American Ninja Warrior (2009–…): Season 14, Episode 13 - ANW Family Championship - full transcript

"ANW" family, family, family.

Dad, you didn't say "action."

Action.

We got the family here.

"American Ninja Warrior"

has always been about family.

Siblings, couples,

parents, and their kids

have all run our course.

You guys are
the first father-son duo

to get the buzzers.



Whoo!

But tonight, we're taking it

to the next level.

For the first time ever,

the top Ninja families

will run the course together.

I am so excited.

Like, I have been
dreaming of this day.

You have no idea.

We've got Ninja all-stars...

Yes!
Oh!

And new faces, too.

There you go.
Ooh, there it is.

And they're all working
with their loved ones...



That's my girl right there.

To conquer our course.

We have all competed
individually

in "Ninja Warrior"
competitions.

The first mom!

But tonight,
we get to compete together.

Ninja!

Yay!
Whoo!

Welcome to the Tacoma Dome.

History is about to be made

as we host the first ever
Family Championship

on "American Ninja Warrior."

Hello everyone,
and thanks for joining us.

I'm Matt Iseman.
And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila.

Matt, so many families
watch "Ninja Warrior" on TV,

but now, a few are getting
off the couch

to show what they can do
on the course.

We're gonna see moms
and dads, sisters and brothers,

and every family competing
has at least one teenager.

Ten teams in all.

And to tell us
how it's gonna work,

let's go down to the third
member of our family,

Zuri Hall.

Thank you, guys.

We are throwing out the rules
for the Family Championship

and doing something
really special.

Each team will run our
qualifying course twice,

relay-style,

tagging their teammate
after two obstacles.

And they'll have to change up
the team's order in round two.

The four families that conquer

the most obstacles
will advance.

They'll compete
in a head-to-head tournament

on the Power Tower
to determine our champion.

All right, guys, let's get
this Ninja family fun going.

Well, we're gonna start
things off with a family

that moves like ninjas.

Check these guys out.

How about that
for an entrance?

Let me tell you, I know
this team very well.

This is the Lewis family
from Del Valle, Texas.

Derrick, the dad,
was my football teammate

at San Diego State.

He's competing with son Darius
and his wife Noel.

They have very little
Ninja experience

but lots of enthusiasm.

And they're a big family.

They've got eight kids total,

and there's some
of the rest of them

watching back in Texas,

along with
Noel's mom and sister,

who are in New Orleans.

And they're definitely
a family of athletes.

Akbar and I played

college football together

at San Diego State University.

His personality
has always been

bigger than the camera.

Ah!

We just ate a spider!

I've always followed along.

Just a big fan of the show.

I thought this would just be

a great chance
to bring the family in

and get my wife
and my son involved.

When I met my wife,
she was in college.

I had just
gotten into the NFL,

played a few years.

And we have eight total kids,

six boys, two girls.

We brought with us
our fourth son, Darius,

who plays collegiate football.

I've played basketball
all my life.

And sports is very much
still a part of my life.

Ooh!

I'm just excited to be here,
more than anything.

I know my team is ready.

We're gonna make it tough

for anyone to beat us.

Three, two, one,
Lew Crew out.

So they're gonna get into
their relay positions,

and it looks like
19-year-old Darius

will take the leadoff spot.

That means he'll take
the first two obstacles,

Shrinking Steps
and Wait for It.

Go, Team Lew.

Mom Noel, who played
basketball at Temple,

will take the middle leg,
so she'll choose between

Burn Rubber and Domino Effect,

then face Air Surfer.

And bringing it home,

it'll be
Akbar's former teammate,

Derrick Lewis.

He'll tackle
the final two obstacles,

Sideways and the Warped Wall.

Ready, baby. We ready.
All right, man.

Ready.
Get them nerves out, dog.

Get them nerves out.

Well, here we go,

the first run of
our Family Championship.

Remember, no one
on this team has

ever been on a Ninja course.

Darius quickly picks up
the first point.

Now on Wait for It.

You get a point for every
obstacle the team completes.

Only the top four teams
will advance

to the race
on the Power Tower.

Nice grab there.

Darius plays
college football

at Abilene Christian
University.

He's a slot wide receiver,

so you know
he's got good hands.

This is what it looks like

when you go from
the couch to the course.

It's not gonna look as clean

but he's making it work.

He's already got one point,

about to get two.

Got it.
Look at that.

What an effort.

You see Mama over there
giving him--

going, "Hey, you good."

Gotta get the dismount.

Okay, two points!

Oh, he makes it.
Tags Mom.

She can choose
her balance obstacle,

and looks like she's gonna
try Burn Rubber.

All right, here we go.

Come on, burn out, burn out--

Oh!

No!
Down she goes.

So no points
on the middle obstacles,

but Dad gets to continue.

All right,
Darius brought two points.

Now, my former teammate

is gonna try to get
a point on Sideways.

And again, this team
has no Ninja training.

They're relying totally
on their athleticism.

My goodness,
what great technique.

This dude has always been

good at everything
he does, Matt.

Let's go, Akbar!

What--is he talking to me
during his run?

Sideways is
such a technical obstacle,

and he is making it look easy.
He flew through this.

My God, what a transfer!

I am never gonna hear
the end of this!

Oh!

D-Lewis down!

His grip gave out.

Couldn't hold on
on Sideways.

But what a promising start
for this family of rookies.

Hey, for a team with limited
training, not too bad.

Darius got through
both of his obstacles,

and D-Lew looked
very good on Sideways,

but got so high,
he hit it with his shoulder.

He was very close
to getting through.

So two points
for Team Lewis,

and they'll get another run
at the course later.

Well, here comes another big
family who likes to have fun.

Make way for the Webers
from Lehi, Utah.

Oh, look at this.
It is a--

wow!
Oh!

Now that's
a strong family, Matt.

That is impressive.

Weber Ninja!

Oh, and they're still going.
Weber Ninja!

"Weber Ninja" on three.

One, two, three,
Weber Ninja!

The Webers definitely
have team spirit.

They're led by Ian,
a Ninja veteran,

his wife Karissa,
and their nephew Kaleb.

And they have a lot
of unique talents.

I'm not your typical Ninja.

When Ninja vet Ian
isn't winning awards

for sign spinning,
AKA "shaker boarding,"

he's working on his massive
toy car collection.

Meanwhile, his wife Karissa
is an avid baker.

I do all our family's
birthday cakes,

and we have a huge family,
so I'm baking all the time.

But their love of Ninja

brings the whole
family together,

and it is a big group.

We got the family here.

I got nine siblings

and 50 nieces and nephews.

There are a lot of members
of the Weber family.

Smile!

So taking this one home

as a family

is really what it's all about.

Together, we are...

Weber Ninja!

Well, that extended family
is gonna be watching

from all over Utah.

There's a couple dozen of them
in their hometown of Lehi.

It looks like a family
reunion over there, Matt.

Now, Ian is
the most experienced.

He made it to the city finals

when he competed back
in season nine.

Looks like he's gonna take
the first two obstacles.

Wife Karissa
will take the middle leg.

Now, she's a baker,
and she made us some cupcakes.

Oh, Matt, look at this,

we got the cupcakes.
They ready.

Snickerdoodle.

You know what's cool?
They actually customized them.

Mine has an M on it,
for Matt, which is--

No, Matt, that's a W.
It's a W for "win."

They're trying to get the win.
They're trying to get the W.

That makes more sense.
Yeah.

And finally,
19-year-old Kaleb

is waiting at the end

to try the final
two obstacles.

Anyway, let's see how they do.

Hoping they have
a delicious run.

Mmm.
Mmm!

Oh, my God.
These are bussin'.

Ah!

Okay, he is fired up.

Ian Weber, wow, he is
attacking this course, Akbar.

Yes, he is, he's trying to
get them points, quickly, too.

Got the point for getting
through Shrinking Steps.

Now he's flying
through Wait for It.

And he's one
of our bigger athletes,

6'1" (185cm) and 200 pounds (90kg).

But he can move.

He competed on
"American Ninja Warrior"

four years ago and did well.

Well, it's really nice
when you run a gym.

You get to go out here
and show your students.

So far, he's been perfect.

And he's gonna pick up
another point for Team Weber.

And half the state of Utah,

AKA the Weber family,
is celebrating.

Now it's Karissa's turn.

She has a choice
of balance obstacles.

She's going with Burn Rubber.

Just go, stay on top!
Stay--oh, Karissa!

Oh!
Oh!

She was so close!
So close.

Let's go, Kaleb!

Well, now it's up to Kaleb
to add to their total.

Only 19 years old.

This is his first try
on a Ninja course.

He's an aspiring stuntman

who's about to go
on a two-year mission

for his church.

How cool, wherever he goes,

he can say he is
a Ninja Warrior.

That's right, well, before
he goes off to his mission....

This is
his number one mission:

get through Sideways.

This is a real challenging

technical transfer--wow!

This 19-year-old rookie

looking so good
on such a complex obstacle.

Boy, he's putting Utah
on the map.

Down and around.
Great job.

That is just remarkable stuff.

Oh, get that wall!

And right into
the Warped Wall.

Get that wall!
Boom!

Yeah!

Kaleb Weber!
I see the will!

Goodness!

How does that feel now, huh?
Representing for the family?

Representing.
Weber Ninja.

And it's like we can hear
all of Utah

screaming from here,

because Team Weber
just got four points.

They'll get to run
the course again later.

Coming up, he's been
an inspiration

to Ninja fans for years,

as he's battled
Parkinson's disease.

Coming out here
with Parkinson's disease

and saying, "You know what?
It's not a limitation for me."

But this will be
the final night of Ninja

for Jimmy Choi.

You're a hero to me.

You're a hero to everybody
with Parkinson's.

This is your moment, pal.

We'll see him next

on the "American Ninja Warrior

Family Championship."

Welcome back
to the first ever

Family Championship

on "American Ninja Warrior."

While we were away,
Scottsdale, Arizona's

Johnston family
took their shot at the course.

And 16-year-old
Preslie Johnston led it off.

There you go.
Yeah!

In her first time
on the Ninja course,

the high school student
crushed it.

Okay, Preslie.

The rookie about to
bring home two points.

Then it was her dad, Cody,

an anesthesiologist

who's a four-time
Ninja veteran.

Nice!
He beat Burn Rubber

and then flew through
the fourth obstacle,

Air Surfer.
Oh, all right.

Well, he slapped
her hand pretty hard.

So it was up to
19-year-old daughter Rylie

to bring it home.

She was looking solid
on Sideways.

Oh!

But couldn't get a grip
on the center slider.

It's okay.

And the Johnston family

ended up with four points.

I blame Cody, though.

He slapped her hand
pretty hard to tag off.

Up next, a team
led by one of

the most inspirational
Ninja athletes ever.

It's five-time veteran
Jimmy Choi,

who's joined by his daughter
and cousin.

Team Fox Ninja!

And of course,
Team Fox refers to

the Michael J. Fox Foundation
for Parkinson's research.

You know, watching Jimmy Choi
run with Parkinson's

is so inspirational.

My father has Parkinson's,
and it was Jimmy

who really inspired me
to get involved.

Well, he's joined tonight by

his 13-year-old daughter
Karina.

And there's the rest of
their family back in Illinois.

The third member
is Jimmy's cousin, Miinkay.

There are her parents
watching from Texas.

Miinkay's a Ninja rookie, but

she stepped up
to join the team

because this night
means so much to Jimmy.

This is gonna be
my last hurrah

on "American Ninja Warrior."

I've been living with
Parkinson's now for 18 years.

Even though I'm strong,
I'm fit,

my window of movement
on any given day

is getting
smaller and smaller.

Five years ago,
when I started this journey,

it was my daughter
who got me started.

She never had a doubt
in my abilities.

There it is.
Yeah!

She's been
a competitor herself.

She's been on "American Ninja
Warrior Junior" season one.

Karina's gaining
the advantage there.

She ain't
playing around, Matt.

That's Karina Choi.

Well, she's only 4'3" (130cm).

I'm really excited.

I've never been able
to, like, compete with him.

I've always just been,
like, cheering him on.

This is your moment, pal.
This is your moment.

This is what you live for,
it's what you train for.

It's what you--

you stay up late
thinking about.

I mean, now's your moment.
Now you got it.

Now you grab it, seize it,
hold it, run with it.

Nobody can take it away
from you.

You're a hero to me.

You're a hero to everybody
with Parkinson's.

You're a hero to your family.

You're a hero
to anybody with a pulse.

Go kick butt!

For me to be able to finish

and hit a buzzer on top
of that the Warped Wall,

I think there's no better
or more perfect way

for me to close that chapter

in my "American Ninja Warrior"
career.

Amazing.

And Jimmy's giving
a final hug to Karina.

She's our youngest competitor,

and she'll be taking on
the two middle obstacles.

Cousin Miinkay is back
at the start line.

She'll tackle
the first two obstacles.

And Jimmy will take
the final leg.

He'll try to get
through Sideways,

and perhaps his first shot
at a Warped Wall.

Everyone in America
would love to see that.

Well, Miinkay does
a lot of distance biking

and mountain climbing,

but this is her first time
on a Ninja course.

All right, 35 years old
and only 5'1" (155cm).

Miinkay, a good start.

Gets her team a point.

And she is
taking this seriously.

She flew from
California to Illinois

to train with Jimmy
and other Chicago area Ninjas

like Flex Labreck.

But this second obstacle,
Wait for It,

is technical.

You really have to know
how to lache,

something that can take
a lot of training.

She's only 108 pounds.

Oh!

Hard fall. She got a point.
That's all right.

So now it's Karina's turn.

At only 4'10" (147cm),

she's gonna take on
Domino Effect.

She knows how to
play dominoes!

Oh, she does!
Yes, she does!

Now the 13-year-old's
gonna step up to Air Surfer.

Yeah, and Karina
trying to bring home

the third point so far
for the Choi family.

Karina competed
on the first season

of "American Ninja
Warrior Junior."

Was only 4'3" (130cm) back then.

Now a whopping 4'10" (147cm).

Uh-oh, watch out.

Okay, good.
Nice correction.

Well, that's
a three-foot leap

on to the narrow ledge.

Ooh!
A fall!

But she got a point too.

Now it's Jimmy's turn
on Sideways.

And like you said, Akbar,

boy, it would be great

for him to get a buzzer.

Sideways is so
technically challenging.

This is it, and you can see,

he's leading
with that right hand

to get on the other side.

You can see the power--
Whoa!

Oh, my goodness!
With one hand!

That was a nice
one-handed save.

Look at Jimmy right here.
Nice.

Such good form.
How great will this be?

I want to see Jimmy Choi
hit that buzzer.

Oh, it would be...
Whoa.

A moment of a lifetime
for Jimmy.

Going for that dismount.

We've not seen him on his--
There it is.

This is it!
Warped Wall!

We get to see him
up the Warped Wall!

You got this, Jimmy!
Get that buzzer!

Beat that wall!
Beat that wall!

Beat that wall! Beat that wall!

This is it, this is history.
Come on.

This is it.

Yeah!
If you're struggling

with Parkinson's,
you've got to be inspired!

Yeah!
This is your moment!

You got it!
Whoo!

I am so happy for you, man.

People all around the world

who struggle with Parkinson's--
my father--

you are an inspiration,
and for you to get this moment

on the Family Championship,
how special is this for you?

I have no--I have no words.

I mean, people tell me
I'm an inspiration,

but everybody out there
watching in the world,

they give me the push to go on.

Inspiration's a two-way street.

But you know what?
To share this moment

with my family,
with my daughter,

everybody watching at home,

and for me to finally
hit this darn buzzer--

I--I--

Jimmy, last year we saw
tears of pain

when you fell
early on the obstacle,

and now we get to see
tears of joy

as you hit that buzzer.

Hit it one more time.

Let's go!

Yay! Whoo!

I've got chills.
I do too, my friend.

Coming up, we're swimming
with the sharks

and the whales

and the manta rays,

because Ninja's
not the only adventure

for the Heinrichs family.
They're next

when "American Ninja Warrior"
returns.

Welcome back
to our first ever

Family Championship.

While we were away,
the Auer family

stepped up
for their shot at glory.

Auer time!

They all work together
at the family's Ninja gym

back in Holly Springs,
North Carolina,

including 15-year-old
Josh Auer,

who competed
as the Bathrobe Ninja

on "Ninja Junior."

Leading it off
was Hannah Auer,

a 24-year-old rookie.

Look at the speed.
Okay, Hannah!

She earned a point
by getting past

the first obstacle,

but came up short
on the second.

Ooh!

Her brother-in-law,
15-year-old Josh,

had the second leg,

and he breezed across
Burn Rubber,

and attacked Air Surfer,

but overshot it.

So it was Josh's big brother

and Hannah's husband,
Caleb Auer,

who took off on the final leg.

Hopefully,
we have Happy Auer.

Caleb's a Ninja veteran

who made it to the Atlanta
City Finals two years ago,

but he's never hit a buzzer

until tonight.

Whoo!

So that's four points
for the Auers.

They look good.

Guys, I am a sucker
for those wildlife shows,

with the scary sharks
and all of the massive whales.

And our next dad is the guy
who dives to get those shots.

I'm talking about underwater
filmmaker Shawn Heinrichs,

who's competing
with his daughters,

Anabella and Secorra.

To the finish line!
Go Team Heinrichs!

They're another team
with two teenage girls,

and they have
incredible spirit.

And as you can see,

lots of support
back in Colorado,

including from Mom
and other family members.

Yeah, bring it on!
And the Heinrichs

don't just Ninja together.

As a filmmaker
and photographer,

my job is quite unique.

It takes me
to the corners of the planet

to film just about
every charismatic species

you can imagine in the oceans.

One of the challenges of my job

is leaving my children,

and so we've created
the opportunity

for them to come to my work.

I started snorkeling when
I was around two years old,

and even at that age,

I was already
snorkeling with sharks,

so I've never been
afraid of anything.

I've seen a lot
of really cool things.

The most impressive things
are manta rays.

They're majestic,
to put it into one word.

When I come back
from traveling,

we train together.

My daughters
are incredibly talented.

They got in before me,

and they're younger,
and they're stronger.

There you go.
You're almost there.

My dad, he's always been
a very athletic person

my entire life,

so it didn't
necessarily surprise me

that he was
also good at Ninja.

Perfect.
Whoo!

Nice.
In my work, I have filmed

some of the most incredible
spectacles in all the oceans.

But I can't imagine
a more precious moment

than to stand on the platform
with my two daughters,

holding up the Family
Championship trophy together.

That moment would beat
every other moment in my life.

Well, Secorra's gonna be
leading it off.

One of the youngest
competitors out here,

just 14 years of age.

Her 49-year-old dad Shawn

will take
the middle obstacles.

Matt, the man
is wearing shark socks.

I'm gonna have
to bite that style.

And that leaves
the older daughter,

16-year-old
Anabella Heinrichs,

to take the final leg.

I love that hair!

Those Heinrichs have style.

And they've got
two other all-star Ninjas

cheering them on
from Colorado,

Austin Gray
and Gnarly Nate Hansen.

They've been coaching
this family.

And they're making
the fishing motion.

Guess the Heinrichs
are gonna reel in a buzzer.

Secorra's gonna kick it off.

And Matt,
she's the baby of the family.

Here comes Baby Shark.

Wow, that was
a real confident start

out of Secorra.
On to Wait for It.

Let's go!

Come on, Secorra.

And again,
just 4'11" and 90 pounds (40kg),

our lightest competitor.

Now this is a challenge here,
a lache,

and that bar's gonna drop.
She looks like a pro, Matt!

She's generating good power.
Yes, she is.

Fly, fly, nice!
Whoa!

Oh, my goodness!
Matt, she's so light,

she threw her whole body
over the bar!

Well, we were worried
about Secorra,

but she seems up to the task.

Oh, my goodness.

I tell you,
it pays to be light.

This kid keeps up,

I think we're gonna need
a bigger course.

This is a bigger lache.
She's light,

so she might
get up high again.

Nice.
Unbelievable!

This is impressive, Akbar.
Come on, Secorra.

14-year-old rookie,
and she just got

two points for her family.
Yeah!

Baby Shark tagging off
to Daddy Shark.

He's 5'9" (175cm), 49 years old.

He's gonna put those legs
to the test on Burn Rubber.

Balance gonna be tested.
Nice, ooh!

Wow!
He was running around

like he was running away
from alligators!

This team is eating up
this course.

They are like predators
out here, Akbar,

chewing these obstacles up.

And remember,
they're all Ninja rookies.

First time ever on the big

"American Ninja Warrior"
course.

Gonna try to fly through
Air Surfer.

Ooh, be careful.
You gotta correct that.

Well, this is
just a challenge--

instead of a bar,
going with that board,

it's easy to overshoot
the landing pad.

And you can only imagine,

for a rookie,
how challenging this is.

And you can see, though,
Akbar, that left side

is not well on.
Watch this placement here.

No, Shawn's looking
a little uncomfortable.

Got it.

Shawn was captain
of the wrestling team

at Penn in the Ivy league.

Trying not to get pinned here.
Yes, come on, finish.

And Matt--and look
at the encouragement

from Teenage Shark.

Oh, my goodness.

That's four obstacles.

So far, a perfect run.

Now, Annabella's up.
Come on, Annabella.

Gonna take on this
challenging fifth obstacle,

Sideways.

Look at her skills.

Come on!
Bring it home!

Oh, my goodness!

Using that lower body
to kip up

and make these transfers.

This is so impressive.

Oh, my goodness!

What a phenomenal effort here!

Okay!

What?

Are you kidding me?
Look at this!

She just conquered Sideways!

Now, at 5'4" (162cm),
the rainbow fish-haired girl

is going for the Warped Wall.

Looking to make it
a perfect six points here.

Beat that wall!
Beat that wall!

This will be the best run
thus far in round one.

We saw her nice grip
on the Sideways.

Let's see if she can grip it.

Ooh, that was close.

But gets two more attempts.

Oh, come on, you're there.
Come on, all in.

All in, all in.
You're right there.

She's gonna need to grab
the top of that Warped Wall,

use those Jaws-like grip.

Ooh.

You get one more effort.

All you need is one more.
Take a breath, take a breath.

Take a second.
All you need is one more.

We're gonna see
if she can put this together.

They've already
got five points.

She's 5'4" (162cm), but she can get up

this 14 and a half-foot wall.

She's done it in training.

Oh, yes!
Oh!

Yes!

Yes!

Whoo!

I see you, Teenage Shark!

I see you!

Let's go!
Whoo!

You gotta tell me,
which one's scarier,

swimming down there with sharks

or doing this Ninja course?

This.
Oh, okay!

With their size
and inexperience,

I don't think anyone
was expecting

this type of run.

But this team of rookies
on the big course

just crushed it,

the first to get
all six points.

And right now,
they're down with Zuri.

A family of divers
avoids the water.

You're perfectly dry.

Way to pull off
those six points.

Shawn,
how are you feeling about

how the Heinrichs held it down?

I am so, so proud
of my two girls.

Yeah.
They brought me to the sport.

I owe it all to them.

And this is one of
the proudest days of my life.

Oh, my gosh,
a proud papa, indeed.

Secorra, how did you feel
when you started things off?

At first,
I was pretty nervous,

but once I started, I knew that

our whole entire team
was just gonna rock it.

I love that.

And, Anabella,
you hit that buzzer.

What were you thinking
in those final moments

before you made it up?

I was just thinking,
like, "You got so close.

"You know you can do this.
Just run as fast as you can,

jump, and get up there.
Gotta go all out."

You went all out
and you got it done.

Heinrichs, congratulations.

Cannot wait to see
what you guys do in round two,

if it's anything
like this first one.

Good job.
Thank you so much.

Of course.

Still some good teams
to come, but right now,

the Heinrichs are at
the top of the leaderboard

with six points.

Remember, only the top
four teams will move on

based on points
from round one and round two.

It's gonna be rip-roaring...

Oh!
Okay!

And hair-raising...
The hair's amazing.

When we return on
the "American Ninja Warrior

Family Championship."

Welcome back
to the first ever

Family Championship

on "American Ninja Warrior."

And moments ago,
the Wright family

came out to see
if they had the right stuff.

Mike Wright, the Speedo Ninja,

is a five-time veteran

known for stripping down
to his Speedos.

Oh!
Oh, there we go!

Tonight, with his sister
Nikkilette

and cousin Roman at his side,

he was ready
for another rip-roaring start.

Oh!
What?

Oh!
Okay!

They couldn't convince Roman
to rock the Speedo.

Roman said, "I am too cool."

Looking good, Roman.
Let's go, big man.

Roman,
a college basketball player

from Escondido, California,

picked up a point
on the first obstacle.

19 years old, Matt.
He's got some athleticism.

But came up empty
on the second.

No, airball!

Mike Wright, the most
experienced member

of the team, had no problem
on Domino Effect.

He ain't playing!

And the diving coach
at the University of Tennessee

was able
to keep his Speedos dry

on both his obstacles.

Yeah!

He tagged his sister,
Nikkilette,

a stuntwoman in Hollywood.

Ooh!

But she had
a crash landing on Sideways,

leaving Team Wright
with three points overall.

Our next family
definitely has

the best haircuts in the bunch.

The Beckstrands
from St. George, Utah,

also have the most
Ninja experience.

All three members of the team

have competed on
"American Ninja Warrior."

And they're hard to miss
because of one thing...

The hair.
The hair is amazing.

Yeah, the mohawks definitely
make this team stand out.

Beckstrand family Ninjas!

And this family
has been preparing

for this competition
for years.

I never thought, when Brian

started building stuff
in our backyard,

that it would literally
change our way of life.

We are truly a Ninja family.

Both my parents
have been on the show.

My mom competed
on season 10 and 11.

All right, just go for it.
Wow!

Ooh, a hard impact.

Look at that reaction.

My dad competed
on season seven and eight.

Okay! I see you!

Brian Beckstrand!

And I competed
season 13, with my dad.

Get that buzzer! Yeah!

Watching Kai and Brian
make history...

The first father and son
to hit a buzzer

on "American Ninja Warrior!"

First ever!
Yeah.

Whoo!

Was awesome.

Beckstrands, baby!

We here!

I feel pretty cool,
'cause most parents,

they're sitting
on the sidelines

watching their kids compete,

when we're actually
competing with our kids.

Yep, he's coming.
He's coming, Bri, he's coming.

It's something that
we can all do together.

I'm super excited that we get
to compete as a family now.

It's insane.

I think each one of us

has something
to bring to the table.

Me and Holly have
the experience and the age.

But we're definitely
leaning on Kai.

He's our it-factor,
he's our anchor.

And hopefully not everyone
has a Kai on their team.

Let's go, we got this.
Yeah.

Gonna be awesome.

Exciting.

The other members
of the family

are watching back in Utah.

And lots of friends
at the Ninja gym

the Beckstrands own
in St. George.

Mama Holly
will be leading it off.

They're giving
their all-star son Kai

the challenging
middle obstacles,

and dad Brian
will be going for the buzzer

on that final leg.

Let's see if the Beckstrands
can bring it tonight.

This family is definitely

one of the favorites
to win it all.

Holly kicking it off.
Last saw her in season 11.

Good.
Hold on, okay.

One point for the Beckstrands.

Wait for It.

Come on, Hol.
You got it, Mom.

Gotta lache on a moving bar

to catch another moving bar
dropping down.

Get up, yeah!
Wow!

Matt, this is
a 41-year-old mom

who's got five kids at home.

Well, they do own two gyms.

The whole family trains there.
They train on vacations.

It's a very fit family, Akbar.

It is.
They stay moving, Matt.

One more.
Same thing, same thing.

I wonder if they have
any deal with Mama Holly

to see...
Whoa!

If she would get
a mohawk, Akbar.

She is holding her own here.

Big swing.

I'm coming.
Get off of there. Big kick.

Mom and son just having
a little chat out here.

Two points
for the Beckstrands.

Kai's gonna tackle
Burn Rubber.

This kid was an absolute--
oh, my God--

revelation in season 13.

We lowered the age limit

and Kai was one of the
teenagers who took advantage.

He made it all the way to
Stage 2 in Vegas at just 15.

And whoa, almost
came up short there.

But corrects it.

A lot of potential
superstars

among those teenagers,

and Kai Beckstrand's
one of them.

Well, the Heinrichs
set the bar a few minutes ago.

They got through
all six obstacles.

The Beckstrands trying to be
the second team to be perfect.

And Kai does his part.
Nice.

But now it's
Dad's turn on Sideways.

This is such
a technical obstacle.

Get that hand down and around.

Oh, he's so strong,
so technical.

We know he spends a lot
of time in the Ninja gym.

Yes.
He's also a firefighter,

so this man knows fitness
is a matter of life and death.

Yeah, two more.
Almost there.

And he's out here,
at 42 years old,

keeping up with
his 15-year-old son

and he's crushing Sideways.

There we go!
Nice!

Look at this fitness level.
This is why he passed

the fitness test
with flying colors.

Nice!

Whoo-hoo!

And no problem.

Brian Beckstrand
and the Beckstrands deliver.

Six for six
on these obstacles.

Brian, you've seen
a lot of competition,

you, your wife, and Kai.

How does this one compare
to "Ninja" and "Ninja Junior"?

It's fun being able to be
there and support each other

on individual stuff.

But to say that
because of all of our efforts

we got to here,
it's even better.

It doesn't get
better than that.

They say a family that plays
together stay together,

and you guys stay together
with six points.

Great job, man.
Thank you.

Not surprising, man.
The mohawk is looking good.

Hit that buzzer one more time.

Well, there it is.
It's all about family

for the Beckstrands,
for all the families out there.

It's what "American Ninja
Warrior" is all about.

Yes, it is.

Coming up.

Can your cafeteria
worker do this?

My goodness.

The Lunch Lady Ninja
serves it up family-style,

when "American Ninja Warrior"
returns.

Welcome back to
the Family Championship

of "American Ninja Warrior."

And right now,
the Beckstrands and Heinrichs

sit atop the leaderboard
with six points.

Only the top four teams
will move on.

We've still got two more teams
to run in round one.

And up next,
from Indianapolis,

it's the O'Dells.

That's 41-year-old dad,
George,

38-year-old mom, Amanda,

and their 17-year-old son,
Trey.

Look at them flexing
some Midwest muscles.

Well, they run
a Ninja gym back in Indy,

and they've got
their two other daughters

watching from home
with some friends,

plus lots of students
at their gym.

And Ninja fans
may remember Amanda.

She made a big impression
a couple years ago,

representing for cafeteria
workers everywhere.

Whoa!

Yeah, girl!

I am the Lunch Lady Ninja.

Ethan, you want
lettuce and tomato?

Uh, no.

Here you go, bud.
Have a good day.

Do you want any veggies?

It's just an awesome job.
I love it so much.

Is everybody's food delicious?

Making your muscles strong?

The last time you saw me
on "Ninja Warrior,"

I had a pretty successful
rookie year.

Rhythm, rhythm.
Tater tot, tot, tot, tot, tot.

That's what I'm talking about!
Yes!

I made it all the way
to the fifth obstacle.

What a performance
by this rookie.

You know, for 20 years,

I've been trying to tell her
how awesome she is.

What she's capable of,
what I see,

that she can't see.

She can't believe it,
but her fans can.

And I felt like,
for just this little moment,

a few years ago,
everybody got to see that.

And that--that was awesome.

Training has definitely
turned into a family affair.

My son competes in Ninja.

Trey is a very natural Ninja.

He has no fear whatsoever.

Hanging out with my parents,
doing Ninja, is cool,

'cause that's, like, not
something that a lot of people

do with their families.

It would be really cool

to have a really great
couple of runs,

to get to the finals.

But I can tell you this,
no matter what,

I'm super proud of them.

I couldn't be
more grateful for them.

Just being here, right now,

has been awesome.

So Amanda's
gonna lead it off.

Lunch Lady's
got some dance moves.

Let's go, baby!

Her husband, George, will
take the middle two obstacles,

and then their son, Trey,
will take the final leg.

My boy!

What's happening?
Ah!

I got a feeling
this group is

gonna have some fun
out here.

"Purpose over podium."

I like it.
Purpose-driven life.

Amanda actually
became a lunch lady

'cause she wanted to have
the same hours as her kids,

got to work at the school
where was Trey was going.

And she shocked the world
two years ago.

Came out as an unknown rookie

and ended up making it
to the Cincinnati City Finals.

And she knows
how to lache, Akbar.

Wait For It's a challenge,
'cause that bar drops down.

Great job.
Yeah, and it's the timing.

And she's got that timing.

And she never did
any sports growing up.

But now, she's out here
crushing the course

as a 38-year-old mom.

Nice.

And, Matt, now this is
a bigger jump, a bigger leap.

Nice catch.

Taking her time,
but that's okay.

Lunch Lady's about
to deliver something

as delicious as Sloppy Joe's,

and that would be two points.
Oh, all right.

Got it.
Two points.

Here we go, come on.
Now it's Dad's turn.

Going for Domino Effect.

Oh!
No, no!

Domino Effect--he's down.

Slapped down.
Now it's up to Trey.

He'll start with Sideways.

All right,
Trey's 17 years old.

Wow.
High school senior.

And Sideways
is a very difficult,

very technical obstacle
that's knocked out

some top Ninjas
over the years.

But this rookie
is sailing through it.

And it's--it's a blind grab.

You're just hoping
that you get high enough

and then land that--
Oh, my goodness.

Are you kidding me?
Okay, Trey!

Get your diploma!
And no hesitation!

Ooh!
Missed the first one.

Two more attempts.

Only needs one--oh, my God.

Look at him flexing!

That's right, Trey!
Yeah! Let's go!

Trey O'Dell hits a buzzer

in his first time
on a Ninja course.

And the O'Dells
get four points total

on their first run.

I gotta ask, man.
You're 17 years old.

What's it like competing
with your parents?

They're pretty cool.
They're pretty cool, huh?

Yeah.

17 years old,
out here competing

with Mom and Dad,
and he held his own.

The Lunch Lady Ninja
served up two points

by knocking down
the first two obstacles.

Then the teenager
came through with two more.

He got a leg up
on the Warped Wall.

Now that's flexibility.

So that's four points
for the O'Dells,

a good start for them.

Up next, she made history
here before.

The first mother
ever to hit a buzzer!

Can Sandy Zimmerman do it
this time with her family?

She's next,

when "American Ninja Warrior"
returns.

Welcome back

to our Family Championship.

And remember,
at the end of the night,

our final four teams
are headed over

to the 40-foot monster,
the Power Tower.

Yeah, and it'll be our first
ever Power Tower relay race.

They're gonna race
head-to-head

to crown our first champion.

Only the top four teams
will move on,

based on their obstacle total
in the two rounds.

Right now,
the Beckstrands and Heinrichs

sit atop the leaderboard,

but we've got one more team
to go in round one.

Zuri, get 'em started.

She became a legend
right here in the Tacoma Dome

as the first mom ever
to hit a buzzer,

right on
"American Ninja Warrior."

Now, Sandy Zimmerman
is back with her family.

The Spokane PE teacher
is a five-time Ninja veteran,

and her son Brett
competed on "Ninja Junior."

But her husband Charlie,

well, he had to work
for his spot on the team.

We knew Brett and I
were shoo-ins.

Brett and I were going to be
part of this trio

of three Ninjas.

But we needed a third,

and so that was the funny part
in the family--

who's gonna be our third?

Hello?
What about me?

Mm, I don't know, Dad.

Charlie competed
on season ten.

And he delivers!

But we weren't sure
how he would do.

You're joking.
Sorry, Charlie.

We want to win.

So we thought it would be fun
to run a tryout.

We got Charlie
on some obstacles.

Oh, jeez.

I was super nervous.

I just kinda
went along with it.

So that kinda
lit the fire under me.

We had a little checklist,

and seeing if he could
make the cut.

How we doing, guys?
You're doing a good job, Dad.

I think we better call Grandpa.

Yeah.

That's pretty good.
Yeah.

That's pretty good.

Luckily, Charlie made the cut,

so he's our third person.

Yes, finish it.

I definitely don't think
I'm a weak link.

I'm gonna come up big tonight.

And I want to
just make them proud.

Hey, Charlie
better represent,

because their
two youngest kids

also do Ninja and can
join the team, if needed.

They're back in Spokane
with the family's dog, Koda.

Lots of other friends
watching.

The Zimmermans host
a lot of events at their home.

They're the first family
of Ninja in Spokane.

Charlie will get to show
what he can do early.

He's gonna take the first leg
with obstacles one and two.

Ooh, Charlie's
starting it off.

15-year-old son Brett
is getting into place

in the middle of the course.

He'll face obstacles
three and four.

And that'll leave
ZimmerMom Sandy

to take the final leg,

which hopefully ends with
her hitting the buzzer.

Come on, Dad.
You got this, Dad!

Charlie's starting
this thing off.

Well, he was a pitcher
for the Gonzaga baseball team,

so he was a college athlete.

And he gets their first point.

He and Sandy met at Gonzaga.

She was on
the basketball team.

Yeah, he's 6'2" (188cm).

He's got those long arms to
use right here on Wait for It.

Get it.

That's it.

Feeling pretty good

about what this family can do.

Charlie's not gonna set
any speed records

for this obstacle,
but that's okay.

Just needs to get through it.

Gotta get over
to that final bar.

You're good.
Come on.

Nice.

Oh, Charlie!
Oh, fingertip save!

Oh, my--crap!
Charlie!

Geez, Louise,
way to make it exciting.

Sandy's nervous.

Sandy is freaking out
over here.

All right, come on, get off.

Charlie gets another point.
Hand it off to Brett.

He's choosing Domino Effect.

Right through it.

And heads up to Air Surfer.

That's my boy.
Come on, Brett.

Come on, you can do this!

Brett never failed
an obstacle when he competed

on "Ninja Junior," Akbar.
Kid's a stud.

Both his parents
are Ninja Warriors,

so you know who
his favorite Ninja is:

Najee Richardson,

who was his mentor
at "ANW Junior."

Well, you know, he can't--
he shouldn't overlook Mom.

Mama's a pretty nice Ninja.

Four-foot leap here.

Ooh, almost came up short
on that leap.

Cutting it close.

But now almost through
Air Surfer.

Look at this,
the Zimm family, perfect.

Leave it to Sandy
to bring it home.

Tacoma's where she got
her first buzzer in season 11.

Yeah, she's had a lot
of good things happen

here in Tacoma for her.

She's about to show her son,

"Boy, this is where you get
your Ninja DNA from."

Well, she competed
in the Women's Championship.

Faced Sideways twice,
bested it both times.

Come on, Mom,
you can do this!

Now, the conversation
at the house is

who's the better Ninja?
And if you asked--

oh, no!

Shockingly, the fall
in the Zimmerman family

comes from Sandy.

She is such a competitor.

She is not gonna
be happy about this.

A few close calls
for the Zimmermans.

Charlie made a one-handed
save on Wait for It,

and Brett barely landed
the board on Air Surfer.

For Sandy, her left hand
got caught on the slider,

and they didn't land together
on the next board.

That ended her run.

Ugh, sorry.

You're all right,
you're all right.

My right hand didn't get
all the over the top of it.

All right,
we got one more run.

That's right,
they've still got a run

in round two.

And we've got two teams

who are perfect,
with six points.

A big bunch of families

joining the Zimmermans
with four points.

But no one's out of it yet,

with round two coming up.

And later, our champions
will be determined

40 feet in the air,
as our final four

go head-to-head
on the Power Tower.

It's the Family Championship

on "American Ninja Warrior."

Welcome back
to our first ever

Family Championship.

All our teams have now
had a shot at the course,

and now,
they get to do it again.

But in run number two,
they change up the order.

So it could be a different
story second time around.

Plus, they have to pick
a different balance obstacle.

So if they chose
Burn Rubber in round one,

they'll have to try
Domino Effect this time,

or vice versa.

Starting off our second round

will be the Johnston family

from Scottsdale, Arizona,

led by four-time
Ninja veteran, Cody.

This family's Ninja journey

started back in 2015.

That's when Cody made his
first run on the Ninja course.

His daughters were on
the sideline cheering him on.

And though they fell asleep
in the stands,

they got the Ninja bug.

Big swing, big move.

And now they train with Dad
back in Arizona.

Nice.

That's enough.

So 19-year-old college
student Rylie Johnston

is gonna lead it off
this time.

She's competed on
the regular season of "Ninja."

She's got experience.

Her little sister Preslie
will be waiting

to take on
the two middle obstacles.

And then dad Cody stands ready

to take it home
on the final two.

Gives him a good shot to hit
his very first buzzer.

Lots of folks watching
back in Arizona,

including the other members
of the Johnston family.

Go, guys!

They got four points
in round one,

and Rylie's gonna
pick up another point

here on Shrinking Steps.

Yeah!
Whoo.

Wait for It
is a challenge, Akbar.

We've seen some falls here.

Yeah, that's right, three
falls on this in round one.

It can be very difficult
if you don't know

how to generate a swing.

Gets the first one.

Boom. Solid.

Rylie was
a high-level gymnast

before she started
Ninja training.

Just 5'1" (155cm), 115 pounds (52kg).

Building up her swing
to reach this final bar.

Ooh!
That's a proud dad.

He should be.

She's about to get
another point.

And she does it.

Tags her sister, Preslie,

who must try Domino Effect,

since Dad did
Burn Rubber earlier.

Oh, no!

Uh-oh.

So now, it's up to Dad.

To move on, a team probably
needs at least eight points,

so Cody's gonna need to finish
both these obstacles.

And he's never hit a buzzer

in four seasons
on "Ninja Warrior."

He's never made it past
the fifth obstacle.

Facing this critical move
on Sideways.

Has to get off the slider.

Not sure which hand
he's gonna lead with, Akbar.

He's gotta get high,
he's gotta get the height.

Oh, that's a great save.
That was so close!

That was an impressive save.
His hips didn't have

much distance,
but managed to hold on.

Ooh, do you see
how focused he is?

Oh, my!
A flip, and he's through!

And now he's gonna face
the Warped Wall

for the first time
in his Ninja career.

Come on.
Come on!

Come on.

Just kind of
taking his breath.

This will be such
a big moment for him.

And he got it!
There it is.

Cody Johnston.
Oh.

Oh, from the top rope!

From the top rope!
Oh!

Yeah!
Oh!

I love it!
There it is!

Whoo!

Oh, man!

He is ecstatic.

I love that.
That was fun.

Man, I've been waiting
to do this for years.

Yeah.
Ah, this feels good.

Well, how good does it feel
doing it when you know

you're getting to compete
with your daughters?

This right here
doesn't even compare.

Second to none.

Getting to compete with
these strong young ladies...

Nice job!

Means the world to me.

What a beautiful moment.
The dad right there--

Good job, guys!

Whoo!

That's why we did
this family special, Akbar,

for that moment right there.
Well, hey, Papa delivered.

And the Johnston family
has eight points total.

We'll see if that's enough
to advance.

Either way, a great moment
for this family.

Up next, taking their
second run at the course,

it's the Auer family

from Holly Springs,
North Carolina.

That's Hannah,
her husband, Caleb,

and his little brother Josh
in the bathrobe.

And there are more Auers
back in North Carolina.

For this group,
Ninja is a family business.

Caleb and I met
when we were ten, at church.

The first time I saw her,

I was pretty much
immediately smitten by her.

But I was too scared
to talk to her

for the first few years
I knew her.

I had his friends
constantly telling me,

since he was little,
that he liked me, and I said,

"I'm not gonna believe it
until he tells me himself."

Eventually,
I got up the courage

and started talking to her
more and more.

In 2016, I asked her
to marry me, and she said yes.

Since then, it's been
happily ever after.

I had no idea I was gonna be
married into a Ninja family.

Go.

Ninja's really become
our family business.

My dad owns the gym,
I manage and coach.

Josh also coaches.
Hannah runs the day camps.

And my mom does the books.

Nice job.
Nice.

Nice.
Whoo!

I think working at the gym

and always
being around obstacles

gives us the extra advantage
over some of these teams.

I've been on two seasons

of "American Ninja
Warrior Junior."

And I'm known as
the Bathrobe Ninja.

And I made it
to the semifinals both times.

The Bathrobe Ninja...
Wow!

With the massive
dismount there.

He's going for
his fastest time!

Me and Josh have definitely
always been friends,

but "Ninja Warrior"
has definitely

made us best of friends.

He pushes me to do things

I didn't think I could do,

and I push him to do things

he didn't think he could do so

we really work together well.

Oh!
Right there, man.

It's so cool that we all

get to experience
this together.

It's really just surreal.
It's a dream come true.

And the whole
family's watching

back in North Carolina,

including Mom there
on the left.

And a lot of the Ninjas
they train with

are watching
back at the family gym.

Caleb Auer is
going to lead it off.

Only 24, but he's
the old man on this team.

His wife, Hannah,
who's also 24,

will take the middle leg.

And that leaves
the Bathrobe Ninja, Josh,

in the anchor leg.

He first wore the bathrobe
in his submission tape

when he competed on
"Ninja Junior,"

and now he wears it
to the start line

for every run.

The Auers grabbed four points
in their first run,

and Caleb Auer quickly
gets across the steps

to grab another.

Whoo!

Going up on to Wait for It.

Caleb got two points
in the first run.

Looking strong once again.

Oh, almost overshot
that bar right there!

Caleb played
high school football

back in North Carolina,

and he's showing good hands
on this obstacle.

Needs to generate
some swing here.

Nice, you got this.

Yes, Caleb!

Caleb was perfect
in round one.

Looking to go perfect again.

And he does it.
He's through.

Tags Hannah,
who must do Domino Effect,

since they did
Burn Rubber earlier.

She's gotta run fast.
Go, go, go.

She's leaning forward!

Perfect!
Oh, Hannah!

Yeah!
Hannah!

And that obstacle's
been tough tonight.

Yeah!

You got this, Hannah.

You can do this.
You can do it, come on.

Now on Air Surfer,

and you can hear her getting
a lot of support there.

I love that, husband
tagging off to the wife,

and the wife delivering.

There you go, just like that.
Nice.

And you hear Josh Auer
offering a lot of advice.

15, he is confident
with his Ninja skills, Akbar.

Nice, Hannah!
Yeah! Let's go!

Good work, come on.

Josh actually fell on
this obstacle in round one.

She's lining it up.

Three-foot leap here.

Come on, Hannah.

Oh, no!

Just missed the transfer.

So now pressure's on
for Josh.

In order for them to advance,

probably gonna need to get
two more points.

A lot of families left to run.

Wow!
Good pace here.

Trying to get four here.

It's this descent.
You gotta go

down and around
with that lead hand.

And you can see him
analyzing it

and then going up.
Oh, my goodness.

Nice--ooh, heard
a little squeak in that.

He didn't even
bring the bathrobe, Akbar.

He is that focused.

Warped Wall
should be no problem.

Right up it!

Whoo!

Whoo!
Let's go!

There it is!
And he is pumped.

Oh, man!

Whoo!

Great job, man, you guys
brought home five points.

So the Auers are now
atop the leaderboard.

It's looking like these
families will need at least

eight points
to be in the top four

and move on
to the Power Tower.

But the Auers
can celebrate for now.

They're the clubhouse leaders,

with nine points.

They were a big surprise
in round one.

Can the Heinrichs
from Colorado

make it to the final four?

They're up next on

the "American Ninja Warrior"
Family Championship.

Welcome back to
the legendary Tacoma Dome

and our first
"American Ninja Warrior"

Family Championship.

While we were away,
the Lewis family

tried to add to the two points
they got in the first round.

6'0" (183cm) tall mom Noel Lewis
took the slow approach,

step by Shrinking Step.

Ooh! She got baptized!

Then Derrick, Akbar's
college football teammate,

tried sprinting through
the Domino Effect.

No! D-Lew!

So it was left to son Darius
to pick up some points.

The college football
wide receiver

showed good hands on Sideways,

until he couldn't
make the grab.

Oh, Sideways!

And the team with
the football background

ends up with a safety,
two points.

The O'Dells,
from Indianapolis,

came in with four points
from round one.

A good run could get them
to the Power Tower.

And the 41-year-old dad
came out strong,

ripping through
the first two obstacles.

Look at it.
That's how you do it.

He tagged 17-year-old
son, Trey,

who made quick work
of Burn Rubber.

There's a different pace
to the O'Dell family.

And the teenager picked up
another point on Air Surfer.

So it was up to his mom,
Amanda, the Lunch Lady Ninja,

to bring it home.

Ooh!

Her fall on Sideways
left the O'Dells

with four points
for round two,

eight points overall,

still in contention
to move on.

Well, up next,
one of the real surprises

so far in this competition:

it's Colorado's
Heinrichs family.

This underwater filmmaker dad
and his two daughters

made a big splash
back in round one.

Whoo!
Whoo-hoo!

Shawn,
the 49-year-old dad,

is gonna lead it off this time

and tackle
the first two obstacles.

His 16-year-old daughter
Anabella

will handle the middle leg.

She hit a buzzer in round one

and looked very strong.

And 14-year-old daughter
Secorra

is taking on
the final two obstacles.

She was also impressive
in their first run.

And Ninja's not the only thing

she's got brewing.

Ooh, vanilla chai.

That one might be
my favorite.

Oh, wow.

My family
is big tea drinkers.

This one is the lemon ginger.

And my mom started
only letting me get

organic teas,
and I could not really

find that many that I liked.

So then I got the idea that
I should start my own company.

This is probably
the coolest tea I've made.

Butterfly pea flowers
are naturally blue,

and once you put lemon in them,
they turn purple.

I currently have
nine different flavors.

It reacts with the citrus.

Oh, wow!
Oh, my goodness!

I thought it was gonna be
slightly more blue.

That is amazing!

I can't even believe
that tea can do that.

When we win
this competition,

we're gonna toast a celebration
with some of my tea.

Yay!

Matt, we about to
have a tea party

if this family
wins this thing.

Well, they've got six points
from round one.

If they pick up five
in this run,

they'll be guaranteed
to move on.

And there's one of them.

Dad's got the least
amount of Ninja experience,

but he's been perfect so far.

Now on Wait for It.

Gotta be able to lache
and grab that second bar.

He gets it!

Whoo!
Let's go!

The former college wrestler

trying to wrestle his way
through these bars.

There it is.

They and the Beckstrands,

the only teams to be perfect

in round one.

Well, Matt,
this is so great.

He really got into Ninja

because he wanted
to spend more time

with his daughters.

Oh!

Oh, no!
No!

Dad can't complete
the second obstacle,

so now it's Anabella's turn.

She must choose Domino Effect,

because they tried
Burn Rubber earlier.

You got it, you got it.

Yeah! Great job.

And now they're up
to eight points,

as she scrambles
up to Air Surfer.

Keep 'em up, keep 'em up.

Well, she was so impressive
on Sideways

and bringing home that buzzer.

Took her three tries,
but she got it.

Here we go, Air Surfer.
You can see that board's

already a little askew, Akbar.

Watch that left side.
And she's gotta land it.

You see her focusing
to her left side.

Nice.
Ooh, barely got it on.

And very often Ninjas
will do that.

They'll choose
to focus on one side,

trusting the other one mounts.

But you can see,
it's still a little uneven.

Yeah, that's right.
And that's a sign

of probably
a right-handed person,

focusing on the left side,
the less dominant side.

Ooh!
Nice!

Great job here.
This is so impressive.

Matt, but do you see
how focused she is?

She could put her family
in a tie for first

if she finishes this obstacle.

And she does it!

Now, Secorra,

a 14-year-old, on Sideways.
You just can't help

but to fall in love with
Secorra--look at her.

Okay, look at that,
using the technique.

Oh!
Ooh!

Couldn't make the grab
on that second board.

So the Heinrichs have to
settle for three points.

But they're atop
the leaderboard,

tied with the Auer family,

with nine total points so far.

Well, up next is another team

that needs a good run
to stay alive.

It's Sandy Zimmerman
and her family.

They only got four points
in round one,

so they need a big run here
to make it into the top four.

The rest of the family
watching at home,

and many other friends
from the Spokane area

cheering them on.

The Zimmermans such a big part

of the northwest
Ninja community.

My whole "American Ninja
Warrior" journey

has been transformational.

For the first time in my life,

I have a group of people
that I've let in,

and we become family.

Give me a hug,
like you love me.

I know you do.

Nice, Kellen.

Our yard has become

kind of the beacon of
all Ninjas in the northwest.

We don't have a gym here,
so everybody comes here.

And we have, you know,
hundreds of people every month

that can come and train.

Thank you guys so much.

I couldn't be here without you.

Ninja's just a huge part
of my family's life.

And we've been
training together

as a family for over six years.

Nice.
Whoo!

At the beginning,
I was able to really,

like, kind of set a bar.

The first mom!

And then what you discover,
as a parent,

is that your child
quickly will pass you up.

And so now,
to see Brett crush it...

The ZimmNinja gets the win!

That's the part that
I'm really most proud of.

Bounce, bounce, bounce.
Good.

It's so mind-blowing
to get to finally

get to do this together,

because it's been
such a journey.

Our life has been
absolutely changed

doing "American Ninja Warrior,"

and the thought that
this could come full circle

and that we could win this
Family Championship together,

it's like a dream come true.

Sandy's gonna take
the first leg.

Remember, she fell
in round one,

and did not get any points.

You know she wants
to redeem herself.

She is super competitive,

and she knows they need
a strong run this time.

And gets a point right there.

Yeah!

Sandy now on Wait for It.

Great upper body strength.

This plays into
her wheelhouse.

But can never
get overconfident.

Matt, she played basketball
at Gonzaga.

You know she's got good hands.

There's still
a few more teams to run,

but they probably need to get
at least five points

on this run, for nine total,

if they want to advance.

Sandy is such
a competitor, Akbar.

You know it killed her
not getting a point

for her team in round one.

All right, so she's bounced
back in this round.

She's about to get
her second point.

Makes it through
and tags Charlie.

He has to choose Burn Rubber
because they went with

Domino Effect
in the first round.

Oh, okay!
Survives!

Yes!

Nice. Good job, Dad.

Brett just said,
"Good job, Dad."

And believe me, a 15-year-old
saying that,

that takes something.

Complimenting Pops, it's good.

And Dad flying through
Air Surfer.

They now have seven points.

If they get up to ten,
they'll be guaranteed a spot

in the Power Tower tourney.

Long transfer.

Got it!
Okay!

The 46-year-old dad
was supposed to be

their weak link,
but he has been perfect.

And gets another point.
Nice, all right!

Brett can bring it home!

Now it's in the hands
of their teenage son, Brett.

If he gets through these
next two, they are moving on.

This is dangerous.

Sideways.
Just 15 years old.

Nice.

Just need
three more moves here.

And he's good.

This could be a big comeback

for the Zimmermans.

Mom's getting emotional.

Ooh!
This kid is good!

Heck, yeah!

The Zimmermans have
come back strong in round two.

And they're moving on
to the Power Tower.

Attaboy!

They're the ultimate
Ninja family,

and they're now
one of our final four teams.

Well, I know your mom is in

tears of joy on the sideline.
Yeah.

Go down and celebrate
with your family, big man.

Sandy got her redemption
and got two points.

Charlie came through
once again,

and Brett brought it home.

A perfect run
for the Zimmermans.

Sandy, a lot of emotion
right now.

Can you talk me through
what you're feeling?

So many emotions.
I'm first so proud.

You know, I let the team down
the first run.

And, um--

And I've drug my whole family
along on this crazy journey.

Uh-huh.
I've loved everything

that it has done
for us in our lives.

And this is my baby!
I mean, this is--

Not a baby anymore!
I know!

But to watch him
hit that buzzer--

I mean, you are
the ultimate competitor.

Want to see more big stuff
on that Power Tower tonight.

Good work out there, you guys.
Yes, thank you.

So the Zimmermans jump
to the top of the leaderboard.

They're now guaranteed
to be in the top four

and compete
on the Power Tower.

But still some
other good teams to come.

This could be
Jimmy Choi's last run.

Can he take his team
to the final four?

They're coming up on

the "American Ninja Warrior"
Family Championship.

Welcome back
to the first ever

Family Championship
on "American Ninja Warrior."

Moments ago, stuntwoman
Nikkilette Wright

got things going
for Team Wright,

which came into
round two with three points.

All right, here we go, Matt.

She conquered
the first obstacle

to earn another point
for the team...

I love Team Wright.

Oh!

But came up short on
Wait for It.

So her 19-year-old cousin,
Roman,

a Ninja rookie,
took on Burn Rubber.

Okay, Roman, come on!

Oh!

The most experienced
athlete on the team,

the Speedo Ninja Mike Wright,

was ready for the final leg.

Get them points!
He finished Sideways

and made it up
the Warped Wall

for two more points.
Let's go!

But their total for
both rounds was six points,

not enough to move on.

You guys having
a blast out here?

Heck, yeah.
Wright Stuff, man.

That's right, that's awesome.
Wright way, baby!

Then it was the Webers,

who had their huge family

watching again back in Utah.

Boy, that's a big family.

Looks like a family reunion
over there, Matt.

Team Weber collected
four points back in round one,

and 31-year-old Karissa
led it off in round two.

Oh!

She made a quick exit.

So then her nephew, Kaleb,
took the middle leg,

dashing across Domino Effect.

Oh, my goodness!

And he's down, he's wet.

After he hit the water,

33-year-old Ian Weber

was the last chance
to get some points.

And now it's up to Ian.

And the Ninja veteran
came through.

Let's go!
Okay!

The team captain
got past both his obstacles

for two points.

They end up with
six points total,

but they needed
at least eight points

to stay in contention,

so they are eliminated.

Up next is one of the teams
who was a perfect

six-for-six
in the first round,

the mohawked crew
from St. George, Utah,

the Beckstrands.

Mom's kind of
got a mohawk there.

All three members
of this team

have competed on
"American Ninja Warrior."

And that experience showed,

as they were perfect
in their first run.

But now they have
to change up the order.

So this time, Brian,
the 42-year-old mohawked dad,

will lead it off.

There's Holly Beckstrand.

She'll take
the middle obstacles.

And the final mohawked
member of the family,

15-year-old Kai,

will try to take it
to the buzzer.

Now, if the Beckstrands
complete four obstacles,

they're guaranteed to move on.

Oh, his shoe came off!
Uh-oh.

But he doesn't need
his shoe.

It's like he's at home.

Take your shoes off.

Doesn't need it on
Wait for It.

You don't need your shoe.

Relax.

Well, I don't think
the Beckstrands ever relax.

Their vacations
are built around training.

Well, they--I mean,
and they keep at it too.

They've got a nice pace going.

He's got one shoe on,
one shoe off.

Who cares?
It's an upper body obstacle.

Good transfer there.

And needs this big lache.

Brian's says it is tough

training with the family,

'cause he says he feels like

the oldest, slowest one
in the group.

Well, you know what,
Father Time is undefeated.

But he gets through
his second obstacle.

Aww!
And a kiss!

Come on, Mom.

Now because
Brian chose Burn Rubber

in their first run,

they'll have to go
with Domino Effect.

All right, come on, Mama.
Come on, Mama.

Uh-oh, nice.

Oh, no!
Dominoes!

We've seen a lot of falls
on Domino Effect tonight.

Now the pressure is on Kai.

He must complete
this obstacle

to guarantee their spot

in the Power Tower tournament.

Look at this, whoa!
Look at--wow!

We've never seen anyone
fly through it like this.

Are you kidding me?

No one's ever
done it this fast!

And he's already off,
and headed up the Warped Wall!

What the what?
Oh, my goodness!

And with that, the Beckstrands
are going to the Power Tower.

Yeah, buddy! You love this!

Yeah, it's so much fun.

Congratulations, my friend.
Go celebrate with your family.

Oh, man.
That kid is good.

Yes, he is.

So with ten total points,
they're the second team

to guarantee their spot
on the Power Tower.

And right now, the Heinrichs
and the Auers would join them.

They've each got nine points.

But there's still
one more team to go.

And our final run in round two

is gonna be
an emotional moment.

This could be the last hurrah
for our friend, Jimmy Choi.

Now, his team needs to pick up
at least five points,

or his Ninja career
is over.

At 45 and
battling Parkinson's,

he's decided that
this will be it for him.

He wants to end
on a high note.

He'll be taking
the first two obstacles.

His cousin Miinkay,
the Ninja newbie,

will be handling the two
in the middle,

and Jimmy's 13-year-old
daughter, Karina,

will try to bring it home.

They will need to be
just about perfect

to stay in this competition.

Competing with Parkinson's
ain't easy,

and, no matter what happens,
he's been an inspiration.

That's real talk.

He fell on this obstacle
a couple of years ago.

But not this time.
Gets another point.

How amazing would it be
if he could end his career

conquering every obstacle
in front of him?

We know he's plenty
capable of doing it.

So challenging here,
make that lache.

Grab that bar as it drops.

Got it.
This is epic.

This is so awesome.

You want to make a difference,
check out the Fox Foundation.

Support the battle
against Parkinson's.

He's raised over
half a million dollars.

He's done great work,
and such a great ambassador

for the Michael J. Fox
Foundation.

Here we go, kipping up.

He's raising his game,
raising money.

He's raising the roof.

Just amazing.
I know he's just gotta be

remembering all of this,
soaking it up.

And he does it again!

Jimmy Choi delivers!

You got this!
Good job, Jimmy!

Oh, that's just awesome.

That is just awesome.

Now it's up to cousin Miinkay,

and they need her
to get at least one point

to have a chance at moving on.

Facing Burn Rubber.

All right, come on, Miinkay.
Just go!

Nice!

Awesome job!
Uh-oh, uh-oh.

We got action,
we've got action!

Let's go, Miinkay!

So they're up
to seven points.

They need at least two more.

And Air Surfer
will be a big ask.

Remember, Miinkay
had no Ninja experience,

but stepped up so Jimmy would
have a three-person team

and could compete
one last time.

That's right, that's right.
Just like a lache.

Just like a lache, come on.

You can see she's struggling
to move this board forward.

This is gonna be
a big challenge for her.

And Matt, and it's
the impact coming down, too.

This is a big drop.

Oh!

So now all the pressure
falls on

the youngest competitor,
13-year-old Karina.

Take your time.
Have fun up there.

Her dad trying
to talk her through it.

She's only 4'10" (147cm).

Gonna take on
the very difficult Sideways.

Just remember,
Karina's 13 years old.

So impressive.

It's amazing.

And such a technically
challenging obstacle.

This is incredible!

Well, you know what, Matt,

she gets it from her daddy.

This is
a real tough transfer.

It is.

But yes! Look at this!
Awesome!

Trying to get through one of
the toughest obstacles

out here.
Doing it for her dad.

Ooh, Karina!

She got this!

This 13-year-old
is not messing around!

Let's go!
Let's go!

Yeah!

Yeah, baby girl!
Go, baby girl!

She's 4'10" (147cm), Akbar.

She would be
the shortest person ever

to get up the Warped Wall!
I'm going to lose my mind.

And if she does it,

they'll have a chance
at the Power Tower!

Oh!

Two more tries.

Come on, Karina, you got this!
You go!

It's okay, it's okay.

You can do it.

Come on.

Beat that wall!
Beat that wall!

Beat that wall! Beat that wall!

Come on, you got this.
Come on!

Oh, fingertips!

You were there, Karina!
You were there!

Matt, she's there.
I can't take it, Matt.

I gotta get down there.

Everybody is cheering
for this young girl.

Come on, Karina.

You got this.
This is it.

Beat that wall!
Beat that wall!

You got it, Karina!

She's got this.
I know, she's got this.

One final attempt.

Beat that wall!
Beat that wall!

Here we go.

Oh!

What a great effort!

So close! Great job, girl.
Oh, great job.

Gave it her all.

That was so close!

Just an incredible run,
an incredible competition.

And Jimmy ends
his Ninja career

with a run he'll never forget.

Jimmy goes out on
a high note.

He finished
every obstacle tonight.

Cousin Miinkay
came through with a point.

Then Karina
sailed past Sideways,

and, at 4'10" (147cm),
came up just inches away

from that Warped Wall.

You made me
run out the booth.

That was impressive.

Jimmy, how proud are you
of this team right now?

Are you kidding?
I mean, I'm always shaking,

but this is extra...
Yeah.

'Cause I'm still
so excited for her.

Oh!
Oh, this is--

what an experience.
This is awesome.

Good stuff out there, guys.
Great work.

Thank you, thank you.
Of course.

A great ending
for Jimmy Choi.

But we're not done.

Our final four are headed
to the Power Tower.

The Beckstrands,

the Zimmermans,

the Auers,

and the Heinrichs

will battle to be
our first family champion,

when "American Ninja Warrior"
returns.

Welcome back
to our Family Championship.

We're down to our final four,
and the action now shifts

from the regular course

over to the Power Tower.

For a preview,
let's go down to Zuri.

Guys, this is
the toughest obstacle

we have ever created.

And tonight,
for the very first time,

our Ninjas will turn
the Power Tower

into a relay race.

The first family member
races up the Giant Steps,

and then slides down
the Fire Pole.

They'll tag their teammate,

who will run across
the Angled Steps

and swing over
to the Column Climb.

They'll have to
work their way up and around

to the Cliffhanger,

and then tag
the final teammate,

who must leap across
the Dropping Shelves

to the buzzer.

And our first matchup,

West Coast versus East Coast,

Zimmermans versus the Auers.

But a big difference in age.

The Zimmermans have
a couple of fortysomethings.

The Auers' oldest member
is just 24.

They're our youngest team.

Team Zimmerman, cumulatively,

42 years older than Team Auer.

This is gonna be interesting.
Young versus old.

The women are gonna
start it off.

44-year-old Sandy Zimmerman

racing 24-year-old
Hannah Auer.

That middle leg
could be the deciding one.

And waiting there will be
Brett Zimmerman

and Caleb Auer.

And the final leg will feature

15-year-old Josh Auer

against 46-year-old
Charlie Zimmerman.

And, Matt, all their
families are fired up

watching back home, Matt.

This is good.
Here we go.

These two women are gonna
have to go King Kong

on Giant Steps.

26 feet up.
Oh, boy.

There's a major hustle
up these Giant Steps!

Oh, and a stumble there
by Sandy.

That's gonna put her
a step behind.

The Auers in front
as they reach the top.

Now they're gonna
have to jump out

to this pole and slide down.

It is dead-even.
There's the tag right there.

Now Brett and Caleb
going head-to-head.

Oh, but Brett misses.
Oh, oh, oh!

An extra swing for Brett.
Brett is behind!

Now look at this,
Caleb has an edge.

Well, let's see if that
15-year-old can close the gap.

They've got to climb up around
the column and switch sides.

They're the first
ever to try this.

And Brett seems confused
on which way to go.

Matt, Caleb is starting
to break away.

Caleb Auer
on that Cliffhanger,

a commanding lead!
Uh-oh.

Tags on to Josh.
And look at this, Akbar.

This is a big move here.

The Bathrobe Ninja
has to bring it home.

One mistake has cost
the Zimmermans.

But the Auers,
one shelf move...

Whoa-ho-ho-ho!
One leap away!

Look at Josh!

Look at Josh.
Oh, my!

Unbelievable!

"The Ninjas of the Auer"

deliver what would be
considered an upset, Akbar.

Whoo!

Well, Sandy had
a stumble on the stairs,

but she caught up.

It was close as they started
the second leg,

but Brett got hung up
and lost time

on the Column Climb,

while Caleb and Josh Auer
were flawless.

And they got the easy win.

Well, Charlie Zimmerman
is gonna finish.

All around, great efforts.
And this family competition

continues to surprise us,
Akbar.

And the Auers
are the youngest team,

but we'll see them,
in a few minutes,

in the final race.

Well, now it's time
to find their opponents.

It's Beckstrands
versus Heinrichs.

And this is another matchup
with big differences.

The Beckstrands
have the most experience.

They've all competed on
"American Ninja Warrior."

The Heinrichs are all rookies.

None of them have been on

a big Ninja course
before tonight.

Matt, you never know
what can happen.

Rookie versus vet.

The rookies could come up
with an upset.

And an interesting strategy
for the Heinrichs.

The dad Shawn is gonna take
the first leg

and let his teenage daughters

handle the scary legs up top.

He'll be running
beside Mama Beckstrand.

The middle leg
is a real contrast:

42-year-old Brian Beckstrand,
who's 6'2" (188cm),

taking on the same obstacles

as 14-year-old
Secorra Heinrichs,

who's only 4'11" (150cm).

And then a couple more teens
will take the final leg,

16-year-old Anabella Heinrichs

and 15-year-old
Kai Beckstrand.

The winner takes on the Auers

for the championship.

Will it be the veterans
or the rookies?

Well, let's find out.
Here we go!

Ooh, a little stumble
out of Holly.

And that's gonna let
the Heinrichs jump out

to an early lead.

Well, Shawn is gonna
slide down.

Looks like he's gonna give
Secorra a good advantage

over Brian Beckstrand.
I told you, Matt.

Don't sleep on the rookies!
Oh, my!

Oh!
But Secorra misses,

just like Brett Zimmerman,

and now the Beckstrands
can catch up.

But here we go.
It's about even.

Okay, come on, Secorra.
Unreal.

Well, Secorra
has been so strong.

She's only 90 pounds,
and look at her fight!

But Brian Beckstrand
will be first

on the Cliffhanger.

Brian is gonna try to

tag off to his son,

but Secorra, keeping it close.

The Beckstrands
make the final tag.

Well, there goes Kai.

Oh, well, you know,
when Kai goes, he goes.

But here comes Anabella.

And Anabella's
not messing around.

She's right there behind--

One more move!

And Kai delivers,

but credit to the Heinrichs,

pushing them to the limit.

Matt, they gave
the Beckstrands

a run for their money.

This race was similar
to the first.

There was a stumble
going up the Steps

that put
the Beckstrands behind,

and then a miss
on the rope swing

that let them get back in it.

They finished strong,
getting the buzzer,

and they're moving on
to the final race.

So it's gonna be the Auers
versus the Beckstrands.

One team's taking home
the trophy as champion

on the
"American Ninja Warrior"

Family Championship next.

Our first ever
Family Championship

has given us
some great moments,

a few laughs,

a lot of heart,

and plenty of heroes.

But now,
it's all gonna be settled

40 feet in the air
on the Power Tower,

one head-to-head race

between our
final two families,

Team Beckstrand, the team
with the most experience

in this whole competition,

against Team Auer.

The Beckstrands
run a gym in Utah,

and the Auers have one
in North Carolina.

The big difference is age.

The oldest member
of the Auers is just 24.

The Beckstrands have
two members over 40.

The Beckstrands have been
an unstoppable force

this entire competition.

The Beckstrands,
definitely a powerhouse team.

They got the mohawks.

They're super flashy
on the course.

And they definitely have
the skills to back it up, too.

Wow!
Oh, my goodness.

I don't even think
he's blinked.

Going against the Auers
is kind of scary,

because they're young,
they're fast,

and it's gonna be
anyone's game.

Look at the speed!
Running with an urgency.

Going against them is gonna
be really, really tough.

On that Cliffhanger,
a commanding lead!

But the Beckstrands
are fearless,

so we're gonna conquer
that Power Tower.

We're so close,
so we're gonna have to

take care of business
right here, right now,

if we're gonna win it all.

So each team is gonna go
with the same order as before,

with the women leading it off.

They'll be tagging
their husbands,

who'll be waiting
at the bottom

of the Fireman's Pole.

And the 15-year-olds
will be waiting at the top

for the final leg.

Two good teams.

Just gotta avoid mistakes.

Well, let's find out
who will be our first ever

Family Champions!

Here we go.

This scramble up the Steps is
so much harder than it looks.

And it looks neck-and-neck.

Oh, yes, they are, Matt.

Wow!

Hannah takes the lead

as they come over the top.

But a little tentative
on the pole.

And Holly's down first
and makes the tag.

Now it's gonna be
Brian against Caleb,

and Caleb really
shined here last time.

Who will climb faster?

And already you can see
Brian is starting to separate.

But here comes Caleb.
It is gonna be close!

Oh, Matt, this is so close.
Oh, my!

Now facing each other
on the Cliffhanger.

It's gonna be
two 15-year-olds,

squaring off, Kai and Josh,
neck-and-neck!

Who will get there first?

We said, time after time,
Kai has been elite!

Kai is right there!
Josh went for one move!

And Kai--oh, my goodness!

Whoa, what?

Oh, my word!

Josh Auer,
the Bathrobe Ninja,

well, he's ready
for a victory plunge here.

What a win!

We thought
it would be close,

but that was really close.

This was neck-and-neck
from the start.

But it came down
to the 15-year-olds.

Kai pulled ahead for a moment,

but Josh was using
quick moves with no swing,

and he was able to pull ahead.

The Auers win it
by half a second.

They're celebrating in
Holly Springs, North Carolina.

The Auers are the winners
of "American Ninja Warrior's"

first ever
Family Championship.

Well, we hope your family

has enjoyed this
as much as we have.

It's been a lot of fun.
It always is, big man.

For Akbar Gbajabiamila
and Zuri Hall, I'm Matt Iseman.

We'll see you next time

on "American Ninja Warrior!"