Tonight’s on NBC American Ninja Warrior airs with an all-new Monday, July 21, 2025, season 17 episode 8 and we have your American Ninja Warrior recap below!
In tonights American Ninja Warrior season 17 episode 8 called, “Semifinals 2,” as per the NBC synopsis, “The semifinals continue in Las Vegas where the ninjas will take on a longer course featuring 10 iconic obstacles from the past. The fastest will advance to the National Finals and compete in head-to-head races. ”
Tonight’s episode looks like it is going to be a great season 17, so be sure to tune in for our coverage of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior at 8 PM – 10 PM ET! While you wait for our American Ninja Warrior recap make sure to check out all our American Ninja Warrior news, spoilers, recaps & more!
Tonight’s American Ninja Warrior recap begins now – Refresh Page often to get the most current updates!
In tonight’s American Ninja Warrior episode, a knight in shining armor was up first. Trent Lintzen was a Medieval Times Knight. He wasn’t shy and he knew how to feed off of the crowd’s energy. Only he was still new to the ninja world. He was worried about the second half when ultimately there was no need. He fell during the first half on the Log Runner. The Log Runner was a tricky obstacle that often took out the strongest competitors. Next up was Paxton Myler. He was one of the Ninja Kidz. This group of young ninjas were dominating social media.
Paxton had a lot more training than Sir Trent, but the first half almost got him. He was fine through the Quad Steps, Fly Wheels, Log Runner, and Spin Cycle. It was the Ferris Wheel that almost got him. He was able to conquer it. He quickly moved passed the Warped Wall. He was fine with the Salmon Ladder. It was the next obstacle that cost him a buzzer. The show unfortunately brought back Corkscrew. Corkscrew was so tough because it spins people around in loops and they were left too dizzy to hold on much less jump off at the correct time.
Talan Yorn was up next. He took a bite out of a lime to raise awareness for Lyme disease. Something both he and his mom have. He was actually born with it. He has to get shots every day. He has to an IV treatment every week. He was ill and no one expected he would one day be flying through the air. He was able to do so thanks to ANW. He watched the show. He became a fan. He worked towards becoming a ninja himself and now it was paying off. He made it to the Semifinals. He didn’t have enough energy after the Salmon Ladder for Corkscrew and there was still a chance he might advance.
Donovan Metoyer next up. The Classy Ninja always runs in a three piece suit. He looked stylish and rarely breaks a sweat. He was also known for his impressive moves. He made a 360 going up the Warped Wall. He was the first to pass the Corkscrew ever ever. They first introduced it five years ago and he was the first to figure it out. He now says it’s his favorite obstacle. It surprised no one when he managed to surpass yet again tonight. He made it to the Invisible Ladder. He ditched the coat. He did his best. And that obstacle took him out right as he was about to get on the platform for the buzzer.
Katie Bone was back. She had her run after Donovan. She suffered an injury that took her out of the running for the past two years and the former Women’s Champion was back now to continue her ninja story. She wasn’t a hundred percent back. As everyone can tell by the fact she was still wearing a knee brace. Katie used to be able to sail through the course and tonight she was wincing from the pain. She stumbled on Log Runner. She tried to save herself. She just couldn’t stop her foot from touching the water and that was an instant out.
Next up was Colt Elder. He lived on a farm with a bunch of animals. They had chickens and their eggs are called Ninja Nuggets. The Ninja Nuggets give him fuel. He also sells them as ninja nuggets because he said that growing up on the farm has more than prepared him for ANW. He easily made it to the second half. He made it pass Corkscrew. He was able to add some flair while he was doing the Doorknob Arch. He made it to the Invisible Ladder when he managed to do a first tonight. He became the first finisher of the night.
Next up was Zhanique Lovett. She’s been having her best season so far. She has her first buzzer. She hoped to continue the trend tonight. The personal trainer provided the hosts with her own protein bars. They were munching on those as she easily made it pass the first half. She was the first woman to make it Corkscrew tonight. She was on the last one when of that same obstacle when she fell. It was still a stellar performance. She made it to the second half for the first time and might even advance after having a great night.
Kai Beckstrand was up next. Hailing from the great ninja Beckstrand family, hopes were high with this one. Kai himself was a known speed demon. He didn’t slow down or wait it out. He tackled the obstacles like a beast. It took the Invisible Ladder to daunt him. He was great with everything else. It was on the last one that his muscles nearly weighed him down. Somehow he found the strength to keep going. He went on to hit a buzzer. It was now up to the rest of his family to follow the example. His brother also ran this season.
Evan Lavallee was soon up. He lives with his mom. His mom often suffers from Stiff Persons Syndrome. She can be fine one moment and needing a walker if not more the next. Evan was great help. He was a great kid. He was also a great ninja. He had no problem with the first half. He easily conquered most of the second. Again, it came down to the Invisible Ladder. It wastes a lot of energy just to climb up. It’s not like they could use their feet either. It was all arms and Evan learned from those before him to use his legs when he saw the platform in sight. It helped him become the third finisher of the night.
Nicholas Coolridge was known as Modern Tarzan. Those watching from home didn’t get to see the start of his run, but the ninja veteran was already on Corkscrew by time the show picked up again. He got the nickname because he likes to climb things. It does so all the time on social media. He also looked a bit like a modern day Tarzan. This Tarzan made it back to the Invisible Ladder. It was an obstacle he was the first to pass when it was introduced the first time. Only he couldn’t repeat the same success tonight. And fell before he could hit the buzzer.
Maddy Howard next up. She was the second mom to hit a buzzer in Qualifiers. She broke her personal curse of always falling on the fifth obstacle and tonight ended rather abruptly for her. She fell on the Log Runner. Her season comes to an end tonight now that she fell far too soon. Next up was Sean Bryan. The man known as the Papal Ninja was strong in his faith and that didn’t stop him from having a great sense of humor. He’s recently taken to social media. He got involved in some crazy stunts with his friends.
They were silly. Sean was hoping to break the internet tonight as well. He easily sailed through the course. He got his energy from the crowd and became a finisher with no issue. There were more finishers during the commercial break. This included the Colorado ninjas that have been dominating lately. Next up was Luke Beckstrand. He was going for his brother’s time. He also took off his shirt and that was a nice treat for the girlfriend. She was one of the Ninja Kidz. Her family along with his family were supporting him the sidelines.
Luke beat his brother’s time when he became another if not the fastest finisher of the night.
Taylor Greene was last up. The teenager was hit with multiple choice at the start. The audience got to know her more with her answers and they knew she preferred Zuri over Matt or Akbar. Then she got to run. Taylor made it to the second half for the first time. She made it pass Corkscrew. She made it up the Invisible Ladder. She hit a buzzer. The number of women who hit a buzzer during Semifinals can be counted on one hand. Maybe the fact that two have done it so far this season shows that now the future truly is equal.
THE END!