Karen Wiltin is a physician's assistant who made her rookie debut in American Ninja Warrior 10. She is a mother of two daughters, Etta and Mary, who are inspired greatly by her.
American Ninja Warrior 10[]
Witlin first competed in Dallas in American Ninja Warrior 10. In qualifying, she was the first athlete of the night to get past the Tuning Forks, but she fell on Crank It Up and placed 25th overall and advanced to the city finals. She became one of two women to make the top 30, along with Quest O'Neal.
In the city finals, her run was digested but it was shown that she shockingly failed the Archer Steps and did not advance to Vegas.
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
She made a return appearance in Oklahoma City as the first competitor of the night. She had a few close calls, but was ultimately able to repeat her qualifying performance last season, making it to the fifth obstacle before failing and because she was one of five women to attempt Coconut Climb, she secured a spot in the womens' top 5. She placed 5th overall, advancing to the city finals for the second straight year. However, out of the five women that attempted Coconut Climb, she was the only one to not be in the top 30, as she placed 31st at the end of the night.
In the city finals, she was hesitant on the first obstacle, not wanting to repeat the same fall as last season. Although she needed to take a couple extra swings, she got past the Shrinking Steps. She then bested the Coconut Climb, and scaled the Warped Wall on her third and final attempt, becoming the first mother to do so, and the second oldest woman, behind Sandy Zimmerman at 44. However, she failed the trampoline jump to the Salmon Ladder and did not advance to Las Vegas. Despite this, it was still a significant moment for her, as it is the best performance of her career.
American Ninja Warrior 15[]
After a three season hiatus, she competed in American Ninja Warrior 15, competing in the seventh qualifier round where her run was cut for the first time, but it was revealed that Karen failed the second obstacle, Rollercoaster. [1] For the first time in her career, she did not make the womens' top 5 and advance to the semifinal round.
American Ninja Warrior 16[]
Karen returned in American Ninja Warrior 16, running as the first competitor of the season. She made it to the fourth obstacle, Duck Duck Goose, before failing the trampoline jump to the first duck. However, she placed 3rd among the women, advancing to the semifinals after not doing so last year.
Karen later competed in the last semifinal episode, racing against Madelyn Madaras. Madelyn cleared the course while Karen made it to Spin Hopper before falling and she once again did not advance to Las Vegas.
Karen is set to compete in American Ninja Warrior 17.
Trivia[]
- Sandy Zimmerman successfully climbed the Warped Wall in May 2019. Due to episode air dates, however, many credit Sandy Zimmerman as being the first mother to scale the Warped Wall. Sandy Zimmerman was, however, the first mother to scale the Warped Wall and hit a buzzer. Karen is indeed the first mother to scale the Warped Wall in America Ninja Warrior competition.