BOCA RATON — The first time Christina Gambino tried her hat at the intense obstacle course on the television series “American Ninja Warrior,” she fell during the first obstacle.
That was over a year ago, and the episode never aired.
“I was a little upset, because I wanted the world to see me fall,” said Gambino, 30, a former student at Florida Atlantic University and St. Andrews School in Boca Raton. “I wanted to show them what to do when you fall.”
Gambino applied for the action-packed NBC series — which pits athletes against one another in a series of physically challenging obstacle courses — again, and performed live in Minneapolis. The episode airs Monday night at 8 p.m.
Those who successfully complete a local competition move on to a national competition in Las Vegas.
Gambino can’t say how she did during her second attempt at “American Ninja Warrior,” but the gymnast and entrepreneur hopes her performance inspires the masses.
“The producers encouraged me to apply again. They said, ‘Some of the best ninjas fall,’ ” Gambino said. “I used that as my fuel and motivation.”
Gambino, who travels the country by RV but calls South Florida home, injured her arm weeks before the episode was filmed live. Her hand was partially paralyzed by a pinched nerve. It’s since recovered, but not full, she said.
“I didn’t know if I’d be a ninja warrior again,” she said. But she performed through the pain.
“I just want to tell the world: It’s not over yet,” Gambino said. “The first step in achieving your goals is believing in yourself.”
?For a full interview with local gymnast and “American Ninja Warrior” competitor Christina Gambino, check back at The Palm Beach Post Tuesday, July 9, 2018.
Follow Delray Beach reporter Lulu Ramadan on Twitter at @luluramadan.
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