Southwest Qualifier
1
May 20
A course so brutal and intense that, of
the thousands that have completed it, only three have completed it. Now
for the first time in Sasuke history, the entire course is brought to
America. And a challenge as that can only call for the best of the best
to rise to meet it... so for the fourth American Ninja Warrior
tournament, the competition has evolved.
There are now six zones of competition.
The top 100 finalists that emerge from those zones (15 from each zone
plus 10 wild cards) will train for a shot to compete on the famed course
in Las Vegas, where bolt by brutal bolt, the four stages has been
recreated down to the tiniest detail. The fastest American to complete
all four stages and claim total victory will receive HALF A MILLION
DOLLARS and the honor of being named the first American Ninja Warrior.
Tonight, we start the search in...
SOUTHWEST REGION
Venice Beach Boardwalk
The obstacles for the qualifier course
are...
- QUAD STEPS: Four steps, seven feet
between each one.
- LOG GRIP: Hold on past two jolting drops.
- SPINNING LOG: A rolling balance beam.
- JUMP HANG: A cargo net and tramp that could be the difference between
getting the win and getting wet.
- DEVIL STEPS: An inverted staircase with eighteen steps that you'll be
climbing with your hands.
- WARPED WALL: Fourteen feet, three tries.
The fastest 30 move on to the expanded
course. First up...
- Eric Harrold (26, Sherman Oaks, CA,
jeweler) - FAIL Log Grip
- Nate Stalinski (25, Tucson, AZ, tire mechanic) - FAIL Spinning Log
- Natalie Strasser (27, North Hollywood, CA, bartender) - FAIL Log Grip
- Brandon Barnett (27, Norco, CA, engineer) - FAIL Jump Hang
- Beth Williams (26, Bakersfield, CA, stylist/musician) - FAIL Log Grip
- Will Moseley (24, Los Angeles, actor) - You remember him as Peter from
the "Chronicles of Narnia" movies. - FAIL Devil Steps
- Troy Markowitz (31, Woodland Hills, CA, consultant) - FAIL Jump Hang
- Adam Markowitz (25, San Diego, aerospace engineer) - FAIL Warped Wall
- Alex Wegmuller (21, San Diego, street acrobat) - FAIL Warped Wall
- Selena Laniel (37, San Diego, high diver/acrobat) - FAIL Jump Hang
And now, the first of the semifinalists
from last year...
- Michael "Frosti" Zernow (25, Santa
Monica, CA, professional free-runner) - He injured his back before
competition, which knocked him out. Now he's back with a vengeance.
FINAL TIME: 1:01.52 for a pass!
Next...
- Dan Mast (23, Agoura Hills, CA,
stuntman) - In the tux-speedo. :53.65
Following in their steps: Vincent Gorby
(1:17.50) and Victor Rivera (1:51.15).
- Kole Stevens (37, firearms instructor,
Carlsbad, CA) - 1:22
- Jesse La Flair (26, Century City, CA, stuntman/parkour traceur) -
:54.15
- Remi Bakkar (24, Las Vegas by way of France, acrobat) - :54.10
Dustin Rocho (1:14) and Evan "The Rocket"
Dollard (1:28) both returned to the course in full force. Next, a
couple of ANW All-Stars...
- Luci Romberg (30, Los Angeles,
stuntwoman) - FAIL Devil Steps
- Brent Steffensen (31, Sandy, UT, stuntman) - how will the two-time
Sasuke veteran fare after recovering from hernia surgery? PASS! Fastest
time today with 50.10 seconds!
LEADERBOARD
1) BRENT STEFFENSEN - :50
2) DAN MAST - :53
3) REMI BAKKAR - :54.10
4) JESSE LA FLAIR - :54.15
5) MICHAEL "FROSTI" ZERNOW - 1:01
6) DUSTIN ROCHO - 1:14HERE
7) VINCENT GORBY - 1:17
8) KOLE STEVENS - 1:22
9) EVAN DOLLARD - 1:28
10) VICTOR RIVERA - 1:51
But remember, it's the fastest 30 that
will move on to the regional final tomorrow, and as we have another hour
of ninja action, leads are going to change hands, and the seat you
thought was so safe... won't be.
CLICK
HERE TO CONTINUE
For more information on the contestants,
including never-before-seen footage, go to
g4tv.com/anw or nbc.com/anw
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