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American Ninja Warrior season 12

The twelfth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on September 7, 2020[1] and wrapped up on November 6, 2020[2] on NBC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, all eight episodes were filmed in St. Louis, Missouri from June 29 to July 25, 2020,[3] behind closed doors in the America's Center convention center and stadium.[4] Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila returned for their respective eleventh and eighth seasons, while Zuri Hall returned for her second season on the show.

The course returns with the Mega Wall and Power Tower, and the fifty most popular athletes from previous seasons returned with two other ninjas (mostly rookies) of their choosing, like their ninja training partners or someone they have a special connection with. The top twelve competitors moved on to the semifinals after each qualifying episode, as well as the top three women. In this season, the player who won the Power Tower would get to bring their chosen rookies with them to the semifinals, even if the rookies had not made it into the top twelve finishers (or top three women). With the knockout tournament format, there were changes to the semifinal courses as well — unlike the past seasons, a competitor that completed the course would not automatically move on; they would have to be in the top 12 or have made it up the Mega Wall. One contestant, Nick Hanson, did not move on to the semifinals because of COVID contact tracing despite making it up the Mega Wall. Because of the format change to a knockout tournament and a team format instead of the traditional Sasuke format, the winner's prize has been decreased to only $100,000,[5] which was awarded to the winner of the knockout tournament final.

Obstacles

St. Louis Qualifying

St. Louis Semifinals

St. Louis Finals

St. Louis Qualifying

Night 1

The first qualifying round featured three new obstacles, Weight for It, Ring Chaser, and Rib Run. Notable ninjas running the course were school teachers, medical professionals, and ICU nurses who were all making a difference on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, former NFL linebacker Kamerion Wimbley returned after his record-setting season in 2012, being the biggest man (240 pounds) to complete a course. Jody Avila won the Power Tower round, which was unaired as a result of a legal situation involving his opponent.

Night 2

Ashley McConville became the twentieth woman in ANW history to make it up the Warped Wall and move on to the semifinals, and Jake Murray's teammates, former AHL hockey player Barry Goers of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Glenn Albright moved on to the semifinals due to Murray's win on the Power Tower. Also, the "Eskimo Ninja" Nick Hanson completed the course and made it up the Mega Wall but did not have a fast enough time to make it into the top 12, later to be revealed as contact tracing.[7]

Also of note, second-place finisher Ethan "The Swan" Swanson did not compete in the semifinals after he came in close contact with another competitor who had tested positive for COVID-19.[8]

Night 3

Stuntwoman Jessie Graff once again completed the course, making it to the end to tie Jesse "Flex" Labreck for the most buzzers among women ninjas with five. Meanwhile, the teammates of drummer R.J. Roman of metal band Emuness, Ben Melick and Jessica Helmer moved on to the semifinals even though they did not complete the course because Roman won the Power Tower.[9]

Despite finishing among the top three women, Rachael Goldstein was unable to compete in the semifinals due to a broken finger which she suffered while filming a special episode of American Ninja Warrior in St. Louis.[10]

Night 4

"The Weatherman" Joe Moravsky just edged out Michael Torres, who had the fastest time, and brought his teammates, Will Schlageter and Jeshuah Lewis back into the competition. Notable ninjas featured "Big Cat" Karsten Williams, rookie former MLB player of the San Francisco Giants Gary Brown who ran the course, making it to the fifth obstacle. Also, six-time ANW veteran Tiana "Sweet T" Webberley hit the buzzer for the first time, as well as ICU nurse Mady Howard who completed the course with the fastest time for the women.

St. Louis Qualifying Leaderboard

St. Louis Semifinals

Night 1

Some notable competitors like Grant McCartney, Kevin Bull, Abel Gonzalez, and Mathis "Kid" Owhadi failed on Corkscrew, an obstacle new to this season, and did not advance to the finals.

Night 2

Drew Drechsel originally finished in the top 12, but due to his post-taping legal issues, his runs were edited out. Devin Harrelson finished 13th, as he was eliminated on the Corkscrew with a faster time exiting the Salmon Ladder than Graff. However, Graff, the top woman who finished outside the top twelve, was upgraded to 12th in post-production.

St. Louis Semifinals Leaderboard

St. Louis Finals

The finals of the show spanned two nights—episode seven, and the beginning of episode eight.

Power Tower Playoff Bracket

The Final 8 competed in a single-elimination tournament format with the top 8 seeded based on their performance in the final. The results are as follows:

American Ninja Warrior 12 champion: Daniel Gil

Broadcast Notes and United States v. Drechsel Case

Drew Drechsel, the season eleven champion, did participate in this season for the duration of its taping. On July 31, 2020, six days after the taping concluded, the U.S. Department of Justice formally charged him with four felonies for various crimes in regards to criminal sexual conduct in regards to a complaint filed by a 19-year old woman to the police in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Following an August 4 press release by the Department of Justice, NBC Sports cut ties with him, did not air his runs, and prohibited him from appearing in future seasons.[12] They did, however, air the rookies Drechsel chose to compete off-screen. In addition, because Drechsel competed on the Power Tower in episode one (losing to "Big Dog Ninja" Jody Avila),[13] the Power Tower competition was not aired; Avila was credited with a win by forfeit. Fellow ninja Joe Moravsky stated on a Twitch stream that Drechsel didn't make it to the Power Tower Playoffs.[14][15]

On June 1, 2023, Mr. Dreschel pled guilty to one count of child pornography and one count of enticing travel for sexual conduct. Sentencing was originally scheduled for October 24, 2023.[16] On June 26, 2024 at 2:37 PM local time, Drechsel was sentenced to 121 months in prison (just over 10 years) followed by 15 years of supervised release along with lifetime sex offender registration and USD$100,000 in restitution.[17] Judge Renee Bumb called Drechsel a "dangerous predator" during the sentencing proceedings.[18]

Ratings

References

  1. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (August 12, 2020). "American Ninja Warrior Sets Premiere for Pandemic-Shortened Season 12". TVLine. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Lee, Nikki (September 28, 2020). "American Ninja Warrior is not on tonight (Monday, September 28)". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Exclusive: 'American Ninja Warrior' shoots COVID-19-delayed Season 12 in St. Louis dome". USA Today. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "'American Ninja Warrior' Season 12 Returns After Filming Under Strict Quarantine Guidelines". NBC Los Angeles. September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Lee, Nikki (August 19, 2020). "Take a closer look at Season 12's competition format". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  6. ^ Lee, Nikki (October 12, 2020). "Season 12 complete results: Night one of Semi-Finals". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  7. ^ Lee, Nikki (September 15, 2020). "Nick Hanson wrapped up his season with the Mega Wall". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Ethan Swanson on Instagram: "I was disappointed being sent home, but I understand why it was done. If I ended up having COVID, I could have been risking other athletes and ANW production employees. This all happened in July, and I'm safe! Thanks to everyone who cheered me on this season, and good luck to all the competitors still going for buzzers! For me? On to season 13."".
  9. ^ Lee, Nikki (September 21, 2020). "Night three of Qualifiers: Leaderboard and advancing Ninjas". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "☆ RACHAEL GOLDSTEIN ☆ on Instagram: "⚠️ Last video is a little graphic ⚠️ Sadly, I was unable to compete in semi-finals this season because of a very broken finger 😢 During filming of a special episode the day beforehand (No obstacle spoilers), I smashed it between two parts of an obstacle. I remember looking down at it and thinking "owwwch" but didn't think much of it, jumped up on the next obstacle which involved fingertips, and probably separated the bone there. After my run, I held out on going to get x-rays hoping it was just dislocated (It was crooked at first but then straightened itself out - plus who wants to go to an ER during COVID). I had hoped that since it was just the tip of my finger I could just compete and get it all sorted out later, but am glad I ended up getting it checked out. Competing with a break like this would have been a big mistake! Since it was so unstable, I had to see an orthopedic surgeon who pushed it back in place and then drilled a pin down my finger to hold it in place. I was bummed not to be able to compete in the semi-finals because I knew that I could go further than I did in the qualifiers, but that's how it goes! AND, I was lucky to only hurt a finger. For an injury, this was as good as it gets - I was able to go home and do everything I needed to do! I could take care of Finley, shower, go in pools, etc. I'm seeing a hand specialist right now to try to get my mobility back and decrease pain but am also able to climb and do most ninja things again! #AmericanNinjaWarrior #ninjury #injury #fail #rehabilitation #grrrlarmy #likeagirl #doyoueven #fithealthymom #functionalfitness #momsover30 #fitmomlife #upperbody #occupationaltherapy #handrehabilitation #xrays #anw12 #workhard #nevergiveup #beatyesterday #competeeveryday"".
  11. ^ Lee, Nikki (October 12, 2020). "Night one of Semi-Finals: Leaderboard". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  12. ^ "American Ninja Warrior all-stars: Drew Drechsel, facing life in prison, will be edited out". reality blurred. August 6, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "Did Drew Drechsel win American Ninja Warrior's Power Tower? Who was on his team?". reality blurred. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  14. ^ "United States of America v. Andrew Drechsel". United States Department of Justice. USDOJ. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  15. ^ US Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey (August 4, 2020). "Florida Man Charged with Child Sex Offenses in New Jersey". United States Department of Justice. Department of Justice. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  16. ^ "Drew Drechsel update: He pled guilty. Read the former Ninja Warrior star's plea deal". reality blurred. April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Ex-'American Ninja Warrior' contestant from CT sentenced in child porn case involving NJ victim". NBC New York. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "American Ninja Warrior star Drew Drechsel sentenced to 10 years for child porn, sex with minor". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (September 8, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.7.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (September 15, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.14.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (September 22, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.21.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  22. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (October 6, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.5.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  23. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (October 13, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.12.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  24. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 22, 2020). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.21.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  25. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 29, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.28.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  26. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 9, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.6.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.

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