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American Ninja Warrior Junior roared back to life with the season two premiere. While the television premiere date is Saturday, February 22, fans got a gift in the form of an early release on Universal Kids’ YouTube page.
(You can find season one’s results here, if you need a refresh.)
“We are so much more.” The episode starts with an emotional reminder that these kids are so much more than just athletes. But yeah, they are incredible athletes. The show debuted a few new features this season, including new obstacles and a different advancement strategy towards the $15,000 grand prize in each age range.
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The 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 year-olds each move through three rounds; seeding, knockout, and final showdown. The last Ninja standing heads on to the Quarterfinals, which will take place every four episodes, sending winners on to the Grand Finale. There’s also a second chance in the form of a wildcard race. The fastest eliminated Ninjas from the qualifying rounds can run again for a wildcard spot in the Quarter Finals.
Also new this season is Victoria Arlen on the hosting team. She’s got the mic on the sideline, interviewing the Ninjas as they digest their wins and loses.
Here are the results of the first episode!
9-10 year olds
Mentor: Barclay Stockett
Course:
- Shrinking Steps
- Little Dipper
- Spider Walls
- Block Run
- Flying Squirrel
- 13-foot Warped Wall with handholds at 10’ and 11’5”
Seeding round:
- Adil Mbondo vs Bradi Brownfield
Winner: Adil Mbondo - Makena Cook vs Neil Sekhri
Winner: Makena Cook
Knockout round:
- Adil Mbondo vs Neil Sekhri
Winner: Adil Mbondo - Bradi Brownfield vs Makena Cook
Winner: Makena Cook
Final showdown:
- Adil Mbondo vs Makena Cook
Quarterfinalist: Adil Mbondo
11-12 year olds
Mentor: Grant McCartney
Course:
- Shrinking Steps
- Little Dipper
- Double Tilt Ladders
- Block Run
- Wingnuts
- 13-foot Warped Wall, handhold at 11’5”
Seeding round:
- Harry Robinson vs Lucas Cvitanich
Winner: Harry Robinson - Taylor Greene vs Raeya Linton
Winner: Taylor Greene
Knockout round:
- Harry Robinson vs Raeya Linton
Winner: Harry Robinson - Lucas Cvitanich vs Taylor Greene
Winner: Taylor Greene
Final showdown:
- Harry Robinson vs Taylor Greene
Quarterfinalist: Taylor Greene
13-14 year olds
Mentor: Drew Drechsel
Course:
- Floating Steps
- Little Dipper
- Crazy Cliffhanger
- Block Run
- Sky Hooks
- 13-foot Warped Wall
Seeding round:
- Jonathan Godbout vs Cal Plohoros
Winner: Cal Plohoros - Olivia Kosanovich vs Rose Lord
Winner: Olivia Kosanovich
Knockout round:
- Cal Plohoros vs Rose Lord
Winner: Cal Plohoros - Jonathan Godbout vs Olivia Kosanovich
Winner: Jonathan Godbout
Final showdown:
- Cal Plohoros vs Jonathan Godbout
Quarterfinalist: Cal Plohoros
Next episode: Saturday, February 29 at 7pm on Universal Kids