Heartwarming / American Ninja Warrior

• Michael Stanger. He made it past qualifying, with his wife there to watch. In season 9, his wife's normally paralyzing condition took a turn for the better when she started an exercise regimen alongside her husband, and in one year, she went from using a wheelchair to being able to run and jump. In season 10, she was able to run the course!
  • Watch Enedina Stanger's run here.
• Ben Melick (aka "Ninja Tarzan") proposed to his girlfriend Sarah Blades right after competing in Stage 1 of the Las Vegas National Finals - even though he failed the course. She said "YES!"
• In general, the ninjas themselves are this and display amazing sportsmanship. Many ninjas even come out to other regional finals just to cheer on the competitors. Oftentimes, the loudest ones who cheer for the success of a competitor will be their rivals.
  • In Season 8, we saw Lucas Gomez, one of the two Brazi Brothers, fall out of qualifying for the finals because of Drew Dreschel's run. The person comforting him the most: Jessie Graff.
  • Most of the ninjas are there for the others in times of personal heartbreak. Veteran ninja Maggie Thorne, after getting a divorce, gained immense support and had a very loyal following.
• Many ninjas share uplifting stories about themselves or their loved ones to inspire, such as treating family members with debilitating chronic conditions like muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or Parkinson's disease. Some ninjas even compete with prosthetic or missing limbs.
• After Flip Rodriguez revealed he was sexually abused at a young age, the Vegas Finals revealed he received massive support sympathizing with him and even bigger praise for his bravery in opening up about it. Flip said he felt a sense of freedom now knowing he doesn't have to be ashamed of his past, and he's never looked happier in his opening.
• A number of ninjas are seen proposing during their events. But Brett Sims and his wife Grace met through Ninja Warrior and got married.
• Kirsti "The Machine" Pratt devotes herself to her training and to her marriage. So much so that there is a video of her ascending a Salmon Ladder in her wedding dress. This convinced her husband to join her in training.
• In the season 14 premiere, James McGrath said in his video right before his run that if he made it up the Mega Wall, he would propose to Allyssa Beird (his girlfriend at the time). He did, in fact, make it up the Mega Wall and then slid right back down it to propose to a tearful Allyssa, who said yes.
• Also in season 14, Barclay Stockett came out and revealed she had gotten engaged to her best friend, Tee Jackson.