Thomas Stillings made an emotional return to American Ninja Warrior

When Thomas Stillings hit the buzzer on American Ninja Warrior, he broke down into sobs. The second represented a lot to the Ninja. After a yr away, he return for season 12 on the third night time of Qualifiers. His run earned him a spot within the Semi-Finals, however it additionally marked a vivid spot in a really lengthy yr.

“I’ve cried a lot at this time,” Thomas stated, as we stepped to the facet for a fast interview after his run.

Thomas’ time had simply missed out on the highest two spots, that means he wouldn’t get a shot at this Energy Tower, however he was unfazed by that. As he shared on the episode, apart from the pandemic and the shared struggles of 2020, Thomas and his spouse, Zoe, confronted a terrifying well being scare when docs found that Zoe had a big mind tumor. Fortunately, she’s high quality now, however the highway was an extended one for Thomas.

“My motivation is my spouse. Me and her have been by means of a lot, particularly this yr. Virtually dropping her to a mind tumor, after which corona. Every part. It was similar to, oh man. We wanted one thing good. Once we came upon I obtained the decision, that was the primary signal. And now, hitting that buzzer. That was the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel for us. It’s simply wonderful.”

Elizabeth Morris/NBC

This run marked Thomas’ return to the course as he didn’t participate in season 11. Thomas got here again with one thing to show and a plan.

“My essential purpose was coming again after taking final yr off and never coaching as onerous and never being as match as I’d prefer to be – Simply don’t embarrass myself. I even have a extremely good popularity of being undefeated on a Qualifying course. Having the ability to preserve that report intact and hitting that buzzer for my spouse, that’s simply the cherry on the cake. It was every part. Now something that occurs, I’m going to stroll away with an enormous smile on my face. Simply being right here is wonderful.”

Elizabeth Morris/NBC

Thomas has a historical past of being speedy on the course which put the Energy Tower in his sights. It wasn’t within the playing cards for Qualifiers, however Thomas discovered solace in how issues turned out.

“If feels good after taking final yr off after which to come back again. I attempted to make it (to the Energy Tower). I couldn’t fairly do it. Unhappy. But when I used to be going to get bumped out, having it occur by R.J. Roman, I’m okay with it. I wasn’t actually inefficient on something. I simply sadly didn’t have the power to plow by means of the Ferris Wheels like him and Sean Bryan did. I knew it was going to come back all the way down to the Ferris Wheels for us. This complete course was designed for my strengths, apart from quantity 5, and that’s the place it mattered.

But it surely was a extremely good run. I used to be actually proud of my efficiency. Once more, if it was going to be anybody, I’m actually joyful it was R.J.”

Really having a brand new season of American Ninja Warrior to observe feels fairly surreal to all of us. That’s not misplaced on Thomas both.

“Till I obtained to that begin platform, it was like something may occur. Are we good? Then every part hit. I’m again! Season 12, that is going to be a superb yr for me.”

His good yr is off and working! We’re so joyful Thomas’ spouse is wholesome and we’re so joyful he’ll be again on the course for Semi-Finals!