‘American Ninja Warrior’s Cannonball Alley Is Finally Conquered by a Woman in Shocking Historic Win [Exclusive Clip]

American Ninja Warrior just made history when five-time veteran Isabella Folsom became the first woman ever to conquer the brutal “Cannonball Alley” obstacle. In an exclusive clip shared with Collider, viewers witness Isabella’s flawless power and precision dominate a course that has eluded many top competitors, shattering records and cementing her place as an icon in this grueling NBC competition.

Isabella Folsom Just Made ‘American Ninja Warrior’ History

With her husband and loved ones in the audience — and hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila watching giddily — this moment follows Isabella as she easily defeats every obstacle this season’s semifinals course has in store. Whether it be “The Salmon Ladder” or “The Warped Wall,” the competitor barely stops to take a breath as she finishes each one with ease.

“She just looks solid!” exclaims Iseman, with his co-host Gbajabiamila adding, “I mean, flawless!” The men can only watch in wonder as she continues to decimate a series of obstacles that had claimed many others that evening, with everybody holding their breath as she faces the one that no other woman has been able to finish: Cannonball Alley. Yet while many before her have fallen into the mortifying waters at the bottom of this obstacle, Isabella barely stops to rest beforehand as she easily jumps from each swinging cannonball, eventually making a perfect dismount onto the crashpad as Iseman yells, “And she does it! The first woman EVER to get past that obstacle!” After that, both the hosts and the audience can only cheer her on as she makes easy work of the rest of the course, becoming the fourth woman to ever hit the buzzer on a 10-obstacle course and advancing in the competition.

While she spends this episode of American Ninja Warrior making history, that doesn’t mean Folsom’s previous times on the show haven’t been eventful. She’s a five-time veteran of the competition, with seasons 13 and 14 seeing her beat out a majority of her fellow warriors and make it to the finals. Along with absolutely killing it as an individual, Isabella has had the joy of competing alongside her husband in the 2024 ANW Couple’s Championship — which they won! She had many amazing triumphs under her belt going into the current season, but it’s been clear since the beginning that she wanted a moment that would truly cement her as an American Ninja Warrior icon. And luckily for her (and the many viewers watching at home), this clip shows her getting exactly that.

This ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Is Breaking More Than Just Records

American Ninja Warrior season 17 is promising to be as intense as it is shocking, filled with jaw-dropping moments like what Isabella pulled off in the latest episode. It’s going to be hard for any competitors to beat this scene though; very few contestants can say they truly made history on the long-running program. But whether someone else breaks barriers like Isabella or not, one thing is clear: this season is filled with some of the best athletes the show has ever seen. And if Isabella is any indication, the rest of this installment may be some of the series’ most unforgettable episodes yet!

American Ninja Warrior Season 17 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and the next day on Peacock.