Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Deren Perez celebrates after hitting the buzzer for the first time on American Ninja Warrior in Las Vegas. (American Ninja Warrior)
A shower of confetti and a burst of sparklers lit up the air when a Coast Guard chief slammed the buzzer for his first time on American Ninja Warrior after five seasons as a competitor on the sports entertainment reality show.
Chief Petty Officer Deren Perez, also known as the “Guahan Ninja,” successfully completed Las Vegas’s challenging obstacle course with a time of 2:45:65, earning a place among the top-10 finishers who will advance to the semifinals.
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Deren Perez celebrates after hitting the buzzer for the first time on American Ninja Warrior in Las Vegas. (American Ninja Warrior)
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Deren Perez celebrates after hitting the buzzer for the first time on American Ninja Warrior in Las Vegas. (American Ninja Warrior)
The show’s 17th season was recorded in Vegas and officially aired on NBC Tuesday.
“This accomplishment is great for the Coast Guard as it helps showcase the hard work and determination of our military members,” said Perez, of Santa Rita, Guam.
“Like Guam, the Coast Guard is very small and not many people know about us. I hit the buzzer to help people know who we are and that we, too, have what it takes to compete at the highest levels.”
Although it’s Perez’s first time hitting the buzzer on ANW, this marks his 10th buzzer win as a professional Ninja, with others on the similar sports reality shows Ninja Warrior UK and Sasuke Vietnam.
“It was something I felt I did for my island,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without all the support from all my family, friends and locals alike from Guam.”
Perez and the other competitors faced iconic ANW obstacles, including the quad steps, lunatic ledges, log runners and the warped wall with challenging elements like steps, ropes, swinging components and timed transitions which tested their balance, strength and agility.
Named the 2023 Coast Guard Elite Male Athlete of the Year, Perez is a talent acquisition specialist stationed at the Coast Guard Recruiting Office Guam in the village of Tamuning. He said that he wants to use his platform to encourage folks — especially those in the military — to prioritize their health and fitness.
“You have that foundation from your branch of service of general fitness,” Perez said. “Get into something new, find a sport because who knows, you might find something out there that will suit you and you might be the next person to help represent our great service. You just gotta go out there and be the best version of yourself.”
