Central Florida natives advance to “American Ninja Warrior” Eastern Regional Finals
Olivia Lopez of Gotha and four other Central Florida competitors have advanced to the Eastern Regional Finals of “American Ninja Warrior,” showcasing their athleticism and determination.
CENTRAL FLORIDA IS MAKING A STRONG SHOWING ON NBC’S AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR. ONE OF THE STANDOUTS IS RIGHT HERE IN OUR STUDIO, OLIVIA LOPEZ RIGHT HERE FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA GOTHA. AND YOU’VE ADVANCED TO THE REGIONAL FINALS IN JUST YOUR ROOKIE SEASON. OLIVIA, WELCOME. THANK YOU. OH MY GOODNESS. SO WE’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT JOURNEY WITH HER AND THE RACE FOR YOU KNOW, KIND OF A HUGE LIFE CHANGING PRIZE HERE. $1 MILLION. WHAT WHAT IS THAT LIKE AS A GOAL? IT’S CRAZY. LIKE YOU DON’T EVEN THINK IT’S POSSIBLE, LIKE BEING ON THE TV SHOW AND THEN HAVING THE CHANCE TO WIN $1 MILLION IS JUST INSANE. YEAH. THIS THIS KID FROM GOTHA, RIGHT? AND YOU’RE IN HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT NOW. OKAY, SO YOU WERE 16 WHEN THE SHOW WAS FILMING. AND WHEN WE SAW YOU DO THAT RUN, NOW YOU’RE 17. WHERE ARE YOU IN SCHOOL? AND SORT OF WHAT’S THE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE ACADEMICALLY? YEAH. SO I’M GOING INTO MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. I DEFINITELY DO WANT TO GO INTO COLLEGE. NOT SURE WHERE YET. YEAH. AND I’M TRYING TO GET INTO SPORTS MEDICINE A LITTLE BIT. OKAY. I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF SCHOOLS REALLY INTERESTED IN YOU. AND LET’S JUST THROW THIS OUT THERE. SHE’S GOT A REALLY GREAT GPA. WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S YOUR GRADE POINT AVERAGE RIGHT NOW? I THINK WADE IS 5.2. YEAH. OKAY. SO BRAINS AND BRAWN, WHAT MADE YOU APPLY FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR? I’VE BEEN WATCHING IT SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID WITH MY GRANDMA. AND THEN EVENTUALLY I FOUND A GYM AND I STARTED TRYING IT. AND I HAD SO MUCH FUN. AND THEN I STARTED TRAINING WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE TV SHOW, AND I WAS LIKE, THIS IS AWESOME. AND SO WHEN I REALIZED THAT THEY LOWERED THE AGE LIMIT AND I WAS FINALLY OLD ENOUGH, IT WAS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE TO BE ABLE TO APPLY. YEAH. SO HOW MANY YEARS ARE WE TALKING HERE FROM YOU WATCHED IT AND STARTED TRAINING. WHAT AGE WERE YOU WHEN I STARTED WATCHING IT? PROBABLY LIKE FIVE. OKAY. BUT I STARTED TRAINING AROUND TEN, 11 YEARS AGO. AND SO EIGHT YEARS OF TRAINING AND YOU HAVE BEEN JUST NONSTOP. SO YOU’RE READY TO GO. IF THEY SAY TOMORROW WE’VE GOT A COURSE, IT’S SET UP. LET’S GO. YOU CAN DO THAT. YES, SIR. AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE. IS THAT AMAZING OR WHAT? RIGHT. LET’S TALK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE THOUGH FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE BALANCING HIGH SCHOOL AND YOU’RE HIGH ACHIEVING. WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING IN THIS INTENSE TRAINING FOR AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR AND JUST YOUR PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVEL DAY IN AND DAY OUT? YEAH, THERE’S A LOT GOING ON. I MEAN, BALANCING TRAINING, NUTRITION, AND LIKE A LOT OF HOMEWORK TOO. I’M IN A LOT OF AP, SO THERE’S HOMEWORK AND PRACTICE IS ALWAYS GOING ON, BUT IT’S HONESTLY FUN. IT KEEPS YOU BUSY, KEEPS YOU GOING, AND THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO. SO YOU’RE ALREADY WORKING ON COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL. GOOD JOB HERE. I MEAN, WE’RE JUST INSPIRED AND ALSO FEELING A LITTLE BIT LIKE, WHAT WAS I DOING AT 16, 17? NOTHING CLOSE TO THIS. OLIVIA. SO LET’S TALK ABOUT THE REGIONAL FINALS. WHAT’S YOUR PLAN? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THAT? YEAH, I MEAN, THE GOAL IS ALWAYS TO KEEP MOVING ON, GO TO THE NATIONAL FINALS THIS YEAR. THEY’RE HAVING A THREE PERSON RACE, WHICH IS SUPER COOL TO BE LIKE PART OF THE FIRST LIKE AIRING OF IT. YEAH. AND SO I’M RACING AGAINST TWO OTHER GIRLS EVENTUALLY. AND THEN AT THE START IS THE QUALIFIER TO SEE IF WE MOVE ON. NOW, IS IT A DIFFERENT SORT OF CHALLENGE WHEN YOU WHEN YOU HAVE ONE CHALLENGER AND TWO CHALLENGERS, ARE YOU TRYING NOT TO LOOK AT THEM OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE IN RELATION. YEAH, IT’S VERY DIFFERENT BECAUSE WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING THE COURSE, THE QUALIFIER, IT’S JUST YOU ON THE COURSE, THAT’S IT. BUT IT’S VERY DIFFERENT WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING AGAINST PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO TRY TO GO FASTER, MAKE SURE YOU’RE MAKING CERTAIN MOVES AND STUFF. IS THERE AN OBSTACLE THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK THE HARDEST TO, TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR THAT YOU GO, THIS, THIS IS THE ONE THAT REALLY I’M GOING TO SWEAT OVER. A LOT OF TIMES IT’S BALANCED JUST BECAUSE ALMOST ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. YOUR FOOTWORK AND STUFF, LIKE USUALLY THE UPPER BODY STUFF PEOPLE ARE PRETTY SECURE ON, BUT THE BALANCE PEOPLE GET JUST NERVOUS AND IN THEIR HEAD ABOUT, OKAY, AND ARE YOU GOOD WITH IT THOUGH? PRETTY GOOD. I LIKE BALANCE. NOT IN HER HEAD, NO. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER YOUNG ATHLETES? BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED NOW, YOUNGER AND YOUNGER ATHLETES CAN COMPETE ON AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM? I MEAN, TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY. I HAD AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AND IT’S JUST SUPER FUN. LIKE SOMEONE ASKS YOU WHAT SPORT YOU’RE DOING, YOU SAY AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR. LIKE, THAT’S AWESOME. THAT IS SO COOL. AND YOU ARE RISING TO THE CHALLENGE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. CONTINUED SUCCESS. WE’RE GOING TO BE WATCHING OLIVIA AS SHE CONTINUES TO MOVE ON. AND YOU’RE ONE OF FIVE NINJAS FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA ADVANCING TO THE EASTERN REGIONAL FINALS. SO WE’RE ROOTING FOR 15 YEAR OLD AARON DIEHL FROM WINDERMERE. HE IS THE YOUNGEST LOCAL COMPETITOR. WE’VE ALSO GOT 16 YEAR OLD GRACE GORDON FROM ORLANDO. SHE’S THE FASTEST FEMALE COMPETITOR IN THIS QUALIFIER AND COMPLETED THE COURSE WITHOUT FALLING 18 YEAR OLD GARRETT MORRIS, REPRESENTING OCALA. HE’S ONE OF TWO NINJAS TO WIN A $10,000 BONUS AFTER SUCCESSFULLY BEATING THE MEGA WALL IN AN EARLIER QUALIFIER, AND 20 YEAR OLD AVERY GLANTZ, ALSO FROM ORLANDO. SHE’S STUDYING AT UCF AND IS IN HER FIFTH SEASON COMPETING. CONGRATS. AND OF COURSE TO OLIVIA RIGHT HERE IN THE STUDIO. WE WILL BE WATCHING. DON’T MISS THE FINALISTS FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA COMPETING. IT’S OVER ON OUR SISTER STATION WESH TWO. WE’LL BE WATCHING TONIGHT AT NINE. YEAH. THANK YOU. THIS IS GOOD
Central Florida natives advance to “American Ninja Warrior” Eastern Regional Finals
Olivia Lopez of Gotha and four other Central Florida competitors have advanced to the Eastern Regional Finals of “American Ninja Warrior,” showcasing their athleticism and determination.
Updated: 9:45 AM EDT Jul 13, 2026
Five Central Florida competitors, including Olivia Lopez of Gotha, have advanced to the Eastern Regional Finals of NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.” Lopez, who was 16 at the time of filming and recently turned 17, said her journey began in 2015 when she started watching the show with her grandmother, Dianne. Her training has been supported by her weightlifting coach and father, who encouraged her to try out for her school’s flag football team. Lopez also balances her athletic pursuits with academics. She is one of five Central Florida competitors advancing to the next stage. Aaron Deal, 15, from Windermere, is the youngest local competitor. Grace Gordon, 16, from Orlando, was the fastest female competitor in her qualifier and completed the course without falling. Nacssa Garemore, 18, of Ocala earned a $10,000 bonus after successfully beating the Mega Wall in an earlier qualifier. Avery Glantz, 20, from Orlando, is in her fifth season competing while studying at the University of Central Florida. The Eastern Regional Finals of “American Ninja Warrior” air Monday, July 13 at 9 p.m. on NBC. >> Watch the full interview in the video player above. Click here to learn more. Editorial note: video includes a numerical error; Grace Gordon was 16 at the time of filming.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Five Central Florida competitors, including Olivia Lopez of Gotha, have advanced to the Eastern Regional Finals of NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.”
Lopez, who was 16 at the time of filming and recently turned 17, said her journey began in 2015 when she started watching the show with her grandmother, Dianne.
Her training has been supported by her weightlifting coach and father, who encouraged her to try out for her school’s flag football team.
Lopez also balances her athletic pursuits with academics. She is one of five Central Florida competitors advancing to the next stage.
Aaron Deal, 15, from Windermere, is the youngest local competitor.
Grace Gordon, 16, from Orlando, was the fastest female competitor in her qualifier and completed the course without falling.
Nacssa Garemore, 18, of Ocala earned a $10,000 bonus after successfully beating the Mega Wall in an earlier qualifier.
Avery Glantz, 20, from Orlando, is in her fifth season competing while studying at the University of Central Florida.
The Eastern Regional Finals of “American Ninja Warrior” air Monday, July 13 at 9 p.m. on NBC.
>> Watch the full interview in the video player above.
Click here to learn more.
Editorial note: video includes a numerical error; Grace Gordon was 16 at the time of filming.