Labor day weekend marked the final weekend without NFL football until February 11th. However, this does not mean there isn’t something worth watching on TV. American Ninja Warrior is one of the best summer shows, and the 9th season is reaching its conclusion. This year, over a thousand athletes competed in 6 City Qualifying courses. The qualifiers were held in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Daytona Beach, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Denver. The top 30 finishers plus the top 5 women from the City Qualifiers course advanced to the City Finals course. The top 15 finishers plus the top 2 women from each City Finals advanced to the National Finals in Las Vegas. The National Finals, also called the “Vegas Finals” will kick off on Monday night at 8:00pm.
The Vegas Finals consist of four “Stages,” each of increasing difficulty. Last season, only 17 ninjas completed Stage 1 and only 2 completed Stage 2. Only two people (Geoff Britten and Isaac Caldiero) have ever completed Stages 3 and 4 during an American Ninja Warrior season. Stage 3 has been completed by other athletes during the “USA vs The World” specials. Getting to the top of Mount Midoryama by completing all four stages in Vegas is one of the most difficult athletic tasks and takes a combination of speed, agility, core strength, upper body strength, and grip strength.
Prior to the start of the season, I created a metric to mathematically rank each ninja’s prowess in the competition. I awarded “Ninja Points” based on the number of obstacles within each course that were completed. Here is how the “Ninja Points” metric was calculated:
- 6 points for completion of each obstacle in a City Qualifiers course
- 7.5 points for completion of each of the first six obstacles on a City Finals course
- 15 points for completion of each of the final four obstacles on a City Finals course
- 25 points for completion of each obstacle on Stage 1
- 50 points for completion of each obstacle on Stage 2
- 80 points for completion of each obstacle on Stage 3
- 200 points for completion of Stage 4
Additionally, five categories of bonus points were available.
- 4 bonus points for each buzzer that was hit (each course completed)
- 5 bonus points for the completion of a City Finals course
- Up to 10 bonus points based on the completion time for each of Stage 1 and 2
- Up to 50 bonus points based on the completion time for Stage 4
The maximum total value of the scale is in a season 1500 points. Using these point values, I calculated “Ninja Points” scores for each season dating back to Season 5 in 2013, along with the USA vs The World specials. The highest score recorded by a ninja in that time was Geoff Britten’s 1467.31 points in Season 7 when he completed all 6 courses. To come up with the final number of “Ninja Points” for each athlete, I weighted the most recent performances heavier. The current years points are taken at full value then the prior three seasons are weighted at 75%, 50%, and 25% respectively.
Since the metric weights the last three seasons, it does not give an accurate value for rookies. Therefore, ninjas who made their ANW debut this season and qualified for Vegas appear at the bottom of these ranks because they have fewer data points in the formula. UPDATE: I added Stage 1 Results for the Ninjas who were shown on the September 4 episode. 20 Ninjas completed Stage 1 in the initial episode.
Vegas Finals Power Rankings
100. Sara Heesen
40.5 Ninja Points
This is Heesen’s first season on ANW. She fell on the fourth obstacle “Crank It Up” in both the Kansas City Qualifiers and Finals. She edged Sarah Schoback for the final qualification spot by fractions of a second.
99. Maggi Thorne
48 Ninja Points
Another competitor from the brutal Kansas City qualification. In the city finals, Maggi was the first woman to defeat “Crank It Up.”
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper)
98. Donovan Meytoyer
52.5 Ninja Points
Donovan was one of the last three qualifiers to make the City Finals in Kansas City after falling on Crank It Up. He conquered the obstacle in the City Finals but fell on the Bar Hop. Luckily, his time was fast enough for him to hold on to the final qualification spot for the Vegas Finals.
96t. Jeri D’Aurelio, Lindsay Eskildsen
54 Ninja Points
Lindsay competed in Daytona while Jeri competed in Denver. Lindsay fell on the 5th obstacle “Rolling Thunder” in both the Qualifiers and City Finals. Similarly, Jeri was taken out by the 5th obstacle in Denver, the “Rail Runner,” in both Qualifiers and City Finals.
Stage 1 Results: Lindsay fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper)
95. Spencer Johnson
63 Ninja Points
Spencer was another rookie this season who competed in Kansas City. He fell on Crank It Up in Qualifying but conquered it in the City Finals where he made it to the Salmon Ladder before falling.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the final obstacle (Flying Squirrel)
94. Zhanique Lovett
67.5 Ninja Points
Zhanique competed in Los Angeles where she made it to the Warped Wall in both the Qualifiers and the City Finals but was unable to beat the wall.
92t. Morgan “Moose” Wright, Brad Spine
69 Ninja Points
Two more competitors from the rough Kansas City course. They had identical results as both Morgan and Brad fell on the Bar Hop in Qualification then on the Salmon Ladder in the City Finals.
83t. Rebekah Bonilla, Alex Carson, Luke Chambers, Samer Delgado, Hunter Guerard, Matt Holt, Damir Okanovic, Ryan Souter, Barclay Stockett
84 Ninja Points
This season, the 5th obstacle of the City Qualifiers course and the 8th obstacle of the City Finals courses proved to be ninja killers. These nine rookies all fell at both spots. Rebekah Bonilla competed in Los Angeles and Samer Delgado in Cleveland. Hunter Guerard and Alex Carson qualified for Vegas from the brutal Kansas City course. Matt Holt, Damir Okanovic, and Barclay Stockett competed in San Antonio. The Denver qualifiers produced Ryan Souter and Luke Chambers.
Stage 1 Results: Luke fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper). Matt fell on the 4th obstacle (Jumping Spider). Barclay timed out after completing the 7th obstacle.
82. Ben Baker
85 Ninja Points
The first rookie on this list to hit a buzzer this season. Baker was one of just 10 athletes to complete the Kansas City Qualifiers course but fell on the Salmon Ladder in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 8th obstacle (Flying Squirrel)
81. Matthew Ilgenfritz
90 Ninja Points
Ilgenfritz was another rookie who competed in Cleveland. He wasn’t able to make it up the Warped Wall in qualifying but conquered it in the City Finals. He fell on the 8th obstacle the “Nail Clipper” which was an absolute ninja killer.
80. Jesse Lucero
99 Ninja Points
Jesse was one of a number of ninjas to fail on the Rail Runner in the Denver Qualifiers. He came back in the City Finals to be one of just 3 ninjas to beat The Wedge. He fell on the 9th obstacle the “Ninjago Roll.”
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 2nd obstacle (Propeller Bar)
68t. Jelani Allen, Jody Avila, Bart Copeland, Dustin Fishman, Kapu Gaison, Rigel Henry, Benjamin Humphrys, Michael Johnson, Judas Licciardello, Nick Patel, Craig Richard, Josh Salinas
100 Ninja Points
As I previously mentioned, the 8th obstacle in the City Finals courses was particularly difficult this season. All 12 of these rookie ninjas completed their respective City Qualifiers courses but fell on the 8th obstacle in the City Finals. Judas Licciardello competed in Clegeland and Jelani Allen in Kansas City. Nick Patel, Rigel Henry, Dustin Fishman, and Michael Johnson all fell victim to the “Giant Cubes” in Daytona. Craig Richard and Bart Copeland couldn’t get past “The Wedge” in Denver and the “Swinging Peg Board” sent Kapu Gaison and Ben Humphrys into the water in Los Angeles. The “Hourglass Drop” in San Antonio ended the runs of Jody Avila and Josh Salinas.
Stage 1 Results: Jelani, Kapu, and Michael fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper). Judas fell on the 4th obstacle (Jumping Spider).
67. Ben Antoine
113.25 Ninja Points
The first non-rookie on the list. Ben reached the City Finals last season but was unable to make it to Vegas. This year, he made it to the 8th obstacle in Denver which was enough to earn him his first trip to the Vegas Finals.
64t. Kevin Carbone, Tyler Gillett, Cassidy Marks
115 Ninja Points
Kevin Carbone made headlines as “The Maker” this season. He was one of the winners of the obstacle design challenge, creating the “Wingnuts” obstacle in Daytona. He waited in the walk-on line in Daytona and finished the Qualifiers course. Tyler and Cassidy also competed in the Daytona and completed the qualification course. All three athletes then made it through the Giant Cubes in the City Finals but fell in the 9th obstacle, the “Circuit Board.”
Stage 1 Result: Kevin fell on the 4th obstacle (Jumping Spider)
63. Kyle Mendoza
121.5 Ninja Points
This is Mendoza’s second season on ANW. Last year he completed the Oklahoma City Qualifiers course but fell early in the City Finals and missed out on Vegas. This year, he fell on the Bar Hop in the Kansas City Qualifiers but made up the Warped Wall in the City Finals. His fall on the Salmon Ladder was enough to get him to Vegas.
62. Brian Burkhardt
124.75 Ninja Points
Brian completed the San Antonio Qualifying course with one of the fastest times of the night. In the City Finals, he was one of 18 competitors taken out by the Hourglass Drop.
61. Steve Seiver
128.13 Ninja Points
In his second year of Ninja competition, Seiver is going to Vegas for the first time. He completed the Los Angeles Qualifying course but fell on the Swinging Peg Board in the City Finals.
60. Drew Knapp
135.63 Ninja Points
One of the most inspirational Ninja stories, Drew is in his second year competing on ANW. When his younger brother was sick, he took up ninja training. He missed out on the Vegas finals last year. This year, he had one of the fastest times of the night in the Denver Qualifiers. He fell in the City Finals on The Wedge, but his time was good enough to get him to Vegas. His younger brother also competed this season and just missed on making it to Vegas.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
59. Michael Silenzi
140 Ninja Points
Michael reached the City Finals back in Season 7 but did not qualify for Vegas. This year, he fell on the 5th obstacle, the Rail Runner in the Denver Qualifiers and on The Wedge in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
58. Chris Digangi
140.5 Ninja Points
Digangi competed on a number of older seasons of Ninja Warrior and recently returned to the competition. He did not reach the Vegas Finals last year but earned a spot this season. He completed the Cleveland Qualification course but fell on the dreaded 8th obstacle the Nail Clipper in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 8th obstacle (Flying Squirrel)
57. Tyler Cravens
146.88 Ninja Points
Cravens had a similar path to Chris Digangi this season, completing the Cleveland Qualifiers course and falling on the Nail Clipper in the City Finals. This will be his first appearance in Vegas.
56. Dave Cavanagh
150 Ninja Points
Dave last competed in 2015 when he completed a City Qualifiers course and fell on the 8th obstacle in the City Finals, which was not enough to send him to Vegas. He had the same results this season in Kansas City, but the brutal course there wiped out so many early competitors that he earned a trip to the National Finals.
55. Yancey Quezada
151.38 Ninja Points
Yancey has been competing for a number of seasons but this will be his first trip to the Vegas Finals. He earned his spot by getting to The Wedge in the Denver City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper)
54. Charlie Andrews
154 Ninja Points
Charlie was the top rookie this season and only one to finish both the City Qualifiers and City Finals courses. He is a good friend of last year’s top rookie Josh Levin and should be considered a serious threat to make noise in Vegas.
Stage 1 Result: Suffered an injury in training and will not compete in the Vegas Finals.
53. Alyssa Beird
159.25 Ninja Points
Beird was a rookie last season who made a name for herself as one of four female athletes to qualify for the Philadelphia City Finals. She was also part of Joe Moravsky’s Storm Team which won the Team Ninja Warrior competition. This season, she completed the Qualifying course in Cleveland, becoming the 6th woman in ANW history to complete a Qualification course. She was one of 20 competitors taken out by the Nail Clipper in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1, becoming just the second woman to reach Stage 2.
52. Kacy Catanzaro
162 Ninja Points
Kacy made a name for herself and helped put Ninja Warrior on the map in the 2014 season. She was the first woman to complete a City Qualifiers course and followed it up by becoming the first woman to complete a City Finals course. She is retiring after this season to pursue a career in the WWE.
51. Lucas Gomes
175 Ninja Points
One half of the “Brazi Bros” from Brazil and the only one to reach Vegas this season. Both Lucas and his brother Alexio completed the Daytona Qualification course and fell on the 8th obstacle. However, Lucas’ time was just a bit faster which enabled him to qualify for Vegas for the first time.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 2nd obstacle (Propeller Bar)
50. Sean Bryan
195.25 Ninja Points
The Papal Ninja finished the Los Angeles City Finals course with the fastest time of the night. This is Sean’s second season on ANW and his first trip to the Vegas Finals. He is one of just 9 athletes to complete a City Finals course this season.
49. Grant Clinton
199 Ninja Points
Clinton has had an up-and-down ninja career in just two seasons. Last year, he was one of just 11 ninjas to complete a City Finals course, but fell on the first obstacle of Stage 1 in Vegas. This year, he completed the San Antonio Qualification course and fell on the 8th obstacle in the City Finals.
48. Jackson Meyer
205 Ninja Points
This is Jackson’s third season of ANW competition and first trip to the Vegas Finals. He completed the Los Angeles Qualification course and fell on the 9th obstacle in the City Finals.
47. Cass Clawson
205.25 Ninja Points
Cass is returning to Vegas for the first time since 2014. In Season 6 he nearly completed Stage 1 but ran out of time before he could reach the buzzer.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
46. Dan Galiczynski
223.4 Ninja Points
Dan is a long-time ninja veteran and has competed in 7 of the 9 seasons. He reached Vegas in Seasons 4, 5, and 6. He fell on the Jumping Spider on Stage 1 in Seasons 4 and 5 and reached Stage 2 in Season 6.
45. Sean Darling-Hammond
225 Ninja Points
Sean reached the Vegas Finals in Season 7 but fell on the Jumping Spider on Stage 1. This season, he completed the Daytona Qualifiers course and made it to the final obstacle in the City Finals before falling.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
44. Reko Rivera
227.5 Ninja Points
Reko is in his fourth season of ninja competition and making his first trip to the Vegas Finals. He completed the Daytona Qualification course and fell on the 8th obstacle in the City Finals.
43. Jesse “Flex” LaBreck
230.5 Ninja Points
After qualifying for Vegas in her rookie year and becoming the 5th woman to complete the Warped Wall, she followed it up with a stellar sophomore season. LaBreck completed the Cleveland Qualification course then made it to the 8th obstacle in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the final obstacle (Flying Squirrel)
42. Anthony DeFranco
231.25 Ninja Points
Anthony is making is second trip to Vegas after qualifying as a rookie last season and falling on the Jumping Spider. He had the fastest time at the Cleveland City Qualifiers course and fell on the Nail Clipper in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 4th obstacle (Jumping Spider)
40t. Brandon Pannell, Mitch VeDepo
244.5 Ninja Points
Pannell and VeDepo are both Vegas veterans. Brandon reached Vegas in Season 6 and Season 8 but fell on the Jumping Spider both times. Mitch also reached Vegas last season and fell on the Jumping Spider. This season, Brandon competed in San Antonio and fell on the Pipe Fitter in Qualifying and the Hourglass Drop in the City Finals. Mitch also fell on the 5th obstacle in Qualifying but came back in the Kansas City Finals to make it all the way to the final obstacle before falling.
39. Robin Pietschmann
263.75 Ninja Points
Robin is returning to the Vegas Finals where he fell on Stage 1 in Season 6 and Season 7. He completed the Los Angeles Qualifiers course and fell on the 9th obstacle in the City Finals.
38. Tyler Yamauchi
283.75 Ninja Points
Tyler was the only one of the Chicago foursome to make it past the third obstacle in the Kansas City Qualifiers. The Broken Pipes shockingly took out Ethan Swanson and the Towers of Power. Tyler was breezing through the course until he fell on the dismount from the 9th obstacle. He reached Vegas last season but couldn’t complete the Warped Wall in Stage 1.
37. Eric Middleton
290.25 Ninja Points
The entomology student is making his second trip to the Vegas Finals. He nearly completed Stage 1 last year as a rookie but ran out of time on the final obstacle.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
36. Lorin Ball
296.85 Ninja Points
Lorin Ball is known for his speed on the course. He goes by the Ricky Bobby “first or last” motto. He has recorded numerous fastest times on courses but has also had some early falls. Lorin reached Stage 2 in Vegas in Seasons 4, 5, and 6. An injury in Season 7 prevented him from having a 4th straight trip to Vegas then a surprising early exit in the City Finals ended Season 8 for Lorin. This year, he crushed the Denver qualification course as the fastest finisher then was one of just 3 ninjas to reach the 9th obstacle in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper)
35. Nick Kostreski
313 Ninja Points
Nick qualified for Vegas last year as a rookie. He nearly completed Stage 1 but ran out of time just before hitting the buzzer. He was one of just 8 ninjas to complete the Denver Qualification course and fell on The Wedge in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
34. David Campbell
319.5 Ninja Points
“The Godfather” secured a spot in Vegas when Grant McCartney fell on the Salmon Ladder in the final run of the night in Los Angeles.
33. Nick Hanson
325 Ninja Points
The “Eskimo Ninja” is making his second trip to Vegas. He completed the Stage 1 course last season but the clock ran out just before he hit the buzzer. This season he completed the Los Angeles Qualification course and fell on the 8th obstacle in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
32. Jon Alexis, Jr
332.75 Ninja Points
The Giant ninja is the tallest competitor in Vegas standing at 6’5″. He is in his third season of competition and made it to Vegas last season as well, falling on the final obstacle, the Flying Squirrel.
31. Gabe Hurtado
336.25 Ninja Points
Gabe was a rookie last season who qualified for Vegas and failed on Stage 1. He followed it up with a great showing this year, completing the Los Angeles Qualification course and reaching the final obstacle in the City Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper)
30. Megan Martin
340.88 Ninja Points
Megan is one of the top female competitors. She completed City Qualification courses in Season 7 and 8 and was the first woman to complete the Jumping Spider obstacle on Stage 1 in Vegas. This year she made it to The Wedge in the Denver City Finals.
29. Michael Torres
346.76 Ninja Points
Michael was one of the top rookies last season, making it all the way to Stage 2 in Vegas. Unfortunately, he fell on the first obstacle and is looking for an even better run this year.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 4th obstacle (Jumping Spider)
28. Mike Meyers
364.48 Ninja Points
Mike reached Stage 2 in Vegas as a rookie in Season 7 but had a surprising early fall last year. He returns to Vegas looking to replicate his Season 7 success.
27. Karsten Williams
370.5 Ninja Points
Karsten is a veteran ninja who is making his fourth straight trip to Vegas. He has fallen on Stage 1 each of the prior three seasons.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 7th obstacle (Domino Pipes)
26. Najee Richardson
385.25 Ninja Points
“The Phoenix” flew to Stage 2 in Vegas as a rookie last season. The former gymnast has the skills to make a deep run in Vegas after completing the Cleveland Qualification course and falling on the Nail Clipper in the City Finals.
25. Karson Voiles
397.54 Ninja Points
Karson is returning to Vegas for the first time since Season 7 when he reached Stage 2. He was one of many competitors in Denver taken out by the Rail Runner in Qualifying and The Wedge in the City Finals.
24. Dan Yager
402.42 Ninja Points
Yager reached Stage 2 as a rookie in Season 7. He suffered a surprisingly early fall in the City Finals last season. This year he completed the Cleveland Qualification course but was taken out by the Nail Clipper in the Finals.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the 3rd obstacle (Double Dipper)
23. Andrew Lowes
429.01 Ninja Points
Lowes has been competing since Season 4. He reached Vegas and fell on Stage 1 in Seasons 4 and 5. In Season 6 he conquered Stage 1 and fell on the 5th obstacle of Stage 2. A surprising fall in the City Finals of Season 7 kept him from Vegas but he returned in Season 8 and fell on Stage 1.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
22. Brian Wilczewski
430.61 Ninja Points
Brian and his older brother Chris are both ninja competitors who are both Vegas veterans. Brian was the only one to compete this season. He fell on Stage 1 in Season 6 and reached Stage 2 in Season 7.
Stage 1 Result: Fell on the first obstacle (Snake Run).
21. Lance Pekus
438.72 Ninja Points
The “Cowboy Ninja” rebounded from an early fall last season to record the fastest time in the Kansas City Qualifiers. He returns to Vegas where he reached Stage 2 in 2015.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1 with the fastest time of the night.
20. Brent Steffensen
447.76 Ninja Points
Steffensen has competed in Ninja Warrior since Season 2. He was the Last Man Standing in Season 4 when he reached Stage 3. He reached Stage 2 in Seasons 5 and 7 and surprisingly fell on Stage 1 last season.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
19. Adam Rayl
453.09 Ninja Points
The concrete worker was a rookie last season and reached Stage 2. He was one of just 9 ninjas to complete a City Finals course this season.
18. Mike Bernardo
462.01 Ninja Points
“Machine Gun Mike” known for his prowess on the Salmon Ladder makes his third straight trip to Vegas. He reached Stage 2 in 2015.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
17. JJ Woods
498.73 Ninja Points
JJ has rebounded from a shocking early fall in City Qualifiers last season to qualify for Vegas for the fourth time. He has reached Stage 2 in each of his last two trips to Vegas in Seasons 6 and 7.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
16. Nicholas Coolridge
556.04 Ninja Points
The professional acrobat is making his third straight trip to Vegas. He fell on Stage 1 in Season 7 and reached Stage 2 last year. In the San Antonio City Finals, he was one of just 4 competitors to reach the final obstacle but gassed out on the Elevator Climb.
15. Jeremiah Morgan
601.44 Ninja Points
Morgan did not compete last season and did not finish either the City Qualifiers or City Finals course this season. He reached Stage 3 in Vegas in 2015 and fell on the Ultimate Cliffhanger.
14. Jamie Rahn
608.07 Ninja Points
“Captain NBC” was one of two finishers in the Cleveland City Finals course. This will be his 5th straight appearance in the Vegas Finals where he reached Stage 2 in 2013 and 2015.
13. Abel Gonzalez
636.19 Ninja Points
Abel rebounded from an early fall last season to return to Vegas for the third time in four years. He reached Stage 3 in 2015 and fell on the Ultimate Cliffhanger.
12. Thomas Stillings
637.36 Ninja Points
This is Thomas’ third trip to Vegas in his three seasons of competition. He has reached Stage 2 both previous times.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
11. Ryan Stratis
658.09 Ninja Points
Stratis has competed on every season of American Ninja Warrior. He has reached Vegas four straight seasons and reached Stage 2 twice. Last season he fell on the final obstacle of Stage 1.
10. Flip Rodriguez
719.99 Ninja Points
Flip has been competing since Season 3. Formerly known as the “Masked Ninja” he took off the mask in Season 7 and had his best run ever, making it all the way to the penultimate obstacle of Stage 2. He reached Stage 2 again last season but was disqualified for not using both boards of the Wave Runner. This year, he was one of just 6 ninjas to reach the final obstacle in the Los Angeles finals but couldn’t make it up the Elevator Climb.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
9. Travis Rosen
740.14 Ninja Points
Travis has been competing since Season 2 and has reached the Vegas Finals 5 times. Before last season, he had never fallen on Stage 1. He fell on Stage 2 in Seasons 4, 6, and 7. His best year to date was Season 5 when he reached Stage 3. Rosen also has the designation of being the first American to complete the 75-foot rope climb in Stage 4 in the USA vs The World.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
8. Kevin Bull
815.21 Ninja Points
Kevin is known for his speed on the course and has recorded the fastest time on numerous occasions. He has reached the Vegas Finals in all four seasons he has competed. He fell on Stage 1 in Season 6 and Season 8. His best year was Season 7 when he made it all the way to Stage 3.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
7. Jessie Graff
859.3 Ninja Points
Wonder Woman is real and her name is Jessie Graff. Jessie made history last season when she became the first woman to complete Stage 1 in Vegas. She topped that performance in the USA vs The World special when she became the first woman to complete Stage 2. She was one of just 4 competitors in the Daytona City Finals to reach the final obstacle, the Elevator Climb.
6. Josh Levin
1150.97 Ninja Points
Josh has been a competitive rock climber since a young age and was the top rookie last season. He made it to the penultimate obstacle of Stage 2 before falling on the Double Wedge. Josh was the only finisher in the Los Angeles City Finals course last season and was one of four finishers of the Los Angeles Finals course this season. He was also a part of Joe Moravsky’s Storm Team which won the Team Ninja Warrior competition.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
5. Ian Dory
1387.56 Ninja Points
Dory is one of the “Wolfpack” ninjas who train as rock climbers in Colorado. He fell on Stage 2 in Season 6 and made it to the final obstacle of Stage 3 in Season 7. Last year, he had a surprising early fall on Stage 1. Dory has the distinction of never failing on a City Finals course and was the only finisher in Denver this year.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
4. Daniel Gil
1466.03 Ninja Points
The “Kingdom Ninja” was one of two to reach Stage 3 last season. He was a rookie in Season 7 and made it all the way to Stage 2. In just his third season, he is one of the top ninjas on the circuit. He was the only finisher of the San Antonio City Finals course this season.
3. Brian Arnold
1695.23 Ninja Points
Brian has been one of the top ninja competitors for a long time. He has completed Stage 1 in each of the last 5 seasons. His best season was Season 5 when he was the Last Man Standing and fell on the final jump of the final obstacle of Stage 3. He was the first American to complete Stage 3, doing so during the USA vs The World special after Season 6. Recently, The Wedge has been his nemesis, knocking him out on Stage 2 of Season 8, the 2017 USA vs The World special, and in the Denver City Finals this season.
2. Joe Moravsky
1869.21 Ninja Points
“The Weatherman” is bringing a storm to Vegas. He has reached Stage 3 in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Last season he fell on Stage 2. He was one of two finishers in the Cleveland City Finals course.
Stage 1 Result: Completed Stage 1.
1. Drew Drechsel
2389.07 Ninja Points
“The Real Life Ninja” has been the top ninja competitor for over a year. He was the “Last Man Standing” last season, making it farther on Stage 3 than anyone else. Drew conquered Stage 2 in USA vs The World to give Team USA the victory. He dominated both the Daytona Qualifiers and City Finals courses this season.
Wouldnt say jessie graff was even in the top ten , quite a few people better than her. I feel just cos she got to stage 2 and she’s a women that automatically gives the right to be better than everyone. Political correctness gone mad!