Tyler Yamauchi at the Kansas City City Finals - American Ninja Warrior 2017
Yamauchi's run in the Kansas City finals in American Ninja Warrior 9.
Tyler Yamauchi is a physical therapist from Hoffman Estates IL. He has competed on five seasons of American Ninja Warrior. Yamauchi is one of the shortest competitors in ANW, at 5'1 (61 inches), and is currently the shortest male competitor to scale the Warped Wall, tied with Jonathan Horton. Yamauchi is currently serving as a stay-at home father with his two children, and is part of the "Windy City" warriors group, where he trains with.
American Ninja Warrior 7
Yamauchi debuted in American Ninja Warrior 7. He was only shown on broadcast during the intro of the Orlando qualifiers; his actual run was cut. However, it was revealed in the next season that he was one of 21 athletes to fail the Rolling Log.
American Ninja Warrior 8
Yamauchi returned in American Ninja Warrior 8, where he got redemption on the Rolling Log in the Indianapolis course. He scaled the Warped Wall for the first time in his career and placed 13th in qualifying, where he became the shortest male competitor to scale the taller 14'6' wall. Yamauchi scaled the Warped Wall a second time in the city finals, but became one of many to fail the dreaded Hourglass Drop. However, Yamauchi placed 12th overall and was able to move on to the national finals. In Vegas, he timed out on the Warped Wall in Vegas, due to fatigue.
American Ninja Warrior 9
As part of the "Windy City Warriors" group, Yamauchi competed in Kansas City in American Ninja Warrior 9 alongside fellow ninjas Brandon Mears, Dan Polizzi, and Ethan Swanson. Yamauchi was one of just ten athletes to finish the KC course, placing 3rd overall. Yamauchi was expecting all four Windy City competitors to advance to Vegas. However, in shock of him and many others, Yamauchi was the only one of his group to advance to Vegas, with the other three failing just the third obstacle. Yamauchi was one of only two competitors to get past the Floating Monkey Bars, and was very close to completing the Iron Maiden, until he made the mistake of skipping the last peg, causing him to fall on the dismount. Yamauchi, however, placed 2nd overall and advanced to Vegas for the second straight year.
In Vegas, he gave his strongest performance yet, avenging himself on the Warped Wall and going on to clear the Stage 1 with 25.47 seconds remaining. In the Stage 2 however, he was one of many to go out on Wingnut Alley.
American Ninja Warrior 10
Yamauchi returned to compete in Indianapolis in American Ninja Warrior 10, but shockingly failed the Spin Hopper. He made it into the top 30, in which he placed 14th overall.
In the city finals, he got his revenge on the Spin Hopper but failed Cane Lane. He placed 5th place overall, and advanced to the national finals for the third time in his career.
In Vegas, Yamauchi’s run was digested, but it was revealed that he failed the Double Dipper.
American Ninja Warrior 11
Yamauchi returned to compete in Cincinnati in American Ninja Warrior 11. Although he was hopeful that this was his year, in a major shock, he failed on just the third obstacle, the Spinning Bridge, after a misstep on the fourth ball tripped his momentum. This meant that he didn't qualify for Las Vegas, let alone the city finals for the first time since his debut in ANW 7.
Results
| Tournament | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ANW7 | Failed Rolling Log (Orlando Qualifiers) | All Cut. Shown in Intro. |
| ANW8 | Failed Warped Wall (First Stage) | Time Out |
| ANW9 | Failed Wingnut Alley (Second Stage) | |
| ANW10 | Failed Double Dipper (First Stage) | Digest |