Vance Walker becomes first back-to-back million-dollar winner on ‘American Ninja Warrior’

(NBC) — NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” not only produced another million-dollar winner Monday night, but it also produced a first for the show.

The memory of winning a million dollars last season was fresh for Vance Walker and a speedy climb up the “Ninja Warrior” 75-foot rope had him on the verge of a repeat.

“I knew I was the fastest rope climber there, but I also hadn’t trained as much between Seasons 15 and 16 as I usually do,” said Walker.

The teenager, born with cerebral palsy, still had to wait out the last two ninjas first, his friend and training partner, Caleb Bergstrom.

“He climbed and I remember turning around and being like, did he beat me?” said Walker.

Bergstrom’s time was 1.3 seconds slower than Walker’s, leaving Noah Meunier as the final climber, but he also came up short.

“I came so close,” said Meunier.

The margin made Walker the first back-to-back million-dollar winner in the show’s 16-year history.

“Being able to not only win but be the first person to do it multiple times it was amazing,” said Walker.

Walker says he’s investing most of his winnings, although a second car might be in the offing, and he may try for a three-peat.

“I’m coming back as long as the show lets me,” said Walker. “This is something I’m not ready to give up yet.”

But the victory left Walker very ready to celebrate.

Walker says after he won last season, he took a trip to Europe and found himself recognized for his ninja exploits, even though the show is not widely seen there.

It’s the fourth time in 16 seasons that someone has won the “ANW” million-dollar prize.

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