'I can do this'
POST FALLS - Chris Moore said four words went through his head when he saw the "American Ninja Warrior" course in San Pedro, Calif., for the first time.
"I can do this."
Moore, 43, is on a mission to be named the champion of the NBC show and plans on donating the entirety of the $1 million prize to Shriners Hospitals for Children. On Monday, more than 100 people gathered at Nate's New York Pizza in Post Falls to watch the Coeur d'Alene athlete and prosthetics maker's qualifying round air for the first time.
Nikki Montague, of Post Falls, brought her two sons, Corbin and Mason, to Nate's on Monday for the viewing party. Montague told The Press that her kids watch the show all the time, and couldn't wait to meet an "American Ninja" in person.
"I like all the obstacles the most," Corbin, 7, said before meeting Moore.
"They turn the living room into an obstacle course every time they watch," Montague added with a smile.
There were 109 other hopeful champions competing alongside Moore during the qualifying round, and each of them were either active duty military or had prior military service. But by the end of the show the grueling course would leave only 30 standing.
"At any given time, any single obstacle is doable," Moore said. "But the fatigue builds and compounds and makes it more challenging. San Pedro worked the grip - and the deeper into the obstacles you got, the more your grip loosened."
It was Moore's footing, not his grip, that almost sank the "American Ninja" hopeful during the qualifiers. After successfully completing the second to last obstacle on the course, Moore lost his balance and fell backward into the water below.
"They told me I was on track to be one of the best times before the fall," Moore said.
Although Moore slipped, he still earned 24th place and the chance to compete in the city finals, where the 30 remaining San Pedro competitors will be reduced to 15.
"It's a hard course," Moore said. "But I went fast enough and far enough."
In six weeks, NBC will air the San Pedro city finals, and the world will witness Moore continue on his path toward the championship. Moore couldn't tell The Press much about the upcoming finals, but did say he flashed two fingers throughout his run to represent second chances.
Providing second chances to kids who would otherwise be unable to afford critical medical care is why Moore said he wants to donate the prize money, along with proceeds from fundraisers such as Monday's viewing party, to Shriners if he wins.
"We've already raised $7,600 for them," Moore said. "Hopefully we'll get a lot more - I'm still in the hunt for the big one."
For more information on Moore's fundraising efforts, visit www.AmericanNinja4Kids.com. The American Ninja Warrior San Pedro City Finals are scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on NBC in six weeks.