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The eighth season commences at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California on a course featuring the Floating Steps, Tick Tock, Escalator, Ring Jump, I-Beam Cross, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include stock trader Kevin Bull, stuntman Flip Rodriguez, stuntwoman Jessie Graff, and flight attendant Grant McCartney, while app developer Chris Workman and rock climber Josh Levin take on the course for the first time.
Turner Field, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is the home of the second qualifying round. The obstacles include the Floating Steps, Big Dipper, Block Run, Spin Cycle, Pipefitter, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include roommates Drew Drechsel and James McGrath, photographer Neil Craver, and boxer JJ Woods, while Alabama’s Casey Suchocki and dairy farmer Caleb Watson take on the course for the first time.
Indianapolis, Indiana hosts the third qualifying round of 2016. The obstacles are the Floating Steps, Rolling Log, Fly Wheels, Disc Runner, Swinging Spikes, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include rock climbers Meagan Martin, Brian Arnold, and Ian Dory, plus wedding photographer Jake Murray, while Indycar’s Helio Castroneves and NASCAR’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. take on the course for the first time.
The fourth qualifying round, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, features multiple fan-favorites. The obstacles include the Floating Steps, Ring Swing, Log Runner, Tire Swing, Bar Hop, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include worship leader Daniel Gil, gym owners Brent Steffensen and Kacy Catanzaro, and rancher Lance Pekus, while FedEx driver Kyle Mendoza and engineer Nate Burkhalter take on the course for the first time.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania holds the fifth and final qualifying round, with the course featuring the Floating Steps, Log Grip, Paddle Boards, Wall Drop, Rolling Thunder, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include the first ANW, Geoff Britten, plus meteorologist Joe Moravsky, Ryan Stratis, Michelle Warnky, and Jamie Rahn, while caregiver Jesse Labreck and track coach Anthony DeFranco take on the course for the first time.
The top 30 competitors from the Los Angeles Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, The Wedge, Helix Hang, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Kevin Bull, Flip Rodriguez, Grant McCartney, and two women – Jessie Graff and Natalie Duran.
The top 30 competitors from the Atlanta Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Floating Monkey Bars, The Clacker, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Drew Drechsel, James McGrath, Caleb Watson, Travis Rosen, and the “Redneck Ninja” Brent Ruffin.
The top 30 competitors from the Indianapolis Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles include the Salmon Ladder, Hourglass Drop, Circuit Board, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Meagan Martin, Brian Arnold, Ian Dory, Jake Murray, Lorin Ball, and dog-loving Andrew “Roo” Yori.
The top 30 competitors from the Oklahoma City Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Bungee Road, Window Hang, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Daniel Gil, Brent Steffensen, Thomas Stillings, and Jon Stewart, along with the Godfather, David Campbell.
The top 30 competitors from the Philadelphia Qualifier tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles featured are the Salmon Ladder, Flying Shelf Grab, Stair Hopper, and Invisible Ladder. Favorites include Geoff Britten, Joe Moravsky, Jamie Rahn, Ryan Stratis, Chris Wilczewski, and the “Fantastic Four” females – Michelle Warnky, Rachael Goldstein, Allyssa Beird, and Jesse Labreck.
The National Finals begin in Las Vegas, Nevada with the top 75 preliminary athletes (plus 15 wildcards) on Stage 1. The course features Snake Run, Propeller Bar, Giant Log Grip, Jumping Spider, Sonic Curve, Warped Wall, Broken Bridge, and Flying Squirrel. Favorites include Jessie Graff, Jesse Labreck, Kevin Bull, Daniel Gil, Flip Rodriguez, Travis Rosen, Jamie Rahn, Thomas Stillings, Brian Arnold, and Ian Dory, among others. Finishers move on to Stage 2.
The National Finals continue in Las Vegas where athletes continue to tackle Stage 1. Favorites include Geoff Britten, Joe Moravsky, Drew Drechsel, Meagan Martin, Jake Murray, Brent Steffensen, Kacy Catanzaro, Najee Richardson, and Josh Levin, among others. The finishers move on to Stage 2.
The National Finals come to a close, where Stage 1 finishers tackle Stage 2, and possibly Stages 3 & 4. Stage 2 includes the Giant Ring Swing, Down Up Salmon Ladder, Wave Runner, Butterfly Wall, Double Wedge, and Wall Flip. Stage 3 features the Keylock Hang, Floating Boards, Ultimate Cliffhanger, Curved Body Prop, Hang Climb, Walking Bar, and Flying Bar. If anyone reaches Stage 4 and conquers it, they’ll win $1,000,000 and the title of “American Ninja Warrior.”
ANW celebrates the 8th season with the second All-Star special. The team competition now is a relay race, and features Team Kristine, with Flip Rodriguez, Jessie Graff, and Nicholas Coolridge. Team Matt features Chris Wilczewski, Najee Richardson, and Jesse Labreck, and Team Akbar consists of Neil Craver, Grant McCartney, and Meagan Martin.
The skills competition also returns with seven tough challenges – the Endless Invisible Climb, Super Salmon Ladder, Striding Steps, Big Air Grab, Mega Wall, Thunderbolt, and Supersonic Shelf Grab.
Three separate teams of six from the US, Europe, and Latin America compete in Las Vegas on the first three stages of Mt. Midoriyama, the famed four-stage finals course featured in “American Ninja Warrior.”
Team USA includes Drew Drechsel, Daniel Gil, Jake Murray, Brian Arnold, Josh Levin, and Jessie Graff.
Team Europe features Sean McColl, Stefano Ghisolfi, Tim Shieff, Alexander Mars, Owen McKenzie, and Bjarke Tønnesen.
The all-new Team Latin America consists of Karl Fow, Diego Gonzalez, Wid Eriksen, Santiago de Alba, David Saikin, and Danee Marmolejo.
Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila host and Kristine Leahy co-hosts.
