David Bergstrom-Wright, also known as "Da Cake Ninja," is a lifeguard and ninja coach who first competed on American Ninja Warrior 11 in Oklahoma City. He is also the husband of Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright.
David revealed having a total of nine siblings. He implied his love for cake when he revealed that his household has a total of five birthdays in October, meaning that he would make a total of five cakes that month for them. Since then, it came down to him just loving all cake in general. Moments prior to all of his runs, Wright always eats a cupcake.
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
David first competed in American Ninja Warrior 11 in Oklahoma City. In qualifying, he blazed through the course and became the night's first finisher. He placed 7th at the end of the night.
During the city finals, he continued his exceptional rookie performance once again. He was one of five to complete the city finals course, placing 5th overall. He was the only rookie competitor to have completed both qualifying/city finals.
In Vegas, his Stage One run was digested but it was shown that he failed the Tire Run, owing it to the fact that he neglected to eat cake prior to his run like he normally does.
American Ninja Warrior 12[]
David was invited to compete on the modified Season 12, bringing along Amir Malik and Alex Carson. In qualifying, his run was digested. It was shown that although he failed to scale the Mega Wall, he completed the course with the 6th fastest time and moved on. David's "ninja group" was the only team to have every member complete the qualifying course. His semifinals run was once again digested, but it was shown that he failed the final transition on The Dungeon, though he still placed 8th and moved on. In the finals, David was expected to go far, but he shockingly missed the blind catch on Falling Shelves, ending his season.
David's teammate, rookie Amir Malik, outperformed him in all three rounds, finishing faster in qualifying, then going farther in semifinals and finals. Amir was one of the final four ninjas in contention for the $100,000 grand prize and was the Rookie of The Year for Season 12.
David was originally invited to compete on American Ninja Warrior 13. Unfortunately, a few days before the qualifiers were taped, he and a few others were exposed to COVID-19, forcing him to withdraw.
American Ninja Warrior 14[]
After missing the previous season, David returned to compete in the first qualifying episode, being shown as the first runner. At Split Decision, he decided to go for the new Serpent, where he ended up falling. This marked the first time that he failed on a qualifying course, and also the first time that he failed to qualify for the finals, let alone the semifinals.
American Ninja Warrior 15[]
David returned for American Ninja Warrior 15 being newly married to fellow ninja, Caitlyn Bergstrom-Wright. In Qualifying, he finished the course with the second fastest time of the night. Since he finished under 1:20, he had the chance to go for the Mega Wall. Unfortunately, he fell short of completing it. In the last round of semifinals, David took on Josh Heman-Ackah. His run was digested, but while Josh fell on Sideways, David made it to Slingshot, advancing back to Las Vegas. His run in Vegas was digested, but history repeated itself as he failed the fifth obstacle again, this time being The Gambler.
American Ninja Warrior: Couples Championship 2[]
David and Caitlyn also appeared in American Ninja Warrior: Couples Championship 2 where they were the first couple to clear the entire course (each of them clearing their own three obstacles) and they placed 5th moving onto the second round. In the first round on the semifinals course, David started them off going against Lisa Hair while Caitlyn went against Austin Hair, David kept the lead throughout the first three obstacles while Caitlyn was able to stay just ahead of Austin and she was able to finish the final three obstacles. In the semi-finals round, Caitlyn shockingly failed Home Run as she came up just short on the last one, ending their run at the championship.
American Ninja Warrior 16[]
David returned for his fifth season in the last qualifying episode. His run was digested, but he once again cleared the course with the second fastest time and since he finished under 1:20, he once again had a chance to get the Mega Wall, which he once again failed to compete.
David raced against Jay Flores in the fourth round of the semifinals, where it was over quickly as Jay shockingly failed the Home Run and he was able to fly through the rest of the course to hit the semifinals buzzer once again moving onto the National Finals in 4th place.
On Stage One, David was the second runner of the night, where he got his revenge on the fifth obstacle, The Gambler, but timed out on the cargo net of Thread the Needle, ending his best season to date.
American Ninja Warrior 17[]
David returned for his sixth season in the first qualifying episode. His run was digested, but he once again cleared the course, this time so doing with the fifth fastest time.
He later competed in the first semifinals episode. His run there was also digested, but he once again cleared the semifinals course. Just like during the qualifiers, he placed 5th overall.
Results[]
| ANW | # | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Failed Tire Run (Stage One) | Digest. Full run was shown on American Ninja Warrior's official YouTube channel. | |
| 15 | Failed The Gambler (Stage One) | Digest. | |
| 16 | Failed Thread the Needle (Stage One) | Timed out. |