Best Episodes
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!
The Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida is the site of the third qualifier. The course includes the Floating Steps, Rolling Pin, Wingnuts, Broken Bridge, Rolling Thunder, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include stuntwoman Jessie Graff, elite trainer Drew Drechsel, boxing coach JJ Woods, and peck-flexing Eddy Stewart, while the designer of the Wingnuts, Kevin Carbone and NASCAR driver Ben Kennedy take on the course for the first time in front of the vibrant, energetic crowd.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 139 votes.
The ninth season starts at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California with the qualifying course featured in Celebrity Ninja Warrior: the Floating Steps, Cannonball Drop, Fly Wheels, Block Run, Battering Ram, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include the “Island Ninja” Grant McCartney, stock trader Kevin Bull, stuntman Flip Rodriguez, and YouTube sensation Natalie Duran, while Olympic pole vaulter April Steiner Bennett and MIT student Charlie Andrews take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 203 votes.
The fifth qualifier is in Cleveland, Ohio (joining the Cavaliers and Indians in Cleveland sports.) The course features the Floating Steps, Rolling Log, Razor’s Edge, Ring Jump, I-Beam Gap, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include “The Weatherman” Joe Moravsky, former gymnast Najee Richardson, “Captain NBC” Jamie Rahn, and last year’s “Fantastic Four” – Jesse Labreck, Michelle Warnky, Allyssa Beird, and Rachael Goldstein.
The episode was rated 7.81 from 124 votes.
The top 33 competitors from the Los Angeles Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Swinging Peg Board, Stair Hopper, and Elevator Climb. Favorites include Grant McCartney, Kevin Bull, Flip Rodriguez, Josh Levin, Adam Rayl, and Charlie Andrews, along with top female Zhanique Lovett.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 132 votes.
The top 34 competitors from the Daytona Beach Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Giant Cubes, Circuit Board, and Elevator Climb. Favorites include Drew Drechsel, Jessie Graff, JJ Woods, Travis Rosen, Kevin Carbone, Eddy Stewart, and Lindsay Eskildsen.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 95 votes.
The top 32 competitors from the Denver Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, The Wedge, Ninjago Roll, and Elevator Climb. Favorites include Meagan Martin, Ian Dory, Lorin Ball, Brian Arnold, Dan Yager, Jeri D’Aurelio, and brothers Dalton and Drew Knapp.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 103 votes.
The top 35 competitors from the Kansas City Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Floating Monkey Bars, Iron Maiden, and Elevator Climb. Favorites include Lance Pekus, Brandon Mears, Dan Polizzi, Ethan Swanson, Tyler Yamauchi, Maggi Thorne, and Morgan “Moose” Wright.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 125 votes.
ANW travels to San Antonio, Texas for the second qualifier. The course features the Floating Steps, Tic Toc, Spinning Bridge, Sky Hooks, Pipefitter, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include worship leader Daniel Gil, gym-owning friends Kacy Catanzaro and Brent Steffensen, plus Olympic gymnast Jonathan Horton, while gymnastics teacher Barclay Stockett and Texas A&M student Will Smithee take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 168 votes.
The National Finals commence in Las Vegas, Nevada on Stage 1 with the top 100 athletes. The course features Snake Run, Propeller Bar, Double Dipper, Jumping Spider, Parkour Run, Warped Wall, Domino Pipes, and Flying Squirrel. Competitors include Joe Moravsky, Lance Pekus, JJ Woods, Jesse Labreck, Allyssa Beird, Lorin Ball, Barclay Stockett, Maggi Thorne, and many more. Those who finish move on to Stage 2.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 131 votes.
The top 33 competitors from the Cleveland Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles represented are the Salmon Ladder, Nail Clipper, The Clacker, and Elevator Climb. Favorites include Joe Moravsky, Najee Richardson, Jamie Rahn, James McGrath, Jon Alexis Jr., Jesse Labreck, and Allyssa Beird.
The episode was rated 7.97 from 101 votes.
Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri hosts the fourth qualifier of 2017. The obstacles featured are the Floating Steps, Hang Glider, Broken Pipes, Crank It Up, Bar Hop, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include rancher Lance Pekus, firefighters Brandon Mears and Dan Polizzi, and daredevil Ethan Swanson, while walk-on Jelani Allen and pizza maker Derrick Pavoni take on the course for the first time.
The episode was rated 7.99 from 140 votes.
Top ninjas, including Drew Drechsel, Jessie Graff, Najee Richardson and Flip Rodriguez, climb, sprint and fly through a special course and supersized obstacles as they compete in crazy feats of strength, skill challenges and a team relay for the ages…
The episode was rated 8.00 from 39 votes.
The Las Vegas Finals come to a close as the remaining 41 athletes tackle Stage 2, and possibly Stages 3 & 4. The redesigned Stage 2 features the Giant Ring Swing, Criss Cross Salmon Ladder, Wave Runner, Swing Surfer, Wingnut Alley, and Wall Flip. Stage 3 includes the Floating Boards, Key Lock Hang, Nail Clipper, Ultimate Cliffhanger, Curved Body Prop, Peg Cloud, Time Bomb, and Flying Bar. If anyone conquers Stage 4, they claim $1,000,000 and the title of “American Ninja Warrior.”
The episode was rated 8.06 from 115 votes.
The National Finals continue in Las Vegas, Nevada where the remaining athletes run Stage 1. Competitors include Drew Drechsel, Daniel Gil, Jessie Graff, Najee Richardson, Meagan Martin, Jamie Rahn, Adam Rayl, Sean Bryan, Abel Gonzalez, and Josh Salinas, among others. The finishers advance to Stage 2.
The episode was rated 8.08 from 111 votes.
The "Olympics of Ninja Warrior", this competition, held on Las Vegas' Mt. Midoriyama, once again puts teams from all over the globe against each other on the challenging four-stage course. This time, four teams battle it out, although they are reduced in size. Team USA includes Joe Moravsky, Najee Richardson, Sean Bryan, and Drew Drechsel. Team Europe features Sean McColl, Alexander Mars, Sergio Verdasco, and Øssur Eiriksfoss. Team Latin America consists of Danee Marmolejo, Karl Fow, Marco Jubes, and Sebastian Preito. Team Asia includes Tomohiro Kawaguchi, Yusuke Morimoto, Thuc Lee, and Yosua Zalukhu.
The episode was rated 8.16 from 45 votes.
