American Ninja Warrior season 13 has been packed with mesmerizing feats and obstacles that the contestants must overcome, and here's an exclusive look at the Stage 2 course that will be featured in episode 11 and promises to be another jaw-dropping leg of the competition. For over a decade, American Ninja Warrior has kept fans on their toes by constantly innovating and improving upon their heroic obstacle race that highlights the tenacity of the human spirit. With never-before-seen obstacles added to the mix, this exclusive clip proves that the minds behind American Ninja Warrior season 13 are ensuring that this is the best season yet.
Last year, American Ninja Warrior season 12 reached 35 million viewers. Now, in an exclusive sneak peek, the series boasts a set of re-designed and completely original obstacles that will surely hook even more fans into the series. As always, hosts Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbajabiamila, and Zuri Hall have returned to comment on all of the nail-biting action and keep the show running smoothly. Right off the bat, Zuri assures fans that Stage 2 will continue to be "over-the-top and awesome." This time around, Stage 2 is including "fire, a massive pool of water, and six obstacles" that were expertly designed to measure the skill of the nation's most elite athletes.
The Stage 2 course that will be featured on American Ninja Warrior season 13, episode 11, starts off with a new obstacle, the Striding Steps. This brand-new American Ninja Warrior obstacle requires masterful precision to dart through the narrow lane of platforms. One miscalculated step leaves an aspiring champion plummeting to the bottom of the competition. Once a competitor has made it to the end of the Striding Steps, contestants latch onto a rope and swing into their next obstacle, the Double Salmon Ladder. This is a re-designed obstacle, which was first introduced in the Japanese iteration of the competition series, Sasuke. This Double Salmon Ladder requires athletes to jump from one set of rungs to another using only upper-body strength. The newly-improved Stage 2 continues to test ninjas' muscles as they transition from the Double Salmon Ladder to the infamous V Formation obstacle. Alas, the main attraction of this brand-new stage is the Hammer Drop. Check out an exclusive first look below.
The Hammer Drop is American Ninja Warrior season 13's latest addition. Overall, this obstacle aims to test the athleticism of each contestant. As Zuri aptly put it when introducing the updated course, Stage 2 will "drop the hammer on our ninjas." The Hammer Drop requires competitors to "hold on for dear life" as the hammer swings them from one hurdle to the next. Afterward, contestants need to make it through the super-sized Epic Air Surfer, an obstacle notorious for defeating prominent ninja candidates. Finally, the ninja warriors must make it through "the blind grabs" of the Falling Shelves. The athletes need to overcome all six obstacles and slam the buzzer in under three minutes and 30 seconds if they want to make it to Stage 3. With the breathtaking new obstacles from Stage 2 and a younger pool of Ninja Warriors competing, this is shaping up to be the ultimate American Ninja Warrior experience.
The producers behind the invigorating series at A. Smith & Co. Productions have ensured that the winner of American Ninja Warrior's $1 million grand prize is tested to their limits. From swinging hammers to X-shaped Falling Shelves, Stage 2 has never been more of a test as the competitors work their way to the National Finals in Las Vegas.
American Ninja Warrior season 13 episode 11 airs Monday, September 6, at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.