The first of two American Ninja Warrior episodes shot in Indianapolis in April aired Monday night and we got to see the ninjas who tried the course on Monument Circle.
The first of two American Ninja Warrior episodes shot in Indianapolis in April aired Monday night and we got to see the ninjas who tried the course on Monument Circle.
Among them, an incredible man named Zach Gowen. Zach was diagnosed with cancer when he was a child. In order to save his life, doctors had to amputate one of his legs. He says it was hard growing up different, but he found an unusual way to prove he was tough enough: professional wrestling.
He went on to become a professional wrestler for WWE, the first one-legged wrestler. Monday night, he was the first one-legged ninja warrior. Zach amazed the crowd with his prowess as he hopped on that one leg through the floating steps and amazingly held on to the log with just the one leg to survive an obstacle many with both legs couldn't. He eventually fell on the third obstacle to the disappointment of no one.
"We have talked about some unbelievable moments on American Ninja Warrior, but seeing what Zach Gowen just did, it defied expectations," the show's announcers said. "That was pure courage right there."
"Win, lose or draw, I consider it a victory that I even got out of bed and I showed up and there's breath in my body," Gowen said. "So, that's a huge victory for me and to get past my first obstacle, that was my goal. This is just a continuation of my story, of not letting things define who I am. I get to define who I am. I have that power."
PJ Granger is a school teacher from Bedford, Ind. He did not disappoint Monday night, moving through every obstacle with ease, making it all the way through.
Kirsti Pratt from St. Louis is known as the Ninja Bride. She's such an enthusiast that she insisted she play on ninja obstacles on her wedding day in her wedding dress. Kirsti made it through the first two obstacles before losing her grip on the swinging spikes.
Some natural athletes also tried their hand at the course, including INDYCAR drivers.
Tony Kanaan stepped up to the starting line to a roaring crowd! He flew through the first obstacles —the floating steps — before the log threw him out of the game.
Could Josef Newgarden make it farther? He's a legit athlete. He's a rock climber and played basketball and baseball in school before becoming a professional race car driver. He trains five days a week in the off-season.
He skated through the first two obstacles, but had to pause a little to regain his balance after getting thrown around by the log. But, the third obstacle, the hanging spikes, would be his last as he ended with a splash.
Finally, Helio Castroneves. He's no stranger to the big stage. He won Dancing With the Stars and reminded us of that with a little dance at the starting line.
The entire INDYCAR racing community was on their feet, including Doug Boles, the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Castroneves took his time hopping through the steps. The log also proved a challenge for him, throwing off one of his shoes! But, in the end, those swinging spikes that ended Newgarden's run stopped Castroneves, as well.
"Today, let me tell you, watching and participating, it shows you that those guys are ninjas and I'm a race car driver," Castroneves said. "So, that's good. Lets keep it this way."
"It's harder than it looks," Newgarden said. "You feel like you've got it covered mentally and then I was like, I didn't know what to do. But, a little more training, I'll come back and try it again. I'm glad I got to try it. Not many people get to do this."
When the show was taping earlier this year, we caught up with some of the hundreds who watched while the course was tested.
We also talked to a Ninja Mom who was getting ready to run the course for the first time.
