This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah rock climber Isaac Caldiero became the second American ever to win the title of Ninja Warrior and the first to win a million bucks on the NBC reality/competition show.
Caldiero and Geoff Britten were the first two Americans ever to complete Stage 4 in the intense, physical competition — imported from Japan, where the show is a longtime hit. In the show's seventh season, they were the first two who qualified to compete in the final stage — a 75-foot rope climb that had to be completed in less than 30 seconds. Britten, a 36-year-old sports cameraman, made it to the top just barely in time, finishing in 29.65 seconds.
But Caldiero bested that by 3½ seconds, finishing in 26.14 seconds.
"Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, surprised to learn how quickly he completed the climb.
And, under the rules of "American Ninja Warrior," the first-place contestant takes home a million bucks; the second-place contestant goes home empty handed – but with the title of Ninja Warrior.
Caldiero, 33, a professional rock climber and busboy who grew up in Orem, was overwhelmed by his win.
"I went to a different place," he said. "I tried to be one with the rope and move fast and just apply everything I knew.
"It's like a dream right now. I don't know what just happened, but I just started flying. My legs, my arms were burning, but I just tried my best not to stop."
And he got a bit philosophical in the wake of his victory.
"Winning this event always seemed impossible. As the first 'American Ninja Warrior' (winner), I want to use this opportunity to inspire the world to find your impossible and conquer it."