Yen Chen, Jake Murray headline funniest ANW submission videos

Before they can star under the bright lights on American Ninja Warrior, contestants must send in submission videos to be taken under consideration by the obstacle-racing show’s producers. Here we present the funniest of the many thousands of such videos, led off by Yen Chen’s submission from 2012.

A photo posted by Yen Chen (@yenjawarrior) on Nov 2, 2015 at 7:39pm PST

The Los Angeles-based Chen used his video to simultaneously embrace and poke fun at Asian American stereotypes.

JAKE MURRAY

For his Season 7 submission video, skateboarding ninja Jake Murray borrowed liberally from Kevin Bacon’s dated dance moves in the 1984 film Footloose.

A photo posted by Jake Murray (@amurraycan_ninja) on May 8, 2016 at 10:02am PDT

The Denver-based Murray, who attributes his ninja powers to his mother’s side of the family, has enjoyed considerable success on ANW since his debut last year.

NEIL CRAVER

By his own admission, Neil Craver is “allergic to normal” and it shows in his submission video which features his mustachioed face emerging from an arugula salad.

A photo posted by Ninja Warrior (@ninjawarrior) on Jan 23, 2016 at 12:03pm PST

Craver joined fellow ninjas Natalie Duran and Grant McCartney to form Team Golden Hearts and compete on Team Ninja Warrior.

KEVIN MOSLEY

In Kevin Mosley’s ANW 6 submission video/mini-movie, he roams a post-apocalyptic Ninja world a la Will Smith’s character from I Am Legend — complete with a stuffed toy german shepherd.

A post shared by K Mose (@arcanekani) on Dec 21, 2016 at 6:41am PST

If Mosley’s dreams of summiting Mt. Midoriyama’s never pan out, the Florida-based, cos-play enthusiast can always try his luck at the Spartan Race instead.

EDWARD CLYDE

Gymnastics and freerunning coach Edward Clyde used a video format inspired by Old Spice commercials for his hilarious 2014 submission video.

A photo posted by Edward Clyde (@coach_silly) on Jun 25, 2016 at 7:55pm PDT

You can find more of Clyde’s video work at Loft Party Films.

MICAH SOELBERG

Micah Soelberg got a leg up on the competition by having Morgan Freeman — or at least someone that sounds an awful lot like him — narrate his submission video last year.

Ghost King (v11). Finally stuck the crux then forgot to put a toe on for the throw. I'm having a lot of "next time" goes lately. #joesvalley

A photo posted by Micah Soelberg (@cruxcognition) on Apr 21, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT

Like many of the best ninjas, the Salt Lake City resident is an accomplished rock climber.

ALVARO CAMPOS

Alvaro Campos‘ love of kung fu flicks is abundantly transparent from his hilarious submission video that secured him a spot on ANW’s season 7.

A photo posted by Alvaro Campos Roig (@ninja_science) on Aug 31, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

Campos is easy to recognize in public when he’s carrying a six-foot long #AmericanNinjaWarrior sign.

ANDY TAYLOR

One famous Andy Taylor was the sheriff of the fictional Mayberry, North Carolina, another was the real-life guitarist for Duran Duran. Yet another Andy Taylor sports blue hair and can reel off backflips with ease. Taylor’s submission video features a rocking soundtrack courtesy Foxy Shazam.