, while mill worker Jon Alexis, Jr. and missionary Hunter Sipes take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.67 from 49 votes.
The National Finals begin at Mount Midoriyama in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the top 90 athletes from the preliminary rounds (plus 10 female wildcards) start to tackle Stage 1. The obstacles include Piston Road, Propeller Bar, Silk Slider, Jumping Spider, Sonic Curve, Warped Wall, Coin Flip, and Triple Swing. Favorites include Flip Rodriguez, Kevin Bull, Jessie Graff, Daniel Gil, Travis Rosen, James McGrath, Dustin McKinney, Ryan Stratis, and David Campbell, among others. Finishers advance to Stage 2.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 77 votes.
Carrie Furnace, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the site of the fifth qualifying round, with the course's obstacles being the Quintuple Steps, Log Grip, Snake Crossing, Wind Chimes, Devil Steps, and Warped Wall. Ninja veterans include meteorologist Joe Moravsky, survival guide Elet Hall, gym owner Michelle Warnky, and "Captain NBC" Jamie Rahn, while engineer Mike Meyers and construction worker PJ Granger take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 45 votes.
The seventh season begins in Venice, California with a very difficult course, featuring the Quintuple Steps, Mini Silk Slider, Tilting Table, Spin Cycle, Hourglass Drop, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include stock trader Kevin Bull, stuntwoman Jessie Graff, engineer David Campbell, and actor Rob Moravsky, while Seattle Seahawk Jon Ryan and Alaska's Nick Hanson take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 71 votes.
The third qualifying round, held in Houston, Texas, features some fan-favorites. The obstacles include the Quintuple Steps, Tilting Slider, Spinning Log, Cargo Crossing, Swinging Spikes, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include top female Kacy Catanzaro, athlete Brent Steffensen, gym owner Sam Sann, and Olympic gymnast Jon Horton, while worship leader Daniel Gil and prosthetic-legged Artis Thompson III take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 48 votes.
The top 30 competitors from the Venice qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Rumbling Dice, Clear Climb, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Kevin Bull, Jessie Graff, David Campbell, Alan Connealy, Dustin Rocho, and the ailing Jason Tirado.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 59 votes.
Kansas City, Missouri's Union Station hosts the second qualifying round of 2015. The obstacles are the Quintuple Steps, Big Dipper, Floating Tiles, Modified Ring Toss, Bungee Road, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include climbing coach Meagan Martin, rancher Lance Pekus, and the "Wolfpack" climbing group with Brian Arnold, Isaac Caldiero, Noah Kaufman, and Ian Dory.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 55 votes.
San Pedro, California's battleship USS Iowa hosts the sixth and final qualifying round in a special all-military episode. The obstacles are the Quintuple Steps, Jump Hang, Log Runner, Monkey Pegs, I-Beam Cross, and Warped Wall. Ninja veterans include former Army vet Ryan Stratis, Navy officer Dustin McKinney, and Coast Guard rescue swimmer Robin Pietschmann, while former Marine Jeremy Prather and 72-year-old Chuck Mammay take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 48 votes.
The top 30 competitors from the Military qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Swinging Frames, Globe Grasper, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Ryan Stratis, Dustin McKinney, Robin Pietschmann, and Ahmed Toure, along with "Magic Fingers" Justin Gielski.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 45 votes.
The top 30 competitors from the Houston qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Walking Bar, Crazy Ciffhanger, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Brent Steffensen, Sam Sann, Daniel Gil, Jon Horton, Tremayne Dortch, and Karsten Williams.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 53 votes.
The top 30 competitors from the Orlando qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Cannonball Alley, Double Helix, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Flip Rodriguez, Drew Drechsel, Travis Rosen, James McGrath, Neil Craver, and the speedy Jon Alexis, Jr.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 51 votes.
The top 30 competitors from the Pittsburgh qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Floating Monkey Bars, Doorknob Arch, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Elet Hall, Michelle Warnky, Jamie Rahn, Mike Bernardo, and 56-year-old Miles Avery.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 49 votes.
The National Finals continue in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the remaining finalists take on Stage 1. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Elet Hall, Brent Steffensen, Kacy Catanzaro, Lance Pekus, Meagan Martin, Drew Drechsel, and Jeremiah Morgan, among others. Those that finish move on to Stage 2.
The episode was rated 8.19 from 67 votes.
Three separate teams from America, Europe, and Japan compete in Las Vegas on the first three stages of Mt. Midoriyama, the famed four-stage finals course featured in “American Ninja Warrior.” Team USA includes winner Isaac Caldiero and runner-up Geoff Britten, along with veteran competitors Kevin Bull, Drew Drechsel, Ian Dory, and alternate Joe Moravsky. Team Europe features Sean McColl, Stefano Ghisolfi, Tim Shieff, Tim Champion, and Alexander Mars. Team Japan consists of Yusuke Morimoto, Ryo Matachi, Kenji Takahashi, Tomohiro Kawaguchi, and Masashi Hioki. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila host and Kristine Leahy co-hosts.
The episode was rated 8.57 from 14 votes.
Those who completed Stage 1 now tackle Stage 2, and possibly Stages 3 & 4. Stage 2 features Rope Jungle, Double Salmon Ladder, Unstable Bridge, Butterfly Wall, Roulette Row, and Wall Lift. Stage 3 includes the Psycho Chainsaw, Doorknob Grasper, Floating Boards, Ultimate Cliffhanger, Pole Grasper, Hang Climb, Area 51, and Flying Bar. If anyone can reach Stage 4 and conquer it, they'll earn $1,000,000 and the title of "American Ninja Warrior."
The episode was rated 8.65 from 88 votes.
