Suvechha Sarkar
The pressure has never been greater as season 17 of NBC’s ‘American Ninja Warrior’ moves ahead into its thrilling Finale. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila are back on the podium, while Zuri Hall is on the sidelines to capture every intense moment before the ultimate champion is crowned. Each athlete must conquer the course and win against their most formidable rivals with speed and strength. With $250,000 on the line and the title of the Champion within reach, every run can make all the difference. After last week’s Sudden Death races, tonight the competition resumes with the remaining Round of 32 athletes going head-to-head.
Finale Begins as Close Friends and Training Partners Compete With Each Other
The Finale begins with the hosts announcing that after finishing the Round of 32 races, the winners will move on to the extended course for the Round of 16, where two new obstacles are going to be added. If the competitors keep winning, they can advance to the Quarterfinals and then the Semifinals. In the end, the last two remaining ninjas will compete with each other for the Champion title and the $250,000 prize money. Zuri captures the attention with the preview that tonight, the hosts will count down the Top 5 moments in the show’s history. The Round of 32 races commence with the 6-obstacle course, including #1 Shrinking Steps, #2 Swinging Frames, #3 Ring Jump, #4 Salmon Ladder, #5 Floating Monkey Bars, and #6 The Clacker.
The first two athletes to take the stage are 20-year-old college student Max Feinberg from Castle Rock, Colorado, and 19-year-old entrepreneur Elijah Browning from Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. They are both close friends, and their mothers also have a close bond, since both of them were diagnosed with breast cancer. Max’s mother, Debbie, was diagnosed in October 2020, and he feels proud to see how strong she is in fighting and surviving through this. Elijah learned about his mom, Renee’s, diagnosis right when he returned from season 15 of the show. She had to undergo surgery just five days later, followed by 20 weeks of chemotherapy. However, she never let it hold her back, and having her support on the sidelines means everything to him. Max and Elijah have trained together for years, and the former is excited to race.
As Max and Elijah begin their run, they swiftly move forward neck and neck. Unfortunately, the latter falls into the water on the final obstacle, and Max moves on to win and press the buzzer at 01:06.52. He is going to face Isaiah Thomas in his next race. Next up are 24-year-old School Tutor David Bergstrom-Wright from Pinellas Park, Florida, and 17-year-old high school student, Nacssa Garemore. While the former has never made it past Stage 1, the latter has reached Stage 4 twice. Nacssa met David when he was just 12 years old. He often goes out to David’s family gym to train. Nacssa feels that his competitor is like a brother and an older version of him. Both of them are close to each other, and although it will be fun, the race is also going to be emotionally challenging.
Round of 32 Ends With Emotional Wins and the Next Matchups
Once David and Nacssa begin their race, the latter falls behind. David bags the win by pressing the buzzer at 01:08.37 while his opponent falls on the last obstacle. David becomes emotional after knocking out a friend. For the next race, he will face Kai Beckstrand. Right after is the turn for the Ice Sculptor Grant Kinningham from Houston, Texas, and the college student Jay Lewis from Orlando, Florida. Although the former gets a head start, Jay pulls ahead on Floating Monkey Bars and gains victory by pressing the buzzer at 01:05.88. Grant’s season comes to an end as he falls into the water on the Clacker. Jay is next set to face Ben Behrends in the next round. The final race of the Round of 32 is between 13-time ninja veteran Joe Moravsky, who has the most buzzers of all ninjas, and 15-year-old rookie Kaden Forsha.
Joe announced his retirement two weeks back, and this can be the final run of his career. However, if he wins, the season shall continue for him. Although Joe is Kaden’s idol, he notes that his opponent is old, so he needs to win this. In his confessional, Joe admits that he was impressed by Kaden in the Group Stage since he finished his run swiftly in 55 seconds. However, he adds that he is not scared of anybody. As they begin their run on the course, Joe moves swiftly as Kaden falls on the Salmon Ladder. Although Joe falls into the water on Floating Monkey Bars during the final dismount, he is moving on and will next race against Luke Beckstrand. When asked, he reveals that Luke is a fast athlete and that he has to run his race and give his best.
For the Round of 16, the opponents facing each other are as follows: Kai vs. David, Luke vs. Joe, Ben vs. Jay, Max vs. Isaiah, Sam Folsom vs. Evan Lavallee, Kaden Lebsack vs. Jackson Erdos, Evan White vs. Noah Meunier, and Matt D’Amico vs. R.J. Roman. After streaming the first submission videos of some of the contestants, the hosts draw everyone’s attention to #5 on the countdown list. It is from Christopher Harding Jones in season 14 (2022), whose father, Gregory, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and was given only four months to live. Despite the prognosis, Gregory lived his life fully and coined the term “Living Wide” before passing away in 2020. To spread his father’s message, he took on the course in the Qualifiers, becoming the first finisher of the night. A few days later, he completed the 10-obstacle course by climbing 35 feet. T-shirts with the message began raising awareness for his family’s foundation that supports terminal illness. He turned his father’s motto into a movement and changed several lives.
The Round of 16 Raises the Challenge With Two Additional Obstacles
It is now time for the Round of 16 races, and Zuri announces that, as the competition is reaching its final stages, they are raising the challenge for the remaining matchups. They must face an 8-obstacle course, where the first six remain the same. For #7 is Kickboards, which requires upper and lower body strength, and it has taken out a third of the ninjas who faced it in season 14. In #8 is Falling Shelves, for which they must make a treacherous blind grab to reach the buzzer. The round starts with a 17-year-old high school student and mental health advocate, Jackson Erdos from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a 19-year-old Gym Owner, Kaden Lebsack from Castle Rock, Colorado. The latter reached Stage 4 in his rookie season (2021) and in 2022, and earned $100,000 each year since he was the last ninja standing.
Jackson was the champion of season 3 of ‘ANW Junior.’ Kaden feels that since his opponent is one of the best ninjas in the world, it is going to be intimidating to face him. On the other hand, Jackson is ready to take the win even if he gets one little chance. As they begin running on the course, both of them move forward almost at an even pace before Jackson falls on the final obstacle. It provides Kaden with the victory, and he presses the buzzer at 01:32.85, moving on to the Top 8. Next up are 17-year-old high school student Evan from Hudson, Wisconsin, and 19-year-old Electrician Noah from Lakeville, Massachusetts. The latter is a 3-time ninja veteran who has never fallen on an obstacle since he began competing in season 15, leading to 114 completed obstacles. Evan is a rookie, but he impressively defeated the veteran Daniel Gil.
On the course, Noah moves swiftly ahead of Evan, who ends up falling into the water on the 7th obstacle. However, the former keeps his streak by overcoming 122 obstacles and pressing the buzzer at 02:02.39. Following them are 21-year-old Ninja Coach Sam Folsom from Dorsey, Illinois, and 18-year-old high school graduate and Heavy Metal Guitarist Evan Lavallee from Lancaster, Massachusetts. The latter is now the only remaining rookie in the competition. While Kevin has dedicated his season to his mother, Tammy, who has battled two forms of cancer, Sam has succeeded in moving on from the Group Stage as the fastest third-place finisher. Once they begin their race on the course, Sam moves ahead and falls on the Kickboards. Fortunately for him, Evan also falls into the water on the same obstacle. Since Sam reached the obstacle first, he wins the round and will next face Kaden Lebsack.
The Night Showcases Inspiration After Jessie Graff’s Legacy Lit up the Highlights
It is now time for the #4 memorable moment, which comes from Jessie Graff in season 8 (2016). The former College Trackstar got her Qualifier buzzer that season and finished second overall in the Semifinals. She became the first woman ever to get up the Warped Wall on the 8-obstacle course in Stage 1 and moved on to press the buzzer to become the first woman ever to complete Stage 1. She inspired a new generation of ninjas, and following that, Alyssa Beird and Jesse Labreck also completed Stage 1. Jessie’s run proved that nothing was beyond the reach of the women competitors. The next run for the Round of 16 is between 28-year-old Musician R.J. Roman from Jacksonville, Florida, and 24-year-old Gym Owner Matt D’Amico from Billerica, Massachusetts. R.J. has maintained the fastest time for four years in a row.
On the other hand, Matt has the top time in Stage 2 as a rookie. Although it felt that R.J. wouldn’t move forward, he moved on by being the fastest third-place finisher. As the ninjas begin running on the course, it becomes evident that R.J. is moving swiftly and not playing it safe. His opponent loses the round as he falls on the Floating Monkey Bars, but he continues to overcome the course and presses the buzzer. R.J. is going to face Noah in the Quarterfinals. 19-year-old Utah Firefighter Kai and David are the next athletes to run the course. The latter is known as the “Cake Ninja,” but he has cut back on his sweets since marrying in 2022. His wife, Caitlyn, brother-in-law, Caleb Bergstrom, and sister-in-law, Ashley, have all competed this year. Kai is the only Beckstrand standing from his family.
Kai’s brother, Luke, mother, Holly, and sister, Baylee, have competed alongside him this season. His family owns two ninja gyms, and they entered the ninja world after his father, Ryan, first competed in season 7. Both Kai and David have six buzzers each, and it is going to be a great battle. Kai gets a head start as the race begins and gains victory by pressing the buzzer at 01:34.97. Unfortunately, David falls on the 7th obstacle, ending his season. Max and 19-year-old Isaiah Thomas follow suit right after. While the latter swiftly moves ahead, his competitor falls on Kickboards. Isaiah proceeds to overcome all the obstacles and presses the buzzer at 02:04.38. The sixth run of this round is between 18-year-old Ben, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, who is just 5’3” in height, and 20-year-old Jay, who is 5’4”.
Comebacks, Goodbyes, and New Rivalries Set the Tone For the Battles Ahead
In his confessional, Jay reveals that since he has been short for a long time, he believes he can take on Ben. While the latter is ready to run the course, his opponent feels they are an even matchup. Both of them begin moving forward on the course at almost the same pace, but Jay pulls ahead only to fall on the Falling Shelves. Although Ben falls on the last obstacle, Jay wins the round because he reached there faster. In the Quarterfinals, he will compete against Isaiah. Right after, the hosts turn the attention to #3 memorable moment, which was from Isaac Caldiero. He is a Rock Climber who worked as a Busboy at that time. For years, no one could take a shot at climbing the Stage 4 75-foot Tower. It wasn’t until season 7 that Isaac succeeded in doing so.
Minutes later, Geoff Britten also did it, taking a chance at climbing it. Geoff conquered it in 29.65 seconds, just under the 30-second mark. Although it seemed impossible to climb it in a lesser time than Geoff, Isaac did it in 26.14 seconds and became the show’s first million-dollar winner. It is now the time for the next run in the Round of 16 between 17-year-old Luke Beckstrand from St. George, Utah, and 35-year-old Joe. If the former wins this round, he will race his brother in the next round. Since Joe has announced his retirement, this can be the final run of his ninja career. In his confessional, Joe divulges that he had said to himself that if he isn’t the fastest ninja anymore, it is going to be his sign. His kids are growing up, and they want to participate in sports.
Joe states that doing what his kids want and what he needs to do simultaneously isn’t possible. He feels he made the right decision and is excited to be with his family and be on the course one more time. Once the run begins, Joe puts pressure on Luke with his speed, and both come to an even position on the Kickboards. Unfortunately, Joe’s season and ninja career come to an end as he falls on the last obstacle. Luke moves ahead to finish the course and presses the buzzer at 02:00.40. With the final goodbye to Joe, the hosts announce the Quarterfinals matchups to be: Kai vs. Luke, Jay vs. Isaiah, Sam vs. Kaden, and Noah vs. R.J. Only one from each of these four matches is going to become the final four competitors.
Sibling Showdowns and Comeback Runs Make the Quarterfinals Unforgettable
For the first race of the Quarterfinals, Noah and R.J. take the stage. After their race begins, R.J. takes the lead with his speed, but shortly after, Noah catches up to him. He moves ahead of R.J. to the final obstacle, but the latter falls on the last obstacle. Since Noah is the one to reach there first, he gets the victory. Unfortunately, his streak of overcoming obstacles ends as he falls on the Falling Shelves after conquering 129 of them. Right after is the turn for Kaden Lebsack and Sam. Although the latter gets a head start, he falls behind on the Floating Monkey Bars. Kaden proceeds to win and press the buzzer at 01:37.59. Although Sam’s season has come to an end, he moves on to overcome all the obstacles and press the buzzer. In the Semifinals, Kaden Lebsack and Noah will face each other on the course.
The hosts then announce #2 of the memorable moments, which is related to the Stage 4 Tower. In the show’s first 14 seasons, only nine players succeeded in climbing it, and only two of them became the winner. In season 15, eight athletes took their shot at the Tower, among whom was 18-year-old Vance Walker. He was born with cerebral palsy and grew up with braces on his legs. However, he succeeded in climbing it within 26.75 seconds. The following year, he once again went on to take a shot at climbing the Tower and did so in 27.60 seconds. He became the only two-time Champion and felt proud to be able to live his dream while inspiring other people. Although he hasn’t competed this year due to an injury related to his condition, he hopes to be back the following season.
The competition moves on to the third race of the Quarterfinals, which will be between the brothers Kai and Luke. Luke discloses that they are competitive in every game, and he looks upto Kai because he is amazing. The older brother always wanted to compete against Luke, but at the same time, he is aware that, unfortunately, one of them will get knocked out. However, being able to compete against his brother is going to be a wonderful memory for Kai. Before starting the race, the brothers exchange their shirts at the starting line but decide to go without them. Luke moves ahead as Kai gets stuck on the Floating Monkey Bars. Shortly after, the latter manages to take the lead and press the buzzer at 01:27.59. Although Luke overcomes the entire course, he is now eliminated.
With Every Buzzer and Fall, the Field Narrows Down to the Fiercest Players
The last run of the Quarterfinals is between Jay and Isaiah, AKA the Fly Boy. The latter has been travelling across the globe and competing internationally in ninja contests. He first overcame an obstacle course in Costa Rica, where he set a world record and title. Following that, the Fly Boy traveled to Croatia and Dubai to compete against the top ninjas in the world. He feels that representing his country is amazing, and it gives him more confidence. Once they start taking on the course, Isaiah swiftly moves ahead and gains victory. He presses the buzzer at 01:24.01, becoming the fastest finisher of the night, and he will compete with Kai in the next race. However, Jay’s season has ended despite completing the course. The first two athletes to run the course in the Semifinals are Noah and Kaden, who overcame 99 obstacles before falling.
Noah and Kaden continue moving forward neck and neck until the latter pulls ahead, only to fall on Falling Shelves. Noah overcomes all the obstacles and presses the buzzer at 01:41.19, securing his place in the final race. Right after is the turn of Isaiah, who is facing Kai. Isaiah always wanted to race against his opponent because everyone considers both of them to be the fastest ninjas. Although Kai thinks his competitor is a threat, he realizes that he can win if he puts on a great run. The families nervously watch as both of them take to the course. Isaiah tries to keep up the pace and skip the rungs on the Salmon Ladder. However, while trying to reach the last one, he misses on the left side, leading to his fall and ending his journey this season. Kai is moving on to the final race, and he stops his run after overcoming the Clacker.
After an Intense Neck and Neck Final Race, Kai is Crowned the Champion
Upon questioning from Zuri, Isaiah confesses that his fall on the Salmon Ladder is a mistake, just like he did in the past three times. He continues that although it is disappointing, it is probably the best season he has ever had. For the final matchup, Kai is going to face Noah on the course to win the competition. Before that, the hosts reveal the #1 on the countdown list. For the first five seasons, very few women competed on the show, and only two made it to the Warped Wall. However, none of them could climb it until Kacy Catanzaro. Although she is just 5 feet in height, in season 6, she conquered the obstacle. A few weeks later, she became the first woman to ever overcome the Semifinals course. Her performance made headlines and got millions of views.
Kacy created a notable impact, leading to an increase in submissions by women and men alike for the following season. It is finally time for the final run of the season for the title of Champion between 3-time ninja veteran, Noah, and 4-time ninja veteran Kai. None of them has lost a race, and they both have been the favorites. The athletes begin their run with much confidence and move forward head-to-head. It isn’t until the Clacker that Noah slips off a handle and falls slightly behind. Kai moves ahead shortly and presses the buzzer, becoming the season 17 ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion. Zuri hands him the trophy and asks how he won the round. He explains that the more you run, the faster you get, and since he knew Noah would give it his all, Kai pushed himself too. Ultimately, Kai succeeds in winning and walks away with $250,000.
Read More: American Ninja Warrior Season 17 Episode 12 Recap: Who Won Finals 3?
