An Ocala teenager earned his way into the next round of American Ninja Warrior on Monday, besting two other competitors in his first attempt at a new head-to-head format.
After a stellar performance, Nacssa Garemore is on to the next round of the acrobatic game show, which airs on NBC on Monday nights at 9 p.m.
During last night’s episode, Garemore went head-to-head with two other competitors in his first attempt at the “Tripleheader,” which was incorporated into the show this year.
Garemore was the seventh-fastest qualifier for the three-person part of the competition. During the three-man race, he faced off against friend and former training partner David Bergstrom-Wright, as well as established ninja Brandon Singletary.
During a pre-recorded interview that aired moments before the race, Garemore referred to Bergstrom-Wright as a “brother” and older version of himself. Bergstrom-Wright shared similar sentiments.
“I love this guy, probably one of my favorite humans on the planet,” said Bergstrom-Wright about Garemore.
Garemore also briefly spoke about his defeat to Bergstrom-Wright during last year’s competition, saying he was able to get through the experience with the love and support of others.
“When David hit the buzzer and I saw him emotional, it just made me realize that no matter how you do on the ninja course, you always have somebody there who still loves you no matter what,” said Garemore of the strong community bond between the show’s competitors.
On Monday, Garemore bested Bergstrom-Wright and Singletary, taking his time on obstacles and moving through the course with precision. The performance earns Garemore a spot in the finals of the competition, though that stage is still comprised of multiple rounds.
Before the Tripleheader races, Garemore had already established himself as one of the competitors to watch this season.
Not only did Garemore earn himself a spot in the Tripleheader races through a blistering performance at the Eastern Regional Finals, but he also earned himself a chance to earn $10,000 from the Mega Wall.
Born in Guinea-Bissau, Garemore was surrendered to an orphanage as a newborn and was later adopted. He arrived in America at five years old, and he notes that learning English was the hardest thing he has ever had to do. Although he was homeschooled in previous years, the high school student asked his parents to let him enroll at Forest High School this past year so he could experience public school and socialize more with his peers.
To cheer on Ocala’s Nacssa Garemore, watch the brand-new episode of American Ninja Warrior on Monday, July 20 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC. You can also stream it the following day on Peacock.
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