Navy Lt. j.g. Dustin McKinney is among three current and former military contenders hoping to make it to the top of the infamous “Mount Midoriyama” obstacle course to become the first American Ninja Warrior champion tonight on NBC.
After seven seasons, no athlete has ever managed to conquer the show’s final grueling test of strength, agility and raw staying power. If someone manages to pull off a win this year, they’ll take home $1 million in prize money.
Former Army National Guard officer Ryan Stratis, who’s competed in every season of the show, and veteran Nathan Tucker are also still in the running.
A cyber warfare officer stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, McKinney is a favorite to (maybe, just maybe) claim the title this year. A former member of the All-Navy Wrestling Team and an Olympic alternate, he was a finalist in last years’ American Ninja Warrior competition.
This year, McKinney was also the only athlete to actually finish the special semifinals obstacle course for current and former military hopefuls filmed alongside the Battleship Iowa Museum in San Pedro, California.
A total of 15 current and former troops still made it into the four-round finals in Las Vegas, which began airing Aug. 31.
But now McKinney, Stratis and Tucker are the only military competitors left standing. They’re among 37 athletes competing tonight in the special 2-hour prime time season finale, which starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time, 7 p.m. Central time.
