A young Ninja named Luke took full advantage of his access to American Ninja Warriors at the GCA NLL competition. Luke is working on a YouTube channel called “Luke’s Free Run” and grabbed some interviews with the Ninjas on their predictions for season nine.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797473/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.15.09_AM.png)
Luke: “What do you think your chances are of winning the show next season?”
Joe Moravsky: “70%”
Allyssa Beird: “My personal goal would be Stage One and Stage Two next year.”
Josh Levin: “I think, overall, if you take them one at a time, pace yourself, make sure you’re not rushing, think through them clearly, then anything’s possible.”
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797211/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.22.41_AM.png)
Luke: “How do you feel about your chances of completing the entire Ninja Warrior series of courses next season?”
Noel Reyes: “Season nine is definitely my year.”
Jon Alexis Jr: “We have a few more months, so I’m going to increase the rock climbing and running for stamina, then I’ll have a really good chance. Better than the years before.”
Jesse Labreck: “My goal is to make it to Stage Two in Vegas. And then my goal is to keep increasing from there and we’ll see where it goes.”
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797243/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.27.00_AM.png)
Luke: “How do you feel about your chances during your next season of American Ninja Warrior, of completing the whole course?”
Ryan Stratis: “Last year I had the shoulder surgery, but I’m feeling really great this year. Feeling pretty positive.”
Then Luke had a little run-in with Drew Drechsel, who was in a full on competition mode and wasn’t ready for an impromptu interview.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797327/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.29.29_AM.png)
The young journalist received a bit of a lesson in approaching subjects.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797331/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.29.55_AM.png)
Never break a Ninja’s focus. NEVER.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797401/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.30.29_AM.png)
It was all in good fun, and they worked it out quickly.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797341/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.31.16_AM.png)
Luke: “How do you feel you’re going to do on the next season of American Ninja Warrior?”
Drew Drechsel: “I could do it again next year. I could even go further. But it takes one mistake on any obstacle. Anyone can go out. So we’ll just have to wait and see.”
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7797349/Screen_Shot_2017_01_12_at_11.32.35_AM.png)
Drew will be rock climbing with Josh Levin to make sure the Hang Climb won’t trip him up this season.
Great job getting those interviews, Luke!