Meagan Martin makes history as the first-ever female ‘American Ninja Warrior’ champion

It was a historic night on “American Ninja Warrior,” Sunday, as viewers like “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins tuned in to see contestants like fan-favorite Jessie Graff compete in the first-ever women’s championship. But when Graff had a surprising fall it left the door open for other women like Meagan Martin to seize the moment in a dramatic finish.Martin took on Jesse Labreck in the finals and managed to come from behind and win at the last moment.

Fans were not only happy for Martin’s big win, they were also happy for all the women competitors. One fan tweeted, “American Ninja Warrior Women’s Championship is AWESOME! These women are amazing and I love how they encourage each other.”

And even though Meagan made history as the first female champion, she had nothing but respect for her fellow finalist, Jesse Labreck.

“I have so much respect for [Labreck],” Martin said soon after her win. “She is one of the fiercest competitors, and I was playing catch-up, so I just had to take a risk. It could have gone wrong, but luckily it worked, and I'm just so...I can't believe this is happening.”

Video Transcript

- Tonight, "Ninja's" history makers.

- Her-story! Jessie Graff, Flex Labreck, Meagan Martin, and the best female ninjas in the country will battle to be our first Women's Champion.

KYLIE MAR: It was a historic night on "American Ninja Warrior" Sunday as viewers, like "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins, tuned in to see contestants, like fan favorite Jessie Graff, compete in the first-ever Women's Championship. But when Graff had a surprising fall, it left the door open for other women, like Meagan Martin, to seize the moment in a dramatic finish.

- Here comes Flex!

- Oh, a great move by Meagan! Another great move by Meagan! Oh, my goodness, Meagan!

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

Oh, my goodness! What-- come from behind!

KYLIE MAR: Fans were not only happy for Meagan's big win, they were also happy for all the women competitors, with one fan tweeting, "'American Ninja Warrior Women's Championship' is awesome! These women are amazing, and I love how they encourage each other." And even though Meagan made history as the first female champion, she had nothing but respect for her fellow finalist Jesse Labreck.

MEAGAN MARTIN: I have so much respect for her. She is one of the fiercest competitors. And I was playing catch-up, so I just had to take a risk. It could have gone wrong, but luckily, it worked. And I'm so--

- Yeah.

MEAGAN MARTIN: I can't believe this is happening.

- You took a big risk, and you got a big reward, girl.