Former Illini all-American Tyler Yamauchi has used his gymnastics talent found at the University of Illinois for another sport- America Ninja Warrior. Yamauchi, a successful competitor across multiple seasons of the hit television show "America Ninja Warrior", is one of the shortest competitors in the sport standing at 5'1", and has tied the record for the shortest competitor to scale the 14'6" warped wall with another gymnast and former Olympian Jonathan Horton. Yamauchi has qualified for the America Ninja Warrior national finals in Las Vegas, Nev. Four times, finishing in stage two of the competition on two occasions, and is also the shortest competitor to clear Stage One of competition at the national finals.

As an Illini, Yamauchi holds several accolades in the Illinois record books. Yamauchi is fifth in all-time still rings titles, garnering 17 titles in his career. A competitor at the 2007 World University Games, Yamauchi earned four all-American honors in his four-year career, with two on the still rings, one on floor exercise and one on vault. Yamauchi was the 2007 Big Ten vault champion and a two-time All-B1G honoree.  

How did you get into America Ninja Warrior, and what made you want to compete in the sport professionally?

"It's something I was always interested in doing, but it originated in Japan. It finally came to the USA but wasn't nearly as popular as it is now. I had my doubts about actually trying it since the warped wall was so high, and Paul Hamm had tried in Japan and wasn't able to make it up so I didn't think I could do it. Eventually Kacy Catanzaro, who was only 5 ft tall, made it to the wall and beat it. When I saw that I realized I have no excuse to not try. I was able to find a ninja gym in the Chicagoland area and started training. My first season was Season 7 and they are now casting for season 14. I don't believe there was anything that made me want to compete in the sport professionally. I was really looking for an outlet post gymnastics, and ninja warrior really helped fill that void. Actually, I have my Doctorate in Physical Therapy and currently run my own practice where I focus on rehabilitation of gymnasts, Yama Physical Therapy."

How did your time with Illinois Men's Gymnastics help prepare you for your professional career competing on America Ninja Warrior?

"Competing gymnastics at a high level at Illinois helps tremendously with my success on the show. To even get on the show you usually need something extraordinary about you. My accomplishments at Illinois helped me get selected, along with breaking the world record for the iron cross after my senior year in Kenney Gym didn't hurt either. Also, gymnastics and Ninja Warrior have a lot in common when it comes to competing. In both sports you compete by yourself, it's you against the obstacle/ equipment. All of the lights and eyes are on you, and being able to control the nerves and use them to your advantage is what makes the best the best." 

Could you explain what you do in terms of preparation and competition in your career?

"When I had a ninja gym, I would train three to four times per week, focusing on all the aspects you typically see on the show: balance, agility, lache, grip. It's really fun training and feels more like playing to me. This past year I only trained once a week at a ninja gym, where we mostly ran courses to mimic what we might see on the show. Of course, we would always try and make it much harder than anything we would actually see. For this past season, as I progressed further in the show, I was able to train twice a week, but as a father of three and my Physical Therapy practice, there is only so many hours in the day. When I first started out, I would compete in local or regional competitions held by ninja gyms. Also, if I ever fell early, I would always try and become a tester for the show. This gave me experience touching obstacles even if my season was over."

What does training ninja warrior do for you?

"I started training Ninja Warrior right after I graduated from Physical Therapy school. Ninja warrior to me is more of an intense hobby rather than a job. If it ever becomes something that doesn't make me happy, I would stop, which I actually did take a year off completely due to some burn out. I came back for season 13 and had my best season yet. I made it to stage two in Vegas without ever getting wet, hitting three straight buzzers in the process. I'm actually gearing up to get back to training as we speak for the next season. I also shot a special episode where I will be doing the Big Dipper skills challenge. I'm not sure when this will air but usually it's around January. I do have a tribute to my time at Illinois during one my skills, so when I hear more I'll be sure to let you know."