Geoff Britten (ジェフ・ブリテン) is a cameraman from Olney, Maryland. He is nicknamed "Popeye" because of his abnormally large forearms. He first competed in American Ninja Warrior 6 where he was the only rookie to complete the St. Louis Finals course. In Vegas, his run was all cut, but it was later revealed he fell on the Jumping Spider.
American Ninja Warrior 7
He returned in American Ninja Warrior 7 stronger than ever, with fellow competitor Joe Moravsky even choosing him as his pick to advance all the way to Kanzenseiha. He completed the Pittsburgh Qualifying and was the fastest finisher on the city finals course. Britten set a blazing pace through all of the upper-body obstacles, including the Devil Steps, Doorknob Arch, and Invisible Ladder.
In Vegas, he completed the Jumping Spider and finished Stage 1. He finished Stage 2 with the fastest time of all eight finishers. He was the last to run Stage 3 and he almost fell on the last rung of the Flying Bar with his grip giving out, managing to hold on with his fingertips and became the second competitor to complete the 3rd STAGE, collapsing on the mat. Having completed Stage 3 in a slower time than fellow finalist Isaac Caldiero, attempted the final stage before Caldiero. Despite this, Britten completed the final stage with 0.3 seconds remaining, becoming the first American in both SASUKE and American Ninja Warrior history to achieve Kanzenseiha. He is also the first competitor to have a perfect season, having hit all six possible finish buttons in the season, and clearing the Third Stage and claiming the first ascent. Due to the rules of American Ninja Warrior, however, which stated that only the competitor with the fastest time to the end of the FINAL STAGE could "win," Britten was defeated by fellow finalist Isaac Caldiero, who ascended the tower second but in a faster time. There was controversy over the rules of stage 4, and starting from American Ninja Warrior 8, the rules were changed to splitting the prize money should 2 or more competitors finish the final stage.
Britten was part of Team USA on the USA vs. The World 2016 tournament. Geoff was supposed to run Stage 2 and Stage 3, but because of flu-like symptoms, he was replaced by the alternate Joe Moravsky. The Americans did end up winning the tournament.
American Ninja Warrior 8
In American Ninja Warrior 8, Britten made history during Philadelphia Qualifying by hitting the buzzer 7 times in a row and finished the course as one of only nine finishers in 7th place at 3:33.97, especially completing the Wall Drop and the Rolling Thunder. In the Finals, however, he failed on the Stair Hopper, ending his streak of hitting consecutive buzzers. His 8th place finish still earned him to the Las Vegas National Finals.
Unfortunately, in shock of everyone, he went out on the first obstacle, Snake Run, in Stage 1. Britten's misstep on Snake Run was if not, one of the most unimaginable shockers in ANW 8. Britten also announced via his Facebook and Instagram page that he will be taken time off from American Ninja Warrior and probably won't return until he is 40. (Season 11).
Trivia
- Geoff currently holds the overall record for the least amount of tournaments taken to achieve Kanzenseiha, taking only two.
- Geoff is the oldest person to achieve Kanzenseiha, having done so at 36 years of age.
- Geoff is the only American to have a perfect season, which means he hit six buzzers and completed the Third Stage, never failing a course.
- Geoff holds the record for the number of buzzers hit continuously without falling, at six (excluding Stage 3 in ANW7).
- Geoff was invited to compete in SASUKE 32 but was forced to withdraw when the taping was brought forward by three weeks, causing a clash between the taping of the Philadelphia Regionals of American Ninja Warrior 8 and SASUKE 32.
| ANW | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Failed Jumping Spider (First Stage) | All Cut |
| 7 | Kanzenseiha | First Ascent, but was slower than Isaac Caldiero thus failing to get the $1,000,000 prize. |
| 8 | Failed Snake Run (First Stage) | Stated he would no longer train for the show because he would rather raise his family in the post run interview. |