explosive popularity of american ninja warrior, a record number of first-timers made it to mount midoriyama

. - six weeks ago, the journey to mount midoriyama began.ies have taken on the world's most daunting obstacle courses. - oh! ooh! - [grunts] - oh! he'll feel that one tomorrow. - no! [cries] - familiar faces have fallen. - oh! - oh, my goodness. - are you kidding me?! - oh! - oh! - the unthinkable! - and new heroes have emerged. - yeah, baby! - yeah! - history has been made! the first woman... the second woman... the third woman ever to complete a qualifying course! - yes! yes! yes! - now only the elite remain. - oh! - yeah!

here on the world-famous las vegas strip to take on the world's toughest obstacle course, mount midoriyamathletes attempted stage one, and only 11 made it through. >> whoo! >> announcer: including connecticut weatherman and first-timer joe moravsky, who flew through the course like a nor'easter. [cheers] >> whoo! >> announcer: and while veteran james mcgrath's impressive run made this very tough first stage look easy. >> [yells] >> announcer: other top returners were left wet and wondering, including dan mast. >> oh! >> only the second, that. >> announcer: joyce shahboz... >> oh! >> announcer: and most surprisingly

here on the world-famous las vegas strip to take on the world's toughest obstacle course-- mount midoriyamand prize, one of the most accomplished competitors in the history of american ninja warrior, david campbell, schoolteacher and first-time ninja competitor colby frontiero,