Isaac Caldiero (2024)

Isaac Caldiero is a former busboy and professional rock climber from from Orem, Utah. He considers himself one of the best rock climbers in America and one of the best in the world. He is best known for living a nomadic life, even stating he's never lived on a salary higher than $10,000. He frequently lives in either an RV or a van with his girlfriend and fellow competitor Laura Kisana. In American Ninja Warrior 7, he became the second ever American Ninja Warrior and the first ever million-dollar winner on the show, finishing faster than the other man left standing, Geoff Britten.

American Ninja Warrior[]

American Ninja Warrior 5[]

In Season 5, he walked on in Denver dressed up in a Jesus costume and completed both the qualifying and the finals rounds. In Vegas, he completed the first three obstacles and stuck the mount on the Jumping Spider, but he couldn't lock in properly and slid down into the water, ending his run.

American Ninja Warrior 6[]

In American Ninja Warrior 6, he competed again in Denver and once again completed the qualifying and finals round also placing first in the finals round. Caldiero exacted his revenge on the Jumping Spider and completed the Stage One with a little bit of showboating. However, he failed theDouble Salmon Ladder in the Stage Two, despite training on it on the replica course he built in his parents' backyard. Out of all of the members of the Wolf Pack, he performed the worst in this tournament.

American Ninja Warrior 7[]

Isaac returned for American Ninja Warrior 7 where he competed in Kansas City. He completed the qualifying course, again showboating. In the finals, he got through the obstacles in a more serious tone, but due to the torrential rain he fell on the newly modified Body Prop. He still qualified for Vegas, finishing in 4th place.

In Vegas he completed Stage One, going on to defeat theDouble Salmon Ladder and completing Stage Two. In Stage Three, Caldiero put on an incredible performance, and for the first time in American Ninja Warrior history, cleared Stage Three. Soon after, Geoff Britten followed his run by completing Stage Three as well.

Since Caldiero had the fastest time on completing Stage Three than Britten, he decided the order of attempting Stage Four, he decided to went last on Stage Four. Britten made a valiant attempt on Stage Four by ascending the tower in 29.7 seconds and completing the first ascent.Caldierothen went on to complete the tower in 26.14 seconds, astoundingly becoming the first American Grand Champion.

Due to the fact that American Ninja Warrior's rules only allow the fastest Kanzenseiha to "win", Caldiero won the $1,000,000 prize and the title of First American Ninja Warrior Champion.

He is a competitor for Team USA in the third American Ninja Warrior International Tournament in which Team USA won the tournament. Ever since his total victory, he quit in being a busboy and lived in Las Vegas, Nevada temporarily. Where they saved him specifically for Stage 3 and helped win it all and he holds the record for fastest Stage 3 finish during USA vs the World.

Temporary retirement[]

Following his great season, Isaac would retire from American Ninja Warrior, as stated on the Wolf Pack Podcast. However, starting from American Ninja Warrior 8, Caldiero is working with POM Wonderful, where one lucky member can win a trip to work out with him. He was advertised on every broadcast in Season 8.

It was revealed that he would make a return toNinja Warriorby participating in the celebrity special ofNinja Warrior Germanylast November 2017. From there, he became the Last Man Standing in that competition.

Also, he attempted on KuroOvi, the show that seeks to find an “Ultimate Hero” on a timed course that’s 123 meters long, with 12 obstacles. The obstacles all have a city theme to them, and there’s math involved. He failed on the fourth obstacle called 'Brain Panic', which is similar to Parley which was used in VIKING (not to be confused with Brain Panic which was an event in Kinniku Banzuke). He would also compete in several ninja competitions.

Return to American Ninja Warrior[]

Though stated earlier that he would retire from American Ninja Warrior, he eventually made his return in American Ninja Warrior 10 in the Indianapolis course. It was revealed now that he currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

American Ninja Warrior 10[]

Caldiero was able to clear every obstacle on the qualifying course with ease. Although he was able to clear Block Run, he still had to take a breath before attempting it. Caldiero had attempted the Mega Wall, but surprisingly failed to scale it. He still finished with the 9th fastest time on the regular 14'6 wall.

In the city finals, he was expected massively to return to Vegas after his legendary total victory on American Ninja Warrior 7. However, in a huge shock to everyone, he failed Block Run and did not return to Vegas. Notably, this was considered by ANWNation to be the shock of the season, and was considered one of, if not the most unbelievable eliminations in American Ninja Warrior history. At the end of the Indianapolis finals, Isaac had placed 22nd overall in the city finals, which consequently marked the first time in his career failing to compete in Vegas.

Luckily for him, in 2019, he did return to Vegas to compete in the All Stars Special 4 for the Dual Doorknob Drop Skill Event, against Geoff Britten again. But, he took more time than Britten and he didn't advance to the final round.

American Ninja Warrior Results[]