American Ninja Challenge

American Ninja Challenge
Also known as American Ninja Warrior
Genre Documentary
Format Live-action
Country of origin

United States

Language(s) English
No. of seasons 3 (Ninja Fest)
2 (American Ninja Warrior)
No. of episodes 8 (Ninja Fest)
14 (American Ninja Warrior)
Production
Executive producer(s) Arthur Smith
Kent Weed
Holly M. Wofford
Vittorin Cacciatore
Camera setup Multiple-camera
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) Mark Phillips Philms & Telephision
Distributor G4
Broadcast
Original channel G4
Original run November 11, 2007 (2007-11-11) – present
External links
Website

American Ninja Challenge was a nationwide competition sponsored by G4 to send a number of American citizens to Japan to compete in the hit TV show Ninja Warrior. This competition has been held since Sasuke 19 (the 19th competition).

Contents

Ninja Fest

Ninja Fest: The Selection Process (2006)

G4's Attack of the Show hosts Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn broadcast a competition to ninja aspirees everywhere to create a video displaying their 'ninja moves'. Hundreds of people sent in submissions, and six finalists were selected. Through various competitions in America, the two winners were chosen; Collin Bell from Washington and Brett Sims from North Carolina went to Japan. They then participated in the Ninja Warrior Sasuke tournament.

Deciding the Ninjas: Ninja Fest 2 (2007)

Once the videos were sent in, six finalists were chosen. The six finalists were: Russelis Perry (aka "Blackie Chan") from Colorado Springs, Colorado; martial artist Joe Simonsen from West Islip, New York; Freerunner Brian Orosco from San Francisco, California; Rick Seedman from New York City, New York; freerunner Levi Meeuwenburg from Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Mark Witmer from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

These six finalists then went to a US Navy training camp, where they competed on a marine training obstacle course. In '1v1' challenges, three of the six competitors were eliminated. Once there were three challengers left, they competed on an improvised course consisting of several of the new Ninja Warrior's most difficult obstacles.

The winner, Levi Meeuwenberg, cleared it in 45 seconds, followed by Brian Orosco at 1:12 and Russelis Perry in third place at 1:16.

The Trip to Japan

Levi and Brian, prior to leaving for Japan, met with U.S. Olympic athlete and Ninja Warrior competitor Paul Terek, who has reached the third stage in past Ninja Warrior competitions. Paul trained them in strategies and tactics to quickly and successfully defeat some of the trickier obstacles of Ninja Warrior. Afterward, they headed to Japan, where they enjoyed Japanese culture and met for a dinner with Ninja Warrior's all-stars, including Makoto Nagano, the winner of the 17th Ninja Warrior tournament. Some other all-stars they met were: Shingo Yamamoto, gas station manager, and firefighter Toshihiro Takeda, who has reached the third stage more than any other competitor.

Ninja Fest 3 (2008)

The third American Ninja Challenge contest by G4 wrapped up in August 2008, and aired as part of November 12, 2008. Viewers got to vote for their favorite competitors and the top three would be picked and flown directly to Japan to compete in Sasuke 21. The three winners were Brian Orosco (who qualified with a different video), gymnast Mark Witmer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and freerunner/stuntwoman Luci Romberg (the first woman to qualify) of Valley Village, California. These winners joined American Ninja Challenge 2 winner Levi Meeuwenberg and both hosts from Attack of the Show!, Olivia Munn and Kevin Pereira to compete. In Japan, they have the ultimate experience, along with training at Muscle Park, a scaled-down version of the Sasuke course located in a section of shopping mall called "Muscule Park".

American Ninja Warrior/Challenge winner results at Sasuke (Ninja Warrior)

Collin Bell Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Challenge 1-Winner 19th 87 First
Levi Meeuwenberg Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Challenge 2-Winner 20th 1989 Failed Cliff Hanger Third
Invitation based on bids 21st 99 Failed Salmon Ladder Second
Invitation based on bids 22nd 91 Failed Slider Jump First
American Ninja Warrior 1-#2 Finalist 23rd 95 Failed Cliff Hanger Third
unknown 25th 48 Failed Slider Drop Second
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th n/a Did Not Compete Injured
Brian Orosco Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Challenge 2-Runner-Up 20th 1945 Failed Flying Chute First
American Ninja Challenge 3-Winner 21st 75 Failed Salmon Ladder Second
American Ninja Warrior 1-#1 Finalist 23rd 73 Failed Unstable Bridge Second
Invitation to Return 25th 69 Failed Doorknob Grasp Third
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 92 Failed Roulette Cylinder Third
Mark Witmer Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Challenge 3-Winner 21st 50 Failed Log Grip First
Luci Romberg Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Challenge 3-Winner 21st 35 Failed Halfpipe Attack First
Invitation to Return 22nd 63 Failed Jumping Spider First
David Campbell Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Challenge 4-Winner 22nd 50 Failed Rope Ladder First
American Ninja Warrior 2-Winner 26th 84 Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger Third
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 98 Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger Third
Travis Furlanic Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#3 Finalist 23rd 44 Failed Jumping Spider First
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 82 Failed Balance Tank Second
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 71 Failed Metal Spin Second
Paul Darnell Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#4 Finalist 23rd 43 Failed Halfpipe Attack First
Rich King Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1 #5 Finalist 23rd 42 Failed Unstable Bridge Second
Participated through New Zealand 25th 79 Failed Log Grip First
Caine Sinclair Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#6 Finalist 23rd 41 Failed Rope Ladder First
Shane Daniels Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#7 Finalist 23rd 34 Failed Tarzan Rope First
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 83 Failed Rope Ladder First
Geoff Iida Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#8 Finalist 23rd 35 Failed Warped Wall First
Joop Katana Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#9 Finalist 23rd 33 Failed Slider Jump First
Rick Huelga Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 1-#10 Finalist 23rd 32 Failed Slider Jump First
Patrick Cusic Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 60(?) Failed Rolling Escargot First
Adam Truesdell Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 72(?) Failed Giant Swing First
Evan Dollard Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 2 Finalist 26th 73(?) Failed Rolling Escargot First
Adam Laplante Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 59(?) Failed Halfpipe Attack First

Note: Adam Laplante returned as an alternate to compete in Sasuke 26 in Japan for the injured Levi Meeuwenberg who broke his wrist during practice-runs in Jump City Seattle.

Brent Steffensen Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 74(?) Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger Third
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 79 Failed Metal Spin Second
Paul Kasemir Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 2-Finalist 26th 61 Failed Doorknob Grasper Third
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 89 Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger Third
Ryan Stratis Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 63 Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger Third
Travis Rosen Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 78 Failed Metal Spin Second
James McGrath Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 57 Failed Ultimate Cliffhanger Third
Drew Drechsel Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 54 Failed Warped Wall (Incomplete Due To Injury) First
David Rodriguez Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 66 Slider Drop Second
Jake Smith Competition Order # Obstacle Stage
American Ninja Warrior 3-Finalist 27th 53 Failed Salmon Ladder Second

Hosts and Announcers for G4

Kevin Pereira Competition # Obstacle Stage
Attack of the Show Host 21st 40 Failed Log Grip First
Olivia Munn Competition # Obstacle Stage
Attack of the Show Hostess 21st 27 Failed Sextuple Step First
Attack of the Show Hostess 22nd 40 Failed Circle Hammer First

Obstacles in American Ninja Warrior Qualifiers

ANW Qualifying Round Semi-Finals
1 Quad Steps Rope Swing Spinning Log Spider Walk Pipe Slider Warped Wall Tarzan Rope Jumping Bars Rope Ladder
2 Quad Steps Rope Swing Bridge of Blades Spider Walk Jumping Bars Warped Wall Salmon Ladder Circle Slider Rope Ladder
3 Quad Steps Log Grip Bridge of Blades Jump Hang to Cargo Net Jumping Bars Warped Wall Salmon Ladder Unstable Bridge Rope Ladder

American Ninja Warror

The popularity of the American Ninja Challenge led G4 to create a licenced version of Sasuke titled American Ninja Warrior, with contestants from the United States and all play-by-play commentary in English.

American Ninja Warrior (2009)

The first season of the licensed production was recorded in 2009. The competition was filmed in Los Angeles, California from August 29 through September 1, 2009.

G4, working in conjunction with Pilgrim Films & Television, held open tryouts on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30. Additionally, participants submitted entry videos through G4 to Pilgrim Films, and certain contestants were called to schedule a specific tryout on one of the two days.

The selected entrants were selected to compete on August 31 to retain their spot, going into September 1, to narrow the field down to the final 10 competitors. Those finalists were then selected by G4 to compete on Sasuke 23 (the 23rd competition) in Japan later that month. The six-episode series premiered on December 12, 2009.

Opening

Narrator:

Japan's ultimate test of speed, strength, and stamina has finally come to America. Now the nation's toughest athletes battle in a series of grueling physical challenges. Only ten will survive and head to Japan to face the legendary Mt. Midoryama. Who has what it takes to become the first...American Ninja Warrior?

Training Challenges

The final round called "training challenges" was held on the beach and tested the competitors strength, speed, endurance, and agility. Judging the competition are two former U.S. Olympicians: decathlete Paul Terek and wrestler Henry Cejudo. 15 competitors competed in the challenge, 5 were eliminated, and 10 headed to Japan.

Challenge #1: Cinderblock/Bungee - tested competitors strength and endurance by carrying 25 pound cinder blocks while strapped to a bungee cord across the sand to a massive tire, setting them up in pyramid formation. Challenge #2: Obstacle Course - the course featured three stages: 1. army crawl under a cargo net. 2. pick up a barrel and carry it while walking a log without falling off. 3. stepping through a set of tires.

2009 Finalists

Competitors going on to Sasuke (Ninja Warrior) 23:

Order # Finalist Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Levi Meeuwenberg Failed Third Shin Cliffhanger
2 Brian Orosco Failed Second Unstable Bridge
3 Travis Furlanic Failed First Jumping Spider
4 Paul Darnell Failed First Half-Pipe Attack
5 Rich King Failed Second Unstable Bridge
6 Caine Sinclair Failed First Rope Ladder
7 Shane Daniels Failed First Trazan Robe
8 Geoff Iida Failed First Warped Wall
9 Joop Katana Failed First Slider Jump
10 Rick Huelga Failed First Slider Jump

American Ninja Warrior 2 (2010)

On August 7, 2010 filming began for the second season in Venice Beach, California that took place over the course of four days. The eight-part season premiered on December 8, 2010 on G4 TV and ran until December 23, 2010. The first two stages were hosted by Matt Iseman and former MMA fighter and Bellator announcer Jimmy Smith. In the qualifying round of the quarter-finals, 300 competitors tried to complete the course in the shortest time to advance to the semi-finals where they attempted to take on an extended course and were narrowed down to 15 finalists. These competitors had a chance to run the Ninja Warrior course in Japan at Mt. Midoriyama in the season finale, where they competed for $250,000 and a chance to be the first "American Ninja Warrior".

The final 10 competitors saw how far they could get on American Ninja Warrior on the Sasuke Ninja Warrior course in Japan and were allowed to go on to Sasuke 26 which aired on January 2, 2011, where they tried to be the first American to achieve "total victory" to be "grand champion" and win the title of "Ninja Warrior".

Opening

Narrator: "This is Mt. Midoriyama in Japan. More than 1,500 feet of metal, mud, and pain. Over the past 13 years, 2,500 competitors have apptempted to conquer this most punishing of obstacle courses. Only three have ever succeeded: Kazuiko Akiyama, Nagano Makoto, and Urushihara Yuuji. No American has achieved "total victory", but this elite group may change all that."

Ninja Warrior Boot Camp

This season, 30 challengers will advance to the next stage and out of those, 15 semi-finalists will move on to a competition of team challenges at the "Ninja Warrior Boot Camp" located in the remote mountains of California. Hosted by Matt Iseman.

The semi-finalists are divided into 3 teams: Red Dragons (headed by Travis Furlanic), White Tigers (Levi Meeuwenberg), and Blue Monkeys (Adam Truesdell).

Pick # Semi-Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome
1 Travis Furlanic Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 2 (Balance Tank)
2 David Campbell Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Ultimate Cliffhanger)
3 Thomas Hall Red Dragons Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
4 Brent Steffensen Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Ultimate Cliffhanger)
5 Paul Kasemir Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Doorknob Grasper)
Pick # Semi-Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome
1 Levi Meeuwenberg White Tigers Did Not Compete (Injured During Training)
2 Adam Laplante White Tigers Eliminated in Japan, Stage 1 (Half-Pipe Attack)
3 Rich King White Tigers Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
4 Ryan Cousins White Tigers Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
5 Shane Daniels White Tigers Eliminated in Japan, Stage 1 (Timed Out On Final Platform)
Pick # Semi-Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome
1 Adam Truesdell Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 1 (Giant Swing)
2 Patrick Cusic Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 1 (Rolling Escargot)
3 Brian Orosco Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Roulette Cylinder)
4 Evan Dollard Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 1 (Rolling Escargot)
5 Dorian Cedars Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)

In the order the competitors were given their American flag "colors" (bandanas):

Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Brent Steffensen Red Dragons Failed Third Ultimate Cliffhanger
2 Travis Furlanic Red Dragons Failed Second Balance Tank
3 Paul Kasemir Red Dragons Failed Third Doorknob Grasper
4 David Campbell Red Dragons Failed Third Ultimate Cliffhanger
Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Shane Daniels White Tigers Failed First Final Platform (Timed Out)
2 Levi Meeuwenberg White Tigers Traveled to Japan -- Did Not Compete (Injured During Training)
alt Adam Laplante White Tigers Failed First Half-Pipe Attack

Note: Adam Laplante returned as an alternate to compete in Sasuke 26 in Japan for the injured Levi Meeuwenberg who broke his wrist during practice-runs in Jump City Seattle.

Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Brian Orosco Blue Monkeys Failed Third Roulette Cylinder
2 Patrick Cusic Blue Monkeys Failed First Rolling Escargot
3 Adam Truesdell Blue Monkeys Failed First Giant Swing
4 Evan Dollard Blue Monkeys Failed First Rolling Escargot

American Ninja Warrior 3 (2011)

On May 12, 2011 filming began for the third season in Venice Beach, California that took place over the course of four days. The eight-part season premiered on July 31, 2011 on G4 TV and ran until August 22, 2011. The first two stages were hosted by Matt Iseman and former MMA fighter and Bellator announcer Jimmy Smith. In the qualifying round of the quarter-finals, 300 competitors tried to complete the course in the shortest time to advance to the semi-finals where they attempted to take on an extended course and were narrowed down to 15 finalists. These competitors had a chance to run the Ninja Warrior course in Japan at Mt. Midoriyama in the season finale, where they competed for a chance to win a $500,000 endorsement deal with K-Swiss and a chance to be the first "American Ninja Warrior".

The final 10 competitors saw how far they could get on American Ninja Warrior on the Sasuke Ninja Warrior course in Japan and were allowed to go on to Sasuke 27 which aired on August 22, 2011, where they tried to be the first American to achieve "total victory" to be "grand champion" and win the title of "Ninja Warrior".

Opening

Narrator: "This is Mt. Midoriyama in Japan. More than 1,500 feet of metal, mud, and pain. Over the past 14 years, 2,600 competitors have attempted to conquer this most punishing of obstacle courses. Only three have ever succeeded: Kazuiko Akiyama, Nagano Makoto, and Urushihara Yuuji. No American has achieved "total victory", but this elite group may change all that."

Ninja Warrior Boot Camp

This season, 30 challengers will advance to the next stage and out of those, 15 semi-finalists will move on to a competition of team challenges at the "Ninja Warrior Boot Camp" located in the remote mountains of California. Hosted by Matt Iseman.

The semi-finalists are divided into 3 teams: Red Dragons (headed by Ryan Stratis), White Tigers (Chris Wilczewski), and Blue Monkeys (Paul Kasemir).

Pick # Semi-Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome
1 Ryan Stratis Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Ultimate Cliffhanger)
2 David Campbell Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Ultimate Cliffhanger)
3 Travis Rosen Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 2 (Metal Spin)
4 James McGrath Red Dragons Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Ultimate Cliffhanger)
5 Alan Connealy Red Dragons 4th Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
Pick # Semi-Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome
1 Chris Wilczewski White Tigers 2nd Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
2 Brent Steffensen White Tigers Eliminated in Japan, Stage 2 (Metal Spin)
3 Brian Orosco White Tigers 5th Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
4 Drew Drechsel White Tigers Eliminated in Japan, Stage 1 (Warped Wall, Incomplete Due To Injury)
5 David Rodriguez White Tigers Eliminated in Japan, Stage 2 (Slider Drop)
Pick # Semi-Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome
1 Paul Kasemir Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 3 (Ultimate Cliffhanger)
2 Travis Furlanic Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 2 (Metal Spin)
3 Jake Smith Blue Monkeys Eliminated in Japan, Stage 2 (Salmon Ladder)
4 Brandon Douglass Blue Monkeys 3rd Eliminated in Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)
5 Dustin Rocho Blue Monkeys 1st Eliminated In Boot Camp (Heavenly Ropes)

In the order the competitors were given their American flag "colors" (bandanas):

Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Paul Kasemir Blue Monkeys Failed Third Ultimate Cliffhanger
2 Travis Furlanic Blue Monkeys Failed Second Metal Spin
3 Jake Smith Blue Monkeys Failed Second Salmon Ladder
Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 James McGrath Red Dragons Failed Third Ultimate Cliffhanger
2 Ryan Stratis Red Dragons Failed Third Ultimate Cliffhanger
3 David Campbell Red Dragons Failed Third Ultimate Cliffhanger
Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Brent Steffensen White Tigers Failed Second Metal Spin
2 David Rodriguez White Tigers Failed Second Slider Drop
Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Travis Rosen Red Dragons Failed Second Metal Spin
Order # Finalist Boot Camp Team Outcome Stage Obstacle
1 Drew Drechsel White Tigers Failed First Warped Wall (Injured)

See also

External links