[SWISH]
- Matt, I love his story because this
tells me and tells the world, you
never judge a man by his size.
- Just 5' 2", can he handle Rip Run?
[CROWD CHEERING]
- Look at that.
Look at that. That's what I'm talking about.
- Great footwork. [MUSIC PLAYING]
- Rookie, contestant Nate Hansen inspired viewers
with his impressive performance on Monday's season premiere
of "American Ninja "Warrior, Known as the Gnarly Ninja,
he suffers from a hormone deficiency
which caused him to stop growing when he was 12 years old.
- Growing up in middle school and all throughout high school,
I was bullied and always called names.
And it was really difficult going through that
because people were always underestimating me.
- Despite being much shorter than the average competitor,
Nate became the first ninja of the season
to make it up the 14 and 1/2 foot Warp Wall
and complete the course.
Fans were amazed by his performance,
with one fan tweeting, Wow, Gnarly
Ninja just wrecked the course.
Inspirational!
- The Gnarly Ninja, Akbar.
- I'm speechless.
- Growing up, people told me, I couldn't do it my whole life,
so I'm made it happen.
- They not doubting you tonight.
They're not doubting you tonight.
[SWISH]