American Ninja Warrior’s season 12 winner visits Redding, shares upbringing story

We are always told to chase our dreams no matter how big they are, even it’s from being an avid American Ninja Warrior (ANW) viewer to being the 2020 season champion.

KRCR spoke with Season 12’s ANW champion, Daniel Gil, and he says he has been training to get to where he is today for the past eight years. He grew up watching the show and always had the desire to try the world’s toughest obstacle course. And, well, that’s what he did.

After not making the cut two years in a row (in 2012 and 2013), he stayed consistent and finally made it in 2014. He has since been known as one of the top competitors on the show.

In the 2019 season, Gil came three seconds shy of receiving a million dollars and the winning title. So, he put in the extra work and finally came out on top this year.

“As heartbreaking as that was to lose, especially on national television where millions of people would see it, I saw it also as an opportunity,” said Gil. “I told myself if I got here once, I’m going to do what it takes. I know I can get here a second time. So, coming back this season, I had more confidence than ever. I felt stronger and faster than ever, and [I] was able to win.”

Now because of COVID, Gil shared that the show had to expedite the competition to 12 back to back days.

But he says, despite all the craziness that’s going on in the world, he’s glad to have still had the ability to work towards what he loves most and now be crowned ANW’s Season 12 champion.

Daniel also says he has previously trained for the show at the Ninja Coalition in Redding a number of times, and he is glad to be back for a few days and share his story while taking part in some private events.

Click to see the full clip of Daniel Gil winning the ANW season.